Got my first interview on Tuesday, anyone got some advice for me to knock it out of the park?

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If you have ever had a job interview, then you are fine... People try to make a big deal about these interviews, but there isn't anything hidden or tricky about them. You put in YOUR application and YOU know yourself BETTER than anyone else. They will ask you questions about YOURSELF...It is literally the easiest part of the medical school admissions process. Be confident.
 
If you have ever had a job interview, then you are fine... People try to make a big deal about these interviews, but there isn't anything hidden or tricky about them. You put in YOUR application and YOU know yourself BETTER than anyone else. They will ask you questions about YOURSELF...It is literally the easiest part of the medical school admissions process. Be confident.
Goo advice
 
Its a little different than a job interview. While your chances are good if you receive a II this early, it still depends on you to seal the deal. I understand most people suggestion to just "be a normal human being" could suffice but for most of us younglings the only job interviewing experience we have is at the local grocery store. You need to know your application (primary, secondary) cold.

Best advice I would give is to make sure you can simplify each ECs into a 10 second description. The hardest part for me was explaining certain activities to someone that has no idea exactly what I did.

If you have research, make sure you can simplify it to purpose, method, result. If you have physician shadowing, make sure you can simplify it to why they do it and what you learned from it. Previous jobs, should just be simply what you learned that could possibly make you a better future doctor.

Good luck OP. Now is the time to get into medical school 🙂
 
Try not to get shaken up if they "roast" or "grill" you, this can be normal. It's a tactic, they aren't being rude or demeaning on purpose, they are testing your ability to handle stress. Respond properly, don't get overly defensive or offended. Just respond.

Not saying this happens to everyone, sometimes it'll just be a friendly conversation. Just be prepared. Best of luck!

also +1 to what getfat said!
 
If you have ever had a job interview, then you are fine... People try to make a big deal about these interviews, but there isn't anything hidden or tricky about them. You put in YOUR application and YOU know yourself BETTER than anyone else. They will ask you questions about YOURSELF...It is literally the easiest part of the medical school admissions process. Be confident.

Unless you are an autistic socially inept weirdo, then you will have a hard time


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Relate questions to your own experiences. Be memorable and personable.
 
1) be honest but don't be stupid.
2) don't make excuses for anything in your past.
3) stay positive, even if you're dying inside. No one likes a Debbie downer.
4) stay professional. You're campaigning to hold people's lives in your hands, act like it.
5) Do not say anything even remotely bad about MDs. They are your peers, not your rivals. (Sometimes DO interviewers will start making cracks about MDs. Do NOT join them, but don't actively disagree either. Stay neutral, and in this case, boring.)
6) You want to go to the school NOT because it's "the best," but because it's the best FOR YOU.
7) God help you if you say that you want to be a DO because it's "holistic." The only difference between DOs and MDs is OMM.
8) Always remember that the patient comes first. How will your unique experiences help YOU take care of patients and help your peers do the same?
9) know how to talk about your application front to back.
10) if you're interviewing at Marian, spent the night before praying to whatever Deity you beleive in, and preferably a few you don't beleive in, just to be safe.
 
I've had one interview, did zero prep aside from knowing my application + secondary, and was accepted.

#1 above all, be yourself, be genuine, and smile.
#2 have a good answer to "why Dr. , why this school, and why DO"
#3 fly by the seat of your pants cuz the rest is literally think on your feet.
 
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Its a little different than a job interview. While your chances are good if you receive a II this early, it still depends on you to seal the deal. I understand most people suggestion to just "be a normal human being" could suffice but for most of us younglings the only job interviewing experience we have is at the local grocery store. You need to know your application (primary, secondary) cold.

Best advice I would give is to make sure you can simplify each ECs into a 10 second description. The hardest part for me was explaining certain activities to someone that has no idea exactly what I did.

If you have research, make sure you can simplify it to purpose, method, result. If you have physician shadowing, make sure you can simplify it to why they do it and what you learned from it. Previous jobs, should just be simply what you learned that could possibly make you a better future doctor.

Good luck OP. Now is the time to get into medical school 🙂

This. I didn't go to college until I was 25 and have worked multiple jobs up til now. I did multiple mock interviews, read up on the schools, reviewed my app/secondaries, ect. I wouldn't sleep on it and walk in to it thinking its gonna be a breeze like a job interview. You don't wanna get caught off guard and its better to be safe than sorry.
 
If you're the kind of person to prepare, you might as well prepare. I prepared for various amounts for my interviews. It helps ease my anxiety to do that and be prepared.

What I wish I had been told:
1. It will go quicker than you think.
2. You will remember thinking "Should I ask another question?" or "Am I taking too much of my interviewer's time if I ask a question?"
3. You will give answers that you think are awful or awkward, which the interviewers will view as nothing more than a footnote. Unless it is truly awful, it won't bother your application.
4. Drink or bring water if you're thirsty.
5. Go to the bathroom before it.
 
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