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Bump.
People need to read this thread.
People need to read this thread.
I did one. I don't see the point in doing another, personally.Do people typically do a large number of mock interviews, or is that not all that common?
I did one specifically who did "mock med interviews," and I thought most of the insight they gave was common sense. If you're the incredibly nervous type though, it might be helpful.I did one and the mock interviewer was amazingly unhelpful. It varies, but usually doing a mock with someone who has a degree in a field completely unrelated to medicine, who never applied to med school, wont provide much insight. It is good practice for talking and being sociable though, so if youre a robot it'd probably help you learn some interview skills
completely unhelpful for me...they asked a list of super generic question, wrote down what I said, never made eye contact lol. Feedback was pretty generic as well. I guess do it if it makes you feel more prepared on interview dayI did one. I don't see the point in doing another, personally.
I'm preparing for 2 questions in detail. My worst fear is sounding scripted.Cool, thanks for the feedback. I've got one scheduled, depending on how helpful that is maybe I'll do another. I'm a decent interviewer, but I feel the most confident when I know I've practiced a lot. So we'll see.
How many questions are you guys preparing for? Just the generics or more in-depth?
I have the same question as with the standard questions I have an outline of points I want to hit. It isn't memorized but does follow the outline pretty close. Thoughts?I'm preparing for 2 questions in detail. My worst fear is sounding scripted.
I have the same question as with the standard questions I have an outline of points I want to hit. It isn't memorized but does follow the outline pretty close. Thoughts?
What's the point of having medical students as interviewers (especially when it's separate from an adcom)? Does their opinion really matter? Or rather, do they have any leverage in the final decision?
What's the point of having medical students as interviewers (especially when it's separate from an adcom)? Does their opinion really matter? Or rather, do they have any leverage in the final decision?
I didn't recognize you immediately with your new avatar congrats!I would say that they indeed have leverage. Student interviewers were in your shoes once; they know what nervousness looks like. Moreover, they know what isn't nervousness but rather just poor behavior. Student interviewers, I think, want to know:
1. Would you treat them as formally as you do adult interviewers? (In the same sense as would you treat a younger/same age patient the way you would treat an elderly one? Or can you only be respectful toward people older than you?)
2. Are you approachable and personable? Can they see you as a peer, someone they can study with? Someone they can spend weekend nights with, yet still work in a cadaver lab on Monday morning?
You're applying to become a med student, not a doctor. I think the student interviewers are a part of the process to help gauge this aspect. (That said, this is only the vibe I received from my first interview. If I'm wrong, please correct me?)
What's the point of having medical students as interviewers (especially when it's separate from an adcom)? Does their opinion really matter? Or rather, do they have any leverage in the final decision?
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." - EinsteinYou're the interviewer so you're the boss; I honestly believe all of your advice. The plan B I need help on though.
Let us say my plan B would be to try again, can I say that? And then if the interviewer asks what if you don't get in over and over, answer differently? If my plan B is a different career, wouldn't I be conveying a lack of conviction to some interviewers? I'd honestly retake the MCAT, get schooling, work in healthcare until I finally get in. I would never deviate from that path.
I just hate the idea I have to pretend I wouldn't re-apply to med school to get into med school. I hate lying.
Is scoring higher in standardized testing, accumulating more healthcare experience and gaining world experience qualified as "doing the same thing"?"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." - Einstein
You would not be showing conviction. You would be showing insanity. A big part of working in healthcare is knowing when to quit.
If you've done that for several years in a row with no success, yes.Is scoring higher in standardized testing, accumulating healthcare experience and world experience qualified as "doing the same thing"?
If you've done that for several years in a row with no success, yes.
You're the interviewer so you're the boss; I honestly believe all of your advice. The plan B I need help on though.
Let us say my plan B would be to try again, can I say that? And then if the interviewer asks what if you don't get in over and over, answer differently? If my plan B is a different career after one failed cycle, wouldn't I be conveying a lack of conviction to some interviewers? I'd honestly retake the MCAT, get more schooling, work in healthcare and try again until I finally get in. I would never deviate from that path. Even if it meant being an elderly med student.
I just hate the idea I have to pretend I wouldn't re-apply to med school to get into med school. I hate lying.
Bad example. You're comparing putting all your eggs in one basket (gearing everything you do towards getting into medical school for an indefinite period of time) with working on one project out of many. It's rather different to dedicate everything you do towards a goal that is probably unattainable (assuming you have no success getting in after several cycles) than to dedicate some of your time to one project that might be unattainable.Imagine if Edison gave up after one light bulb attempt and became a plumber. You should try different methods with the same goal in mind if you are serious about the goal.
Take this conversation in mind. I learned I have to lie about plan B in order to succeed. As medicine is my only goal, I guess I'm willing to change my honest nature in order to fulfill that which I find more important, helping people as doctor. It sort of sucks that the system is set up that way though.
Any tips on getting up to date in the latest in healthcare policy?
Can anyone recommend an overview of the ACA, for instance?
I'd actually recommend this book by one of the architects of the ACA. Its in cartoon form but its a good and comprehensive book
Amazon product
Amazon product
Thank for the tip.
