How much do interviews matter?

[undecided39]

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Hi, I am a freshman in college and have recently began to strongly consider medicine as a career choice. I think that academically, I would have a good shot at getting into med school- right now my GPA is about a 3.9, and I got a 35 on the ACT in high school. I know this doesn't definitely show how well you'll do on the MCAT, but I have read that the scores on the two tests correlate fairly well, so for now I'm going to assume that with enough studying I should be able to get at least a 30 on the MCAT. My problem is that I am a fairly shy and somewhat awkward person. I am still likeable and fairly friendly, and relate to people well on a professional level, but when it comes to small talk I am pretty quiet and awkward. I was wondering how this would affect my ability to perform well in an interview, and how much it would matter if I came off as shy and awkward in an interview. I am also wondering if being somewhat awkward would prevent me from succeeding in the medical profession, even if I am still able to communicate well with people on a professional level. Thank you!

 

[JABWS]

Hi undecided39, I can definitely relate to your concerns. The good news is that you're only a freshman in college, and many of your fellow classmates, if assessing themselves candidly, would admit to similar difficulties. If you are anything like me, you will learn a lot about yourself in the next four years, while steadily developing your ability to communicate and interact appropriately with others. I noticed this weakness early on, as you have, and I purposefully put myself in situations that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and forced me to engage with others in a meaningful way. Whatever you do, don't let this perceived shyness detract from your desire to pursue a career in medicine. I can confidently assure you that the person sitting across from the interviewer four years from now will draw stark contrast with the person you are today (at least from personal experience; I would have been terrified if you asked me to interview for medical school as a freshman). And even if I am wrong, there is still a place for all personality types in medicine, from the gregarious socialite to the unassuming, reflective, and even diffident, physician. The most important thing is that you choose medicine for the right reasons, because you will never be able to outgrow the awkwardness that comes with insincerity.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

It is incredibly important. The good news is that you know you have a problem so you can be proactive about it. Do mock interviews, get feedback, do things to be more outgoing. You will be fine. Just be aware of it and make an effort.

 

[Hotshy]

Get involved in on-campus activities and take up leadership positions, these kind of experiences will help you develop on a social/personal level. I was just like you when you I started undergrad, but I knew if I wanted to be a physician; I was going to have to develop in a non-academic way as well. I joined many clubs, continued to be a genuine person and people took notice. I was recommended to be an RA and started as a sophomore. Overtime as you move into these leadership and social roles you will develop as a person without even noticing, I certainly did.

I was sort of awkward as a freshman and pretty quiet, but by the time I started interviewing, I was very confident and knew I could do well. I was accepted to one school and actually met my student interviewer by chance at 2nd look. He told me a huge part of me getting in was that I interviewed so well and made a really good impression on both of my interviewers. All I can say is continue to put yourself out there and the positive change you want will eventually come.

 

[alexrgross]

The interview is very important and you should get mock interviews. Ideally they should be done with different people, who you do not know. And you should record them to get a sense of what your problems are...then have people you know critique the videos, too...they often see things strangers do not - thought they sometimes cannot identify them if they mock interview you.
Also, always use your interviewers name and bring water into the room, to sip in case you need to collect your thoughts..
THe interview is EXTREMELY important, your interviewer often presents their findings to the admissions committee - they pay attention more or less depending on the school.

 

[flodhi1]

Even if you have a 4.0/45, if you're interview goes bad (you seem cocky, disinterested in the school, unable to convey passion in medicine, unable to explain why you feel like a fit for the school) you could very easily get rejected.

 

[CanadianPremed]

,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

 

[bajastapler]

imo: once you get to an interview everyone is taken, seriously, as a potential candidate.

Like it's been said by people in this thread: work on coming out of your shell. 🙂

College is probably one of the only times where you can try new things with - almost - no consequences.

gl!

WWVWD?
What Would Van Wilder Do?

Edit:

I am also wondering if being somewhat awkward would prevent me from succeeding in the medical profession, even if I am still able to communicate well with people on a professional level. Thank you!

I think being, "awkward" can hinder your success as a physician. There is a ton of literature on the importance of being able to interact with patients on a socio-cultural level that isn't based on just scientific medicine. A good place to start considering what I am talking about would be to wiki "medical anthropology."

 

[thlaxer]

As others have said, the interview is very important. Even with impressive stats, you will get waitlisted/rejected due to a poor interview impression. I applied last summer with very similar fears as you (I tend to do very poorly in interviews.. and absolutely suck at making small talk). The good news (for us 'socially-awkward' folk 😀) is that things such as GPA, MCAT and LORs still hold weight post-interview (applicants are not, imo, all on equal footing after they get an interview). So you could tip the odds more in your favor by working on these factors. Also, the impression I got from schools was that they were more interested in seeing if I am sincere and genuine rather than if I can make small talk for the sake of doing it. In retrospect, all of my post-interview waitlists/rejections came from interviews where I was not being myself (i.e. giving canned answers, etc.). And for what it's worth, I found that being slightly shameless helped me overcome my shyness in interview settings. You never know, this strategy might work for you too .

