You definitely DO NOT WANT TO BE LATE.
Travel Plans:
Make your travel plans in advance so there minimal stress around the actual interview and definitely do not go stand-by on a flight at the last minute.
Make sure you arrive well in advance of your scheduled interview time. Most schools offer a day long interview schedule therefore it is recommended that you arrive the evening before so you can get settled and relax. Thoughtful planning safeguards against delays that could directly or indirectly affect your performance on interview day.
What to wear:
For the men, suits are most common. You want to dress neatly and professionally. Applicants should have their hair groomed and it is best to wear business style walking shoes.
Women, on the other hand, do not need to wear a suit but often do choose to. Some color is fine but make sure it’s in good taste – not overdone. Applicants should not wear a lot of make-up or jewelry and they should definitely wear shoes that are comfortable.
The key is to wear something you feel comfortable in and even more importantly something you feel confident wearing. Be professional. Remember you have been selected based on your credentials on paper. The interview is your chance to present yourself personally. You want to look and act like a physician, someone that will be treating future patients.
Interview Day:
Most interviews are a day event that includes a welcome session, a school walking tour, a financial aid session, a lunch and of course the formal interview.
Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early for the start of the day.You definitely DO NOT WANT TO BE LATE.
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the big day.
Eat a reasonable breakfast so that your stomach isn’t empty but not too much. You don’t want to have the stress of the day affect you physically.
Minimize your coffee consumption to keep anxiety low.
If you arrive to campus early, pick up a school paper (or other reading material) to keep you occupied while you are waiting and to get a more personal feel of the school.
Stay tuned for Medical School Interviews Part 2: Interview Preparation.
• Interviewing with Impact: How to Make an Impression in Your Medical School Interviews [On-Demand webinar]
• The Woman’s Guide To Dress For Med School Interview Success
• Common Myths about Medical School Interviews
This article originally appeared on blog.accepted.com.
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