Questions to ask in dermatology interviews: A comprehensive list

During dermatology residency interviews, it can be challenging to know which questions to ask. During my interview season, I compiled a comprehensive list of questions to guide my conversations. It is not uncommon to enter an interview room and simply be asked, "What questions can I answer for you?" Therefore, it's crucial to have a variety of questions prepared. Additionally, I found it useful to categorize the questions based on whom you are asking them and often noted who I would direct specific questions to the day before. It's important to only ask these questions if the answers aren't listed elsewhere, such as on the program's website or in previously provided materials, so be sure to thoroughly review all the information given to you. Here are some questions I compiled that I believe are helpful to have ready during your interview season!

For residents:

1. What is the best part of your day and what is the worst part of your day?

2. What are your favorite things about your program and what is one thing you would change?

3. What does a day in your life look like?

4. How often do you do surgery on your own? Is it easy to fulfill the ACGME requirements?

5. How much driving do you have to do in between sites?

6. How much academic time is there?

7. How much lecture time is there? Do you wish there was more or less?

8. What opportunities are available for mentorship either formal or informal?

9. What is continuity clinic like? How often is it? Are there ways you can customize your continuity clinic?

10. What types of practices or fellowships to residents typically pursue after leaving your program?

11. Are lectures more resident or faculty-led?

12. Are all third years chief residents and what do the roles entail?

13. Are patients assigned to you during clinic or assigned to the attending?

14. Are meals covered? Is parking covered?

15. What opportunities are available for research?

16. How much time do you normally spend studying outside of work?

17. What specialty clinics are there?

18. How many conference days do you get? Are there more based on your year in training?

19. Do all residents go to AAD or only certain years?

20. Do you guys have a resident or department retreat? What does that normally look like?

21. How many weeks of consults (day time) do you have? Are you normally by yourself or is there a team?

22. How many weeks of call (night time/weekends) do you have?

23. How many weeks of vacation do you get?

24. How much elective time is there?

25. How often are you provided with feedback? Is there an evaluation system?

26. Are there any other languages predominantly spoken by patients? How accessible are interpreters if needed?

27. Is there extra time provided to study for the boards?

28. What does the boards review curriculum look like?

29. Are there opportunities for residents to get involved in the community or volunteer?

30. How does the program support your mental health and wellness?

31. What things do residents like to do for fun?

32. Where do residents typically live?

33. What's the best part of living in [insert city name]?

34. What are some interesting patients you have seen recently?

For general attendings:

1. What opportunities are available for residents to teach?

2. How is autonomy gained across the three years?

3. How does your program prepare residents for a career in academics?

4. What is the ideal type of resident that fits into your program?

5. Are there any specialty clinics?

6. How often are residents provided with feedback?

7. What do you love most about being a part of this program? What is one thing you would change?

8. For faculty members that have been at the program for a long time, what has kept you at this program for so many years?

9. How do you see the program changing over the next few years?

10. What changes do you anticipate over the next few years?

11. What does the boards review curriculum look like?

12. How are residents prepared to passed the boards?

13. What is the boards pass rate?

14. How is skin of color incorporated into the curriculum?

15. Are there opportunities for residents to get involved in the community?

16. How often do residents attend or present at conferences?

17. What opportunities are available for residents to get involved in research?

    
    

For dermatopathologists:

1. How much exposure to dermpath do residents receive?

2. What year(s) do residents have dermpath rotations? All 3 years? Only as a 3rd year?

3. How often do residents pursue dermpath fellowships?

4. What does a day in their life look like when a resident is rotating in dermpath?

5. How many slides do they normally read in a day?

6. What does the dermpath curriculum look like?

7. Are slides read digital or glass?

   
   

For Mohs surgeons:

1. Are there opportunities for residents to do surgery on their own?

2. How often do residents pursue Mohs fellowships?

3. How many surgeries do you do in a day? Are residents allowed to assist?

4. What does a day in their life look like when a resident is rotating on surgery?

5. Are there months at a time that are dedicated to surgery or are things more spread throughout?

   
   

For pediatric dermatologists:

1. What are some of the most common conditions that you see?

2. How often do you see children with more rare genetic conditions?

3. How much exposure is there to surgery or procedures with kids?

4. How often do residents pursue pediatric dermatology fellowships?

5. Are there months at a time that are dedicated to pediatric dermatology or are things more spread throughout?

   
   

For cosmetic dermatologists:

1. How comfortable do residents feel doing botox and filler on their own after leaving residency?

2. Is there exposure to other procedures outside of botox and filler such as liposuction, Kybella, blephroplasty, etc?

3. How often are resident cosmetic sessions? Can residents bring family and friends to practice on?

4. What lasers are available and how often do residents use them?

5. How often do residents pursue cosmetics fellowships?

   
   

For administrative staff:

1. Are thank you notes welcomed?

2. What's the best way to reach out with questions?

3. Is there any way to get access to resident or faculty emails?

4. Will there be any sort of second-look?

If you need a document to help organize yourself during interviews, feel free to download my free Dermatology Program Info Template!

Dermatology Program Info Template.docx

Download DOCX • 14KB

I hope you found these questions helpful! Check out my other blog posts for general interview tips, tips for formulating responses to common interview questions, and residency Zoom interview tips. Comment down below if there are other topics you would like covered in future blog posts!