Interview Questions

[Myopic Girl]

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Hello all. I thought we could use this thread to post interview questions that we may be asked in the next few months. Any help would be greatly appreciated, from people who have already gone through the interview process, or from people entering it currently.

 

[MedicalDoctorV]

"So, what can I tell you about our program." That seems to be the one that every single interviewer has... AND it's really bloody frustrating, because someone just stood up for an hour and told you in lengthy detail everything you could possibly want to know, plus some.

 

[ophthoapplicant]

"Tell me about yourself"

"So, I see you're from (city/state or med school). How was the flight/drive to (our residency program)?"

"So, why our program?"

"Do you have any questions for us" (very common)

 

[ZymarOUQID]

Been on 7 interviews thus far, and here are some questions not listed above:

1. Who are your role models, both in medicine and outside of medicine?

2. Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

3. What interests do you have outside of medicine (I got this one a lot, I think people get tired of seeing the same old applicants with a science background and will often ask about humanities majors from undergrad, non-medical things listed in hobbies, etc.)

4. What do you feel separates you from other applicants?

5. Questions about research... I've gotten some places that have pimped hard on research... I think they want to make sure you've participated heavily in it. One guy went so far as to have apparently read the paper and proceeded to find fault with the study and how he didnt agree with the results (blah blah blah)... basically, I kinda nodded, thanked him for pointing this out, said we addressed most of his concerns in the paper, and that I'd speak to my mentors about it.

6. Do you feel that as a doctor that you have anything to give back to the community, both medically and otherwise? (kinda generic question)

7. Name a time in your life that you failed at something and what/how did you learn from it

8. Generic questions about fellowship interests as well

 

[Mye Eye]

Been on 7 interviews thus far, and here are some questions not listed above:

seven OPHTHO interviews already? i didnt realize that many programs already had interview dates...NICE work

 

[MedicalDoctorV]

If you couldn't do your training in ophthalmology, what would you do? Why?

If you weren't in medicine - what would you do with your life?

How did you end up in medicine? (economics major in undergrad)

 

[brownsdawg]

Me: I've visited XXXXXXXX many times, as I have relatives here, so I'm quite familiar with the city.

Interviewer: You've visited this city many times? Why?!? (said somewhat incredulously)

Me: ...

 

[ZymarOUQID]

chairman at one program at the beginning of the day said that he wanted to know of a good book (outside of medicine) that you have recently read and why/what you liked about it so much

also one place where interviewer asked me, "why ophthalmology, and tell me something unique. not just that it's a perfect combination of medicine, surgery, research, long-term relationship with patients, etc."

also, 'if you could travel anywhere, where and why?'

to myeye: thanks man, appreciate the compliments. good luck to you too

 

[ZymarOUQID]

chairman at one program at the beginning of the day said that he wanted to know of a good book (outside of medicine) that you have recently read and why/what you liked about it so much

also one place where interviewer asked me, "why ophthalmology, and tell me something unique. not just that it's a perfect combination of medicine, surgery, research, long-term relationship with patients, etc."

also, 'if you could travel anywhere, where and why?'

to myeye: thanks man, appreciate the compliments. good luck to you too

 

[Wolverine98]

It was a few years ago, but one that I got that I really liked was: "What's one question that you've been expecting that no one has asked you on the interview trail?"

My answer: "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?"

That led into a nice philosophical discussion on the utility of those sorts of questions.

Dave

 

[eyeballs]

When I intereviewed last year, chairman asked me the name of my role model in ophthalmology and why.