How are the residents evaluated?

Some ideas...

1. I would have "done my homework" on the program's strengths and weaknesses before my interview.

2. If I did not have any specific questions to ask, I would comment on the program strengths, for example "I've seen that the residents get very competitive fellowships", "there are not too many fellowships in this program, hence a chance to operate more", etc... Those are pretty good examples..

3. I would be very careful, but perhaps I would also comment on the weaknesses if appropriate, to give the impression that "I know what I am after" (which I hope is true for most of us). For example, if I know that the only weakness of the program is spine surgery and I was pretty sure I want to end up doing upper extremity and the program is very good at it, I would stress that I know this weakness but I still consider that the program is great for me. I think this would show to them that I chose to apply to the program carefully, because I know it very well and I think it is perfect for me.

1. I would have "done my homework" on the program's strengths and weaknesses before my interview.

Glad somebody finally said it

It's almost impossible to NOT have something to ask if you've done your homework. i.e....

--"I hear the program has X/does Y/offers Z. Can you tell me more about that?"

--"I saw that residents aren't given a conference/meeting stipend until PGY-4. Are there ANY opportunities for junior residents to attend a meeting?"

--"I read that residents take trauma call at more than one hospital. Are they all Level I centers, or is the experience mostly at one hospital?"

Try to get 3-4 questions ready in advance; you can always reuse them with multiple interviewers if you get stuck. Also, don't forget that your interviewers are rarely present at the "Introduction" talk given by the Chair/PD. If that's the case, you can always ask things that were answered there (i.e. if your prepared questions were already addressed).

Also, don't forget that attendings are people, too. You might want to ask what they think of living in Citytown, if it's good for raising a family (if that's an issue for you), why they chose the program, what they like about it, or what they would like to see changed.