The most exciting, yet daunting, part of your med school admissions process is the medical school interview. Getting that first invite was so exciting I started crying. After a year of not even making it to that level, I knew that I had improved greatly during my gap year to get an invitation.
Thousands apply, hundreds are interviewed, few are selected. You will want to be part of that few, but in order to do that, you have to be part of the hundreds. Without an interview, you can kiss your chances of admissions goodbye.
After you’ve submitted your medical school applications, you wait for institutions to review it and send you an interview invitation. This can come in the form a regular email that you respond to, phone call, or an online portal. Whichever, make sure you respond and confirm your date and time.
The last thing you want is a misunderstanding and for them to give your interview spot away. After you’ve confirmed it, it’s time to start preparing. This list of rules is lengthy, but informative. So, grab your favorite caffeinated drink, a pen and pad, and let’s get started.
Rule #1: Confirm interview and plan early
Depending on where your interview is, you could either have a 15-minute drive or a 4-hour flight. Tickets can be expensive, and so can hotels. It is of utmost importance that after you confirm date and time of your interview, you book your flight quickly. I would suggest flying in the day before that way nothing crazy happens and you’re SOL. Find a decent hotel where you’re going to get some solid rest and not be worried about anything crawling into your suitcase…(YIKES!)
If you’re in luck, someone you know lives in the same town you’re interviewing in. If this is the case and you feel comfortable staying with them, then take advantage of the free room and board. As I’ve said before, applying to medical school is EXPENSIVE, so it will be in your best interest to save money where possible. However, don’t sacrifice comfort and good rest to save a few bucks. Plan everything early so in case something falls through, you’ve got time to find a Plan B!
Rule #2: Practice, practice, practice
Practice makes perfect. This age old adage holds true in many domains, especially this one. The best way to go in your interview feeling confident is to practice what you’re going to say. Have you ever had a jazzy comeback that you’ve practiced in your head, then said it? Flawlessly? Same principle here. You want your responses to sounds fluid, but not rehearsed. By practicing, you have an idea in your head so you don’t spend too much time in the interview going UMMMMM…????
There are plenty of lists of practice medical school interview questions that you can use. Ask yourself the questions and then prepare your answer and deliver it. Film yourself so you can see your body language and hear your answers. Practice keeping your hands relatively still and your body relaxed, especially your face. Have friends and family ask you these questions too and give you feedback on how you do.
Reduce any unnecessary conversation fillers. You know the culprits: like, you know, um, literally, totally, like, like like. Axe them, you don’t need them. Take a small pause if you have a lapse in fluidity. Then continue speaking again. You’re answer will sound more fluid, knowledgeable, and confident.
Rule #3: Do your research
One of the easiest ways to do well at a medical school interview is to know something about the school you’re interviewing at. Crazy right? I know! But you should be able to answer basic questions about why you want to attend a specific school. It has to be tailored specifically to that institution so they know you’re just as invested in them as they hope to be in you. Do your research and answer practice questions about each individual school before you go.
Know the school’s motto, mission, and basic facts about the school. Take note of which of these aspects you really like so you can talk about them in your interview. Look up what research opportunities they have that you may be interested in. This way you can show that you’ve already looked into their research interests and found something you’d like to contribute to. Know basic parts of the school’s curriculum too so you can highlight what you like and how that curriculum will add to your learning experience.
If there is any information on what type of interview format they use, find it. You’ll be so much better prepared if you know the style they use for medical school interviews. When practicing, be sure to incorporate that interview style into your practice so you know what to expect.
Rule #4: Dress to impress (and be comfortable)
This should be a no brainer, but everyone could use some refreshers. You’re applying to enter a professional institution with traditional standards for how someone should appear. Regardless what year it is, the expectations remain the same. Here’s a quick guide on what to do and what not to do:
Do’s
- Wear a suit. Pant and blazer set, skirt and blazer, or dress and blazer are all acceptable. Men should always opt for the shirt and tie look.
- Wear neutral or soft tones. You don’t need to draw more attention to your clothes than to your answer. Tone down the creativity (just for today)
- Have on comfortable dress shoes. Low heels, flats, dressy loafers, oxfords, etc. Interview days can be long and include lots of walking. Make sure your footwear isn’t holding you back. Your shoes need to be clean and well-kept.
- Try on your outfit before you leave to ensure everything fits well and you’re comfortable.
- Be well groomed. Hair should be neat, combed, and clean. Make sure to shower and smell good, but avoid fragrances. Nails should be clean and well-manicured. Women it’s either all polished or none polished. No chipped nails.
- Ladies, stocking or tights are optional, but keep in mind how short your skirt or dress is and if panty hose will add modesty to your outfit.
Don’ts
- Wear a lot of cologne or perfume.
- Have wrinkled or dirty clothes on
- Wear jeans or bottoms with embellishments
- Wear ostentatious clothing (sparkles, loud colors, flashy)
- Have on heels higher than 3 inches. Comfort is important and so is the message being delivered by footwear
- Wear athletic shoes, boat shoes, flip flops, sandals, or anything casual.
