DO Interview Tips 2013-2014

Med School Insiders
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Jumpstartmy5HT

Jumpstartmy5HT

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2013
Messages
518
Reaction score
53
Members do not see this ad.
The interview season has begun, and soon, many of us will go on invited interviews.

I think a thread where we can post afterthoughts post-interview would be helpful for people who are also interviewing this season (e.g., what I should have done differently; what I should have worn instead in the setting; what cab services are horrible; etc.) This would be a good place for people who have gone through the DO interview process in recent seasons to provide advice as well.

Any pre-interview tips would also be good. (e.g., weather, places to eat in various locales.)


Good luck, everyone!
 
Last edited:
Tip #1: Don't puke on your interviewer.
 
verynice said:
Tip #1: Don't puke on your interviewer.
Click to expand...

Does this tip come from personal experience?

It's probably not a good idea to booze it up the night before either. Save it for after the acceptance letter comes through, and have a DD ready! :laugh:
 
For starters, when answering "Why DO?" should we mention DO vs MD or not mention MD/allopathic at all?
 
Anicetus said:
For starters, when answering "Why DO?" should we mention DO vs MD or not mention MD/allopathic at all?
Click to expand...

I would not recommend mentioning anything even close to MD vs DO. With that being said, have an excellent and personal answer for "Why DO?" ready to flow right away. Practice, practice, practice and make sure it's articulate.

If your interviewer asks if you're applying MD as well (I was asked a couple times), have an answer for that - something humble and modest along the lines of "I know how competitive med schools applications are and I want to maximize my chances. I want to pick the school that fits me best, which I think is this school and that's why I am here."

Remember, a large portion of your professors, people interviewing you, and many physicians on rotations will be MDs so don't say anything against MDs - that would be immature and ignorant.

Stick to why DO is right for you and leave the MD stuff alone.
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
Does this tip come from personal experience?

It's probably not a good idea to booze it up the night before either. Save it for after the acceptance letter comes through, and have a DD ready! :laugh:
Click to expand...

lol I'd think that would be a given

Anicetus said:
For starters, when answering "Why DO?" should we mention DO vs MD or not mention MD/allopathic at all?
Click to expand...

Definitely not. Keep in mind that some of your faculty/interviewers may be MDs.

I'd like to add that scouting out where you need to be on the morning of your interview is a good idea.
 
Goro said:
Tip #2: Don't babble on incessantly while your brain is frantically trying to come up with answer. I'll reject you for that.

Tip #3: Never ever address your faculty interviewer by their first name. Student interviewers? It's OK.
Click to expand...

Is it OK to take moment (5 seconds) and think about the question or do interviews expect people to be more prepared.
 
Goro said:
Tip #2: Don't babble on incessantly while your brain is frantically trying to come up with answer. I'll reject you for that.

Tip #3: Never ever address your faculty interviewer by their first name. Student interviewers? It's OK.
Click to expand...

Would it be okay to say something like, "Oh, that's an interesting, thought-provoking question. May I have a few seconds to organize my thoughts?" Otherwise, a 5-second silence would be killer.
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
Would it be okay to say something like, "Oh, that's an interesting, thought-provoking question. May I have a few seconds to organize my thoughts?" Otherwise, a 5-second silence would be killer.
Click to expand...

Silence is definitely not a killer at all... They don't expect you to have an excellent answer for every single question. It's much better to remain silent and collect your thoughts than to ramble incoherently. Interviews are meant to be like a normal conversation, you aren't on trial. The number one thing I keep hearing from my friends that were rejected from schools are that they didn't seem "excited" to be there. Don't take the interviews too seriously. I think all this pre interview stress is completely uneccesary. Make sure you know about the school and be able to answer why you want to go there and why you want to be a DO. Over preparing for these things makes people come off as uptight and robotic with answers.Be yourself, smile, and relax. Everyone always seems to freak out about the possibility of having to defend the blemishes on their application. If they didn't think you were qualified they would'nt have wasted your time asking you to come interview. You have the stats to be there, the interview is the time for you to show that you are normal. Good luck everyone.
 
