To help make your interview day a success, here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind as you prepare. Double Major vs. Dual Degree: Which One Is Better? Your school is actually my fifth choice. BS/MD Programs: Everything You Need to Know, extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, and jobs, name unique opportunities, experiences, professors, or even courses, why you would want to participate in them, The interview is the only thing standing between you and. The last thing you want to think about during a medical school interview is the possibility of not getting into medical school, but this is a commonly asked question. Demonstrate that you’ve spent time imagining yourself on campus. What reservations do you have about working in the medical field? Answering this question the right way can make you an even stronger candidate. Why this school? Simply helping others can’t be your sole motivation for becoming a doctor, because there are many other helping professions. My 13-video course about the Medical School Interview. Don’t ask questions that can easily be answered on the school’s website or in materials that have already been provided. Then, record a list of points you’d like to mention in your response. What do you think is the most important social problem facing the United States today? Some questions will be similar to what you’d answer in any other interview (i.e., "tell us about yourself"). Women do not have to wear suits but they must dress professionally. Mistakes to Avoid During Medical School Interviews. However, the interviewers will expect you to have an informed layperson's view on contemporary aspects of medicine, particularly those of current media interest. Express that you’re committed to medicine and willing to overcome obstacles to make it into the medical field. When did you decide to become a physician and why? Is there anything we have not covered in this interview that you would like to share with us? LinkedIn for High School Students: The Amazing Guide. These interviewers likely have as much influence on your admission as faculty members. If you were given one million dollars to help improve society/your community, what would you work on and why? What will you do if you’re not accepted to medical school this year? Depending on how you define “harm” or “suffering,” your answer may vary, but the interviewer is especially interested in seeing how you think critically and arrive at a decision. Now, what about discussing your weaknesses? How do you think the U.S. should address the physician shortage, especially primary care doctors in rural areas? If you got an invitation to interview for med school, the admissions panel already knows that you’re smart – they are The interviewer already knows you’re not perfect. This isn’t some big secret you’re exposing. Say you will ask for feedback and use your initial experiences to strengthen your application and make it more competitive for next time. If you’re truly stumped by a question, don’t panic or throw out a random (and potentially disastrous) answer. If you could go back and start your college career again, what would you do differently? Who has been influential in your decision to work in medicine? Read over these questions and bullet points in the weeks leading up to the interview, and even give the cards to a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview. Where do you see yourself in 10-15 years? Whether you are preparing for a multi-mini interview (MMI) or a traditional one, a lot of the questions can be quite similar. Make sure you’ve done your research on the school and … Do you have role models or family members in the medical field? Has medicine changed the world in a way that intrigues or inspires you? If you haven’t thought about this before, now is the perfect time. If you come from an economically disadvantaged background, how do you think this adversity has shaped you? First Impressions Matter. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you in medical school? The interviewer wants to see you think through an ethical dilemma and make a choice. And unfortunately, saying that you don’t have any questions about the school can make you appear uninterested. Focus on some of your good qualities and how they are related to medical school and a career in medicine. Don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t know something: If an aspect of the Affordable Care Act comes up in your interview, which you are not knowledgeable about, do not try to make up an answer. Our Anytime Mock-Interview Platform. They’re also honest, so don’t respond, “I’ve never really failed.”. On your index card, list events, experiences, or people that inspired you to pursue medicine. You may find more research or clinical experiences, retake the MCAT, etc. Do you have alternative career plans? 940 25th St. NW Suite 103 Washington, DC 20037, Sign up for the The Admissions Strategist newsletter to get the latest information on college and career success, Greek Life & Extracurriculars in College: 6 Key Benefits, The Best Pre-Med Schools: 16+ Schools for Future Doctors, How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply To? Do you have a role model or family member involved in medicine? The people interviewing you want to see what you will bring to the medical school’s community, not just what you bring academically. Set a foundation for a successful career and pursue the best professional opportunities. Most of us do not have a preference in which medical school we want to go to as long as we get accepted. Acknowledge that being a doctor is very competitive, and all physicians will experience failure or setback at some point in their career. 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