Any last words of advice?

[EEL08]

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So t minus 10 hours until liftoff. Less than 24 hours until I'm interviewing at AZCOM. Any last thoughts or suggestions for me? Anyone want to predict what questions I will be asked and suggest some answers for me? 😉 I'll have my GPS so hopefully I won't get lost. I still have to make some arrangements today to visit daycares tomorrow after the interview and then hope and pray I get back to the airport on time. This is how my stomach is feeling (sorry there were no butterfly smilies). 😎

 

[theserbatron]

So t minus 10 hours until liftoff. Less than 24 hours until I'm interviewing at AZCOM. Any last thoughts or suggestions for me? Anyone want to predict what questions I will be asked and suggest some answers for me? 😉 I'll have my GPS so hopefully I won't get lost. I still have to make some arrangements today to visit daycares tomorrow after the interview and then hope and pray I get back to the airport on time. This is how my stomach is feeling (sorry there were no butterfly smilies). 😎

just be yourself. make sure you're prepped for the standard questions like why AZCOM? why DO? i always made sure to talk about my experiences in the context of why it drove me to pursue medicine as a career, and the skills i learned that will carry into being a physician.

at my interview, i had some of the wall stuff. "what superhero power would you like to have?"... so just be yourself. the AZCOM staff is very friendly and i'm sure you will do quite well!

 

[slim78]

So t minus 10 hours until liftoff. Less than 24 hours until I'm interviewing at AZCOM. Any last thoughts or suggestions for me? Anyone want to predict what questions I will be asked and suggest some answers for me? 😉 I'll have my GPS so hopefully I won't get lost. I still have to make some arrangements today to visit daycares tomorrow after the interview and then hope and pray I get back to the airport on time. This is how my stomach is feeling (sorry there were no butterfly smilies). 😎

Just make 'em laugh.

Seriously though, just think of all the really good things you have going for you. Two really important ones are...

1. Your husband will already be there.
2. That class size increase just got approved in Dec. so they are really working to fill it!

I think these things work in your favor.

 

[EEL08]

at my interview, i had some of the wall stuff. "what superhero power would you like to have?"... so just be yourself. the AZCOM staff is very friendly and i'm sure you will do quite well!

Wow! That's an interesting one I haven't heard before. I will have to give that one some serious consideration.😉

Just make 'em laugh.

Seriously though, just think of all the really good things you have going for you. Two really important ones are...

1. Your husband will already be there.
2. That class size increase just got approved in Dec. so they are really working to fill it!

I think these things work in your favor.

Well and the fact that I'm just freakin' awesome should help. Just kidding. I'm not that arrogant. In fact, I'm extremely humble. 😉

 

[krob]

I just interviewed there 2 days ago and it was extremely relaxed. So, RELAX 🙂 You'll do great. Good luck.

 

[slim78]

Well and the fact that I'm just freakin' awesome should help...

I thought that was a given.

 

[LauraDO]

Honestly EE you just have to go into it knowing that things will work out how they should. I agree with the above posters that you have alot on your side. They know they are your #1 (but emphasizing it again cant hurt) Just go in there and be the amazing person you are and you will blow their socks off. They already know you are more than just an MCAT score or they wouldn't have invited you, you just have to show them a more detailed view of what you can bring to the school

Good thoughts going your way>>>>>>>👍

 

[EEL08]

So in case anyone there doesn't know should I try to make it clear that my husband will be starting in the fall? I'm not sure who will know and who won't. Of course in my LOI I included that information but I'm not sure what the interviewers will have access to. I cannot believe February 29 is tomorrow!! Wish me luck that my luggage doesn't get lost!! 😱

 

[meggielou]

EEL, first of all, congrats on the interview!!! Somone once told me that to do well at an interview, try to convey that they need you more than you need them. Obviously it's a tough balance to strike between being confident and arrogant, but I'm sure you'll do just fine! Good luck (*sending good vibes*)

 

[EEL08]

EEL, first of all, congrats on the interview!!! Somone once told me that to do well at an interview, try to convey that they need you more than you need them. Obviously it's a tough balance to strike between being confident and arrogant, but I'm sure you'll do just fine! Good luck (*sending good vibes*)

Thanks! I think it will be hard for me to do that since so much is riding on this interview for me. I will do what I can. 😉 As an aside, the airline is making me nervous because somehow they got my middle initial twice so instead of just an S it says S S. She told me it's not a problem since I'm not flying internationally so she better be right!!

 

[udsoccer7]

I would definately tell them that your husband will be going there. The adcoms go through thousands of applications and don't have the time to remember who is who. Make sure you explicitly say that your husband will be attending and you would love to go to medical school with him! Drive that point home.