MIZ SEC said:
Silence is definitely not a killer at all... They don't expect you to have an excellent answer for every single question. It's much better to remain silent and collect your thoughts than to ramble incoherently. Interviews are meant to be like a normal conversation, you aren't on trial. The number one thing I keep hearing from my friends that were rejected from schools are that they didn't seem "excited" to be there. Don't take the interviews too seriously. I think all this pre interview stress is completely uneccesary. Make sure you know about the school and be able to answer why you want to go there and why you want to be a DO. Over preparing for these things makes people come off as uptight and robotic with answers.Be yourself, smile, and relax. Everyone always seems to freak out about the possibility of having to defend the blemishes on their application. If they didn't think you were qualified they would'nt have wasted your time asking you to come interview. You have the stats to be there, the interview is the time for you to show that you are normal. Good luck everyone.
Click to expand...

+1 moments of silence are completely normal. you can feel in the room whether you're panicking or genuinely thinking about your response.

and you should definitely be reasonably well-versed about the school, although if you've completed your secondary essays I assume you've managed this.

you should consider having to defend weak points, but don't let it phase you. do a little introspection and ask yourself honestly why you have a particular weak point. don't make excuses if you know there isn't one. in most cases, you can still find a way to put a positive spin on it or mitigate it.
 
How are you guys preparing for interviews?
 
I just had a mock interview today....I would recommend this just so you can get the answers you have in your head out there for others to hear.
I was given some great advice on my answers and how to tweak them just a bit and order things in a different way to make me sound just that much more appealing.
It also took a lot of the nerves away.
 
Eremba said:
I just had a mock interview today....I would recommend this just so you can get the answers you have in your head out there for others to hear.
I was given some great advice on my answers and how to tweak them just a bit and order things in a different way to make me sound just that much more appealing.
It also took a lot of the nerves away.
Click to expand...

Any general advice you can share with the class?
 
I have combed through the pre-allo interview threads (because I was extremely bored at work.)

Apparently for the dudes, it's a big fashion faux pas to wear an all black suit. Charcoal and navy are the safest bets. Also, no sports coats.

For the ladies, it's a smart thing to carry a pair of flats for the campus tours, and I intend to do this as I don't think I want to trek a mile in my pumps.
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
I have combed through the pre-allo interview threads (because I was extremely bored at work.)

Apparently for the dudes, it's a big fashion faux pas to wear an all black suit. Charcoal and navy are the safest bets. Also, no sports coats.

For the ladies, it's a smart thing to carry a pair of flats for the campus tours, and I intend to do this as I don't think I want to trek a mile in my pumps.
Click to expand...

I saw a lot of black suits at KCOM... not that I'm a fashion expert, but it kinda reminded me of a funeral or a gathering of high-end service employees.
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
Any general advice you can share with the class?
Click to expand...

Try not to talk with your hands too much.

Do not wear jewelry. And if you have long hair wear it up and away from your face.

Also, refrain from using the word like frequently. Try to minimize the umms.
Be articulate. Say yes instead of yeah, etc.

Be as specific about the school as you can be while in the interview and also be enthusiastic about the school.

I was asked the question "what will you do if you don't get into medical school?" I was then told after I answered to first be specific about what I would do specifically regarding that school and then be more broad regarding not getting in at all. I only answered broadly and my answer was misinterpreted by one of my interviewers to mean I hadn't applied to any other school...and if I didn't get into my first choice I had no alternative plan.

So, sorry for the book....but mainly articulate and be clear but concise during your responses.

Also, have good specific questions for your interviewers.
 
Eremba said:
Try not to talk with your hands too much.

Do not wear jewelry. And if you have long hair wear it up and away from your face.

Also, refrain from using the word like frequently. Try to minimize the umms.
Be articulate. Say yes instead of yeah, etc.

Be as specific about the school as you can be while in the interview and also be enthusiastic about the school.

I was asked the question "what will you do if you don't get into medical school?" I was then told after I answered to first be specific about what I would do specifically regarding that school and then be more broad regarding not getting in at all. I only answered broadly and my answer was misinterpreted by one of my interviewers to mean I hadn't applied to any other school...and if I didn't get into my first choice I had no alternative plan.

So, sorry for the book....but mainly articulate and be clear but concise during your responses.

Also, have good specific questions for your interviewers.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing the long hair and jewelry comments are for the dudes?

