Top Questions Caribbean IMGs Should Ask During Residency Interviews

As a Caribbean IMG pursuing internal medicine, your questions during residency interviews can strongly influence how programs see you—and how you decide where to rank them. Programs are evaluating you, but you’re also evaluating them. Thoughtful, informed questions signal maturity, insight, and a serious interest in matching into a strong internal medicine residency.

This guide focuses on what to ask, how to ask it, and how to tailor your questions as a Caribbean IMG aiming for a successful IM match—whether you’re coming from SGU, Ross, AUC, Saba, or another Caribbean medical school.

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Why Your Questions Matter (Especially as a Caribbean IMG)

Programs expect you to ask questions. When you don’t, it can be interpreted as:

• Lack of genuine interest
• Poor preparation
• Limited understanding of residency training

For a Caribbean medical school residency applicant, your questions are also a subtle way to:

• Demonstrate that you understand your unique challenges as an IMG
• Show that you are proactive about professional development
• Clarify how supportive the program is toward international graduates
• Get insight into fellowship opportunities and board pass rates

Additionally, the IM program leadership and interviewers often remember the candidates who asked the most insightful, specific questions—especially when you connect them to your background (e.g., “As a Caribbean IMG with strong clinical experience at X hospital, I’m particularly interested in…”).

Key principles when forming questions:

• Make them specific to internal medicine
• Make them program-focused, not self-centered (avoid: “Will I get a visa?” as your first question)
• Avoid questions easily answered on the website
• Show that you’ve done your homework (e.g., referencing SGU residency match statistics or program alumni during your questions)

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Core Categories of Questions to Ask Internal Medicine Programs

To stay organized, think of your “question bank” in categories. For each category below, you’ll find:

1. Core questions you can adapt and use
2. Why they matter for a Caribbean IMG
3. How to phrase them professionally

You should never try to ask everything—pick 2–4 questions per interview, and tailor them to whom you’re speaking: program director, faculty, chief resident, or current residents.

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Questions for Program Directors: Strategy, Support, and Outcomes

When you think about what to ask program director or associate program director, focus on big-picture topics: program philosophy, career outcomes, academic support, and how they view IMGs.

1. Program Vision and Culture

Questions to ask residency leadership:

• “How would you describe the overall mission and culture of this internal medicine residency, and what qualities do you look for in residents to support that mission?”
• “What kind of resident tends to thrive here, and what characteristics do they share?”

Why this matters for a Caribbean IMG:
You want to know if they value diversity, non-traditional paths, and resilience—areas where many Caribbean IMGs excel.

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2. Curriculum, Autonomy, and Training Environment

• “How is resident autonomy balanced with supervision, especially on inpatient medicine and ICU rotations?”
• “Have there been any recent changes to the curriculum in response to resident feedback or new ACGME requirements?”
• “Can you describe how ambulatory training is structured across the three years?”

IMG-specific angle:
Caribbean IMGs often have strong inpatient experience from core clerkships but may vary in outpatient exposure. Strong ambulatory and ICU training will matter for both general internal medicine and fellowship applications.

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3. Board Pass Rates and Academic Support

• “What has been your three-year rolling ABIM board pass rate, and what academic support is available for residents who may be at risk?”
• “Is there protected time or structured resources for ABIM board preparation?”

Why this matters:
For many programs, board pass rate is a key quality marker. As a Caribbean graduate, board performance is crucial to your long-term credibility in the job and fellowship market.

You might add:

• “Do you track in-training exam scores and intervene early for residents who need more support?”

This shows you’re proactive and academically serious.

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4. Residency Outcomes and Fellowship Support

• “What proportion of your graduates pursue fellowship versus general internal medicine, and which fellowships are most common?”
• “Can you share recent match outcomes for cardiology, GI, and critical care from your program?”
• “How does the program support residents interested in fellowship—mentorship, research opportunities, letters, or mock interviews?”

For Caribbean IMGs aiming for fellowship:
Your IM match is only Part 1. If you are aiming for cardiology, GI, pulmonary/critical care, or nephrology, you need a program with a track record of placing residents into competitive fellowships.

You can gently probe:

• “Are there any systematic differences in fellowship outcomes between US grads and IMGs, and how do you help level the playing field?”

This can reveal how honest and supportive they are regarding Caribbean IMG trajectories.

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5. Support for IMGs and Visa Considerations

You don’t want to make the entire conversation about visas, but as a Caribbean IMG it is a critical factor.

• “What proportion of your residents are international medical graduates, and how has the program historically supported them?”
• “What types of visas does your institution typically sponsor for residents?”
• “Are there particular resources (e.g., mentorship, orientation, dedicated advisor) to help IMGs adjust to the system and succeed here?”

Make sure visa-type questions are asked briefly and professionally—ideally near the end of the appointment if you are short on time.

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6. Questions about Caribbean IMGs specifically (when appropriate)

If you know the program has a track record with Caribbean schools (e.g., strong SGU residency match presence):

• “I noticed several residents are from SGU/Ross/AUC. What have you found to be strengths that Caribbean grads bring to this program?”
• “Has the program made any specific efforts to support graduates from Caribbean medical schools in their transition into residency and in their fellowship ambitions?”