Always act humble and show that you are excited to learn. There were too many kids that I interviewed with who came off cocky. It baffled me.

Also understand that the schools have sifted through thousands of applicants and have determined that they would like to interview you. They chose you out of thousands of people!! The hard part is done. They just want to get to know you as a person. How do you hold yourself. How do you communicate. As long as you can communicate with them at a professional level ( don't use the word like alot or speak as a teenager would) you will be fine. Always make eye contact and look engaged in the conversation. I always had my hands on the table leaning forward to show that they had my utmost attention. Smile only when it is appropriate. Give a firm hand shake at the beginning and end.

Also, during your interview you can try this, but do it only if you feel like you have a good sense of the interview. You can try to figure out who the interviewers are as people and what they are interested in or things that are going on around the area. Then ask them a question about it at the end of your interivew. Since you will be intervewiing in Phoenix, you could ask them how they feel about Shaq's arrival if you think they are interested in sports. Stuff like that. But make sure you know a little something about the topic so you can hold a conversation with them. I did this during my nova interview after they had asked me if I had any questions. I asked a couple of on topic questions about the school but then I asked an off topic question to one of the interviewers who I thought may be from philadelphia. Spending every summer in Philly as a child I knew alot about the area so I asked him which philly cheesesteak house he liked better, Pats or Ginos. If you know anything about philly, this is a huge ongoing debate and everyone loves to talk about it. He had a huge smile on his face and couldn't believe I had asked him that. We talked for another twenty minutes all about philadelphia. This connection really helped me stand out and we had a great time talking. He even told me after my interview that he would remember me during the adcom meeting as the cheesesteak guy. Ultimately, the adcoms just want to see if you can communicate with people and make them feel comfortable. They want to see if you are one of them.

I also don't think it would be wrong to let the adcoms know at the end of your interview that you really want to be there. I explicitly said this at my interviews. Just tell them how much you enjoyed the area, loved the school, and how you can see yourself there. It can only help.

If they ask you anything about your file that is a negative, always turn it around into a positive. You can explain the problem, what happened, but then tell them how you have fixed it and how it won't be a problem in the future. Stuff like that.

I hope this helps!

Best of luck.

 

[udsoccer7]

I would definately tell them that your husband will be going there. The adcoms go through thousands of applications and don't have the time to remember who is who. Make sure you explicitly say that your husband will be attending and you would love to go to medical school with him! Drive that point home.

Always act humble and show that you are excited to learn. There were too many kids that I interviewed with who came off cocky. It baffled me.

Also understand that the schools have sifted through thousands of applicants and have determined that they would like to interview you. They chose you out of thousands of people!! The hard part is done. They just want to get to know you as a person. How do you hold yourself. How do you communicate. As long as you can communicate with them at a professional level ( don't use the word like alot or speak as a teenager would) you will be fine. Always make eye contact and look engaged in the conversation. I always had my hands on the table leaning forward to show that they had my utmost attention. Smile only when it is appropriate. Give a firm hand shake at the beginning and end.

Also, during your interview you can try this, but do it only if you feel like you have a good sense of the interview. You can try to figure out who the interviewers are as people and what they are interested in or things that are going on around the area. Then ask them a question about it at the end of your interivew. Since you will be intervewiing in Phoenix, you could ask them how they feel about Shaq's arrival if you think they are interested in sports. Stuff like that. But make sure you know a little something about the topic so you can hold a conversation with them. I did this during my nova interview after they had asked me if I had any questions. I asked a couple of on topic questions about the school but then I asked an off topic question to one of the interviewers who I thought may be from philadelphia. Spending every summer in Philly as a child I knew alot about the area so I asked him which philly cheesesteak house he liked better, Pats or Ginos. If you know anything about philly, this is a huge ongoing debate and everyone loves to talk about it. He had a huge smile on his face and couldn't believe I had asked him that. We talked for another twenty minutes all about philadelphia. This connection really helped me stand out and we had a great time talking. He even told me after my interview that he would remember me during the adcom meeting as the cheesesteak guy. Ultimately, the adcoms just want to see if you can communicate with people and make them feel comfortable. They want to see if you are one of them.

I also don't think it would be wrong to let the adcoms know at the end of your interview that you really want to be there. I explicitly said this at my interviews. Just tell them how much you enjoyed the area, loved the school, and how you can see yourself there. It can only help.

If they ask you anything about your file that is a negative, always turn it around into a positive. You can explain the problem, what happened, but then tell them how you have fixed it and how it won't be a problem in the future. Stuff like that.

