My first interview is tomorrow. Hints? Tips?

[trishaaa]

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For those of you who have already been on interviews, do you have any hints/tips for me? I have read up on the school a bit, have re-read my application, and have a list of questions for them. Altogether, I feel very unprepared, yet I am not too too nervous. hmmmm....

 

[CuddlyKumquat]

For those of you who have already been on interviews, do you have any hints/tips for me? I have read up on the school a bit, have re-read my application, and have a list of questions for them. Altogether, I feel very unprepared, yet I am not too too nervous. hmmmm....

Meh. I thought my first interview was going to be bad, but it turned out totally laid back. You sound way more prepared than I was. Just be confident. Nothing outshines that.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Risa]

You're set. Tonight, have a hot bubble bath and a glass of wine (or whatever analogous activity makes you feel good). For the interview tomorrow, just do everything you can to make yourself feel confident and awesome. I, for example, listened to my favorite cd of really peppy music, straightened my hair, and wore sexy underwear (it's amazing what knowing you're wearing sexy underwear, just because you want to, can do for your mood!). You'll be fabulous. Good luck!

 

[blee]

I wish sexy underwear worked for men. I mean, the last time I wore a thong, I just thought it was uncomfortable.

My best advice for interviews would break down into two major points. First, do a little research about the school, whether you use their website, any brochures, your secondary, etc. Second, relax and BE YOURSELF. Don't try to make yourself into someone you're not; most doctors are good BS detectors, and they will appreciate honesty and candor.

 

[medicomel]

Tread lightly if you're a nontrad. I went into my last interview thinking it was going to be great and low-key, after having read the write-ups on Interview Feedback. My motivations for medicine were tested, and I felt like I got all the hard questions my fellow interviewees didn't get. I left feeling emotionally drained and upset. We'll see. Anyway, don't go in there feeling like you're going to talk about hobbies and your favorite scotch; hope for the best, but be confident and prepared to answer any tough questions. If you're confident, they can't rattle you. But they'll sure as hell try.

🙁

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Tread lightly if you're a nontrad. I went into my last interview thinking it was going to be great and low-key, after having read the write-ups on Interview Feedback. My motivations for medicine were tested, and I felt like I got all the hard questions my fellow interviewees didn't get. I left feeling emotionally drained and upset. We'll see. Anyway, don't go in there feeling like you're going to talk about hobbies and your favorite scotch; hope for the best, but be confident and prepared to answer any tough questions. If you're confident, they can't rattle you. But they'll sure as hell try.

🙁

Hey- if it makes you feel better, I've had the same experience. Two allegedly laid back schools where the interviewers raked me over the coals... (My friend walked out of her interview at the same school, her hardest question being, what was the last movie you saw, so luck of the draw I guess)

BUT- the only way to handle this stuff is to come across as confident and cool, so just roll with the punches if you get yourself stuck in the worst interview ever scenario. As long as you maintain your composure, you could say pretty much anything (within reason), so really take the above posters' advice, relax, be yourself, and you really will be fine.

 

[trishaaa]

Thanks guys! I just had a mock interview (sort of) w/ one of the docs I work with and he thinks I'll be fine. Hearing that certainly helped!

Ok, off to catch my flight *exuding confidence* 🙂

 

[Indryd]

Thanks guys! I just had a mock interview (sort of) w/ one of the docs I work with and he thinks I'll be fine. Hearing that certainly helped!

Ok, off to catch my flight *exuding confidence* 🙂

You are all way off-base. Pity. It's all about pity.

What's the best way to show you are sensitive AND leave a deep impression on the interviewer's mind?

Piss your pants. That's right, piss your pants on the first question and the interviewer will pity you so much that you're a sure bet for acceptance. Even if that first question is "how are you today?" or "what's your favorite color?" you need to just let loose, piss your pants, and start crying.

This worked for me last year, and I was accepted to Harvard, Duke, JHU, UPenn, Stanford, Cornell AND ROSS! But medschool was my backup plan, and when I landed a sweet internship (you got it, the pissing method worked again!) at the local "Nu Rawk 105--If we play it, it's because we saw it on TRL first--home of the Man-boy Mike McWacky and the Morning Menagerie", I withdrew from all 7 schools.

Now, the disadvantage to this strategy is drycleaning costs, but well worth it for a seat at your top choice! I know what you're thinking..."I know, I'll just wear some Depends..." NOT going to work, sorry.

