Interview prep help

[Mistasunshine]

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Hi everyone,

So I've received 5 MD IIs this cycle, resulting in 2 waitlists, 1 rejection, 1 post II pending decision and last interview is in 2 weeks that I just got the invite for. Obviously there's something wrong with my interviewing and I have practiced with my undergrad's career development services and my friends and family. I've also videotaped myself and feel I have somewhat improved from that.

However, I'm not sure what else I can do. Should I look for an interview consultant? Has anyone ever had a good or bad experience with a particular person/company that they're willing to share?

 

[Spectar]

Look at Goro's interview advice.
Here it is


Also, only 5 interviews with no acceptances at this point could potentially point to some deficiencies in your app. It may not be just your interview skills since adcoms often take a holistic view of someone's app when making a decision. Any red flags?

 

[21Rush12]

I have to politely disagree with SpectreDoc here and say that I think your interview skills may need work. However it could be that you’re doing well, just not good enough to get over the hump to get an acceptance outright.

5 interviews tells me your app is fine and free of red flags and major deficiencies.

I would focus on researching your upcoming school and practice being AT EASE when interviewing. Your nerves may be getting you or you may be just coming off as too eager, or any number of things. It’s okay, it’s just something you have to identify and work on and you’ll do better.

 

[Mistasunshine]

Look at Goro's interview advice.
Here it is


Also, only 5 interviews with no acceptances at this point could potentially point to some deficiencies in your app. It may not be just your interview skills since adcoms often take a holistic view of someone's app when making a decision. Any red flags?

Cool, looked it over and the only thing I could see identify in myself is perhaps appearing too shy or nervous in the beginning but usually I relax into it. Maybe that first impression is hurting me.

As for my app, 3.93 GPA and 512 MCAT balanced (127/128/127/130) but maybe I have less upper bio classes than other applicants? The ones I've taken so far I've aced but I had only taken two by my first 3 interviews and 3 more in my fall 2017 semester. I'm graduating in three years and do have some AP credits.

 

[Mistasunshine]

I have to politely disagree with SpectreDoc here and say that I think your interview skills may need work. However it could be that you’re doing well, just not good enough to get over the hump to get an acceptance outright.

5 interviews tells me your app is fine and free of red flags and major deficiencies.

I would focus on researching your upcoming school and practice being AT EASE when interviewing. Your nerves may be getting you or you may be just coming off as too eager, or any number of things. It’s okay, it’s just something you have to identify and work on and you’ll do better.

I have no problems interacting with people in life so I'm thinking my interviews are probably fine but not outstanding as well since it's so competitive...I'll definitely be practicing every day for the next two weeks until the interview!

 

[Spectar]

Cool, looked it over and the only thing I could see identify in myself is perhaps appearing too shy or nervous in the beginning but usually I relax into it. Maybe that first impression is hurting me.

As for my app, 3.93 GPA and 512 MCAT balanced (127/128/127/130) but maybe I have less upper bio classes than other applicants? The ones I've taken so far I've aced but I had only taken two by my first 3 interviews and 3 more in my fall 2017 semester. I'm graduating in three years and do have some AP credits.

I think 21Rush12 is probs right at this point. You have a pretty good gpa and mcat. I'm sure you have the standard volunteering/clinical experiences.

Another tip is to make sure you are dressing well and fake your confidence. A few studies show that people who fake confidence actually gain more confidence by faking it. Here is a ted talk on it.

 

[Admittedly]

Hi Mistasunshine! Generally schools interviews applicants that they will accept based on their credentials on paper. It would be nonsensical for a school to interview a student that does not meet the school's admission requirements based on their AMCAS application. In my opinion, interviews serve as a filter to weed out applicants whose answers do not align with their application. They also help to identify students who do not have adequate interpersonal skills to build rapport with patients or are not able to think on their feet. Interviewers are also looking for personal characteristics that cannot be fully elucidated from a paper application. Therefore, really knowing your application front to back and sufficient practice are essential. However, the key to success is understanding what interviewers are looking for in a medical student and tailoring your answers to that.

For instance, when an interviewer asks you "What is the hardest challenge you have faced and how did you persevere?" What they are thinking is does this student have what it takes to handle the stress of medical school and perform well? If you haven't had significant obstacles in your life you can still make yourself a desirable candidate, even with an answer as 'basic' as I performed poorly on the MCAT.

