How to Survive Medical School Interviews 2023 USMLE PLAB

 

 How to Prepare for and Approach Interviews for Medical School


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How to Prepare for and Approach Interviews for Medical School

Interviews are an essential component in the decision-making process for admission to medical school. They are the final test that applicants have to take in order to meet the requirements for maybe being accepted into the future class. The best method to do effectively during the interview process is to be well-prepared ahead of time and to know what to expect during the process. This page will provide you with information on the many types of interviews, what to expect, and examples along with recommendations on how to prepare for the interview before the actual day.
1.What are the various approaches taken in the interview process for medical schools?

Traditional or formal interviews, many shorter interviews, and interviews conducted entirely via video recording are the various varieties. You'll find additional information on each of them down below:

A. General or General Practice

Interviews that are considered traditional or standard are the kinds of usual formal interviews that take place with one or more interviewers. Interviewers can come from a variety of backgrounds, including staff members, upperclassmen medical students, or practicing physicians. Traditional interviews have fallen out of favor in recent years in comparison to alternative types of interviews; yet, many medical schools continue to use them. They can go on for anything between twenty minutes and an hour at a time.

A word of caution: these interviews can be very subjective due to the fact that each interviewer will have their own method of questioning something that you may have heard asked in a different way. Simply take a moment to collect yourself, inhale deeply, and reflect before responding honestly while remaining true to who you are.

B. MMI Interview (Multiple Mini Interview)

The Traditional Interview was Designed to Test Your Medical Competencies and Soft Skills The Multiple Mini Interview Was Developed To Address Concerns About Traditional Interviews Being Too Subjective To Address Concerns About Traditional Interviews Being Too Subjective To Test Your Medical Competencies And

MMIs can be compared to a situational response test in that they are administered by anywhere from eight to twelve interviewers, each of whom evaluates your reaction to a particular question.

Every interviewer will be positioned at their respective stations. When you come to that station, in the vast majority of circumstances, you will be allowed one to two minutes to read the prompt, or it may be read to you by the interviewer, or it may even occasionally be performed out by actors who are present in the room. After that, you will have some time to consider, and you will have approximately 4 minutes to give your response. Below is an illustration of a flowchart for your reference. (The specifics of this may differ from school to school, but you will receive instructions before the interview begins.)

The themes that are used as prompts can range from those that provide an ethical conundrum, a question based on policy, or even a conventional query.

Here's an example of a prompt for a multiple mini interview: Imagine that you are a surgeon and that you have two patients who are in extremely critical condition and need a kidney transplant, but you only have one kidney available for transplant. The first patient is a prosperous elderly woman who is extremely helpful to her community, while the second patient is a college dropout and alcoholic who is 19 years old. Who do you pick, and why do you pick them?

What is it that you ought to do?

Not only may restating the question or providing a brief summary of the scenario's primary concern and issue before you start answering serve as wonderful introductions to your answers, but they can also clear up any misunderstandings that may have arisen before you began providing your responses.

Keep an open mind and avoid passing judgment on anyone, even if you have strong feelings on the question of who should receive the kidney transplant in this circumstance. This entails actively considering all of the potential consequences and demonstrating empathy for all points of view.

Before drawing any judgments, you should always make sure to stress the importance of obtaining additional information directly from the people involved in the incident.

Don't forget to give your response to the question, regardless of how foolish it may seem.

What are some things that you should avoid doing during many mini interviews?

Do not draw any conclusions based on the information provided in the prompt.

Do not express strong opinions that just consider one side.

Make an effort to not use all of the allotted time to respond to the question. Follow-up questions are questions that are offered to interviewers after they have asked the first questions. These questions give you a second chance to demonstrate how your attitude and ability to react to various events.

It is important not to overestimate your talents; for example, if you do not feel qualified to make a choice, you should note in your response that the matter ought to be discussed with someone who possesses a deeper level of comprehension.

A Solid Response to Several Different Mini Interview Questions: As a surgeon, I am faced with the difficult decision of determining which patient should be given priority for an urgent kidney transplant: a successful woman who is an active part of her community or a 19-year-old male drinker who did not complete college. Before I can make a decision that is based on accurate information, I will have to collect additional data, and in the meanwhile, I must try to keep an open mind and avoid jumping to any hasty judgments. First, I have to determine whether or not both of the patients are compatible recipients of the kidney transplant and whether or not their circumstances are appropriate for the operation. After that, it would be necessary for me to question about their post-transplant prognoses in order to determine which patient is likely to have a higher quality of life after the transplant. Because a transplant procedure involves a limited resource and calls for the participation of a large number of people in order to be finalized and carried out, I should solicit the informed opinions of other members of the healthcare staff, physicians, the transplant board, or even hospital ethics staff. There are only two possible conclusions that can be drawn from this scenario: either the elderly woman will have the kidney transplant, or the 19-year-old man will. The decision would be made after consulting a large number of knowledgeable team members in a non-judgmental manner and after gathering additional information on who is expected to have the most successful recovery following the transplant. The patient who is not going to get the transplant will be provided with accommodations with other resources, and the healthcare staff will advise them of other viable treatments and the subsequent actions that can be taken to assist them. Thank you.

