First and only interview, encouragement needed

[katiemaude]

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I have my first (and so far only) interview this week. It's an MD school and consists of an overview talk, a financial aid talk, a tour and two half-hour interviews, one with faculty and another with a student. It's local so I don't have to travel, fortunately. I also know the site well.

I am getting nervous even though I have my interview suit ready to go, a second blouse in case something happens to the first one, a pair of heels and backup shoes for my car in case the heels hurt.

I haven't done much prepping for the interview, though, because prepping tends to make me more nervous. I plan on going over my PS and application but my goal is to be my normal cool self and be friendly and personable like I have during my years as a professional doing interviews.

Any last-minute advice for me? Any particular questions I should have a ready answer for that tripped you up in the past?

I'd really appreciate any kind words or advice. This is probably my only interview and although my odds are small this late in the game, I want to give it my best shot before I end up reapplying in the spring (I submitted in July but wasn't complete until September, and I plan to do it on June 1st this year!).

 

[kami333]

I have my first (and so far only) interview this week. It's an MD school and consists of an overview talk, a financial aid talk, a tour and two half-hour interviews, one with faculty and another with a student. It's local so I don't have to travel, fortunately. I also know the site well.

I am getting nervous even though I have my interview suit ready to go, a second blouse in case something happens to the first one, a pair of heels and backup shoes for my car in case the heels hurt.

I haven't done much prepping for the interview, though, because prepping tends to make me more nervous. I plan on going over my PS and application but my goal is to be my normal cool self and be friendly and personable like I have during my years as a professional doing interviews.

Any last-minute advice for me? Any particular questions I should have a ready answer for that tripped you up in the past?

I'd really appreciate any kind words or advice. This is probably my only interview and although my odds are small this late in the game, I want to give it my best shot before I end up reapplying in the spring (I submitted in July but wasn't complete until September, and I plan to do it on June 1st this year!).

Read the interview feedback for the school, it'll give you an idea of what sort of questions to expect.

And relax (I get really nervous in interviews), I don't know if being a non-trad has anything to do with it but they've been very laid back for me, even when other interviewees have commented on being grilled.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I have no medical school interview experience and it seems like you know what to do so all I've got for you is a hug and

Remember it only takes one acceptance.

 

[mspeedwagon]

First, take a deep breath. I interview a lot of people for work, but don't have too much experience with medical school interviewing. Here is what I look for (and tips on how to prepare for an interview).

- Re-read all the literature on the school. Take a pen and paper and take notes on 1) what do you like about the program? 2) Why are you a good fit? 3) If you could change one thing about the program what would it be? 4) Are there any faculty members doing research in a field that interests you? 5) Is there anything you like about the location?

- Learn the area around the school. Go to google maps. Make sure you have the address. Make sure you know the adjacent buildings. Pre/Post interview is there a bar/happy hour/ campus center where students generally hang out (go hangout there the day before if possible and talk to students). Hang out there after the interview and pat yourself on the back no matter what.

- BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS. And write out bullet points on your responses. People not doing this is my pet peeve. You ask someone "what interests them about the job?" and they have no idea. You have the luxury of the interview forums with past questions on here. Prep for the top questions. Also, learn a little bit about health care reform (I've heard a few schools have been asking questions about it).

- Read the newspaper the day before the interview (pick up the Wall Street journal and look for articles on health care). Use this as last minute prep work before you make sure you have everything for the next day. Sounds like you have the clothes down so I won't go into it. But, this is where clothes, directions and notes are kept ready. Review your notes from Step 1.

- Now you are ready to rock the interview. There will inevitably be a question you didn't prep for or don't know the answer to. First, DON'T PANIC. Take a deep breath for a moment, collect your thoughts and be positive. It's ok to admit that you don't know something, but be prepared to offer a potential answer. And, remember eye contact. Look in one eye and between sentences alternate eyes so you aren't staring deep into the persons eyes.

- Have questions ready. You'll be asked if you have any questions. Have 3 prepared. This shows that you are really interested in the school.