Hate to open this can of worms, but a quick google led me to this:
http://fee.org/freeman/8-goofs-in-jonathan-grubers-health-care-reform-book/
At least I can get both sides...
Exactly. If this cycle doesn't pan out, I have a discrete plan for improving before my next cycle, and will add DO applications. If that doesn't work, I have another plan. I don't have a Plan D because at that point it will be time to start considering things other than medicine, and I cannot be certain what paths I will encounter in the interim.I honestly like your approach. I think showing persistence is a valuable thing. You can say something like you would try to address some of your weaknesses and try the process again. Where have you heard the Plan B has to be giving up trying to become a physician?
Any tips on getting up to date in the latest in healthcare policy?
Can anyone recommend an overview of the ACA, for instance?
You're the interviewer so you're the boss; I honestly believe all of your advice. The plan B I need help on though.
Let us say my plan B would be to try again, can I say that? And then if the interviewer asks what if you don't get in over and over, answer differently? If my plan B is a different career after one failed cycle, wouldn't I be conveying a lack of conviction to some interviewers? I'd honestly retake the MCAT, get more schooling, work in healthcare and try again until I finally get in. I would never deviate from that path. Even if it meant being an elderly med student.
I just hate the idea I have to pretend I wouldn't re-apply to med school to get into med school. I hate lying.
Exactly. If this cycle doesn't pan out, I have a discrete plan for improving before my next cycle, and will add DO applications. If that doesn't work, I have another plan. I don't have a Plan D because at that point it will be time to start considering things other than medicine, and I cannot be certain what paths I will encounter in the interim.
I mean....that's what I'm doing this weekend. I told my host explicitly that I wanted to learn more about the school from a student perspective, and that if there is a shortage of host, they can replace me with someone else. It worked out okay.Great guide, thanks!
Quick question about medical student hosts the night before interviews - is it considered rude to request it if you live close enough to the school to commute there in the morning from your own house? I would be interested in staying with a host more so for the experience (I've heard it's very beneficial.) rather than the travel accommodations. I know spots are probably limited, so I don't want them to think it was disrespectful to take the place of someone who was coming from far away.
Alright about time we derailed this thread!A few years ago when I interviewed for a postbacc, an interviewer put both of his feet on the desk while interviewing me.. Should I complain to someone if similar thing happens in the future?
I think that might have been genuine lolAlright about time we derailed this thread!
ALL ABOARD!!
If it was, someone needs to start handing out the sedatives, because we've hopped on the train to crazy town!I think that might have been genuine lol
perhaps this has been answered before, but is it appropriate to plan for a career in research/grad school if med school doesn't pan out?Very common thought process in immature applicants. I reject people outright who think this way.
We expect people to be able to reason things through and have backup plans. No surgeon approaches a surgery without a backup plan.
If it was, someone needs to start handing out the sedatives, because we've hopped on the train to crazy town!
Stop obsessing about "showing a commitment to medicine". That's not what this type of question is about. Questions like this are about 1. Seeing if you have the ability to form a backup plan in case things don't work out exactly the way you would like all the time and 2. To learn a little bit about who you are as a person. What are your passions? What else makes you tick? Quit trying to make everything a trick question!perhaps this has been answered before, but is it appropriate to plan for a career in research/grad school if med school doesn't pan out?
I feel like that answer could also be picked apart as a lack of interest or devotion to the medical field. I just can't for the life of me get interested in an allied health profession
Sigh.......okaystop it guys, don't screw up Goro's thread, it's a good one
Eh, some questions are tricky. There are things that aren't always intuitive about the whole thing. I'd probably be fine giving the answer I suggested, just trying to get some more insight into the thought process of the adcom behind itStop obsessing about "showing a commitment to medicine". That's not what this type of question is about. Questions like this are about 1. Seeing if you have the ability to form a backup plan in case things don't work out exactly the way you would like all the time and 2. To learn a little bit about who you are as a person. What are your passions? What else makes you tick? Quit trying to make everything a trick question!
You can have backup plans that involve reevaluating your application and applying again...but differently than you did before. I have 2yrs worth of discrete backup plans before I ever get to the "what would I do if medicine were not an option" phase.hold up, misread your post
Yeah, I didn't disagree with that..it just seems like kind of a loaded question and I'm trying to figure out the thought process behind it. I almost feel like there's no good answer to it, ya know?You can have backup plans that involve reevaluating your application and applying again...but differently than you did before. I have 2yrs worth of discrete backup plans before I ever get to the "what would I do if medicine were not an option" phase.
I don't think there's a correct answer, but otherwise I feel the bar is honestly pretty low for this one...just show that you've thought about the future, recognized that not everything is guaranteed to work out the way you'd like, and have ideas of what your next steps would be if things went south.Yeah, I didn't disagree with that..it just seems like kind of a loaded question and I'm trying to figure out the thought process behind it. I almost feel like there's no good answer to it, ya know?
perhaps this has been answered before, but is it appropriate to plan for a career in research/grad school if med school doesn't pan out?
I feel like that answer could also be picked apart as a lack of interest or devotion to the medical field. I just can't for the life of me get interested in an allied health profession