Comprehensive Interview Preparation Guide
The #1 free residency interview prep guide is here!
Programs were impressed enough by your application to invite you. The interview is where they decide whether they want to work with you for the next several years.
This free guide from MatchPal’s resident physicians covers the questions you’ll hear, how to structure strong answers and what interviewers are really listening for.
What’s inside
- The most common residency interview questions, with sample responses
- Frameworks for “Tell me about yourself,” “Why this specialty?” and “Why our program?”
- Tips for virtual interviews and interview day
- What programs are really evaluating, beyond your answers
Reading isn’t the same as practicing.
Book a mock interview with a physician in your specialty and get honest, specific feedback before the day that counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common residency interview questions?
Expect “Tell me about yourself,” “Why this specialty?,” “Why our program?,” a question about a challenge or conflict, and a question about your weaknesses. Nearly every interview day includes some version of these.
How should I prepare for residency interviews?
Know your application cold, prepare stories you can adapt to many questions, research each program and practice out loud. A mock interview with a physician in your specialty is the fastest way to find weak spots.
Are residency interviews still virtual?
Most residency programs still interview virtually, so practice on camera: check your lighting, framing and audio, and keep your answers focused.
What are programs really evaluating?
Whether you communicate clearly, work well on a team, handle pressure and would be someone they want to work with for years. Your answers matter, but so does how you come across.