Questions Frequently Asked of Applicants During Interviews

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Practice your interview skills with these common questions that are asked during residency interviews.

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A person smiles while looking at a laptop during an interview
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why did you become a doctor?
  • How would your friends describe you?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why are you interested in our program?
  • What are you looking for in a program?
  • Why should we choose you?
  • Can you tell me about this deficiency on your record?
  • Why are you interested in this specialty?
  • Tell us about your research experience.
  • If you could not be a physician, what career would you choose?
  • What do you see yourself doing in the future?
  • What leadership roles have you held?
  • What do you do in your spare time?
  • What was your favorite course in medical school?
  • Why did you choose this specialty?
  • What are your goals?
  • Are you interested in academic or in clinical medicine?
  • Do you want to do research?
  • What was the most interesting case that you have been involved in?
  • Do you plan to do a fellowship?
  • What is your most important accomplishment? 
  • What motivates you?
  • What will be the toughest aspect of this specialty for you?
  • If you could do medical school over again, what would you change?
  • What do you think you can contribute to this program?
  • Do you see any problems managing a professional and a personal life?
  • Are you prepared for the rigors of residency?
  • How much did lifestyle considerations fit into your choice of specialty?
  • Describe the best/worst attending with whom you have ever worked.
  • What is the greatest sacrifice you have already made to get to where you are?
  • What problems will our specialty face in the next 5-10 years?
  • How would you describe yourself?
  • List three abilities you have that will make you valuable as a resident in this specialty.
  • Describe a particularly satisfying or meaningful experience during your medical training. Why was it meaningful?
  • What is one event you are proudest of in your life?
  • What was the most difficult situation you encountered in medical school?
  • What clinical experiences have you had in this specialty?
  • How well do you take criticism?
  • What questions do you have for me?

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