Inappropriate Response to Several Mini Interview Questions: It is clear that the elderly woman supports others in her community, and despite her advanced age, she is superior to the 19-year-old alcoholic who did not even complete their high school education. For these reasons, I feel that the elderly woman should be the recipient of a kidney transplant. It is she who has the most potential to benefit the community as a whole, and for this reason, she ought to be spared.

C. Submission of a Video Recording of the Interview (Snapshot by Altus)

The candidate will, just as it sounds, be required to submit a video recording of themselves responding to interview questions or prompts.

The candidate will, just as it sounds, be required to submit a video recording of themselves responding to interview questions or prompts.

The video recorded interview known as Snapshot, which was created by Altus, has a total of three questions posed in the form of an interview. You will have approximately two minutes to react to each question, and the interviewer will be able to acquire a "snapshot" of who you are from your answers. This is a chance for you to put your resume and personal statement into action, so take advantage of it!

2. What kinds of questions and subject can I expect to be tested on, and how can I get ready for them?


A. General tips:

Maintain some self-control: be affirmative and believable


Exercise your public speaking skills by doing so in front of a mirror or even by recording yourself on video or audio.

Participate in simulated job interviews either held at your school or online. You might also ask members of your family or close circle of friends to test your knowledge with general questions.

Study how to respond in the context of the interview format (Standard vs. MMI). Investigate the different types of interviews that are offered by the medical schools.

Never, ever, ever lie about anything. Ever.

Read about things that are common and everyday (especially healthcare reform and policy)

There are some businesses that are known to pose questions like this, so do your best to keep up with current events during the entire interview process.

Maintain a cordial demeanor and treat all participants in the interview with courtesy and deference throughout the process because everyone is keeping tabs on you and may provide feedback about their impressions of you to the selection committee.

B. Familiarize yourself with your AMCAS application:

Read over your primary and secondary applications, as well as any essays you sent. It is critical to have a solid understanding of the information that you have underlined and mentioned. This necessitates that you have an in-depth knowledge of the subjects discussed in your personal statement, as well as in your work and activities, and in any secondary writings.

Examine your list of accomplishments and your resume. The people conducting the interview are interested in learning more about you and your experiences. Some interviews are open files, which means that the interviewer has access to your application. This gives them the opportunity to ask you in-depth questions about the things you have accomplished in the past and the honors you have been given.

You should be able to provide specific information about anything, whether it be your experience volunteering or the research topics you listed in your application. Focus not only on detailing the specifics of these experiences, but also on how they have shaped both your personality and who you are as a person.

C. Research the curriculum offered at the school you are interviewing at, as well as the institution's statistics, before the interview.

I. If you are thinking about applying to MD schools, you should investigate the possibility of purchasing a subscription to MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) from the AAMC for the price of $28. It provides thorough information about each particular institution, such as the average MCAT score and GPA of accepted and matriculated students over the past few years, as well as the deadlines for each program, mission statements, and tuition costs, among other things.

II. If you are interested in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) schools, however, there is a relatively new resource called Choose DO that is analogous to MSAR but for DO schools.
3. During my interview, what are some questions that I may ask the people who are interviewing me?

A. Formulate your own questions based on your interests and the material provided on their websites (avoid asking any questions that can be answered using the information provided on their websites).

I. Examples:

"Are you involved in research at this location, and if so, what are the steps to take if I wish to get involved?"

"After reading about [insert a program offered by the school] on the website, I became interested in obtaining additional information about it. Are you a part of it? If not, what do you know about it?

"In their free time, what do the students at this institution do?"

"What kinds of resources are there for the well-being of students?"

Preparation for an Interview (1 Hour)
Experiential learning is by far the most effective method there is. Because of this, we split our one-hour sessions dedicated to interview preparation into two sections each. The first part of the session would consist of a mock interview in which you would act as if you were being interviewed by a program, and the second half of the session would consist of providing you with feedback on how well you performed in the first half of the session.
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4.What are some of the most common questions that are asked during an interview for medical school?

A. Develop brief talking points as answers to frequently asked questions (describe yourself, interests, strengths, weaknesses, why medicine, future plans, etc.)



