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Hey, I realize interviews aren't on most people's minds right now, but I wanted to post this before I forget. And some of you smarty-pants have early decision interviews, so maybe this'll be useful soon. Also, it's never too early to start preparing for interviews. I remember there's an Interview Advice thread but I'm too lazy to look for it, sorry. FYI, I'm a reapp (didn't get in 07-08 app year even with a whole bunch of interviews, because I'm fairly shy) and got in first wave this year in November at the same school which rejected me, because of a few things I learned from people regarding the interview. These tidbits are a little random, and some are only applicable to nervous, shy people like me, but take from it what you want.
First of all, if you are a nervous person like me, practice. Don't just practice the most important questions, practice all of them, and with as many people as you can find. This is the time to reach out and trouble others and ask for help, because getting into med school is important. Yes, you should look spontaneous on the day of the interview, and your answers should be from the heart. But that doesn't mean you won't get help from knowing the answers beforehand. It's like performing a song on stage. The song should be heartfelt and spontaneous and free, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't practice before you get on stage. If you're seriously shy and you get tongue-tied when you get nervous, list out a bunch of questions in a word document and literally type out the answers. (At the end I had typed out about 40 answers). You don't have to memorize it word for word but when you get the question, you should know the answer.
Second, minor bit, don't use "um"s and "ah"s. You may think, oh, it's natural for me, it's who I am and I'm just projecting that. Geeks can be cool too. No, these crutches just make you seem less confident. Some people who use "uh"s and "ah"s find it hard to stop because if they just say whatever they say right away, it seems abrupt. One method to avoid that is to open your mouth slightly before speaking. e.g. interviewer: "What did you during your summers?" person 1: "Uh, well, I did a lot of research", person 2: opens mouth slightly, pause for a second, "I did a lot of research". That way it doesn't seem like you're just throwing out an answer. Maybe I didn't describe it too well here but try it.
Third, about ethics questions: you have to be good. Some people will want to use the honesty card. "If you see your friend cheating, would you report him/her?". A person might say, "Honestly, no, if it's my best friend." and think "aha, I showed them that I am completely honest during this interview, I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not". Unfortunately, these types of ethics question not requiring a background are fairly easy, and you always have to choose the light. That said, you can express some regret, but you really, really in the end have to put your morals above all else. You're going to be a doctor after all. I have two friends who both had interviews with the same interviewer, but got asked a similar question, and the one who abandoned his friend got in. First, start with some "I would try to talk to my friend and find out what the problem is" etc first, but if the interviewer forces your hand, then in the end you have to choose the right answer.
Fourth, along the same lines, you do have to appear perfect. You can do it all. You do read and exercise and know how to have fun. If you worry that you'll come off as fake, then realize that it's not delivering these contents of your perfect persona that will come off as fake, but the delivery. You have to believe what you're saying. That's why if you do feel some parts of you are lacking in being an ideal candidate, work on it. Don't be lazy. This summer is as good a time as any. For example, I've always liked baking, but didn't invest all my time into it given school. So before my interviews, I literally took a class and brushed up on what I already knew, and I talked about that during interviews. Don't do something you totally wouldn't like, but if you like something a little bit, then take it far and become more interesting by it.
Fifth: Practice your small talk. When you go into the room, what will you say? Some interviewers will ask you how you got there, or how you like the city. Prepare a bit for that. Practice small talk for at the end, after you shake hands too. I know, some people who are great speakers find this ridiculous that you have to practice for things like that, but for the nervous bunch of us, things change when you're in the interview room, and basic human functions are lost. So be prepared to answer these very basic questions (e.g. how do you like California?) so you don't fumble later.
Sixth, read "Doing Right" by Philip Hebert. It's not too long of a read, and you might find some of the stories interesting as you guess at the "correct" ways to respond to a situation.
Seventh, perhaps most important, the few months before your interview, talk a lot. If you work, talk to your coworkers more than you normally do. In class, talk to your classmates. At the store, chat up the cashier. Seriously. Especially if English is your second language, talk in English all the time. You have to get used to it. If you don't normally enunciate well, do the cork thing (bottle cork between your teeth and talk as clearly as you can - you won't be able to but it gets your teeth working and when you take it out you'll talk better). Along the same lines, try to maintain a healthy, happy image the few weeks before your interview. Always be practicing for your interview by being the person you want to be in the interview room when you're living your daily life.
