Questions to ask a residency program
Rotation sites and travel: questions to ask at a residency interview
Ask where training takes place and how site changes affect supervision, learning and everyday logistics. A program's main address may not be the place you work on every rotation.
How to explore this topic
- 1
Map the required sites
Review the rotation list and ask which locations are required in each year. Distinguish an elective away experience from a mandatory external rotation. Do not use the headquarters address as a substitute for a real training map.
- 2
Ask about support across sites
Ask how orientation, communication, supervision and access to teaching work when residents move. Residents can describe their experience; staff should confirm the current required arrangements. Avoid relying on an old website screenshot when a site change is being planned.
- 3
Check practical details before deciding
Ask the responsible contact about transport, housing or reimbursement when these matter to you. Do not assume assistance is included. Keep a note of what is confirmed, what is planned and which details still need written confirmation.
A question to adapt
Which rotations require work outside the main site or city, and how are residents supported when moving between those locations?
This is editorial sample wording, not a quotation or a question every applicant must ask. Adapt it to your interests and the information the program already provides.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC's Education list distinguishes required rotations, rotations outside the city and away opportunities. Use those distinctions to avoid assuming all external experiences are optional.
AAMC advises asking administrators and residents for specific examples and being honest about your own preferences. These are editorial questions to adapt, not a scoring checklist or a claim about a particular program.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating every off-site experience as optional.
- Assuming travel or housing costs are covered.
- Ignoring changes planned for your training year.
Check what you learned
- Are required and elective sites separated?
- Have current locations been confirmed?
- Are practical arrangements verified with staff?
Useful follow-up questions
- How does teaching access work at an external site?
- Is there a site-specific orientation?
- Who confirms transport or housing arrangements?
Common questions
Is it reasonable to ask about travel?
Yes. AAMC includes rotations outside the city and away opportunities in its suggested questions.
Can a resident confirm reimbursement?
They can describe their experience. Current formal terms should come from the responsible administrative contact.
What if the program is changing sites?
Ask which arrangements are confirmed for your year and what is still planned. Record uncertainty rather than treating plans as final.
Related guides
Sources
This page is general editorial guidance based on the sources above. It is not a prediction of any program's questions or a statement of its current policies.