Residency and Medical School Interviews: Don't Be the "Guy with the Tie"

Check out this brand-new Insider Medical Admissions Guru on the Go© under-one-minute, stop-motion video called, "Spiffy Tie for the Dull Guy." If you're heading to residency or medical school interviews this season, you'll want to learn about this effective way to protect your candidacy while you evade the fashion police.

Medical School Interviews: Preparing for your MMI

Although the majority of medical school interviews are traditional, an increasing number of medical schools (as well as dental schools) are using the MMI platform. The MMI (multiple mini interview) is a format that uses several timed stations to assess applicants' interpersonal skills and judgment.

A few things to note about MMI interview questions:

1) They are not always medically-related. You may be asked to manage an everyday problem (e.g. a disagreement at the supermarket).

2) They are not always situational. You need to be prepared for conventional questions too (e.g. what are your three greatest strengths?).

3) Schools are trying to assess whether you can skillfully employ important techniques and demonstrate professionalism. Underlying topics might include your ability to offer effective counseling, your understanding of patient-doctor confidentiality, your ability to diffuse a heated situation, your capacity to admit wrongdoing, etc.

It is important that you practice MMI questions before you go to your medical school interview. Even if you have excellent social skills, there are techniques you should hone to expertly manage the challenging MMI format. Please consider hiring me for a mock interview or two as soon as you get your first interview invitation, as my slots go fast.

Medical School Interview Tips: What Do Admissions Officers Really Want?

Congrats to those who have already been invited for medical school interviews. It's early in the season, so if you are an applicant who has not been invited yet, do not dismay.

Getting into medical school has gotten so competitive; the interview is critical. But what are medical schools looking for during the interview process?

1. They are seeking someone distinctive. Your goal is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants by showcasing your accomplishments. Anyone can say s/he wants to help people or is hard working. Fewer candidates can prove it with their pre-professional achievements.

2. They want to ensure you are committed to medicine and that you have an idea of what you are getting yourself into. Medical school is tough; the institutions are not seeking someone who is ambivalent and might quit. Giving examples of your clinical experience can help.

3. The schools want to ensure you are reasonable. They want to see that you don’t have a problem personality, aren’t going to harass your colleagues, aren’t going to cause them embarrassment or extra work. Being professional during the interview day and having strong letters are important.

4. They want to hear that you are particularly interested in their institution. You can convince them of your interest by knowing specifics about the school and city.

One would never take the MCAT without practicing first and yet, countless applicants go to medical school interviews without preparing. If you are interested in working with me, please hire me with at least two weeks' advance, as I'm booking up quickly.

The Medical School Interview: Creating your Elevator Pitch

You may have heard the term "elevator pitch," a streamlined summary a person uses to describe and hopefully, sell her product, service, screenplay, or book. In preparing for medical school interviews, you, too, should create an elevator pitch to sell...you.

Create a 2 to 3 minute "summary statement" that recaps your candidacy, specifically your pre-professional accomplishments and other skills that make you distinctive. (Perhaps you are multilingual, for example.) I'd recommend conceiving of the elevator pitch in chronological order and presenting it that way as well. Doing so makes it easy for you to remember and for the listener to absorb.

Content should include accomplishments in these categories: academic, clinical, leadership, volunteerism, research, teaching, writing, and international work.

If you have this elevator pitch at the tip of your tongue, you'll be at a great advantage at your medical school interview, ready to nail questions like "Tell me about yourself" and prepared to showcase your accomplishments in other open-ended questions throughout the interview session.