But as should go without saying, keep it professional and make sure you are well rested/not hung-over in the morning. My eventually second-ranked program got that position in a large part because of great things I heard from a local med student as a few of us had drinks in a hotel lobby following a separate interview – and that was even before I had interviewed at the place that became my #2. This can be great to interact with people from all over and get their less refrained views on various programs. It’s not uncommon for a few med students to meet up AFTER the dinner if there is an easy place. Though generally very little evaluating is done at the dinners, it never hurts to have a resident that may speak out on your behalf. But if you really hit it off with a resident and are having great conversation, keep it up. Avoid political, religious, or other potentially divisive conversations. Generally, don’t break the 1-2 EtOH rule and definitely don’t get sloppy or be rude… to anyone(restaurant staff included). This means that if something does get back, it’s either really good or really bad. Focus on getting to know the lifestyle culture of the program from the residents who live it!įor the most part, you want to learn as much as you can about the program, be pleasant, but not much more. If you manage to make an impression – make sure it is a good one! Most residency dinners are informal and probably little that happens there makes it back to the program leadership. Save most of the more detailed “education” based questions for the interview day – they are better answered there in my opinion.What do they like most about the program? The least? My favorite way to ask those questions was by asking if there were any major changes in the program they wish would occur.
But would they want to go there again? What are their hobbies, and when did they last do them? (“I love to golf… but the last time I went was in medical school” means either they don’t actually love golf, or they have zero free time). Almost all residents everywhere are over-worked and underpaid. Get to know how you as a person would fit with the culture of the program and if you are ok with the work/life balance.
Work hours, call frequency, if people are friends outside of work, if it’s a good single vs.Know your limit, and when you go from extra outgoing to borderline annoying.įocus most of your questions about the “lifestyle” of the residency as the informal situation is better than the actual interview day for this… Have 1-2 alcoholic drinks, if you want and others in the program clearly are. No one remembers what you ordered – get what you want. To give an “answer,” I’d say I’d stick solo for the dinner if not married/engaged to give 100% focus on the residents/program – they may be a longer relationship than your current one! I tended to see couples “pair up” more with other couples at dinner for conversations while solo applicants tended to do a better job of mingling with multiple residents. But it’s a personal decision and quite honestly it doesn’t likely matter either way.
It also can help give you a positive family-based image.Ĭons: Can be a distraction and some of the more nuanced educational questions won’t be of interest. Can direct your focus to them, instead of to the residents/program. Are great as an extra set of eyes/ears towards how residents feel. They often can ask great lifestyle questions and do well interacting with other significant others. Pros: It’s ultimately a joint decision and you want them to get an idea of the program/area too. They are almost always invited and genuinely welcomed, but it’s up to you and your significant other whether they should attend. And if I noticed, I’m guessing the program residents might have as well. You will have a hard time crossing into “over-dressed” but I saw plenty of people clearly under-dressed. I felt jeans were completely out-of-place. I always wore khakis, a button-up long sleeve shirt, and a sport jacket. “Business casual” and lean towards business. Make the dinner a priority in your residency interview schedule! Residents tend to tell it like it is at these dinners, and my experience was even the residents who volunteer for these things have a hard time hiding dissatisfaction if the program structure or culture is malignant.Ī couple of thoughts/tips for the residency interview dinner: In my mind, the residency interview dinner is for you to interview the program, while the interview day is for the program to interview you. This should be a high priority for you to attend! This is your best opportunity to get to know the residents and what the program is “really” like. Most programs will have some sort of residency interview dinner, usually the night before.
The Residency Interview Dinner By: LifeofaMedStudent