What suggestions do you have for the interview?

practice, practice, practice. I'm not telling you to memorize responses but you should be comfortable with any of the common questions like: Why medicine? You should be able to direct interviews in ways which highlight your strentghs. Practice being yourself, practice maintaining eye contact, practice having the right facial expressions and etc.. I practiced with my roomate many times before every interview. Iggy at State University of New York Upstate Medical University College of Medicine (MD), class of 2013. Pre-med: University of Maryland- College Park, Biology and American Studies degree. Answer posted 1/4/2009

As always be yourself, relax, act professional, and be polite. Don't speak to fast but speak flunently, speak so that you can be understood. James Tolbert at Harvard Medical School (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Harvard University, B.S. Chemistry & Biology degree. Answer posted 10/23/2008

The word interview in the medical school admissions process can be misleading, as most successful interviews will be similar to a great conversation that you would have with a new friend. As an interviewee, you should show just as much interest in the person interviewing you as they show in you. The biggest difference is that yours will seem more sincere because you dont have their resume in front of you. My interview experiences were similar to this. I made each of my interviews a time to get to know the person doing the interviewing....I switched it up and put them on the spot! lol they actually love this because it gives them a chance out their busy schedule to talk about them, and only them, and this makes them feel relieved by the time the interview is over. I cant count how many interviews I allowed the interviwer to talk about their own research and careers the entire interview...it gets so bad sometimes that you have to ask "is there anything you would like to ask before we conclude?" lol (well maybe not that bad). But just keep in mind that interview day should not be taken lightly, your mannerisms and interactions with the faculty and colleagues are fair game. But at the same time dont be afraid to show your personality (if you find it to be a decent one..). They can tell if you are holding up a front and some will even try to break it. Interview days arent that bad tho, it just to make sure you arent crazy for most schools. Yusuf Ali at University of Maryland School of Medicine (MD), class of 2012. Pre-med: Morgan State University, Biology degree. Answer posted 6/13/2008

check out the STUDENT DOCTOR NETWORK INTERVIEW FORUM. they list the questions each medical will ask you in your interviews because they are provided by students like us who have already been interviewed. At one interview, I actually got an ethical question that I saw a week earlier word-for-word online. You should also look the part, so dress to impress, although I think that goes without saying. Remember to also put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. Would you wanna talk to a boring suck up? Be yourself and talk about anything interesting that may come to your mind, and don't be afraid to go off on tangents sometimes. My best interviews were the ones where we talked about travelling and famous artwork. Be interesting, ask questions back, establish rapport, maintain eye contact and have fun. Those were my keys to success. Sandro Corti at UMDNJ--New Jersey Medical School (), class of . Pre-med: Answer posted 3/24/2008

Don't fidget too much. Answer questions honestly. Wear a suit, and relax. They want to know who you are! Lynn at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) (DO), class of 2010. Pre-med: Cedar Crest, Genetic Engineering degree. Answer posted 6/19/2006

be early. look nice and calm. be sincere and talk to as many ppl as you can. the whole day is an interview. ask questions. and always be grateful to your interviewees by sending thank-yous. Sarah Tran at University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ft Worth (UNTHSC-TCOM) (DO), class of 2012. Pre-med: Houston Baptist University, BS degree. Answer posted 1/23/2008

BE YOURSELF AT YOUR BEST. Dress professional, be confident, maintain eye contact, and listen. Try not to ramble even though you're nervous as Hell. If you find yourself doing so, stop, and throw a question at the interviewer. Ask them what they like most about the school. This gives you a chance to compose youself and lets the interviewer know that you're not just a big wind bag that likes to hear your own voice. Maria Reyes at University of Utah School of Medicine (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: university of utah & westminster college (2nd BS), psychology & biology degree. Answer posted 5/10/2007

Dress nicely. Be honest and sincere. Don't rattle off pre-fabbed responses that sound just like everyone else applying. PRACTICE. Have your friends, BF/GF, family, or whoever give you a mock interview. PRACTICE...you dont want to look stupid by stumbling over your words. Also, most schools will ask you about your research...be prepared to talk about it and answer questions. One of my interviewers turned out to be a co-author of a paper that the lead Dr. in my lab had written. George Dunham at St George's University School of Medicine (Caribbean), class of 2010. Pre-med: Wake Forest University, Biology degree. Answer posted 5/2/2007

