Interview

The interview involves many of the same principles as the essay. It will be an opportunity for you to go more into detail about points important to you.

There is no consistency among interviewers. Some few may construct a stressful situation, most will want you to talk on your own, some may want to do most of the talking. The key point here is honesty. You are apt to be asked about any facts on your application that the interviewer would like to hear more about. You will probably be asked why you want to be a doctor (interpret: what experiences have you had that convince you that you should be a doctor?). You may be asked why you want to go to this particular medical school.


YOU CAN AND SHOULD ASK QUESTIONS 

If you are in a position of having to choose among several schools, find out as much about the schools as you can -- the interviewer is one source. (Be sure to have read the school's catalogue before the interview). Although it is natural to want to know your chances for admission, do not embarrass the interviewer by trying to exact an estimate he or she cannot give. The interviewer may not even have a vote in the admissions committee. See the AAMC for their list of questions to ask during the interview.


SUPERFICIALITIES

Be on time, not only for the interview, but with all your arrangements for it through the admissions office. However, do not be upset if the interviewer is less prompt than you are. In general, try to look like the interview is important to you. A businesslike look is fine but do not be ashamed to look your age: e.g. at age 21 you are not required to look like a banker! Medicine requires cleanliness and you should check your general grooming.


GENERAL PREPARATION
(Notes from a talk by Dr. William Maxted to Pre-Medical students)

Generally if you have been invited to an interview, you have been judged "on paper" to be academically acceptable. The admissions committee wants to learn more about you, in particular your motivation for medicine, your perseverance, your experiences with medicine that may lead you to be well-informed about the profession. They want to know if you have the personal skills, maturity, and emotional stability to work with patients.

The structure of the interview may be varied. Usually it will be one-to-one and informal (but there may be questions like an oral exam), or several applicants with one interviewer, or (rarely) several interviewers examining one applicant. In all cases, communication skills are sought. Be yourself and be communicative.

Interviewers will usually be experienced and have confidence in judging people, and may make that judgment in the first minute; consequently, first impressions are important. Don't be abrasive or impatient or arrogant. Don't criticize.

Dress should be appropriate for an occasion you consider to be an important one. Coat and tie for men; skirts or dresses for women. Men who are not accustomed to dressing up should have someone check for clashing colors, especially if you have had to borrow a suit or jacket!

Expect anything! The interviewer or other people you deal with may have their eccentricities. Keep eye contact. Allow them to interrupt but don't interrupt. Elaborate on questions; that is, volunteer relevant information but do not try to dominate.

Review your application. The interviewer may have read it more recently than you have. Be especially prepared to talk about any research topic with which you have implied you've had experience. If you mention a chosen medical specialty, expect questions. In general, how did you gain your interest in it and how have you tested your interest in it?

What alternative careers have you investigated?

Is there anything weak in your record? Why? Did you take summer courses, a reduced load, or courses away from GU? Why? Be consistent with what you say in your essay.

Know something about the school at which you are interviewing and the city you are visiting. At state schools be informed about state politics. Who is running for office there? What are the big political issues?

How will you finance your education? Admissions committees are "money blind" but you must show you have thought your finances through in a mature way.

What will you do next year if you do not get into medical school? You may be asked to how many schools you have applied? Too few or too competitive a list may seem over confident, and too many may make you look insecure or compulsive. Your state may influence what is the right number for you.

If asked, "Is this your first choice?", be honest and diplomatic. If it is not your first choice, it could more reasonably be your second choice. This may be an opening for you to say what you honestly like about the school but don’t overdo the hyperbole.

You may be asked what you have read lately.

About your family... answer positively if you can. Be willing to say something about your extended family. Often emotional stability is judged by your having some relation with your family that you are willing to talk about.

Be prepared on current medical/social issues. Give your own thoughts. Don't try to "second guess" the interviewer's opinions.


LIST OF ITEMS INTERVIEWERS WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT

1. Academic/scholarship interests.

2. Evidence of self instruction.

3. Awareness of social and ethical issues, e.g., abortion, health insurance, euthanasia, AIDS.

4. Human interaction skills.

5. Self appraisal ability. What strengths/weaknesses you have and how you deal with them.

6. Maturity, self discipline.

7. Motivation for medicine.

8. Communication skills.

9. Honesty.

10. Capacity for empathy.

11. Tolerance for ambiguity.

12. Problem solving ability, initiative.

13. Community involvement.

14. Demeanor and appearance.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AT INTERVIEWS

What were your favorite courses?

What were your least favorite courses?

What type of teaching style did you most enjoy? Why?

What team-work experiences did you have? Difficulties: how resolved?

What skills have you learned outside classroom settings?

What issues now confront the medical profession? How will these affect you? (Examples: malpractice, cost, AIDS, insurance, distribution of services, funds for research).

What have you read recently in the press about medical issues? (e.g. The Post, weeklies, Outlook).

Describe your relationship with your friends. How would they describe you?

What jobs have you had working with people?

How would you express your concerns for a child needing an amputation?

Explain a situation when you needed assistance. How did you get it? (Do not fabricate).

What do you do particularly well? Not so well? What have you done to correct it?

Describe a situation in which you were misjudged.

What types of criticism upset you? (Patients are often upset, and physicians must hear a lot of criticism without taking it personally).

What type of academic or social changes do you anticipate having to make in medical school? (Medical school is busy).

Where do you see yourself in medicine in ten years? Twenty years?

For humanities majors, why? (Do not answer, "It was not worthwhile being a biology major").

Generally try to be appropriately affable at the beginning of the interview. Hide shyness. Hide nervousness. If it is your first interview, try to let them know. Use standard English and avoid slang and current "valley" talk.

Be aware of your manners with staff other than the interviewers. Some schools may seek input from guides and staffers.

If there are two interviews right after each other, do not be put off at the second if the first seemed to go badly. You do not really know how the interviewer will write up his or her evaluation, and you should not let any uneasiness interfere with your success in the second. If you are convinced you had a bad experience at a school important to you, represent it immediately. The school may allow a third interview.

If you know someone at the school, go ahead and drop the name, especially if it is a faculty member; do it courteously, and only if the person knows you well enough to respond to an inquiry form the interviewer or the committee.

If your choice of medical school will be influenced by where another person is admitted (e.g. a fiancee), it is fine to say that. Both persons should say the same thing! Most schools are sensitive to couples.


MORE TOPICS FOR INTERVIEW DISCUSSION
(As suggested by Dr. William Maxted)

Confidentiality and the doctor-patient relationship

Decision making -- the patient's role; the family's role

Children's rights

Rights of the handicapped

Rights and care of the terminal patient

Decisions about defective newborns

Definition of death -- determination of natural death

Welfare of the infant, comatose, or mentally incompetent patient

Organ donation

Abortion

Divorce -- impact on adults and on children

Impact of aging population on health care resources


DENTAL SCHOOL INTERVIEWS

Many of the items above apply to dental school interviews too. In addition, the interview may include a chalk carving test.