Meeting with Psych Residency Program Director

[504196]

I've recently decided to switch from gen surg to psych during an away rotation in gen surg. Since the away rotation is in a place I'd like to do residency I've arranged to meet the psych residency program director. It's at an academic hospital. What are some good questions to ask during the meeting? I am just beginning to research different programs and will apply mainly to academic programs with a few community programs. Thanks!

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[twospadz]

No matter what, don't believe what he or she says. Meeting with the program director face to face will not increase your chances nor is it really helpful. Just being honest. Whether you get a interview or not, will be based off of step scores. When we rank people, its did they have good scores, good letters, any red flags, and did the interviewers like that person. Make sure your application is solid if your gunning for a good place. Matching into residency is like dating. Personality counts much less than looks. And in psych, this is becoming more and more the case. Especially with psych becoming more competitive

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

PDs generally will not wink or make promises. This is mostly because we have as little of a clue as anyone else how the match will go.

 

[wolfvgang22]

To be fair, most of us are average in the looks department, so just dress professionally, be pleasant, and express some enthusiasm towards being a psychiatrist and contributing to a program. Most interviewers want to know "Can we get along with this person for 4 years?" Your scores and letters tell them the rest.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

You already asked the most important question--"can I meet with you?"
You're showing that you're honestly (I hope) interested in psych and in that institution.
If your paper is just so-so, this is the kind of connection that can get you an interview there, but again, don't expect any promises or commitments to be offered.

We've seen where the opposite is clearly true: an applicant is doing an away, says they're interested, yet doesn't bother to knock on our door--kind of a turn off.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

Wolfvgang22, I can't tell if you missed twospadz's metaphor about pulchritude and USMLE scores, or if you just kept running with it. If it is the latter, you are right, half of the USMLE scores are below average. 🙄

 

[504196]

So what questions do I ask? What percent of ppl do fellowship? What’s the program known for? Also I’ve heard programs on the west coast are more interested in medications whereas east coast programs emphasize psychotherapy. How true is this?

 

[Amygdarya]

So what questions do I ask? What percent of ppl do fellowship? What’s the program known for? Also I’ve heard programs on the west coast are more interested in medications whereas east coast programs emphasize psychotherapy. How true is this?

Ask the questions that *matter to you*. There is no list of correct questions you should ask to make a good impression; just be normal and ask about the things that matter to you. Eg., I'm not sure how meaningful the answer to the question about the percentage of program graduates going to fellowships is, and it's certainly not a measure of program quality. Psychiatry is not like internal medicine or general surgery where fellowships are more desirable than general practice and therefore competitive.
Instead, if you're interested in any particular psychiatry fellowship or area of psychiatry, ask about opportunities/electives/research etc in these areas.

Asking about what the program is known for is a reasonable question. However, be aware that you should have at least some idea about the program *because you expressed interest in it*. Going into an interview "blind" is not a good idea. Instead, at least check out the program's and the department's Web sites to see what they're proud of. Now, asking a PD of what they *personally* think are the strength and weaknesses of the program is much better because you ask about their personal opinion and not exposing your complete ignorance (and, by extension, lack of real interest) about the program. (Pro tip: on your interview trail, you can ask several interviewers at the same program this very question and may get very different answers.)

 

[mymembernames]

Is it appropriate to ask if you're competitive for their program (at least on paper)?

 

[Shufflin]

When you enter the sacred room of the program director, have ready some valuable art pieces as gifts, roll out a small red carpet, and a bowl with water for washing his or her feet. Didn't anyone prep you on this?

 

[clausewitz2]

When you enter the sacred room of the program director, have ready some valuable art pieces as gifts, roll out a small red carpet, and a bowl with water for washing his or her feet. Didn't anyone prep you on this?

And remember, on the west coast, the proper approach etiquette to the PD's throne is genuflect - genuflect - prostration, whereas on the east coast the second genuflection is replaced with lifting high one's voice in glorious hosannas in praise of the majesty before you.

Obviously in the later case your praise songs should be in elegiac couplets or, even better, hendecasyllabic verse.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

You guys just explained the look of relief I see on the sub-Is faces when they see I'm wearing a ring. It makes total sense now.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

And remember, on the west coast, the proper approach etiquette to the PD's throne is genuflect - genuflect - prostration, whereas on the east coast the second genuflection is replaced with lifting high one's voice in glorious hosannas in praise of the majesty before you.

Obviously in the later case your praise songs should be in elegiac couplets or, even better, hendecasyllabic verse.

In the Midwest, just bring beer.