med school interview

[voirlesetoiles]

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A few questions....

1) Med school interview attire... I'm guessing a formal business suit? Too bad I'm a huge fan of business casual. Ladies - did you wear heels? How long is the school tour and how much walking is involved?

2) Also, how long does a typical interview day at a med school take? Is it an all day thing? What were the hours of your interview day start to finish?

3) I've heard people go to interviews in batches, but is the actual interview on a one-on-one basis? What is a "panel interview" - are there multiple interviewers or multiple applicants at the interview?



Goodluck to all of you currently in the application process!

 

[Compass]

Unfortunately, I have never attended an interview yet. However, as things go, as formal as you can get leaves an impression that you are serious about what you are doing. I can only speak for guys, and for guys that's basically suits. A panel interview is multiple interviewers.

Good luck on your interviews! Hope that help comes, which it should. In about 3 minutes technically =3

 

[armybound]

Yes, formal. Every girl I saw at my interview was wearing a pant-suit, the guys were all in suits and ties (or uniforms.. it was a military school)

I can only comment on the interview I've been on, but I believe the day was something like 830 - 4.

We spent all morning learning about the school and the things that go on, then we went on a tour of the campus with a current medical student. After that we had lunch, then went to 2 one-on-one interviews, each lasting about 45 minutes (the time really flew).

The tour lasted maybe 20 minutes and involved a bit of walking. It was a fairly small campus though.

When all was done we finished up the paperwork they wanted, walked around to talk with some of the staff at the school if we wanted, and left.

 

[SilkandSteel]

A few questions....
2) Also, how long does a typical interview day at a med school take? Is it an all day thing? What were the hours of your interview day start to finish?

Usually they're all day, meaning from 8-8:30 to about 3, 4, or 5ish, depending on the school and when you're particular interview is. Some start later, say 11ish. It's pretty variable by school, but expect to center your day around it.

3) I've heard people go to interviews in batches, but is the actual interview on a one-on-one basis? What is a "panel interview" - are there multiple interviewers or multiple applicants at the interview?

Actual interviews are almost always on a one-on-one basis. Panel interview means multiple interviewers. There are a few schools that do group interviews (multiple applicants), but this is usually in addition to at least one one-on-one interview. UCSD is one.

Hope this helps. 🙂

~Silk and Steel

 

[Lorienne7]

A few questions....

1) Med school interview attire... I'm guessing a formal business suit? Too bad I'm a huge fan of business casual. Ladies - did you wear heels? How long is the school tour and how much walking is involved?

Yup, formal business suit is pretty much a requirement - it's better to play it safe. If you don't wear one, you'll stand out and in this case that might not be such a good thing. I always wear heels because I'm short and don't like flat shoes, and I'm lucky in that my shoes aren't uncomfortable. Try and find a happy balance between fashion and comfort! As for the length of the tour it really depends on which school but usually around 30min-1 hour.

2) Also, how long does a typical interview day at a med school take? Is it an all day thing? What were the hours of your interview day start to finish?

8-2:30 is generally the norm give or take a half hour. My longest interview was done at around 3:30 and my shortest was from 10-1pm, so again it varies but 6 hour days are pretty standard I would say.

3) I've heard people go to interviews in batches, but is the actual interview on a one-on-one basis? What is a "panel interview" - are there multiple interviewers or multiple applicants at the interview?

At the vast majority of schools the interview(s) is/are one-on-one. As for the panel, the only panels I know of (if you're not an MD/PhD) are at Northwestern and Emory. I don't know anything about Emory but at NW there are three interviewers and three interviewees in a little conference room. The interviewers take turns asking the interviewees questions (in no particular order, it's not like a firing squad where they go from contestant #1 to #3 in a set pattern) and then there's a "project" that the interviewees need to complete in about 15 min and present to the interviewers. They're actually a lot of fun because it's very laidback and generally you're with a great group of interviewers/interviewees.

 

[deuist]

SDN's wiki has an article on interviews that will answer all of your questions.

 

[ClockworkDoc]

Good attire would be pink short shorts with a fox fur jacket. Don't forget to wear those Birkenstocks...

 

[marylandMD]

short question: is it ok to bring a backpack for the interview?

 

[armybound]

short question: is it ok to bring a backpack for the interview?

We had a place to leave our coats and things. I wouldn't take it with me to the tour and interview, and it's definitely not needed.

 

[deuist]

short question: is it ok to bring a backpack for the interview?

No, use an attaché case instead. Again, read the wiki's interview section

 

[KaraKiz]

A few questions....

1) Med school interview attire... I'm guessing a formal business suit? Too bad I'm a huge fan of business casual. Ladies - did you wear heels? How long is the school tour and how much walking is involved?

2) Also, how long does a typical interview day at a med school take? Is it an all day thing? What were the hours of your interview day start to finish?

3) I've heard people go to interviews in batches, but is the actual interview on a one-on-one basis? What is a "panel interview" - are there multiple interviewers or multiple applicants at the interview?

Goodluck to all of you currently in the application process!

1. I wore a black pants suit and most of the women I interviewed with did as well. Tours for the two schools I interviewed at were 1 hour and 2 hours respectively. Wear comfortable shoes. You are walking all day. I wore a pair of comfy flats, but I also saw a girl wearing a pair of very chic 3 inch stilettos and asked her how she was still walking. She said she bought some insoles and hasn't had any discomfort.. to each her own. Obviously, if you are like me and can't walk in heels, now is not the time to experiment.

2. My interviews were from 8am to 5pm and 7:45 am to 4 pm. Some schools have their schedules set up so all of the applicants are done together at the same time (which was nice b/c you can split cab fare to the airport if applicable). Other schools schedule interviews at different times (some ppl will have morning interviews, others in the afternoon, some people at 3, some at 3:30.. etc) so you are free to leave whenever your last interview is over.

3. All of my interviews were 1 on 1. Not sure of how the batch-interview system works.

Hope this helps!

 

[zimmie256]

Some women also wore skirt suits. Whatever you're comfortable in that is formal, professional businessware (suits).