Let me tell you why: when some kid pisses his pants in the movies to show how scared he is, how does the film maker choose to convey that to the audience? with the kid saying "excuse me, I pissed myself, may I be excused to change my diaper? or should I wait? I can wait, no really it's ok, super absorbent, but thanks."???? NO! It's by showing that tell-tale drip out the bottom of the pant leg with a nice puddle gathering about one shoe (ladies in skirts: you'll have to scoot close to the edge of your seat to instead achieve the dripping effect off the side of your chair). The drip from at least 4 inches and the pooling about one shoe are key, as is looking down in shock at the puddle--the interviewer must believe you had no idea you were pissing your pants until you saw the puddle--and breaking into inconsolable hysterics.

Good luck! BTW I'm keeping statistics for marketing purposes, so please let me know how my method has worked for you.

And now, with a bit of personal testimony, please welcome: [anyone? can I get a witness?]

 

[Orth2006]

Tread lightly if you're a nontrad. I went into my last interview thinking it was going to be great and low-key, after having read the write-ups on Interview Feedback. My motivations for medicine were tested, and I felt like I got all the hard questions my fellow interviewees didn't get. I left feeling emotionally drained and upset. We'll see. Anyway, don't go in there feeling like you're going to talk about hobbies and your favorite scotch; hope for the best, but be confident and prepared to answer any tough questions. If you're confident, they can't rattle you. But they'll sure as hell try.

🙁

My very first interview was similar being a non-trad also. I had to start defending every reason I gave as to why I wanted to be a doctor and why I thought my background had prepared me well enough. My interviewer poked holes into every answer I gave. It was so obvious he was working too hard to make it a though interview. But if its any consolation, the administrator had told us prior that if the interviewer was challenging our positions it meant you the interviewee had intrigued them or sparked their interest. It sure didnt feel like I intrigued the guy at all but hey he finally smiled, shook my hands and said goodluck at the end so who knows. Well I came out of my interview feeling like I defended my positions very well but I would rather have had a smoother interview. The good thing it did though was put me on the spot and make me think about some answer and questions that may arise about my application. SO for the next interview I was much more confortable and was able to pre-empt some questions before they were even asked. That way I had control of both the question and my answers.
So for the OP I would encourage you to do your best and learn from this first interview - it could be an eye opener about your application and motivations.

Good luck

 

[IgweEmeka]

My first interview is on friday and i haven't even reviewed my amcas application as of today nor have I reviewed much about the school, prepared possible questions to ask and I know nothing about our country's healthcare system...except a lil somn somn about medicare...I am so fcuked guys...gotta go review that amcas application i haven't looked at in over 2 months...and i don't even remember what i wrote on my personal statement...

 

[MrTee]

For those of you who have already been on interviews, do you have any hints/tips for me? I have read up on the school a bit, have re-read my application, and have a list of questions for them. Altogether, I feel very unprepared, yet I am not too too nervous. hmmmm....

Be sure to be able to come up with a good reason for going to that school, why you want to be a doc/what convinced you to go into medicine, maybe know something about the healthcare system, and it sounds like you should be set. Just relax and act like you're having a conversation, and it should be fine--unless you get a hardass interviewer who wants to mess with you.

 

[MegG]

You are all way off-base. Pity. It's all about pity.

What's the best way to show you are sensitive AND leave a deep impression on the interviewer's mind?

Piss your pants. That's right, piss your pants on the first question and the interviewer will pity you so much that you're a sure bet for acceptance. Even if that first question is "how are you today?" or "what's your favorite color?" you need to just let loose, piss your pants, and start crying.

This worked for me last year, and I was accepted to Harvard, Duke, JHU, UPenn, Stanford, Cornell AND ROSS! But medschool was my backup plan, and when I landed a sweet internship (you got it, the pissing method worked again!) at the local "Nu Rawk 105--If we play it, it's because we saw it on TRL first--home of the Man-boy Mike McWacky and the Morning Menagerie", I withdrew from all 7 schools.

Now, the disadvantage to this strategy is drycleaning costs, but well worth it for a seat at your top choice! I know what you're thinking..."I know, I'll just wear some Depends..." NOT going to work, sorry.

