You got all your applications in early, took care of your personal statement, and did your secondary essays early, too. Now you've got the call for a medical school interview, and you could get accepted. You've got to nail the interview. This article can help you with that.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS.
The first step in navigating the medical admissions interview is to develop a clear understanding of the interview process. Knowing why you were selected for an interview and what will go on during your interview day minimizes surprises and leads to a calm state of mind and optimum performance.
BY WHAT CRITERIA ARE INTERVIEW CANDIDATES SELECTED?
There are many different figures who screen your application -- these include attending physicians, other medical students, and even basic scientists, too. When it comes to test scores and your previous grades, there are particular schools who won't even move your application to the screening process without a minimum result.
There are even schools who match points to every part of your application: your MCAT results, your letters, your extra-curricular activities. And if your score reaches a pre-established minimum, they call you in for an interview.
Normally, though, the invitation decision is quite subjective. While we'd all like to believe that bias doesn't exist, it's just not that simple. Whether you like it or not, you'll be dealing with the screener's built-in viewpoints, and this really matters when you're an application that doesn't have everything 100% perfect.
Just think about two different reviewers who had various issues in their past -- if one had trouble with board scores, while the other did extremely well, the first one is more likely to accept an interview with a candidate who has lower board scores.
Of course, whoever interviews you will be using some objective guidelines to judge you, too. But despite all of that, there's still a lot of subjective judgment going on here. Even though you can't prevent it, you need to be aware of it.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEWS?
1) Go over everything you sent in - this includes the personal statement, plus your application, and your secondary essays too. Cover all of it.
2) Even if it seems strange, you really need to practice for the interview.
How about preparing for the interview itself, now that you know what's necessary?
There are absolutely tons of professionals out there ready to help with your preparation, but it's fundamental to know you're choosing wisely. Make sure you stay plenty skeptical, as there are lots of parties out there giving willfully bad advice. Let's go over the kinds of professionals you'll find online:
1) Non-physician advisors: While these individuals may have experience in medical admissions, non-physicians cannot provide the insight of a practicing physician who has been through the process and understands what it means to practice medicine.
2) Physician advisors: While there are physicians who advise, it is essential to know if they have served on a medical school admissions committee. Some claim to have "credentials" that they don't actually have so be wary.
While some of these people have gone to great medical schools or spent a bit of time as an 'admissions adviser', without direct experience on a medical school admissions board, you aren't getting the value you could be.
3) Freelance Writing Companies: There are plenty of essay-editing companies out there with some good writers working for them, but without direct experience in the medical sector, you're risking a serious part of your life to a talented person with no practical experience in your field.
4) Larger medical education companies: Some large companies offer advising however, when you hire them, you are assigned to an advisor. While some of the people they say work for them on their websites may have great credentials, there is no guarantee that you will work with these people.
Think long and hard when it comes to selecting someone to help you get into medical school. The best option is simple - a physician with legitimate admissions experience, a medical education background, and strong writing chops.
Here are a few questions you'll probably see during your interview:
Tell me a joke.
Teach me something.
What is the one thing you pursued on your own without the influence of your parents?
How do you remember everything you have to do?
Where will you be in 10 years?
If you need help with your AMCAS or TMSDAS application, medical school personal statement, medical school interview preparation or medical school admissions consulting, MedEdits can help.
Author Resource:
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