How to prepare for interviews?

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JohnnyDoc

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Hi,

I am applying this cycle, and currently I had 6 interview invites. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into 1 DO program already, but I was waitlisted to 2 programs and rejected to 1 program. I declined 1 program due to its location. I still have to attend 1 more interview.

The answers I prepare for each of these interviews are "Why medicine?", "Why DO?", and "Why this school?", and also review my applications a bit. I usually do this one to two days before the interview though. I go through the answers three times (Saying them to myself). However, it does not seem like that I am preparing well at all...

I also find out that I get pretty nervous at the interviews. Usually, I would ramble or just choke on words. I have no idea how to address and fix this.

Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare for interviews more effectively?

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I also find out that I get pretty nervous at the interviews. Usually, I would ramble or just choke on words. I have no idea how to address and fix this.

It's OK to take a moment to collect your thoughts before answering interview questions. I sometimes have a problem with being a rambler, too, and it helps to remind myself to do this (in the middle of residency interviews now).
 
It seems that you are doing okay in your interviews, if you've already been accepted to two programs. That's hopeful. However, you've also been rejected/WLed at a few, so there may be room for improvement, barring anything else that might be hindering your app.

Doing well in an interview is all about preparation...as in, be prepared for ANY question the interviewers could ask you. Obviously, you can't know everything they could ask, but you can anticipate 85-90% of their questions just by looking at your application from their perspective. For example, be able to explain how any EC or work experience listed in your app applies to the practice of medicine, or your success as a medical school student, or some such. Look for red flags, too, and be able to address those convincingly without being defensive. Come up with a cohesive story about your life that shows how everything you've done and experienced thus far contributes to your ability to be a great physician.

Write down potential questions -- it will be a long list! -- and then compose answers to them in paragraph form, condense those paragraphs into bullet points, transcribe your bullet points onto notecards with the corresponding questions written at the top, and study those notecards as if you were preparing for a test. (To help with nerves, I googled the scariest, the most intimidating male face I could find, made it fill up my whole computer screen, and talked directly into its eyes. It really helped!)

Check the Interview section of SDN for the school where you'll be interviewing. That'll help you get a feel for the kinds of questions the interviewers are likely to focus on. For example, AZCOM really loves the weird, off-the-wall stuff as in "why is there fuzz on a tennis ball?" If you don't want to have to answer that on the fly, google it ahead of time and be prepared!

Seriously, this kind of preparation takes tons of time at first, but eventually, you'll find that your bullet points for seemingly unrelated questions really come down to maybe a dozen or so "talking points" that you can pretty much use for any question they ask you. With practice, those talking points will be the well from which you draw during your interview, building your confidence and reducing the tendency to ramble. Another trick, it's common for interviewers to ask behavioral questions like: Describe a time when you overcame a significant challenge, or resolved a conflict, or What was your most memorable shadowing experience? or .... Take some time to brainstorm those potential questions and COME UP WITH STORIES! It basically comes down to having stories that show your leadership, compassion, difficulties you've overcome, conflicts resolved, an ethical dilemma you dealt with, a significant shadowing/clinical experience.... think that pretty much covers the bases. You'll want to have those stories prepped and ready to go. Maybe you have one story that covers everything, that would make it even easier! You'll find that, armed with a handful of stories, you'll be able to answer just about any such question without having to scan your memory bank on the spot and possibly drawing a blank.

Hopefully, this will help you. I paid for a few sessions with a professional interview coach, and these are just a few of the points we covered. I also practiced obsessively over weeks and weeks, which was a lot of work and which you may not have time/inclination for this late in the game, but I can tell you that all the preparation really boosted my confidence and enabled me to slam-dunk all of my interviews (like, I could see it in my interviewers' faces kind of slam-dunk. I attended 4 interviews and received 4 acceptances). If you lack confidence thinking on the spot, as I was, or suffer from nerves, then this kind of preparation will save you.

Good luck!
 
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If you want to know my honest opinion...don't prepare. I don't prepare for interview questions, I prepare my mentality and make sure I am focused and ready to answer to the best of my ability. By not preparing I can easily avoid being caught up in the "rehearsed answer" sound that many ADCOMS probably notice and it allows me to be myself. I feel like a genuine answer is easily distinguishable from a prepared one. Now, there is one exception to how I prepare for interviews...I have gone over the "why a doctor?" Question numerous times for the simple fact that there are a million reasons I want to become a physician, so I want to be able to relay to the ADCOMS my best answer at that time. Just go onto the interview and treat it like a conversation. They ARE asking you questions, but they are ALSO trying to see who you are as a person and not just an applicant to their school. Be yourself, even if you are a little nervous that is to be expected. Just remember, they wanted YOU or else they would have never invited you for an interview.
 
