How to ACE Your Residency Interview

Ever wonder what it takes to succeed in your residency interview? As an academic neurosurgeon who regularly interviews and ranks applicants, join me as I discuss what it takes to succeed and crush your residency interviews. Whether you're interested in neurosurgery or another specialty, this video tackles how to prepare for, execute, and follow up your residency interview, regardless of field. In this video I'll cover the following practical tips:
1) What should I wear to my residency interview?
2) What can I do to best prepare for my residency interview?
3) What questions can I expect?
4) Who will be interviewing me, and what questions should I ask?
5) What should I do after my residency interview?

[@mattosmd]

Dr Rutkowski, just amazing that you took the time to coach us about interview and all the other topics. You and your wife are certainly great educators and that passion is the best substance to make us engaged in learning and being the best professionals in the future. I’m not sure if I will apply at your university but I would love to pick your brain as a surgeon and professor for sure. I appreciate you and your family today! Happy thanksgiving. Cheers

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Thank you Matt!

[@CZMCIQ]

This is pure gold. Thank you so much for this Dr.Rutkowski!

[@yugiohforce1]

Came here from my NM MD. Staying because of the quality of the videos and information.

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Thanks for joining, great to have you and good luck on your own medical journey.

[@caramelcheezit6978]

This is like a complete godsend channel🥹 amazing doctor.

[@marmaladebrah]

I'm gonna need this again someday a few years down. Thanks Dr Rutkowski :)

[@anamul768]

Great content… within next 1 year this channel is gonna hit 1M for sure ❤️

[@devankumar8369]

Thank you so much for making videos like this, Dr. Rutkowski, your channel is a goldmine of information. I was wondering if you would consider making a video addressing how to make oneself a strong applicant for neurosurgery or other competitive specialty residency programs.

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching.

[@jacoballiston7574]

Hi Dr. Ruthowski, would you consider creating a video on your tips and techniques on how to be a more effective communicator? Did your interest in writing help a lot in becoming a better communicator?

[@dorayak8051]

such an amazing insights from an amazing doctor!

[@dkierans]

This is nice because it’s always good to realise how you screwed up in the past. We make mistakes all all the time. That is normal and can be a good thing to not be afraid to talk about it. Most people you work with want you to succeed.

[@ashiqpramchand9704]

You are amazing Doc. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@shashishekhar----]

I am not even a medico but I truly enjoy your videos Dr Rutkowski

[@yahiaosman8938]

Great video, I love it

[@neurosurgeon_processing8499]

Thank you so much sir , for this very insightful video. As non us IMG and an aspiring neurosurgeon, this video definitely is going to help me. I'm writing my pre pg exam in India and I'm looking forward for neurosurgery residency in us. Hope i make it one day. Saving this video for future reference. Hope you could make another video for IMG neurosurgery aspirant on how to ace residency interviews ?.

[@sahabrandon1]

Thankyou doctor for this 🤗

[@asdfjklasdfjkl408]

Great advice on the second look! MS2 preparing to do some shadowing before MS3. I'd love a video on shadowing/expectations! I feel like I am in a strange transition period where I know the physical exams, how to communicate with patients, etc. but not really sure what would be expected of me if I am shadowing. Could I potentially be allowed to perform a physical exam even if I am shadowing? Thank you!

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Every experience is different, I would recommend discussing expectations beforehand with the attending(s) you'll be shadowing. You'll likely have at least some patient interaction.

[@mohammedfares676]

Thank you I like your videos much inspiring

[@asdfghjkl7557]

Watching this while filling out my medical school application lol

[@danielj844]

Dr. Rutkowski, thanks for the videos and tips ( gold tips). I am a fan since the first video (the one of 73 question). I am an IMG from Ecuador and really wondering to know which is the "perfect" or best path for a person with my profile for being a great prospect. I am currently doing research, with the aim of improving my CV and showing my academic abilities. However, I know that "the perfect recipe" for IMG is more holistic. I really want to know what I need to do for really increase my odds. Maybe an IMG tip video can be a great idea. Again, thanks for everything and great video. Greetings from Ecuador.

