What is the most important thing to review before interviews

[calipremed5768]

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As interviews get closer and closer the amount of information that I need to review just keeps growing and growing. What are the most important thing out of these to review (feel free to add)

-primary app
-secondary app
-school website
-books from adcoms on how to interview
-MMI winning strategies
-Huge question list from reddit
-Huge MMI question list from reddit
-UWash bioethics page
- Goro guide to interview
-other sdn guide to interview

 

[907914]

As interviews get closer and closer the amount of information that I need to review just keeps growing and growing. What are the most important thing out of these to review (feel free to add)

-primary app
-secondary app
-school website
-books from adcoms on how to interview
-MMI winning strategies
-Huge question list from reddit
-Huge MMI question list from reddit
-UWash bioethics page
- Goro guide to interview
-other sdn guide to interview

Bolded the ones I found most important in my first interview. Review them, and practice how you will talk about and integrate them into your narrative

 

[calipremed5768]

Was it an MMI though?

 

[907914]

Was it an MMI though?

MMI is no different than a regular interview. Know yourself, know your stories, know the school, just a 5-8 minute interview instead of 30-60 minute.

Studying MMI strategy or bioethics strategy will just yield you fumbling over what your guide said as opposed to just talking.

 

[710118]

review your research

 

[907914]

review your research

Question for you or anyone about talking about one’s research in the interviews: I gave a two-pronged answer. The first part was my computer based simulations research in which I transitioned with “and this is where I learned in-silicon has its value but it is not for me,” and then moved into the last 2/3 about my current cell membrane and bone stuff. Is that OK?

 

[Hi_I'mPaul]

As interviews get closer and closer the amount of information that I need to review just keeps growing and growing. What are the most important thing out of these to review (feel free to add)

-primary app
-secondary app
-school website
-books from adcoms on how to interview
-MMI winning strategies
-Huge question list from reddit
-Huge MMI question list from reddit
-UWash bioethics page
- Goro guide to interview
-other sdn guide to interview

While reviewing is good, be sure to practice.

Question for you or anyone about talking about one’s research in the interviews: I gave a two-pronged answer. The first part was my computer based simulations research in which I transitioned with “and this is where I learned in-silicon has its value but it is not for me,” and then moved into the last 2/3 about my current cell membrane and bone stuff. Is that OK?

As long as it was a concise answer then that is probably how I'd do it.

 

[907914]

While reviewing is good, be sure to practice.

Agreed, edited for better answer

 

[longhaul3]

How you're getting to the interview site on the day of
How long it will take you to get there
When you need to wake up
Whether your alarm is set properly
Whether your outfit is wrinkled

 

[calipremed5768]

Somebody on here said you should treat every interview like it’s your last. What is that? Isn’t it much better to go into the interview saying “don’t stress even if you mess this up you still have a handful of other chances to succeed”

 

[907914]

don’t stress even if you mess this up you still have a handful of other chances to succeed

Every interview is a potential acceptance. Treating early interviews like practice for later interviews essentially eliminates one of your chances at acceptance at those early schools.

 

[calipremed5768]

is it really possible to go 0/11 though? I mean would that be like a record?

 

[907914]

is it really possible to go 0/11 though? I mean would that be like a record?

Would you rather go 4/11 and have 4 schools to choose from or 8/11 and have 8 schools to choose from? Having multiple acceptances in an opportunity that few get, don’t squander it.

 

[Lucca]

Primary is the only thing you need to review and have some talking points for common questions and most meaningfuls

 

[meepdog]

Primary is the only thing you need to review and have some talking points for common questions and most meaningfuls

You don't think they would target stuff you said for like "why this school" secondary answers or anything like that?

 

[907914]

Primary is the only thing you need to review and have some talking points for common questions and most meaningfuls

You don't think they would target stuff you said for like "why this school" secondary answers or anything like that?

I know UChicago asked the vague “What do you look for in a school” and I had to try to remember my “why us” essay for them that I could transform into an ‘any school, but especially your school’ answer...so I would say reviewing the secondary definitely helps.

 

[sadpremed121]

Don’t prepare too much for interviews. It’ll make you sound like a robot. For me so far just knowing my primary and secondary plus answers to basic questions has been more than enough.

 

[DJay4534533]

The only thing I would actually do some studying on is health care policy in the US, and what type of plan we should ideally have as a country.

