Interview preparation guide
A post-interview debrief: residency interview preparation guide
Capture what you learned before programs start blending together. A good debrief distinguishes confirmed information, impressions and questions that still need an answer.
How to prepare
- 1
Make notes promptly
After the interview, record the points that mattered to your training goals and daily life. AAMC recommends capturing impressions immediately. Do not store sensitive patient stories, private remarks about named residents or recordings made without permission.
- 2
Separate evidence from interpretation
Write the specific example alongside your impression. Note who described a process and whether it was formal policy or personal experience. A friendly conversation, a difficult question or your own nerves should not become a complete verdict about program quality.
- 3
Identify a narrow unresolved question
Review which issue actually affects your decision. Use the program's appropriate route for a permitted follow-up and avoid repeated speculative contact. Update the notes when a formal answer arrives, preserving what was uncertain. This debrief supports later comparison; it is not a formula for a rank list.
A practical exercise
Confirmed facts: [current evidence]. Examples heard: [nonprivate account]. Impressions: [your reaction and why]. Unresolved items: [specific question and appropriate source]. Fit with my priorities: [tradeoff].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC recommends notes after each interview because programs can start to look alike during the interview trail.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview scoring. Follow your actual invitation and program instructions.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating a feeling as a verified policy.
- Keeping private identifiable stories.
- Using a scoring formula as a substitute for judgment.
Check your preparation
- Are facts and impressions labelled?
- Is the note useful for later comparison?
- Does the unresolved question matter?
Questions for your practice review
- What evidence supports this impression?
- What differs from another program?
- Which point needs formal confirmation?
Common questions
When should I debrief?
AAMC recommends recording impressions immediately after the interview. Choose a practical private moment.
Should I assign a numerical score?
A score is optional and cannot replace the reasons and evidence behind your comparison.
Does this determine my rank order?
No. Use your priorities, verified information and advising where helpful; this is a note framework.
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.