Residency applications and interview experience

[tinyhandsbob]

Hey folks- I have some questions about the residency interview/application experience for those of you who have already interviewed. Specifically:

1) What does a typical residency interview day consist of? Are there structured type questions that everyone gets like you would at a regular job interview or is it something else entirely? Is there any similarity between the medical school entry interviews and residency interviews in terms of the vibe/structure/feel? Do most people find the residency interviews more/less stressful than medical school interviews?

2) What has your experience been as far as how you were treated at the residency interview versus say medical school entry interviews. Would you say that generally you are treated like you 'belong' in the field and directors are just trying to find those with the right fit for their programs or is there some suspicion regarding applicants expressed directly or indirectly during the interview process? (for example, my experience has been that during medical school entry interviews, there is a bit of suspicion and having to prove you really want to be a doctor/want to work in the medical field, have to explain your entire life story and how you got there especially if you're non-traditional). Does that vibe continue into the residency interviews or are you considered/treated as 'part of the profession' by that point and maybe treated more respectfully?

3) When you apply for the Match, can the programs see all the information you entered in your AMCAS medical school application (i.e. high school name, every college class you've ever taken including unrelated degrees, every job you've held prior to medical school etc) or do you have the opportunity to re-enter all that information and only list the relevant educational history/past jobs held? ( in order to present your application in the light most conducive to success in your desired specialty).



Thanks!

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[AlteredScale]

1) What does a typical residency interview day consist of? Are there structured type questions that everyone gets like you would at a regular job interview or is it something else entirely? Is there any similarity between the medical school entry interviews and residency interviews in terms of the vibe/structure/feel? Do most people find the residency interviews more/less stressful than medical school interviews?

Typically it's a brief intro to the program, the hospital, and the residents followed by a formal interview with faculty and sometimes residents. I would say residency interviews...at least in the way of IM are much more relaxed than medical school interviews. Residency interviews are more similar to job interviews as the questions they ask are revolved around getting to know you, your goals and if they align with the residencies goals, etc. In contrast med school interviews have specific questions in mind that in many cases, are meant to pry much deeper than the question and have you reflect about what is important to you and if you are suitable for the profession altogether.

2) What has your experience been as far as how you were treated at the residency interview versus say medical school entry interviews. Would you say that generally you are treated like you 'belong' in the field and directors are just trying to find those with the right fit for their programs or is there some suspicion regarding applicants expressed directly or indirectly during the interview process? (for example, my experience has been that during medical school entry interviews, there is a bit of suspicion and having to prove you really want to be a doctor/want to work in the medical field, have to explain your entire life story and how you got there especially if you're non-traditional). Does that vibe continue into the residency interviews or are you considered/treated as 'part of the profession' by that point and maybe treated more respectfully?

In residency, you are treated in such a way where everyone wants you to feel welcomed. If you are invited to a residency interview, it's because they want you. There is no feeling of suspicion in residency interviews, you are already in the profession. It's more of "do you fit at this particular program based on your goals.

3) When you apply for the Match, can the programs see all the information you entered in your AMCAS medical school application (i.e. high school name, every college class you've ever taken including unrelated degrees, every job you've held prior to medical school etc) or do you have the opportunity to re-enter all that information and only list the relevant educational history/past jobs held? ( in order to present your application in the light most conducive to success in your desired specialty).

When you submit your application for the match through the NRMP system, you will include information that is similar to what you put on your AMCAS. They cannot see your AMCAS application.