I am definitely an ummer when I am under pressure, and I toss the word "like" often too. It's something I really need to correct.

Thanks for the input!
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
I have combed through the pre-allo interview threads (because I was extremely bored at work.)

Apparently for the dudes, it's a big fashion faux pas to wear an all black suit. Charcoal and navy are the safest bets. Also, no sports coats.

For the ladies, it's a smart thing to carry a pair of flats for the campus tours, and I intend to do this as I don't think I want to trek a mile in my pumps.
Click to expand...

So I stink at fashion... could we post pictures of interview clothes that would be acceptable... for some reason I think girls should have interesting suits and not just the black one... I have a not so great fitting black suit... I think that I may need to upgrade for my interview

what about something like this? https://www.google.com/search?q=fem...male-interview-professional-attire%2F;236;236
 
tinylilron said:
So I stink at fashion... could we post pictures of interview clothes that would be acceptable... for some reason I think girls should have interesting suits and not just the black one... I have a not so great fitting black suit... I think that I may need to upgrade for my interview

what about something like this? https://www.google.com/search?q=fem...male-interview-professional-attire%2F;236;236
Click to expand...

You're right that women have more choices, but if one has a limited budget, then places like Macy's, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx are the best bets. You can just get a dark gray suit and accessorize differently for different looks. I would steer clear of the cardigan for interviews as they are too casual.

I have a light gray Max Mara skirt suit, a J. Crew Memo dress in charcoal, and a J. Crew 3-button pant suit. I have a light khaki jacket that I could wear with the Memo dress. Women's suiting isn't as serious business as men's suiting.

Here are examples with pics:

506138_fpx.tif


plus_size_interview_suit.jpg


^ More conservative options.

classical-official-wear-for-women.jpg


^ J. Crew options in the middle. The dress is the Memo dress, and I have it in that exact color.

5d9b0b9d7a04440a4bc54ac78fd0d6b3.jpg


12165e3f09b3251835578caf58604183.jpg
 
Last edited:
Oh! Forgot this one...
When speaking to the interviewers make sure to have eye contact with all of them equally while answering. Don't just talk at/with the person who asked the question.....
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
I'm guessing the long hair and jewelry comments are for the dudes?

I am definitely an ummer when I am under pressure, and I toss the word "like" often too. It's something I really need to correct.

Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...

And the long hair and jewelry was not dude specific...they told me nothing "flashy". No large necklaces or bracelets. I'm guessing a small chain that doesn't draw attention would be fine. And stud earrings if you wear earrings (like pearls), And with rings to wear only one or just remove it that day (i will be wearing my wedding ring). They did recommend wearing hair back and away from face to allow the interviewers to "really see you" and also to keep from playing with it or constantly tucking it behind the ears....which I do a lot unconsciously.
Also have a clear coat of finger nail polish or none at all...especially if you can't stop using your hands to talk.

In regards to suiting....I have a navy blue pencil skirt suit with charcoal gray fitted blouse from banana republic. Still have yet to find low heel shoes....all my shoes are like 2 in or higher and I'm not wearing those for a whole day of walking around!
 
I disagree with the no nail polish thing. I think a simple French manicure looks professional.
 
I was told by my Pre-Med adviser that, if they ask a question you don't know the answer to, don't try to, for lack of a better phrase "talk out of your ass". Tell the interviewers you are unsure of an answer and that you would need to research further on the question and get back to them. Not sure how true that is though.
 
Eremba said:
And the long hair and jewelry was not dude specific...they told me nothing "flashy". No large necklaces or bracelets. I'm guessing a small chain that doesn't draw attention would be fine. And stud earrings if you wear earrings (like pearls), And with rings to wear only one or just remove it that day (i will be wearing my wedding ring). They did recommend wearing hair back and away from face to allow the interviewers to "really see you" and also to keep from playing with it or constantly tucking it behind the ears....which I do a lot unconsciously.
Also have a clear coat of finger nail polish or none at all...especially if you can't stop using your hands to talk.

In regards to suiting....I have a navy blue pencil skirt suit with charcoal gray fitted blouse from banana republic. Still have yet to find low heel shoes....all my shoes are like 2 in or higher and I'm not wearing those for a whole day of walking around!
Click to expand...

