Are interviews easy if you are a good speaker?

[patel2]

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i mean all the core questions for each school are on SDN. As long as you thoroughly prepare how hard can it be? Obviously you don't want to come across as having canned answers, but isn't it pretty easy to fake spontaneity with body language, enunciation and practicing answering the questions over and over to make it seem like you just thought of the answer? That, and knowing every detail of your application in case they ask about it.

Or am I totally missing something and are interviews much harder than I think?

 

[Neurocentric]

i mean all the core questions for each school are on SDN. As long as you thoroughly prepare how hard can it be? Obviously you don't want to come across as having canned answers, but isn't it pretty easy to fake spontaneity with body language, enunciation and practicing answering the questions over and over to make it seem like you just thought of the answer? That, and knowing every detail of your application in case they ask about it.

Or am I totally missing something and are interviews much harder than I think?

I guess on paper, an interview doesn't seem too difficult, especially if you know what questions you might be asked, but consider this:

When you actually do get to that interview, and you know what is at stake, do you think that just because you know what will be asked it will be a piece of cake? In my opinion, I think all of that gets thrown out the window when you're actually there. You can prepare for an interview in all technicality, but once you're there, it's a totally different world.

That's just my take on it.

 

[Electronegative]

If you read the "bizzare interview" thread you'll see that there's no such a thing as typical interview.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=218

 

[red10]

If you read the "bizzare interview" thread you'll see that there's no such a thing as typical interview.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=218

amen.

nerves+pressure+weird/weirdly-worded questions= open mouth insert foot

 

[schrizto]

Content matters too. 😛

 

[Hoody]

Content matters too. 😛

I 😍 your avatar.

 

[RedSHIFT]

good speaker....horrible interviewer.

i'm apolitical. so it's nothing ideological lol

 

[Oncovin]

Knowing the more common questions asked gives you a chance to think about your answers. I wouldn't suggest rehearsing answers word for word, as it will most likely come off as 'canned.' Also, as some have mentioned, there are relatively few typical interviews.

But to answer your question, I would say it depends on what kind of a 'good speaker' you are. If you're the kind that can come up with and deliver good stuff on the fly, you'll be fine. If you're the kind that needs a script but can deliver it effectively, you'll definitely benefit from a bit of rehearsal. Either way though, it definitely helps to know where you stand on key issues, and why.

 

[ihave6packabs]

You will be so nervous. Especially when your waiting outside and you know you will be called in any minute. i like what the above poster said that whatever you will practice will all be thrown out the window. that is exactly what happened to me when I interviewed( not at a medical school though),

 

[deleted202457]

Sometimes it has nothing to do with you. Sometimes you just have a horrible interviewer. He's not very engaging, seems uninterested in your responses, and just makes you feel disheartened by shooting down all of your answers. You can try and prepare for that as much as you want, but douchbaggery comes in many forms, so it's pretty hard to be ready for those things.

 

[Oncovin]

Sometimes it has nothing to do with you. Sometimes you just have a horrible interviewer. He's not very engaging, seems uninterested in your responses, and just makes you feel disheartened by shooting down all of your answers. You can try and prepare for that as much as you want, but douchbaggery comes in many forms, so it's pretty hard to be ready for those things.

Good point. This is another thing to keep in mind. Be able to defend your stance against criticism. Someone is going to disagree with you on something, just to see how you handle it. Be able to constructively back up your views in spite of the opposition. And stay calm, as there is really no reason to be nervous. The whole idea of the interview is to see if you'll be a good fit there. If you aren't, shrug it off and move on. No sense in giving answers you think they want to hear, only to be miserable there for the next 4 years because your ideals and the school's don't match up. I'd rather be happy at my state school than miserable at a top 5 any day.

 

[Slowpoke]

1 word: butterflies

 

[URHere]

Your best chance at preparing for interviews is learning how to be relaxed and honest (without shoving your foot in your mouth).

Instead of rehearsing your answers, just get used to talking to people about your experiences and what you want out of medicine as a career. The more you talk, the more comfortable you should become. Try mock interviews. Then, talk about the same things with family members, close friends, or anyone who cares enough to let you. Conversations like this may also help you understand your own motives a little bit better when it comes to medical school and the medical profession.

 

[Emikosma]

i mean all the core questions for each school are on SDN. As long as you thoroughly prepare how hard can it be? Obviously you don't want to come across as having canned answers, but isn't it pretty easy to fake spontaneity with body language, enunciation and practicing answering the questions over and over to make it seem like you just thought of the answer? That, and knowing every detail of your application in case they ask about it.

Or am I totally missing something and are interviews much harder than I think?

