Congratulations, you have finally got a medical school interview invitation in your email box. It’s time to get ready for your big day. But how do you prepare for this important part of your medical school application process? Unfortunately, many medical school applicants do not set aside time for preparing for the medical school interview and treat it like a normal conversation. However, preparing well for this important day can brighten your chances of success.
When preparing for your medical school interview, it is recommended to review the common medical school interview questions in advance and contemplate answers to such questions to avoid any inconvenience. The way you structure your answers matters most and prevents you from rambling and ensuring you answer all the questions confidently. Here are some important medical school interview preparation tips to keep in mind.
Let’s check them out.
- Set Aside Time for Interview Preparation
It is important to treat the interview process as one of the most important parts of your medical school application and prepare in advance. Get ready to discuss your academic background, extracurricular activities, and why you want to become a doctor. Craft substantial responses to common medical school questions that you may be asked during your medical school interview.
- Be Honest
A medical school interview is your opportunity to show the admissions committee why you are the perfect fit for their school. The key to making your medical school interview successful is, to be honest, and concise. Pay careful attention to the questions you are being asked. For instance, if the admission committees ask what field of medicine you are interested in, be honest and tell the reason behind your medical specialty choice. If they ask about your low GPA or MCAT scores, be honest and tell them the reasons for your poor academic performance or other weaknesses and what measures you are taking to improve.
- Ask Questions
Go to the school’s website and read about the M.D. programs and biomedical sciences programs, residency match rate, faculty, research opportunities, internship opportunities, and other important information mention on the website. Try to note down all the important points that are important to you when considering an M.D. program. It will help you prepare a list of questions related to the curriculum, campus life, and research opportunities. By doing this, you will show the admission committee that you are interested in this school.
- Your Body Language Matters
Keep in mind; you are there because you are being strongly considered. Your goal at your medical school interview is to convince the members of the admissions committees that you would make a good doctor. Your body language can make or break your chances of gaining a spot in medical school. How effective your communication is and how convincing and intelligent you appear matter most for the admissions committees. Maintain good eye contact when introducing yourself. Smile and be positive. Don’t be overconfident while discussing your high GPA and impressive MCAT scores. If you sound arrogant or superior, it will break your chances of admission.
- Sound Conversational
Preparing answers to common interview questions is a good practice, but if you sound like a robot reading from a script during your medical school interview, it will break your chances of gaining admission in a medical school. Keep in mind that interview is an opportunity for the interviewer to judge your interpersonal skills. Try to make it conversational and natural. Ask a friend, teacher, or parent to help you in practice answering questions. It is strongly recommended to record yourself answering questions.
- Provide Examples
If you want to stand out from hundreds of other applicants, try to provide unique and impressive answers to the common medical school interview questions. For example, if you are being asked why you are interested in this particular medical school or clinical program, don’t provide generic answers. Instead, try to figure out the specific features that make that specific clinical program attractive. You can give some solid reasons why you are interested in this educational curriculum; for example, the program offers simulation labs that will hone your clinical skills.
- Be Passionate
Medical school admissions committees are looking for applicants who are passionate about becoming a physician. It takes a lot of energy, dedication, and determination to become a qualified, licensed physician. You need to show this passion and excitement by discussing your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other activities in your interview to make the admission committees believe that you are the right fit for their school.
Final Thoughts
By keeping these important medical school interview preparation tips in mind, you can craft more accurate responses for the common medical school interview questions, which will eventually make you sound more confident during your interview. Good luck with your interview!