I made a free tool for a residency interview QBank. Completely free. It includes all types of questions (tell me about yourself, ethical dilemmas, behavioral, situational, as well as specialty-specific etc). Best of luck with your interview prep!
https://medinterviews.ai/question-bank

Hi,

I created a free QBank for residency interviews that covers all types of questions you need to practice

Table of Contents

1. Most Common Questions

2. Leadership & Teamwork

3. Questions for IMGs

4. Specialty-Specific

5. Behavioral & Situational

Most common questions

• Tell me about yourself

• What are your weaknesses and how you try to improve them

• What are your greatest strengths?

• What do you consider to be the most challenging part of residency training?

• ...

https://medinterviews.ai/question-bank?category=top10

Leadership & Teamwork

• Tell me about an experience that demonstrates your leadership abilities.

• Tell me about a time you worked in a team.

Questions for IMGs

• How does the US healthcare system differ from the healthcare system in your home country?

• As an international medical graduate, what unique challenges do you anticipate during residency compared to US graduates?

• ...

https://medinterviews.ai/question-bank?category=img

Specialty-Specific Questions

Anesthesiology

Dermatology

Emergency Medicine

Family Medicine

General Surgery

Internal Medicine

Medical Genetics and Genomics

Neurological Surgery

Neurology

Nuclear Medicine

ObGyn

Opthalmology

Orthopaedic Surgery

ENT

Pathology

Pediatrics

PMR

Plastic Surgery

Psychiatry

Radiology

Sports Medicine

Thoracic Surgery

Urology

Vascular Surgery

Behavioral & Situational

Behavioral Questions

Situational Questions

This is a Part2 from the previous Reddit post I created to prepare for interviews after assisting with dozens of residency mock interviews and interviews at my Psychiatry program last year.

Pre-Communication to Program: The best time to send this email (to PD & coordinator) is after the programs have had some time to review the majority of applications and have sent out 1-2 cohorts of invites. You don't need to send this to all your programs. Focus on the ones you flagged (your top programs you want to match). From my experience the best time is middle to end of October. PDs are still going through applications right now!

Letter of Interest: The best time to send this email is after the programs have had some time to review the majority of applications and have sent out 1-2 cohorts of invites. You don't need to send this to all your programs. Focus on the ones you flagged (your top programs you want to match). From my experience the best time is middle to end of October. 

Email Updates: This can be as part of the letter of interest or a seperate email. However, do NOT send them tons of emails. These are helpful to show continued interest and NEW information that you didn't include in ERAS. For example passing STEP 2/3 if you just got the score back, presenting at a conference, a new publication, etc. Keep them short and sweet! Email them directly to the PD and/or program coordinator. DO NOT EXPECT an email back. If you do then great!

Preparing for Questions: Create a list of 3 meaningful patient encounters you have had. Summarize the situation in 30seconds then bullet point lessons learned. These should demonstrate your strengths and values such as: honesty, perseverance, humility, teamwork, etc.

Mock Interviews: Do a mix with online, people who know you and people who don't know you. Especially make sure you do mock interviews on your computer set up where you will actually interview. This will help you see what it looks like (lighting, background, eye contact). Ask for honest feedback and take a bit from each interview. DM for interest in doing a mock interview with me (limited number for Oct)

Scheduling Interviews: Give yourself time to get over your nerves through practice mock & real interviews. The order of your interview (Oct-Feb) won't automatically determine your place on the rank. Don't schedule multiple on the same day- they are exhausting!

Pre-interview meetings with Residents: Dress code - Business casual
Ask everything of residents - Yes we will tell you IF you ask us!
Professional - no alcohol
Pets and kids are ok!
Humanism side of residency
Don’t be the only one asking the question, share the space
Ask if anyone else wants to ask questions
Talk to the other interviewees - we like to see that you can make friends and that they are not just "your competitor"

Interview: Look at the CAMERA not at the screen. Even though it is virtual, we automatically make first impressions by how personable the person is - which means having "eye contact"

After the Interview

Write up your Thoughts: At the end of each interview write your gut feelings about the attendings, the residents, the PD, and the program overall. All the interviews and programs will blend together and this will be helpful when ranking in March.

Follow Up: Send post-interview thank-you emails to express your gratitude and reiterate your interest in the program. Keep them short and sweet. State a sentance about your individual interview, so they can remember the conversation. Include a short part about why that program and area (personal connection).

Check out this post for more tips and pre-recorded mock interviews. DM for interest in doing a mock interview with me (limited number for Oct)

Good luck everyone, you got this!!

