Essential Questions for DO Graduates in Transitional Year Residencies

Understanding Your Goals as a DO Graduate Entering a Transitional Year

As a DO graduate, the transitional year (TY) can be a powerful springboard into your advanced residency—especially if you’re heading into specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, dermatology, PM&R, neurology, or ophthalmology. But not all transitional year residency programs are created equal, and the questions you ask programs will heavily influence how well you match into a place that fits your needs.

This article focuses on what to ask programs—and why—specifically from the perspective of a DO graduate pursuing a transitional year residency. You’ll find organized question lists, sample phrasing, and context so you can adapt them to each interview or email correspondence. We’ll also highlight what to ask program directors, current residents, and coordinators, and how to align your questions with your long-term goals.

Throughout, we’ll naturally cover:

• How to evaluate a transitional year residency (TY program) as a DO graduate
• What to ask during the osteopathic residency match process
• Strategic interview questions for them (faculty, PDs, residents)
• Targeted questions to ask residency programs focused on learning style, support, and fit

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Core Principles for Asking Strong Questions

Before diving into specific question lists, it helps to understand the principles that separate generic questions from high-yield ones.

1. Make Every Question Serve a Purpose

Every question should help you:

• Clarify fit (clinical load, culture, location)
• Assess support (for DOs, board prep, wellness)
• Evaluate outcomes (fellowship/advanced placement, exam performance)
• Understand day-to-day life (schedule, rotations, call)

If a question doesn’t help you make a decision, refine or replace it.

2. Show You’ve Done Your Homework

You stand out when your questions build on what’s already public:

• “I saw on your website that you added a night float system two years ago. How has that changed the intern experience?”
  vs
• “Do you have night float?”

Demonstrating preparation signals professionalism and genuine interest.

3. Ask Different Things of Different People

Think of the interview day (or virtual sessions) as multiple data streams:

• Program Director (PD): Vision, philosophy, evaluation, support, global view of the TY program
• Faculty: Teaching culture, supervision, feedback, case mix
• Current Residents: Reality check on workload, culture, schedule, morale
• Program Coordinator: Logistics, contracts, benefits, onboarding, visa/COMLEX issues

You’ll get better, more specific insights when you tailor your questions to each group.

4. Balance Open-Ended and Concrete Questions

• Open-ended (“Can you describe…?”, “How do you approach…?”) → Reveal culture, expectations, and values.
• Concrete (“How many weeks of ICU?”, “What is the average call frequency?”) → Give you hard data to compare programs.

You need both to make a sound decision.

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High-Yield Questions for Transitional Year Programs (TY-Focused)

The transitional year is unique: broad exposure, flexible electives, and variable intensity. As a DO graduate, you’re often trying to balance gaining strong clinical skills with protecting time and bandwidth for your advanced specialty. These are questions tailored specifically to the TY program environment.

A. Curriculum, Rotations, and Flexibility

You want to understand how the year is structured and how much control you’ll have.

Questions to ask program directors or core faculty:

1. “How is your transitional year residency structured across the 12 months?”

   • Follow-up: “What proportion is inpatient vs. outpatient? How many ICU months are typical?”

2. “How much elective time do residents usually have, and how flexible is that time?”

   • Follow-up: “Could I use electives to prepare for my advanced specialty [e.g., radiology / anesthesia / dermatology]?”

3. “Which rotations are considered the most demanding, and how do you help interns succeed in them?”

4. “Are there any required osteopathic-focused rotations, or opportunities to integrate OMT into patient care?”

5. “Can you give an example of how a DO graduate interested in [your future specialty] has customized their schedule here?”

Why this matters:
A strong TY program helps you develop solid generalist skills while allowing targeted specialty preparation. You want to know whether the structure supports your long-term path.

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B. Call Schedule, Workload, and Duty Hours

Transitional year residencies vary widely from cushy to intense. Know which one you’re signing up for.

Key questions to ask residency programs about schedule:

1. “What does a typical week look like on your busiest inpatient rotation?”

   • Ask about: start/end times, admissions volume, cross-cover responsibilities.

