Cornell interview

[foobear]

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I'm going to be interviewing at Cornell really soon and I'm really nervous because I really wanna go there. But I'm worried that I'm so nervous that I'm gonna shoot myself in the foot. Maybe I should get a massage.

Anyway, any of you who interviewed there care to give any advice? I've read the interview feedback stuff but all the questions seem pretty generic, which in my paranoia, makes it scarier. blech...

 

[soprano]

I'm going to be interviewing at Cornell really soon and I'm really nervous because I really wanna go there. But I'm worried that I'm so nervous that I'm gonna shoot myself in the foot. Maybe I should get a massage.

Anyway, any of you who interviewed there care to give any advice? I've read the interview feedback stuff but all the questions seem pretty generic, which in my paranoia, makes it scarier. blech...

Just relax... I know that seems obvious, but it's the best thing you can do. The day is pretty much just like any other interview day. You'll have two interviewers, which honestly might vary quite drastically. I had one very unimpressed clinician - no "difficult" questions, per se, but not very good with the feedback, if you know what I mean. Very much question and answer and no conversation. My second was a definite conversation, but was EXTREMELY antagonistic. I figured he had it in for me, and I gave up all hope of ever getting in. Made the tour of the gorgeous NYP hospital quite depressing. 🙄 But, I got good news in the end, so even if you feel like the interview didn't go well, don't give up hope. Just be prepared to stick up for yourself, be honest, and be yourself. I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[mdsadler]

Just relax... I know that seems obvious, but it's the best thing you can do. The day is pretty much just like any other interview day. You'll have two interviewers, which honestly might vary quite drastically. I had one very unimpressed clinician - no "difficult" questions, per se, but not very good with the feedback, if you know what I mean. Very much question and answer and no conversation. My second was a definite conversation, but was EXTREMELY antagonistic. I figured he had it in for me, and I gave up all hope of ever getting in. Made the tour of the gorgeous NYP hospital quite depressing. 🙄 But, I got good news in the end, so even if you feel like the interview didn't go well, don't give up hope. Just be prepared to stick up for yourself, be honest, and be yourself. I'm sure you'll do great!

I fear that I my interviewers will be as negative as yours in my upcoming interviews. Does anyone think they do this to test how we react in a situation like this? I know at some schools (especially Canadian) they really like to keep pressing the answers to your questions to see if you will eventually crack and change your mind. This got me thinking that the best thing to do with crappy interviewers is to just keep everything normal as best as possible. Congratulations soprano and best of luck foobear!

 

[GuyLaroche]

Well, I have said everything negative about Cornell as I can possibly muster. I had a truly horrible experience. However, Cornell is a great school and if I get in (quite doubtful given my truly frank answers and helplessly bored disposition at my interview), I'd consider it. I'd consider it despite my horrible interviewers, my strange experience in the waiting room in the admissions office and the go-find-it-yourself attitude of the admissions staff. "[One] shouldn't choose a med school based on an interview experience." (Richard Silverman, admissions director, Yale Medical School).

To the OP: Cornell's interview is short and the interviews are very crisp and to-the-point (at least mine were). The whole day was over by 2pm. It was a no-stress interview even though several unsettling things happened during the course of the day. I wish you the best. Cornell truly is a good school.

 

[asee]

I had a very positive experience when I interviewed at Cornell. Obviously, depending on the interviewers you have, the styles and types of questions will differ quite a bit. However, during the group chat with the Dean, he mentioned that they were looking for two things: 1. The ability to communicate, and 2. Whether you "ring true" to your application. In other words, if you've mentioned some sort of research in your application, know it well. Alternatively, if they ask you something you're not familiar with, be honest. Regardless of how smooth the interviews go (or potentially antagonistic, as others have pointed out), my guess is that you'll ultimately be evaluated on these two criteria.

Probably not so different from any other medical school, but I hope that helps.