Let me tell you why: when some kid pisses his pants in the movies to show how scared he is, how does the film maker choose to convey that to the audience? with the kid saying "excuse me, I pissed myself, may I be excused to change my diaper? or should I wait? I can wait, no really it's ok, super absorbent, but thanks."???? NO! It's by showing that tell-tale drip out the bottom of the pant leg with a nice puddle gathering about one shoe (ladies in skirts: you'll have to scoot close to the edge of your seat to instead achieve the dripping effect off the side of your chair). The drip from at least 4 inches and the pooling about one shoe are key, as is looking down in shock at the puddle--the interviewer must believe you had no idea you were pissing your pants until you saw the puddle--and breaking into inconsolable hysterics.

Good luck! BTW I'm keeping statistics for marketing purposes, so please let me know how my method has worked for you.

And now, with a bit of personal testimony, please welcome: [anyone? can I get a witness?]

I almost wet myself reading this, pretty funny stuff! 🙂

 

[maxflash04]

I almost wet myself reading this, pretty funny stuff! 🙂

Yeah it was pretty funny

 

[beponychick]

Tread lightly if you're a nontrad. I went into my last interview thinking it was going to be great and low-key, after having read the write-ups on Interview Feedback. My motivations for medicine were tested, and I felt like I got all the hard questions my fellow interviewees didn't get. I left feeling emotionally drained and upset. We'll see. Anyway, don't go in there feeling like you're going to talk about hobbies and your favorite scotch; hope for the best, but be confident and prepared to answer any tough questions. If you're confident, they can't rattle you. But they'll sure as hell try.

🙁

Oh wow, you totally got it right!!! I had my VCU interview yesterday and it went really badly I think. This is my 6th interview for med school (im a re-applicant) and this was by far the worse and most non-laid back interview I had. Im so sad! 🙁

 

[medicomel]

I'm sad too, but a little hopeful given the fact that we nontrads have had similar experiences as of late. I think that even though a lot of schools are nontrad-friendly, they are still going to test our mettle.

I guess the moral of the story here is to look them straight in the eye and be confident. You can cry later on the way home, like I did. 🙄

I think it'll work out for us, though. Good luck, fellow nontrads!

 

[thegenius]

Tread lightly if you're a nontrad. I went into my last interview thinking it was going to be great and low-key, after having read the write-ups on Interview Feedback. My motivations for medicine were tested, and I felt like I got all the hard questions my fellow interviewees didn't get. I left feeling emotionally drained and upset. We'll see. Anyway, don't go in there feeling like you're going to talk about hobbies and your favorite scotch; hope for the best, but be confident and prepared to answer any tough questions. If you're confident, they can't rattle you. But they'll sure as hell try.

🙁

Ha! In my interview the last question is what I like to do for fun, and I mentioned that I like scotch tasting. We talked about that for a few minutes.

I am a non-trad, and I had a lovely experience. Seriously, there is absolutely no question anybody can ask that would completely demoralize me, except maybe "I don't know why we are interviewing you, you are not a competitive candidate."

Imagine trying to answer that question. I guess it helps that I've had to interview for jobs my whole life, and being in Silicon Valley that means you interview frequently (because there is so much job turnover.)

 

[thegenius]

I'm sad too, but a little hopeful given the fact that we nontrads have had similar experiences as of late. I think that even though a lot of schools are nontrad-friendly, they are still going to test our mettle.

I guess the moral of the story here is to look them straight in the eye and be confident. You can cry later on the way home, like I did. 🙄

I think it'll work out for us, though. Good luck, fellow nontrads!

Wow, I guess I was fortunate to have a laid-back interview. What schools have you non-trads experienced stressful interviews? I interviewed at Umich recently and really enjoyed it.

 

[Scoot]

Tread lightly if you're a nontrad. I went into my last interview thinking it was going to be great and low-key, after having read the write-ups on Interview Feedback. My motivations for medicine were tested, and I felt like I got all the hard questions my fellow interviewees didn't get. I left feeling emotionally drained and upset. We'll see. Anyway, don't go in there feeling like you're going to talk about hobbies and your favorite scotch; hope for the best, but be confident and prepared to answer any tough questions. If you're confident, they can't rattle you. But they'll sure as hell try.

🙁

Here, here. Exact same experience at my first interview at a very laid back and otherwise friendly school. I felt really crappy about it right afterwards but after some reflection I think I handled myself well and that if he was testing me that I did pretty well. On the other hand, If he just didn't like my file then it didn't matter what I said to him-he'd give me a bad review anyway.

