Interview preparation guide
Asking residents about change and responsiveness: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's questions for residents ask what has changed since they came to the program and whether the program is responsive to suggestions for change. The answers show whether resident feedback moves the program or disappears into a suggestion box.
How to prepare
- 1
Ask what has actually changed
The AAMC list asks residents what has changed since they came. Recent, specific changes, good or bad, tell you the program is alive; a blank answer is its own answer.
- 2
Ask whether suggestions get acted on
Ask for the last suggestion that became a change: who raised it, how long it took and what happened. A program that responds to suggestions usually has examples ready.
- 3
Ask how suggestions are raised
Responsiveness needs a channel. Ask whether feedback moves through chief residents, program meetings, house staff council or direct access to leadership, and whether the channel feels safe to use.
A practical exercise
Recent changes: [..]. Last suggestion that landed: [..]. Channel for feedback: [..].
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 questions for residents ask what has changed since they came to the program and whether the program is responsive to suggestions for change. The answers show whether resident feedback moves the program or disappears into a suggestion box.
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
- Asking only 'is the program responsive' and accepting a yes; examples are the evidence.
- Skipping residents and asking only leadership, who naturally describe the program as responsive.
- Ignoring the direction of recent change; some changes are losses, such as a cut elective or a lost benefit.
Check your preparation
- Did residents name recent changes without prompting?
- Did I hear a concrete suggestion-to-change story?
- Do I know the channel for raising concerns and whether it is safe?
Questions for your practice review
- What has changed since you came to the program?
- Is the program responsive to suggestions for change? Can you give an example?
- How do residents raise concerns, and does using that channel feel safe?
Common questions
Is this an official list of required questions?
No. AAMC describes its list as questions 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?
This question belongs to residents, ideally in the resident-only session. Asking two or three residents separately shows whether the answer is consistent.
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.