2. “How is call structured here—q4, night float, 24-hour calls, or another system?”

   • Follow-up: “How many calls per month on average over the year?”

3. “How closely do you adhere to duty hour regulations, and what mechanisms are in place to monitor and address violations?”

4. “What are the average hours per week across the year for your transitional year residents?”

5. “Is there protected time for didactics that is truly protected—even from pages or admissions?”

What you’re looking for:
Honest responses, consistency between faculty and resident answers, and clear systems that protect you from chronic overwork.

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C. Educational Culture and Feedback

In a one-year position, you need efficient learning and actionable feedback.

Questions for PDs and faculty:

1. “How do you structure teaching on rounds and during busy services?”

2. “How often do residents receive formal feedback, and what does that process look like?”

   • Follow-up: “Is there a mid-year or quarterly review focused on growth and support?”

3. “Can you describe how you support interns if they are struggling clinically or academically?”

4. “What makes your educational environment distinct from other transitional year programs?”

Questions for current TY residents:

1. “Do you feel the program invests in your education, or does service sometimes overshadow learning?”

2. “When you make a mistake or miss something, how is that handled here?”

3. “Are attendings and seniors generally approachable for questions during a busy shift?”

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D. Outcomes and Success of Prior TY Residents

You’re only there for a year; you need evidence that the program sets graduates up well for the next step.

Questions to ask program directors:

1. “Where have your recent transitional year graduates gone for their advanced training?”

   • Ask for: match lists by specialty, notable placements, DO-specific outcomes.

2. “Have your DO graduates had any challenges in the osteopathic residency match or ACGME match, and how did you support them?”

3. “How does the program support residents who are applying to competitive specialties or fellowships?”

4. “Do you offer mentorship specific to various advanced specialties (e.g., radiology, anesthesia, derm)?”

Look for specific examples, not vague reassurance.

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DO-Specific Questions: Osteopathic Identity, COMLEX, and Support

As a DO graduate, you bring skills and credentials that may or may not be fully understood by every program. You should clarify:

• Whether DOs are fully integrated and respected
• How the program handles COMLEX vs USMLE
• Opportunities to use your osteopathic training, including OMT

A. Program Culture Toward DOs

Questions for residents and the PD:

1. “Historically, what proportion of your residents have been DO graduates?”

2. “How is osteopathic training and perspective incorporated into the program’s culture?”

3. “Have DO residents here ever felt they had to ‘prove themselves’ compared with MD colleagues? If so, how has the program addressed that?”

4. “Can you share an example of how DO graduates have contributed uniquely to the program or patient care?”

You’re probing for more than “We love DOs.” You want concrete evidence of inclusion and success.

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B. COMLEX, USMLE, and Board Prep

Especially relevant if you have COMLEX only, or if you plan future board exams.

Questions to ask program director or chief resident:

1. “Do you accept COMLEX alone, or do most residents also have USMLE scores?”

   • If applicable: “Have there been any issues with fellowship or advanced program applications using COMLEX?”

2. “How does your program support residents in preparing for in-training exams and eventual specialty boards?”

3. “Do you provide formal board review resources or subscriptions (e.g., question banks, review books, online courses)?”

4. “Have you had DO graduates go into [your advanced specialty of interest], and how did they perform on subsequent board exams?”

This helps ensure the program is equipped to guide DO graduates through the next steps of training.

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C. OMT and Osteopathic Practice Opportunities

If maintaining your osteopathic skills matters to you:

Questions to ask residency programs:

1. “Are there opportunities to use OMT on inpatient or outpatient rotations?”

2. “Do any faculty members actively practice OMT or have osteopathic-focused clinics?”

3. “Is there support for OMT workshops, teaching sessions, or even a longitudinal OMT clinic during the transitional year?”

4. “Would the program be open to me helping to develop or expand OMT opportunities if they are limited now?”

Even if OMT doesn’t define your future specialty, it can enrich your TY experience and help patients.

