FAQs

This depends on the specialty and how competitive students are in that specialty. Almost all Program Directors at Northwell have created an “Advising Guide” for their specific specialty that addresses this question to some degree and provides the average number of programs student across the country have applied to for their specialty. In addition, the AAMC’s Careers in Medicine website has additional statistics on this information (sign in is required). An advisor can help determine the programs and number of programs needed based on competitiveness.

The most common factors students consider when exploring residency programs are; location, proximity of family, friends or a support system, competitiveness of region, reputation of program and perceived fit of program. In picking programs to apply to, consider all of the above, visit websites of various programs to learn and picture yourself there. FREIDA Online is another resource of value in this area. During rotations, talk to residents, visiting students, and attendings to gain valuable information on programs of interest. Residents have often interviewed at places that students consider. Use the network to your advantage and seek advice from people who are actively involved in the residency application process. Self assess competitiveness for a specialty and program. Last but not least, seek guidance from both Departmental and Career Advisors who can give an honest assessment of a rank list.

Self-assess next steps regarding competitiveness for a specialty and program is important. Seek guidance from both Departmental and Career Advisors, who can give an honest assessment of where to apply and a rank list.

Several specialties require an intern year before specialty training. A preliminary year is can be a transitional, or a prelim year. Preliminary Programs are generally divided into Internal Medicine or Surgery. Surgical subspecialties will require a Surgical Preliminary year but other specialties, such as Anesthesia will accept either a Preliminary year in either Surgery or Medicine. It is best to check with the individual programs, and a Departmental Advisor, when deciding on a particular Preliminary specialty. Preliminary Medicine years are also variable between programs. While the schedule of each preliminary year resident has a basic structure, some programs schedules are modified to meet requirements for each subspecialty. This may include ED time and different elective options. A specialty of choice is sometimes referred to as categorical or advanced training.

A Transitional Year is an intern experience that some fields prefer. Residents in one-year transitional programs rotate through different hospital departments every couple of months. They typically experience both surgical and medical rotations with the goal that residents build a broad foundation of clinical skills as a base for future training.

Some of the fields that require a separate intern year are: urology, ophthalmology, dermatology, diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, psychiatry and anesthesiology. Check with a Departmental Advisor as to whether a Transitional or Preliminary Year is best.

Students must apply and interview at both their specialty programs and their preliminary programs during the same application cycle. Some programs reserve spots for applicants matching into categorical residency programs in their institution.

FREIDA Online is a great resource to find a listing of Preliminary and Transitional year programs and what they have to offer. Consider similar questions to those considered when selecting any program, such as location, experiences and amount of elective time offered. When choosing preliminary programs, it is best to visit the website of the specialty programs and see if they offer a preliminary year at the hospital. Talk to students and residents in the specialty and ask a Departmental Advisor as to how many/which programs to apply to.

The ERAS applications are typically released to programs in late September. Through ERAS, some programs may begin to download the applications the day they are released. Interview offers are usually dependent on the program and/or specialty.

Programs may begin to offer interviews anytime after applications are released. The bulk of interview offers will start in October (but may come earlier) and go through November/December, with some going into January. Some programs, particularly in surgical subspecialties and dermatology, may begin the offer/interview process later than other specialties. Given the vast number of applications programs receive; it is not unusual for them to not even review a large number of applications. If you have not heard from a program by the last week of October, we recommend gently inquiring by email to the program coordinator (NOT the program director) about the status of your application.

Programs will send interview offers via email.

To secure an interview date/time that works with schedules, we suggest students accept interview offers as soon as possible. and commit to the best option of dates offered. As your interview calendar fills, students may be able to change this to another date if space becomes available.

Students should approach interviews logically and prepare to receive some waitlist emails and/or not receive an interview for every program applied to. A gentle inquiry should elicit a response from the program about whether or not they will offer an interview. Make sure this inquiry is appropriate and addressed to the program coordinator.

