Interview preparation guide
Clustering travel for in-person interviews: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC suggests cluster interviewing to reduce travel cost. The idea is to plan nearby in-person interviews together, subject to invitation dates and your own limits.
How to prepare
- 1
Map invitations by region
List the programs that invite you in person and group them by region. AAMC describes cluster interviewing as flying to a region and driving to each site, starting and ending at the same airport.
- 2
Compare dates and flexibility
Programs set their own dates, so clustering may not always be possible. Look for flexibility in each invitation and use the program's process to ask whether another date is available. The NRMP 2027 agreement says applicants should accept only interviews they intend to fulfill, so do not accept one you do not intend to attend.
- 3
Add recovery time
AAMC says the interview trail can be exhausting and recommends scheduling with enough space to be energized. A tight cluster may save money but leave no time to rest or review your notes, so build in buffers.
A practical exercise
Region: [..]. Programs: [..]. Dates: [..]. Airport and route: [..]. Buffer between interviews: [..]. Estimated saving versus separate trips: [..].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC lists cluster interviewing and driving where possible as ways to reduce interview travel costs.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview outcomes. Costs and formats vary by program, so follow your actual invitation and school guidance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking before dates are confirmed.
- Leaving no buffer for delays.
- Treating cost saving as the only factor.
Check your preparation
- Are dates confirmed?
- Does the route start and end at one airport?
- Is there rest time between interviews?
Questions for your practice review
- Is another date available?
- What is the local transport plan?
- Where will I stay?
Common questions
What is cluster interviewing?
AAMC describes it as flying to a region and driving to each site, starting and ending at the same airport.
Does clustering always save money?
This guide cannot say. Compare actual fares and dates for your own route.
Can I decline an interview later?
The NRMP 2027 agreement says to accept only interviews you intend to fulfill and to give reasonable notice, for example one to two weeks, if you must cancel. Use the program's process.
Related guides
Sources
- AAMC: the cost of interviewing for residency
- AAMC: what to expect at residency interviews
- NRMP: 2027 Match Participation Agreement for applicants
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.