What questions to ask interviewers?

[Pewl]

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What are some good questions to ask the interviewer or to ask about the program when you are asked if you have any questions?

I'm sure there are some that are specific to rad onc that would be good to know.

thanks!

 

[MHotep]

What are some good questions to ask the interviewer or to ask about the program when you are asked if you have any questions?

I'm sure there are some that are specific to rad onc that would be good to know.

thanks!

I am leaning heavily academic, so this is what I wanted to know from attendings...

1. How much research time?
2. Is the research time a solid block or is it broken up?
3. Is the research time protected?
4. When can I do research?
5. Would I be allowed to do research outside of the radiation oncology department?
6. Where have the graduates from your program gone over the past 5 years?
7. Board Pass Rate of program graduates?
8. Are there any rotations that would require me to be in a different city? (Many programs have to send residents elsewhere for pediatrics or brachytherapy.)

I'm sure that I can think of more, but basically, you want to ask attendings questions that directly impact your education, regardless if you are interested in academic medicine or not. Ask residents the questions that deal with quality of life during residency (i.e. call schedule, work load, etc.)

 

[RadoncRoulette]

What areas will be improved/changed by the time you enter training?
Any areas you think the residents could use more exposure (essentially what are your weaknesses)?

Also, Programs will often ask about what you are looking for in them. I think it is reasonable to ask what they are looking for in an applicant as well. This will give you the chance to sell yourself further or fill in holes if they overlook something on your application (Ex: One interviewer said he likes to see people who seek rotations outside their program and he did not know that I had done some)

 

[deleted4401]

Those are all good questions.

Just ask them all even if you don't really care about the answer, especially the research ones - they eat that up. I think also asking specific questions about the interviewer's research makes a good impression and shows interest in the program. Find out from the residents about how much you are actually doing - i.e. on prostate seed cases, is the resident getting a chance to place needles/seeds or just watching?

Be careful of your interpretation of board pass rates. I really feel that it's up to the resident to pass the boards. If Harvard had a lower pass rate than Hollywood Upstairs Medical, I wouldn't worry about it too much - probably just statistics and the fact that there is so few us that one fail really screws up the numbers.

S

 

[Pewl]

Would it be appropriate to ask the interviewers:

1) What do you feel are the strong points of the curriculum in resident training at this program? How the curriculum is set up to maximize learning potential?
2) Are there any revisions or improvements to the curriculum that you are implementing to improve the education program?
3) Is it appopriate to ask about their own perceived "weaknesses" at all? How would you approach that topic?

thanks

 

[trublu]

I am leaning heavily academic, so this is what I wanted to know from attendings...

1. How much research time?
2. Is the research time a solid block or is it broken up?
3. Is the research time protected?
4. When can I do research?
5. Would I be allowed to do research outside of the radiation oncology department?
6. Where have the graduates from your program gone over the past 5 years?
7. Board Pass Rate of program graduates?
8. Are there any rotations that would require me to be in a different city? (Many programs have to send residents elsewhere for pediatrics or brachytherapy.)

I'm sure that I can think of more, but basically, you want to ask attendings questions that directly impact your education, regardless if you are interested in academic medicine or not. Ask residents the questions that deal with quality of life during residency (i.e. call schedule, work load, etc.)

I'd strongly caution against going so heavy on the research questions. Even the most pro-research institutions typically like to see their applicants place patient care and clinical training at the top of their priority lists.

Ask a question or two to show interest in research, but let your CV do most of the talking. If you want some cost-free and real answers to these questions, ask the residents.

 

[napoleondynamite]

I'd strongly caution against going so heavy on the research questions. Even the most pro-research institutions typically like to see their applicants place patient care and clinical training at the top of their priority lists.

Ask a question or two to show interest in research, but let your CV do most of the talking. If you want some cost-free and real answers to these questions, ask the residents.

Sage advice, in my opinion.