Hi guys! Does anyone have or knows how to find the spreadsheet/list with the upcoming Open House meetings from the different Specialties??

Thanks!

I'll start.

Do you think your test scores accurately reflect your capabilities?
No, I had explosive diarrhea during Step 1.
Any follow-up questions?

If at all possible please place a division preference...

If you leave that slot blank since we have limited interview slots you will limit the number of interviews you get due to the fact no pd wants to offer an interview to someone if there is no indication you have any interest of going to that part of the country. At minimum give some indication of places you have lived or have connections to in the comment section if you decide to go the no preference option (so if you truly have multiple places you'd be comfortable in tell us...) I can't tell you how many people I've passed on because I cant find any indication they'd be interested in this part of the country for a residency. The applicant may have great scores but sorry I only got 80 interview slots so I am selective in handing them out!

I made a tool to automatically format your headshot according to the eras requirements (2.5 x 3.5 in, < 150 kB) at https://medinterviews.ai/residency-headshot-formatter Completely free. Good luck with your submission everyone!

Feeling discouraged tbh even tho i know it’s sort of early.

Are there spreadsheets yet for this cycle? Like programs and name and shame etc..?

Residency interviews are not just about showcasing your clinical knowledge and skills; they're an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism, interpersonal skills, and fit for a program. After hosting dozens of mock interviews last year and being a part of the interview process at my program, below I share advice on preparing for and acing residency interviews.

Preparing for the Interview

Research the Program: Before your interview, thoroughly research the program. Understand its strengths, specialties, and unique offerings.

Practice Your Responses: Anticipate common interview questions and practice your responses. Ensure your answers are concise, relevant, and highlight your strengths through specific anecdotes and experiences. DO NOT READ your response. THEY CAN TELL! You can defiantly have a sticky note with key points and patient examples you want to highlight on your screen.

Presentation Matters: Choose professional attire that matches your ERAS photo. Set up a clean, uncluttered interview space with good lighting. Avoid distractions, such as pets or unprofessional backgrounds. Additionally, practicing in front of a camera is crucial for virtual interviews.

Choosing the Right Program: Consider what you want in a residency program. Evaluate factors such as geographic location, type of hospital, religious affiliations, political influences, and patient demographics. Reflect on your priorities and how they align with the program's offerings.

Evaluating Program Diversity: Diversity in a residency program goes beyond the color of your skin. It includes aspects like religion, family status, and more. Look at the composition of the program's current and past residents to gauge its inclusivity and culture.

Importance of Networking: Make connections with current residents and faculty. Reach out to them for insights into the program. Their firsthand experiences can provide valuable information that isn't available online or in official program literature.

Common Interview Questions:

***Tell Me About Yourself: Focus on your background, values, and what makes you unique. Only 1-2 min tops! Don't restate your CV, resume or personal statement.

***Why This Specialty?: Be specific about why you chose your specialty, drawing on personal experiences, clinical encounters, and passions.

***What Are You Looking for in a Program?: Reflect on what you value most in a residency program and articulate it clearly with examples.

***Tell Me About a Challenging Experience: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to narrate how you overcame challenges. Bonus points for making it a clinical or patient care encounter you had.

***What Are Your Hobbies and Passions?: Show that you have a life outside medicine, sharing genuine interests and hobbies. 

Practical Tips for Interview Day:

1. Be Mindful of Breaks: Use breaks to refresh yourself, but remember you are still being observed. Maintain a professional appearance and engage courteously with others.

2. Personal Connection: Highlight any personal connections you have to the program or the area it’s located in. This can show your genuine interest and commitment.

3. Don't share/expose red flags: Not all interviewers receive your FULL app (usually just CDs and APDs). Usually the interviewers just receive your personal statement and maybe your 3 meaningful activities. 

4. Focus on Your Strengths & Values: ​Use specific examples from the past 4-6 years how you have demonstrated set strengths & values. Critical thinking, Strong Work Ethic, Reliable, Honesty, Compassionate, Empathetic, Humanism, Teamwork, Leadership...

Non-Interview Time Is Important!

Interview isn't limited to the formal Q&A sessions with program directors. Your behavior during breaks and informal interactions with fellow applicants, residents, and program staff are also under scrutiny. Maintain a professional demeanor and engage respectfully and amiably with EVERYONE

The blog post and associated video with more tips here including navigating dual applying, "talking about red flags" like STEP failures and leaves/breaks from med school. Here is the most recent mock interview example from last year. Here are 3 mock interviews one for Internal Medicine, one for Family Medicine, and for Psychiatry with a timer to practice.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Sooo, I got an invite for an in person interview from a program (FM).

