Medical School Interviews

Transcription

1 Medical School Interviews Pearls and Pitfalls Admissions Office University of Mississippi School of Medicine

2 To be invited Mississippian AMCAS application completed, verified MCAT taken, scores released UMMC Secondary Application submitted UMMC $50 Supplemental Fee paid

3 To be invited Preference given to applicants with completed file (all transcripts and three acceptable faculty evaluation letters received) If interviewed with incomplete file, admissions committee decision will be delayed until file is complete

4 First Cut Early Decision Program (EDP): BCPM GPA > 3.6 and MCAT > 27 Regular Decision Program (RDP): BCPM GPA and MCAT on a sliding scale BCPM GPA 3.8 MCAT 21 BCPM GPA 2.8 MCAT 31

5 Alternative to Automatic First Cut If undergraduate BCPM GPA is insufficient, then positive trend, improving grades can be helpful if in Post baccalaureate undergraduate science and math courses [PB BCPM] Graduate science and math courses [GRD BCPM] Pearl: You can overcome sub par undergraduate BCPM GPA with high performance on new PB or GRD BCPM course work must be substantial and challenging.

6 When you make the cut What can you expect? What is UMC looking for in an applicant? What are the pearls and pitfalls for an interview?

7 Interview Invitation Invitation sent by You call admissions office to schedule date and time Morning interviews 8:45 am Lunch/tour with M3/M4s 11:30 am 12:45 pm Afternoon interviews 12:45 pm

8 Interview Day Admissions staff and committee members will meet you in person You will answer questions, react to scenarios, describe your preparation and motivation to attend medical school You will be able to visit the school and meet some faculty and students

9 Why is the interview done in person?

10 Interviewers Seek to Assess Communication (verbal and nonverbal!) Respect for Others Motivation Critical Thinking Honesty/Integrity Maturity Accountability Altruism/Compassion/ Empathy Ethics/Values Excellence Setting Priorities Self Appraisal Coping Skills Support System

11 Non-verbal Communication Timeliness Appearance Body language Voice, volume Energy level Eye contact Maturity Professionalism Attitude

12 Interview Day Pitfalls Very casual clothing (Applicant in running suit uncomfortable because all others in business attire) Extremely high-heeled shoes (Applicant in pain when walking between interviews and on campus tour)

13 Interview Day Pitfalls Shirt collar too tight (Applicant kept tugging at collar to breath.. very distracting) Skirt too short (Applicant kept tugging at hem very distracting!)

14 Interview Day Pearls Plan for the unexpected so you can arrive on time (better yet early) Conservative dress--business attire. (Look like a professional!) Comfortable shoes Turn cell phone off or leave it in the car! Neatly groomed

15 Interview Day Pearls Take a few deep breaths before you come into the admissions office- RELAX!!! Be yourself If being yourself means you are too intimidated to speak, you might not be ready for medical school.

16 Interview Day Pearls Pay attention to your speaking volume. Speak up, speak clearly but don t BLAST people out of the room. Sufficient volume to appear confident, but not overbearing or arrogant.

17 Pitfall...the Yeller LOUD voice, blasted the interviewer! Everyone could hear every word through the doors, walls, etc. Interviewer thoughts: Will this person yell at every patient?

18 Pitfall the Whisperer Too quiet to be heard Nerves, jitters Scared to death Interviewer thoughts: Is this person strong enough for medical school? Will patients, students, physicians intimidate this person? Is there something to hide?

19 Pearls Applicant who presents well: Makes eye contact Listens, answers questions Does not appear rehearsed Does not talk over the interviewer Does not ramble on Interviewer thoughts: He/she is attentive and easy to talk to. Patients will be comfortable with this person. This person seems to be mature and strong

20 Pearl Sit up!

21 Pitfalls Slouch down Wiggle around (ants in the pants!) Squirm Avoid eye contact Stare without blinking! Twirl hair constantly Try to read your file

22 Pitfall Most single most common mistake is failure to answer a question

23 Common Question What made you decide to attend your current college/university? Pearl: Describe the 2-3 most important factors that contributed to your decision Pitfall: Talk about all the other schools to which you were accepted and why you chose not to attend them

24 Common Question How have you prepared for medical school? Pearl: Talk about your academic preparation, health care experience, personal reflection, etc. Pitfall: Talk about why everyone thinks you should be a doctor

25 Common Question How did you prepare for the MCAT? Pearl: Tell what you did to prepare, over what period time. If you are preparing to take it again, tell that too. Pitfall: Give reasons why you didn t prepare or excuses for poor performance

26 Common Question Scenario described for which you must choose a course of action Pearl: listen, think out course of action, respond Pitfall: blurt out response without thinking

27 Important! Remember this!! It s not about you anymore. It s about your future patients!

28 Final Thoughts The interview is not designed to intimidate you. Once you are invited for interview, you have survived the first cut. About half of the people who interview will be accepted. Some of the interviewed applicants will become alternates. The number of alternates who will be admitted varies from year to year.

29 Your Friends! Admissions office staff Coordinate your visit. Schedule your interviews Answer your questions Direct you to interview locations Provide you a card with names, titles Manage your file Make your experience better Put you at ease

30 For more information Web page Telephone