Here are a few shoe choices:
http://www.6pm.com/gabriella-rocha-ginger-black-suede-leather
http://www.6pm.com/cole-haan-air-talia-wedge-40-black
http://www.6pm.com/nine-west-maybebaby-black-leather

The low heeled shoes in stores are usually super fug.
 
touchpause13 said:
I disagree with the no nail polish thing. I think a simple French manicure looks professional.
Click to expand...

I can agree with that. Simple being the key word. My advisor just made it very clear to minimize potential distractions. So no red or weird manicure. Lol. 🙂
 
Eremba said:
And the long hair and jewelry was not dude specific...they told me nothing "flashy". No large necklaces or bracelets. I'm guessing a small chain that doesn't draw attention would be fine. And stud earrings if you wear earrings (like pearls), And with rings to wear only one or just remove it that day (i will be wearing my wedding ring). They did recommend wearing hair back and away from face to allow the interviewers to "really see you" and also to keep from playing with it or constantly tucking it behind the ears....which I do a lot unconsciously.
Also have a clear coat of finger nail polish or none at all...especially if you can't stop using your hands to talk.

In regards to suiting....I have a navy blue pencil skirt suit with charcoal gray fitted blouse from banana republic. Still have yet to find low heel shoes....all my shoes are like 2 in or higher and I'm not wearing those for a whole day of walking around!
Click to expand...

I will be bringing a tote and flats--there's no way I can tour most schools with my feet in heels, haha. Plus I'm wearing a black pantsuit so it's kinda hard to tell what kind of shoes I'm wearing, anyway (although I will be wearing pumps for interviews).
 
FYI there is masssssssiiiive threads on what to wear in the md forum. Prob some good info for the ladies, I know I learned a lot for myself there

Edit: there's a male and female one
 
What are you guys saying for the 'Why DO' question? I feel like saying the holistic approach, OMM, etc. is cliche/unbelievable
 
cronaldo7 said:
What are you guys saying for the 'Why DO' question? I feel like saying the holistic approach, OMM, etc. is cliche/unbelievable
Click to expand...

Try to relate it to any personal experience you have had
 
cronaldo7 said:
What are you guys saying for the 'Why DO' question? I feel like saying the holistic approach, OMM, etc. is cliche/unbelievable
Click to expand...

Don't say OMM unless you legitimately have a deep and personal reason to support the claim.

Most people, even those that shadow or see DO physicians personally, have not had OMM experience so it doesn't come off as genuine. I said I had no OMM experience at all my DO interviews and was granted acceptances at all of them. With that being said, if you have a passion for musculoskeletal manipulation and OMM... go for it.

The "Why DO?" question can be answered pretty easily IMO. Use these basic tenets: create strong physician-patient relationships, view patient as an interconnected system, importance of preventative medicine. Surely you have some passionate beliefs that play into these tenets - anyone that wants to be a physician in general should. Were you a college athlete? There's a link to wellness, exercise, nutrition and preventative medicine. Another could be ballooning health care costs and the importance of preventing disease in the US before it develops - think diabetes, CVD, hypertension. You can link all these to preventative care. Could forging a strong patient-physician relationship perhaps aid you in viewing the patient in a broader sense and treating the scope of their needs? Could that perhaps aid in preventing other problems before they develop?

Those are just a couple of quick examples. If you familiarize yourself with some major problems in health care and preventative medicine these answers will come quickly and easily.
 
DrEnderW said:
Don't say OMM unless you legitimately have a deep and personal reason to support the claim.

Most people, even those that shadow or see DO physicians personally, have not had OMM experience so it doesn't come off as genuine. I said I had no OMM experience at all my DO interviews and was granted acceptances at all of them. With that being said, if you have a passion for musculoskeletal manipulation and OMM... go for it.

The "Why DO?" question can be answered pretty easily IMO. Use these basic tenets: create strong physician-patient relationships, view patient as an interconnected system, importance of preventative medicine. Surely you have some passionate beliefs that play into these tenets - anyone that wants to be a physician in general should. Were you a college athlete? There's a link to wellness, exercise, nutrition and preventative medicine. Another could be ballooning health care costs and the importance of preventing disease in the US before it develops - think diabetes, CVD, hypertension. You can link all these to preventative care. Could forging a strong patient-physician relationship perhaps aid you in viewing the patient in a broader sense and treating the scope of their needs? Could that perhaps aid in preventing other problems before they develop?

