What Will I Be Asked on My Interview?
The interviewers will want to know about you. They are looking for students that are open to being taught, are professional, have an interest in learning, that they would like to teach, and that they would like as their personal physician. The questions may be very straightforward (“Why did you decide on a career in medicine?”), probing (“What would you do if you don’t get in, or what would you have done if you didn’t enter medicine?), or more insightful (“What makes you tick?”) They may also question you as to how you would react in certain stressful situations, or see if you have thought about medical care and its provision in the world today. Some common questions are listed at 50 Common Medical School Interview Questions | The Princeton Review. Interviewers are not looking for a right or wrong answer, but to see how you think and defend your answers in a professional and open manner.
I Don’t Know If I Interview Well. What Resources Are Available?
Schedule an appointment with the Career Center to discuss your strengths/weaknesses and practice in a mock interview environment.
What Is Appropriate Dress for an Interview?
Interviews are almost all done over the internet currently. But this is your one chance to make a good impression. Professional dress is a requirement (obviously, if you are on deployment in the military, you should be in your appropriate dress for the situation). This means no t-shirts, shorts/jeans (just in case you need to get up in front of the camera), and sedate colors/jewelry that will not draw attraction from you and what you are saying.
What Should the Zoom© Background Look Like?
It should be professional, clean, and free of clutter. Blurred or virtual backgrounds may make the interview wonder what you are hiding in the background. Obviously, do not use face emojis. And if you have animals, they should be out of the room during the interview. We all love that you love your animals, but having them in your lap during the interview is not professional.
What Are Some Interview No-No’s?
Be on time for your interview, online or otherwise. Don’t lie about your accomplishments – almost anything can be confirmed online. Don’t be arrogant. Don’t be negative – about people you have worked with, other schools, or other interviewers. You will be asked if you have any questions – try not to ask about stats and figures that you can find on the school’s website.
What if I Don’t Know the Answer to a Question?
That’s okay. Don’t panic but take a minute to think about what you want to say. You can ask for a clarification or even admit that you don’t really know the answer.
If the School Does Group Interviews (2-3 applicants in the room at the same time), how do I respond if asked to comment on another student’s answer?
These situations are a test to see how the student reacts under pressure and how they can work in a group in a professional manner. You can say you disagree, and then back up your answer. You can also agree and reiterate why that is the case based on your personal experience. Remember, we can see your faces, so keep your expression from betraying your feelings (rolling your eyes, grimacing, etc.).
What is the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview)?
Some schools use the MMI Interview. This is a format in which you will be asked to go through six to 10 short interviews that measure your communication or teamwork skills. At each interview you will be given a prompt and a few minutes to reflect, and then you’ll be asked to answer a question. These questions can include a variety of scenarios such as ethical dilemmas or interactions with a standardized patient, working with a fellow interviewee to solve a task, or answer a question about health care policy. The interviewer wants to hear not only how you would handle the situation but how you would think through it. You may be encouraged to ask questions and verbalize multiple solutions including their pros and cons.
Should I Send a Thank You Note or Email?
Yes, either is acceptable. If you enjoyed the interview and had a good conversation, you can reference that. Even if you did not have a good interview experience, you should send a note thanking the interviewer for their time.
Are There Any Questions That Interviewers Are Not Allowed to Ask?
Interviewers are not permitted to ask any questions regarding religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation, family planning or details about a medical leave of absence. They are permitted to ask you to assess your strengths and weaknesses, fit for medicine, and personal beliefs regarding ethical issues that intersect with medicine such as your views on stem cell research or euthanasia.
What Should I Do If I Am Asked a Question That I Consider Inappropriate?
If you feel that an interviewer asked an inappropriate question, you should let the admissions office know immediately. If, however, you feel that the interviewer simply wasn’t very friendly or asked questions that ‘put you on the spot’, this is different. While most interviewers want the student to feel comfortable, some may feel that it is important to see how the student reacts under pressure. In this instance it is best to maintain a calm and professional demeanor. Before contacting the medical school, you can check in with your Prehealth advisor to get an objective opinion on the interaction.