Interview preparation guide
Weighing your own priorities before ranking: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's resident-written list ends with questions to ask yourself, covering contentment, confidence in the program and the place you would live. Use them to turn interview notes into a clear view of fit.
How to prepare
- 1
Ask the three questions
AAMC lists: Can I be content working in this program and with these people? Am I confident in the program and the sponsoring institution? Are there factors that make this location an attractive place for me to live during my residency?
- 2
List the factors that matter to you
AAMC says to consider factors such as proximity to family, the well-being of a spouse or significant other, housing, cost of living, schools, community opportunities and recreation. Rank them yourself.
- 3
Compare programs on your list
AAMC says you may face a decision between programs with similar academic and patient care qualities. At that point personal well-being and comfort matter. Use your own answers, not other people's rankings.
A practical exercise
Content here: [..]. Confident in the program: [..]. Location factors: [..]. Top three priorities: [..]. Programs that fit: [..].
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 resident-written list ends with questions to ask yourself about contentment, confidence and location.
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
- Letting someone else's priorities replace your own.
- Ignoring where you would live.
- Weighing only prestige.
Check your preparation
- Did I answer the three questions?
- Did I rank my own factors?
- Do my notes support my choice?
Questions for your practice review
- What matters most to me?
- Where would I be content?
- What is the real difference between my top programs?
Common questions
Is this a ranking method?
No. AAMC presents these as questions to ask yourself. You decide how to rank.
When should I do this?
After your interviews, once you have notes from each program.
Can this tell me where to rank a program?
No. It can help you think about fit.
Related guides
Sources
- AAMC: insight from residents on what to ask during residency interviews
- AAMC Careers in Medicine: evaluating programs for your rank order list
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.