Essential Questions to Ask General Surgery Residency Programs for Caribbean IMGs

As a Caribbean IMG applying for general surgery, you are not just trying to impress programs—you’re also evaluating them. The questions you ask programs are one of your strongest tools to show insight, maturity, and genuine interest, while also gathering the information you need to decide where you can succeed, be supported, and ultimately match.

Below is a comprehensive guide to help you know what to ask, how to ask, and when to ask during your surgery residency interviews and pre/post-interview communication—tailored specifically to Caribbean medical school graduates.

---

Why Your Questions Matter (Especially as a Caribbean IMG)

Many Caribbean IMGs feel they must focus only on answering questions perfectly. But interviewers also judge you based on the quality of your questions. For Caribbean graduates, strong questions can:

• Demonstrate that you understand the realities of a general surgery residency
• Help you evaluate Caribbean medical school residency–friendly programs
• Clarify whether a program truly understands and supports IMG-specific challenges
• Signal genuine interest in their specific institution, not just any surgery residency
• Provide critical information for your rank list—and your long-term career

Programs expect thoughtful, specific questions. Coming in with a list shows preparation and maturity. Going blank when they ask, “What questions do you have for us?” can hurt you more than a slightly awkward answer earlier in the interview.

Key principle: Ask questions that:

1. Cannot easily be answered on the website, and
2. Help you decide if this is somewhere you can thrive as a Caribbean IMG in general surgery.

---

Strategy: How to Plan Your Questions Before Interview Day

Before listing specific questions, it helps to organize your approach. Think in three buckets:

1. Program Fit & Training Quality
   – Will I become a competent, confident surgeon here?

2. IMG Support & Culture
   – Will I be respected and supported as a Caribbean graduate?

3. Outcomes & Career Development
   – Will this program help me build the career I want (fellowship, community practice, academic surgery, etc.)?

Also, you’ll be meeting different people:

• Program Director (PD)
• Associate/Assistant PDs
• Faculty interviewers
• Residents (juniors and seniors)
• Possibly the Program Coordinator or Chair

You should tailor questions to each group. Asking residents detailed lifestyle and workload questions is appropriate; asking the PD the same questions may make you seem overly focused on hours instead of training.

---

High-Yield Questions to Ask the Program Director and Leadership

When considering what to ask program director–level leadership, focus on vision, structure, and outcomes. This is where you show you understand the surgery residency match landscape and the demands of general surgery.

1. Questions About Training Structure and Operative Experience

These questions show you’re serious about becoming an excellent surgeon:

• “How do you ensure residents get progressive autonomy in the OR, especially in the later years?”
  Why it matters: As a Caribbean IMG, you may feel pressure to prove yourself. You want a program that will trust and develop you, not just use you as service labor.

• “Can you describe the balance between service and education here, particularly on high-volume services?”
  Listen for: Protected education time, responsiveness to duty-hour concerns, systems in place to prevent burnout.

• “How does the program track operative case numbers and ensure residents meet or exceed ACGME minimums?”
  You want more than “we do fine”; look for mention of case logs, regular review, and remediation if someone is falling behind.

• “What recent changes have you made in response to resident feedback?”
  This reveals whether leadership is responsive and dynamic—or stuck in “we’ve always done it this way.”

2. Questions About General Surgery Career Outcomes and Fellowship Placement

This is critical for Caribbean IMGs who often feel they must overperform to reach their goals.

• “Where have your graduates gone in the last 5 years—both for jobs and for fellowships?”
  Ask for specifics: academic vs community jobs, trauma, critical care, MIS, colorectal, vascular, etc.

• “How involved is the program in supporting residents who are fellowship-bound versus those planning to enter general practice?”
  Good programs help both pathways—not just those going to competitive fellowships.

• “What kind of mentorship structure do you have to help residents reach their career goals?”
  Look for formal mentorship programs, quarterly meetings, and matched resident–faculty pairings.