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What to Ask Program Directors: Strategic, High-Impact Topics

When you get face time with the PD, you want to ask big-picture, strategic questions that reveal the program’s values, stability, and trajectory.

A. Vision, Stability, and Program Direction

Targeted interview questions for them (program directors):

1. “How has your transitional year residency changed over the last 3–5 years, and where do you see it going in the next few years?”

2. “What are some recent program improvements that you’re most proud of?”

3. “Have there been any recent challenges—such as faculty turnover, hospital changes, or accreditation concerns—and how did the program respond?”

4. “What characterizes a resident who thrives in your TY program?”

   • Follow-up: “Conversely, what traits tend to struggle here?”

This kind of question signals maturity and lets you know how stable and progressive the program is.

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B. Support, Wellness, and Resident Advocacy

You only have one year, but burnout and poor support can still have long-term consequences.

What to ask program director about support:

1. “How does your program promote wellness and prevent burnout among transitional year residents?”

2. “Can you describe how the program responds when a resident is overwhelmed, burned out, or dealing with personal crises?”

3. “Is there a formal mentorship program, and are TY residents included equally?”

4. “How accessible are you and other leadership if residents have concerns or suggestions?”

You want evidence of genuine responsiveness, not just a wellness slide in orientation.

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C. Evaluation, Remediation, and Communication

This can feel uncomfortable to ask, but it’s crucial to know how the program handles difficulty.

Key questions to ask residency leadership:

1. “How are residents evaluated during the year—who evaluates us, and how often?”

2. “What happens if a resident is not meeting expectations on a rotation? How does remediation work here?”

3. “How do you ensure that residents are aware of concerns early enough to address them?”

4. “Have you ever had to extend training or dismiss a resident from the program? Without naming anyone, what did that process look like?”

You’re not planning to struggle—but clarity here protects you if you do.

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Questions for Current Residents: The Reality Check

Residents often give you the clearest window into how the TY program truly runs. Many of the most important interview questions for them (residents) are candid, concrete, and specific to daily life.

A. Day-to-Day Life and Culture

Questions to ask current transitional year residents:

1. “Can you walk me through your last week on your busiest rotation? What time did you arrive and leave most days?”

2. “Do you feel the workload here is manageable, or do you often feel overwhelmed?”

3. “Are people generally happy to come to work? How would you describe morale among TY residents?”

4. “How approachable are the attendings and seniors? Is it easy to ask for help?”

5. “Do residents socialize outside of work, or is everyone mostly independent?”

You’re assessing fit with your personality and work style.

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B. Comparison to Expectations and Red Flags

Insightful questions:

1. “How does the reality of this TY program compare with what you were told on interview day?”

2. “If you had to decide again, would you choose this transitional year residency?”

   • Follow-up: “Why or why not?”

3. “Have there been any changes since you started (scheduling, leadership, hospital changes) that applicants should know about?”

4. “Do you feel comfortable giving honest feedback to leadership? Does anything actually change when you do?”

Mixed or hesitant answers can be more telling than polished ones.

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C. DO Experience and Advanced Specialty Preparation

As a DO applicant, your best insight into your future will often come from other DOs who are currently or recently in the program.

Questions tailored for DO residents:

1. “As a DO, have you felt fully accepted and supported here?”

2. “Have you encountered any bias or misunderstanding about your osteopathic background?”

3. “How has the program supported your goals for your advanced specialty?”

   • Ask for examples: schedule flexibility, letters of recommendation, interview time off.

4. “How easy was it to arrange away rotations, research, or interviews during this transitional year?”

If there are no current DO residents, that alone is useful information—and worth asking why.

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Logistics, Lifestyle, and “Hidden Curriculum” Questions

Not every question has to be profound. Many of the most practical questions help you understand what life will actually be like for a year.

A. Schedule and Time Off

For residents or coordinators:

1. “How are vacation weeks assigned? Do TY residents get to choose, and how far in advance?”

2. “How do you handle time off for residency interviews, especially for those applying into advanced specialties or fellowships?”

3. “Are there restrictions on taking vacation during certain rotations?”

4. “What does the holiday schedule typically look like for transitional year interns?”