Be yourself. Smile. At least think about your responses to the big questions, "Why a doctor?", "Why our school?", "What makes you so special?", etc. Know your application front to back; anything in there is fair game. Erik Amoroso at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2010. Pre-med: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, B.S. Computer Science degree. Answer posted 8/17/2006

Relax. If you made it this far, you have a great shot. Go in prepared. Know about the specific school you are going to. Have questions to ask your panel. Be yourself. DONT LIE. Zack Gangwer at Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program (AZPod) at Midwestern University (Podiatry), class of 2011. Pre-med: Weber State University, Microbiology/Clinical Laboratory Science degree. Answer posted 12/29/2006

Review your personal statement and visit Student Doctor Network for interview feedback from the school you will be interviewing from. Brian Dix at College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (Podiatry), class of 2011. Pre-med: South Dakota State University, BS Biology degree. Answer posted 12/20/2006

It's okay to be nervous, but also try to relax as much as possible. They may ask you some tough questions, but they are trying to see how you think on your feet, not necessarily expecting a perfect answer (because let's face it, there's no real "perfect" answer to anything). Smile. Be gracious. Be approachable and open, and most of all, be honest. I was asked about my physical sciences MCAT score at least 239487 times; my answer? "I've always struggled with Newtonian mechanics. I took too much time on those questions, and didn't end up finishing." It's the simple truth. It's okay to admit your weaknesses! That shows you are humble and realistic about yourself. You also have to be able to admit your strengths, though, and be confident in those. Sarah Levin at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM) (DO), class of 2011. Pre-med: Wesleyan University, Neuroscience & Behavior degree. Answer posted 11/26/2006

Just be yourself Doug Christensen at Des Moines University - College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) (Podiatry), class of 2011. Pre-med: Loras, BA Secondary Education degree. Answer posted 10/10/2006

be prepared for the numerous types of questions you might be asked. also come with questions of your own, even if you legitimately don't have any. Ehren Dueweke at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2010. Pre-med: Kalamazoo College, Chemistry degree. Answer posted 8/21/2006

Be yourself. Remember, the interview is for you to see if you will be a good fit at their institution so be prepared to ask good questions about the school. Most of my interviews were low stress and they just wanted to know if I had personality. You'd be amazed at the number of premeds out there who are just social misfits. J Chang at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2007. Pre-med: BYU, Neuroscience degree. Answer posted 7/28/2005

RELAX. The interviewer does not want you to fail (I think). It is imperative that you prepare well in advance for the interview. Go to the interview feedback section on studentdoctor.net, download the questions for the medical school you will be interviewing at and have mock interviews with friends and family. Dress sharply. Brian Wolf at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (MD), class of 2011. Pre-med: University of Miami 07, B.A Psychology degree. Answer posted 7/8/2006

Be yourself. They should know that you are pretty well qualified--but they don't know how you conduct yourself. Let them see a little bit of your personality and what you have to offer the school. Bill Holmes at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: University of Arizona, Molecular & Cellular Bio/Anthropology degree. Answer posted 1/6/2006

Really prepare for the interview using the questions on SDN. I didn't discover this site until a few days before my first interview. I would have been so much better prepared if I had known about that sooner and if I had done mock interviews. Dana Marie Smith at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) (DO), class of 2010. Pre-med: Ithaca College, B.A. Biology degree. Answer posted 6/24/2006

You've heard this often so I'll say it again...be yourself BUT don't be an idiot. Be professional and courteous. And at least practice your responses or try to figure yourself out. I had a list of my strengths and weaknesses as well as responses to common questions. It's a 30-minute interview so be clear, quick, and don't forget to show your enthusiasm. Chris Cruz at University of Texas Medical School at Houston (MD), class of 2010. Pre-med: Texas A&M University, Biomedical Science degree. Answer posted 5/20/2006

