Loading
Not sure what to ask a resident? Start here. Use these as a guide when writing your message.
What's the relationship like between residents and attendings?
Do residents actually get along or is it competitive?
How supportive is the program when residents struggle?
Can you actually get time with program leadership, or is the PD hard to reach?
Is there real mentorship here, or do you find it on your own?
How diverse is the program, and does it actually feel welcoming?
What's the surgical volume like — how many cases per year?
Do you feel prepared for independent practice by PGY-3, or does it take a higher PGY?
How much autonomy do you get as a PGY-1 vs a PGY-4 or higher?
By your senior years, how much do you actually do unsupervised — or is an attending always involved?
Are attendings actively teaching or just supervising?
How are the didactics — are they structured and useful or just a formality?
Is there a research requirement?
How have recent classes done on their board exams?
What fellowships have recent graduates matched into, and how competitive were they?
Does the program actively support fellowship applications — protected time, research, and letters?
For residents who went straight into practice, did they land jobs where they wanted?
What's the call schedule really like?
How many hours per week are you actually working?
Is there time for a life outside the hospital?
How is vacation time handled — do you actually get to use it?
What's parental and family leave actually like for residents who've used it?
Is there real, confidential mental-health support — and do residents actually use it?
How does the program handle burnout — is it acknowledged, or brushed off?
Would you rank here again knowing what you know now?
What's the one thing you wish you knew before matching here?
Have any residents left or transferred out? Why?
What's the worst part of this program nobody talks about?
What does the program NOT do well?
Has the program had any ACGME citations or accreditation concerns?
What's the biggest change the program has made recently — and why?
How is the pay and are there any moonlighting opportunities?
Beyond salary, what's the benefits package — insurance, meal stipends, education funds?
What's the housing situation like — is it affordable nearby?
Be honest — do you actually like living here?
How's the city for a partner's career, or for family life during residency?
How does the program handle board prep time?
Ready to get answers? Find a verified resident and ask.
Browse Programs