Interview preparation guide
Preparing for different interviewer groups: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC says you will likely meet the program director, two or three faculty members and one or two residents. Prepare different goals and questions for each group.
How to prepare
- 1
Know the likely groups
AAMC describes the program director, faculty and resident interviews as the usual mix. Your actual interviewers may differ, so check the schedule and ask the contact if names are not provided.
- 2
Prepare questions by role
For leadership and faculty, ask about training structure, evaluation and mentorship. For residents, ask about daily work, support and how the program responds to feedback. Use your own research and do not ask staff to rank applicants or discuss other applicants.
- 3
Be consistent and professional
AAMC advises one strong example over several weak ones and professionalism in every interaction. Keep your examples consistent across interviewers, and keep private comments about people out of conversations.
A practical exercise
Group: [director/faculty/resident]. Goal: [..]. Question: [..]. Example I may share: [..]. Notes after: [..].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC says applicants will likely interview with the program director, two or three faculty and one or two residents.
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
- Using one script for every interviewer.
- Asking residents for private complaints.
- Changing facts between conversations.
Check your preparation
- Do I know who is on my schedule?
- Are my questions role-specific?
- Are my examples consistent and accurate?
Questions for your practice review
- What does a typical week look like?
- How is feedback handled?
- What support is available?
Common questions
Who interviews residency applicants?
AAMC says you will likely meet the program director, two or three faculty and one or two residents.
Should I ask everyone the same questions?
Not necessarily. Choose questions that fit each person's role.
Can residents tell me about the program?
They can describe their experience. Treat it as one account, not formal policy.
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.