- Keep in mind all the aspects of the day and write a tailored thank you note to that school post interview. No matter what, at least they gave you a chance.

And, remember, it's not the end of the world if things don't go as planned. I like to tell everyone hope for the best, prep for the worst. Yes, you'll have to likely re-apply if you don't get in, but you'll rock the next cycle with all the lessons learned. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that though.

Good Luck!

 

[Kepner]

I have no real experience when it comes to interviewing for medical school, but just remember - they gave you an interview for a reason. They must already like you or find you interesting. You seem generally well prepared, and even if it makes you a little nervous try to do what ^ that guy says because I think those are great tips. My boyfriend is a first year law student, and they're crazy busy with 1L Summer associate interviews, and this is what he does all day every day. Good luck 🙂 I really hope you get it. Sometimes I really love this forum and other times I think it's a bit depressing, so I hope my words make you feel a little better. sending you some luck!

 

[anguisette]

I have my first (and so far only) interview this week. It's an MD school and consists of an overview talk, a financial aid talk, a tour and two half-hour interviews, one with faculty and another with a student. It's local so I don't have to travel, fortunately. I also know the site well.

I am getting nervous even though I have my interview suit ready to go, a second blouse in case something happens to the first one, a pair of heels and backup shoes for my car in case the heels hurt.

I haven't done much prepping for the interview, though, because prepping tends to make me more nervous. I plan on going over my PS and application but my goal is to be my normal cool self and be friendly and personable like I have during my years as a professional doing interviews.

Any last-minute advice for me? Any particular questions I should have a ready answer for that tripped you up in the past?

I'd really appreciate any kind words or advice. This is probably my only interview and although my odds are small this late in the game, I want to give it my best shot before I end up reapplying in the spring (I submitted in July but wasn't complete until September, and I plan to do it on June 1st this year!).

Overprepping never worked for me either. Rereading your PS and application is a good idea, also your secondary essays if there were any. Listen during interview day about the curriculum and talk to the current students and ask questions--that's usually how I gauged what the school prided themselves on and whether or not I was a good fit. Just know yourself well and don't forget to smile !

 

[HesyRa]

The only other piece of advice that I could add to speedwagon's is to speak slowly, obviously not 10 words a minute slow, but you get the picture. If you speak too quickly, you will most likely fumble over your words and/or lose your train of thought. Other than that, just remember that even though they may be well-respected doctors that they had to go through the exact same interview process at one point in time,

You don't need luck because you were born ready for this ****. Go get 'em!!

 

[Woland]

First, take a deep breath.<snip>
- Have questions ready. You'll be asked if you have any questions. Have 3 prepared. This shows that you are really interested in the school.

Despite all of my interviews, I never mastered that one. What do you guys ask? I feel like after spending 20-40 hours researching the school I have answers to all important questions. Although, Speedwagon is right. I have been asked "if I had any" every time and had to fumbe for the interview-day based one. (Thank the stars, this goofiness did not stop me from getting accepted)

- Keep in mind all the aspects of the day and write a tailored thank you note to that school post interview. No matter what, at least they gave you a chance.

Unless the specifically tell you not to (n=2), or indicate that notes are best done by email (n=2 also).

Good Luck!

+1

 

[mspeedwagon]

I can't speak specifically to medical school, but you can always ask questions like:
- What is one thing that people starting in your program wish they'd known beforehand?
- What type of person excels in your program?
- What skills should I build to be successful at your school?
- How have non-traditional students integrated into your school in the past?

I'm generalizing. The rule is to not ask questions that you can find the answer to with a google search. Don't ask "what is the size of your class" or anything of that nature.

And, when I said thank you note, I was really referring to e-mail. I know my gf wrote hand written notes to all schools, but it's not expected.

 

[Girly X]

He's right. Don't ask a question that you should have easily been able to find an answer to. Especially one with a definitive answer (like size of class) or one with a yes/no answer.