Disclaimer: I know that a lot of what I discussed here seem to make you into something you're not, but the truth is, you probably are special in a lot of ways, but some people are more special in a conventional way, and you have to make yourself special in the way which attracts medical schools. It sucks but it's realistic. Getting into med school is more or less a game so you have to play by the rules. Disclaimer 2: Some of these tactics may seem a little extreme, but not the thread title, it's for nervous, crazy neurotic people. These things help me, hope it'll help some of you. If you have questions, feel free to leave a reply and I'll check in a few days.
First of all, if you are a nervous person like me, practice. Don't just practice the most important questions, practice all of them, and with as many people as you can find. This is the time to reach out and trouble others and ask for help, because getting into med school is important. Yes, you should look spontaneous on the day of the interview, and your answers should be from the heart. But that doesn't mean you won't get help from knowing the answers beforehand. It's like performing a song on stage. The song should be heartfelt and spontaneous and free, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't practice before you get on stage. If you're seriously shy and you get tongue-tied when you get nervous, list out a bunch of questions in a word document and literally type out the answers. (At the end I had typed out about 40 answers). You don't have to memorize it word for word but when you get the question, you should know the answer.
Second, minor bit, don't use "um"s and "ah"s. You may think, oh, it's natural for me, it's who I am and I'm just projecting that. Geeks can be cool too. No, these crutches just make you seem less confident. Some people who use "uh"s and "ah"s find it hard to stop because if they just say whatever they say right away, it seems abrupt. One method to avoid that is to open your mouth slightly before speaking. e.g. interviewer: "What did you during your summers?" person 1: "Uh, well, I did a lot of research", person 2: opens mouth slightly, pause for a second, "I did a lot of research". That way it doesn't seem like you're just throwing out an answer. Maybe I didn't describe it too well here but try it.
Third, about ethics questions: you have to be good. Some people will want to use the honesty card. "If you see your friend cheating, would you report him/her?". A person might say, "Honestly, no, if it's my best friend." and think "aha, I showed them that I am completely honest during this interview, I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not". Unfortunately, these types of ethics question not requiring a background are fairly easy, and you always have to choose the light. That said, you can express some regret, but you really, really in the end have to put your morals above all else. You're going to be a doctor after all. I have two friends who both had interviews with the same interviewer, but got asked a similar question, and the one who abandoned his friend got in. First, start with some "I would try to talk to my friend and find out what the problem is" etc first, but if the interviewer forces your hand, then in the end you have to choose the right answer.
Fourth, along the same lines, you do have to appear perfect. You can do it all. You do read and exercise and know how to have fun. If you worry that you'll come off as fake, then realize that it's not delivering these contents of your perfect persona that will come off as fake, but the delivery. You have to believe what you're saying. That's why if you do feel some parts of you are lacking in being an ideal candidate, work on it. Don't be lazy. This summer is as good a time as any. For example, I've always liked baking, but didn't invest all my time into it given school. So before my interviews, I literally took a class and brushed up on what I already knew, and I talked about that during interviews. Don't do something you totally wouldn't like, but if you like something a little bit, then take it far and become more interesting by it.
Fifth: Practice your small talk. When you go into the room, what will you say? Some interviewers will ask you how you got there, or how you like the city. Prepare a bit for that. Practice small talk for at the end, after you shake hands too. I know, some people who are great speakers find this ridiculous that you have to practice for things like that, but for the nervous bunch of us, things change when you're in the interview room, and basic human functions are lost. So be prepared to answer these very basic questions (e.g. how do you like California?) so you don't fumble later.
Sixth, read "Doing Right" by Philip Hebert. It's not too long of a read, and you might find some of the stories interesting as you guess at the "correct" ways to respond to a situation.
Seventh, perhaps most important, the few months before your interview, talk a lot. If you work, talk to your coworkers more than you normally do. In class, talk to your classmates. At the store, chat up the cashier. Seriously. Especially if English is your second language, talk in English all the time. You have to get used to it. If you don't normally enunciate well, do the cork thing (bottle cork between your teeth and talk as clearly as you can - you won't be able to but it gets your teeth working and when you take it out you'll talk better). Along the same lines, try to maintain a healthy, happy image the few weeks before your interview. Always be practicing for your interview by being the person you want to be in the interview room when you're living your daily life.
Disclaimer: I know that a lot of what I discussed here seem to make you into something you're not, but the truth is, you probably are special in a lot of ways, but some people are more special in a conventional way, and you have to make yourself special in the way which attracts medical schools. It sucks but it's realistic. Getting into med school is more or less a game so you have to play by the rules. Disclaimer 2: Some of these tactics may seem a little extreme, but not the thread title, it's for nervous, crazy neurotic people. These things help me, hope it'll help some of you. If you have questions, feel free to leave a reply and I'll check in a few days.