You want your outfit to fit your personality, but it doesn’t have to outshine YOU. You are who they want to see and talk to. If you’re outfit says hello before you do, nothing you say will be 100% heard. Stand out by what you say and how smart you are, not by what you’re wearing. The last thing you want to do is be the story of an admissions counselor of interview outfit gone wrong.
Rule #5: Before hitting the road, review/print needed materials for your medical school interview
Every school differs in what they require you to bring to their medical school interview. Some want passport photos, copies of driver’s licenses, portfolios, etc. The last thing you’ll want is to land and not be able to get what you need or show up unprepared.
Review the interview invitation and double check you have everything you need before you leave home. Print off or make copies of anything you need well in advance of leaving. The last thing you need is to be running around trying to get everything together last minute.
Also review your application. Remember exactly what you wrote in your essays and how you answered questions in your secondary application. You want to be consistent and remember the highlights of your application so you can reiterate those same points in your medical school interview.
Rule #6: If flying, carry on all important things
Goof ups at the airport happen all the time. Don’t be a victim of lost luggage and have to wear your travel clothes to the interview. Things happen and interviewers understand, but the you’ll just feel uncomfortable or like the elephant in the room because you’re wearing very casual attire to your medical school interview.
Avoid all of that by carrying on your suit and your materials. Use a garment bag or tuck them away neatly in a carry on bag. Be sure to use an iron to knock out any travel wrinkles when you get to your accommodations.
Rule #7: Do a drive-by of your medical school interview site, the night before
When you get to the city, be sure to do a drive-by of where your interview is. This way, in the morning, you know exactly where you’re going and where you’re parking. This will take the stress out of your morning routine and allow you to focus more on the actual interview. Time how long it takes you to get there from where you’re staying so you have a good idea of what time you need to leave. Getting this layout will help you visualize how your medical school interview is going to go.
Also, the night before your medical school interview, lay everything out for the morning. Make sure your suit and all its pieces are ironed, clean, and smooth. Pack all your materials you’re taking to the interview and double check the list of items they asked you to bring. The less you have to worry about in the morning, the more you can focus on making a good first impression.
Rule #8: Be early, but not too early, to your medical school interview
If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. And if you’re late, you’re in trouble. This could not be more true when it comes to your medical school interview. Not only are you making a bad impression, you’re throwing off your focus. You’ll be so worried about being late and what you’ve missed, that you won’t be able to be in the moment. Plan to arrive to your interview 20-25 minutes before your scheduled time. This way you have plenty of time to get where you need to be, maybe use the bathroom, and get first dibs at breakfast.
However, you don’t want to be too early. Getting there 35 minutes-1 hour early is excessive. There are no brownie points for being the first person to an interview. I know you’re excited, but all you’ll do is feel anxious and create more time for you to make awkward conversation with other attendees. Take your time getting ready and get there with enough time to take your time and not feel rush. If there’s any information presented at the beginning, you know for sure you won’t miss anything.
Rule #9: Take a notebook with you to your medical school interview
Most schools will have some sort of informational packet for you to take with you. However, having your own personal notebook will help you take note of things they don’t send home. Most interviews have presentations on financials, schedules, courses, etc. Write these down so you have a better idea of how that school works.
Also make sure to write down the names of your interviewers. It’s customary to send thank you notes to your interviewers and if you personalize them, that adds an extra touch. These thank you notes may or may not be responded to, but they don’t hurt.
Rule #10: Pack non-messy snacks
Idk about you but I like to eat. I always need a little snack. Sometimes interview sites will have little granola bars or snacks like that, but just in case they don’t, you want to be prepared. When you’re sitting there waiting for your interview, you don’t want to be interrupted by a growling stomach. It’s a personal distraction and yes, others can hear your stomach growling too.
But, in saying that, don’t pack a Nature Valley Bar that will leave you crumby and smelling overwhelmingly like peanut butter. Eat something that doesn’t have a strong smell and won’t ruin your outfit. Also, make sure your snack is actually healthy and fulfilling so you can make it to the end of the day. Easy foods to pack are:
- grapes
- destemmed strawberries
- Quaker Oats chewy bars
- Fruit snacks
- protein bar
- carrots
- dried fruit or raisins
- applesauce squeeze packs
- veggie sticks
- cheese sticks
Rules #11: Be prepared to ask questions during your medical school interview
I know this sounds pretty backwards. During your medical school interview, they’re asking you questions, not the other way around right? Wrong. This interview works both ways. They’re seeing if they like you but you also are there to see if you like them. You do get to have an opinion in this case, just like they do.
So before you go, you should come up with 5-10 questions to keep in your back pocket (not literally). At the end of the interview, they will ask you if you have any questions. You don’t want to say no. Having trouble coming up with questions? There are plenty of resources for you to get inspired by, but below are also some options:
- What are some characteristics of students who were successful?
- Is the environment and interaction between students one of collaboration, competition or a mix?
- What are resources available to students for post grad placement or advancement?
- Is there time set aside or is study time integrated into the curriculum for Step 1 or COMLEX?
- How accessible are professors or mentors to students?
- What type of mental health or wellbeing activities are available to students to avoid burnout?
- What are parameters for graduating with honors? Is there a ranking system or AOA used for better residency placement?
