Residents take on student matching questions

AAFP News: What do you think about the follow-up email after an interview?

I drive: A program coordinator suggested to me that sending a handwritten thank you note in the mail goes a lot further than sending an email because everyone gets a lot of emails during this time. I have tried this for programs that do not state that they prefer not to receive these forms of communication. About a month before the ranking lists were due, however, I sent a more formal letter of intent via email to express my interest in the program, thank them again for the interview, and remind them of some of the things we talked about related to my interests. I wanted them to remember who I was and make my interview a little fresher in their minds.

Tian: I wrote thank you emails to the first few programs I interviewed with, but stopped after a few because some programs said they preferred not to communicate unless I had questions. The programs want to ensure that the entire process is fair. However, it is appropriate to write a letter of intent to the program that you will be number one, and make sure you only send it to one program at the end of the season.

AAFP News: How did you get a good feel for the culture of the residency program in virtual interviews?

Tian: It’s hard to get a feel for the culture and judge whether you’ll be able to get along with the residents over the next few years of your training when there’s no personal interview. It’s hard to read lines online. However, it is important to attend virtual social events and resident dinners, even if it is not mandatory. Try to interact with the residents and get a sense of the culture as much as you can. On the other hand, it is also important to assess the work culture of the residence. I always ask residency program directors what changes they have made that are directed at residents, and I ask residents if they feel comfortable sharing their opinions about the program and how they give feedback about the program.

I drive: It’s definitely harder in some aspects, but easier in some aspects. You don’t get the feel of the culture as you would if you were there in person and observing – not just with your roommates and guests, but with the rest of the house staff. That’s what you miss during virtual interviews, just seeing the environment you’ll be in and exploring the locale.

On the other hand, you get more comprehensive answers in a virtual interview because when you go in person, a lot of the sense of culture and opinions of people in the workplace will be based on that one point in time or that week or that particular rotation. During a virtual interview, you may get more general answers about what the experience has been like in the past year. Online meet and greets also allow you to ask questions and get to know others in a group setting where everyone feels a little more comfortable. You don’t have to worry about getting somewhere on time and you can focus on asking the questions you really want to ask.

AAFP News: If programs offer virtual and in-person interviews, is there any advantage to one format over the other?

Tian: With the in-person interviews, I would imagine that you can get a feel for the physical environment of the workplace and the community in which you will live. And it would be easier to gain insight into the culture of the program through interactions during and between interviews. However, virtual interviews are more efficient and save a lot of money. When it is possible to choose, the decision depends on how well the applicant already knows the program and the field and whether it is accessible to the applicant.

I drive: If I had a choice, I would choose in person because you can make a stronger impression. But you need to consider your personal situation, costs and schedule, and how strong you think you could be during a virtual interview. I believe you need to put yourself out there to make a stronger impression in a virtual interview.