I hope this helps!

Best of luck.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Remember: you wouldn't be an appliance, no matter what...

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I am praying for you...Good Luck..I hope you get in...i think it would totally rock that you and your husband will graduate from the same school!!!!!!

 

[EEL08]

Remember: you wouldn't be an appliance, no matter what...

TT you're going to be in big trouble if they ask me that question and all I can do is remember that picture and can't stop laughing!!

 

[EEL08]

I would definately tell them that your husband will be going there. The adcoms go through thousands of applications and don't have the time to remember who is who. Make sure you explicitly say that your husband will be attending and you would love to go to medical school with him! Drive that point home.

Always act humble and show that you are excited to learn. There were too many kids that I interviewed with who came off cocky. It baffled me.

Also understand that the schools have sifted through thousands of applicants and have determined that they would like to interview you. They chose you out of thousands of people!! The hard part is done. They just want to get to know you as a person. How do you hold yourself. How do you communicate. As long as you can communicate with them at a professional level ( don't use the word like alot or speak as a teenager would) you will be fine. Always make eye contact and look engaged in the conversation. I always had my hands on the table leaning forward to show that they had my utmost attention. Smile only when it is appropriate. Give a firm hand shake at the beginning and end.

Also, during your interview you can try this, but do it only if you feel like you have a good sense of the interview. You can try to figure out who the interviewers are as people and what they are interested in or things that are going on around the area. Then ask them a question about it at the end of your interivew. Since you will be intervewiing in Phoenix, you could ask them how they feel about Shaq's arrival if you think they are interested in sports. Stuff like that. But make sure you know a little something about the topic so you can hold a conversation with them. I did this during my nova interview after they had asked me if I had any questions. I asked a couple of on topic questions about the school but then I asked an off topic question to one of the interviewers who I thought may be from philadelphia. Spending every summer in Philly as a child I knew alot about the area so I asked him which philly cheesesteak house he liked better, Pats or Ginos. If you know anything about philly, this is a huge ongoing debate and everyone loves to talk about it. He had a huge smile on his face and couldn't believe I had asked him that. We talked for another twenty minutes all about philadelphia. This connection really helped me stand out and we had a great time talking. He even told me after my interview that he would remember me during the adcom meeting as the cheesesteak guy. Ultimately, the adcoms just want to see if you can communicate with people and make them feel comfortable. They want to see if you are one of them.

I also don't think it would be wrong to let the adcoms know at the end of your interview that you really want to be there. I explicitly said this at my interviews. Just tell them how much you enjoyed the area, loved the school, and how you can see yourself there. It can only help.

If they ask you anything about your file that is a negative, always turn it around into a positive. You can explain the problem, what happened, but then tell them how you have fixed it and how it won't be a problem in the future. Stuff like that.

I hope this helps!

Best of luck.

Thank you very much!! It is very helpful. I kind of wish AZCOM had a night before thing like DCOM does so maybe I would feel more relaxed. Although my flight doesn't get in to Phoenix until 10 tonight so I guess it wouldn't matter anyway.

 

[Tepi]

Im not applying until the next cycle, so I have no advice, but still sending good vibes your way!

 

[runner898]

Good luck EEL! I am rooting for you! You can do this. Be yourself, I don't know how someone couldn't like you! 😀

 

[EEL08]

Thanks guys! You're all so awesome! 😀 My husband likes to tease me sometimes (okay a lot of the time) so last night I told him I was nervous about this interview and he said "Oh yeah I hate interview day". I was like you're supposed to help me relax, not make it worse!! 🙄 And when I just asked him what I should be doing before they take me to the airport he reminded me that I might want to pack. Oops!! 😱

 

[prionsRbad]

Good Luck EEL08!!!! You're going to do greeeeeat!!! I'm soooo rooting for you!!! 😍

 

[MiniDO]

Good luck EEL08! I've got an interview tomorrow too (though not at AZCOM), so I know how you're feeling right now.

 

[EEL08]

Good Luck EEL08!!!! You're going to do greeeeeat!!! I'm soooo rooting for you!!! 😍

Thanks prions! You're the best!! 😀😍

Good luck EEL08! I've got an interview tomorrow too (though not at AZCOM), so I know how you're feeling right now.

Hey good luck to you too!! Where are you interviewing and have you had your interview at AZCOM yet? My memory isn't so good lately. I know there are others who have interviews tomorrow too so feel free to jump in anytime. I hope that we are all relaxed and ready to go and we all do really wel!! everyone!!

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Good luck, EEL08. **** 'em up!

 

[EEL08]

Good luck, EEL08. **** 'em up!

