INTERVIEWING FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL

THE PRE-MEDICAL STUDIES PROGRAM
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON, DC


The interview is the final step in the admission process, and it is of critical importance. Its purpose is two-fold. First and foremost, the admissions committee, having done preliminary screening of candidates, now wishes to determine which candidates are best suited for its institution. While a great deal can be learned from applications and academic records, a candidate’s personality, maturity, ability to relate to people and motivation are better determined when an interview is included in the process.

Second, while medical schools do have the luxury of interviewing more candidates than they can accept, it is their desire to get the best students. Thus the second purpose of the interview is to sell the school to the candidate. During your visit you can (and should!) learn as much as possible about the school.


When Do Interviews Take Place?

Formats for interviewing vary. They can range from having only one person conducting the interview (probably a physician teaching at the school) to several interviewers conducting a session with a group of three candidates at the same time!

Most likely, however, you will be interviewed by two or three interviewers in a one-on-one situation. These interviewers will be M.D.’s or Ph.D’s who teach at the school, current students, or administrators from the admissions office.

(In some cases the interviewer will not have seen your file prior to meeting you, but in other situations they will have read it thoroughly.)


Preparing For the Interview


The novelty of this situation, plus the importance attached to it, can make students very anxious. There is also the occasional horror story of “stress interviews,” where candidates have supposedly been mercilessly grilled by ravenous interviewers. The latter is rare, and any institution that would condone conducting interviews in that fashion is probably not worth attending. Interviewers have important questions to ask, but a well-prepared candidate can easily overcome initial nervousness (which is expected) and impress the selection committee.

The following are recommended steps for preparing:

1. Get to know yourself, your motivations, your strengths and your weaknesses.

2. Know your record in detail. Know what you’ve submitted to the admissions committee. Be able to talk intelligently and fully about your record, including any research or employment you’ve listed.

3. Be well acquainted with the school to which you are applying. An interviewer will be impressed with an applicant who knows the school thoroughly; such preparation will suggest you are genuinely interested in attending. Furthermore, detailed information about the school and its program will help you answer convincingly such questions as why you want to attend that school.

4. Have mapped out every detail of your preparation for the interview, including how you will insure that you arrive on time.

5. Familiarize yourself with current medical issues and controversies.

6. Think through your answers to those questions most likely asked. The following is a list of questions most commonly asked:

 What are your strengths and weaknesses as an applicant? As an individual?
 Why do you want to become a doctor?
 Where do you see yourself in medicine in 10 to 20 years?
 How do you view yourself? What distinguishes you from other applicants? How are you unique? (In other words, “Why should we pick you?”)
 Describe a usual day when you are studying. How do you approach studying?
 What are you proud of?
 What has been your greatest challenge?
 Why do you want to attend this medical school?
 What are your outside interests? How do you spend your spare time?
 What will you do if you are not accepted to medical school?
 What experiences have you had that have helped you understand the field of medicine?
 What are your views on {controversial issues affecting medicine}?
{abortion, socialization of medicine, government sponsored medicine, medical insurance, physician deficient areas, euthanasia, etc.}
 When did you decide to become a doctor?
 Which school would you most like to attend?

You don’t want your answers to sound rehearsed, but you want to be prepared to give concise and meaningful responses. A book titled “The Medical School Interview,” published by the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, can be reviewed in the office of the Pre-Medical Coordinator.

Prepare your own questions for the interviewer(s). While you would like to impress the admissions committee with the quality of your answers, you need to find out if the school and its people impress you! Below is a sample of questions typically posed by applicants. One rule of thumb to observe is: “Don’t ask questions about things you can learn from reading about the school.” That shows no initiative on your part. On the other hand, questions that demonstrate thorough preparation will impress the interviewers. You are likely to be perceived as serious about your interest school and self-confident.

The following are questions often asked by medical school candidates:

 What clinical experience or exposure does one receive in the first year?
 What is the course load like?
 How many hours does one have in class? Lab?
 What types of tutoring or retention programs do you offer?
 What alternatives are offered if a person fails a class?
 What is the community atmosphere of this university?
 Are professors available for conferences and discussions?
 What percentage of your students pass the national boards?
 What grading system do you use at this university?
 What financial aid do you offer?
 What makes this school special? (In other words, “Why should I want to attend?”)
 What is the probability that I will get housing here on campus?
 How soon can I expect to hear from you?
 Do you offer a note-taking service?
 What hospitals is this university affiliated with?


Handling Oneself in an Interview


An interview is not a prisoner-of-war interrogation. It is a civil discussion with the purpose of exchanging information, probing for meanings and intentions, and hopefully establishing a match between potential students and institutions.

The best approach is to be yourself…and be the best self you can be at that time! Thorough preparation will allow you to relax and thus let your true and most polished self come through. If you do not prepare and have to search desperately for answers on the spot, you will be less likely to come across as confident and clear.

There are points of particular importance you should consider as you approach your interviews:
1. Arrive early for your interview. (Never arrive late!) If you anticipate being late, call and explain.

2. Research the school you are visiting. Browse its website, and talk with faculty or students from the school before you interview.

3. Dress in as professional a manner as possible. Tasteful business suits are recommended. Look you best!

Once in the interview, a few rules should be observed:

1. Give a firm handshake to your interviewer(s). A limp or passive grip conveys a negative first impression.

2. Establish direct eye contact with whomever you are speaking. Constantly looking away suggests discomfort or lack of confidence.

3. Sit in an upright (but not stiff) position. Try keeping any nervous mannerisms under control.

4. Answer questions honestly. No one is expected to be perfect. Be prepared to talk about shortcomings in a frank manner…but also explain how you have or will overcome them. The same honesty should be applied to describing your strengths. Excessive modesty will get you nowhere. It’s perfectly acceptable (and expected of you!) to outline your strong points. Those strengths have propelled you to this juncture. Let the interviewers know about them!

5. Provide interviewers with more than “yes” and “no” answers. Provide concise but useful illustrations.

6. Listen carefully to what is stated and asked. Don’t be afraid to ask fro clarification of a question you don’t fully understand…or to request a few moments to compose your thoughts before responding.

7. If asked to comment on controversial issues {social, political, ethical or legal} affecting medicine in America today, give your thoughts. Do not try to guess what the interviewer wants to hear from you. You may guess incorrectly and, in any case, it is hard to defend a position you do not believe in yourself. If you are ambiguous about a position on a controversial issue, state that first and explain your reasons.

8. Don’t be afraid to be upbeat and show enthusiasm. The medical profession wants people who are genuinely excited and committed to the field.

A booklet titled “The Medical School Interview,” published by the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, can be reviewed in the office of the Pre-Medical Coordinator.
After the Interview


As soon as you get home, send a thank-you letter to the person(s) with whom you interviewed. (If there are several, a letter to the person who headed the interviewing committee is sufficient. Ask him/her to convey your thanks to the others.) This can be typed or written on personal stationery. In this note simply express your gratitude for the time spent interviewing you and re-affirm your strong interest in the school. You should not attempt to sell yourself at this point. This is merely a courtesy and a sign of professionalism.

And remember: Occasionally an interview does not go well, and this may be for a variety of reasons. If you feel that this has occurred you may wish to discuss this with someone at the medical school at the close of the visit or with the Pre-Medical Coordinator at CUA.