The receipt of the letter requesting that you
come for an interview clearly indicates
that the medical school is seriously interested
in you. The large volume of applications
has meant that admissions officers have to be
highly selective in granting interviews.
Admissions officers have at their disposal only
a limited number of interviewers, who
are usually faculty members and whose time is
obviously very valuable. Thus, obtaining
an invitation to come for an interview means
either that they wish to confirm a tentative
decision that you are acceptable or they think
that you deserve a chance to prove that
you merit admission in spite of some possible
weakness. The interviewer will endeavor
to appraise such personal qualifications as
responsiveness, a warmth of personality,
poise, ability to communicate ideas clearly and
concisely, and soundness of motivation.
In the interviewer's written report, these
criteria will usually be touched upon.
1. Physical appearance: Grooming, bearing, and
self-confident manner.
2. Personality: Friendliness, ability to
establish rapport and charm, sense of humor.
3. Communication skills: Ability to express
ideas clearly, fluently, and intelligently.
4. Motivation: Soundness of career choice,
conviction of interests.
5. Maturity: Ability to undertake
responsibility that the career entails.
6. Interests: What educational, social, and
cultural interests do you have?
7. Level of concern: Do you have a genuine
interest in people, their problems, and
helping them solve them--empathy?
8. Emotional stability: Composure while under
pressure.
9. Intellectual potential: Have you truly
demonstrated superior intellectual abilities?
10. Overall subjective reaction of the
interviewer to the applicant.
Evaluate yourself in terms of items 1 to 9 as
honestly as possible and work to improve
your weaknesses. By subjecting yourself to mock
interviews by your peers, you can
determine where your weaknesses are, and how
well you are doing to overcome them.
Allow your mock interviewers to be honest and
candid (even if it hurts your feelings).
Preparation for the Interview
There are a number of steps that you can take
that will help to prepare you for your
interview.
1. Read the catalog of the school and become
familiar with any special facilities or
programs it has to offer.
2. Discuss with fellow applicants from your
college the nature of their experiences
at interviews at various schools.
3. Dress neatly and be properly
groomed.
4. Arrive for the interview early, so that you
locate the interview site with time to
spare for an adjustment to your
surroundings.
5. If your interviewer is late, do not indicate
annoyance for being kept waiting.
(He or she probably was delayed by something
important.)
6. Act naturally and avoid looking
nervous.
7. Answer the questions raised without trying
to anticipate what you think the
interviewer may wish to hear.
8. Avoid controversial subjects and don't raise
sensitive issues.
9. Be prepared to explain your specific
interest in the school you are visiting.
10. If you inadvertently flub a question, don't
let it upset you for the rest of your
interview.
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