Residency Advisor
Essential Questions MD Graduates Must Ask for Plastic Surgery Residency
Why Your Questions Matter in Plastic Surgery Residency Interviews
For an MD graduate entering the competitive world of plastic surgery, the interview is not just about answering questions—it’s also about asking the right ones. In an integrated plastics match, your questions signal maturity, insight, and a realistic understanding of what residency entails.
Well-chosen questions to ask residency programs can:
- Demonstrate that you understand plastic surgery training and its demands
- Help you distinguish between strong and weak programs
- Reveal unspoken aspects of culture, workload, and support
- Give you concrete comparisons when finalizing your rank list
This guide is tailored for the MD graduate residency applicant from an allopathic medical school match background, focusing on what to ask program directors, faculty, and residents in plastic surgery. You’ll find question lists, context, and examples of how to adapt them to your personal interests and goals.
Strategy: How to Approach Asking Questions
Before diving into specific questions, it helps to have a strategy.
1. Align Questions with What Matters to You
Common priorities for plastic surgery residency applicants include:
- Case volume and operative experience
- Early vs. late autonomy in the OR
- Microsurgery and reconstructive exposure
- Cosmetic experience and aesthetic training
- Research infrastructure and mentorship
- Fellowship placement and career outcomes
- Program culture and resident wellness
As you prepare your list of interview questions for them, think in these categories. Aim for a mix of:
- Big-picture program questions
- Day-to-day life questions
- Specialty-specific questions (microsurgery, aesthetics, hand, craniofacial, etc.)
- Career and mentorship questions
2. Avoid Yes/No Questions
You’ll gain far more insight from open-ended questions. Instead of:
Do residents get enough operative experience?
Try:
How would you describe the progression of operative independence from intern year to chief year?
You’re not just collecting data—you’re listening for how people answer.
3. Tailor Questions to Your Role: PD vs. Faculty vs. Residents
Some questions are more appropriate for:
- Program Director (PD) – big-picture structure, philosophy, outcomes
- Faculty – training philosophy, operative supervision, teaching style
- Residents – culture, workload, call, what actually happens day to day
A strong strategy is to have:
- 3–5 key questions ready for the PD
- 3–5 for faculty
- 5–8 for residents, since resident interactions are often more candid and free-flowing
Core Questions to Ask Program Directors
When considering an allopathic medical school match into plastic surgery, your conversations with the PD are crucial. These are the people who shape the curriculum and set expectations.
A. Program Structure and Philosophy
“How would you describe the overall training philosophy of this plastic surgery residency?”
- You’re looking for whether they prioritize autonomy, safety, research, or particular subspecialties.
- Pay attention to whether their answer sounds intentional or generic.
“What differentiates your plastic surgery residency from other integrated programs?”
- A strong program will articulate specific strengths: burn, craniofacial, microsurgery, multi-hospital exposure, research infrastructure, or unique rotations.
“How has your program evolved in the last 5 years, and what changes do you anticipate in the next 5?”
- This reveals whether leadership is responsive to resident feedback and changing practice trends.
- MD graduates should listen for updates on case mix, new faculty, or structural changes.
B. Operative Experience and Autonomy
“Can you walk me through how operative responsibility progresses over the six years?”
- Ask for examples: what an intern might do vs. a PGY-3 vs. a chief resident on a complex case.
“How do you ensure residents achieve sufficient experience in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery?”
- Especially important in plastic surgery, where cosmetic exposure can be highly variable.
- Follow-up: “Are there dedicated cosmetic rotations or resident-run cosmetic clinics?”
“How is microsurgery training structured, and how early do residents start participating in free flaps?”
- For an MD graduate residency applicant, early microsurgical exposure can be a major differentiator.
C. Case Volume, Breadth, and Complexity
“What does a typical chief resident case log look like here, in terms of volume and diversity?”
- Ask about critical areas: hand, craniofacial, breast reconstruction, trauma, cosmetic, burn, gender-affirming surgery.
“Do you anticipate any upcoming changes that could impact case volume (hospital contracts, service lines, faculty turnover)?”
- You want to know if they’re gaining or losing major services.
D. Research and Academic Development
“What research infrastructure is available for residents, particularly for those interested in academic plastic surgery?”
- Listen for: dedicated research time, statisticians, IRB support, research coordinators, and multi-center collaborations.
“Are there opportunities or expectations for residents to present at national meetings like ASPS, AAPS, or regional meetings?”
- A strong answer includes funding support, protected time, and mentorship.
“How do residents find research mentors, and is there a formal mentoring system?”
- Especially relevant for MD graduates who may be building academic credentials for fellowship or faculty positions.
E. Outcomes: Fellowships and Careers
“What have your graduates done over the last 5–10 years—fellowships, academic vs. private practice, geographic trends?”
- Request concrete examples.
- Strong integrated plastics match programs will speak proudly and specifically about alumni.
“For residents who want competitive fellowships (e.g., microsurgery, craniofacial, hand, aesthetics), how does the program support them?”
