Talking the TalkAcing your Professional School

Interview

Most Important! Be yourself!!! They talk to a lot of people and will sense if you

are trying to be someone you aren’t Be “on” at all times Do not look at your cell phone at all until the

process is over (be sure it is off) Do not take family members with you Be sure you listen Wear comfortable shoes

Typical Med School Visit Generally divided into orientation (and

description of financial aid), tour, and interviews

Just because some of the facilities aren’t new, doesn’t mean they aren’t perfectly adequate. Don’t be fooled by shiny things

The cyclohexojumbodubotron may be impressive, but you probably won’t use it

Assessing the School Rather than focusing on the shiny and new

Is the library open 24 hours a day? Is the complex safe? (you’ll be there some late nights) Are there comfortable spaces for studying and relaxing? Ask about their exam schedules—do they fit your learning

style? Do they have learning skills specialists?

Talk to Students If possible, speak with some of the med students

Ask about the library, student housing, extracurricular facilities, computers

What contact they have with clinical faculty Do you need a car What support staff are available What is the patient population you will see On what school committees do students have

representation Do students socialize

If there is a Meal No alcohol Do not eat too much (don’t want to be

sleepy) Use good manners Avoid foods that can cause embarrassment

to eat—soups and dressings that drip, spaghetti, greasy food, tacos, onions, garlic

Before You Go Learn everything you can about that school Think in advance about possible questions

and how to answer (though don’t rehearse these)

Reread the application materials you submitted

Prepare questions for them Spend some time relaxing the night before

Basic Skills Learn how to pronounce the interviewer’s name—don’t know

how to pronounce “Dr. Swnolwyg”? Ask around Look confidant—head up, shoulders back, looking poised Shake hands—firm but not bone-crushing Be enthusiastic and animated Look interviewer(s) in the eye Acknowledge interviewer statements with a nod, or “I see” not

“wow,” “yeah” or “cool” Show enthusiasm for that school

The Graceful Exit People remember what is said at the end

so prepare for a final comment Shake hands and look them in the eye Thank them for their time Offer to send any additional information Make a final statement (would be honored

to be associated with this school…) Smile

Be sure to bring Directions to interview Phone number in case you are lost or delayed Information they sent about the interview List of your questions for them Pad of paper, pen If your appearance has changed since you sent in

an application photo—take them a new one Bring something to do in case you have wait time

(newspaper, sudoku, crossword)

Why put you through this? They are assessing

Motivation for and interest in this field Interpersonal skills and character Maturity Communication Skills Empathy and concern for others Social awareness and self-awareness Knowledge, judgment, problem-solving

Open & Closed Interviews Open Files

They have read your materials or at least had access to them

Closed Files Your interviewer knows basically only your name

Interview Types Structured:

Most interviewers simply ask their favorite questions

Stressful: Less common now Try to put you on the spot to see what you do

Group Interviews: Several individuals are interviewing with you

Interviewer Types Rude (sometimes on purpose to see if you

are easily flustered) Silent (don’t fidget or blather on) Reassuring (active listener type) “Angry-guy” (doesn’t seem to want to be

there) Conversational (chatty, but doesn’t ask

questions)

Types of Questions Closed: looking for specific info—give simple

answer Open-ended: require more in-depth answer eg:

what clinical experiences have you had so far? Open-ended attitudinal: determines how well you

organize your thoughts before speaking eg: What do you think of direct pharmaceutical advertising to consumers?

Probing: used as follow-up to open-ended questions eg: Why do you feel that way?

Impossible questions: ok to admit you don’t know

Questions to ask them Do not ask anything easily found on their website How many courses use problem based learning How much flexibility is there in timing of course

work Any anticipated changes in the school’s

curriculum How much of an administrative, legal, and

bioethics curriculum is taught How do your student’s do on their board exams

Questions for them continued What are the clinical opportunities for students

during the preclinical years What types of clinical sites are used How many students involved in required or

voluntary community service What research opportunities available What types of student evaluations are used What is your retention rate How does your mentor/advisor system work

When asking questions Make sure you go beyond what is available

online Make sure you go beyond the AAMC list at

http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/about/31questions.htm

Try not to ask in a confrontational way Do not ask about vacation time or who their

competing schools are

What not to do Disparage other schools, faculty, or applicants Falsify background Use inappropriate humor Drink coffee, smoke, chew gum, or bite nails Steer interview Dress inappropriately Bring family along

Interview Killers Arrogance—Guess what? Just about every

interviewee is equally qualified to you Not being prepared Applicant does not listen to questions and/or

answers their own version of the question Being distracted Answering questions that weren’t asked Rambling

Wardrobe Males: Suit, slacks and sport coat, slacks,

shirt with collar and sweater. Always a tie. Females: Suit, slacks and jacket, dress No open toed shoes, no stilettos, cover

tattoos, take out facial piercings, jewelry at minimum, hair should be out of your face, conservative hair & make-up

Thank yous Sending a thank you note is a very good thing to

do Interviewers give a lot of time for this An email is ok, but a written note is better

Immediately following interview jot down some notes on your thoughts, questions you might want to think about, and names of those you want to thank!

Interview Feedback Generally you will be asked to give

feedback on your interview day by the school

Report any weirdness For more examples of questions, check out

interview feedback from students at http://www.studentdoctor.net