Group Interview Advice

[MonaLisa555]

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My first interview is a group one, with a total of 5 students. I imagine it to be cut-throat and competitive, but I'm not the type to be in the spotlight just to get noticed. I dont know if that is really how it is 😕, its just that I'm nervous and I dont know what to expect. TUCOM is my top choice for D.O med school, so I want to do well. Has anyone already interviewed that can give me some advice? Holla!

 

[mx_599]

My first interview is a group one, with a total of 5 students. I imagine it to be cut-throat and competitive, but I'm not the type to be in the spotlight just to get noticed. I dont know if that is really how it is 😕, its just that I'm nervous and I dont know what to expect. TUCOM is my top choice for D.O med school, so I want to do well. Has anyone already interviewed that can give me some advice? Holla!

group interview? wow...that sucks 👎

good luck with that 👍

 

[MikeyLu2010]

rofl..MX...that is Nate's body isnt it...and im assuming your face on the avatar...nice..And for the OP..dont worry, DO students tend to be less cutthroat then MD..so just be yourself. and relax...

 

[kahoo99]

i interviewed there last year and got in though ended up declining...the group interview was not a stressful experience for me, or the others in my group. Have you had any interviews yet? Mostly just know your answers, and your application.

 

[MonaLisa555]

i interviewed there last year and got in though ended up declining...the group interview was not a stressful experience for me, or the others in my group. Have you had any interviews yet? Mostly just know your answers, and your application.

Actually, this is the first interview I've been invited to (most likely because I'm kinda lagging on my secondary apps). Do you think you can tell me how long the actual interview takes and what kind of questions they ask (are specific to each applicant or do they ask general questions that everyone has a chance to answer?) Thanks for the advice! 🙂

 

[MonaLisa555]

group interview? wow...that sucks 👎

good luck with that 👍

well...OK. thanks for the ADVICE. 👎

 

[FutureDocDO]

...what kind of questions they ask (are specific to each applicant or do they ask general questions that everyone has a chance to answer?) Thanks for the advice! 🙂

They ask general questions you can find in the Interview Feedback forum. Don't worry. They are instructed not to ask personal questions (e.g., MCAT score, poor grade, etc...).

 

[newbie04]

They are instructed not to ask personal questions (e.g., MCAT score, poor grade, etc...).

They actually asked these questions to at least 3 of the 6 people in my interview room. Why such a poor verbal score, you sound intelligent? etc.

--Interview day starts at 9am. Dr. Haight talks about the school and asks everyone a few questions to get warmed up for the interview.

--The actual interview is from noon to 1pm. Lunch is after the interview (bring a snack).

--Some of the questions were very personal, while others were general (what are you experiences with DOs?).

--A lot of people in my group felt the interview was very stressful and they are designed to be just that in some respect.

Just know yourself and be able to talk in front of 4 interviewers and 5 other interviewees in the room.

Good luck!

 

[asm028400]

Hi,
I actually just interviewed at Tucom yesterday (Halloween) and for me, it wasn't nearly as bad as a lot of the posts on the interview feedback make it out to be. Fortunately, I think that though the interviewees all want to be accepted, they also (hopefully) have respect for others and understand the dedication required to obtain an interview, so there wasn't intense competitiveness. Just basically know yourself and your reasons for wanting to become a DO (as opposed to an MD) and you will be fine. The interview lasts about an hour and there was only one other person in my interview so the two of us both had a lot of questions and had multiple opportunities to ask the interviewers about the campus. But overall it isn't so bad. Just know your application and you will be fine! Good luck!

 

[CoverMe]

Be respectful and considerate of your fellow interviewees... if the person next to you made a great point, and they ask you the same question, you can always refer to what the other interviewee said, show that you're being attentive to what others say. If other people are talking, LOOK at them, think about what they're saying.

Be in the moment. Among other things, it will lower your stress. Don't sit there plotting what you're going to say next, you know yourself and your application better than anyone else, relax.

Remember, they may be interviewing you, but you are also in a position to interview THEM... you have to find the place that is right for you. Don't forget that!!!

If they (the interviewers) seem like they aren't paying direct attention to you, or maybe don't like you, don't let it rattle you. During my OMM Block 2 exam today, (during a break) I admitted to Dr. B that I liked him a lot better now, and that we get along great, but that during the interview he really didn't like me, why? He laughed and said he liked me then too, and voted for me to be accepted, so there you go... and I think I'm a good judge of these things... I was wrong!! They have a lot on their minds, they've got a lot going on, just be yourself and don't try to read THEIR minds... instead, know your OWN mind.

Gunners and jerks in these group interviews get shot down fast... our class is extremely cohesive, supportive, and friendly... they're looking for people who are going to treat each other and their patients with compassion and genuine interest. There is no benefit to being competitive at this point, just be yourself and see if this particular shoe fits.

