Student Interviewers

[Dr Trek 1]

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Hey all,

For any student interviewers out there, do you have any tips (other than the obvious) for med school interviews?

Thanks!

 

[mikegoal]

be yourself especially for student interviews they are looking to see if you are the type of person they would hang out with and probaly dont care if you researched ant migration on mars. also they are a great person to find out about the school from. anybody who interviews probaly has a good idea what goes on at thier school.

 

[sacrament]

Originally posted by mikegoal
be yourself especially for student interviews they are looking to see if you are the type of person they would hang out with...

I sort of have to take issue with this, because while I think I will be a perfectly great doctor someday and nobody will ever regret accepting me into medical school, I simply am not somebody that most student interviewers would see themselves hanging out with. I am introverted and dislike social activities of all shapes and color. However, while I personally think that it takes all kinds, I recognized that this sort of personality would be unfairly held against me, and so accordingly I did not "act like myself" during the student interviews at various schools, but rather was very interested in what the nightclub scene was like and how many intermural sports teams the school had. Just another drawback of living in an extrovert world.

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by sacrament
I sort of have to take issue with this, because while I think I will be a perfectly great doctor someday and nobody will ever regret accepting me into medical school, I simply am not somebody that most student interviewers would see themselves hanging out with. I am introverted and dislike social activities of all shapes and color. However, while I personally think that it takes all kinds, I recognized that this sort of personality would be unfairly held against me, and so accordingly I did not "act like myself" during the student interviews at various schools, but rather was very interested in what the nightclub scene was like and how many intermural sports teams the school had. Just another drawback of living in an extrovert world.

I concur! I was beginning to think that I was alone in this.

Most of my student interviewers' questions were based on "fun" and what do I do for it

 

[squeek]

I am a rather introverted student interviewer, so take heart. 🙂 I don't "hang out" with tons of people in my class, either, and I don't value that highly. However, I DO think it is important that you can carry on an articulate, polite conversation, because this is a skill that is integral to clinical medicine. As an interviewer, I don't want you to be a clone of me, but I want you to demonstrate your individuality--what interesting things have you done in your life? Do you work well with all types of personalities? Do you work hard? etc....

The "fun" question IS an important one. Having reviewed lots of applicant files at this point, I can tell you that almost everyone looks alike on paper. It is the personal particulars that make you stand out. The least pleasant students in my class are those that don't have a life outside of medical school...they are often the most unhappy, as well. But "fun" doesn't have to be partying--it can be reading, running, painting, windsurfing in Nigeria--anything that you enjoy.

If your interviewers, ahem, are really into the club scene, you CAN be interested in what they have to say (this IS a skill you need in medicine...find a way to be interested, even if it's not your cup of tea) without lying about clubbing every weekend. And for medical school, get used to learning to reach a modicum of interest in anything and everything...curiousity is a value around here! 🙂

Good luck!

 

[Wednesday]

You guys don't have fun at all?

I mean, while I am not one for going out and partying, I do have fun on occasion. If they ask you about what you do for fun, tell them! Most people aren't shallow enough to think that if someone doesn't go out and drink every weekend, they aren't going to be a good classmate!

At my school we have to write up a few paragraphs about the student we interview using specific details we talked to them about. For example not just "she seems like a really fun person", but rather "she talked passionately about how much she enjoys video games and even though I don't play them myself, her descriptions really sparked my interest." I wrote my most glowing recommendations about the people who believed (or at least acted like they believed) that I was actually interested in their activities.

I agree that you should take the opportunity to find out about the school from the interviewer. The other people who are good for grilling are the tour guides (if students take you around). They usually have absolutely nothing to do with your file, so you can ask about all those silly rumors you've heard about the school (I heard some fascinating ones) to see if they're actually true (not likely).

 

[rxfudd]

Originally posted by Wednesday
I wrote my most glowing recommendations about the people who believed (or at least acted like they believed) that I was actually interested in their activities.

Why? Seems like a funny thing to write a "glowing recommendation" about...

 

[Wednesday]

Why? Seems like a funny thing to write a "glowing recommendation" about...

Um, because those were the people I had something to actually write about. My definition of a "glowing recommendation" has specific details (did you actually read my entire post?) so if they gave me details, I could use them. No details=can't use specifics=not such a good recommendation.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by Wednesday
You guys don't have fun at all?
.

Just by ourselves. I'm a semi-introvert, and prefer to be in small groups most of the time (2-3 people).

Just because it isn't YOUR idea of fun doesn't mean it isn't fun.

 

[rxfudd]

Originally posted by Wednesday
Um, because those were the people I had something to actually write about. My definition of a "glowing recommendation" has specific details (did you actually read my entire post?) so if they gave me details, I could use them. No details=can't use specifics=not such a good recommendation.

Sure I read your post...but what does the interviewee believing that you are interested in their activities have to do with anything? Maybe I'm totally misreading something here, but don't you mean to say that you wrote your most glowing reviews about people whose activities you WERE interested in (not those who believed you were interested in them)?

Sorry if I'm not catching on...I'm a little slow this summer...

 

[reglu]

how do you become a student interviewer? you just sign up? are there any qualifications/requirements?

 

[Wednesday]

Whew. Okay, sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm going to try again. Basically what I meant to say was that you shouldn't worry if you don't think YOUR fun activities will be construed as fun to your interviewer. Just talk about what you do for fun (if this is what they ask you) with the enthusiasm that you probably feel for it (since you think it's fun) and everything will work out. Does this make sense? I agree that just because the interviewer doesn't think it's fun doesn't mean it isn't. In fact, that's my whole point.

Bottom line: don't make stuff up to "impress" the interviewer. Talk about what you love and your passion will rub off!

 

[rxfudd]

Originally posted by Wednesday
Whew. Okay, sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm going to try again. Basically what I meant to say was that you shouldn't worry if you don't think YOUR fun activities will be construed as fun to your interviewer. Just talk about what you do for fun (if this is what they ask you) with the enthusiasm that you probably feel for it (since you think it's fun) and everything will work out. Does this make sense? I agree that just because the interviewer doesn't think it's fun doesn't mean it isn't. In fact, that's my whole point.

Bottom line: don't make stuff up to "impress" the interviewer. Talk about what you love and your passion will rub off!

Yep - makes good sense now. 😀

 

[enamine]

how much information about the applicant do student interviewers/students on the adcom get to see? I am worried about this because I know a lot of med students at various medical schools and I wouldn't particularly want any of them reading any part of my file if it has information that readily identifies me. There is personal information on the application, like about family, grades, scores, personal stuff.. I wouldn't want my peers reading about. Does this happen? Have you ever read the file of someone you know?

 

[Street Philosopher]

it varies. some are blind, others get a summary, others have access to the entire file.

 

[squeek]

Ethically, if you know the student you aren't supposed to screen the file or interview them. And your name and undergrad institution is the first thing we see. So don't worry too much. 🙂

 

[biogirl2003]

When I helped with student interviews, I always wrote good evaluations for people who came across as a "people person"; those who can easily hold a conversation. (I think this translates to a good bedside manner.)

I also noticed that interviewees tended to fall into 2 groups: those that asked me questions, and those that talked about themselves. Maybe some people care about the PCR you ran last week, but not me. 😉

So, my advice is that everyone likes to talk about their school and experiences, so come up with a lot of questions to ask your student interviewer. Besides, they are probably your most honest source of information.