Questions to Ask Residents During Residency Interviews

Why ask residents, and where you will meet them

Residents live the program every day, so they can tell you what faculty and the website cannot. You usually meet them at a pre-interview social and during the interview day.

• The pre-interview social. Programs often host a reception for interviewees the night before the interview day. The AAMC recommends that programs interview virtually, so the social may be a video call.
• The interview day. Expect time with one or two residents, and sometimes lunch or rounds with them.
• It still counts. The AAMC warns that even casual talks with residents, staff or other applicants may be considered when you are evaluated.
• Optional means optional. Pediatrics, for example, says applicants should not feel obligated to attend open houses or optional social hours, and that open house attendance should not be used as a sign of interest.

Questions about culture and wellness

These tell you whether you would be happy here for the years of your training.

• "What happened the last time a resident was struggling?" A real story about coverage, time off or support says more than "we're a family."
• "How do residents get along with each other outside work?" Listen for whether interns and seniors mix, or only stay in their own class.
• "Has the program changed anything because residents asked for it?" A specific recent change shows leadership listens.
• "How approachable are the program director and faculty?" Ask for an example of a time someone went to them with a problem.
• "Knowing what you know now, would you rank this program first again?" Watch for a pause. A quick, specific yes is a good sign.

Questions about schedule and workload

The call schedule is usually on the website. Ask residents how it actually feels.

• "Walk me through a typical week on your hardest rotation." Compare the answer with the ACGME limits in the table above.
• "How often do you stay late, and why?" Staying for a sick patient is normal. Staying every day for paperwork is a workload problem.
• "What happens when someone calls in sick?" A clear backup or jeopardy system protects you when you need it.
• "How much of your day is work that does not teach you anything?" Ask about support from phlebotomy, transport and social work.
• "How are vacations and days off scheduled?" Ask whether residents can choose their weeks and how far ahead the schedule comes out.

Questions about teaching and autonomy

These show whether you will learn by doing, with the right backup.

• "How does your independence change from intern to senior year?" Listen for concrete steps, such as running a team or taking first call.
• "Is there an attending you can always reach overnight?" Good programs give you room to decide and someone to call.
• "Do conferences happen during protected time, or do you get paged out?" Protected time on paper and in practice are not always the same.
• "How do you get feedback, and is it useful?" Ask how often, from whom and whether anyone acts on it.

Questions about life outside work

You will live in this city, not just train in it.

• "Where do most residents live, and what does rent look like?" Ask about commute times on night shifts too.
• "What do you do on a free weekend?" This is the easiest way to learn about the city and the residents.
• "How do residents with partners or kids make it work?" Ask it about residents in general. Never ask a resident about their own family plans.
• "Is moonlighting allowed for seniors?" PGY-1 residents cannot moonlight under ACGME rules, so ask about later years.

Questions about fellowships and jobs

Ask these even if you are not sure about fellowship yet.

• "Where did last year's seniors go?" Ask for fellowships and jobs by name, not just "they all matched."
• "Who helps you with research and fellowship applications?" Ask whether there is a mentor program and how residents find projects.
• "Can you get research done with this schedule?" Ask when residents actually do it, such as on elective blocks.

What not to ask residents

Residents are friendly, but you are still being evaluated.

• Ranking questions. NRMP's code says applicants must not ask a program director or anyone on the recruitment team to share the program's ranking preferences or intentions.
• Salary and benefits first. The AAMC says salary, benefits and call hours are usually in the program's materials, and asking about them in the interview reflects poorly on you. Read them first.
• Questions the website answers. Ask about the parts behind the website, not the facts on it.
• Gossip. Do not ask residents to criticize named faculty or other programs.
• Personal questions. Do not ask residents about their own health, relationships or family plans.

How to read the answers

Right after each interview, write down what residents said while it is fresh. Programs blur together by January.

• Specific beats general. "Last month our chief covered my clinic so I could see my dad" means more than "we support each other."
• Look for agreement. One unhappy resident may be having a bad week. Three giving the same warning is a pattern.
• Notice who answers. If interns stay quiet and only chiefs talk, ask interns directly.
• Notice what they skip. A pause or a change of subject after a workload question is an answer too.

Frequently asked questions