Essential Questions for MD Graduates in Radiation Oncology Residency Interviews

As an MD graduate preparing for the radiation oncology residency match, you already know the stakes are high. But residency interviews aren’t just about programs evaluating you—they’re also your best opportunity to evaluate them. The questions you ask programs can reveal far more than the website, brochures, or even current residents’ social media posts.

This guide focuses specifically on questions to ask programs as an MD graduate applying to radiation oncology residency. It will help you prepare thoughtful, high-yield questions for faculty, program leadership, and residents, and use those conversations to assess fit before you rank programs.

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Why Your Questions Matter in the Rad Onc Match

Radiation oncology is a small, highly specialized field. As an MD graduate entering this competitive environment, you face several realities:

• You may not fully appreciate how different programs are until you’re already there.
• The allopathic medical school match process is compressed; you’ll visit many programs in a short time.
• Your future niche (academic vs. private practice, research-heavy vs. clinically focused, subspecialty interests) may still be evolving.

Thoughtful questions:

• Help you understand if a program’s case mix, culture, and mentorship align with your goals
• Signal maturity, insight, and genuine interest
• Give you specific details to remember each program when making your rank list
• Clarify unspoken expectations around call, contouring, research, and board preparation

A strong aim is to walk into each radiation oncology residency interview with prepared, customizable question sets for:

• Program Director / Associate PD
• Chair or faculty interviewers
• Residents (junior and senior)
• Physics / dosimetry / staff (if you meet them)

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Core Domains to Explore During Radiation Oncology Interviews

Before diving into exact phrasing, it helps to organize your thinking into domains. This will ensure you don’t leave a program with big blind spots.

Key domains to ask about:

1. Clinical Training & Case Exposure
2. Education, Mentorship & Feedback
3. Research & Academic Opportunities
4. Culture, Wellness & Support
5. Career Outcomes & Fellowship/Job Placement
6. Program Structure, Logistics & Expectations

Within each domain, we’ll cover:

• Why it matters (especially for MD graduates in rad onc)
• Specific interview questions for them (faculty, PDs, residents)
• What “good” vs. “concerning” answers might look like
• Example follow-up questions

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Questions to Ask the Program Director and Faculty

When you think about what to ask the program director, focus on big-picture structure, philosophy, and outcomes. PDs are best positioned to discuss curriculum, expectations, support systems, and program direction.

1. Clinical Training and Case Mix

For an MD graduate residency applicant in radiation oncology, the breadth and depth of your clinical exposure will shape your competence and confidence as an attending.

Questions to ask program director or faculty:

• “How would you describe the case mix here in terms of common disease sites and rare or complex cases?”

  • Follow-up: “Are there specific sites that are particularly strong or less represented?”

• “How is disease-site specialization structured for residents?”

  • Follow-up: “Do residents rotate by disease site, attending, or service, and how often do those rotations repeat?”

• “What is the typical resident experience with advanced techniques like SBRT, SRS, brachytherapy, and proton therapy (if applicable)?”

  • Follow-up: “Are residents expected to be primary planners/contourers for these cases?”

• “Are there opportunities to rotate at affiliated hospitals, community sites, or proton centers, and how is that time balanced with the main campus?”

What you’re listening for:

• Breadth: Strong exposure to common sites (breast, prostate, lung, head and neck, CNS, GI, GU, GYN, peds if available).
• Complexity: Experience with high-end techniques, brachytherapy, and technically challenging plans.
• Volume: Enough patient volume that residents actively participate in contouring, planning, on-treatment management, and follow-up—not just observing.

Red flags:

• “Residents don’t really do brachy here; that’s handled mostly by attendings” (and no external rotation to make up for it).
• Very lopsided case mix (e.g., almost all palliative/prostate with minimal head and neck or CNS) without a plan to fill gaps.

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2. Curriculum, Education, and Feedback

You want to know if the program has a deliberate approach to your education, not just clinical service coverage.

Questions to ask the program director:

• “Can you walk me through the formal curriculum across the PGY years?”

  • Follow-up: “How does resident responsibility evolve from junior to senior years?”