If you’re from a school like SGU, AUC, or Ross, you can also indirectly gauge SGU residency match–friendliness (and similar Caribbean medical school residency patterns) by asking:

• “Do you track data on how many of your incoming residents are IMGs or from Caribbean medical schools, and how they’ve done after graduation?”

A thoughtful answer here signals whether the program is intentional about tracking and supporting IMG outcomes.

3. IMG-Specific and Support-Oriented Questions (Asked Tactfully)

You don’t want to make the entire conversation about being an IMG, but it is reasonable—and smart—to assess how well they understand your situation.

Consider wording like:

• “As an international medical graduate, I’m interested in how the program has supported IMGs in the past. Can you tell me about your experience training IMGs, including graduates of Caribbean medical schools?”
  You’re looking for:

  • Comfort and familiarity with IMGs
  • Examples of successful IMG residents
  • Reassurance that they understand visa, credentialing, and transition challenges

• “What systems are in place to help interns transition successfully into your program, especially for those who trained outside the U.S.?”
  Listen for:

  • Boot camps, simulation days
  • Orientation to the EHR
  • Clear expectations and feedback structure

• “How do you support residents who may need additional time to adapt early on—for example, with documentation, communication, or systems issues?”
  A strong answer: early feedback, coaching/mentorship, non-punitive remediation.

4. Questions About Program Direction and Stability

General surgery residency is 5+ years; you’re committing for the long haul.

• “How do you see this program evolving over the next 5 years?”
  Look for:

  • Planned expansions (new fellowships, trauma designation upgrades)
  • New clinical sites
  • Educational innovation

• “Have there been any major recent changes in leadership or institutional structure, and how have they affected the residency?”
  You’re trying to understand stability vs. transition chaos.

---

Smart Questions to Ask Residents: Culture, Workload, and Real Life

Residents are often your most candid source of truth. They remember being applicants and know exactly what matters. Many of the best interview questions for them will be different from what you ask the PD.

1. Questions About Day-to-Day Life and Workload

• “What does a typical week look like for an intern? For a PGY-3?”
  Ask for:

  • Start times and average end times
  • Weekend call structure
  • How often people stay past their planned hours

• “How well are duty hours respected here, and what happens if people are consistently going over?”
  If residents hesitate, give vague answers, or look at each other nervously—that’s valuable information.

• “When you’re on a busy rotation, what kind of support do you get from seniors or fellows?”
  You want to hear about approachable seniors, “we help each other,” and “we push but don’t abandon interns.”

2. Questions About Culture, Mistakes, and Support

As a Caribbean IMG, you may worry about being judged more harshly. Ask:

• “How are mistakes handled here? Is it more punitive or more of a learning environment?”
  Listen for:

  • M&M style (shaming vs. systems-focused)
  • Psychological safety
  • Faculty approachability

• “What kind of residents tend to thrive in this program, and what kind of residents tend to struggle?”
  This helps you see if your personality and background are a good match.

• “Can you describe the relationship between residents and faculty here?”
  Are they approachable? Supportive? Do they know residents by name and goals?

Specific to IMGs, you can gently probe:

• “How have residents from international or Caribbean medical schools integrated into the program?”
  You’re listening for:
  • “We’ve had several; they do really well”
  • “Some of our chiefs were IMGs”
  • Specific, positive stories

If residents stumble with this or can’t name any IMGs, that may indicate IMGs are not common or well-integrated.

3. Questions About Education, Case Volume, and Autonomy

• “Do you feel you get enough operative experience at your level?”
  Ask follow-ups:

  • “Can you give an example of cases you typically do as a PGY-2/3?”
  • “How often are you primary surgeon vs. first assist?”

• “How well-protected is your didactic time? Are you frequently pulled out of conference?”
  You want to hear that conferences are sacred and respected by services.

• “Can you tell me about your simulation training or skills lab?”
  Particularly important early for IMGs to standardize baseline skills.

4. Questions About Well-Being, Life Outside the Hospital, and Family

Residents are ideal people to ask about balance:

• “Do residents here have time for family, friends, hobbies—realistically?”
  Look for honest, nuanced answers (not just “We’re always happy and never tired”).

