Pre-Interview Reading

[bryana2]

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Hey everyone,
I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions about reading material. Sometimes interviewers ask you what you've been reading, and I was hoping somebody had read a good medically-related book. I read "The D.O.s: Osteopathic Medicine in America" by Norman Gevitz (which is a little hard to get through, but I highly recommend it if you're applying to D.O. school). I'm also slowly working my way through "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty," which I think will be helpful during 3rd and 4th year rotations. Does anybody have other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Iliketoytles]

Hey everyone,
I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions about reading material. Sometimes interviewers ask you what you've been reading, and I was hoping somebody had read a good medically-related book. I read "The D.O.s: Osteopathic Medicine in America" by Norman Gevitz (which is a little hard to get through, but I highly recommend it if you're applying to D.O. school). I'm also slowly working my way through "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty," which I think will be helpful during 3rd and 4th year rotations. Does anybody have other suggestions? Thanks!

I'd actually imagine choosing a non-medically related book would be best. They're looking for down to earth people, not medical drones. I think it would also make a really fun conversation for both you and the interviewers talking about a casual book you actually enjoy... than one you might have forced yourself to read.

One of my favorite books I always pick up and read a few lines from every once in a while is Inherit the Wind. It's a really short book over the scopes monkey trial. Really interesting if you like philosophy and court cases. 🙂

In Cold Blood is a good one too... although, it might be less awkward to talk about the former.

 

[drgioiadds]

I'd actually imagine choosing a non-medically related book would be best. They're looking for down to earth people, not medical drones. I think it would also make a really fun conversation for both you and the interviewers talking about a casual book you actually enjoy... than one you might have forced yourself to read.

One of my favorite books I always pick up and read a few lines from every once in a while is Inherit the Wind. It's a really short book over the scopes monkey trial. Really interesting if you like philosophy and court cases. 🙂

In Cold Blood is a good one too... although, it might be less awkward to talk about the former.

👍👍

 

[bryana2]

I'd actually imagine choosing a non-medically related book would be best. They're looking for down to earth people, not medical drones. I think it would also make a really fun conversation for both you and the interviewers talking about a casual book you actually enjoy... than one you might have forced yourself to read.

One of my favorite books I always pick up and read a few lines from every once in a while is Inherit the Wind. It's a really short book over the scopes monkey trial. Really interesting if you like philosophy and court cases. 🙂

In Cold Blood is a good one too... although, it might be less awkward to talk about the former.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm trying to expand my reading horizons because most of the reading that I do for fun involves Vince Flynn and Brad Thor-type novels. They're spy/assassin/anti-terrorism type books. They're entertaining and they're pretty easy reads, but somehow I don't think discussing those (and those alone) will help get me into med school. I read "The D.O.s" to learn more about osteopathy last year when I was thinking about what schools I wanted to apply to, but I think I should read some other books that I can talk about in an interview.

I'll look into "Inherit the Wind," thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Mbeas]

The Great Gatsby. Classic.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm trying to expand my reading horizons because most of the reading that I do for fun involves Vince Flynn and Brad Thor-type novels. They're spy/assassin/anti-terrorism type books. They're entertaining and they're pretty easy reads, but somehow I don't think discussing those (and those alone) will help get me into med school. I read "The D.O.s" to learn more about osteopathy last year when I was thinking about what schools I wanted to apply to, but I think I should read some other books that I can talk about in an interview.

I'll look into "Inherit the Wind," thanks for the suggestion!

I love spy/assassin books!

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood is a good one too. It's a bit long, but I enjoyed reading it. I actually think any book (including the spy/assassin novels) would be neat to talk about and surface some interesting things about you that the interviewers would like. As long as it's not like a Goosebumps or Animorphs book, haha.

 

[bryana2]

Yeah, I really liked "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. I liked most of the books from my contemporary literature class in college, and of course I could talk about some of the classics. I loved "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky and I LOVED "The Great Gatsby." Maybe those kinds of books, spy novels, and "The D.O.s..." will be enough. I was just thinking along the lines of what I've read recently, which have mostly been spy novels.

 

[LabLuvr]

Something borrowed is a great book. I'm not done reading it yet, but so far it's really funny.

 

[aSagacious]

Personally, I think that your time would be better spent reading the school's website so you sound sincerely interested during your interview. Aside from being generally knowledgeable on their school mission, curriculum, etc you should catch up on current events in the area (ie new hospital opening up, launching new facet of curriculum, new partnerships, etc). The discussion of the school occupied far more time during my interviews than discussion of life in general. Just my $0.02.

 

[corpsman33]

Personally, I think that your time would be better spent reading the school's website so you sound sincerely interested during your interview. Aside from being generally knowledgeable on their school mission, curriculum, etc you should catch up on current events in the area (ie new hospital opening up, launching new facet of curriculum, new partnerships, etc). The discussion of the school occupied far more time during my interviews than discussion of life in general. Just my $0.02.

Dang man, this is my second time posting this, but HECK YOU GOT RIPPED OFF. Didn't you know it was "ONLY A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS"

😀 I just love Dry Jokes!!!!

 

[Iliketoytles]

Dang man, this is my second time posting this, but HECK YOU GOT RIPPED OFF. Didn't you know it was "ONLY A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS"

😀 I just love Dry Jokes!!!!

There's a 100% interest rate for posting your thoughts on sdn. He took this into account when he posted. 🙂

 

[FuturePharm21]

What's a good book to be prepared for ethics questions or review current healthcare information?

 

[whatageek]

What's a good book to be prepared for ethics questions or review current healthcare information?

I've really liked "The Healing of America" by TR Reid. It really opened my eyes as to how healthcare works in other countries. It explains US healthcare and how it differs from what other countries offer. The best part is that it's not a ridiculously dry read. Plus it's cheap, both paperback and electronic versions. I picked this up based on another thread asking about "must reads" before interviews.