A Spectacular Interview?

[Dr. Bob Doe]

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How spectacular does one have to be during an interview?
I was told simply by "not messing up" on the interview should guarantee an acceptance, by not messing up I mean arriving early, making eye contact, speaking clearly, being mature, having full in-depth and heavily researched answers, being sure of yourself, etc. If that is the case, why do so many get rejected after an interview (assuming they did the above)?

For my interview I will be trying my best, BUT should I try to be spectacular & unique (which I find very hard to do since many people will come in with similar answers and mannerism as you), or should I simply try to do an ok job and leave the rest to my stats/app?

On a side note, is there such thing as displaying too much enthusiasm/energy for an interview? This may be my worst or best trait because I have a very bubbly and enthusiastic personality, but I can control myself if need be.

 

[gyngyn]

Don't be spectacular. No one is looking for unique in an interview. We are looking for evidence of:
· Integrity and Ethics
· Reliability and Dependability
· Service Orientation
· Social and Interpersonal Skills
· Capacity for Improvement
· Resilience and Adaptability
· Cultural Competence
· Oral Communication
· Teamwork

 

[justAstudent]

Don't over complicate things. Just be yourself. It will save you the headache of trying to put on a show.

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Don't be spectacular. No one is looking for unique in an interview. We are looking for evidence of:
· Integrity and Ethics
· Reliability and Dependability
· Service Orientation
· Social and Interpersonal Skills
· Capacity for Improvement
· Resilience and Adaptability
· Cultural Competence
· Oral Communication
· Teamwork

As I thought

 

[Oso]

-"not messing up" will not guarantee an acceptance
-no one expects you to be spectacular; if you try this you will come off as fake and that will not be good
-BE YOURSELF. If you're naturally enthusiastic, that's fine, it may lead to an interesting and engaged interview. Just remember to be professional (don't go around high-fiving everyone on the admissions staff)
-know your application well and be ready to talk about anything that's brought up
-make sure you can discuss why you're pursuing medicine in an articulate and thoughtful manner

 

[kevinus]

Not messing up is not enough to be accepted. The rest of your application is important in the decision process even after your interview, and for most top schools, only a small fraction of the interviewees is accepted.

 

[BlueLabel]

-"not messing up" will not guarantee an acceptance
-no one expects you to be spectacular; if you try this you will come off as fake and that will not be good
-BE YOURSELF. If you're naturally enthusiastic, that's fine, it may lead to an interesting and engaged interview. Just remember to be professional (don't go around high-fiving everyone on the admissions staff)
-know your application well and be ready to talk about anything that's brought up
-make sure you can discuss why you're pursuing medicine in an articulate and thoughtful manner

Is this your second account or something? -1

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Is this your second account or something? -1

?

 

[deleted592645]

Just be yourself.

-BE YOURSELF. If you're naturally enthusiastic, that's fine, it may lead to an interesting and engaged interview. Just remember to be professional (don't go around high-fiving everyone on the admissions staff)

Yes indeed!

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Yes indeed!

Sounds easy enough 🙂

 

[BlueLabel]

?

My reply was quite obviously to the post I quoted.

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

My reply was quite obviously to the post I quoted.

I think it's quite "obviously" you have nothing to contribute, please dismiss yourself.

 

[BlueLabel]

I think it's quite "obviously" you have nothing to contribute, please dismiss yourself.

Interesting remark, Doctor Doe! Hey can you tell me what field of medicine you're currently specializing in in your residency, Dr. Doe? Where'd you get your degree from, doctor? Hey can I shadow you this summer!!?!?

 

[lobo.solo]

Not messing up is not enough. You have to be charming, eloquent, sincere, passionate, people-person, caring, communicative, etc.

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Interesting remark, Doctor Doe! Hey can you tell me what field of medicine you're currently specializing in in your residency, Dr. Doe? Where'd you get your degree from, doctor? Hey can I shadow you this summer!!?!?

I think it's pretty safe to assume you lack one iota of intelligence, but hey if you got time to go back & forth with a complete stranger on the internet you got time to shadow me. WHY NOT!

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Thank you to all who answered my question. I have a better sense of what must be done now.

 

[chillaxbro]

necessary but not sufficient

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Is this your second account or something? -1

Second...or 10th or so?

 

[newborn11]

One-on-one: Thoroughly research the school before the interview. Show that your interests align with the school's mission. Be able to explain every part of your primary/secondary applications (esp. your interest in medicine, ECs, etc.) in detail. Be friendly, confident, and respectful.

MMI/Panel interview/group interview: Personality matters. Do all of the above+show that you are eloquent/not socially awkward. Do not panic (even if the prompt intimidates you).

Do not try to gauge your performance based on the comments made by interviewer. That will just create extra stress for you as an applicant. Don't replay the whole interview in your head and overanalyze the situation/any mistake you made. Move on and prepare for the next interview.

 

[Harpsx]

Having a great conversation doesn't always mean you had a spectacular interview. You'll find that most applicants are social/not awkward people who can hold a mature conversation for the most part.

What I really think has helped me at my interviews is to remember to always be selling yourself on why you'd be a great fit for that school and take as many opportunities as you can to convince them why you'd be a great candidate (being as natural as you can of course). I think sometimes applicants let their guard down with how relaxed and conversational the interviews are and don't take all opportunities to sell themselves. I don't mean be neurotic and on edge, but for example, if an interviewer doesn't explicitly ask "why our school" I try to slip it in there whenever I can.

There's no need to try standing out from the crowd-- it might seem forced and you most likely won't stand out anyways. Just be yourself and remember to take opportunities to convince them that you would excel at their school.

 

[URHere]

I agree with most of what has already been said. In terms of actually preparing for an interview, this is what I would suggest.

1) You should absolutely do your research before you arrive - know your application inside and out, be familiar with major medically-relevant social issues, and know the major selling points of the school where you are interviewing.

2) Confidence is important. You need to believe that you are a worthy applicant who is interesting and worthwhile to talk to if you want your interviewers to believe it. If you are naturally confident, that's excellent but you need to be careful not to seem cocky. If you are closer to the shy side, you need to practice sitting down and talking about yourself. Do this with someone who will honestly tell you if you are coming off as socially awkward, scared, or arrogant.

3) Once you have done the above…just relax. It will be easier to think on your feet and actually enjoy yourself if you aren't a giant bundle of nerves.