Mr. has been on three residency interviews so far, but last night was the first pre-interview social event to which spouses were invited. Luckily it was nearby, so I was able to attend!
Here's my take:
What to wear
With orthopedic surgery, I've found that most of the social events are in private rooms at sports bars, dive bars and breweries. They're obviously pretty casual, but it's still part of an interview. Last night, most people were in jeans. I was in a jersey-knit modal wrap dress, tights, and stilettos. I'm happy with my choice. While I was dressier than almost everyone else, it was still a pretty casual dress. Plus, I'd rather err on the side of over-dressed than under-dressed.
For women attending these events, though, I think the ideal outfit (if highs are 60 or colder) is a cute sweater dress, tights, and flat boots. It's very casual, very appropriate for a bar but still an acknowledgment that it is a networking event.
If you're not a dress person, fear not; trousers are appropriate (unless it's at a swanky venue... so far, that has not been the case for Mr.).
Who to talk to
Anyone! I had a great time last night talking to the other applicants and their significant others. However, you certainly want to talk to those in the program and their significant others.
What to ask about
I think it's good to ask the residents and their significant others about the lifestyle, the housing options, the city (if you don't already live there), and life in general. It's good to get a feel for how happy they are in their program and express your willingness to live in the city of that program.
Overall, have fun! Don't dance on any tables or wear lampshades, of course, but be yourself and help your spouse be him/herself. Have fun finding the right program for you.
Bulk Barn Flyer
7 years ago
5 comments:
my boyfriend will start as an ms1 in may or june! while i am incredibly excited for him, i'm also anxious! any advice!?!
Sorry to leave you hanging, Whitters.
Congratulations to your boyfriend! Medicine can be a brutal field. Like any career that requires a lot of work, one should be passionate about it--the actual work, not just the idea of helping people. Medical training is too long with too few rewards if the work is not a reward in itself.
As for couple advice, it's like any other relationship except there is, on average, less time and more stress. Learn to manage those two things, know how to be happy independently, and the rest is just like any other relationship.
Good luck to both of you, and congrats again!
Make sure he's finding out how much operating time folks get - i.e., what year they do solo procedures, if the program has fellows, Also you'd want to find out what the OITE pass rate is, how many people go on to do fellowships and where, book allowance.
You should ask about whether or not spouses have an active community/support network, if/when people tend to have kids, etc.
Thanks, Alec! Mr. has definitely been asking those questions at the interviews. Operating experience especially is important to him and usually the first factor he mentions (good or bad) when he returns from an interview.
Those are great tips for the spouses, too. I don't want kids early in residency, so that question isn't pressing for me at this stage. It's important to mention for any readers, though, so thank you for bringing it up. :)
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