Edit: And obviously keep working on your interpersonal skills. It can improve very quickly over a year or even over a few months. So don't let your current awkwardness/shyness discourage you. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Coming off as shy and awkward at an interview will get you rejected. Unless you're going to be a pathologist, you're going to need to deal with patients. Are you going to be shy and awkward with them?

Take as many classes as you can that will require you to stand up in front of your peers and so your things. Try some drama or acting or choral classes, for one.

"I was wondering how this would affect my ability to perform well in an interview, and how much it would matter if I came off as shy and awkward in an interview. I am also wondering if being somewhat awkward would prevent me from succeeding in the medical profession, even if I am still able to communicate well with people on a professional level. "

 

[Pattycake25]

Hi, I am a freshman in college and have recently began to strongly consider medicine as a career choice. I think that academically, I would have a good shot at getting into med school- right now my GPA is about a 3.9, and I got a 35 on the ACT in high school. I know this doesn't definitely show how well you'll do on the MCAT, but I have read that the scores on the two tests correlate fairly well, so for now I'm going to assume that with enough studying I should be able to get at least a 30 on the MCAT. My problem is that I am a fairly shy and somewhat awkward person. I am still likeable and fairly friendly, and relate to people well on a professional level, but when it comes to small talk I am pretty quiet and awkward. I was wondering how this would affect my ability to perform well in an interview, and how much it would matter if I came off as shy and awkward in an interview. I am also wondering if being somewhat awkward would prevent me from succeeding in the medical profession, even if I am still able to communicate well with people on a professional level. Thank you!

As someone who also considers himself awkward, I found interviews to be a lot calmer than I had anticipated. Don't forget - by the time you are in the "hot seat", you're going to have some tangible achievements that got you there, and they will want to hear you talk about them. The passion that will get you that far in the process will also get you to talk confidently about your successes, and "talking confidently" is pretty much the whole ballgame (although you don't want to get cocky). As others have suggested, look for some ECs that will ease you out of your comfort zone, but you really shouldn't worry. At all. Given how proactive you are already being, I have full confidence you'll pick up the skills you need to. =) Good luck!

 

[gmcguitar4]

Your only a freshman! Get out there and meet people. Make small talk with cashiers, people in elevators, etc. The conversation doesn't always work and it is small talk but it always helped me. Just keeps you on your toes.

 

[Furballer]

I know someone who interviewed at a D.C. school, had a very conservative/right approach to healthcare, and the interviewer pretty much yelled "I'm sorry but your viewpoints are completely wrong"

Oh, and they got accepted.

 

[drshoes]

The interview is one of the most important parts of the application process. If the school chose to interview you, it means they're interested and you would be a potential fit, but if your interview goes poorly it's highly unlikely you'll be accepted. I was like you as a freshman too, but my experiences in college and outside college forced me to grow and develop better communication skills and be more personable. If you feel you're too awkward in social situations, make efforts to step outside your comfort zone by getting involved in different things. Don't spend all your time stuck in the library or at home studying, join clubs that interest you, do volunteer work, teach, tutor, do a sport. Getting involved builds up your confidence and by the time you're a junior you'll feel like much more of a leader. College is a place where you should really grow as a person, so get involved, make friends, and before you know it you won't feel shy around people anymore.

 

[ljpm8224]

undecided, one thing that would really help you that would also help you pick up clinical time/hours and experience is to get an EMT certification and get a job working as an EMT on an ambulance.

It's total "trial by fire" when it comes to developing those chit-chatty social skills. What do you talk about with all your patients in the back of the ambulance? For example- I am *not* a follower of team sports, but I have learned how to rant about the '9ers with the best of them these days 🙂 And I've learned how to respectfully talk to WWII vets about their time in the service, etc., how to talk to old ladies about their gardening, favorite ragu recipe, christmas decorations, etc.

What do you talk about with your partner when you're stuck sitting next to them in the rig for 24 hours? You truly meet people from all walks of life, and develop experience with a WIDE variety of social interactions, including giving verbal reports to MDs, PAs, RNs, techs, etc. You even shoot the breeze with the RNs at the nursing station sometimes...

I think it would be great experience for you with your fears, would really help work on that, and also all those hours count as clinical experience at the same time! EMT isn't something that would totally differentiate you from a lot of other pre-meds, but it's awesome experience and really fun nevertheless. Consider it!

Good luck with your next few years 🙂
Cheers,
Bean