This study attempted to discover how child and adolescent psychiatry residents chose their training programs, what they intended to do with their careers, and how they perceived their educational experiences. The survey was distributed to all psychiatry residents in the United States through their training directors in 1990. The authors received 310 responses. Significant differences were noted between male and female residents. Most residents expressed an intention to go into private practice after training. There were significant differences in residents interested in private practice vs. academic careers. The residents had applied to comparatively few programs and made training decisions early. The study generated objective information that may yield more specific recruitment strategies for child and adolescent psychiatry.Abstract Teaser