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Interviewing for Medical S chool. Office of Career Services, Harvard University. Why do medical schools interview?. Advice from a Dean. Stanford Dean of Admissions’ instructions to interviewers :
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Interviewing for Medical School Office of Career Services, Harvard University
Advice from a Dean Stanford Dean of Admissions’ instructions to interviewers: • Does your interaction with the candidate conform to the expectations you derived from reading the application? • If not; what are the discrepancies? • What is missing? • Do you detect any characteristics that cause you to question the candidate’s suitability for a career in medicine or the ability to think logically and critically? • Does the candidate have a realistic expectation of life as a physician?
Advice from a Peer The interview was the least stressful and most enjoyable part of the application experience.
Preparation: Travel arrangements • Travel • Lodging—student hosts • Scheduling
Beyond Your Clothes • Silence your phone • Bring breath mints • Remove facial piercings, tongue studs if possible • Cover large tattoos
Preparation: Specific School Info • Review the school website • Know what makes them special
Preparation—OCS and your house • House mock interviews • Workshop materials • Interview stream • Alumni evaluations http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students/careers/medicine.htm
Preparation: Preparing yourself • Know your own application • Take a copy of your application with you • Practice in front of a mirror • Prepare answers
Interview day: tips • Be yourself • Be nice to everyone • Be prompt • Be confident • Be prepared but do not over rehearse. Be flexible.
Interview day: tips • During the interview: Non-content areas • Smile. Shake hands. Eye contact. • Actively engage. Be positive and upbeat. • Posture and body language • Expect the unexpected • Give direct, thorough answers. Do not ramble. • Take your student interviewer seriously • Do not over analyze or second guess the questions.
Interview day: tips • Problems in your record? BE ready • Anything else you want me to know? • Do you have any questions for me? (Sadly, yes, there are stupid questions!!)
Interview Format • Traditional • Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) • Group • Skype/Virtual • Open vs. Closed File • Who are the interviewers? Google is a wonderful thing.
Interview Format How can I learn more about each school’s interview format? • School websites • MSAR • OCS website • Studentdr.net—Approach with Caution!!
the MD-PhD Interview • Come see us! • House mock interview • Elevator Speech
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) • 6-10 stations, 2 minutes to read, 6-8 minutes to answer/execute (120 min.) • Scenario based questions • What you are being evaluated on may not always be obvious
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)--formats • Some MMI mixed with traditional • Actors • Partner work • Rest stations
What does the MMI look like? • http://youtu.be/SYZc-rItyRw
Sample MMI • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOVbDD9lNjE • What do you think?
Practicing a Group Activity • Volunteers???