preparing for interviews

[crewmaster1]

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It's been a while since I've done the interview gig. Any good info out there on what these interviews are like? What to expect?

 

[EctopicFetus]

most are laid back.. asking questions about your resume. they want to get to know you. Get a peek into your personality. From what i heard a few places ask medical type questions but most of them are like..

Wow it says here you found the AIDS vaccine.. tell me about it..

If you lied or embellished too much you are screwed..It is too late for this advice now but I assume most of you didnt do this.

 

[EctopicFetus]

Usually it is a time where they tell you about them and what they do and they ask about you.

I would do some research (even on here) about programs. For example while we all know the whole "all programs are similar in educational quality due to RRC" some programs have specific strengths. For example UCLA Harbor is well known for their Peds EM, USC sends their guys there. U Chicago is well known for their flight medicine, Pitt for EMS.. the list goes on and on..

Know where you are interviewing and why you are there.

If you interview at a "county" type program dont be surprised if they ask "Why do you like a County style program". Make sure you have a good answer.

The interview is them trying to sell themselves and you trying to sell yourself. They are looking for a good fit and so are you!

 

[allylz]

"Why do you like a County style program". Make sure you have a good answer.

why do people like a county style program? My home program is not a county program and I don't know much about what one is like. I have EMRA and SAEM website access so if there is a page on there that describes this stuff just let me know.

(some programs I mainly applied to because my couples match partner really wants to go there, but that's not a very good answer!)

 

[deleted109597]

County programs give lots of volume, you get to have a lot of responsibility. The emphasis isn't as much on pure academics, which is obviously not some people's thing.
Did I mention volume?

 

[GeneralVeers]

why do people like a county style program? My home program is not a county program and I don't know much about what one is like. I have EMRA and SAEM website access so if there is a page on there that describes this stuff just let me know.

(some programs I mainly applied to because my couples match partner really wants to go there, but that's not a very good answer!)

County programs probably offer the best clinical training. You typically get thrown into the melee as an intern, have a lot of autonomy with treating and dispoing patients, and get a lot of opportunity to learn essential procedures. County programs typically offer the best trauma experience, especially for penetrating trauma. The downside to a lot of county programs is that their academics tend to suffer somewhat. It's hard to sit down and discuss the evidence based outpatient treatment of cellulitis if you have 10 other people waiting to be seen. These programs are not for people who require a lot of supervision, handholding and structure. There are a few programs out there (like Indiana, Maricopa, and H-UCLA) where you'll get a great county experience with excellent academics.

 

[MightyShorty]

There are a few programs out there (like Indiana, Maricopa, and H-UCLA) where you'll get a great county experience with excellent academics.

I would add Carolinas to that list as well. Base on what my advisor told me, it's strong clinical experience with lots of research done there.

 

[GeneralVeers]

I would add Carolinas to that list as well. Base on what my advisor told me, it's strong clinical experience with lots of research done there.

I'm sure there are many I forgot on the list, the ones I mentioned were what immediately came to mind.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

It's been a while since I've done the interview gig. Any good info out there on what these interviews are like? What to expect?

I have had one interview thus far and was advised that most interviews would follow similar formats. Hopefully the more experienced on here can say if this is rather typical:

You will usually interview with 4 to 5 people, usually at least one will be an upper lever (chief) resident and the program director is usually one of the interviewers as well. Each person is assigned a particular task to figure out about you. One person may focus on your medical school career, why the school you picked, what was it like, any regrets, etc. Another may probe into previous education. Why did you choose that college, what were you like in college, what were some of your high points, what was high school like, did you want to be a doctor then, what led you to being a doctor during college, etc. What makes you tick, what do you have/do thats unique. The next may focus on why do you think EM is for you. What traits do you think you have that will make you good at it. Do you really know what you are getting into, have you thought this through. Another may focus on why on earth does a person born/raised in X state want to come to our Y state; what do you think you will get out of coming to our program, etc. Expect some random questions/thoughts on odd situations as these are often little qwerks that some like to through at you to see how you respond....as in medical school interviews, they do not care what your answer is, its more about holding to your initial answer and being educated in how you back it up. I would think blunt medical knowledge questions would be unlikely; unless you did research in something or laid out a keen interest in something in particular; then someone might ask more detailed questions just to catch your bluff..