looked on interview feedback, but couldn't find much at all about this year's phone interview. would anyone be so kind as to elaborate on what questions were asked in this "standardized" interview? thanks
I'll try to remember all I can -- other folks please add if I've forgotten some (I know that Nikki and SMW had phone interviews there). Most of the questions were yes/no and then there would be a followup depending on how you answered (for example, Describe the situation., etc.) Here are at least some of them: Why do you want to be a Mayo Graduate? Have you ever turned a difficult situation into a positive? Is it important for a doctor to have humility? On a scale of 1 to 10, how humble are you? Is it important for doctors to practice what they preach? How do you stay healthy? Have you ever started a new business? Have you ever improved an organization? Have you ever made people work harder? Would you spend more time with a difficult patient or one that follows orders? How would you handle a patient that does not want to follow your orders? Would you ever give up hope on a patient? Have you come to terms with your own mortality? Do you ever spend time alone? What do you think about when you're alone? Do you prefer to work alone or lead a group of people? Have you ever been a patient? Is there anything else you'd like to add? It's fairly straightforward. For me it lasted almost 30 minutes to the second. But I suppose it could be longer or shorter depending on how much you like to talk and whether your initial response warrants the followup questions. No real ethical dilemmas nor anything you need to research. For me I was a bit nervous (even more nervous than an in-person interview) and felt like a stumbled over some words and was a too repititious. But it worked in my favor and within three weeks I was offered an in-person interview. Remember that it is not a conversational interview. The interviewer (most likely Jane, a very nice lady) is just there to read (and re-read if necessary) the questions but does not clarify the questions nor react to your responses. It is recorded on tape although the admissions committee only reads a transcript. Congratulations on being offered the phone interview and good luck!
Here's a copy of a private message that I sent to someone on SDN earlier. Sorry if any of the questions were already stated. Hi Lesley, I don't remember exactly what was on interview feedback, but I know that some of the questions listed on there as being interesting/hard were on my phone interview. Take to heart some of the questions listed on the site even though they don't say whether it was the phone interview or the on campus interview. The interview is completely standardized. I think they asked 24 questions. She can't reword the question for you, only repeats it. You don't get any feedback to the answers that you give. So, the interview is more like a question-answer session, not an interview at all. Here is some of them that I remember: Do you think about your own mortality? What do you think about it? What would you do if a patient is sick and doesn't follow your orders? Why do you want to be a Mayo graduate? Have you ever improved a business or organization? How? Do you encourage others to work harder? Have you ever been a patient? What makes you most satisfied about yourself? Would you ever give up hope on a patient? Do you like working by yourself or leading others in a project? What grades do you get? How much time do you spend working (i split it between school work and employment)?
Interesting as I didn't get the question about grades. I assumed everyone got the same exact questions.
also be forewarned that, in addition to no feedback, you get the questions read to you in a totally flat tone of voice. I found it disconcerting, though of course understandable for a standardized interview. I just tried to answer in a normal fashion and not let it throw me off. the good news is at the end of it all, jane returns to her normal self, and you usually get an in-person interview invitation news much quicker than from written secondaries. good luck!
That whole idea of phone interviews is just kinda weird to me! I didn't apply, but I don't think i'd like interviewing in a way where i didn't see the interviewer(s) face to face. Good luck to all you guys! --Trek
The Mayo phone interview, geez, I forgot that one! I wouldn't worry. Its a little awkward, I mean, sitting in your apartment answering these questions, but I actually didn't get stressed at all. I mean, its so laid back when you don't have to put on your suit and make travel arrangements, etc (of course, if/when you get an on-site interview, then you will, but I am trying to say its way less stressful than regular interviews). My only complaint about the phone interview is that the questions are worded very, err, negatively? The word choice can be very one-sided. Like one question was "Would you ever give up on a patient?". Ok, yes, at some point you realize that every patient will not survive, but that doesn't mean you just toss your chart to the side and never see them again. The questions leave you in awkward situations, and since you aren't there and your answers are transcribed, its sometimes hard to find an articulate yet heartfelt response. But everyone goes through it, and I wouldn't suggest preparing answers--its better if you just are natural, cuz they can tell when you sound rehearsed! Just my 2 cents, hope it helps and good luck!