 

[Cornfed101]

The main thing I have been reviewing is 2 or 3 talking points for “why our school?” And having 2 or 3 questions to ask my interviewers. It definitely helps to do interviews after the tour because you can tweak these two aspects of the interview. I’ve also been briefly reviewing my primary and thinking of specific stories related to my activities

 

[Goro]

As interviews get closer and closer the amount of information that I need to review just keeps growing and growing. What are the most important thing out of these to review (feel free to add)

-primary app
-secondary app
-school website
-books from adcoms on how to interview
-MMI winning strategies
-Huge question list from reddit
-Huge MMI question list from reddit
-UWash bioethics page
- Goro guide to interview
-other sdn guide to interview

1) Know that's in your file
2) speak from the heart
3) give an answer, NOT what you think we want to hear.

I'm trying to say this in the nicest possible way, but your "make a list' mentality is a risk factor for someone who is going to get rejected. You are seeming trying memorialize every possible answer to questions, and that will merely make you sound robotic and scripted.

 

[KnightDoc]

Every interview is a potential acceptance. Treating early interviews like practice for later interviews essentially eliminates one of your chances at acceptance at those early schools.

You are both right. @calipremed5768 -- you can't go into any interview thinking it is do or die, or you will likely stress out and mess it up, but @MemeLord is also right that you really shouldn't half-ass any interview because you have more behind them. That's asking for trouble and you'd have no one but yourself to blame.

I also seriously doubt that 0/11 would be a record, because there have been plenty of people over the years who look great on paper and are total zeros in person. I have no way to know for sure, but google the guy who sued Yale when he didn't get in. I'd bet he had more than 11 interviews over the years. 0/11 would definitely be an outlier, but, by definition, outliers definitely do exist!!

 

[Catalystik]

health care policy in the US

Should be added to OP's original list.

 

[Saturday’s Child]

Should be added to OP's original list.

Does anyone know of helpful, comprehensive resources to get a solid overview, pro/con list of topics in this area?

 

[Cornfed101]

Does anyone know of helpful, comprehensive resources to get a solid overview, pro/con list of topics in this area?

The balance is pretty good for a basic overview of some of these topics. Not too in depth, but a good amount I feel. Here is an example for Obamacare

Obamacare and the ACA: Facts To Help You Maximize Your Benefits

Get the facts about Obamacare, including how it works, who is eligible, and the benefits it offers. Knowing the facts helps you get everything you deserve from the ACA.

www.thebalance.com

 

[Engrailed]

In reviewing research, are they more likely to ask about 1st/2nd author pubs or even middle/end etc authorships?
Or can you talk about anything (any of your papers)

 

[Goro]

In reviewing research, are they more likely to ask about 1st/2nd author pubs or even middle/end etc authorships?
Or can you talk about anything (any of your papers)

Anything in your file is fair game

 

[LizzyM]

What are the most important things to review?

Your vital signs.

If your heart rate is >100 bpm, find a way to calm down.

 

[Catalystik]

In reviewing research, are they more likely to ask about 1st/2nd author pubs or even middle/end etc authorships?
Or can you talk about anything (any of your papers)

They are more likely to ask about the research project itself, rather than the publication.

 

[MyOdyssey]

is it really possible to go 0/11 though? I mean would that be like a record?

The pressure builds as you approach the last few if you haven't already won an acceptance based on your earlier interviews. Imagine going into interview #11 knowing that the first 10 failed to produce an acceptance . . .

 

[MyOdyssey]

In reviewing research, are they more likely to ask about 1st/2nd author pubs or even middle/end etc authorships?
Or can you talk about anything (any of your papers)

First world problems . . .

 

[Engrailed]

First world problems . . .

Heh.. i think i will spend the next couple of days studying my own papers bc a couple are a few years old and another one was super interdisciplinary with multiple -omics, biochemical network analysis. Not exactly in my wheelhouse but as Goro says if anything is game, then Oh well:/

 

[MyOdyssey]

Heh.. i think i will spend the next couple of days studying my own papers bc a couple are a few years old and another one was super interdisciplinary with multiple -omics, biochemical network analysis. Not exactly in my wheelhouse but as Goro says if anything is game, then Oh well:/

It's my understanding that MD/PhD candidates get grilled a lot more on their research than MD only candidates.

 

[Engrailed]

It's my understanding that MD/PhD candidates get grilled a lot more on their research than MD only candidates.

Yeah, i hope so!

 

[Cornfed101]

Heh.. i think i will spend the next couple of days studying my own papers bc a couple are a few years old and another one was super interdisciplinary with multiple -omics, biochemical network analysis. Not exactly in my wheelhouse but as Goro says if anything is game, then Oh well:/

The main research I did was for mechanical engineering so it is very likely that I can say anything and they will have to trust me 😉

 

[deleted972488]

The main research I did was for mechanical engineering so it is very likely that I can say anything and they will have to trust me 😉

That’s true for most research, tbh, and should be comforting to anyone worried about being “grilled.” Your interviewer is unlikely to know much about protein X. You (and your lab mates, superiors) are the experts.