Any interview advice???

[dOcToRdOn]

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Hello all, I've been reading up on the posts for a while now and they've all been a big help. I have 3 interviews that are pending...
1.) LECOM-Bradenton ; Feb 6th
2.) WVSOM ; Feb. 26th
3.) NOVA ; Mar. 9th

So...I'm a little nervous about interviews; everyone that I"ve talked to thus far has said to just go in, be yourself and everything will be ok. How do you guys deal w/ your pre-interview jitters? Just wondering...

Also...a question regarding financial aid...So, I'm not too hot to trot about being 200K in debt when I get done w/ this whole thing as I dont think anyone is. Does anyone know of any grant programs for professional schools other than the government? Does anyone know of any deals where they would pay for your school, or give you help if you commit to a certain amount of time post-graduate in a certain under served area?

Thanks,
Dr. Don

 

[MCATTT]

I really don't know about financial aid yet.
As for the interviews, almost all interviews are carried out under non-stress condition. Based on my interview experience and from what I read and heard, you just need to be yourself and be truthful.

I strongly suggest checking the SDN interview questions and doing a mock interview if your undergrad school offers. The mock interview helped me a lot in the process. Good luck!

 

[DoctorMom78]

I didn't interview at any of those schools, but all my interviews were really relaxed. Just be yourself and everything should be fine. I don't know of any grants during school other than the National Health Service scholarship and the military funding. There are a lot of repayments available after school if you go into primary care medicine though. Good luck with everything!

 

[ruck]

kick some major ass

 

[dOcToRdOn]

Thanks everyone! i really appreciate your help and I'll be sure to let u know how it all goes...

Another question for ya...As you guys started school and got into the grind of medical school, what was your biggest change? realization? motivator? Your biggest surprise of medical school? This is something that I really want to do, I'm motivated and I'm ready to go, but did you guys harbor doubts about at first about going to medical school? Do you still have them? Any hints for the soon-to-be medical students out there? Thanks and i truly appreciate the advice...

dr.don

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

In the interview do not, burp, fart, pick your nose, or argue with the interviewer.

 

[phluidradiation]

Hello all, I've been reading up on the posts for a while now and they've all been a big help. I have 3 interviews that are pending...
1.) LECOM-Bradenton ; Feb 6th
2.) WVSOM ; Feb. 26th
3.) NOVA ; Mar. 9th

So...I'm a little nervous about interviews; everyone that I"ve talked to thus far has said to just go in, be yourself and everything will be ok. How do you guys deal w/ your pre-interview jitters? Just wondering...

Also...a question regarding financial aid...So, I'm not too hot to trot about being 200K in debt when I get done w/ this whole thing as I dont think anyone is. Does anyone know of any grant programs for professional schools other than the government? Does anyone know of any deals where they would pay for your school, or give you help if you commit to a certain amount of time post-graduate in a certain under served area?

Thanks,
Dr. Don

Bradenton's really nice. Everyone's pretty friendly and my interviewers were very chill. Once you get to the schools, they'll do a financial aid presentation and give you ideas of how to fund your education. They are the best people to answer your questions, since they deal with it daily!
Good luck!

 

[Dr.Inviz]

Hello all, I've been reading up on the posts for a while now and they've all been a big help. I have 3 interviews that are pending...
1.) LECOM-Bradenton ; Feb 6th
2.) WVSOM ; Feb. 26th
3.) NOVA ; Mar. 9th

So...I'm a little nervous about interviews; everyone that I"ve talked to thus far has said to just go in, be yourself and everything will be ok. How do you guys deal w/ your pre-interview jitters? Just wondering...

Also...a question regarding financial aid...So, I'm not too hot to trot about being 200K in debt when I get done w/ this whole thing as I dont think anyone is. Does anyone know of any grant programs for professional schools other than the government? Does anyone know of any deals where they would pay for your school, or give you help if you commit to a certain amount of time post-graduate in a certain under served area?

Thanks,
Dr. Don

meditated.

 

[MaximusD]

I deal with my pre-interview jitters by taking a few shots of Beam.

j/k

I don't know I generally feel better when I put my suit on and have a good breakfast. I didn't like the PCOM interview morning bc I had breakfast in a group and felt compelled to be social and ask questions. I very much like having breakfast by myself. It's relaxing.

No matter what, when you walk into that interview room your'e going to be a little bit nervous. Just make sure you engage the interviewers in conversation and you'll find that you can calm down.

 

[pre-med Ned]

i prepare by relaxing the night before. I usually watch tv for hours and if i'm lucky, family guy or sponge bob is on the tube. I don't sleep too well the night before though =( And then the morning of the interview, I take my time getting ready, listen to music and dance around. haha

 

[VaEMTGuy]

I can't speak for the other schools but I can tell you a bit about interviewing at WVSOM.
Stay at the Hampton Inn or the General Lewis (Gen Lewis a five to ten minute walk, Hampton Inn is a less than two minute drive). If you get a chance, come up and walk around the campus a bit on the day before your interview if you get a chance. It will help you get oriented and interviewers definitely like it the more knowledgeable you are about the school outside of what was in the brochures and the official tour.
When you get to the admissions building on Monday morning, you only need to remember two words: "Just Breathe".
There aren't any PCOM breakfasts here. Annette and Angie in the office are two of the friendliest people I met in the admissions process. Some interviews are in the morning, others are after lunch. And of course, the students at lunch have no say in admissions, so enjoy it and please ask questions.
The interviews themselves are very laid back (as far as interviews can be). I think its usually one clinician, one basic scientist, and a rep for admissions. I don't know anyone who had any off the wall questions. They did ask me why I wanted to go to WVSOM vs. the o-school in my home state though and whether I was interested in PBL. That Dr. Griffith, biochemist, may ask you about science topics in the interview is the roughest I've heard.
Overall though, WVSOM is a very welcoming place from the Dean on down. Hope this helps some. If you or anyone else has some specific questions about what its like here feel free to send me a private message. If you want to know about PBL look up MacGyverWVSOM here on SDN and send him a message.
Good Luck


P.S. Re financial aid: I don't know what state you're coming from but many states, especially across the south, offer programs to help pay off your student loans if you're practicing in an under-served area. West Virginia offers a very good one for WV residents to stay in state and practice (and I've heard a rumor that sometimes they will let out of state Docs participate once they've been here a while, but don't quote me on that). So you should call the financial aid office of any med school in a state you'd like to practice in (even if you're not going to school there) because they'll definitely know what programs are out there.