Residency interview answer guide
Do you plan to do a fellowship? Residency interview answer guide
The AAMC lists this among commonly asked questions. Programs want to know about your goals, but they also want residents who are committed to the training they are offering now.
How to approach it
- 1
Answer honestly
If you are interested in a subspecialty, say so. If you are undecided, say that. Programs notice when an answer sounds rehearsed.
- 2
Keep the focus on residency
The AMA's guide advises keeping the focus on your ambitions as a soon-to-be resident and showing you are open-minded about options. Show you want the full value of this training.
- 3
Explain what is driving the interest
Name what you have seen that draws you to the area, such as a rotation, a patient group or a research question. Then say how this program prepares you.
A fill-in outline, not a script
I am interested in [area or still exploring]. What draws me is [experience]. My priority is to get the most from residency first, and I would value [program feature] to help me [explore or prepare]. I want to stay open as I see more of the field.
This is an illustrative outline. Replace every bracket with something true from your own experience. The AAMC advises applicants to prepare rather than rehearse, so you can answer the question you are actually asked.
What advisers and program directors say
The AMA's interview guide says that if you aim to subspecialize after residency, you can express interest thoughtfully, and one expert said to keep the focus on your ambitions as a soon-to-be resident while showing you are open-minded about your career options.
The AAMC includes a question about fellowship plans in its list, so it is worth having a short honest answer ready.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sounding as if residency is only a step toward something else.
- Naming a fellowship with no experience behind it.
- Saying you will decide later with no thought.
- Criticising the specialty's general training.
Check your answer
- Does the answer show commitment to residency first?
- Is there an experience behind the interest?
- Is it honest about uncertainty?
Follow-up questions to expect
- What would you do if that fellowship did not work out?
- How would this program help?
- What else could you see yourself doing?
Common questions
Is it bad to say I want to subspecialize?
No. The AMA's guide says you can express interest thoughtfully. Keep the focus on your ambitions as a resident.
What if I am unsure?
Say so. Being open-minded is explicitly encouraged.
Should I ask about fellowship match history?
It is a reasonable question for the program. See the questions to ask interviewers guide.
Related guides
Sources
- AAMC, Questions Frequently Asked of Applicants During Interviews
- AMA, Guide to interviewing with residency programs
- AMA, A program director's do's and don'ts for residency interviews (Dec 2024)
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.