Thanks TT! I'll do my best. 😀 I think I inadvertently created my own rally thread. We need some other people in here who are interviewing tomorrow so we can cheer everyone on. I hope the folks at AZCOM don't see this and think I'm arrogant. 😳

 

[PokerDoc]

the best piece of advice is to smile and have fun. remember, they wouldnt invite you if they didnt think you were qualified. Now is the time for your personality to rub off on others. At all my interviews, i was the guy loosening everyone else up with comic relief and just staying relaxed myself.

imo, nothing beats an interviewee who is relaxed.

 

[bioteach]

Good Luck!!! When I was at AZCOM I was asked the basics (1) why DO, (2) why AZCOM, (3) what is the biggest problem facing healthcare today. I was also asked (4) what is the biggest problem facing OSTEOPATHIC medicine today?

Another girl interviewing with me was asked some crazy random questions. "Which has done more for society: fire or the wheel?" and "Which is more important to health in our society: antibiotics or the toilet?" She freaked out and was convinced she did terribly, but answered whatever came into her head and explained why she chose those answers. She ended up getting in, so it really doesn't matter what you say to those questions - just keep your cool and be able to rationalize why you made the decision you did.

As a sidenote, someone else in my interview group was asked about A.T. Still and he said, "Is the guy who invented osteopathic medicine?". So don't say that.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great!!!!!

Have fun on the super-long golf cart!!!! That alone was one of the reasons I loved AZCOM!!!!

 

[EEL08]

Good Luck!!! When I was at AZCOM I was asked the basics (1) why DO, (2) why AZCOM, (3) what is the biggest problem facing healthcare today. I was also asked (4) what is the biggest problem facing OSTEOPATHIC medicine today?

Another girl interviewing with me was asked some crazy random questions. "Which has done more for society: fire or the wheel?" and "Which is more important to health in our society: antibiotics or the toilet?" She freaked out and was convinced she did terribly, but answered whatever came into her head and explained why she chose those answers. She ended up getting in, so it really doesn't matter what you say to those questions - just keep your cool and be able to rationalize why you made the decision you did.

As a sidenote, someone else in my interview group was asked about A.T. Still and he said, "Is the guy who invented osteopathic medicine?". So don't say that.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great!!!!!

Have fun on the super-long golf cart!!!! That alone was one of the reasons I loved AZCOM!!!!

Thank you!! Did you have to state the biggest problems and give solutions? I thought I read that someone was asked about the biggest problem facing osteopathic medicine but I completely forgot. I'm interested to see if I get any off the wall questions. I don't think my husband did. Oh and he also told me about the golf cart. I think campus will be different tomorrow though since everyone is on break.

 

[t-funk]

Hey EEL. I sure you're going to rock their socks off. The second interview is so much easier than the first. As for tips; get plenty of sleep, don't take it too seriously, and imagine that your interviewers are naked. Okay maybe the last one is not such a good idea but that always seems to be given out as advice. Just be yourself. We'll be celebrating when you get that acceptance.

Good luck to anyone else interviewing too. 😀

 

[Flushot]

Good luck on your interview! Make sure to just have a good time because it'll rub off on your interviewer too 🙂 But, you'll blow them away, so don't worry.

 

[spazzz]

knock em dead.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

If they try to get you to show your boobs, don't do it. It is a test of will. This happened to a friend of mine, and she didn't get in.

 

[prionsRbad]

If they try to get you to show your boobs, don't do it. It is a test of will. This happened to a friend of mine, and she didn't get in.

Sooo not true. Don't listen to TT. It works. 😉

 

[MiniDO]

Hey good luck to you too!! Where are you interviewing and have you had your interview at AZCOM yet? My memory isn't so good lately. I know there are others who have interviews tomorrow too so feel free to jump in anytime. I hope that we are all relaxed and ready to go and we all do really wel!! everyone!!

Thanks!

I'm interviewing at PNWU tomorrow. I haven't interviewed at AZCOM yet. Scheduled for May 5th... 😱 Definitely trying to get that moved up. Already called this morning, but no cancellations yet.

 

[Flushot]

Whoa, May 5th? Doesn't school start in the summer in AZCOM? According to their website, they stop interviews at the end of April, so you will be probably the last bunch. At any rate, good luck to you and show them it was worth the wait.

 

[milehigh]

Sooo not true. Don't listen to TT. It works. 😉

Is this how you got your acceptance prions?????😀




GOOD VIBES HEADED YOUR WAY!!!!