• “How supportive is the program of major life events (marriage, children, illness, family emergencies)?”
  Ask for real examples if they’re willing to share.

• “If you had to choose again, would you still come to this program—and why?”
  This one often brings out the most honest and insightful responses.

---

Targeted Questions for Specific Interests: Research, Fellowship, and Special Tracks

Many general surgery residents pursue additional training. The questions you ask here can help you assess whether this program will prepare you for your next step, particularly as a Caribbean IMG trying to stand out.

1. For Research-Interested Applicants

• “What research opportunities are available for residents, and how do residents usually get involved?”
  Listen for:

  • Basic science, clinical, quality improvement projects
  • Support from a research office or coordinator
  • Internal presentation opportunities

• “Do residents typically have dedicated research time, and if so, when and how long?”
  Some programs offer 1–2 research years; others integrate research during clinical years.

• “How are IMGs supported in getting involved with research early, especially if they have less prior U.S. research experience?”
  You want to know if there’s structure, not just “you can reach out to faculty.”

2. For Those Interested in Fellowship

• “How does the program support residents applying to competitive fellowships (e.g., MIS, surgical oncology, vascular, colorectal, trauma/critical care)?”
  Look for:

  • Letter-writing culture
  • Mock interviews
  • Fellowship director networking

• “What is your recent fellowship match like, particularly for residents without a home fellowship in their area of interest?”
  This matters if the institution doesn’t have all possible fellowships.

• “Do you have examples of Caribbean or other IMGs from your program who matched into competitive fellowships?”
  Concrete examples are gold here.

3. For Those Considering Community vs. Academic Careers

• “How does the program help residents clarify and pursue different career paths: academic surgery vs. community practice vs. rural surgery?”
  Good programs expose residents to all and offer role models in each area.

• “Are there opportunities to work in community or rural sites, and how do those rotations contribute to autonomy and readiness for independent practice?”

As a Caribbean IMG, you might be more open to community-based paths, which often have slightly different expectations and supports. Ask if the program values that trajectory.

---

Practical Phrasing: How to Ask Without Sounding Demanding or Negative

The way you ask your questions is as important as what you ask. Here are some polished, professional phrasings you can adapt.

General Framing Tips

• Start with appreciation or context:

  • “I really appreciate everything you’ve shared so far. I had a question about…”
  • “As someone who trained at a Caribbean medical school, I’m particularly interested in…”

• Avoid yes/no questions; ask open-ended ones:

  • Instead of: “Is your program IMG-friendly?”
    Try: “How have international and Caribbean graduates integrated into your program and what has helped them succeed?”

• Avoid sounding like you’re interrogating. Keep your tone curious, not confrontational.

Sensitive Topics and Better Ways to Phrase Them

1. Work Hours and Workload
   Instead of: “How many hours do you really work?”
   Try:

   • “On your busiest rotations, what does a typical day look like in terms of hours and workload?”

2. Malignant vs. Supportive Culture
   Instead of: “Is the program malignant?”
   Try:

   • “Can you describe how feedback is usually given here?”
   • “How did the program support you during your most difficult rotation?”

3. Attrition and Residents Leaving
   Instead of: “Why have residents left your program?”
   Try:

   • “Have there been residents who did not complete the program, and if so, how did the program respond and what changes, if any, resulted?”

4. IMG Matches and Bias
   Instead of: “Do you treat Caribbean grads differently?”
   Try:

   • “What has your experience been working with residents from Caribbean or other international schools, and how does the program ensure they have equal opportunities to succeed?”

---

Timing: When to Ask Which Questions

You won’t have time to ask everything in one conversation. Be strategic:

Before the Interview

• Review the website thoroughly; do not ask things clearly answered there (e.g., “How many residents per year?”).
• Prepare a short master list (10–15 questions) categorized by who they’re best for (PD, residents, faculty).
• Highlight 5–7 “must-ask” questions that matter most for your decision-making.

