Specifically Designed for International and Caribbean Medical Graduates
The Video Course
The RIQ Course is a unique, powerful residency interview preparation system. You get full-length video answers (90+ videos) to the most important interview questions – specifically designed for the IMG or Caribbean medical school graduate. We have 100+ pages of sample answers, answer outlines, and analysis of top interview answers.
Mock Interview
With RIQ Mock Interview, you’ll get the same Video Course and sample answers, and individual 1 on 1 coaching and mock interview with an expert RIQ interview coach. Interview advice is tailored to your unique application, situation and CV.
Interview Advice Blog
Check out our blog for useful tips for FREE. We share our own personal statements and ERAS application. We talk about everything from Thank You Notes, to Top Interview Questions, to What to Wear.
Expert Video Demonstrations, Analysis, and Full-length Answers
Residency Interview Questions (RIQ) is a residency interview preparation system specifically designed for the international medical graduate (IMG) or Caribbean medical graduate. Here's how it works: we've created more than 90 videos and 100+ pages of content to teach you how to nail the highest-yield residency interview questions. Watch and learn from the content, style and body language of true-to-life interview demonstrations. The interview questions you will face are known, let RIQ show you how to create the perfect answers.
Match successfully with our program or your next year is free.
90+ HD-videos provide real-world examples and expert insight. There is more than 100 pages of content to help you craft your own answers. We believe that great interview skills can be taught. Learn the break down of each of the most common, highest-yield residency interview questions. See how we employ body language and tone. We give you the formula to craft your own answer.
IMGs and Caribbean graduates are at a disadvantage in the U.S. residency process - the interview is the most important, modifiable part of your application that you can strengthen. We have an experienced team of top coaches who have navigated the process and matched at their top choices during their own interviews. We have worked closely with hundreds of IMGs in a variety of hospital settings to build this system. RIQ has worked with chief residents, faculty interviewers and program directors to provide insider tips. Our program is the only preparation you need to nail your residency interviews.
Match Successes with RIQ
Collectively Steve and David have interviewed at over 45 different hospitals and academic medical centers across the United States. We have first hand knowledge on how you can perform at your BEST.
We practiced answers, tested each other and crafted perfect answers for ALL of the most commonly asked questions. After we matched, we went back and talked to Program Director and other successful IMG residents about their experiences. This was how RIQ was born. We realized IMGs need a leg up in navigating this challenging process.
Here are some applicant success stories
- As an applicant with 15 years between graduation and an unsuccessful match attempt, George joined RIQ 1 on 1 Coaching and was able to match at his TOP choice. He used our video prep for answering questions on gap years between training and anxiety of returning to residency.
- We matched multiple applicants with Step 1 scores below 219 and two applicants with Step score below 209. With the RIQ Video Course, they were able to address their weaknesses and turn them around to their strengths.
- Our videos are great for those less familiar with English. Laura, an applicant 5 years after graduation with significant language difficulties, was able to match at her TOP choice.
- 54% of our applicants are MORE than 5 years after graduation, and RIQ is able to help them successfully match at a rate significantly higher than average.
- We've successfully matched applicants to Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Neurology, Pathology, and more.
- 9 out of 10 RIQ users would strongly recommend our service!
David Xu M.D.
Steve Xu M.D.
Interview Advice Blog
Be Prepared for Your Medical Residency interview: Top Four Tips on What to Research Beforehand
We want to give you a roadmap here on how you can best be prepared for your medical residency interview with these top four tips. One key aspect of preparation is going to conduct the necessary research on the residency program you are interviewing in. This does not mean 12 hours of detailed background work. Read more about Be Prepared for Your Medical Residency interview: Top Four Tips on What to Research Beforehand[…]
Top 5 Tips for Nailing Your Virtual Residency Interviews
Virtual Residency Interviews: Top 5 Tips Virtual residency interviews are the new normal. David and I still remember vividly how we traveled around the country to 50+ hospitals and residency sites on planes, trains, and buses. This got worse in the winter with flight cancellations, flus, and tight connections. I had to go to New Read more about Top 5 Tips for Nailing Your Virtual Residency Interviews[…]
Tips to Increase the Number of Residency Interviews for IMGs in the Residency Match
This is a numbers game. Increasing the number of residency interviews you get is essential to success. We wanted to share some of our tips and tricks on how to increase the number of interviews after your application is submitted. Why is this important? We know that every single residency interview is precious. Precious. For Read more about Tips to Increase the Number of Residency Interviews for IMGs in the Residency Match[…]
Matching into Residency as an IMG with Red Flags.
