Interview Preparation

[Blakeb_212]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am wondering what some of you who have found success from the interviews, particularly an acceptance, have done in order to prepare for the interview? Going over some of the potential questions, healthcare policies, reviewing my own application, and reviewing the school's mission have been some of the things I have done so far, but I still feel like I could be better prepared. Any advice?

 

[Goro]

Read this:
Goro's Guide to Interviews

 

[Blakeb_212]

Read this:
Goro's Guide to Interviews

Thanks Goro!

I felt I was a little too nervous last year when I interviewed and so I was unable to get my answers out entirely. Couple of questions for you, is a blue suit okay? Many of the docs I work with said not to try to stand out and go with a black suit. Also, how in depth should my answers be? I felt like I could hit topics but I was unsure about how elaborate I needed to be and so their advice was that I needed to accentuate why I want to be a doctor more so. For example, should I answer the questions and provide some brief background or should I plan on spending 3-5 minutes on each question asked and make more of a conversation out of it?

 

[Goro]

Thanks Goro!

I felt I was a little too nervous last year when I interviewed and so I was unable to get my answers out entirely. Couple of questions for you, is a blue suit okay? Many of the docs I work with said not to try to stand out and go with a black suit. Also, how in depth should my answers be? I felt like I could hit topics but I was unsure about how elaborate I needed to be and so their advice was that I needed to accentuate why I want to be a doctor more so. For example, should I answer the questions and provide some brief background or should I plan on spending 3-5 minutes on each question asked and make more of a conversation out of it?

I hate the black suits. Everybody wears them and they all look like they're at a funeral.

You may not have the luxury of 3-5 mins per question.

And, most importantly, just answer the question. If I ask you a question on what you'd do about, say giving a 14 year old an abortion, I'm NOT asking you about the history of abortion in the US.

Practice makes perfect.

 

[aymar]

One of the things that really helped me last year was talking about myself or my interests (not even answering formal questions) with someone close to me. I used my boyfriend, for example. We just talked through some of the reasons I wanted to practice medicine, my interests, and my past experiences/what I gained from them. That way you get used to explaining your thought process. It was really helpful to do this out loud with another person, as he and I both picked up on some areas where my thoughts didn't come off as intended. To be clear, I am not suggesting that you memorize a script! Going over these topics in an informal setting simply helped me get comfortable with talking about myself. That way, the interview itself felt more like a conversation than an inquisition.