Be empowered by the fact that they CHOSE you to come and talk to them, they're honored that you came, and they're interested in you. If it works out, it will be a mutual decision. They do not hold all of the cards, you are making decisions about them too.

Breathe!

Best of Luck!!
Christine

 

[MonaLisa555]

Thank you all for taking the time and giving me sound advice. Now i have a little direction for this interview (and subsequent interviews to come). I know what to do now: review my application, know it well, be able to talk about my experiences, and be able to express why I would like to be an osteopathic physician. I think i can do this! 🙂

Good luck to all of you, and hopefully ill be able to see a few of you on campus next year if I am accepted!

 

[Pewl]

Thank you all for taking the time and giving me sound advice. Now i have a little direction for this interview (and subsequent interviews to come). I know what to do now: review my application, know it well, be able to talk about my experiences, and be able to express why I would like to be an osteopathic physician. I think i can do this! 🙂

Good luck to all of you, and hopefully ill be able to see a few of you on campus next year if I am accepted!

HAHA you're from Hayward! Do you know a chick named "Yung?"

I still really dislike how DO places grill you about why you wanna apply to DO vs MD schools. Personally, I don't think that's any of their business. If you possess the qualities they're looking for as a DO that's all that should matter.
BAH

 

[mstann]

Actually, this is the first interview I've been invited to (most likely because I'm kinda lagging on my secondary apps). Do you think you can tell me how long the actual interview takes and what kind of questions they ask (are specific to each applicant or do they ask general questions that everyone has a chance to answer?) Thanks for the advice! 🙂

I just recieved my interview invite (my first) as well. Dec. 7th can't get here soon enough.

 

[mx_599]

well...OK. thanks for the ADVICE. 👎

no prob 👍

 

[lktm831]

I just recieved my interview invite (my first) as well. Dec. 7th can't get here soon enough.

i just got my invite yesturday as well and i called this morning and i can't get an appt til 1/10/06 ?!!!

thats so long from now and sorta late in the cycle?

 

[Duchess]

My first interview is a group one, with a total of 5 students. I imagine it to be cut-throat and competitive, but I'm not the type to be in the spotlight just to get noticed. I dont know if that is really how it is 😕, its just that I'm nervous and I dont know what to expect. TUCOM is my top choice for D.O med school, so I want to do well. Has anyone already interviewed that can give me some advice? Holla!

Group interview? I didn't even know that there was such a thing....is that really common?

i just got my invite yesturday as well and i called this morning and i can't get an appt til 1/10/06 ?!!!

Don't stress....some people aren't even through their secondaries yet. 😛

 

[fitnessexpert]

This is just general info on ALL group interviews (medical/graduate/job). Yes, there are all a little stressful because you don't want to repeat the same things everyone else said but it is hard to come up with stuff on the spur of the moment. So here are some hints that you can do within the first 2 mins of meeting them. "First impressions are everything."
Hints:
1. If you are like me, I like to get the first question to start the interview because you just set the pace for the WHOLE interview. But this requires that you have confidence in your individual skills. So, try to sit to the right of the interviewers, which is their left. This is just a subconscious thing, ie we read left to right, the mind just automatically does it. But I can't say that they won't do a random order or alphabetically. If you got the honor of an interview you should be thinking that you are exceptional and deserve acceptance. There was something that made you special and interested them.
2. If they call you Ms/Mrs./Mr., say "Oh, please call me (fill in name)." This sets the stage to say that you are confident and comfortable in this situation. Even if your heart is racing and you have sweat stain the size of your face. Chances are you will be the only one who does this.
3. Call the school and ask who is going to be interviewing you and address them by formal name. If you can look up articles or publications they have had. Yes, this sounds a little kiss ass but people get really flattered. Wouldn't you be flattered if someone took the time to do that.

One more thing. Ask a very honest friend, parent, spouse, physician whatt he/she thinks about your weaknesses and strengths. I don't know about you but my school offers "interviewing tips" workshops for free. Tell them to be very honest with stuff you need to work on. I hope this helps a little.

 

[N1DERL&]

1. If you are like me, I like to get the first question to start the interview because you just set the pace for the WHOLE interview. But this requires that you have confidence in your individual skills. So, try to sit to the right of the interviewers, which is their left. This is just a subconscious thing, ie we read left to right, the mind just automatically does it. But I can't say that they won't do a random order or alphabetically. If you got the honor of an interview you should be thinking that you are exceptional and deserve acceptance. There was something that made you special and interested them.

Totally agree with this one. I've seen tons of ppl who forget that there's a whole other side of the room and they never look over.

I've also heard that wearing red can help get them to notice you.

Also practice forming answers that relate to the question. I've heard too many answers during a group interview that didn't answer the question. Strayed off topic.

G'luck!