First off, I want to say that matching as an IMG is never going to be easy. There are no guarantees – any company that offers you that is probably not being realistic or honest. We know that there are many more applicants than spots. According to the National Resident Matching Program 2023 data, there Read more about Matching into Residency as an IMG with Red Flags.[…]
A New Match Season and a New Residency Interview Content Coming Soon
David and I have been so proud of all of our clients these past 5 years achieving their match dreams. We have so many stories to tell – from IMG candidates 20 years past their graduation date matching after trying for 3 times and to candidates overcoming fails in both Step 1 and Step 2 Read more about A New Match Season and a New Residency Interview Content Coming Soon[…]
The Waiting Period – What to do between ERAS Submission and Interviews
After you hit that Submit button, congratulations on completing your ERAS application! This is the first hurdle towards your journey in residency training. It’s a huge accomplishment to have completed USMLEs, summarized your CV, written your personal statement and obtained reference letters. However, there are still steps that you can do to proactively improve your Read more about The Waiting Period – What to do between ERAS Submission and Interviews[…]
Virtual Residency Interviewing in 2020 via the Web
In the midst of COVID-19 related shutdowns and travel limitations in 2020, residency programs are still interviewing to make sure they have housestaff to man the next wave of potential hospitalizations. Most, if not all, residency programs are moving to an online interviewing platform via Zoom, Google Meet or other video conferencing software. Read more about Virtual Residency Interviewing in 2020 via the Web[…]
Top 10 IMG Friendly Specialities
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) make up a critical portion of the US healthcare framework. They serve in diverse positions ranging from primary care, to under-served areas, and in subspecialities. In 2019, IMG match in the US had its most successful year. In all, 58.8% of IMGs successfully matched, an increase from 56.6% the year Read more about Top 10 IMG Friendly Specialities[…]
Body Language in Residency Interview Questions
At RIQ – we talk a lot about the content of your answers. This is, of course, really important. However, the delivery and energy you bring to the interview can be equally important. A lot of our clients are nervous. This is expected – but you cannot let nervousness be the predominant emotion that you Read more about Body Language in Residency Interview Questions[…]
Nailing Residency Interview Questions with Zero Research Experience
We frequently work with clients that start out who have zero research experience. This can certainly making interviewing difficult – research interests become an interesting talking point in interviews. There are often questions related to an interest in research during residency interviews. All of the international medical graduates (IMG) or foreign medical graduates (FMG) who Read more about Nailing Residency Interview Questions with Zero Research Experience[…]
5 Biggest Interview Mistakes for IMG Applicants
Steve and I wanted to share with you the 5 biggest mistakes we’ve observed when coaching IMG applicants. When you finish interviewing, your interviewer doesn’t remember the specific details of your answer within the 10 or more applicants they interviewed that day. They remember the gestalt of the entire interview with you, they might write Read more about 5 Biggest Interview Mistakes for IMG Applicants[…]
Welcome to the 2019 Match Season! Important Dates and Policy Changes from the NMRP.
The 2019 Main Residency Match® is about commence with registration opening September 15th, 2018. We outline the most important dates here – but do consistently check the National Resident Matching Program® (NMRP) website for any changes. In this post, we’ll highlight some key dates as well as any major policy changes. This is up to Read more about Welcome to the 2019 Match Season! Important Dates and Policy Changes from the NMRP.[…]
RIQ Turns 5 years Old – A Continued Commitment to Helping Our Clients Match for 2018-2019
There are many resources currently that can help you prepare for all the USMLE steps. Observerships are widely available – but some are better than others. David and I started RIQ almost 5 years ago, because we saw a huge gap in interview preparation. We see so many applicants spend years and $10,000 or more Read more about RIQ Turns 5 years Old – A Continued Commitment to Helping Our Clients Match for 2018-2019[…]
The Number 1 Residency Interview Question
Here it is guys, we wanted to share with you guys the most common, and MOST IMPORTANT residency interview question. We got asked this question at about 95% of interviews. Past RIQ clients almost always agree this is the #1 question they have been asked. Tell Me About Yourself? Think of the answer to this question as Read more about The Number 1 Residency Interview Question[…]
RIQ Webinar: High Yield Tips to Nail Your Residency Interview
David and I are happy to announce RIQ’s very first webina! It’s open to everyone – clients or not. When: September 12th, 2017 Time: 6:00 pm PST, 8:00 pm CST and 9 pm EST Link to Register We promise this is going to be worth your time. What will you get out of this hour? David and Read more about RIQ Webinar: High Yield Tips to Nail Your Residency Interview[…]
Post Your Burning Questions – IMGs and the NRMP Match
Burning Questions – Please Comment and Post! We know that residency application and matching is tremendously stressful process. We went through it. We now evaluate resident applicants. We’ve seen the entire cycle from beginning to end. We also know it is extra challenging as an IMG. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or not, there Read more about Post Your Burning Questions – IMGs and the NRMP Match[…]
How To Explain Red Flags on Your Residency Applications.
Red flags on your ERAS application can be very anxiety inducing. There is a lot of confusion on exactly what to say and where to say it. Overall, programs get multiple pieces of information from letter writers, USMLE itself, your medical school, etc. In these instances, it is best to use the personal statement to Read more about How To Explain Red Flags on Your Residency Applications.[…]
What Questions Do You Have For Me? The Single Best Question to Ask Every Single Residency Program.
There is one question that I can predict with 100% certainty you will be asked during your residency interview. I was asked this on every single one of my 29 interviews. David and Tamara report the same statistics. No, it isn’t “Tell Me About Yourself.” The question is “What Questions Do You Have For Me?” Read more about What Questions Do You Have For Me? The Single Best Question to Ask Every Single Residency Program.[…]
Announcing Our Free Module. Building Trust.
As we look forward to the opening of the 2017-2018 National Residency Match Program season, we are distinctly aware of the challenges facing international medical school graduates. The threat of an immigration ban certainly concerns us. The discussion on limiting VISAS for foreign medical graduates also worries us. It is something we’re staying up to Read more about Announcing Our Free Module. Building Trust.[…]
7 Easy Things You Can Immediately Strengthen Your Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) CV
The ERAS CV matters. The ERAS CV is a very important document for your residency applications. Too often, we see candidates spend hundreds of hours on their personal statement but only 2-3 hours on their ERAS CV. The secret is that many residency programs actually don’t even bother reading your personal statement. Personal Statement Read more about 7 Easy Things You Can Immediately Strengthen Your Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) CV[…]