Plastic Surgery Residency Interview Guide
Match Stats — NRMP 2024
257
Avg STEP 2 CK
6.3
Avg Publications
180
Total Positions
80%
US MD Match Rate
Interview Style
traditional — interviews typically run 20–30 minutes per session, often with multiple faculty members or residents throughout the day.
What Plastic Surgery Programs Look For
Programs value creative problem-solving, artistic sensibility, technical perfectionism, and breadth of interest spanning reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Strong candidates demonstrate both empathy for patient outcomes and comfort with elective procedures.
Key Themes to Prepare
- ·Know whether you want integrated 6-year or independent 3-year pathway.
- ·Questions about reconstructive vs aesthetic balance, handling a patient unhappy with cosmetic results, and your portfolio of research or art.
- ·Away rotations are essentially mandatory.
- ·Programs ask about specific flap knowledge, microsurgery interest, and career vision.
Common Question Topics
- ·"Why this specialty?" and commitment evidence
- ·"Why this program?" and program-specific fit
- ·Career goals and fellowship plans
- ·Professionalism and difficult situations
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