 

[slim78]

Whoa, May 5th? Doesn't school start in the summer in AZCOM? According to their website, they stop interviews at the end of April, so you will be probably the last bunch. At any rate, good luck to you and show them it was worth the wait.

From what I understand, they have extended their interview season through May in order to accommodate their recently increased class size.

 

[prionsRbad]

Is this how you got your acceptance prions?????😀

Shhhhhh . . . 😉

 

[MiniDO]

Whoa, May 5th? Doesn't school start in the summer in AZCOM? According to their website, they stop interviews at the end of April, so you will be probably the last bunch. At any rate, good luck to you and show them it was worth the wait.

Crazily enough, there were later interview dates available... through mid-May. Likely because of what slim78 mentioned about their increased class size.

May 5 is still pretty darn late, though, so I'll call them every so often. I'm not going to freak out too much about it though since all my other interviews are through early March. Which, *gulp*, is right around the corner!

 

[EEL08]

Good luck on your interview! Make sure to just have a good time because it'll rub off on your interviewer too 🙂 But, you'll blow them away, so don't worry.

Hey EEL. I sure you're going to rock their socks off. The second interview is so much easier than the first. As for tips; get plenty of sleep, don't take it too seriously, and imagine that your interviewers are naked. Okay maybe the last one is not such a good idea but that always seems to be given out as advice. Just be yourself. We'll be celebrating when you get that acceptance.

Good luck to anyone else interviewing too. 😀

Thanks guys!! I'm going to give it my best. It's pretty easy to be myself so hopefully that will work well for me. The sleep thing is another deal. My daughter has been having some serious sleep problems lately so I'm already tired. Maybe tonight I can get some more rest although my flight doesn't get in until 10 and I have to be at the school at 7:45. I think I'm pretty good at pretending I'm not tired though. 😉

 

[EEL08]

If they try to get you to show your boobs, don't do it. It is a test of will. This happened to a friend of mine, and she didn't get in.

I'll see if I can hold myself back from a quick flashing. Although I guarantee you if I did I would be admitted immediately. Apparently the same goes for prions. 😉

 

[EEL08]

Thanks!

I'm interviewing at PNWU tomorrow. I haven't interviewed at AZCOM yet. Scheduled for May 5th... 😱 Definitely trying to get that moved up. Already called this morning, but no cancellations yet.

Definitely keep calling! I believe there is only 1 or 2 dates in March unless they recently increased it but any earlier you can get in would probably be beneficial for you. Good luck at PNWU tomorrow!! I will be thinking of you tomorrow as I'm trying not to say something stupid in my interview. 😉

 

[prionsRbad]

I'll see if I can hold myself back from a quick flashing. Although I guarantee you if I did I would be admitted immediately. Apparently the same goes for prions. 😉

 

[t-funk]

Thanks guys!! I'm going to give it my best. It's pretty easy to be myself so hopefully that will work well for me. The sleep thing is another deal. My daughter has been having some serious sleep problems lately so I'm already tired. Maybe tonight I can get some more rest although my flight doesn't get in until 10 and I have to be at the school at 7:45. I think I'm pretty good at pretending I'm not tired though. 😉

Having kids, I know how the sleep situation is. You're gonna do great!

 

[EEL08]

Having kids, I know how the sleep situation is. You're gonna do great!

Yeah sleeping doesn't always go as planned especially with my daughter. Well guys we're heading out in about 30 minutes. Wish me luck that I don't cry when they drop me off!! :cry:😀

 

[Kateb4]

Yeah sleeping doesn't always go as planned especially with my daughter. Well guys we're heading out in about 30 minutes. Wish me luck that I don't cry when they drop me off!! :cry:😀

Well, you're probably on your way now, but I wanted to send you the best of luck anyways!! I know that you'll do great. I comiserate on the sleep thing. At my last interview, I took the husband and kids with me to FL and got about 4 hours of sleep before that interview. My eyelids were really getting heavy around the end of the day wrap up! I guess they didn't notice though.

Anyways, give 'em hell!!

 

[OCHO]

.

 

[SmallTownEMT]

Good luck! You'll do great. Just remember to relax!

 

[DancerDoc777]

Good luck EEL! I'm pretty confident that you'll get in there, especially when you tell them that they're your first choice AND your husband's going there- I mean c'mon!

 

[EEL08]

Welcome to Phoenix baby!! 😀 Thanks everyone for your support! It really does mean a lot to me! I just got settled into my hotel room and I have to be at the school (pretty close) in 7 hours. 😱 I'm finishing my dinner now then I'll be going to bed. I wonder how fast I can get dressed and drive over there in the morning. I will let you guys know how it goes!! 😀

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Go to bed, appliance.