I. Give me some background on yourself:

This is very much like a pitch for an elevator. Include key moments from your life and information about yourself, your family, and the community in which you were raised, as well as relevant clinical experiences, volunteer work, academic pursuits, and interests.

Excellent response: I am a first-generation American, and both of my parents came to this country from Europe. I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. I spent my childhood in close proximity to a community that was considered to be vulnerable, and from an early age, I saw the influence that healthcare providers can have on these communities. This is something that I want to be able to do in my professional career as well. Volunteering at the neighborhood food bank is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time, and I also enjoy competing on the tennis intramural team at my school.

Weak Response: I am originally from the city of Seattle in the state of Washington. Since I was a little girl, I've had the strong desire to become a physician because I want to be the one to make other people feel better. My interest in science dates back to my childhood.

Why do we practice medicine?

Share some experiences from your own life that demonstrate your interest in the topic while also providing an answer to the question.

A stroke took the life of my grandfather while I was a senior in high school. He passed away in a little city in the countryside of Sri Lanka. My family found out much later that if there had been a specialist clinician present who had a deeper understanding of neurology, he would have survived for a longer period of time. That occurrence motivated me to begin my medical path with the intention of preventing similar circumstances within other families by enhancing health equity and availability in any way that I am able to.

Weak response: Over the course of my many encounters, I've come to know that I really do like being of service to other people. The field of medicine provides me with an excellent opportunity to pursue this pursuit while still making progress toward my other personal and professional objectives.

Why did you choose this specific school or program?

A satisfactory response would be that once I have achieved my goal of becoming a physician, my goals will be to progress the field of medicine, make a beneficial impact on society, and, most importantly, treat patients to the best of my ability. A well-rounded education in medicine is absolutely necessary for me to realize my goals. This education is offered by the (insert the name of the medical school here), which also offers additional attractive reasons in the form of expeditions in the field of networking and international interaction. The university's location, its student body, and its focus to offering research and medical opportunities to aid medically underserved areas are all things that really appeal to me about the institution.
Weak response: I believe that I would be an excellent fit for this school because my passions and accomplishments align with this (name of the medical school's) mission of aiding the people who live within the local community.

IV. If you were unable to attend medical school this year, what other career paths would you consider?

V. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

Discuss an event that was important to you and point out a trait or ability that you either possessed or did not possess.
If it is a weakness, be sure to highlight how you have worked on improving it in the past or how you are continuing to improve it now.

VI. What are some of your professional aspirations?

What sorts of things do you enjoy doing in your spare time (hobbies, interests)?

5. Can you tell me more about the CASPer test, also known as the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics?

An examination that certain schools of medicine require applicants to undergo before being accepted. The CASPer is a situational judgment exam that operates in a manner analogous to that of a Multiple Mini Interview. When you are confronted with a challenge, your mental attitude is evaluated, and your conduct in reaction to the challenge is observed.

Remember the ethical prompts and how you reacted to them if you take the CASPer Test through Altus since some medical schools will ask you similar questions or even what your opinion is regarding CASPer. Taking the CASPer Test through Altus is needed by some medical schools.

Advice for the CASPer in General:


During the time that you are taking the test, it is essential to locate a location that is calm and free from interruptions for a period of one hundred to one hundred and twenty minutes.

It is also beneficial to be able to write rapidly. Taking a test to establish your current typing speed can help you determine where you stand and whether or not you need to practice more.

Make it a point to put your skills to the test by taking the sample CASPer exam that Altus has given.

You should double check that there are no technical issues with your system ahead of time, and you should also be familiar with the layout of the exam.

Keep in mind that raters can see what you are wearing when they are rating your video comments, so make sure to wear something that falls somewhere between business casual and smart casual. There is no need to go overboard, but it is recommended that you wear slacks along with a dress shirt or blouse.

C. CAS

The following are some examples of possible scenarios and possible answers:

An example of a scenario based on words would be as follows: You and the other members of your science project group are currently in the library. John, Christie, and Sue want to go to the coffee shop to work on the project, but Chris is acting hesitantly and insists on staying at the library to finish it. John, Christie, and Sue want to go to the coffee shop. You are aware that Chris has a history of hearing loss and that he has just very recently undergone the process necessary to obtain hearing aids. Because Chris is a student who puts in a lot of effort, who is always responsible, and who has been a wonderful team member in prior projects, you can be sure that he would prefer not to be omitted from the task if he had the choice. The other members of the group do not comprehend why Chris is acting in such an unreasonable manner by refusing to go to the coffee shop, particularly given the fact that all of the other people in the group are hungry and that going there was the winner of the majority vote.

Questions:

Because you are the only member of the group who has not yet shared your thoughts, the others are looking to you for leadership. What do you do?