 

[humuhumu]

Know your application inside and out. Be able to defend anything you say about yourself in a confident but humble, non-defensive way. Have an anecdote or two ready for each EC on your AMCAS -- people like hearing stories. Know why you want to go into medicine and be able to communicate the reasons clearly and confidently. There's no need to talk about being well compensated because that's a given. Why else do want to go into medicine?

Make sure you can talk about one basic problem in the health care system including a couple ways that it might be fixed according to the experts. Don't pretend you're an expert if you're not. You can use phrases like, "The other day I was reading that...." or "My understanding is that..." or "Some experts argue that... while others say....my own feeling is..."

Relax, smile a lot, and have impeccable manners the entire day. Talk to everyone you meet. Ask questions if you can't think of anything to say. Be yourself, but be your best self.

 

[ShyRem]

Oh, bepony, I'm so sorry! My VCU interview was one of the most laid-back nicest interviews I've had yet. I hope it all works out for you...

 

[beponychick]

Oh, bepony, I'm so sorry! My VCU interview was one of the most laid-back nicest interviews I've had yet. I hope it all works out for you...

It's ok. I probably needed a wake up call. I was used to really friendly and welcoming interviewers and was a bit thrown off. But I will know better for next time. The sad part is that I was so frazled after such a harsh morning interview that I really didn't appreciate the rest of the school as much. But it still is a great school with wonderful people and I will be very fortunate getting an acceptance. Im just prepared for the fact that I wont. 🙁

 

[Risa]

Trishaaa!

How'd it go??

 

[bubbleyum]

well now i am really scared. i am a non-trad also, and sadly don't have any interviews yet. but if i do get any i should be prepared to defend myself. which i was expecting anyways, but not in such a harsh manner.

so what kind of questions did they ask you exactly? and do you think they are harsher on women who are non-trads than men? just wondering.

 

[blee]

I'm a nontrad. I've been on five interviews now, and based on conversations with my fellow interviewees, my interviews weren't any harder or easier -- just about the same. A couple of schools did ask me why I was switching careers, or how old I was, but that's about it.

 

[ShyRem]

I'm a non-trad as well (ok, I'm 38). So far no one has asked how old I am. One asked how strong my marriage is, stating most marriages don't survive med school. I had an answer ready for this one. One asked how supportive my husband and kids were. That was a no-brainer answer too. I was very up-front about why I didn't do this 20 years ago (young and stupid) and what pushed me into it now. I have mistakes in my past - no excuses made, and lots of character gained from each of them, and very few questions about them. In fact, the only time I was questioned about my youth and idiocy was from a DO school that accepted me a week later. Unlike some others, tho, I'm not quite switching careers - I was working as a paramedic before I went back to school.

Don't be scared. Heck, if I can go through this, ANYONE can go through it! 🙂 🙂 Really, most of my interviews were very warm and interesting. Just be honest, be yourelf, and be confident in the person you are today. You'll be fine.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I'm kind of surprised by this response for the non-trads. I found that I was being grilled, not because I was a non-trad (unless there was some backroom discussion of pre-deciding I was to be asked hard questions because I was a non-trad), and the questions weren't about my convoluted path to medicine. I just got a couple of those people who have a list of questions about healthcare, ethics and whatnot, and want to ask them.
Today was more of the same, but a far nicer experience- all the same questions, just this guy managed to wrap it into a normal conversation.

And, as humuhumu mentioned, know what is wrong with HMO's and how you could fix it (how *I* could fix it???!!!). I have gone 3 for 3 with that question in there.

 

[thegenius]

I was actually asked "What is an HMO" in my only interview. So that does seem to be a popular question. I'm going to do more research on that for my next interview.

 

[KifsterDDS]

Don't try to act more knowledgeable than you are. Don't bring up subjects or try to discuss topics with which you can't follow through (such as medicine!!!). If you don't know, say you don't know and instead offer some of your thoughts on the subject.

Interviewers, for medical school or anything else, can smell a charlatan from a mile away. Just be yourself.

Let me point out one more thing...despite what everyone says, I don't think interviews are really that important. They serve as little more than the last step in a screening process. Schools interview you to make sure you're not a complete idiot in person. If you interview similarly to the people around you, it'll be your numbers that get you in or don't get you in. I'm no admissions officer, but I think I have enough experience with interviews to know a thing or two about them.