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

I'm happy to put together an IMG video. There's no perfect path but I'll try to offer some insights.

[@user-ol9nk1et7m]

thank you so much!

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

You’re welcome!

[@Shekharkumar0887]

I love your videos! You are intelligent and handsome sir.

[@zachb414]

Dr. Rutkowski, great content in all of your videos. I can especially appreciate your clear and concise articulation. Would it be possible for you to provide some med school interview or med school advice to your 22 y.o self? Thanks for what you do.

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Great idea!

[@EM-mk8jk]

yes please! and how to prepare for med school during gap years applying or working on extra curriculars

[@CakeSweetness]

Thank you so much Dr Rutkowski for making this video .I really would like to know more about how much research experience do require for neurosurgery and what are things to boost CV for neurosurgery as NON US IMG?

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Absolutely. Seems to be a popular request, I’ll try to address this.

[@CakeSweetness]

@@martinrutkowskimd3709 Thank you so much Dr Rutkowski😀

[@ahmedrasimbayramoglu8329]

thank you

[@ronim.h2769]

Considering neurosurgery residency programs in particular, is completing a neurology residency program in a country other than the US beneficial for application to the neurosurgery one?

[@drmustafaalkola]

Thank you so much for the amazing video. A question that comes to mind , is age considered as a barrier since some students get admitted to medical school late and in light that it takes around 8 years to fully train a neurosurgeon.

[@amangoyal7404]

Doctor, would you say men can keep tidy clean well kept beards for interviews, or is cleanly shaven always preferred? I definitely look better with a short well maintained beard, but I am confused if its better to look worse and go cleanly shaven

[@m8111806]

In the parallel world of engineering, suit is the symbol of " No Technical Expertise".

[@Dolph1nie]

Me who hasn’t even started college yet: yep I need to watch this

[@zephyr7227]

Hey Dr. Rutkowski. I’m currently pursuing a career in academic neurosurgery, and I want to ask if it is possible to do more than one neurosurgery fellowship? And if so, is it beneficial?

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

It's definitely possible, but rarely necessary. I'm not sure adding an additional fellowship would help you much, unless they clearly complement each other (e.g. endovascular and open cerebrovascular) and build dual skills you'll need in your practice.

[@zephyr7227]

@@martinrutkowskimd3709 Thanks for the reply, Dr. Rutkowski.

[@shaimasaleem7173]

🌟

[@ruthhnjengaaa]

I’m subbed but never see your videos on my subscription page ?? :(

[@alecpugh2005]

Dr. Rutkowski, I am a non traditional applicant to medical school, and won’t get until I am 28, will this later age have a negative impact on my dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon? Thanks

[@martinrutkowskimd3709]

Absolutely not. Stick to your dream, age isn't a factor if that's your goal.

[@precisionmabopa7202]

@@martinrutkowskimd3709 hand size doesn't matter right?

[@alecpugh2005]

@@martinrutkowskimd3709 thanks Dr., that is great to hear!!

[@jk-si7gj]

You know you're a med student when you read that angiotensin converting enzyme

[@kensandale243]

This is a good example of power corrupting. He made a big deal about a candidate who was extremely well qualified in terms of medical competence came to the interview poorly shaven and with uncombed hair...he thought that was a significant problem. What should matter is competence. When people are put in a position of power, it goes to their heads. Likewise when he was concerned about whether a candidate would get along well with the other boys, This is less obvious that the thing in the first paragraph, but nevertheless a person who is disagreeable might still be the best choice.

[@libincheeran6572]

It’s sad you guys judge people by their looks .. I hope you guys do better and just test their abilities. We are no longer living in the 90s please 🙄

[@s96822]

I think an applicant anywhere in the world, and country going to such an important interview would want to firstly show respect by looking clean and decently dressed. Philosophically I agree with you that a persons character is most important but get the job first, then slack a little dress wise especially if exhausted.