But at the same time, it's ok to ask a question that was answered at some point during your visit (or during your thorough research). Think of it as getting another opinion...in fact you can say that you would to like to know his/her opinion on XYZ about the school. It shows that you have thoroughly researched the school and you appreciate your interviewer's thoughts.

And relax. Think of him or her as there to help you and write an LOR about you. Most interviewers are actually assigned to be your champion on the adcom. If you understand their role in this way, it's not so bad then.

Go get 'em!!

 

[anguisette]

I agree that it's OK to ask a question that was answered already by someone else for a second opinion.

I usually ask the interviewer what they like the most about their program and what they like the least. What they would change or improve about the school. Stuff like that. Nothing about details of the curriculum (unless you have a legitimate question that you want out of the way first).

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Make sure your interviewers know that this school is your first choice, and that you will definitely be attending should you get accepted. Have some reasons why it is your first choice other than the fact that it is your only choice, at least for this cycle. When you're at the interview, be confident. Remember that you have an advantage over the other applicants sitting next to you. They aren't interviewing for their top choice, but you are. Schools like to hear that they are your number one. There's no need for them to know all the reasons why they're your top choice. It might have been better to have gotten more interviews, but having only one does increase your odds of an acceptance at that one school. Sometimes one interview is all it takes.

 

[dsoz]

He's right. Don't ask a question that you should have easily been able to find an answer to. Especially one with a definitive answer (like size of class) or one with a yes/no answer.

But at the same time, it's ok to ask a question that was answered at some point during your visit (or during your thorough research). Think of it as getting another opinion...in fact you can say that you would to like to know his/her opinion on XYZ about the school. It shows that you have thoroughly researched the school and you appreciate your interviewer's thoughts.

And relax. Think of him or her as there to help you and write an LOR about you. Most interviewers are actually assigned to be your champion on the adcom. If you understand their role in this way, it's not so bad then.

Go get 'em!!

Kuntash is right. The interviewers that I have had called themselves my "advocate" at the adcom meeting. Make sure you get them to like you. SMILE A LOT! and answer them in positive terms. If you are smiling, they will also tend to smile, which makes them feel positive towards you. Did I mention smiling? 🙂

Obviously, you need to do more then make them have warm and fuzzy feelings for you, you also need to know for sure why you are the best person to fill the seat that they want filled.

If I were you. Find someone that you know/trust/love and work on your "elevator speech." It comes from business, where the president of the company gets on the same elevator as you, and you have until he/she gets off to impress him/her enough so you get invited into the office for a longer chat. The first two minutes of the interview are your "elevator time" that determines if the rest of the interview will be a waste of time, or result in an acceptance. Usually this "elevator speech" starts with them asking you to tell them about yourself.

When I was prepping for my interviews, I made sure that I hit these important parts:
*why am I changing careers (19 years as a high school science teacher)
*why medicine (not something else)
*why did I apply to THIS school (not some other school)
*what I have done RECENTLY to prepare for my career change
*why I think that the school would be better off with me sitting in their M1 class next year.
* For DO schools; why DO?

I was fairly sure that I was going to be asked these questions in the interview. Answering them right away saves the interviewer from having to ask you these questions later. Then they feel like they are prying them out of you instead of you offering them up at the start. It makes for less work for the interviewer, and they feel better about you being open and honest from the start.

I started out writing it all out. Putting it in a logical sequence, then cutting half of what I wanted to say. Tell it to yourself out loud into the mirror. Edit/revise, then repeat it to the mirror. Once you think that you know what you are going to say, find another person and tell it to them. PRACTICE your talk to get it under 2-3 minutes. More than that and it should be really exciting or you will be putting the interviewer to sleep. 😴

When you can walk up to a complete stranger and tell them the details of your "elevator speech" and not mess up, then you are ready for the interview. When you are all done, it should sound like you are telling a story, not a rehearsed speech, even though that is exactly what it is.