Read this:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/goros-guide-to-do-school-interviews.1097042/



Hi,

I am applying this cycle, and currently I had 6 interview invites. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into 1 DO program already, but I was waitlisted to 2 programs and rejected to 1 program. I declined 1 program due to its location. I still have to attend 1 more interview.

The answers I prepare for each of these interviews are "Why medicine?", "Why DO?", and "Why this school?", and also review my applications a bit. I usually do this one to two days before the interview though. I go through the answers three times (Saying them to myself). However, it does not seem like that I am preparing well at all...

I also find out that I get pretty nervous at the interviews. Usually, I would ramble or just choke on words. I have no idea how to address and fix this.

Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare for interviews more effectively?
 
Thank you and happy belated thanksgiving!

I have TUNCOM interview coming up so I will do my best!
 
If you want to know my honest opinion...don't prepare. I don't prepare for interview questions, I prepare my mentality and make sure I am focused and ready to answer to the best of my ability. By not preparing I can easily avoid being caught up in the "rehearsed answer" sound that many ADCOMS probably notice and it allows me to be myself. I feel like a genuine answer is easily distinguishable from a prepared one. Now, there is one exception to how I prepare for interviews...I have gone over the "why a doctor?" Question numerous times for the simple fact that there are a million reasons I want to become a physician, so I want to be able to relay to the ADCOMS my best answer at that time. Just go onto the interview and treat it like a conversation. They ARE asking you questions, but they are ALSO trying to see who you are as a person and not just an applicant to their school. Be yourself, even if you are a little nervous that is to be expected. Just remember, they wanted YOU or else they would have never invited you for an interview.
Oh man, the key is to rehearse your speech so many times that you internalize some of the key phrases in you canned response and are able to spit them back out organically!
 
Oh man, the key is to rehearse your speech so many times that you internalize some of the key phrases in you canned response and are able to spit them back out organically!
Whatever works for you! I think if you have an honest and true opinion or view on any particular question, then your response will be adequate and spot on no matter what.
 
If you want to know my honest opinion...don't prepare. I don't prepare for interview questions, I prepare my mentality and make sure I am focused and ready to answer to the best of my ability. By not preparing I can easily avoid being caught up in the "rehearsed answer" sound that many ADCOMS probably notice and it allows me to be myself. I feel like a genuine answer is easily distinguishable from a prepared one. Now, there is one exception to how I prepare for interviews...I have gone over the "why a doctor?" Question numerous times for the simple fact that there are a million reasons I want to become a physician, so I want to be able to relay to the ADCOMS my best answer at that time. Just go onto the interview and treat it like a conversation. They ARE asking you questions, but they are ALSO trying to see who you are as a person and not just an applicant to their school. Be yourself, even if you are a little nervous that is to be expected. Just remember, they wanted YOU or else they would have never invited you for an interview.
I'm with you. During a group interview, almost everyone in my group had an obviously rehearsed introduction speech prepared, and canned answers for each question. They sounded better prepared than some of the presenters I've seen at major conferences, but I personally found their speeches both bland to listen to and so rehearsed that it actually detracted from the quality of what they were saying, because it was the verbal equivalent to copying and pasting on a secondary; there is something to be said for extemporaneous speech and obviously coming up with an original idea on the spot...or at least faking it well.

I wouldn't rehearse or come up with an "elevator speech" as I've seen suggested. I would think about the questions you may be asked and what you might want to address, and even how you may want to frame your responses, but steer clear of rehearsing anything. That's just my opinion, though.

Oh, and definitely read Goro's threads on interviewing now and right before your next interview to remind you what you should and should NOT do.
 
If you want to know my honest opinion...don't prepare. I don't prepare for interview questions, I prepare my mentality and make sure I am focused and ready to answer to the best of my ability. By not preparing I can easily avoid being caught up in the "rehearsed answer" sound that many ADCOMS probably notice and it allows me to be myself. I feel like a genuine answer is easily distinguishable from a prepared one. Now, there is one exception to how I prepare for interviews...I have gone over the "why a doctor?" Question numerous times for the simple fact that there are a million reasons I want to become a physician, so I want to be able to relay to the ADCOMS my best answer at that time. Just go onto the interview and treat it like a conversation. They ARE asking you questions, but they are ALSO trying to see who you are as a person and not just an applicant to their school. Be yourself, even if you are a little nervous that is to be expected. Just remember, they wanted YOU or else they would have never invited you for an interview.
I think this is a great response. Prepare your mentality. Even if you have a "good" answer, adcoms can see if you're not being honest or you are sounding rehearsed. Be confident in you and show that. Don't be afraid to show your personality. I'm animated, I like to laugh and talk with my hands. For my interviews, I didn't try to put on a stoic face because that is not me. I can replied with serious responses for the more intense ethical questions. But for questions about myself, I was honest. So prepare your mindset to remain calm.