This subtly reminds them of your background while emphasizing your drive to succeed.

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Questions for Residents: Daily Life, Culture, and Reality Check

Current residents are your most honest source of information. They’ll tell you what it’s actually like at 2 a.m. on call, how supportive faculty really are, and whether IMGs feel fully integrated and respected.

1. Workload, Call, and Schedule

Key questions for residents:

• “What does a typical day look like on the inpatient wards—for interns and for seniors?”
• “How manageable is the workload, especially on ward and ICU months?”
• “How often do you feel you stay significantly beyond your scheduled hours?”
• “Are you mostly admitting, or is there a balance between admissions and continuity of care?”

You’re not just asking about 80-hour limits; you’re trying to understand how humane the program feels.

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2. Culture, Support, and Wellness

• “How would you describe the culture among residents—collaborative, competitive, close-knit?”
• “How approachable are the attendings, especially when you need help or are unsure about a case?”
• “Have you ever felt unsafe or unsupported when escalating concerns about a patient?”
• “What wellness or mental health resources do residents actually use here?”

As a Caribbean IMG, belonging and support are crucial. Ask residents:

• “As an IMG or having co-residents who are IMGs, do you feel there is equal opportunity for leadership and fellowship positions?”

This helps you sense if there’s any informal bias or glass ceiling.

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3. Education and Supervision

• “How consistent is the teaching on rounds? Do attendings routinely use cases for teaching, or is it mostly about efficiency?”
• “Are there regular noon conferences, morning reports, and journal clubs—and are they protected time?”
• “On night float or cross-cover shifts, do you feel adequately supervised?”

Strong answers here signal a true education-focused internal medicine residency, not just a service-heavy one.

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4. Interview Questions for Them: Career Paths and Fellowship

• “What are your career plans after residency, and do you feel the program is helping you get there?”
• “For residents applying to fellowship, what kind of support—research, letters, electives—have they received?”

If you meet a Caribbean IMG resident:

• “As a Caribbean graduate here, what advice would you give me if I match here in terms of standing out and preparing for fellowship?”

This can give you a realistic framework for success.

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5. Housing, Location, and Life Outside the Hospital

You’ll live here for three years—your quality of life matters.

• “Where do most residents live, and what is the typical commute time?”
• “How affordable is housing on a resident salary?”
• “Do residents have time for family, hobbies, or moonlighting (if allowed)?”

For many Caribbean IMGs transitioning from island life, the climate, safety, and community can be a big adjustment. Don’t hesitate to ask:

• “How safe do you feel in the surrounding area, especially when leaving late at night or early in the morning?”

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Questions About Training Structure, Clinical Exposure, and Resources

These questions can be directed to program directors, chiefs, or faculty, depending on who you’re speaking with.

1. Clinical Exposure and Patient Mix

• “What is the typical patient population—demographics, insurance mix, and complexity?”
• “How much exposure do residents have to cardiology, GI, pulmonary/critical care, and hematology/oncology cases?”
• “Do residents rotate at more than one hospital (e.g., VA, community, tertiary center), and how do those experiences differ?”

You want a broad clinical foundation, particularly if you aim for subspecialty training.

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2. ICU and Procedural Training

• “How is ICU training structured across the three years?”
• “Which procedures are residents expected to be competent in by graduation (e.g., central lines, paracentesis, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture), and how is competency assessed?”
• “Are there opportunities to perform procedures independently with supervision, or are they mostly done by other services?”

Strong procedural training is valuable even if you’re not going into a procedural subspecialty; it reflects resident autonomy and trust.

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3. Continuity Clinic and Outpatient Experience

• “How often do residents have continuity clinic, and is it a true longitudinal experience?”
• “Do residents see the same patient panel over time, allowing them to follow chronic conditions and build relationships?”
• “Are there subspecialty clinics available as electives (e.g., rheumatology, ID, endocrinology)?”

Internal medicine is not just inpatient-based; outpatient skills are vital, especially if you might work as a general internist later.

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4. Research, Quality Improvement, and Scholarly Activity

• “What types of research opportunities exist—clinical, outcomes, quality improvement—and how accessible are they for residents?”
• “Is there a requirement for scholarly activity, and how does the program support residents in meeting that requirement?”
• “Do residents regularly present at regional or national conferences, and is there funding available for that?”

For many Caribbean IMGs, research in medical school may have been limited. Residency is often your chance to build that portfolio before fellowship—to ask about this is to signal long-term academic thinking.

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How to Strategically Use Your Questions Before, During, and After Interviews

Asking great questions is not just what you say on interview day—it’s also how you plan and follow up.

1. Before the Interview: Build a Personal Question Bank

• Review the website first so you avoid asking basics (e.g., “Do you have an ICU?”)
• Create 3–5 core questions that apply to most programs (e.g., culture, education, board support)
• Add 1–2 program-specific questions for each place based on:
  • Notable alumni (e.g., “I saw several SGU residency match outcomes on your alumni page…”)
  • Unique tracks (primary care, hospitalist, research)
  • Unique patient population or affiliated hospitals

Write them down in a portfolio or on a neat notepad—referring to notes looks thoughtful, not unprepared.

