Questions to ask Faculty and Program Directors
Written by Morgan Pratt, MD
Asking pointed questions is key to engaging in the interview process and can show your level of interest in a program. This is also your opportunity to get important information about a place and its people. Remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you so use your time to ask questions that cannot be easily answered from perusing their website. Focus on gaining insight into the inner workings of the program itself and what type of resident they are looking for.
I found it helpful to have 3-4 questions in my back pocket to ask any and all faculty I interviewed with. It can be informative to ask the same few questions to each faculty member and observe the different perspectives and answers it elicits. When they inevitably ask you “do you have anymore questions” and you’ve already asked 2-3, it's ok to say something along the lines of “I think you have answered all the questions I have at this time, would it be ok to reach out if I have additional questions throughout the process?”
Faculty Questions:
What does a successful *program name* resident look like?
How does the program support resident wellness?
What made you choose to work at this residency program?
What is your favorite thing about working here?
What does mentorship look like?
What is an area the program could improve upon?
What are your particular interests and passions within the specialty?
What opportunities do residents have to participate in formal education? How does the program teach residents how to teach?
What opportunities do residents have for leadership/ advocacy/ community outreach/research?
How would you describe the culture of the program?
Describe the atmosphere of learning.
Is education time/didactics truly protected?
What is the residency’s relationship with the community like?
What is the makeup of the patient population?
*For Primary care specialties: How do residents get assigned their patient panel? How does it differ from faculty assigned patients?
Can you describe how residents are trained in procedures?
*For Surgical specialties: What are the intern responsibilities in the OR? How often are interns given OR time?
What is the interaction like between APPs and the residents?
Program Director (PD) Specific Questions:
How do residents give feedback to the program administration?
What are some changes that are in the works?
If you had all the time and resources to change one thing about the program what would it be?
What do your graduates go on to do in their career, where do they practice and how many go on to fellowship?
What are some changes you’ve witnessed since you took the role as PD?
Have there been any major staffing or faculty changes in recent years?
How has the program managed with the COVID-19 pandemic? How has the program changed pre vs post COVID?
What are some things that distinguish this residency from other programs?