• “How are didactics structured, and how protected is that time?”

  • Follow-up: “What proportion of didactics is resident-led vs. faculty-led?”

• “How do you approach feedback and evaluation? How often do residents receive formative feedback?”

• “What board preparation resources or structured review does the program provide for the written and oral boards?”

What you’re listening for:

• Regular, protected didactics that are truly protected (clinic paused, pages covered).
• Iterative feedback processes: rotation evaluations, mid-rotation check-ins, semiannual reviews.
• Explicit board prep: mock orals, in-service exam review, faculty coaching.

Concerning signs:

• Vague, non-structured “we just teach on the fly in clinic.”
• Didactics frequently canceled or poorly attended.
• Minimal track record of board success without a clear plan to improve.

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3. Program Philosophy and Direction

Asking about where the program has been and where it’s going helps you gauge stability and vision.

High-yield questions to ask program director or chair:

• “How has the program changed over the past 5 years, and what changes do you anticipate over the next 5?”

• “What are the program’s biggest strengths, and what areas are you actively working to improve?”

• “How do residents have a voice in shaping the program? Can you give an example of resident feedback leading to a change?”

What you’re listening for:

• Honest self-assessment, not just marketing.
• Evidence that leadership is responsive (e.g., changed call structure, added a wellness day, expanded brachy exposure).
• Clear direction (growth, new faculty, new technology, or collaborations).

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Questions to Ask Residents: Daily Life, Culture, and Hidden Curriculum

Residents will give you the most authentic view of how the program runs day-to-day. Your interview questions for them should dig into workflow, support, and culture.

1. Daily Workflow and Expectations

Key questions to ask residents:

• “What does a typical day look like for you on a busy rotation?”

  • Follow-up: “What time do you usually arrive and leave?”

• “How much of your time is spent on contouring, treatment planning review, on-treatment visits, follow-ups, and non-clinical tasks (e.g., paperwork)?”

• “How is call structured—home vs. in-house, frequency, and typical volume?”

  • Follow-up: “Does call ever feel unsafe or unmanageable?”

• “How much independence do you have in contouring and decision-making? Do you feel appropriately supervised?”

What you’re listening for:

• Realistic yet sustainable clinical days.
• Contouring and planning that is substantive, not clerical.
• A call schedule that’s heavy but safe, with attending backup and clear protocols.
• Progressive autonomy with safety nets.

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2. Culture, Support, and Wellness

Radiation oncology can be emotionally and cognitively demanding. Culture is crucial.

Questions to ask residents about culture:

• “How would you describe the culture among residents? Collaborative or competitive?”

• “How do faculty respond when residents make mistakes or don’t know something?”

• “Have you ever felt unsupported in a challenging clinical situation? How was it handled?”

• “What formal or informal wellness resources do residents actually use?”

  • Follow-up: “Is it realistic to take vacation and actually unplug?”

• “If you had to match again, would you choose this program?”

  • Follow-up: “What would you want to be different, if anything?”

Signals of a healthy culture:

• Residents speak positively about each other and faculty without appearing rehearsed.
• They share real stories of support during crises (e.g., patient deaths, family emergencies).
• Vacations and personal days are routinely taken and respected.

Red flags:

• Hesitation or nervous laughter when topics of wellness or conflict come up.
• “We don’t really use our vacation days; things are just too busy.”
• Frequent mention of burnout without solutions.

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3. Education, Mentorship, and Autonomy from the Resident View

Residents can tell you if the curriculum you heard about from leadership really happens.

High-yield questions to ask residents:

• “Do you feel you are getting enough hands-on experience with complex cases and procedures (e.g., brachy, SRS)?”

• “How approachable are attendings for teaching, questions, and career advice?”

• “What is the mentorship structure like? Do residents have formal research or career mentors?”

• “How are struggling residents supported?”

What you’re listening for:

• Concrete examples: “Dr. X always stays late to review contours,” “Our senior residents run mock orals for us.”
• Systems for remediation and support, not just “sink or swim.”
• Seniors actively teaching juniors.

