How is Northwesterns Group Interview

[jhk43]

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what'd you guys think of it? is it a way for NU to weed out cutthroats and social freaks, given that its P/F (i think) personally, the group interview thing is a big turnoff

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

hmm, i got rejected from NU, but personally i wouldn't let the interview format persuade me one iota about a school.

 

[Bad Mojo]

I actually really enjoyed the group interview at Northwestern. I guess it could depend some on who you get stuck with. With my group, nobody was really trying to show off at the expense of anyone else. Also, with more people, it obviously felt more like a group. There was more interaction between everyone and people could joke around with each other more. Two of the faculty members were relatively young and it had a really good feeling. It should definitely be considered a turn-off.

 

[Bones2008]

Originally posted by jhk43
is it a way for NU to weed out cutthroats and social freaks

I think that is part of it. I liked it a lot.

 

[CalBeE]

I got waitlisted at NWU, and I guess it'll be impossible to find out why (Whether it's my application, interview, whatever)

I did like the panel interview, but I agree it'll really depend on who the other people at the panel interview are like. During the group project, we decided to have each person to take turn to present the part that they know the most about. Afterwards, the two other people in my group said I talked for too long...so I don't know if that gave the interviewers negative impressions...but I did get along with those two people.

 

[04DukeBio]

Northwestern Panel Interview? I went Sep '03.

Definitely was a refreshing change of pace from one-on-one interviews. My interview was with two guys from the West Coast and we were interviewed by two physicians and a medical student.

One physician was clinical, the other was research, and the medical student (I believe) was a M4.

The interview sounds like it's rough, but as long as you keep relaxed and let other people have a chance, it's no big deal. This isn't your time to grandstand. I think the panel's also looking to see how well you listen to the other two interviewees. Questions were pretty random, and the committee 'sniped' us with them (i.e., they would call us out randomly and ask us a different question). The Q's ranged from 'If I walked into your room, what would I find in the CD player, on the coffee table, and in your refrigerator?' to 'Name a current conflict in medicine that is important to you, and what your suggested solution is' and even some questions about the ethics of a Starbucks tax. The good thing about answering questions one at a time is it lets you have a chance to recuperate, and you don't always feel like the spotlight's on you.

The cooperative section is just that - you need to show you can work spontaneously with your group. We needed to come up with a list of 'professional' traits doctors should have, and defend each. The ranking was important. We pretty much came to consensus in front of them and then took turns explaining each point.

I had imagined sitting down at a desk in a large lecture room with three (or more!) interviewers glowering down at our little table, but it took place in a small seminar room with comfortable seats and good lighting. No stress, if you don't let the description psyche you out, like it almost did me.

My advice is to come into Chicago early and wander around the GC, the park, etc. Ride the ferris wheel for the sake of having done it, and just relax. The committee is trying to get to know you, not trying to shoot you down.

But, yes, I do agree - if you totally can't mesh with a new group of people, or you feel the need to stomp over your group members in order to puff yourself up, I think the committee will take that as a red flag. So, don't do it.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

04DukeBio