Interviewing for Medical School Office of Career Services, Harvard University.

Interviewing for Medical School

Office of Career Services, Harvard University

Why do medical schools interview?

Advice from a Dean

Stanford Dean of Admissions’ instructions to interviewers:

Does your interaction with the candidate conform to the expectations you derived from reading the application?

If not; what are the discrepancies? What is missing? Do you detect any characteristics that cause you to question

the candidate’s suitability for a career in medicine or the ability to think logically and critically?

Does the candidate have a realistic expectation of life as a physician?

Advice from a PeerThe interview was the least stressful and most enjoyable part of the application experience.

Preparation: Travel arrangements

TravelLodging—student hostsScheduling

What to Wear—Business Attire

What to Wear—Business Attire

What to Wear—Business Attire

Beyond Your Clothes

Silence your phoneBring breath mints Remove facial piercings, tongue

studs if possibleCover large tattoos

Preparation: Specific School Info

Review the school website

Know what makes them special

Preparation—OCS and your house

House mock interviews Workshop materials Interview stream Alumni evaluations

http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students/careers/medicine.htm

Preparation: Preparing yourself

Know your own application

Take a copy of your application with you

Practice in front of a mirror

Prepare answers

Interview day: tips

1. Be yourself2. Be nice to everyone3. Be prompt4. Be confident5. Be prepared but do not over rehearse. Be

flexible.

Interview day: tips

6. During the interview: Non-content areas Smile. Shake hands. Eye contact. Actively engage. Be positive and upbeat. Posture and body language Expect the unexpected Give direct, thorough answers. Do not ramble. Take your student interviewer seriously Do not over analyze or second guess the

questions.

Interview day: tips

Problems in your record? BE ready

Anything else you want me to know?

Do you have any questions for me? (Sadly, yes, there are stupid questions!!)

Interview Format

Traditional Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) GroupSkype/VirtualOpen vs. Closed FileWho are the interviewers? Google is a

wonderful thing.

Interview Format

How can I learn more about each school’s interview format?

School websites

MSAR

OCS website

Studentdr.net—Approach with Caution!!

the MD-PhD Interview

Come see us!House mock interview Elevator Speech

Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

6-10 stations, 2 minutes to read, 6-8 minutes to answer/execute (120 min.)

Scenario based questions

What you are being evaluated on may not always be obvious

Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)--formats

Some MMI mixed with traditional Actors Partner work Rest stations

What does the MMI look like?

• http://youtu.be/SYZc-rItyRw

Sample MMI

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOVbDD9lNjE

• What do you think?

Practicing a Group Activity

• Volunteers???

Let’s PRACTICE!

Post-interview Follow-Up