The Pro-Choice Student’s Guide to Residency Interviews:
A Guide for Students Applying in Non-Traditional Specialties
Based on surveys of Students, Residents, and Residency Program Directors conducted by MSFC

How do I talk about choice on interviews?

• Most students surveyed reported that they did not encounter any overt anti-choice interviewers—so don’t feel nervous about discussing your interest in choice at interviews.
• Be direct and honest, but be diplomatic. Discussing choice on interviews is an opportunity for you to talk about something you are passionate about and allows you to demonstrate your commitment to comprehensive women’s health care.
• Be prepared to be asked how you deal with people who have beliefs that oppose your own.
• If abortion training is important to you then asking about it at interviews can be a good barometer to see if the program will fit your needs and will be a supportive place for you.
• Just because you aren’t applying in a traditional women’s health field doesn’t mean family planning won’t be a part of your practice. Discuss with interviewers how being pro-choice will affect practice in your field.

• Your own motivation—especially a willingness to use precious elective time to seek training
• The flexibility of your program in general (the extent to which it allows residents to do electives slightly off the beaten track)
• The availability and willingness of program administration to help you pursue your goals
• Making contacts in the community and beyond (including MSFC) that you can pursue yourself

• Residency Program Directors – As you will likely need to use elective time to pursue training, they will be most knowledgeable as to whether this is feasible. There is usually a Question and Answer session with the program director during the interview day.
• Faculty Interviewers – Faculty, particularly those who have been at an institution for a long time, can give you a sense of the environment at the institution. Your interviewer may not have a good sense about the feasibility of offering abortion training, since it's not a common question outside of OB and FP, but they should be able speak to the general flexibility of the program.
• Current Residents – Depending on the field you are applying in, it is possible that none of the residents will have pursued elective training in family planning, however they will be able to give you an idea how supportive the program is of electives out of your chosen field.
• Program Websites – Often programs will list their curriculum and you should check to be sure elective time is offered.

• Is there time in the curriculum for electives in another field of medicine?
• How supportive would this program be of me using elective time to pursue family planning training?
• Would my malpractice insurance cover me in training to provide abortions?
• Would I need to get a medical license in this state in order to participate in abortion training?
• Is there an Ob-Gyn or Family Medicine program in the area that you know of that offers family planning training?
• Is there a Planned Parenthood or similar clinic in the area?
• After completing my abortion training, would I be allowed to moonlight as an abortion provider while completing the remainder of my residency?
• How often do residents complete "atypical" electives?
• Also see the guide for Ob-Gyn and Family Medicine applicants for specific questions to ask when selecting your training facility.

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