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B. Location, Commute, and Housing

Your well-being is influenced by where you live and how you get to work.

Good questions:

1. “Where do most residents live, and what is the typical commute time?”

2. “Is parking available and affordable for residents?”

3. “Is there public transportation access to the hospital?”

4. “Are there any safety concerns with the surrounding area, especially for late-night shifts?”

Residents usually answer these more candidly than faculty.

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C. Benefits, Salary, and Practical Support

You don’t need to lead with money questions, but they matter, especially for DO graduates with substantial loans.

Questions for the coordinator or recruitment team (often better than asking PD directly):

1. “What is the base salary and what additional benefits (meal stipend, parking, housing assistance) are provided?”

2. “Do you offer reimbursement for conferences or educational expenses—like board review, textbooks, or question banks?”

3. “What kind of health insurance and mental health resources are available to residents?”

4. “Are there any loan repayment, scholarship, or financial counseling resources specifically for residents?”

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Putting It All Together: Strategy for Your Interview Day

1. Prepare a Short, Prioritized List

You’ll never get through 50 questions. Pick 8–12 priority questions based on what matters most to you:

• Clinical intensity vs lighter schedule
• Flexibility for advanced specialty preparation
• DO support and culture
• Geographic needs or family considerations

Have 3–4 questions ready for:

• Program director
• Faculty
• Current residents

2. Avoid Asking What You Could Easily Google

If it’s clearly on the website (e.g., salary, number of positions), you can reference it but don’t ask as if you haven’t looked:

• “I saw you have four TY residents per year. With a group that size, how well do people get to know each other?”

This signals preparation and lets you build on existing information.

3. Listen for Alignment Between Answers

Pay attention to consistency:

• Does the PD’s description of workload match what residents say?
• Do residents feel supported in a way that matches the “wellness” slide?
• Are DOs truly integrated or just tolerated?

Inconsistency is a subtle red flag.

4. Take Notes Immediately After Interviews

For each program, jot down:

• Pros/cons
• Memorable answers
• Red flags or concerns
• How you felt about interaction style and culture

When you later finalize your rank list for the osteopathic residency match or NRMP, these details will be invaluable.

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FAQs: Questions to Ask Programs as a DO Graduate in a Transitional Year

1. How many questions should I ask during each residency interview?

Aim for 3–5 thoughtful questions per major interaction:

• 2–3 for the PD
• 1–2 for each faculty interviewer
• Several for the resident Q&A or social

You don’t need to ask every question on your list. Prioritize those that clarify your biggest uncertainties about the TY program, DO support, and lifestyle.

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2. Are there questions I should avoid asking?

Avoid:

• Overly basic questions clearly answered on the website (salary, number of positions, basic rotation list).
• Questions that sound transactional only, like “How easy is it to moonlight?” without demonstrating interest in training.
• Aggressive or confrontational phrasing, such as “Why is your program ranked so low?” Instead, if there’s a concern, ask diplomatically:
  • “I noticed some mixed feedback online about workload. How has your program addressed those concerns?”

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3. What’s the best way to ask about DO support without sounding insecure?

Frame it as curiosity about diversity of training backgrounds and program strengths. For example:

• “Can you share how DO and MD graduates integrate within your residency?”
• “What strengths have you seen DO residents bring to your transitional year program?”

This positions you as confident and reflective rather than defensive.

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4. Is it okay to ask about the program’s competitiveness and my chances?

Instead of asking, “What are my chances here?”, ask more constructive questions:

• “What qualities do you look for in applicants who do well in your TY program?”
• “Given my interest in [advanced specialty], how might I best use a year here to prepare?”

This helps you understand fit and expectations without putting interviewers in an awkward position.

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By approaching interviews with strategic, purposeful questions, you not only gather crucial information but also present yourself as a thoughtful, mature physician who understands what it takes to make a transitional year truly count. As a DO graduate, your questions can highlight your osteopathic perspective, clarify how well the program supports your trajectory, and ensure that your transitional year residency becomes a strong bridge to your long-term career.