- Practice delivering concise answers. - Wear a nice suit. - Maintain eye contact. - Smile and relax. - Use "sound bites". - Have a discussion with your interviewers. - Prepare a list of questions to ask. Andrew Doan, MD, PhD Andrew Doan at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (MD), class of 2001. Pre-med: Reed College, B.A. in Biology degree. Answer posted 6/11/2006

I went to eleven different medical school interviews, so I feel that I had quite a bit of experience. I know that it sounds trite, but all you can really do is try to be calm and relaxed and then just be yourself. After the first few interviews, I became much more relaxed and after that the interviews went very well for me. Scott Larson at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Idaho State University, Microbiology degree. Answer posted 10/23/2005

It is normal to be nervous, but be yourself. Try to find something interesting about your interviewer and ask them about it. Try to also talk about things other than medicine. Mindy Williams at Morehouse School of Medicine (MD), class of 2010. Pre-med: University of South Alabama, BSN degree. Answer posted 5/31/2006

Relax, they wouldn't ask you to interview if you didn't have a chance. Be honest, if you try to hard to impress they will see through your bull. Dress for success, this should be obvious. Robert Greenhagen at College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (Podiatry), class of 2008. Pre-med: Briar Cliff University, B.S. in Biology degree. Answer posted 5/30/2006

Be relaxed and confident. Honesty and tact is the best policy. Don't be discouraged if one interview doesn't go as well as you would have hoped. Remember that the short duration of the interview can not give a true perspective of who you are but rather how you present yourself. Oh...and smile. Interviewing is the most fun of the whole process. Joe Behn at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point, Biology degree. Answer posted 1/4/2006

be yourself! and look presentable. talk confidently. do not apologize for anything and stand up for yourself. give a good firm handshake. for some reason, everyone loved my handshake and they all commented about it. it set things off to a good start. and ultra-pointy girly shoes help too. emily at University of Mississippi School of Medicine (MD), class of 2011. Pre-med: University of Mississippi, B.S. Chemical Engineering degree. Answer posted 3/20/2006

- BE ON TIME - BE POLITE - BE RESPECTFUL - BE INTERESTED - BE HONEST - Practice a mock interview with your family and friends several times, and get feedback. Try to stay over with a med student host and ask them for advice/mock interview. Dina R at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School (MD), class of 2008. Pre-med: University of Toronto, Hon BSc degree. Answer posted 3/19/2006

same as previous...I spent 20 minutes of a 30 minute interview talking about ice fishing. Just so happened that she, my interviewer, and I were into that. Don't pretend you are somebody else. Interviewers see right through it. Casey Lythgoe at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of . Pre-med: B.Y.U.-Hawaii, Biochemistry degree. Answer posted 10/25/2005

Just be yourself and be honest in your answers. Jeff Hanson at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Utah State University, Biology degree. Answer posted 2/11/2006

Relax. Think of who you are and what you want before hand. Be honest. Don't be afraid to take a moment or two to think about a question while in the interview. It can be ok to say "I don't know." Jeffrey Anderson at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Bethel University, Biblical and Theological Studies degree. Answer posted 2/11/2006

Do a little research on the school and city that it is in before hand, they might ask you what you like about their school in particular. Gregory Thom at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: University of CA, San Diego, BS; Management Science degree. Answer posted 2/8/2006

BE HONEST!!!! If you have gotten this far you must sell yourself. Do not be argumentative and answer questions to the best of your ability. Most times they really don't care what your answer is, but how you will respond. Don't try to impress them with who you know or how good you. The biggest application killer is conceit or self-centeredness. That is a key sign to them that you are not a team player. Your patient not only relies on you, but all the staff under you. Matt Tallar at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: UW-Milwaukee, Microbiology/Biotechnology degree. Answer posted 2/7/2006