Probably not, as long as you don't look like this:

But really... I agree with the above posters, talk to a lot of people so that you get comfortable but not rehearsed. I haven't even applied yet, so I haven't been to any interviews. However, I'm a non-trad, and I had a career before returning to school (I was a chef). The thing that made me totally confidant in interviews was that I had the most bad-ass, intimidating boss (a french guy) and I got used to talking to him, so after that, no one scared me!😀

 

[girlofgrace7]

Sometimes it has nothing to do with you. Sometimes you just have a horrible interviewer. He's not very engaging, seems uninterested in your responses, and just makes you feel disheartened by shooting down all of your answers. You can try and prepare for that as much as you want, but douchbaggery comes in many forms, so it's pretty hard to be ready for those things.

The interviewer is the wrench thrown into your perfectly-designed machine. You can never know exactly what questions will be asked be a given interviewer since each interviewer is different and has a different reaction to (and questions about) your application.

On the interview trail, I had one interviewer who grimaced the whole interview (and gave me constructive criticism... I ended up accepted there after being scared out of my mind during the interview by her lack of a smile), one interviewer who I instantly clicked with (which made me feel overly comfortable and likely made me say things I probably shouldn't have), and one interviewer who really just wanted to tell me about her own life.

Personally, I hate mock interviews... they make me MORE nervous about the real interview. I made myself bullet point notes to answer the basic questions (biggest strengths, weaknesses, etc.) rather than practicing word-for-word. Also, let yourself get nervous 30-60 minutes before the interview. Get your jitters out then because it's an AWFUL feeling to have the nerves hit right as you walk into the interview (watched it happen to a couple fellow interviewees... calm before and then tripping and sweating on the way to the interview rooms).

 

[schrizto]

I 😍 your avatar.

hehe thanks!

 

[flip26]

The interviewer is the wrench thrown into your perfectly-designed machine. You can never know exactly what questions will be asked be a given interviewer since each interviewer is different and has a different reaction to (and questions about) your application.

I like this.

I think of the interview as the "wild card" that can vary widely depending on the interviewer. If you go to enough interviews, you will have some that flow freely and comfortably, and some that don't go so well, and it all depends on the interviewer - his style, preparation, and mindset.

I believe you don't need to do actual mock interviews, but have a list of those questions we all love to hate, hand it to someone, and have them read them off to you - and then you answer them. Just thinking about the questions isn't enough - I am not suggesting memorized responses - but you really need to talk through your response to "Why do you want to be a doctor?" and try a few different approaches. Getting that first word, and first sentence, out of your mouth without sounding like a tool is the key...

 

[gravitywave]

The interviewer is the wrench thrown into your perfectly-designed machine. You can never know exactly what questions will be asked be a given interviewer since each interviewer is different and has a different reaction to (and questions about) your application.

On the interview trail, I had one interviewer who grimaced the whole interview (and gave me constructive criticism... I ended up accepted there after being scared out of my mind during the interview by her lack of a smile), one interviewer who I instantly clicked with (which made me feel overly comfortable and likely made me say things I probably shouldn't have), and one interviewer who really just wanted to tell me about her own life.

I like this.

+1. the SDN debate over "admissions are (not) a crapshoot" is pretty well resolved by the interview component.

you can control for everything else in this process, but the interview has an irreducible element of uncertainty - that's the crapshoot part. you do have to have a little bit of luck, somewhere.

 

[Tabicakes]

tripping and sweating on the way to the interview rooms).

that made me laughhh haaha ..


im sure the adcom ppl have seen everything. they know how big of a deal this is/the pressure involved so don't be too hard on yourselves. we're only human.

 

[marele86]

i mean all the core questions for each school are on SDN. As long as you thoroughly prepare how hard can it be? Obviously you don't want to come across as having canned answers, but isn't it pretty easy to fake spontaneity with body language, enunciation and practicing answering the questions over and over to make it seem like you just thought of the answer? That, and knowing every detail of your application in case they ask about it.

Or am I totally missing something and are interviews much harder than I think?

No. Interviews are easy if you're a good conversationalist.

Speaking in front of a crowd about an external topic is a totally different ballgame than having a conversation with someone about yourself.

 

[Narmerguy]

No. Interviews are easy if you're a good conversationalist.

Speaking in front of a crowd about an external topic is a totally different ballgame than having a conversation with someone about yourself.

Good point. It's very easy to speak in front of a crowd for some people because you do not have to give the impression of connecting with them. Such situations are clearly an exercise of your ability to talk continuously in a way that is interesting. Interviews are not about you dominating the discussion--in fact, this is terrible. You have to be engaging yet practical, strong but not dominating.