Neurology Fellowship Interviews

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Specifically, movement disorder fellowship interviews. I'm about to begin them, and was curious if anyone had any advice or recommendations? In general are they "getting acquainted" sessions, or "interrogations about your application, future plans"? Also, any thoughts on how to make a good impression during an interview would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all as always!

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You probably know mine was in sleep medicine but I think I can give you general comments that will hold true no matter what.

First, fellowship interviews are definitely more social and "getting acquainted." I was never asked a pimp question, and was only asked personal (appropriate) stuff like why did I consider their program, what got me interested in sleep medicine, was I interested in academics, etc. These questions were totally appropriate and were honest probing about my intentions and to legitimately judge my fit with particular departments/divisions. I was asked about a couple of things on my personal interest statements, and a couple of simple questions about my "research" choices (like why I picked what I picked...not fine points about the methodology).

On the whole, the fellowship interviews were a lot of fun and I remember them (and the entire fellowship year) as the very best part of all of my medical education from the M1 year through all of residency. Which I suppose is true for everyone. Being a fellow is awesome. You still have attendings who are ultimately responsible for everything, and you are freed from the medical student/resident work force. You are actually able to go and read journal articles and textbooks at whim, and see patients that are 99% of the time appropriate for you clinic. I loved every minute of it.

My advice is take every interview seriously, and play to win every single time at every single location (no matter the program's status on your wish list). If you aren't willing to move somewhere, then why interview? Be professional, be on time, be friendly, be articulate, and be fun. Just like any job interview. Don't be afraid to sell yourself. You think you'd be better than the other qualified applicants? Tell them why. Want to live in another state when you're done? Tell them where and why. It's okay. People will respect the truth. I always thought it went without saying, but don't be afraid to be honest.
 
Thanks DanielMD! That's great advice. Good to know too that the interviews aren't "pimping" sessions. Had my first phone interview yesterday and it was pretty much exactly as you said. Very congenial, just wanted to know if I was seriously interested in the field, and spent alot of time telling me about the program.
Interesting that you say that about being a fellow, however, as I've heard mixed reviews. One of my attendings swears that his fellowship was the hardest year of his career, as there are reportedly no duty hours. This is in contrast to most accounts I've heard, yours included, however.
I appreciate the feedback as always!!
Last question: Tuxedo shirts for interviews, yes or no?
 
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A lot of fellowships are accredited now (although not all by ACGME), so we have to play fairer than we used to be able to. Probably a good thing overall.

Fellow interviews are just as much about the program selling itself to you as they are about you selling yourself to the program. If it's a research-heavy field, people may want to know what you've done and what your plan is for the future, and if they're knowledgeable about the topic you might get grilled a little. But no clinical pimping in any interview I've ever gone to or given (I interview potential fellows for my program).

You should relax and enjoy the process. It's much less stressful than residency interviews, and there is a sense that you've already "made it". That's not to say it isn't a competitive process, particularly if you are location-constrained, but people tend to bring those issues on themselves.

Make sure your CV doesn't have any typos or misprints. Wear a nice suit. Don't act highfalutin. Don't act desperate. You'll do fine.
 
A lot of fellowships are accredited now (although not all by ACGME), so we have to play fairer than we used to be able to. Probably a good thing overall.

Fellow interviews are just as much about the program selling itself to you as they are about you selling yourself to the program. If it's a research-heavy field, people may want to know what you've done and what your plan is for the future, and if they're knowledgeable about the topic you might get grilled a little. But no clinical pimping in any interview I've ever gone to or given (I interview potential fellows for my program).

You should relax and enjoy the process. It's much less stressful than residency interviews, and there is a sense that you've already "made it". That's not to say it isn't a competitive process, particularly if you are location-constrained, but people tend to bring those issues on themselves.

Make sure your CV doesn't have any typos or misprints. Wear a nice suit. Don't act highfalutin. Don't act desperate. You'll do fine.

This is great advice TN. Especially the part about the program selling itself to you, had another phone interview today and it definitely seems like that's the trend. It really does seem like a relaxed process and I think the only way to botch it is to go in thinking the opposite!

No ACGME accreditation for movement disorders yet though. But I doubt there's too many status dystonicus cases to rush in for emergency botox, and a little hard work never hurt anyway. Advice appreciated 🙂
 
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