What do I ask....

[Hollsky]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Ok, there may be a thread about this somewhere but i couldn't find one. I have heard that it is imperative that you have several questions to ask the interviewers. If you don't, it reflects negatively on you (so I've heard, anyway). Is this true? And if so, what kind of things did you ask about? My interviews are coming up, and I'm making sure I'm prepared.

 

[Yes_I_DO]

Ok, there may be a thread about this somewhere but i couldn't find one. I have heard that it is imperative that you have several questions to ask the interviewers. If you don't, it reflects negatively on you (so I've heard, anyway). Is this true? And if so, what kind of things did you ask about? My interviews are coming up, and I'm making sure I'm prepared.

I've thought about this a lot. I've also heard that you should have good questions prepaired. But quite honestly, I usually research the school to death before I go there and there isn't much that I don't already know that Im still curious about. However, if you have the advantage of some info sessions or a tour of the school BEFORE the interview, then maybe something will come up then that you can ask. If all else fails, ask them something about their curriculum. Med schools vie over whos system is "more conducive to medical training/learning." Curriculum is something that has always been hard for me to get my head around. It's hard to really know how the differences will play out until you've experienced different styles. So usually their curriculum descriptions are just words to me. But anyway, I'm rambling. I'll be checking back to this thread often; b/c I need as much help with this as you.

 

[Hexanol]

Ok, there may be a thread about this somewhere but i couldn't find one. I have heard that it is imperative that you have several questions to ask the interviewers. If you don't, it reflects negatively on you (so I've heard, anyway). Is this true? And if so, what kind of things did you ask about? My interviews are coming up, and I'm making sure I'm prepared.

agreed. ask quesitons, even if its questions about stuff you already know!

ask about student life, student organizations, research, exam blocks, matching, rotations, faculty, staff, professors, etc...

just anything.

 

[HunterGatherer]

The FAQ has a list of criteria to help you pick your med school. You can ask interviewers to go into greater detail on topics that you feel will help you pick your med school if you get multiple acceptances.



FAQ:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=240220

 

[jkhamlin]

Ok, there may be a thread about this somewhere but i couldn't find one. I have heard that it is imperative that you have several questions to ask the interviewers. If you don't, it reflects negatively on you (so I've heard, anyway). Is this true? And if so, what kind of things did you ask about? My interviews are coming up, and I'm making sure I'm prepared.

This is something that I screwed up big time the first time I applied. I thought of questions that got answered when I heard the presentations and got the tour.

The second time around I was ready. I listened to what they said and then formed questions to probe deeper into what they talked about. I wrote them down on the materials they handed out to all of us.

One of my questions actually inadvertently earned me some brownie points. I asked if the school had an extracurricular program for students to learn a foreign language beneficial to healthcare workers, especially Spanish. Unbeknowst to me, one of my interviewers was hispanic. I wasn't sure of his ethnic origin, but the other interviewer nudged him excitedly and said "tell him." The hispanic interviewer (a DO) said "Si!" They did have a program, and I looked good for having interest in it without even knowing that apparently one of my interviewers was very involved in it!

I also asked how the program they used to teach their students related back to the whole person perspective emphasized by Osteopathic medicine. Then I asked about doing a rotating internship before a residency and I explained why I was interested in it.

All in all, I questioned them about their university as much as they questioned me. It worked well for me. It may or may not work for everyone, but it couldn't hurt if you do it prepared.

 

[LWestenhofer]

Definitely have at least two questions for each interview. This seems obvious, but, be sure to ask questions specific to the unique aspects of the school's program. this shows that you have researched their school, at least slightly, and truly want to learn more about the program.

 

[Dr.Detroit]

To take advantage of the fact that my interviewer is not the same person who led the tour or gave some other presentation about the school, I always ask them what they personally feel is the school's greatest strength or asset. This question applies well to anyone who is interviewing you (faculty, med student, physician).

Good luck in your interviews!

 

[Micah6:8]

I asked the third year student who was currently on rotations two questions: 1) what are some of the reasons you chose CCOM and are you pleased with this choice?
2) What kind of opportunities have you had to use or observe OMM on your rotations? (They seeemed to really like this question).
it will also be dependent on who interviews you.
Good Luck.

 

[rgerwin]

I got stuck b/c I asked a question and they didn't know the answer. Was a bit awkward. Now I can think of about 50 questions, but my head was spinning by that point with all the information I was getting.

 

[Fermata]

"What is your quest"?

 

[Hollsky]

Thank you guys so much for all this help! Keep it coming, I need all of it I can get!

 

[brookliner7]

"What is your quest"?

hahahaha!

"what....is your favorite color!"

 

[112258]

In the interview feedback section, I've seen the interviewer ask "are there any red flags on your application?"

what does that mean??? and how do you answer that

 

[Soccer885]

On a recent interview, I had not prepared any questions for the interviewers. I figured if I had a question I could ask them then I would, but I wasn't going to make up something to just humor them. I did end up asking a question in the end about their teaching style that I was curious about. It was a very simple, basic question. However the question proved to them that I was listening and paying attention and was interested in their school. I don't think not asking a question would hurt you in most cases. I got in to the school by the way...

Good luck

 

[jkhamlin]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something very important. Get to know their mission statement. Make sure that everything in the interview alludes to how you will fulfill it. Be specific in your answers with how your qualifications meet what they state, and ask questions that show that you understand their mission. Many pre med students fail to do this, but it can help. Do students get in without doing this? Of course, but it can still help you.