Those are just a couple of quick examples. If you familiarize yourself with some major problems in health care and preventative medicine these answers will come quickly and easily.
Click to expand...

I put OMM in a lot of my secondaries... I really like that DOs learn how to treat and diagnose with the use of their hands... I thought it was useful in areas with low access to more expensive medical tools... should I not have said that?
 
tinylilron said:
I put OMM in a lot of my secondaries... I really like that DOs learn how to treat and diagnose with the use of their hands... I thought it was useful in areas with low access to more expensive medical tools... should I not have said that?
Click to expand...


If you're genuinely interested in OMM, I am sure that it came off that way in your secondaries. I would assume that people who are putting it in there just because they think that adcoms would like it don't come off as legitimate; yours, on the other hand, probably did (if you are truly interested).
 
scarecrow90 said:
If you're genuinely interested in OMM, I am sure that it came off that way in your secondaries. I would assume that people who are putting it in there just because they think that adcoms would like it don't come off as legitimate; yours, on the other hand, probably did (if you are truly interested).
Click to expand...

I am interested in anything that could help patients in need... which OMM and other medicines aim to do... anything that I can add to my "medical tool box"
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
You're right that women have more choices, but if one has a limited budget, then places like Macy's, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx are the best bets. You can just get a dark gray suit and accessorize differently for different looks. I would steer clear of the cardigan for interviews as they are too casual.

I have a light gray Max Mara skirt suit, a J. Crew Memo dress in charcoal, and a J. Crew 3-button pant suit. I have a light khaki jacket that I could wear with the Memo dress. Women's suiting isn't as serious business as men's suiting.

Here are examples with pics:

506138_fpx.tif


plus_size_interview_suit.jpg


^ More conservative options.

classical-official-wear-for-women.jpg


^ J. Crew options in the middle. The dress is the Memo dress, and I have it in that exact color.

5d9b0b9d7a04440a4bc54ac78fd0d6b3.jpg


12165e3f09b3251835578caf58604183.jpg
Click to expand...

My outfit looks like the first one... I didn't know if it was too plain... I wan't sure if we should wear something that would personalize us
 
One thing specifically....be super nice to everyone on campus, you never know who is watching
 
sb247 said:
One thing specifically....be super nice to everyone on campus, you never know who is watching
Click to expand...

Take it a step further and just be nice to everyone. People out and about town may be associated with the school in some significant fashion.
 
Hey Everybody,

For anyone who has gone through the MMI - how long was your initial answer to the question/scenario? I've run through a couple of practice questions and after about a minute or so I find myself rambling. Is this typical? IIRC, you have eight minutes at each station (plus two minutes to prepare). There's no way I can talk for even half of that eight minute period without further "stimulation" from the interviewer.

Anyway - input on MMI is certainly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bill R.
 
Jumpstartmy5HT said:
I have combed through the pre-allo interview threads (because I was extremely bored at work.)

Apparently for the dudes, it's a big fashion faux pas to wear an all black suit. Charcoal and navy are the safest bets. Also, no sports coats.

For the ladies, it's a smart thing to carry a pair of flats for the campus tours, and I intend to do this as I don't think I want to trek a mile in my pumps.
Click to expand...

At every school I interviewed at - EVERY male applicant wore a black suit. And some of my interview days had 30+ applicants. I wouldn't worry about suit color.
 
coolingglasses said:
Take it a step further and just be nice to everyone. People out and about town may be associated with the school in some significant fashion.
Click to expand...

Take it a step even further and just be nice to everyone, everywhere, without a motive, because you are a decent person
 
okokok said:
Take it a step even further and just be nice to everyone, everywhere, without a motive, because you are a decent person
Click to expand...

The reminder was for those who needed it, and let's be honest...some do 😉
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I
IA applicant, First Interview of the cycle; tips to prepare?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Goro
Goro
M
Any tips on how to get secondaries early?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
D
First DO in person interview this cycle! What do I bring?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Goro
Goro
V
Anxious after DO interview
Replies
3
Views
2K
Goro
Goro
S
DO interview invites
Replies
41
Views
6K
DrStephenStrange
DrStephenStrange
Top