Interview prep

[rachmoninov3]

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OK, second time around, better mcat, and interview on the 26th of jan. During my exit interview the dean said I didn't have enough background to really be able to speak intelligently about public health issues. Now, I've worked my way through school as a CNA and EMT-B for the last 5 years, so I know the down and dirty part of medicine, but how do I prepare to 'speak intelligently' about the public health stuff?
So far: I've even been reading a textbook on hospital medicine from my hospital's library which has hit some interesting points about healthcare reimbursment 😴 but I've exhausted all the public health chapters. I've also googled 'medical school interview' and read all those pages as well.

Simply: What have you guys done to prepare for your interviews...especially you lucky ones who have been accepted?

 

[PhDtoDO]

I interviewed several times and was always waitlisted.

I never figured out if it was because they didn't like me or because they didn't think my specific goals fit with their schools...I could see it either way.

But, I have a degree in public health, studied it internationally twice, once in grad school and once as an undergrad. It's related to my research in a way.

I wouldn't read sleepy books....chances are the interviewers didn't either.

I would read, and do because I like it, the health and science sections of the NYTimes. Chances are the interviewers...or many of them....are PhDs and read these sections all the time...listen to NPR.

The NPR that morning is always impressive (not arrogant because most of the smart people I work with wake up to it on their alarms or drive to work with it like me) for a young person to reflect.

These are also the 'public health' issues that they are most likely to ask you about.

Whatever you do, don't over stress yourself or make flashcards.

My gut tells me I was too jumpy with coffee during at least a couple of my interviews. I drink a lot less now and don't plan on having any or more than half a cup the day of my interviews.

Like I said, I'm not a success story yet, but the NPR and NYTimes.com is better and more interesting.

Just my opinion.

-s

 

[missmayumi]

i looked at the student interview feedback section on this site. I wrote down what seems to be the common questions that the school I was being interviewed for asked. Chances are if they asked 50 out of 100 students, they'll repeat the same set of questions. Some schools do btw have a set of interview questions that they'll throw at you. Anyways, I wrote them down, and wrote answers to them that needs to be positive, and to the point. I had a resident who participated in the interview process for residents and he coached me and practiced me in saying my responses as if i just thought of it at the moment. No "ums." Take your time, make eye-contact to each interviewer eventhough he/she may not look at you. You may have 1-3 interviewers. Don't be late for the interview; look professional; before they take you to the "interview room" or after, try to have a conversation that will strike the interviewer so he/she can remember you. be careful what you say though. Ask for a contact info-mailing address so you can send them personally a thank you letter. Then send it right away. I think it's a matter of whether they see you as someone that fits into the school's statement of value.