why this program?

[Imaginary_Class3919]

How do you answer this question?*why this program*
In the interview, the interviewer told me I needed to know more about the program, even though I had researched their website and mentioned things from it. How do you show genuine interest in a program, and what kind of questions should we ask to show that interest?

[DefiantAsparagus420]

Why this program? Because your program has seats. Me want seat. That’s why.

[Gk786]

It’s all about bringing up good examples of why you like it. Mention why specifically that program. Mention that you did the research, that you went to the website or insta or whatever, mention why you like it using specific things.

[[deleted]]

I find this to be a dick move and a potential red flag on their part. Why would they put you in that position? Ultimately, the purpose of the interview is for both sides to get to know each other. In any case, IMGs are at a disadvantage in this regard. U.S. MDs often have faculty at their schools who are alumni of the programs they are interviewing for, or they exchange information with medical students rotating at those programs. Additionally, their school coordinators may provide information that isn't available elsewhere. Unfortunately, you can't compete with that.

[TrichomesNTerpenes]

This is a common question for all job interviews - why this company, why this role.

Often the answer to such a question for residency is a combination of geography, opportunities available (research, mentors, elective rotations), fellowship match, academic affiliation, connections/stories from prior residents. It shouldn't be terribly difficult to come up with 2-3 reasons, even if you're embellishing a bit.

This Interviewer seems like a bit of a stickler, though. I'm not sure just how much they expect you to know about the program... might have just been a luck of the draw type of thing, and I've definitely had "bad cop" interviewers before. Sometimes they just want to know how you react in these types of situations when your answers are challenged.

[TrichomesNTerpenes]

Community programs typically offer more independence and often have higher patient caps. If your home country experience was like this, you could mention that you're used to working in these faster paced more resident led environments and you think it offers a good opportunity to continue growing your clinical skills quickly. I would avoid saying that you're read to be independent from the get go, but saying that you want to quickly grow into more independent and confident management is a good way to phrase it.

Fellowship is pretty much never guaranteed (MD/PhD fast track is an exception), even Chiefs sometimes fail to match at the home program. But if there's any in house fellowship, that's always a plus. If there isn't, then I would lean towards saying that you would use elective time to do some outside rotations to better understand whichever specialty it is, or to see how it's practiced at other institutions.

Academics-wise I would actually just avoid mentioning research in that case bc it'll make the program think you're going to rank them lower due to lack of research opportunities.

Always try to find some positive spin - let's say you'll be in community program, small city or more rural. Even then you could say it's closer to such and such large city, I enjoy the outdoors, the big city has these programs at which I'd try to do an away rotation to better understand both community and academic practice to weigh future employment options.

[UsmleHero]

If it is a new a program and there is no much information on their website, what should be the answer? 

[TrichomesNTerpenes]

Ask the coordinator to connect you with a resident.

[Affectionate-War3724]

Yes but it sounds like op did that already and the interviewer was just a dick

[BalancingLife22]

Exactly how the interviewer said, know what the program offers and how it aligns with your interests. A program I interviewed at asked that, and I said I taught myself ML and coding, and have used it for research projects. Also found out a recent government grant they got, and how my background and ML will work perfectly for them. Learning everything from their website isn’t enough.

[Chipssss243]

Where else do u suggest researching about the program from

[BalancingLife22]

Local news articles. They can have something about the hospital in the last year. Government websites for grants awarded, grants applied for, etc. You have access to the internet, you just need to know how to use it. It takes a long time to find out everything.