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2. During the Interview: Tailor to the Interviewer

• Program Director / APD: Ask about program vision, outcomes, curriculum, and IMG support.
• Faculty / Subspecialists: Ask about teaching style, subspecialty exposure, research, and fellowship preparation.
• Chief Residents: Ask about scheduling, fairness of call distribution, and resident advocacy.
• Current Residents: Ask about real-life workload, culture, wellness, and how IMGs are integrated.

Avoid questions that sound like you’re negotiating a contract (“How much vacation time?” as your first question), unless the topic arises naturally.

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3. What Not to Ask (or Ask Carefully)

• Anything already clearly answered on the website
• Overly detailed questions about moonlighting, pay, or vacation as your main focus
• Questions that imply you’re already dissatisfied (“Do residents feel burned out all the time?”)
• Very personal questions to individual residents (e.g., marital plans, children)

Visa questions are valid for Caribbean IMGs, but keep them brief and factual, and place them within a broader context of interest in the program.

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4. After the Interview: Clarifying Questions and Thank-You Notes

A few days after your interview, if you realize there’s something important you forgot to ask:

• It’s acceptable to email the program coordinator with a clear, concise question, especially about:
  • Visa policy
  • Start dates
  • Rotation sites
  • Research or fellowship opportunities

In your thank-you notes, you can briefly reference a question you appreciated discussing, such as:

“I appreciated your detailed answer to my question about how the program supports Caribbean IMGs in pursuing cardiology fellowship. It gave me a clearer picture of how I could grow here academically and clinically.”

This reinforces your interests and reminds them of your thoughtful engagement.

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Putting It All Together: A Sample Question Set for a Caribbean IMG in Internal Medicine

To make this concrete, here’s how a Caribbean medical school residency candidate in internal medicine might structure questions on a typical interview day.

With the Program Director

1. “How would you describe the type of resident who thrives in this internal medicine residency, and how does your program’s culture support that?”
2. “What has been your three-year rolling ABIM board pass rate, and what academic support is available for residents who may be at risk?”
3. “What proportion of your graduates pursue fellowship, and how does the program specifically support fellowship applicants?”
4. “What proportion of your residents are IMGs, and what has your experience been with Caribbean graduates in particular?”

With a Faculty Subspecialist (e.g., Cardiologist)

1. “For residents interested in cardiology fellowship, what opportunities exist for research or elective rotations in your division?”
2. “How involved are residents in complex cardiology cases in the ICU or step-down units?”

With Chief Residents

1. “How would you describe the call structure and weekend coverage, and how consistently is it applied across rotations?”
2. “Do you feel residents receive fair and transparent treatment with regard to scheduling, rotations, and opportunities?”

With Current Residents (Especially IMGs)

1. “What does a typical day on wards look like for an intern here, and how manageable is the workload?”
2. “How supportive are the faculty when you need help, especially during night float?”
3. “As an IMG (or having IMG co-residents), do you feel there is equal opportunity for leadership, chief year, and fellowship?”
4. “If you were back in my position as a Caribbean IMG applicant, what would you want to know about this program that isn’t obvious on interview day?”

Use these as templates, not scripts; adapt them to your personality and goals.

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FAQs: Questions Caribbean IMGs Commonly Ask About Asking Questions

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

Aim for 2–4 strong, focused questions per interviewer. It’s better to ask a few thoughtful, well-phrased questions than to rush through a long list. Prioritize topics that matter most to your future: education quality, culture, support for IMGs, and career outcomes.

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2. Is it okay to ask directly about fellowship match rates and outcomes?

Yes—but phrase it professionally and broadly:

• “Could you share some recent fellowship match outcomes and how the program supports residents aiming for competitive specialties?”

Avoid sounding like you only care about using the program as a stepping stone; balance fellowship questions with genuine interest in core internal medicine training.

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3. When is the best time to ask about visas as a Caribbean IMG?

You can ask briefly during your meeting with the program director or coordinator, or via email if not addressed:

• “Could you clarify what types of visas your program typically sponsors for residents?”

Avoid making visas the centerpiece of your entire conversation, but don’t ignore them—this is essential information for your ability to match and train.

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4. Can I ask residents if they’re happy and would choose the program again?

Yes, and it’s one of the most revealing questions you can ask:

• “Knowing what you know now, would you choose this program again, and why or why not?”

You’ll often get the most honest and nuanced perspective from this question—especially valuable when you’re ranking programs as a Caribbean IMG.

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Thoughtful, well-prepared questions are one of the most powerful tools you have as a Caribbean IMG pursuing an internal medicine residency. They help you evaluate programs honestly, demonstrate your professionalism, and set the stage for a successful IM match and long-term career. Use them strategically, and let them reflect the seriousness with which you’re approaching the next phase of your training.