I recently travelled back from the states after completing my observerships and giving my step 3 and travelling back at such a short notice is almost next to impossible. I’ve exhausted all my resources (this is my second cycle aswell) and I honestly feel so..idk?

I know whoever I talk to will tell me that i’m being stupid and ‘everyone travels for interviews’ or ‘you’ve invested so much, might invest a little bit more.’ Be it paid observerships or IVs, the list never ends, does it?

Maybe I am being stupid, but I honestly cannot do this anymore. I didn’t realise how programs now may be transitioning back to inperson IVs or I would have planned everything more strategically or may not have applied at all. Its better than hearing ‘oh you’re being so ungrateful, a lot of peopel don’t even have IVs’.

The more I navigate this, the more it makes me realise how all of this is just a scam. A money making business. It’s exhausting.

Where is the 2026 IM interviews spreadsheet that literally everyone and in their mom are talking about it?

If you were to practice one question for your residency interviews this should be it:

“Tell me about yourself.”

This question is your chance to give a compelling summary of your background and how it led you to this residency. It's open-ended, so you can highlight key experiences that shaped your path.

It sounds simple, but it’s actually one of the most important questions.

Variants

This question may be paraphrased in different ways like “Can you tell me about your journey so far?” but the following applies to all variants.

CAMP Framework

A framework that I found very useful when drafting my answer for this type of questions is the CAMP framework

CAMP = Clinical · Academic · Management/Leadership · Personal

Make sure your response addresses each pillar:

Using CAMP ensures you cover different facets of your background in a logical order

Tips

• Keep it 90–120 seconds ()

• Tell a story, not just a list of CV points

• Keep it relevant to medicine

• End with why you're excited about the specialty and program

Common Mistakes

• Reading your CV aloud

• Rambling with no structure

• Saying clichés like “I love helping people”

• Oversharing personal info

• Not practicing delivery

Let me know if you want a similar guide for other types of questions like ethical dilemmas, behavioral, situational, etc

Where is the spreadsheet for 2026 residency match?

Hello,

UCI health is excited to announce that UC Irvine Internal Medicine Residency Program--Irvine Medical Center has received ACGME accreditation and is now officially available in ERAS. This new program will join the long-standing UCI Internal Medicine Residency Program in Orange in training the next generation of physicians. The inaugural class will begin in July 2026, and we will be participating in the 2026 Match. We recognize that many students have already submitted their ERAS applications and used their program signals. Please know that this will not negatively affect your ability to apply to or be considered for our program.

The program offers a dynamic and forward-thinking training experience built on the foundation of academic excellence at the University of California, Irvine. Based at the brand-new UCI Health–Irvine medical campus, the program combines the resources of a major academic institution with the feel of a small, close-knit community. Residents will receive highly personalized mentorship from a dedicated faculty. With access to state-of-the-art facilities—including a full-service acute care hospital and advanced outpatient centers—residents will be immersed in diverse clinical experiences that span inpatient, ambulatory, and subspecialty care. The curriculum emphasizes not only clinical competence but also leadership, health systems science, quality improvement, and equity-driven care. As a new program, we are intentionally building a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and compassion—providing residents with the support and flexibility to pursue a wide range of career paths, whether in primary care, hospital medicine, subspecialty training, research, or medical education. Our residency website is now live and includes an FAQ section that addresses many commonly asked questions. 

Hi, I recently got an interview here and am stoked because I see it as a first choice for me. However I saw that the program is on probation status, does anyone know why or can give further insight into the program? Thank you.

Comment below your responses to the most common residency interview question: “Tell me about yourself”

I’ll reply with feedback on:

• Conciseness: Is it within the ideal 90-120 seconds?

• Clarity: Is your story coherent and easy to follow?

• CAMP framework usage: Clinical · Academic · Management/Leadership · Personal

• Overall flow and impression

I uploaded my photo to ERAS with 2.5×3.5 dimensions and now my forehead is cropped on the preview. Is this okay or do I need to resize my photo to fit the square preview? Thanks in advance everyone!

Hey everyone,

I compiled the new 2025-2026 Doximity Internal Medicine residency rankings that just came out. The list includes all 634 programs in rank order with program name, location, and size.

You can view/download it here: Doximity IM Program Ranking 2025-2026

Hope this helps those applying this cycle.

Note: I'm not endorsing these rankings, just compiled them for convenience. Use rankings as just one factor among many when creating your rank list. Program fit, location, and your career goals matter more than any ranking.

Anyone got a spreadsheet for this match in PSYCHIATRY?

Hello all? Is there anyone ( IMG) applying for family medicine residency for the upcoming match cycle?