How can I prepare for the interview?

[Chromatic543]

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I have two interviews coming up in January at ACOM and ATSU-SOMA. From my understanding, ACOM does a two-on-one interview, while ATSU-SOMA uses MMI, and a one-on-one interview.

How I have been preparing: I answer the "Why I want to be a Doctor" question to myself in the shower citing evidence that comes from my personal statement, practice answering various MMI questions I found online to myself and to other people, and have been reading a Medical School Interview prep book.

Mock Interview: I have tried scheduling a mock interview at my undergraduate University, but I have been told that the person who does the mock interviews is not very helpful. So, I'm debating on if I should ask him or not.

Where I'm at: I am just not really sure how to prepare for the interviews without feeling like I'm rehearsing my answers. I read Goro's guide to interviews and have been told by multiple people to be myself. Also, when I answer some of the MMI questions, I am not always sure of the rules or how much power the Physician actually has, so I just answer it based on what I know.

What do you guys think?

 

[Zazam]

Even though I prepared and rehearsed answers for the more common interview questions, I still forgot my answers when I interviewed. It forced me to be myself and everything worked out in the end. Just know why you want to be a physician, back up your reasons (for ethical questions), and know how to explain the bad parts of you app. I've only interviewed in a two-on-one setting so I have no idea what to do for MMI questions.
I think it'd be useful to do a mock interview to get used to speaking to strangers and experiencing some of the stress that comes in an interview. Even if he isn't very helpful, you might learn something about how you react in an interview.

 

[Chromatic543]

Even though I prepared and rehearsed answers for the more common interview questions, I still forgot my answers when I interviewed. It forced me to be myself and everything worked out in the end. Just know why you want to be a physician, back up your reasons (for ethical questions), and know how to explain the bad parts of you app. I've only interviewed in a two-on-one setting so I have no idea what to do for MMI questions.
I think it'd be useful to do a mock interview to get used to speaking to strangers and experiencing some of the stress that comes in an interview. Even if he isn't very helpful, you might learn something about how you react in an interview.

Thank you for your response! What is the best way to approach the bad parts of your app? I have had a few Ws, Cs, and a couple of Fs. However, most of the bad stuff came earlier in my academic career, and I was able to gain a strong upward trend in the end.

 

[Zazam]

Don't bring it up unless you want to. For example, I was asked if I experienced any failure in undergrad and how I dealt with it. I didn't even talk about my retake. Instead I spoke about one class that I struggled in, what I did to improve, and how it turned out. I figured if they wanted to know about my retake they'd ask a follow up question directly addressing it, but they didn't. Don't feel obligated to bring up those W's, C's, and F's... They'll ask directly if they're really curious.

Point is, they want to know that you can admit when you're struggling, seek help/make changes, and improve.

 

[Espressso]

watch this and then also part two. These videos helped me a lot. Also don't bring up negatives ever. They don't exist... until they bring them up. And if/when they do, you should have a response to any potential question about it, and that response shouldn't sound rehearsed

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

One piece of advice is that it is good to have answers ready for the big questions, but you also do not want to sound rehearsed. Another piece that I found to be really important for me personally was that it is ok to take a second or two to gather your thoughts after they ask you a question, you don't need to rush and blurt out an answer. Take a breath, think about it, and then give your response.

 

[YeezyQ]

@Chromatic543 I'm a lurker and applying next cycle. Just wanted to say that I'm rooting for you.

 

[Goro]

I have two interviews coming up in January at ACOM and ATSU-SOMA. From my understanding, ACOM does a two-on-one interview, while ATSU-SOMA uses MMI, and a one-on-one interview.

How I have been preparing: I answer the "Why I want to be a Doctor" question to myself in the shower citing evidence that comes from my personal statement, practice answering various MMI questions I found online to myself and to other people, and have been reading a Medical School Interview prep book.

Mock Interview: I have tried scheduling a mock interview at my undergraduate University, but I have been told that the person who does the mock interviews is not very helpful. So, I'm debating on if I should ask him or not.

Where I'm at: I am just not really sure how to prepare for the interviews without feeling like I'm rehearsing my answers. I read Goro's guide to interviews and have been told by multiple people to be myself. Also, when I answer some of the MMI questions, I am not always sure of the rules or how much power the Physician actually has, so I just answer it based on what I know.

What do you guys think?

Read this:
Goro's Guide to DO School Interviews
Goro's Guide for YOUR Interview Questions at a DO School

• Goro's Guide to Interviews

 

[Chromatic543]

@Chromatic543 I'm a lurker and applying next cycle. Just wanted to say that I'm rooting for you.

I appreciate that, I really do. It has been a hard fought battle. I wish you the best of luck next cycle! 🙂