I think I was fairly successful. Three acceptances and two wait list positions before December, including my top choice MD school. OHSU is notorious for putting 90% of the interviewees on hold until May. I was one of the lucky few chosen to receive an acceptance post-interview.

Good luck. All the other non-trads here have your back. Make us old folk look good!
dsoz

 

[katiemaude]

Thanks for the responses. 🙂

I had my interview so fingers crossed for the next 4-6 weeks until I find out if I get an acceptance or put on the wait list (which is apparently what this school does to everyone interviewed but not accepted).

I really fell in love - the program and the facilities, the faculty I met, the students - but of course that means I am setting myself up for heartbreak. P/F classes, no lecture attendance requirement outside of a few small group things and labs, supportive faculty, rotations in mostly one hospital system with options for two electives and one foreign elective, brand spanking new facilities, small "college" environment within a larger school. I wouldn't even have to sell my house!

I think the interviews went well... definitely the faculty interview did. We talked about the future of healthcare, seemed to agree on most points, smiled a lot at each other, realized I knew her sister, discussed just about every activity on my resume, and even joked a bit. The student interviewer seemed more interested in getting a rundown on what my interests were and what I had achieved so she could write it up. But both interviewers were friendly and the whole thing was low on stress.

I basically did minimal prep by reviewing literature on the school's website so I wouldn't ask obvious questions (which other applicants did, btw), and reviewing my PS and essays in the secondary to recall what points I wanted to emphasize and what I didn't get to address that I could bring up in the interview if I had the opportunity. I kept myself busy all weekend so I wouldn't get tied up in nerves. I had my interview outfit pressed and ready to go for a week.

My biggest advantage was not being a 21-year-old smarta**. There was one applicant who showed up an hour late and missed the entire presentation before lunch. He showed up in sunglasses and drinking a mocha and told a story in front of the dean about how his job as a patient attendant doesn't allow him to do much but he sometimes checks the patients vital signs anyway for practice and gets yelled at by the nurses for it. Two others asked if they could change campuses after they were accepted - when clearly this school was looking for students interested in attending THAT particular campus, where the interview was held. I bet they get admitted and I don't but it won't be because I said something stupid. Sigh.

 

[dsoz]

Don't be so sure. There are enough people out there that med schools can be super choosey when interviewing. The one that talked about checking vitals and getting yelled at it is stepping out of bounds. That is a huge red flag. Unless he had an acceptance somewhere else and was blowing off this interview on purpose to "make a statement" he probably won't be attending med school next fall with that attitude.

The ones that asked about transferring, same sort of deal. Not a good idea to state in the interview that you want to transfer away as soon as possible. Schools are looking for someone to attend for four years, not transfer after a year or two.

What school was this? From the description it sounds like my interview at U of Arizona, Phoenix. I loved that school. If I was accepted in the first two rounds of meetings, I would have given up my spot at OHSU to attend. But I was kept on hold the first two rounds, and my family wanted to make a decision about next year early so there was less stress about "where will we be next year" at Christmas time. So I withdrew my applications from all other schools at the start of December.

Good luck. I hope you rocked the interview. Like you said, we old timers have an advantage over the young and stupid when it comes to maturity. Ha ha.

dsoz

 

[lunalight]

There was one applicant who showed up an hour late and missed the entire presentation before lunch. He showed up in sunglasses and drinking a mocha and told a story in front of the dean about how his job as a patient attendant doesn't allow him to do much but he sometimes checks the patients vital signs anyway for practice and gets yelled at by the nurses for it. Two others asked if they could change campuses after they were accepted - when clearly this school was looking for students interested in attending THAT particular campus, where the interview was held. I bet they get admitted and I don't but it won't be because I said something stupid. Sigh.

I'm surprised they let him in and still allowed him to interview. +1 about him being WAY out of line with his remarks....WTF is wrong with him??

I read somewhere that when you're invited to interview, there is a seat in that school's class with your name on it, you just have to go claim it. Clearly they did not! I'm sure you did though! Keep us posted!