Interview tomorrow! HELP!

[SydSue027]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi everyone! I'm flipping out!

I have my first interview tomorrow (I only applied to 2 schools b/c of a lot of things). But because I took my MCAT late, I didn't submit secondaries until November. So, I have my first interview at the school I really want to go to tomorrow. Tips? Questions to think about? Anything?

 

[MiniMoo]

Which school? Have you checked out the Interview Feedback forum yet? (Link is at the top of the page)

 

[SydSue027]

SUNY Buffalo.

Yes, I have but there's only a few from recent years. (only 2 from this application cycle)

 

[Ok2Panic]

Have you posted over in the Buffalo thread to ask those guys? They seem pretty friendly

 

[MiniMoo]

SUNY Buffalo.

Yes, I have but there's only a few from recent years. (only 2 from this application cycle)

Are you sure you're looking at the right school? I went and checked and there are several reviews from this cycle -- many from September/October 2009 interview dates up to now.

Posting in the school specific thread may get you additional responses as well.

Good luck.

 

[SydSue027]

I've posted there, but it doesn't seem like anyone responds quickly on the school threads.

I'll checkout the interview feedback site again. Maybe I clicked the wrong school or something. Thanks.

 

[MiniMoo]

I've posted there, but it doesn't seem like anyone responds quickly on the school threads.

I'll checkout the interview feedback site again. Maybe I clicked the wrong school or something. Thanks.

I haven't interviewed at Buffalo, but some things that I always review before every single interview:

-AMCAS activities/ECs: be sure you can explain what you did, your motivation for participating in each activity, what you learned, and how it can prepare you to be a better physician

-Hobbies: med schools want to make sure you know how to live a balanced life between academics & extracurriculars. Be sure you can describe some typical hobbies or interests you enjoy apart from studying/medicine.

-Research: be able to explain your role in the project, results, implications for medicine (if any)

-Healthcare: review what's going on with the healthcare overhaul. Be sure you can answer the question "How would you fix the healthcare system?"

-Personal attributes & experiences: strengths/weaknesses, challenges you've overcome, how you're unique, etc. Always be able to relate these back to medicine and how your experiences can help make you a better doctor.

-Why medicine? Be able to have experiences to validate your reasons for pursuing an MD.

-Why do you want to go to X school? This question almost always comes up. Be sure to do your research on the strengths/weaknesses of the specific school you're interviewing at. Also know about the general area/patient population.

-Red Flags - if there are any in your application (poor GPA, MCAT, Ws on transcript), be sure you can explain what happened, what you've learned since then, and how you've exhibited improvement in those areas.

Get a good handle on the things above, and I think you'll be in good shape. Sometimes you might get some off the wall questions that you really can't prepare for. Just answer as honestly as you can, or if you don't know the answer, don't be afraid to just say "I don't know". And above all, try to relax. 🙂 Enjoy yourself. The interview day is as much for you to learn about the school as it is for the school to learn about you.

Good luck.

 

[futuredoc8788]

1.Research the school
2. Have a few questions about the school in your interview(or if you don't just ask them to elaborate on something you found while researching the school, basically you just want to show your interest)
3. Always thank your interviewers
4. Review your application(they'll probably ask you about some activities)
5. Be personable. Be able to have conversation with your inteviewer.
6. RELAX!!! I know this is the hardest part. But trust me, this is probably the most important step. When you're not relaxed, things tend to not come out the way we want them to lol. Just be comfortable with yourself (Now Im not saying prop your feet on the table or anything!)
In one of my interviews(at a Top 20 school), I was VERY nervous. But as the interview went on I began to realx. One of my interviewers said "You know futuredoc, when you first walked in you were nervous, but now you are relaxed and you are letting your true self shine through. You are an amazingly genuine person. What is it that is so different now versus the time you walked in?" I said, "Thankyou(ofcourse!) Dr. V, you know what it is? I just feel like at this point I have absolutely done my best. I cannot worry about things that out of my control." She really respected that.

After that, I was never nervous on an interview again.

This is how I hope you will feel tomorrow. Take yourself there mentally, your interview will go soooo much easier!


GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!

 

[Golf Shoes]

Hi Sue,

I have an interview at Buffalo next week and actually started preparing tonight. The interview feedback forum seemed especially helpful to me. I gained the impression that interviewers typically ask a standard set of questions (from a sheet of paper in front of them). Past interviewees stated that if you have thought up responses to these questions, you'll do fine. Though, it doesn't sound as if this is always the case and you could just as easily end up having a casual conversation.

Let's see, what are the standard questions that I noted...

How would you deliver bad news to someone?
Tell me about a book that you've read.
How would your best friend describe you?
How would your patient describe you?
List qualities of an ideal doctor and rank them.
If you had to interview one contemporary person or one historical person, who would it be and why? What would you ask them?
Describe a time when you helped someone.
Describe a time when someone disagreed with you.
Discuss a conflict you had and how you resolved it.
Have you ever witnessed or participated in an unethical action? How did you respond?

Typical interview questions. Prepare well and be yourself. I'm sure you'll do great. 🙂

 

[futuredoc8788]

I haven't interviewed at Buffalo, but some things that I always review before every single interview:

-AMCAS activities/ECs: be sure you can explain what you did, your motivation for participating in each activity, what you learned, and how it can prepare you to be a better physician

-Hobbies: med schools want to make sure you know how to live a balanced life between academics & extracurriculars. Be sure you can describe some typical hobbies or interests you enjoy apart from studying/medicine.

-Research: be able to explain your role in the project, results, implications for medicine (if any)

-Healthcare: review what's going on with the healthcare overhaul. Be sure you can answer the question "How would you fix the healthcare system?"

-Personal attributes & experiences: strengths/weaknesses, challenges you've overcome, how you're unique, etc. Always be able to relate these back to medicine and how your experiences can help make you a better doctor.

-Why medicine? Be able to have experiences to validate your reasons for pursuing an MD.

-Red Flags - if there are any in your application (poor GPA, MCAT, Ws on transcript), be sure you can explain what happened, what you've learned since then, and how you've exhibited improvement in those areas.

Get a good handle on the things above, and I think you'll be in good shape. Sometimes you might get some off the wall questions that you really can't prepare for. Just answer as honestly as you can, or if you don't know the answer, don't be afraid to just say "I don't know". And above all, try to relax. 🙂 Enjoy yourself. The interview day is as much for you to learn about the school as it is for the school to learn about you.

Good luck.

Oh and yes to all of the above. I would only add that you be able to explain why you would like to attend that particular school.

 

[MiniMoo]

Oh and yes to all of the above. I would only add that you be able to explain why you would like to attend that particular school.

Haha yeah I forgot about that one. Added it in. 🙂

 

[lovemesomeTJ]

Hi everyone! I'm flipping out!

I have my first interview tomorrow (I only applied to 2 schools b/c of a lot of things). But because I took my MCAT late, I didn't submit secondaries until November. So, I have my first interview at the school I really want to go to tomorrow. Tips? Questions to think about? Anything?

Have you done your research on the school? Thought about questions you want to ask the interviewers/students? Not just, "Are the students happy here?" and the obvious, but thought-provoking questions that let them know that you're sincerely interested in getting to know more about the school. You have to remember that as much as they're sizing you up, this is your chance to see whether or not they will fit with your goals as well.

You need to RELAX AND ENJOY THE DAY!!! It's hard, but they want to see you in your natural state. Kill them with kindness, and charm.

Good luck!!

 

[SydSue027]

Thanks everyone!

I go to UB for undergrad, so I do have some good questions and know a lot about the school. Just trying to relax and solidify my answers to the basics. Thanks!!!!!