- Look for targeted mentorship, letter-writing, networking, and case-building strategies.
F. Program Culture and Support
“How would you describe the culture among residents and faculty here?”
- Then compare PD answers with resident descriptions later.
“What recent changes have you made based on resident feedback?”
- This is one of the most revealing questions to ask residency leadership—if they can’t name anything, that’s a red flag.
“How do you address struggling residents or those facing personal challenges?”
- You’re assessing whether the program is supportive vs. punitive.
High-Yield Questions for Faculty
Faculty will give you insight into the teaching climate and operative expectations. Tailor these as interview questions for them when you have faculty interviews or faculty dinners.
A. Teaching Style and Expectations in the OR
“How do you typically involve residents in your cases at different training levels?”
- You’re gauging how hands-on residents are allowed to be.
“What do you expect from a resident at the start of a case for it to go well, from your perspective?”
- This tells you how prepared they expect you to be and what they value (anatomy, imaging review, stepwise planning, etc.).
“Can you describe what an ideal chief resident looks like in your OR?”
- Their description tells you how much autonomy chiefs have and how success is defined.
B. Subspecialty Exposure and Mentorship
“For someone interested in [microsurgery / craniofacial / hand / aesthetics], what opportunities are there to get additional exposure or mentorship?”
- Ask specifically about clinics, dedicated rotations, and longitudinal experiences.
“How do faculty support residents in choosing and obtaining fellowships?”
- Strong programs will discuss advocacy, letters, and personalized guidance.
“Do residents typically work with a small group of faculty repeatedly, or is there a wide mix?”
- Regular working relationships often lead to stronger mentorship and evaluations.
C. Evaluation and Feedback
“How is resident performance evaluated, and how do you personally give feedback?”
- Look for answers mentioning timely, specific, and actionable feedback.
“Are there structured times where you sit down with residents to discuss progress and goals?”
- This reflects the seriousness of faculty investment in education.
D. Program Direction and Stability
“From your perspective as faculty, what are the major strengths and weaknesses of this program?”
- Faculty may be more candid about weaknesses than leadership.
“Where do you see this program in 5–10 years in terms of growth or focus areas?”
- You want to know if you’d be training in a program on an upward trajectory.
Best Questions to Ask Current Residents
When MD graduates reflect on their allopathic medical school match experience, they often say the resident conversations were the most honest and influential. This is where you can ask what it’s really like.
A. Day-to-Day Life and Workload
“What does a typical day look like for a PGY-2 and for a chief resident on service?”
- Ask about pre-rounding, OR time, clinic, notes, and post-op responsibilities.
“How is call structured, and how does it affect your life outside the hospital?”
- Clarify: in-house vs. home call, frequency, backup systems, and how manageable it feels.
“When are your busiest months, and how do you cope with that workload?”
- You’re evaluating burnout risk and coping strategies.
“Do you ever feel that service obligations limit your ability to get to the OR?”
- Case access is vital in plastic surgery; excessive floor work may be a concern.
B. Culture, Morale, and Support
“How would you describe the overall resident culture here?”
- Listen for words like collaborative, supportive, family-like—or competitive, isolated, or “it depends.”
“How do residents handle conflicts or disagreements among themselves or with faculty?”
- This reveals psychological safety and professionalism norms.
“If you had to choose this program again, would you?”
- A powerful question; hesitation or qualifiers are informative.
“Have there been any residents who left or were let go recently? If so, what happened?”
- Sensitive but important; patterns can reveal systemic issues.
C. Education and Operative Experience
“Do you feel you’re getting enough OR time for your level, and is there competition among residents for cases?”
- You want a sense of fairness and structure in case assignment.
“How well-protected is your didactic time?”
- Ask about lectures, conferences, journal clubs, M&M, board review sessions, and whether service demands pull them away.
“How prepared do chief residents feel for independent practice or fellowship when they graduate?”
- Residents will often relay what recent grads told them.
“How early did you start doing meaningful portions of cases (e.g., flaps, exposures, key aesthetic maneuvers)?”
- You want to hear that early involvement is normalized.
D. Wellness and Life Outside the OR
“How manageable is it to maintain relationships, hobbies, or a family here?”
- Match their answers to your personal priorities.
“When you have time off, do you actually feel off, or are you answering messages and following cases?”
- Good programs promote real time off.
“What are some specific things the program has done to support resident wellness?”
- Look for tangible examples, not vague language.
E. Honest Program Assessment
“What are the best and worst parts of this residency?”
- Encourage them to be candid: “You won’t scare me off; I just want a clear picture.”
“If you could change one thing about the program, what would it be?”
- Repeated answers across multiple residents are telling.
Specialty-Specific Questions for Plastic Surgery Programs
Beyond generic questions to ask residency programs, plastic surgery has unique features you should probe.
A. Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Surgery
- “How is cosmetic surgery taught here—clinic, OR, simulation, or a resident-run cosmetic service?”
- “Do residents get hands-on experience with non-surgical aesthetics (injectables, lasers, skincare)?”
- “Are there opportunities for chief residents to perform cosmetic procedures at reduced cost to patients?”
