Interview preparation guide
Asking about lectures, journal clubs and board review: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's education questions ask what programs exist for resident education, naming lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds and board review courses. Ask which of them actually run and how often residents attend.
How to prepare
- 1
Ask for the actual list, not the brochure list
The AAMC education list names lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds and board review courses as examples of resident education programs. Ask which of these run now and how often, rather than accepting that they exist on paper.
- 2
Ask whether attendance is protected
A session that residents cannot attend teaches no one. Ask whether residents are relieved of clinical duties to attend and what attendance looked like in a recent month.
- 3
Ask residents what they use
AAMC notes some questions are best answered by residents. Ask residents which sessions they find useful and which board review resource the program actually provides.
A practical exercise
Sessions that run: [names and frequency]. Protected attendance: [yes or no, with example]. Board review provided: [what and when]. Resident view: [..].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC's education questions ask what programs exist for resident education, naming lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds and board review courses. Ask which of them actually run and how often residents attend.
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
- Confusing a listed session with a running session.
- Not asking whether attendance is protected from clinical work.
- Skipping the resident view of which sessions are useful.
Check your preparation
- Did I ask which sessions actually run and how often?
- Did I ask whether attendance is protected?
- Did a resident name the sessions they value?
Questions for your practice review
- What programs exist for resident education, such as lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds and board review?
- Are residents relieved of clinical duties to attend?
- Which board review course does the program provide?
Common questions
Is this an official list of required questions?
No. AAMC describes it as a list created by residents and students to help you assess fit, and says to build your own more specific questions from it.
Who should I ask?
AAMC says some questions are best answered by residents in the program. Ask a program leader for the schedule, then ask residents which sessions they attend and value.
Is this current for the 2027 ERAS season?
AAMC publishes this question list as current guidance for applicants interviewing in the 2027 ERAS season. Program answers change year to year, so ask each program for its own current answer.
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.