The Interview
We interview twice a year, on a Saturday. This season, our interview
dates are December 8th, 2006, and January 12th, 2007. We like Saturday
interviews because we can give you our undivided attention for a full day!
It also provides you an opportunity to meet applicants from other medical
schools, and your discussions with them can be very informative, especially
if they are familiar with any of the other programs you will be visiting.
Interview day consists of an overview of our program by Dr. Klein, one-on-one
interviews with faculty and residents (a total of 5 conversations), a tour of
our three teaching hospitals, lunch with the residents and faculty, and a bus
tour of Little Rock that is guided by our residents. Every applicant is
scheduled to meet with either our department chair or the program director.
Maps and details for the interview will be mailed in advance, along with
information on recommended hotels and things to do in the Little Rock area.
If your CV information has changed (e.g., you received an award or published
a paper) since you filled out your ERAS application, feel free to bring an
updated version.
Interview Tips
The purpose of the interview is to evaluate how well you might fit in with
the existing house staff. It’s your chance to demonstrate personal
characteristics such as communication skills, interpersonal skills with
faculty, peers, and support staff, and your ability to respond to pressure
and adversity. Here are some tips to help you put your best foot forward.
Do your homework.
Learn as much as you can about the program and faculty before you visit.
Familiarize yourself with the department’s services, history, and culture.
Review the website; read brochures and other materials you receive in the
mail. Read the local newspaper. Seek out individuals at your institution
who have personal connections to the program.
Dress conservatively.
Be clean, neat, well-groomed and professional. Remember that your
appearance profoundly affects not only the impression you make on patients,
but on your associates as well. Wear something comfortable, and plan to do
a good bit of walking.
Be yourself, but do so in a way that leaves a good impression.
A firm handshake, confident manner, and good eye contact will help.
Appear excited and interested.
Certain questions can be anticipated, so be prepared to answer these.Why radiology?
What do you consider important elements of a training program?
Why did you apply to our program?
How you have done in medical school?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What sets you apart from your fellow applicants?
What are your long-range plans?
Listen attentively to the interviewer's questions and comments.
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. Provide
well-developed, balanced, and analytical answers - avoid “yes” and “no”
replies. Selection committees are seeking integrity and dependability, so
answer honestly and sincerely.
Every interviewer will ask you if you have any questions, so prepare
intelligent questions to ask. It is okay (and actually interesting) to
ask the same questions of different interviewers.
The best sources of information will be the residents. Ours are
very friendly, and they are candid and willing to discuss any aspect of the
program. Feel free to ask them about salary, call schedules, moonlighting,
and the work environment.
Bring a parent, sibling, or friend along on the trip. While you are
interviewing, he/she can visit the area and get a feel for the community.
Someone who knows you very well can help you decide if you would be happy
in a given location.
On the day of your visit, if possible, try to meet any faculty or
residents who trained at your medical school.
If you attend a social event, don't drink too much (even if others
do). Even though it seems like a party, it's part of the interview
process. Assume that you're being evaluated at all times.
Act as if you want the position! Write follow-up letters promptly,
thanking the program director for the opportunity to interview and for any
meals or social events that were provided. Mention the interviewers and
residents by name.
After the match, write the faculty members who wrote your letters of
recommendation to thank them and tell them the outcome of your match.
If you have any questions that are not answered to your satisfaction on this
website or from the materials available through ERAS, please contact our
program coordinator:
If you have questions about this page or experience technical difficulties, please alert the web master.
This site is created and maintained by the UAMS Radiology Department.