• The average interviewee will say "the hardest challenge was when I did bad on the MCAT and had to take it again so I studied a harder for a few more months to retake it".
• The stellar interviewee would reply "the hardest challenge was when I did not do well on the MCAT, becoming a doctor has always been a dream of mine and I was concerned I would not be accepted to medical school. However, I was determined to not allow my low score hold me back and decided not only to retake the test but exceed my goal score. My previous approach to the test had not worked. I decided to take a step back and analyze what I was doing wrong and what I could improve on - this is something I typically do when I do not perform up to my set standards whether it be in school or in my personal life. I changed the way I studied completely, realizing that I was not thoroughly conceptualizing and understanding topics but rather relying more on memorization. I think the way that I am able to reassess difficult situations and adapt to them is what has helped me to get to where I am today - when something isn't going right I never tend to give up but rather tackle it from a different angle. I also started applying this new studying approach to my pre-med classes and enjoy studying even more now! I definitely took a lot away from that experience!"
  • This second answer tells the interviewer so much more! The student is not easily discouraged, is able to adapt to difficult situations, has built skills to overcome obstacles, and learns from 'negative' experiences. This is the type of medical student they want!

 

[21Rush12]

I am gonna double down based on your stats and say it is your interview. Those numbers should have you accepted (and likely will this cycle, don’t panic), but something is getting in the way. It could be your school list, but with 5 interviews I really don’t think that’s the case.

What is your remaining interview? Find out if it is MMI format or traditional. If it’s MMI, read up on how that works and practice your conversational skills. If it’s traditional, be sure you know your app inside and out and focus on putting your best foot forward and not worrying about your previous experiences.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

If you haven't had significant obstacles in your life you can still make yourself a desirable candidate, even with an answer as 'basic' as I performed poorly on the MCAT.

Respectfully disagree with this approach to the question. If a candidate does not have significant obstacles, then be honest and answer that it that way. "TBH, I have not had any significant life obstacles. I have been privileged with parents and family that have been able to provide for my well-being, blah blah blah."

Giving an answer about having trouble with the MCAT as being a significant obstacle in life relatively free of significant obstacles sounds like a 'canned' and forced answer that a competent and seasoned interviewer will surely see through...IMHO.

 

[21Rush12]

@DV-T I agree as well. When I hear answers like this I want to puke from the mixture of “this person is telling me what they think I want to hear” and “this person has no idea what a challenge is”. In my opinion, if you don’t have an answer to a question then be honest but thoughtful. Don’t dress a turd in a tuxedo and try to pass it off as James Bond.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Don’t dress a turd in a tuxedo and try to pass it off as James Bond.

LOL. I like this!

 

[Admittedly]

Respectfully disagree with this approach to the question. If a candidate does not have significant obstacles, then be honest and answer that it that way. "TBH, I have not had any significant life obstacles. I have been privileged with parents and family that have been able to provide for my well-being, blah blah blah."

Giving an answer about having trouble with the MCAT as being a significant obstacle in life relatively free of significant obstacles sounds like a 'canned' and forced answer that a competent and seasoned interviewer will surely see through...IMHO.

Hi DV-T,
Thanks for your response. A thought to your reply - if interviewees gave me answers of no significant life obstacles I would worry that they have not developed the appropriate skills to deal with the stress of medical school. And the questions is what is the hardest challenge not whether you have or have not had challenges - and challenges come in different flavors and are all relative. Studying for three months and not performing well on the MCAT is a challenge and perhaps someones most difficult challenge. I absolutely agree that "canned" answers can be off putting to interviewers... maybe the best method would be to combine our approaches and preface the answer with your statement "TBH, I have not had any significant life obstacles relative to others. I have been privileged with parents and family that have been able to provide for my well-being. But I found it particularly challenging when I studied diligently for the MCAT and did not perform well..."

Either way my point was to distinguish between the applicant who is directly answering a question versus an applicant who is showing how they would be a great medical student. Thanks!

 

[SpoiledMilk]

"TBH, I have not had any significant life obstacles relative to others. I have been privileged with parents and family that have been able to provide for my well-being. But I found it particularly challenging when I studied diligently for the MCAT and did not perform well..."