Programs vary dramatically; as an MD graduate seeking a robust plastic surgery residency, you want to ensure balanced exposure if aesthetics interests you.
B. Microsurgery and Complex Reconstruction
- “How many microsurgical cases does a typical resident participate in by graduation?”
- “Do all residents get adequate free flap experience, or is it concentrated among certain trainees?”
- “Is there a dedicated microsurgery fellowship on-site, and if so, how does that affect resident exposure?”
Some residents worry that fellows will take major cases; others find fellows to be excellent educators. This is key in an integrated plastics match decision.
C. Hand, Craniofacial, and Peripheral Nerve
- “How much of the hand call and hand volume is covered by plastics vs. orthopedics?”
- “What is your craniofacial volume like, and do residents rotate at children’s hospitals?”
- “Are there dedicated peripheral nerve or brachial plexus experiences?”
These subspecialties can impact fellowship competitiveness and your breadth of training.
D. Trauma and Burn
- “What is your role in facial trauma here, and do plastics manage the majority of facial fractures?”
- “Is there a burn center, and what is the plastics resident’s role on that service?”
Programs with strong trauma and burn volume often offer excellent reconstructive training, but you need to evaluate workload vs. educational value.
Questions to Ask About Logistics, Wellness, and Fit
Finally, don’t neglect practical fit considerations. These are still critical interview questions for them, especially as an MD graduate who may have family, financial, or geographic constraints.
A. Schedule, Calls, and Rotations
- “How are off-service rotations structured, especially in the early years?”
- Clarify how much time is spent on general surgery, ICU, ENT, ortho, etc.
- “How does your program manage duty hour compliance realistically?”
- Residents’ answers to this should match leadership’s narrative.
B. Geographic and Lifestyle Factors
- “What do residents typically do for housing, and how long is the commute?”
- “Is it feasible to live with a partner or family near the hospital?”
- “How do residents engage with the local community or city when they’re off?”
C. Support Systems and Resources
- “What institutional resources are available for mental health, counseling, or coaching for residents?”
- “Is there formal support for parental leave, and how is coverage handled?”
- “Are there funds for educational courses, conferences, or board prep?”
D. Red-Flag and Clarifying Questions
These are best saved for when you sense possible concerns:
- “I’ve heard that plastic surgery can be particularly intense here. How do you feel the program balances high expectations with support?”
- “Has the program received any citations from the ACGME, and if so, what changes were made in response?”
- “How transparent is leadership with residents about changes in staffing, volume, or finances that might affect training?”
How to Use the Answers to Shape Your Rank List
As an MD graduate applying to plastic surgery, you’ll likely interview at several strong programs. Your notes on what to ask program directors and residents should translate into a clear comparison.
Build a Simple Comparison Grid
After each interview day, jot down:
- Case volume and autonomy: Early hands-on vs. late; distribution of big cases
- Aesthetic and microsurgery exposure: Structured rotations vs. incidental exposure
- Resident culture: Words residents used; their nonverbal cues; whether they seemed genuinely content
- Program stability and growth: New faculty, expanding services, or possible contractions
- Research and fellowship support: Concrete examples of mentorship and outcomes
- Personal fit: Geographic, family, lifestyle, and gut feeling
Your questions are not just for show; they’re data points to help you rank intelligently.
FAQs: Questions to Ask Programs for MD Graduate in Plastic Surgery
1. I’m an MD graduate from an allopathic medical school. Should I ask different questions than DO or IMG applicants?
Not necessarily. The core questions to ask residency programs are similar for all applicants. As an MD graduate, you may find that PDs already assume a certain familiarity with academic systems, so you can push further into detailed questions about research infrastructure, microsurgical volume, and fellowship placement. Tailor your questions to your career goals more than to your degree type.
2. How many questions should I ask in each interview?
Aim for 2–3 meaningful questions per interviewer, rather than many shallow ones. For program directors, prioritize big-picture topics (philosophy, outcomes). For faculty, ask about training style and subspecialty exposure. For residents, dig into culture and day-to-day realities. Always keep an extra question in reserve in case something is already covered.
3. Are there any questions I should avoid asking?
Avoid:
- Easily searchable questions (basic website content, like “How many residents per year?”)
- Overly aggressive or confrontational phrasing
- Questions focused only on lifestyle without recognizing the rigor of plastic surgery
Instead, ask respectful but honest questions about workload, wellness, and support, and frame sensitive questions from a place of curiosity and self-awareness.
4. How can I phrase ‘red flag’ questions without sounding negative?
Use neutral, curious language and focus on improvement or support. For example:
- Instead of: “I heard residents are overworked here; is that true?”
- Try: “Plastic surgery training is intense everywhere. How does your program try to balance high case volume with resident wellness and support?”
This preserves professionalism while still getting the information you need to make an informed decision in the integrated plastics match process.
By planning thoughtful, strategic questions in advance, you’ll signal maturity, insight, and serious interest—and you’ll walk away with the information you need to choose the right plastic surgery residency for your future career.
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