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Research, Academics, and Career Development: Targeted Questions for MD Graduates

For an MD graduate interested in academic radiation oncology or in keeping that door open, you need clarity on research expectations and career support.

1. Research Opportunities and Expectations

Questions to ask program director and research-oriented faculty:

• “What are the expectations for resident research productivity? Are there formal requirements for abstracts, manuscripts, or QI projects?”

• “How easy is it to get involved in research early on? Are projects generally available, or do residents have to create their own?”

• “Is there protected research time, research tracks, or dedicated research rotations?”

  • Follow-up: “How is clinical responsibility covered during that time?”

• “Can you share recent resident research successes—publications, presentations, or grants?”

Questions to ask residents about research:

• “How easy is it to balance clinical duties and research?”

• “Do residents commonly present at ASTRO, ASCO, or other major conferences? Is there financial support for travel?”

What you’re listening for:

• A realistic pathway to meaningful projects with mentorship.
• Availability of data (e.g., institutional databases, trials, physics collaborations).
• Financial and scheduling support for conferences.

Concerning patterns:

• Research described as “possible” but rarely done in reality.
• No recent resident presentations or publications.
• “Protected time” that isn’t truly protected.

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2. Career Outcomes and Networking

Your priority in the rad onc match isn’t just to get a spot; it’s to set up your future career.

Questions to ask PD or senior faculty:

• “What have your graduates done over the past 5 years in terms of fellowship and job placement?”

  • Follow-up: “Academic vs. private practice vs. industry?”

• “How involved is the program in helping residents find jobs—mentorship, introductions, CV review, and interview prep?”

• “Are there alumni who remain engaged and mentor current residents?”

Questions to ask senior residents:

• “How supported have you felt in your job or fellowship search?”

• “How transparent are faculty about the current job market in radiation oncology?”

What you’re listening for:

• Honest discussion about the competitive nature of the rad onc job market.
• Proactive faculty support: networking, phone calls, targeted advice.
• Alumni network and recent real-world outcomes.

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Logistics, Fit, and Practical Considerations: The Subtle but Crucial Questions

Beyond clinical and academic strength, your day-to-day quality of life matters. These details can determine whether a program is sustainable and satisfying for you.

1. Structure, Scheduling, and Flexibility

Questions to ask PD or chief resident:

• “How are rotations assigned and scheduled? Do residents have input into their schedules?”

• “How are vacation, parental leave, and medical leave handled in practice?”

• “How often do residents moonlight, if at all, and what are the program’s policies on moonlighting?”

• “Are there opportunities for away electives or global health experiences, and how feasible are they within the schedule?”

What you’re listening for:

• Transparent, fair rotation and call distribution.
• Clear policies aligned with ACGME and institutional guidelines.
• Evidence that leaves have been granted without residents feeling punished or overburdened.

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2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Team Dynamics

Radiation oncology relies heavily on a multidisciplinary team. Asking about team relationships can give you insight into real-world practice.

Questions to ask faculty and residents:

• “How would you describe collaboration with medical oncology, surgical oncology, and other specialties?”

• “What is your working relationship with physics and dosimetry like?”

  • Follow-up: “Are residents integrated into treatment planning discussions and QA?”

• “Do residents participate in tumor boards? What is their role there?”

Positive signals:

• Regular multidisciplinary tumor boards with resident participation.
• Respectful, collaborative relationships with physics, dosimetry, therapists, and nurses.
• Residents feel their voices are heard in treatment planning discussions.

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3. City, Cost of Living, and Life Outside the Hospital

Your environment matters for a multi-year training program.

Questions to ask residents (especially those who moved from out of state):

• “How is the cost of living here relative to the residency salary?”

• “What neighborhoods do residents typically live in, and how is commuting/parking?”

• “Do you feel you have time and opportunity to have a life outside of residency?”

  • Follow-up: “What do you like to do in your free time here?”

These may feel personal, but they’re very reasonable questions to help you imagine your own life at the program.

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Putting It All Together: Strategy for Asking Questions Effectively

Having strong questions is only half the work—you also need to deploy them strategically during your radiation oncology residency interviews.

