Tips to Meet with a Program Director During a Sub-I
Written by Rand Hashim, DO
Away rotations can be an excellent way for you to learn about a program and for them to witness your skills beyond your application. It can be nerve-wracking to feel that someone is always watching and evaluating you. But it’s important to recognize that most of the time, residents are not worried about your knowledge (you will get that through residency) but rather want to see how you act and interact with peers and how you would be as an intern.
At the beginning of the rotation, it is a good idea to reach out to the program director (PD) and let them know that you are rotating there. The easiest way is to talk to the program coordinator, and they can get you in contact with the PD. That way, you are on their radar that you are interested in their program and would like to interview. In general, if you are at an away rotation, that program knows you are interested in their program. However, it doesn’t hurt to reemphasize that by keeping in contact with program leadership.
I would try to set up a meeting towards the end of your rotation, so you have a good feel for the program and the people. Here are some tips for meeting with a PD:
Wear something nice—you don’t need to dress up in a full suit, but wear business casual attire
Print your CV and have it ready for them to review
Be prepared to answer direct questions about how your experience was and if you can see yourself at that program
They may treat this as a mini-interview, so have some ideas of how you would answer common interview questions
Have questions ready about the program. Some of my go-to questions for PDs include
What changes do they anticipate in the coming years?
What are the strengths of the program?
What is something they wish they could change?
See here for another blog post about questions to ask faculty and PDs: https://www.insidethematch.com/match-tips/questions-to-ask-faculty-and-program-directors
Depending on how the conversation is going, I would also encourage you to ask if you are competitive for the program. Or you can ask what are things they are looking for in applicants to interview/take for their intern class? This way, you can have an honest conversation with them face-to-face about weaknesses in your application and how to address them.
I found away rotations to be a great way to get a good feel for a program and the residents. You see how they function and this can help make an impact on your decision. While you’re already there, it’s a great idea to meet with program leadership and create a connection. If you’re at an away rotation outside your home state, make sure you explore the area to have a strong sense of whether you can see yourself there!
