Pre-Interview Anxiety

[PatriciaNg]

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I have an interview with SUNY Downstate next Monday, but I don't know how to prepare for it. This is my first interview offer and I am already rejected by Cornell. Can anyone give me some good advices on first interview?

 

[ckent]

This may be contrary to other people's advice, but I would recommend jotting down the answers to some standard interview questions and going over how you will answer them in your mind before your interview on Monday. Some people think spontaneous answers sound better, but I happen to believe that if you are anxious about your interview, having a few "canned" answers to some of their basic questions (tell me about yourself, strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, etc) will help.

 

[UCLAMAN]

Originally posted by PatriciaNg
I have an interview with SUNY Downstate next Monday, but I don't know how to prepare for it. This is my first interview offer and I am already rejected by Cornell. Can anyone give me some good advices on first interview?

Where exactly did you apply? Did you apply to a broad range of schools?

 

[PatriciaNg]

I applied to only 8 schools. SUNY Downstate, Cornell, Stanford, Upstate, Einstein, Mount Sinai, Temple, Buffalo.

 

[lola]

you did not apply to enough schools in my opinion. you only have 6 on your list when you take off the long-shots! if you end up not getting in, i'd suggest applying to more schools next year. retaking the mcat may not be necessary, especially if you know your verbal score will not improve (and might actually get worse).

 

[opus03]

I too think that it is a good idea to jot down a few answers to some standard questions...don't memorize them or anything but at least you will have somewhere to start. Also, read the interview feedback on SDN, it can help you figure out what the interview might be like. I actually told my first interviewer that I was a little nervous and he told me to relax and that he just wanted to have a conversation to get to know me a little better. So, just try really hard to relax and be yourself and things should work out fine. Good Luck!

 

[tBw]

think over possible answers (not word for word) to predictable questions - why a doctor - why this school, etc
Read interview feedback
read over your own AMCAS to refresh your memory of things you have done (I sometimes forget even my own history!)
get a good nights sleep
smile and try to have confidence - it makes all the difference (and if you really can't manage confidence at least SMILE)

 

[Adcadet]

the day before my first interview this year I gave my fiance a list of common questions and had her mock interview me. It gave me a chance to figure out how to phrase stuff. But most importantly, she pointed out the various little things I do that can be distracting - bouncing my leg, looking at the ground, etc. Come interview time I occasionally caught myself about to do one of those annoying things and stopped. Luckily I didn't distract myself too much.

 

[applegirl]

In my opinion mock interviews are great. At my undergrad the professors took the time to do a mock interview with me. By the third one, I knew what I wanted say to most of the question that I was asked during my real interviews. Most of all, I was much more relaxed. The professors than told me where my weaknesses were and what I should improve. It is important to have a good answer but do not ramble. I have noticed that most of the questions can be answered in three to four sentences. Make sure that you do have some idea about what is your hobby. That sounds funny but just think of something more interesting than going to movies with friends. I Ballroom dance or use to and everyone was impressed or at leas though it was kind of neat. I always had trouble with the strength/weakness question, so make sure that you have one of each.

Good luck