This scenario needs to be handled in a manner that is appropriate, nonjudgmental, and without escalating the conflict any more. It is essential to first get a better understanding of how Chris really feels and the reasons why he does not want to go to the coffee shop in order to address his concerns. It is imperative that you let him know that the reason is a valid one if he confirms that the reason is because it will be tough to hear and, as a result, difficult to work on the project. The first thing that needs to be done is to reassure him that he is also a valued member of the team and that his comfort will be respected. The second thing that needs to be done is to ask him if he is comfortable telling the others the reason why he does not wish to go to the coffee shop. This will ensure that he provides a rationale for them, which may help soothe their confusion, and they may begin thinking of another way to accommodate Chris as a result of this. I would tell the group that Chris does not want to go because of personal reasons, but that he is a sincere student who we have seen in the past, and therefore we need to include him in our plans so that we can all work together as a group. If Chris is uncomfortable with giving his reason, I would tell the group that I would tell the group that if Chris was comfortable giving his reason, I would tell the group that. If John, Christie, or Sue mention that they are hungry, I will volunteer to go grab some food and bring it to the library with me if that is at all possible, so that they may continue working without interruption. It is of the utmost importance to gain everyone's understanding and work toward satisfying their needs, especially if this is feasible.

Do you concur with John, Christie, and Sue in their assessment that Chris is acting in an unfair manner?

Good Response: Because Chris did not provide John, Christie, and Sue with a probable rationale for his viewpoint, it is easy for me to understand why these three are likely uncertain and angry with Chris. Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that a majority vote should not be used in this circumstance if, as was indicated earlier, there is the possibility of a better solution that may accommodate everyone. Because of the importance of trust, dependence, and comfort among all members of a team in order for sincere effort to be carried out smoothly, it is necessary to first find common grounds before having to push aside a partner's opinions. This is because finding common ground is necessary before having to push aside a partner's opinions. I would try to reassure John, Christie, and Sue by verbally telling them that I understand, but there must be a reason for Chris's decision, especially considering that he has demonstrated in the past that he has a hard-working ethic. In the past, Chris has shown that he is willing to put in the effort. As was previously mentioned, I believe it would be best for Chris to explain his position aloud if he is at ease doing so.

Insufficient Response: Yes, I concur with the others that Chris is acting in an unfair manner. It is imperative that we go along with the choice made by the majority of people in a group without raising any concerns or offering any justifications. It is Chris's responsibility to come, even if he does not want to.

In order to achieve a higher level of functionality, which factors do you believe it is essential for members of the team to take into consideration?

As can be seen from this example, a group needs to work through any obstacles or problems as soon as they arise, without excluding or disregarding any members of the group. It is vital to search for numerous options in order to accommodate everyone on the team. This will allow the members of the team to feel more at ease when working together. It is also useful to have clear communication when increasing functionality, whether it be voicing concerns or even while completing project work. This is because project work must sometimes be divided but must still come together cleanly, thus having clear communication is essential. In addition, it is essential to have a supervisor in order to increase the functionality of a team in the event that new barriers or hurdles arise. This gives the members of the team someone they can consult with for guidance who is more experienced in the subject matter.

6. What should you do to get ready for the physical portion of the interview as well as the day as a whole (the physical portion)?



Virtual/Online

Continue to dress in a professional manner. (dressing formally is strongly recommended)

Direct your gaze into the lens of the camera to create the most convincing impression of eye contact.
A helpful hint is to have some tape on hand or to position the zoom or Google Hangout window so that it is as close as feasible to your webcam if that is typically what draws your attention.

Have a high-quality camera and microphone at your disposal.

Make sure they are operational with the help of your family and friends before you go in for the interview.

Prepare yourself for the possibility that something will run out of battery or that there will be a problem with the technology.

Check to see that the background and atmosphere are proper.

Don't allow distractions occur mid-interview (cat or family member coming in, etc.)

In-person

Put on your best work attire.

Bring a padfolio with you and be prepared with questions to ask the interviewers.

Always try to be early! – Arrive at least 15–20 minutes early.

Even while you are being shown about the office or taking a break for lunch, there is a significant probability that someone is watching you. Always be on your best behavior, and conduct yourself in a professional manner throughout the entire day!

advising for medical school 1 hour premed advising covering all areas of the path to medical school
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7. What are some activities that should be done as a follow-up once the interview has been completed?

Obtain the email address of the person who will be interviewing you (the school or program organizer can offer this information for you if it has not already been given).

Send them an email expressing your gratitude for their time and expressing any interest that you may have in attending their program. Thank them for their time and convey your gratitude.

Maintain your state of awareness regarding the program (follow social media, their website, and other online public forums to see how other students are interacting with the school)