Unfortunately, programs may assign candidates to either of these categories without alerting the candidate. If students have not heard from a program by the last week of October, gently inquire. Sometimes it may take another inquiry a week or two later to get a response from the program. It’s okay to be consistent when communicating if you have not heard back from the program coordinator. ALWAYS be polite and patient.

If students have not heard from a program by the last week of October, gently inquire if interviews have been offered.

All questions about the status of your application and interview offers should be directed to the program coordinator (NOT the program director). Assume that all email correspondence, including thank you notes, sent to anyone in a particular program, will end up in an applicant file. Therefore, each email/note must be original and respectful.

If students have a specific program they are waiting to hear from and can’t get a response, we recommend contacting a career advisor to plan next steps. When appropriate, a career advisor can reach out to assist.

Program interviews are formal processes on dates established many months in advance. It is usually impossible to have an interview on a date that is not an established interview date. However, if there are other established dates have no availability, students can ask to be placed on a waiting list for the desired date(s). Through cancellation or expansion, dates may be offered later in the season. It’s recommended that if a student is interested in interviewing at that program, they should schedule an interview date later in the season and request to be added to a waitlist for earlier dates. As the season goes on, revisit programs of importance, available interview dates and adjust based on availability.

We suggest that students prioritize and choose between the two. Try to reschedule the first interview if possible. In general, programs understand an applicant’s logistical challenges setting up interview calendars and will try to accommodate if possible. Be very kind to program coordinators. Interview season is very tough on them too.

The short answer is yes; applicants do it all the time. However, a few common courtesies must be extended. Let the program know as soon as possible so they can offer the slot to someone else. At least a few weeks in advance is fine; anything under a week could create issues for the program. In the cancellation email, don’t be too verbose. Simply thank them for the offer, ask to cancel, and wish them well in their recruitment. An applicant should NEVER just not show up for an interview. That makes the student and the school of medicine look very, very bad and could potentially hurt the chances of future students from our school getting an interview there.

Attending pre or post interview events is not mandatory, but highly recommended. It gives applicants time to speak with residents who are currently in the program and predict if the program will be a “good fit.” Pre and post interview events should be treated as informal interviews, remaining professional and respectful throughout the entire process.

Business attire should be worn to all interviews, both virtual and in-person. Appropriate attire includes a suit, tie, button down shirt and dress shoes (closed-toed). Tights should be worn and skirts should be knee-length.

Call or email the program coordinator in advance. If it’s the day of the interview, arrive early and ask for the departmental program coordinator. Express that you are a student interviewing and would like to be directed to where applicants are meeting.

Contact the program coordinator immediately if weather causes delays. Be prepared to adjust schedules or stay extra time to accommodate the interview if needed.

It is incredibly important that students arrive early or on time for interviews. Students should keep contact information for the program coordinator or office on hand at all times in case unforeseen circumstances arise.

It is incredibly important that students stay for the entire interview until dismissed. Students that leave early reflect poorly on themselves and the school. In emergent cases where students may have to leave early, notify the program coordinator and explain the situation if possible.

Prepare for interviews by reviewing the program information available on the institutional website and FREIDA Online. If there are any existing personal contacts at the institution, reach out to them to prepare. Review your CV and be prepared to speak openly about anything listed. Last but not least, be you!

Always remain professional, appropriate and authentic on the interview trail. Students who want feedback on their interactions and additional interview practice should contact the Office of Career Advising for additional resources.

Ask questions that pertain to interest in the specialty, program type and explore opportunities that are individual to that institution. We suggest that you explore the program’s website prior to interview day and then ask questions to delve further into these topics.

Reach out to the Program Director to discuss and ask for an additional interview or conversation, ideally with the Program Director themselves. Inform your Career Advisor of the experience for additional feedback and suggestions.

We suggest that students politely navigate away from these questions, redirecting the interviewing back to the application being discussed. For example, a student’s response maybe, “I’d prefer if we discuss my application, such as my experiences at ______ with ________, as I believe they would be applicable to my time spent in residency at this program.” Another possible answer is, “I have dealt with similar issues and have always completed my professional responsibilities.”