So I am anticipating getting some interviews (fingers crossed), and I was wondering if there is any advice current residents or people that have been through the process can pass along... I know you should be yourself and all, but is there a strategy or any sort of preparation that one should consider prior to an interview? I hear most interviews go for 30-60 mins. What do you talk about? Thanks! 😀
You'll get the same questions over and over again. So be prepared for the obvious ones.
I interviewed at 12 programs, but didn't match. Luckily, I post-matched (dodged a bullet there, and am very happy with my current program). If I could do it again:
- I would change my hairstyle to something more conservative, but keep my beard (ofcourse keep it tidy, however).
- I would think of better reasons why I may want to go to each program before the interview <- they ask this and seem to think that people know what the program is about before you show up..
😕
- Try to talk with other applicants less, and try and talk with the residents more.
- Ask the same questions over and over again, but to different people (resident1/resident2/attending) within the same program. I tried to go into everything with an open mind. After what I know now, I wish I was more skeptical.
- Go back in time and do more externships that were not at my home school. I feel some programs felt I was a sure thing at my home school... well, it turns out I wasn't!
- Reflect on my externship experiences more. I feel like I got a lot of questions about my externship experiences.
- Send thank you letters/e-mails after.... don't be a dolt like me! doh!
Interview season was tiring and costly. Try to make it as easy on yourself as possible by not scheduling any other commitments around that time. Good luck!
