Originally posted by Giving My .02
So you have the interview invite... what are THEY looking for in the interview?
Question?
If you have made the first cut and have an interview invite, what are the schools looking for in you at the interview. I mean... if they don't think you are academically capable, they wouldn't have you interviewing. So, what are they looking for in the interview?
Just wandered what ya'll had to say...
well, if you were interviewing someone what would you look for?
primarily someone likeable as opposed to distasteful. So try to smile, be friendly, open to their questions.
appear interested in the school (shouldn't be too hard you would think but some of the people who interviewed at the same time as me last year acted as if the school were just a backup or that they were the ones doing the school a favor...)
don't give pat answers. listen to what they actually ask, and give your honest opinion even if that means thinking on the spot rather than giving something rehearsed that doesn't quite fit the question - it will make you seem more intelligent, spontaneous and interesting. Don't bore your interviewer with long monologues - it is a conversation.
know yourself. don't act surprised or squirm at obvious questions like 'why do you want to be a doctor?' or 'why this school' or even such things as 'where else have you applied?'. The former two you should know inside out, the latter may be asked because they are curious or maybe they are just trying to see how you handle uncomfortable questions. Just smile and answer with grace. If they ask you an ethical question you haven't thought of or seen before don't be afraid to say you need a moment or you just haven't come across the situation before - but do attempt to answer, even if it means talking your thoughts out loud as you try to consider the different sides of a situation. This not only demonstrates you can reason, but also that you see different aspects not just one, and often means the interviewer will 'join in' making it more of a conversation than a 'hot seat' answer just from you.
so - be polite, friendly, don't be antagonistic (political, extreme religion etc - that *is* just my opinion, some people will think I am wrong and think the interview is the perfect moment to bring up religion, especially if it is a major motivating factor for them...), answer the questions they actually ask, be interested, don't bore the intervierew, and have some questions of your own to ask.
