Non-Trad Interview Prep

[init2winit]

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Hi Fellow Non-Trads:

How are you preparing for interviews? I am doing the obvious stuff: research and reading up on questions, ethical issues, specific schools etc. I know what to wear since, like many of us, I've interviewed for many jobs over the last decade.

The main challenge I am finding is how to do practice in-person interviews. I have heard these are important, but I am not sure who to ask to help me out. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

You could probably just find a list of standard interview questions and give them to a friend to ask you as though he was interviewing you. UW has some nice ones here:
http://www.uwmedicine.org/education/md-program/admissions/applicants/pages/interview.aspx#prepare

I didn't find med school interviews to be much different from job interviews, except that I wasn't wearing boots covered with fish scales and nobody asked if I had my own skilsaw. Some of the questions I was asked in med school interviews were exactly the same as ones I'd answered in job interviews, such as what is my greatest strength, my greatest weakness, how I've overcome adversity, how I deal with challenges, and so on. Employers and school adcoms are basically trying to find out the same things in an interview: are you someone that would fit in here, do you have the necessary skills and personality traits for the job, do you know what you're getting into, and can you handle the work requirements.

 

[LingoLaine]

For me the best practice was simply answering the the big questions (why do you want to be a doctor, why now, where do you see yourself in 10 years, what's the biggest challenge you anticipate, what's your take on healthcare in America, etc.) OUT LOUD to practice forumulating my thoughts. I did this in the shower, while walking my dog (nobody else around!), etc. The second most useful thing was reviewing my application again the night before an interview. I think this is especially important for non-trads who may have included activities, employment, etc. from many years ago. Make sure you know exactly what you wrote about in your activities etc., because a lot of that stuff will come up in the interviews.

 

[init2winit]

Thanks all. Very helpful!!

I guess my main concern is in regards to the ethical-type questions- but I suppose there is no "right" answer for those, just an intelligent thought process.

 

[LingoLaine]

I guess my main concern is in regards to the ethical-type questions- but I suppose there is no "right" answer for those, just an intelligent thought process.

I think you're right. I wouldn't dwell too much on how to answer the ethical questions, but maybe give some thought to what types of ethical dilemmas might arise. I was specifically asked about my stance on euthanasia, for example.

 

[init2winit]

I think you're right. I wouldn't dwell too much on how to answer the ethical questions, but maybe give some thought to what types of ethical dilemmas might arise. I was specifically asked about my stance on euthanasia, for example.

I have actually been thinking of that one, esp since I am applying to school in OR and its bound to come up during the MMIs. I'll dig out my bioethics text 🙂

 

[Gfliptastic]

Before I got into med school, I got some excellent advice from an AdCom member of Rush University I like to pass along.

A med school interview is like a date. It would be rare if you were on a date that you would get another date if all you did was talk about yourself. So you need to be able to "preen" the person (or people) on the other side of the table.

You need to be confident in yourself, but not overconfident. You can be personable but not a constant comedian. In short, approach the interview like a date.

He went on to include in the date interview that you should want to know your "dealbreakers" like you would on a date too. YES, we all want to get accepted to med school, but there's component to it that you have to want to be accepted too. Right?

It always helps to have someone, like a med school mentor, or even an AdCom member interview you (as a favor) before your actual interview, and comment on how it goes afterwards.

Good luck!

 

[stolen_biscuit]

I read over the UW Bioethics site to see what some current dilemmas are. Then I just thought about my opinions on those topics.

I also checked out the SDN interview feedback and read through questions. I talked out loud with my husband about some of my answers, so I wouldn't be a deer in headlights.

No interview practice for me, however. I find it hard to get into character with someone I know well. So the practice was really my first interview, and I have no idea how that went!

I think the downside to practice would be seeming rehearsed. By my 3rd interview day, questions had been repeated several times, and I felt like I was reading from a script on some of them. I mean, your answer doesn't change, and it's hard to sound spontaneous 6 times!

 

[Gfliptastic]

Don't get PREPARED confused w/ REHEARSED.

You will probably get one physician interviewing you. And when you do clinical rotations, you will probably have to orally present a patient SOAP note to your attending or whomever is supervising you.

Prepared means what it means, mentally prepared. Rehearsed means that you've repeated it many times.

And they will always want you to be prepared. If you sound like your SOAP has been rehearsed, that savvy resident will do one thing to throw you off your rhythm. And a rehearsed approach won't be as good as a prepared approach.

You want to have an idea of what you want to say. Kinda like when you and your friends are talking smack...and you get in your car or even a couple minutes later think, "Oh, I should have said THIS instead"

That happens on interviews too. And it doesn't count if you have the "perfect" answer when you're already on your way home.

DON'T confuse, prepared w/ rehearsed. Medical school can be summed up as preparation. So be prepared! 🙂

 

[stolen_biscuit]

DON'T confuse, prepared w/ rehearsed.

Agreed! That's why I wish you weren't asked the same core questions over and over in interviews....