In most instances, appropriate candidates for surgical residency positions are selected for an interview by a committee that is assembled by the Program Director for the residency program . Interviews are typically offered via email through ERAS, so be sure to check your email often between the months of September through February. Many interviews are offered virtually, but some may require an in person visit depending upon the program. The interview is actually your best opportunity to learn more about each program and whether the program is a good fit for you. Obviously, choosing the residency that is right for you may seem like a difficult task, but it is one that can be made easier by doing your research about each program in advance. The interview allows the program leaders the opportunity to learn more about you, but it is also an chance for you to learn about each program to decide if it meets your goals and priorities.
The following link will take you to questions that you may find helpful to ask. You may want to ask all of them, some of them, or none of them, and you will probably come up with some questions on your own as you prepare for the interview phase of residency selection.
The interview for a residency position can be a stressful time, but one that can be dealt with through preparation and good advice from those who have been there.
How to Get Information About the Program Beforehand
- Contact your advisor and faculty mentors in your intended specialty at your home institution.
- Talk to senior medical students at your school who have interviewed or matched into the programs that you are interested in.
- Talk to current residents who have recently gone through the interview process.
- Keep an open mind as you review information about each program and consider a broad range of programs.
- Review the websites for every program to which you intend to interview.
Set Priorities to Find the Program that Suits You
- Define your personal goals and priorities for your desired residency program.
- Take time to reflect on who you are and understand what type of program would suit you best.
- Determine what characteristics you are seeking in a program.
- Prioritize what characteristics about a program are most important to you. Examples of characteristics to consider:
- Location
- Number of residents
- Research opportunities
- Academic versus independent programs
- Resident camaraderie
- Path of recent residents after graduation
- Resident diversity
- National reputation
Potential Strengths of a Residency Program
- Educational curriculum
- Clinical opportunities
- Work environment
- Case volume
- Case mix
- Research
- Fellowship matching
Personal Statement Topics to Consider—Be Prepared to Answer the Following Questions:
- Why did you choose surgery?
- What you want in a residency program
- What your long range career plans are
- What, if any, research you have done
- Unusual hobbies and/or accomplishments
- Biographical sketch
Letters of Recommendation
- At least three
- Do not send more letters than they require.
- A letter from the department chair at your school is ideal to have, but not mandatory.
- Faculty members should know you well from clinical rotation and can attest to your strengths.
Also Important
- USMLE-dates you passed
- AOA or any other awards/recognitions
- Research experience
- Leadership experience
- Volunteer experience
- Life experience
Planning
- Most interviews occur during the months of October to January
- Do your research on any programs that require an in-person interview
- Do not accept more interviews than what you can reasonable complete
- Do not schedule overlapping interview dates/times
Application Follow-up
- Applications are not screened until they are complete, so ensure that you submit all application materials as timely as possible.
- Follow up with the people you have asked to write letters of recommendation if they have not submitted their letters by the due date.
Scheduling Interviews
- Programs schedule interviews on set dates and cannot accommodate special requests. Cancel any interviews that you do not intend to attend with as much notice as possible, so that your interview spot can be offered to someone on the waitlist.
- Most residents do not need more that 12 interviews to ensure their ability to match into a residency spot.
Prep Tips
- Be sure to look professional whether in person or virtual.
- Ensure your background is clean and lighting is optimal if conducting a virtual interview.
- Practice the interview with family and/or friends.
- Show up for the interview early, not just on time.
- Review material from the program website before the interview so that you have knowledge of the program in mind.
- Prepare questions you would like to know about each program in advance.
The Importance of the Interview
- Don't underestimate the importance of the interview
- After you have been selected for an interview, remember that this is the only time you have left to make an impression.
- Don't be nervous about being nervous; some nervousness is to be expected.
What the Interviewers Are Looking for
- Maturity
- Enthusiasm
- Communication skills
- Interests in terms of medicine and outside of medicine
- Professionalism
- Responsibility
- Grit and resilience
- How you fit in with the program
- Sense of teamwork
Questions to Consider Asking
- What is the program's accreditation status, and have there been any citations?
- What is the American Board of Surgery (ABS) exam pass rate?
- How many of the program's graduates go on to do fellowships?
- Are there any anticipated changes in the program, curriculum, or faculty?
- What is the curriculum, and what about the didactic component?
- What is the surgical case volume and case mix?
- What type of resident will succeed best in their program?
- How many fellows are at the institution and how do they interact with the residents?
What Interviewers Want to Know
- Your career and long-term goals
- Research you have done
- Your leadership skills
- Your ability collaborate
- Why they should choose you
- What can you bring to their program
- What you are looking for in a program
- Why their program is of interest to you
- Who recommended the program to you
- How did you learn about the program
- Why do you want to be a surgeon
- Be prepared to tell them about yourself
Turn offs
- Sloppy appearance
- Being overly aggressive
- Condemnation of other specialties
- Name dropping
- Checking your phone
- Being rude to the staff
Post Interview
- Inquire about second visit opportunities if you are truly interested in the program and would actually visit.
- Take note of your impressions about the interview and the program immediately.
- Use a consistent format to make your notes, so that programs can be looked at with the same criteria.
- Write thank you notes to all of the programs that interviewed you.
- Talk with residents to get their feelings about the program; they will be your most accurate source of information.
Content Contributor:
Lily Chang, MD, FACS
Seattle, WA
August, 2026
