Dermatology Interview Questions Encountered by 2010-2011 Applicants

Here are some of the interview questions that we encountered during 2010-2011 Dermatology Interviews. Keep in mind that you will be asked about any information you put on your CV and Personal Statement, although some interviewers are blinded to your application altogether. The UTMB DIG would like to thank the applicants for their input! We hope this helps you prepare for the 2011-2012 interview season. Good luck!

-What is the difference between honor and integrity?
-How would you handle a difficult patient situation? (given scenario)
-Do you have Facebook? Describe in detail what I would see on your Facebook account.
-How much debt will you have?
-Describe this vase....
-How do you hold a scalpel best for precision?
-How would your friends describe you?
-Any reason you won't be able to complete residency?
-Where do you want to settle down?
-How do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
-What is your strategy in applying for dermatology residency programs?
-Why did you apply to our program? Did you just apply to all programs?
-Lots of questions in detail about your research (question sometimes can be about a minor component of your research which was interesting to the interviewer.)
-Do you have questions for me in regards to my area of interest? (and you are not told what the area if interest is ahead of time) - you should look up the faculty info on website prior to the interview.
-What are you looking for in a dermatology training program?
-How would you handle a difficult patient situation? (given scenario)
-Tell us in detail how to recreate a recent dish or recipe you've made recently.
-What are your thoughts on healthcare reform and healthcare spending?
-What are your thoughts on end of life care?
-Tell us something about yourself that is not in your CV or application.
-How do you achieve a work-life balance?
-What was the hardest thing you have had to overcome in life?
-What can you bring to our residency program and our department?
-What would you want on your tombstone?
-Why would you come here (out of state interviews) over Texas?
-What was the biggest struggle in your life?
-Who is your biggest hero?
-Draw a picture of a cell.
-Why do you want to be a dermatologist?
-What makes you the best candidate here?
-Tell me about yourself.
-If you had a super power what would it be?
-What historical figure would you like to meet (not within the past century) and why?
-Who was the first prime minister of Nigeria?
-Tell me a joke.
-Why is your research relevant?
-Use two words to describe yourself.
-What other programs have you interviewed at?
-How would you respond if a patient was unhappy with their surgical outcome (cosmetic) even though you thought it was the best outcome possible?
-What would you do if you felt your responsibilities/work load was disproportionately high in comparison to the other residents?
-What is the difference between honor and integrity?
-What are you looking for in a program?
-Do you have any questions for us? (Every interviewer will ask you this)
-What type of cases do you see at your home program?
-How much debt do you have?
-How is AOA determined at you home program?
-List everyone in your family, where they reside and what they do for a living.
-What do you like about your medical school?
-Is there anything that you would change about your medical school?
-When did you realize you wanted to be a dermatologist?
-What are some of your strengths/weaknesses?
-Why us? Why here?
-If you own a house, how much equity do you have in your house?
-What would you do if you couldn’t be a physician?
-Where did you do your aways?
-Did you go to the night before social?
-What do you think we are looking for in an applicant?
-Describe your strengths in 3 words or less.
-If you could meet any famous person, who would it be, why, and where would you take them to eat?
-What do you like to do in your free time?
-What books/movies have you read/seen lately? What is your favorite movie/book?
-Do you think you can handle the cold weather? Do you like to ski?
-Tell us about a time when you were unprepared.
-What was your most challenging course in medical school and why?
-Paper or Plastic? Can you solve this equation? Can you identify this poet? Why is this comic funny?
-Because most dermatology programs are small, tell us about a time when you had to handle conflict in a small group.
-Tell me about a current event
-What area of dermatology are you particularly interested in?
-Why do you like dermatology?
-What will you do if you don’t match?
-What were your strongest courses/rotations in medical school?
-Tell us something about you that makes you unique.