1. Interview Workshop: Obtaining the Residency of Your Choice The Office of Student Affairs Boston University School of Medicine October 14, 2008

2. Budgeting for Interviews Time Cost Geography

3. Taking Time Off You may request up to 5 days off from your rotation during the interview period, for total of 10 days per year. Rotation Directors are not obligated to give you time off Offer to make up the days you take off from your rotation For more information, please go to:  http://www.bumc.bu.edu/www/busm/mec/pdf/CCS/CCS ClinicalTimeOffPolicy11.07.pdf http://www.bumc.bu.edu/www/busm/mec/pdf/CCS/CCS ClinicalTimeOffPolicy11.07.pdf

4. Pre-interview Research Identify BUSM alumni who are part of the program Consult AMA-FREIDA online (http://www.ama- assn.org/vapp/freida/srch)http://www.ama- assn.org/vapp/freida/srch Visit the program’s web site

5. Day of the Interview Show up early Look good – business interview attire Be polite Be inquisitive Locate alumni

6. Day of the Interview Types of interviews  Individual (one interviewer)  Group (more than one interviewer)  Multiple interviews  Multiple applicants w/ one or more interviewers Expect the unexpected

7. The Interview Body language  Look alive  Act professional  Make eye contact  Be yourself

8. The Interview Appear:  Interested  Enthusiastic  Able to handle stress  A team player

9. Be Prepared to Answer… Why did you chose this specialty? Why did you apply to this program? What are your strengths/weaknesses? What are your overall career goals? What do you think you can contribute to the program? What do you do in your spare time?

10. Be Prepared to Discuss… Your academic record:  Grades  Clinical narratives  Your personal statement  Your dean’s letter  Your ERAS application  Time outside the curriculum  Leaves of absence Clinical vignette

11. You Need to Determine… House officer morale Qualities in a successful house officer Role of house officers and attendings Importance of teaching  Bedside and conferences  Quality

12. You Need to Determine… Philosophy of the program Stability of the program Patient population Strengths Shortcomings

13. The Interview What you should find out:  Do you consider this a stable program?  How long has the program director been in his/her position?  Who goes to grand rounds and other conferences? Specifically, how often do housestaff get to go to conferences?  How visible is the chief? The chief resident(s)?  Does the chief spend regular time with housestaff?

14. The Interview What should you ask them?  What medical schools have the housestaff come from?  Are the housestaff able to go to good fellowships if they wish?  How much patient contact will I have?  What types of patients will I see?

15. The Interview What you should not ask them  Don’t ask anything that should be obvious, or that is contained on their web site or in their brochure – you will look unprepared  How much scut is there?  Is moonlighting allowed?  What are my chances?

16. Focus Interview On: Clinical skills Team player Preparation

17. Interview Day Talk to interns, residents, and alumni  Are they happy?  Would they choose the same program? Consider spending day on service

18. After the Interview Write down your impressions Write an overall assessment of program Write thank you notes Call people if you have further questions Consult advisors Consult department Consult with Dr. Carr, Dr. Alpert, Dr. Beazley, Dr. Grundfast, Dr. O’Bryan, Dr. Polk, or Dr. Woodson

19. To Do List Review ERAS checklist Monitor ERAS Application Document Tracking System Complete your personal statement Complete your ERAS application Pay attention to any Program deadlines Pay ERAS invoice Forward 4 th year evaluations:  Student copy  Cover letter Set up audition/observation electives Rank List Meeting: January 13, 2009