Another tip I have is follow the psychological progressions of your adcom. If your adcom leans back and says with a smile "Tell me about yourself!" Respond with a smile and respond with a personable answer. When your adcom then sits up straighter, gives more intense eye contact and asks "What is the greatest healthcare challenge plaguing our decade?" then also subtly straighten your posture and provide an objective, non-anecdotal concrete response. If your adcom wrinkles his brow during any of your responses, realize he may not have understood fully what you just said and start to clarify. When he begins nodding and writing things down, take this as a good sign, expand on that point and begin closing off your answer. Then await the next question. Use your adcoms subtle body language to navigate the interview.
 
I think this is a great response. Prepare your mentality. Even if you have a "good" answer, adcoms can see if you're not being honest or you are sounding rehearsed. Be confident in you and show that. Don't be afraid to show your personality. I'm animated, I like to laugh and talk with my hands. For my interviews, I didn't try to put on a stoic face because that is not me. I can replied with serious responses for the more intense ethical questions. But for questions about myself, I was honest. So prepare your mindset to remain calm.

Another tip I have is follow the psychological progressions of your adcom. If your adcom leans back and says with a smile "Tell me about yourself!" Respond with a smile and respond with a personable answer. When your adcom then sits up straighter, gives more intense eye contact and asks "What is the greatest healthcare challenge plaguing our decade?" then also subtly straighten your posture and provide an objective, non-anecdotal concrete response. If your adcom wrinkles his brow during any of your responses, realize he may not have understood fully what you just said and start to clarify. When he begins nodding and writing things down, take this as a good sign, expand on that point and begin closing off your answer. Then await the next question. Use your adcoms subtle body language to navigate the interview.
Shh! Don't tell them about emotional intelligence bro! You're breaking the first rule of Fight Club...
 
Honestly, I think people over-prepare sometimes. I think it is important to know what you wrote in your essays and put in your application and be able to talk about that. I think the rehearsal of every possible question you can think of can get your trapped when an interview "goes off-script". Many of the interview questions I encountered along the way seemed to be things designed to see how well you can think on your feet. My best advice, know your application backwards and forwards, have a framework of answers for thing like "why medicine" etc..., have a definitive answer for any weaknesses in your application and otherwise don't stress yourself out. Myself, I reviewed my primary and secondary the night before the interview just so I remembered the details and looked at some information on the particular school so I was ready to talk about why the school was a good choice for me.
 
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I definitely over prepared! But I think the jist is to remind yourself all the great things about you so that you can remember during the interview...

Lot of the practice questions I went through are on this list (yay google): http://www.colorado.edu/advising/sites/default/files/attached-files/Med_100 intquest.pdf

I also answered in bulleted list instead of rehearsing to avoid making it sound like a robotic answer -- but everyone is different! Just answering calmly and connect yourself to the school with your answers.

Good luck!!
 
When you are asked a difficult question and want time to craft an answer-- just say "let me think about that for a moment." And then, take the moment to think about it.. totally okay if you take a minute or two but make sure in the end, you offer an awesome well thought out answer.

It shows poise.
 

When you are asked a difficult question and want time to craft an answer-- just say "let me think about that for a moment." And then, take the moment to think about it.. totally okay if you take a minute or two but make sure in the end, you offer an awesome well thought out answer.

It shows poise.
 
What type of questions and things can we expect in a group interview? I interview at LECOM-B on friday...
 
If you were a toaster, what kind of toaster would you be?
I mean my answer might be a cylon, but is this in line with what to expect....obscure questions? They wouldn't be personal/scenario/healthcare based?
 
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To be honest, for my interview prep, all I did was read the interview feedback and look on the thread for advice from SDNr's, I received no mock intervewing or anything like that. I went over my PS. I think in interviews its really important to be NATURAL and HONEST. Smile, sound enthusiastic, be confident, and You will have a great shot. I was very successful, this is my first time applying to medical school, im only 22, I have 3.8 gpa and 26 MCAT and recieved 7 acceptances as of yesterday. I didnt get rejected anywhere or wait listed.
 