1. Prepare a Master List, Then Prioritize

Before interview season:

• Create a master list of questions to ask residency programs across all domains above.
• For each specific program, mark 5–7 “must ask” questions based on gaps in your knowledge after reviewing their website and FREIDA entry.
• Tailor questions to what you couldn’t find online—avoid asking about things clearly answered in their materials unless you’re seeking clarification or deeper insight.

2. Match the Question to the Interviewer

Think of your question bank in lanes:

• Program Director: curriculum, program philosophy, outcomes, remediation, strategic direction.
• Chair / Faculty: clinical training, research, mentorship, disease-site strengths.
• Residents: culture, daily life, hidden curriculum, real implementation of policies.
• Chief Resident: logistics, scheduling, conflict resolution, recent program-level changes.

When you think, “what to ask program director,” focus on questions only they can uniquely answer or that show you’re thinking at a systems level.

3. Ask Open-Ended, Non-Accusatory Questions

Avoid yes/no questions like “Do you support wellness?” Instead, ask:

• “Can you share an example of how the program has supported a resident during a difficult time?”

This invites stories, not slogans.

Similarly, instead of “Are you strong in brachytherapy?” you might ask:

• “What does resident involvement in brachytherapy look like across the PGY years?”

4. Take Notes Immediately After Each Interview Day

You will forget details. Right after the interview day (or during breaks):

• Jot down key points for each domain:
  • Case mix
  • Culture
  • Research
  • Logistics
  • Concerns / standout positives
• Note anything striking a chord—good or bad. These notes will be invaluable when building your rank list.

5. Use Questions to Demonstrate Insight, Not to Interrogate

Programs notice how you ask questions. Aim for:

• Curiosity, not confrontation
• Professionalism, not entitlement
• Specificity, not generic filler questions

If you’re genuinely curious and tie questions to your goals (“I’m particularly interested in CNS and clinical trial design, so I’d like to ask…”), your questions will feel natural and signal fit.

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FAQs: Questions to Ask Programs in Radiation Oncology

1. How many questions should I ask in each interview?
Aim for 2–3 thoughtful questions per interview slot, depending on time. It’s better to ask fewer, more focused questions than to rush through a long list. Across a full interview day, you might ask:

• 4–6 questions to residents (spread across multiple sessions)
• 2–4 to the program director/associate PD
• 2–3 to each faculty interviewer

Be flexible and read the room; some interviewers talk more and leave less time for questions.

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2. Is it okay to ask about the job market and board pass rates directly?
Yes, but phrase these carefully:

• For boards: “How has the program performed on recent written and oral board exams, and what supports are in place for residents preparing for them?”
• For jobs: “Given the current radiation oncology job market, how does your program help residents navigate job or fellowship searches?”

You are entitled to this information, and programs should be prepared to discuss it honestly.

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3. Can I ask about visa sponsorship or personal constraints during interviews?
If you are an MD graduate requiring a visa, it is entirely appropriate to ask:

• “Does your institution sponsor J-1/H-1B visas for residents, and have there been any recent changes in that policy?”

For personal constraints (family, partner, childcare), you can ask in more general terms about flexibility, parental leave, childcare resources, or dual-career support. Avoid divulging more than you feel comfortable with, but don’t be afraid to seek information that affects your ability to train there.

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4. What if I run out of questions or another applicant already asked mine during a group session?
Have a few backup questions in different domains. If your main question gets answered, you can say:

• “That actually answered one of my main questions—thank you. I do have another I’d be interested in your perspective on…”

You can also adapt a previously answered question to dig deeper:

• “You mentioned earlier that residents are heavily involved in SRS cases. Could you elaborate on how that involvement evolves from junior to senior years?”

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Approaching your rad onc match interviews with well-prepared, thoughtful questions will not only help you make a smarter rank list—it will also showcase the maturity and insight programs are looking for in an MD graduate entering radiation oncology. Use the domains and examples in this guide to build your personalized question set, and treat every answer not just as information, but as a window into the kind of physician and colleague you’ll be trained to become.