I agree that this is a better approach to the question...

 

[Microbug]

Hi DV-T,
Thanks for your response. A thought to your reply - if interviewees gave me answers of no significant life obstacles I would worry that they have not developed the appropriate skills to deal with the stress of medical school. And the questions is what is the hardest challenge not whether you have or have not had challenges - and challenges come in different flavors and are all relative. Studying for three months and not performing well on the MCAT is a challenge and perhaps someones most difficult challenge. I absolutely agree that "canned" answers can be off putting to interviewers... maybe the best method would be to combine our approaches and preface the answer with your statement "TBH, I have not had any significant life obstacles relative to others. I have been privileged with parents and family that have been able to provide for my well-being. But I found it particularly challenging when I studied diligently for the MCAT and did not perform well..."

Either way my point was to distinguish between the applicant who is directly answering a question versus an applicant who is showing how they would be a great medical student. Thanks!

I would have to disagree with your approach to the question also. First, I think that is a bad challenge to even talk about. Second, the second answer is not better than the first. Looking at the two responses superficially, it is only "better" because it is longer. But people can tell the second answer is just a fancier way to BS what the first answer is. Honestly, I'd prefer the first answer for it's simplicity. Just say you screwed up and then tell them how you resolved the issue, plain and simple. The second response is extra and pretentious. But some people are into that.

I don't believe that no one has EVER encountered some kind of challenge in their life, even if they are privileged. You just have to search for them. It doesn't have be something big like I immigrated to the US from a third world country without a word of english. It can be something small but made you think profoundly about something, whether it is something professional or personally related.

 

[21Rush12]

Well said @Microbug

 

[Microbug]

Well said @Microbug

I think the best advice is to read the person, some people are into that fluffy stuff whereas I won't have the patience to listen to them finish.
Personally, I'm strongly allergic to BS because I think you're simply wasting my time.

 

[alexlex143]

What kind of energy do you have in your interviews? While many interviewees are understandably stressed and anxious (either visually and/or internally), are you bringing that with you into the interview unknowingly?

I imagine you are also excited just to be interviewing at all for these programs. Five interviews would have me over the moon!

I think you've been given some great advice so far about interviewing specifically. Try to have fun while you're visiting. It'll help loosen you up and make it easier for you to be yourself.

Aside from starting off nervous and easing into the interview, what else have you noticed about how your interviews felt?

 

[Mistasunshine]

What kind of energy do you have in your interviews? While many interviewees are understandably stressed and anxious (either visually and/or internally), are you bringing that with you into the interview unknowingly?

I imagine you are also excited just to be interviewing at all for these programs. Five interviews would have me over the moon!

I think you've been given some great advice so far about interviewing specifically. Try to have fun while you're visiting. It'll help loosen you up and make it easier for you to be yourself.

Aside from starting off nervous and easing into the interview, what else have you noticed about how your interviews felt?

At my first interview, it was at my state school and it turned out that my interviewer and I had a lot in common. It felt like a very natural and interesting conversation to me and the interview actually went past the time slot (supposed to be just one hour, went ten minutes over) which I thought was always a good thing but still put on priority alternate list.

For the second school, there were two 30 minute interviews and the first one didn't go as well because I didn't prepare a good answer for any ethical dilemmas I've ever faced but the second one I felt went well, got waitlisted.

Third school, was 2 on 1, I felt like the interviewers were not prepared, didn't seem interested in getting to know me, was rejected.

4th school was a MMI, really liked the school and the interview style, had a good feeling leaving the place.

I think I sometimes have the tendency to answer questions directly without thinking about displaying qualities of myself that will make a good physician and it's more a knee jerk reaction I have in person vs looking at my answers to similar secondary questions, I can formulate a response that targets what they're looking for.

 

[Mistasunshine]

I am gonna double down based on your stats and say it is your interview. Those numbers should have you accepted (and likely will this cycle, don’t panic), but something is getting in the way. It could be your school list, but with 5 interviews I really don’t think that’s the case.

What is your remaining interview? Find out if it is MMI format or traditional. If it’s MMI, read up on how that works and practice your conversational skills. If it’s traditional, be sure you know your app inside and out and focus on putting your best foot forward and not worrying about your previous experiences.

It's a 2 traditional 30 minute interviews.