To be honest, for my interview prep, all I did was read the interview feedback and look on the thread for advice from SDNr's, I received no mock intervewing or anything like that. I went over my PS. I think in interviews its really important to be NATURAL and HONEST. Smile, sound enthusiastic, be confident, and You will have a great shot. I was very successful, this is my first time applying to medical school, im only 22, I have 3.8 gpa and 26 MCAT and recieved 7 acceptances as of yesterday. I didnt get rejected anywhere or wait listed.

that's great advice and congrats! which 7 schools have you been accepted to if you don't mind sharing? (I have the same MCAT, but slightly lower gpa)
 
that's great advice and congrats! which 7 schools have you been accepted to if you don't mind sharing? (I have the same MCAT, but slightly lower gpa)

Ofcourse no problem. I received 9 Interview invited: ACOM, BCOM, CUSOM, LECOM-B, LECOM- SH, Touro- Middletown, ATSU-SOMA, NYIT-COM, and TUNCOM..
I only went to 7 interviews and was accepted to all 7: ACOM, CUSOM, LECOM-B, LECOM-SH, Touro-Middletown, NYIT-COM, and TUNCOM, and chose to attend LECOM-B!
 
Ofcourse no problem. I received 9 Interview invited: ACOM, BCOM, CUSOM, LECOM-B, LECOM- SH, Touro- Middletown, ATSU-SOMA, NYIT-COM, and TUNCOM..
I only went to 7 interviews and was accepted to all 7: ACOM, CUSOM, LECOM-B, LECOM-SH, Touro-Middletown, NYIT-COM, and TUNCOM, and chose to attend LECOM-B!

Good choice. I would've had a difficult time choosing between CUSOM (with a scholarship,) LECOM-B, and NYIT-COM if I were in your shoes. CUSOM gave me a scholarship which made my decision that much more difficult. I did get lucky and decided to wait past the due dates and got accepted into my top choice with in state tuition.
 
Good choice. I would've had a difficult time choosing between CUSOM, LECOM-B, and NYIT-COM if I were in your shoes. CUSOM gave me a scholarship which made my decision that much more difficult. I did get lucky and decided to wait past the due dates and got accepted into my top choice with in state tuition.

It was a really really difficult decision, I liked CUSOM and a lot and was hoping I was gonna get a scholarship, but never heard anything, so I decided it was not wise to attend the school, for 45k, being it new and very rural. LECOM-B you dont have to be in classs 9-5, very cheap 33k, and extremely beautiful location. NYIT-COM had a nice match list and is 30 minutes away from me, but 55k tuition+ expensive cost of living was just not worth it in the end. I have 0 financial support from my family, so I decided LECOM-B was the clear winner! I am glad I am done with this cycle and can now relax!
 
It was a really really difficult decision, I liked CUSOM and a lot and was hoping I was gonna get a scholarship, but never heard anything, so I decided it was not wise to attend the school, for 45k, being it new and very rural. LECOM-B you dont have to be in classs 9-5, very cheap 33k, and extremely beautiful location. NYIT-COM had a nice match list and is 30 minutes away from me, but 55k tuition+ expensive cost of living was just not worth it in the end. I have 0 financial support from my family, so I decided LECOM-B was the clear winner! I am glad I am done with this cycle and can now relax!

I liked LECOM-B, but I wasn't sure PBL was right for me at the time, and the variability of the rotations really made me feel nervous. Only the good sites were reserved for the top students. I'm still not sure now even when Rowan is offering PBL too...

That tuition is really amazing though. Good luck to you!
 
I liked LECOM-B, but I wasn't sure PBL was right for me at the time, and the variability of the rotations really made me feel nervous. Only the good sites were reserved for the top students. I'm still not sure now even when Rowan is offering PBL too...

That tuition is really amazing though. Good luck to you!

Thanks good luck to you too. Looks like we both were successful this cycle! Im hear they changed the rotations a bit around to offer year long to all student in LECOM-B, but am gonna work hard to be on top hehe!
 
I personally over-prepared.

And then the interview was really simple and literally could have just been prepped by reviewing my app for like an hour.

I would still do it again though. It made me feel confident.
 
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My golden rule for medical school interviews: Those who prepare most do worst. Seriously, don't prepare. You'll thank me later.
 
My golden rule for medical school interviews: Those who prepare most do worst. Seriously, don't prepare. You'll thank me later.
Eh, my personal experience flew in the face of logic like this, but hey, its only my anecdote. Maybe there is more to this than just "don't prepare" or "prepare a ton".
 
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