During Faculty/PD Interviews

• Use your “big picture” and career-focused questions.
• Choose 2–3 questions per interviewer; you may not get to all of them.
• If someone already answered something, don’t repeat it—pivot to another question.

During Resident Socials and Breakout Rooms

This is where you can be a bit more candid.

• Ask about:
  • Real culture
  • Actual work hours
  • Support systems
  • How IMGs have done
• This is also a good time to ask:
  • “Is there anything you wish you had known about this program before you matched here?”

After the Interview (Follow-Up Emails)

If you had a question you didn’t get to ask, you can include one or two concise questions in a thank-you email, but do not send a long list.

Example:

“Thank you again for the opportunity to interview. I realized after our conversation that I did not ask about how the program supports residents interested in trauma/critical care fellowships, especially those from international medical schools. If you have any brief insights on this, I’d be grateful.”

---

Sample Question Sets You Can Adapt

To make this practical, here are ready-made question sets you can copy, customize, and bring to interviews.

For the Program Director / Leadership

1. “How do you see the general surgery residency evolving here over the next 5 years, especially in terms of operative volume and autonomy?”
2. “What systems are in place to support residents who may be struggling clinically or personally, while maintaining patient safety?”
3. “As a Caribbean IMG, I’m interested in how IMGs have historically done in your program. Can you share any examples of their career outcomes or what has helped them succeed here?”
4. “How does your program support residents applying for competitive fellowships or specific career paths, such as trauma, MIS, or surgical oncology?”

For Residents

1. “What do you think sets this program apart from other general surgery residencies?”
2. “How approachable are attendings in the OR when you have questions or feel unsure?”
3. “Do you feel the program genuinely listens to resident feedback and makes changes based on it? Can you give an example?”
4. “Have you worked with other IMGs or Caribbean grads here, and how has their experience been?”

For Research/Fellowship Mentors or Academic Faculty

1. “What research areas are most active here, and how do residents typically get involved?”
2. “How early do residents usually start fellowship planning, and what kind of guidance do they receive?”
3. “For an IMG from a Caribbean school who may not have extensive U.S.-based research, what would you suggest to become competitive for fellowship from this program?”

---

FAQs: Questions Caribbean IMGs Commonly Ask About Asking Questions

1. How many questions should I ask in each interview?

Aim for 2–3 thoughtful questions per interviewer. You don’t need to ask everything. Prioritize:

• One question about the program or training
• One about culture or support
• One about your specific interest (fellowship, research, community practice, etc.)

If you run out of time, it’s fine to say, “I had a couple more questions but I want to respect the time—thank you for everything you’ve shared.”

2. Is it okay to directly mention that I’m a Caribbean IMG?

Yes—if you frame it professionally. You can say:

“As a graduate of a Caribbean medical school, I’m particularly interested in how IMGs have integrated into your program…”

This helps you get specific, relevant answers. Just avoid sounding apologetic or defensive; own your background confidently.

3. Can my questions hurt my chances in the surgery residency match?

Poorly phrased or negative-toned questions can hurt you. But well-thought-out, respectful questions almost always help you. Avoid:

• Demanding “lifestyle” questions that sound like you’re not prepared for hard work
• Questions clearly answered on the website
• Confrontational phrasing (e.g., “Why is your board pass rate low?”)

Instead, frame concerns around curiosity and improvement:

“I noticed X on your website. Can you share how the program has responded to this and what changes have been made?”

4. What if I forget my questions during the interview?

Bring a small notebook or pad. Many applicants say:

“I wrote down a few questions as I was researching the program—would it be okay if I refer to them?”

This is completely acceptable and often seen as a sign of preparation. Just keep it brief and natural.

---

As a Caribbean IMG pursuing general surgery, your questions are a powerful way to present yourself as thoughtful, focused, and ready for the demands of training. Use them to evaluate whether each program will offer not only a strong surgery residency match outcome, but also the support, respect, and opportunities you need to build the career you want.