- Is there opportunity for patient-student interaction before clinical trials? Perhaps through service learning or student-run clinics?
- What are protections and resources for marginalized students? How does the university strive towards diversity and making everyone feel welcome?
- What research or presentation/conference opportunities are available to students to build a research portfolio?
Make sure you’re not asking questions that have already been answered. Ask questions that address what’s important to you so you know you’re choosing the right schools, should you get accepted.
Rule #12: Avoid messy foods and practice good manners
Breakfast and lunch are your two biggest culprits on interview day. Most schools will offer lunch and for some reason they always choose something with red sauce. If you can’t help yourself, then get the dang red sauce. Just make sure to eat carefully over your plate and cover yourself with a napkin.
Normally only water and tea are offered, so you should be okay on the drinks. If you’re wearing a light or tan suit, it’s especially important that you steer clear of anything that can stain you.
During meals, it’s important to practice proper etiquette. It’s perfectly acceptable to remove your jacket if you have something appropriate underneath. Roll up your sleeves and place your napkin in your lap. Most lunches are designed to get you talking with either other interviewees or current students and staff.
Be social but do not talk with your mouth full. Do not saw your meat, but cut it gently. Don’t go back for seconds and thirds. It’s not only inappropriate, but also sets you up for The Itis…Practice good manners and say please and thank you. You’re not eating with your friends, so your table etiquette has to be on 10.
Rule #13: Be You, but be professional
I said this in my post about writing an awesome personal statement, and I’m saying it here. Your interviewers are absolutely interested in who you are, but this isn’t a date, and you aren’t hanging out with your friends. Even when you’re with other interviewees this holds true. Don’t cuss with them, they’re not your friends. You also have no idea who is listening to your conversation. Keep the tone light and airy, but also let your personality shine through.
In your interview don’t be afraid to use humor. Avoid colloquialisms or insiders, but be personable. Tell stories about your medical past or your personal life that is relevant and may set you apart. The point of an interview is to get to the know the person that has an awesome paper application. Let that person come across so you don’t sound like a robot. But also remember that you have to sound smart and confident. You’re selling your interviewers a product, YOU! So you have to speak eloquently and get your point across as clearly and concisely as possible. Keep stories short and to the point. Answer the questions and don’t talk around it. Show them why they would be BLESSED to have you as a part of their school.
Rule #14: Be sociable and friendly
It’s so easy to walk into your medical school interview scowling and giving everyone the evil eye. You may look at it as a room full of your competition and you’re right. However, if you get so caught up in being off put and unfriendly, you’ll tighten yourself up to your own detriment. It’s so unnecessary to give off that kind of energy especially because one day these people may be your classmates. The last thing you’ll want to do is alienate them and leave a bad impression of you.
It’s okay to converse with other interviewees and talk about undergrad or where you’re from. Don’t get into anything deep or let your guard down completely. You have a job to do and cannot forget that. But while you’re waiting around, don’t be that person on their phone, completely unaware of your surroundings. In fact, your phone should be completely off and out of sight. Your interview starts from the second you accept it, to the second you get a final decision. Every moment counts. Don’t waste it being anti-social and funny acting.
Rule #15: Stay calm
I’m a sweater. When I get nervous or anxious, my armpits get really moist. My voice gets shaky and all my confidence exits stage left. Don’t get so nervous that you blow it. There’s a healthy amount of nervousness so you perform well. But if you pass that threshold, you’ll find yourself a wreck.
My favorite thing to do is go into the bathroom right before I interview and take four deep breaths while I stand in the Superwoman pose. I not only calm myself down, but also boost my confidence.
When you’re in the interview room, you don’t want clammy hands as you’ll shake hands with your interviewer. Keep breathing and relax the tension in your body so you stop sweating. As you sit in the chair, remember to relax your shoulders and keep your breathing steady. Don’t get overwhelmed and if you need to take a pause, do so. Gather yourself with a couple of quick calming breaths, then proceed.
If you have time before your interview or during a break, listen to my calming meditation to reduce tension in your body. If you don’t have time, listen to it beforehand and practice those breathing techniques throughout the interview day.
Rule #16: Be present and in the moment during the entire medical school interview
Interview days are long AF. From getting up and getting ready, all the way through the post-lunch slump, to the end you have to stay focused. It will be so hard, but if you zone out at any point during the day, you may miss out on something very important. You definitely don’t want to be in the interview and miss a question then have to ask them to repeat it because you weren’t paying attention.
This is where mindfulness meditation offers a lot of benefits because it teaches you how to be present in the moment. It also improves your focus so you can make it through long tasks like a medical school interview. Constantly engage your body so you can keep your mind focused. Take notes, ask questions, readjust your body to wake your mind back up. Even practice skull shining breaths to energize and wake you up.
Well that’s all folks!
Thank you for joining me on this journey and if you’re getting ready for an interview, I wish you luck. This is an exciting milestone in the application process and I hope my Sweet 16 rules helped get you on the right track. If you have any additional tips or modifications to the ones above, please drop them in the comments below! Also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for continued tips to help you get into medical school. Subscribe using the Green Box to be the first one to know about updates!
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