The Medical School Interview: Skills You Can Use

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The Medical School Interview Skills You Can Use

• Brian A. Palmer, M.S., M.P.H.
• Mayo Medical School Admissions Committee
• AMSA National Treasurer

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Mayo Medical School
Rochester,Minnesota

• 3 Main Campuses
• 42 per class
• 34 M.D.
• 6 M.D./Ph.D.
• 2 M.D./O.M.S.

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Medical School Interviews
Presentation Outline

• The process
• The role of the
  interview
• Dos and Donts
• Sample questions
• Final tips
• Q A

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Medical School Interviews
The Process

• Initial academic screening
• Careful review of URM candidates
• Secondary applications (phone interviews),
  letters, AMCAS
• Invite for interview (about 10-15)

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Medical School Interviews
The Role of the Interview

• Many people with solid qualifications.
• Desire to build a diverse class.
• Responsibility to the future of U.S. medical care
• Can I picture this candidate with my patients?
• Would I like to have this candidate as a
  colleague?

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Medical School Interviews
Basics

• Dress and groom professionally.
• Poise counts and is being evaluated.
• Show up on time. Call if you have problems.
• Dont be rude to staff or current students.
• Send a thank you note.

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Medical School Interviews
Be Prepared For...

• Why do you want to be a doctor?
• Why did you apply to Mayo Medical School?

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Questions...
Sample Questions/Tips

• Ethical dilemmas
• Interests/reading/ activities
• Health care system issues
• Issues from your application
• Motivation for medicine

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How does it work?
What is evaluated?

• Interpersonal skills (warmth, poise, confidence,
  listening, openness)
• Appreciation of diversity
• Analytical reasoning
• Understanding of medicine
• Commitment to service
• Work ethic excel at what you do

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Dos
Tips For Success

• Be pleasant and likeable.
• Engage the interviewer.
• Be yourself.
• Re-read your application and letters (if you have
  access).
• Know your motivations for entering medicine.
• Know something about the school.

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Donts
Avoid these...

• Dont be defensive.
• Dont tell a lie/
  exaggeration.
• Dont use platitudes.
• Dont be too modest or too conceited be
  poised/confident.
• Dont give an answer because you think they want
  to hear it.

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