Surgery Residency Interview Prep: Real Questions, Real Answers from Surgeons

Описание: Surgery residency interview prep from surgeons who actually interview applicants.
This candid 75-minute roundtable breaks down what surgical programs really look for—beyond test scores, buzzwords, and rehearsed answers.

Featuring an all-star panel of attending surgeons and senior residents across ENT, plastic surgery, urology, and general surgery, this discussion goes past generic advice to cover the real dynamics of surgery residency interviews: how to stand out without being performative, how interviewers read confidence and emotional intelligence, and how to handle difficult or inappropriate questions with professionalism.

Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or trying to recover from a low Step score, this session offers practical, honest guidance you won’t hear on the interview trail.

🎙️ Panelists

Dr. Lauren Umstattd — Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Liz Malphrus — Chief Resident, Plastic Surgery

Dr. Mel Thacker — ENT Surgeon

Dr. Maheetha Bharadwaj — PGY-4 Urology Resident

Dr. Brooke Golisch — PGY-7 General Surgery Resident

Dr. Frances Mei Hardin — ENT Surgeon, Host & Moderator

📌 Topics Covered

What surgery programs really look for beyond your application

Common interview clichés to avoid

Authenticity vs. polish: how to be memorable without trying too hard

Thank-you notes, letters of interest, and what actually matters

Addressing low Step scores and other weaknesses with grace

Handling illegal or inappropriate interview questions

Confidence vs. arrogance—and how interviewers read the difference

Emotional intelligence and reading the room

Smart questions to ask interviewers

How to prep, debrief, and build your rank list

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & introductions (black cat chaos + session context)
02:45 – What programs are actually looking for in surgical applicants
06:00 – Mindset shift: You are the prize
09:00 – What interviewers really notice (personality vs. perfection)
10:30 – Cliché answers to avoid
13:00 – Talking about hobbies without sounding rehearsed
14:30 – Avoiding interviewer boredom & staying authentic
17:00 – Thank-you notes and “love letters”
20:00 – Letters of interest: when (and whether) to send them
24:00 – IMG-specific strategies and late-cycle interviews
27:00 – Emotional intelligence and reading the room
34:00 – The 7-38-55 rule and communicating confidence
36:00 – Crafting your “why surgery” answer
39:00 – Addressing a low Step score
42:00 – Managing “mind-game” interview styles
44:00 – Handling inappropriate or illegal questions
48:00 – Confidence vs. arrogance
53:00 – Authenticity and medical hierarchies
55:30 – “Tell me about yourself” — what to include (and skip)
56:30 – Questions you should ask programs
1:01:00 – Using humor and curiosity to connect
1:04:00 – Should you take notes during interviews?
1:06:30 – How to debrief and record impressions

🔗 Hosted by: The Hippocratic Collective
📍 Recorded live: October 2025