2012 has been an exciting year. Experimentation in applications including interviews and essays has marked the most recent admissions cycle. In addition, the recession, growing concern about rising tuition and student debt, and the promise of MOOCs is shaking the world of higher education. But let’s leave the 35,000 foot view of last year and…
Med School Admissions Tip: Investigate Which Schools Require or Recommend Research
Some schools do require research. They think that it is a very important part of the medical profession and is the foundation for medical knowledge. Over the course of your career, you will need to utilize various forms of medical literature to treat your future patients and remain current in the field. It is…
Med School Admissions Tip: Timing is Essential
It is important that your experiences and activities be an ongoing process. Do not start your extracurricular experiences right before applying to medical school. This will be viewed as simply getting the experiences because you have to, instead of doing them because of your own interest or desire. Also, keep in mind that the applicant…
Med School Admissions Tip: When Asked About End-of-Life Issues, Respond with Appropriate Dignity
Although end-of-life issues may make you uncomfortable, be thoughtful with your responses. Please do not say, “I don’t have a problem with dead people,” or “It’s good to tell jokes to lighten the mood.” Death is an issue that you will no doubt have to confront as a physician. How will you handle losing a…
Med School Admissions Tip: Eat Breakfast on the Day of Your Interview
Catch the continental breakfast at your hotel on your interview day. Most medical schools do not serve breakfast, and it may be a while before you are served lunch. Eating breakfast will also help you to wake up and have a clear mind for your interviews. Another tip: Do not complain about the lunch…
Med School Admissions Tip: Be Sure to Bring Extra Cash on Your Interview Day
Always plan on a little more money than you think you might need for incidentals. You may be surprised at the cost of parking, taxis, porters, and food. You also should not assume that you can use a debit or credit card. It may be embarrassing to have to borrow money from the director of…
Med School Admissions Tip: Bring a Book or Something to Do During Down Time
Chances are there will be a bit of down time during your interview day, so be prepared to wait. For some of you it will be too much time; for others it will not be enough. Making everyone happy is difficult. Bring a book along so you can catch up on some pleasure reading. If…
You Are Always “On the Record”
Keep in mind that there is always some type of evaluation process taking place, even if it is informal or “off the record.” Always be polite and respectful. If student hosts take you in and allow you to stay overnight in their home, be thankful. Sometimes they are studying for exams, and they are always…
Ask Current Students About Their Experiences
See if you can spend the night before your interview with a current student; he or she is your best resource! Not only can this save you money, but it is also a great way to learn more about a particular medical school. Contact the admissions office in advance. They often can put you in…
Make the Most of Your Interview Day
Sit in on classes, check out the library or the computer clusters, hang out in the student lounge, or take a walk outside to see what the local community is like. Sitting in on classes is critically important. Not only will you learn how the classes are taught, but you can observe the dynamics between…
Do Not Bring Your Parents or Significant Other With You to Your Interview
So you are thinking, “No kidding!” I wish I could say that it never happens, but it does! Moms, dads, girlfriends, and boyfriends should all be left at home. The interview process should demonstrate your independence and maturity. You do not want to stand out among the other applicants and be remembered as the applicant…
Do Not Tell Your Interviewers that Their School is Not Your First Choice
You may think that this is obvious, and it really should be, but it happens more often than you would believe. During your interview, you must be able to say something special about a particular program or the school and what it was that made you want to apply there. Take a brief moment to…
Send a Thank-You Note to Your Interviewers
If you really enjoyed your interview experience, send a thank-you note to your interviewer(s) or student host. A personal handwritten card, a typed letter, or an e-mail are all acceptable ways to convey your appreciation. Sometimes applicants are in such a rush to send these out that they might send one to the wrong school…
Do Not Answer Your Interview’s Questions With One-Word Answers
Often applicants are nervous about the interviews. It is okay to be nervous and even to admit that you are nervous, but be careful that your anxiety does not get the best of you. The interview is your chance to really “sell” yourself. Answering your interview questions with one-word answers will not allow your interviewer…
Practice Your Interviews
Try doing some mock interviews with someone at your career center or with someone you do not know very well. It will be very important that you do these tin a setting similar to that in which you will be interviewing. Wear a suit, shake hands, sit across from your interviewer, have your interviewer prepare…
Do Not Give “Canned” Answers to Interview Questions
Although it is important to practice your interviews, interviewers are looking for genuine, unforced answers to their questions. You do not want to sound rehearsed – and please, do not answer their questions with answers that you think they want to hear, instead of what you really think or feel. There might not always be…
Be Prepared to Talk about Pass/Fail Courses, Withdrawing from Courses, or Repeating Courses.
Interviews are the perfect opportunity for the admissions committee to get answers to questions that they have about your academic past. They are looking for clarification of any “red flags” that they see in your academic record. Be honest. Avoid blaming anyone, especially your professors. Focus on the positive, for example, what you have learned…
Be Prepared to Talk About Your Institutional Action(s), Misdemeanors, Felonies, Etc.
The admissions committee will want to know as much as they can about any institutional actions or charges against you. Alcohol offenses, plagiarism, and academic probation seem to be the most common institutional violations. Plagiarism offenses and alcohol offenses have become more common over the past few years. All such actions are serious and need…
Turn Off Your Cell Phones
If you must leave your cell phone on, put it on vibrate. You do not want some kind of funky ring tone like Kanye West’s “Gold Digger,” Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” or Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack,” going off during your interview. That would be embarrassing and inappropriate. If you do keep your phone on, be polite. Use…
Do Not Try to be Someone That You are Not.
Most experienced interviewers can detect an insincere applicant. Interviews are designed to get to know who you are and to see if this particular medical school is the right medical school for you. Relax and be yourself. This post is excerpted from 101 Tips on Getting Into Medical School by Jennifer C. Welch, who has…
