Interview preparation guide
Asking about research opportunities and protected time: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's research questions ask whether research opportunities are provided to residents, whether research is a required experience and whether there is protected time for research.
How to prepare
- 1
Ask whether research is optional or required
The AAMC list asks whether research opportunities are provided to residents and whether research is a required experience. Ask both, because a required project shapes your time differently from an optional one.
- 2
Ask about protected time
The same list asks whether there is a possibility of protected time for research. Ask what protected means in practice, and ask for a recent example, which AAMC says gives a true understanding of the program.
- 3
Ask a resident about reality
Some questions are best answered by residents and some by program leaders, according to AAMC. Ask a resident whether protected time held up on a busy rotation and record who told you what.
A practical exercise
Opportunities: [..]. Required: [yes or no]. Protected time: [..]. Resident example: [..]. Source: [resident or leader].
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 research questions ask whether research opportunities are provided to residents, whether the experience is required and whether there is protected time for research.
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
- Assuming research is optional when it is required, or the reverse.
- Accepting the phrase protected time without an example.
- Comparing programs without noting who answered.
Check your preparation
- Did I ask whether research is required?
- Did I ask what protected time means in practice?
- Did a resident confirm how it works?
Questions for your practice review
- How many residents are doing research now?
- What does a protected research block look like?
- Is research support available, such as a coordinator or statistician?
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 about requirements and protected time, then ask residents how it works in practice.
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.