Again, be yourself. I think one of the most important things in making a good impression is a firm handshake with a genuine smile while looking the interviewer in the eyes. Maintain eye contact, even if it makes you very uncomfortable. I'm not a huge fan of sustained eye contact, but I forced myself to lock eyes and probably came off as a little creepy, but I was 2 for 2 with my interviews, so take that for what it's worth. If an interviewer becomes very conversational, asking random nonmedical stuff, don't feel the need to relate your answers to medicine. Just have a good conversation. AND SMILE, DAMMIT!!!! Marc Biedermann at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, BS Human Biology Health Sciences degree. Answer posted 2/6/2006

Try to be aware of some of the questions the school asks, although I did not know about them at the time, resources like this site or student doctor can be helpful....just remember the school is aware of the sites as well and they do read what students say. John Gannon at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of . Pre-med: UCLA/ University of Utah, biological chemistry degree. Answer posted 1/10/2006

Arrive early. Be yourself. Research the school by checking out their website and the Interview Feedback on SDN. Even if you don't have questions about the school, have some handy to ask your interviewer. Be prepared to discuss ethical issues. Keep in mind that, in most cases, they are not looking for a specific answer. They are looking to see that you can express and back up your opinion clearly. Try not and be too "absolute" as it may be preferable to demonstrate that you are open to discussion and other viewpoints. Amy Raubenolt at Ohio State University College of Medicine (MD), class of 2010. Pre-med: Bowling Green State University, Spanish degree. Answer posted 1/13/2006

It is cliched, but be yourself. Allow yourself to be nervous and don't freak out that you are nervous. Ask the interviewers questions; be interested in what they do too. Adam Mehring at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) (DO), class of 2008. Pre-med: Grove City College, Molecular Biology degree. Answer posted 1/10/2006

Relax and try to be yourself. Yoga and meditative thought work for me....and pray. Aaron Beck at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Concordia University Wisconsin, General Biology degree. Answer posted 1/3/2006

Relax! Really, the horror stories you have heard about interviewers being jerks are few and far between, and even if you are put in this situation (I was!) you simply have to maintain a professional demeanor and come out the other side having not freaked out on your interviewer. Interviews are mostly about making sure you have at least minimal social skills, so be prepared for some small talk. Also, have an idea going in of what aspects of your application you would like to highlight, explain, or downplay (e.g. poor grades in certain subjects). Also objectively look at your application and determine at least one weakness, personality-wise or scholastic that you can talk about, and explain how this can be converted to an advantage or has already been addressed. They eat that stuff up! Jesse Stringer at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Biology degree. Answer posted 8/31/2005

Be yourself! Kim Bentley at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Duke, Biomedical Engineering degree. Answer posted 10/31/2005

If you get an early interview at your first choice school, TAKE IT!! I know a few friends that were accepted to their school of choice and saved a couple to a few thousand dollars from canceling the rest of their interviews. I didn't know which school I wanted to go to, so I had to spend the few thousand dollars, but when I had my interview at KCUMB it just fit me, the atmosphere, the city, my peers. When you are at an interview, just take a deep breath and look around. You've accomplished one of your goals!! You are one step closer to the big journey. Then, take another big breath and try to relax and enjoy the day. Make sure you have done all of your preparation beforehand. I suggest that you ask and answer questions to yourself in the mirror (do this alone so people don't think you are Schizo :). This helps to have some sentences formed in your head so you don't stumble over your own words during the interview. ALSO, once you are in the interview, don't practically cut off the questioner by blurting your response like it was some regurgitated speech! Practice talking about yourself, why you want to go into medicine, ethic questions, then let it flow once at the interview. Some schools do the interviews first, then tour the campus, some vice versa, so be ready. Eric N. Swensen at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB-COM) (DO), class of . Pre-med: Idaho State University, Bachelors of Arts in Spanish degree. Answer posted 8/1/2005

Dress professionally, be on time. Try to get the earliest possible interview day – you’ll have much better chances to get in that way. Especially if you have done everything else early (MCAT, application submission, secondary returned) you will have the opportunity to interview early. Take the first interview day you can. Review the basic questions and learn how to handle ethical questions. You may also want to review interview feedback and some questions students were asked on the Student Doctor Network. Christian Becker at Medical College of Wisconsin (MD), class of 2009. Pre-med: Idaho State University, Zoology degree. Answer posted 7/26/2005

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