Interview preparation guide
Preparing your virtual interview presentation: residency interview preparation guide
AAMC's virtual interview guide treats on-camera presentation as the visible part of professionalism: dress as you would in person, position the camera at eye level, look at the camera rather than the screen, and record yourself in practice so you can see what the interviewer will see.
How to prepare
- 1
Dress and frame yourself as if in person
The AAMC guide says to dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview, position the camera at eye level so you appear to look directly at the interviewer, and keep your head and shoulders centered in the camera's view.
- 2
Look at the camera, not the screen
Eye contact on video is counterintuitive: the guide directs you to look at the device's camera, not the screen. It feels wrong for the first minutes and reads as direct eye contact on the other side.
- 3
Record yourself and fix what you see
The guide recommends recording yourself in practice to assess eye contact, sound quality and nervous habits - fidgeting, swiveling in the chair, covering parts of your face. The aim is a calm, engaged demeanor, and you cannot fix a habit you have never seen.
A practical exercise
Professional dress: [yes/no]. Camera at eye level: [yes/no]. Head and shoulders centered: [yes/no]. Practice recording reviewed: [yes/no]. Nervous habits noted: [..].
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 virtual interview guide treats on-camera presentation as the visible part of professionalism: dress as you would in person, position the camera at eye level, look at the camera rather than the screen, and record yourself in practice so you can see what the interviewer will see.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview outcomes. Formats and policies vary by program, so follow your actual invitation, the R3 system and school guidance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Watching your own video tile instead of the camera, which reads as looking down.
- Framing too close or too low so the interviewer sees ceiling or chin.
- Skipping the recording because it feels awkward; the guide's point is that the awkwardness is the training.
Check your preparation
- Does my camera sit at eye level with head and shoulders centered?
- Have I practised looking at the camera while answering?
- Have I watched a recording of myself and corrected what I saw?
Questions for your practice review
- Where exactly is my camera, and how do I keep my eyes on it?
- What nervous habits did my practice recording show?
- Does my framing match what I practised?
Common questions
Does presentation really matter this much on video?
AAMC's guide treats a virtual interview as an official interview and its presentation advice mirrors in-person standards. It also suggests being rested and focused so you can understand questions, craft coherent responses and present your best self.
Should I hide my own video tile?
If the platform allows it, hiding self-view makes looking at the camera easier and reduces self-monitoring. Keep the interviewers' video where you can read their reactions.
Is this current for the 2027 ERAS season?
The cited guidance is published by AAMC and NRMP as current for applicants in the 2027 ERAS season. Program formats, policies and Match dates change year to year, so confirm the details with each program and the current NRMP schedule.
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.