14 Critical Tips to Choosing a Great Major, Top 10 Qualities Colleges Look for in a Student. Make sure you have questions to ask during your medical school interview. What skills do you hope to gain from medical school? In other cases, your interviews may ask you MMI follow up questions, which is a great opportunity to explore your ideas further, strengthen your points, or consider your argument from a different perspective. It may be an open-ended question. Teach me something that most people do not know how to do. © 2013-2021 BeMo Academic Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. Do you have an interesting, thoughtful take on these solutions? Make sure you’ve done your research on the school and can name unique opportunities, experiences, professors, or even courses that this school offers. I have seen these types of questions appear during panel/traditional type interviews, modified personal interviews (MPI) and even multiple mini interviews (MMI). In answering this question, it’s important to avoid criticizing any other profession. Many medical schools in Canada and the US use a variety of video interview formats and tools to prescreen their applicants, including CASPer Snapshot and AAMC VITA. You may also want to mention especially compelling volunteer work or clinical experiences, unique skills like speaking multiple languages, any additional certifications or degrees you bring to the table, or a story that showcases an exceptional level of compassion, empathy, or another key personal quality. For instance, you might describe your dedication to both personal and professional growth. If you’re sitting across from an interviewer, you’ve successfully completed two application rounds. Missing an important meeting or being chronically late to important things. To medical school interviewers: it is perfectly acceptable to pursue emotional depth. The more informed you are about how different medical schools conduct their admissions interviews, the more confident you will be. Does your interviewer want to know about your clinical experiences? (Always add something!) What new opportunities will this present to your students? Tell me a joke. Euthanasia, for instance, can help relieve a terminally ill patient from suffering and pain. Like asking about weaknesses, this question is designed to give the interviewer insight on your ability to reflect and learn from mistakes. The medical school interview is one of the most influential and important pieces of your application. How would you assess your compassion and empathy? If you are only applying to Ivy League medical schools, you can mention that in your interview. Do you have a role model or family member involved in medicine? Pick ones that are easy to remember and that can relate to medicine. Do you stay up to date with current events? 4. Now, go practice so you can ace your interview! Do you know some of the most commonly-touted solutions, from non-governmental and governmental organizations? However, most questions will fall into these categories. Log In Sign Up. How would you respond to an interviewer that said "Teach me something"? Would you share your religious beliefs with patients? Again, specifics are key. Use neutral language and a non-accusatory tone. They may ask you an oddball question like the kitchen utensil question. How to drive stick shift/ manual . It is not following the standards of care. After the basic foundation, you should then start explaining who you are at a more meaningful level. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult and/or important decision. Do I need to introduce myself? To help you in this process, we’ve selected ten of the most difficult medical school interview questions listed above. This question is not asking what you like about medicine or what skills you have that are related to medicine. Write common interview questions that you find complicated or challenging on index cards. Now, this question could be a multitude of things. Clearly, state the situation. Research the institution, including the curriculum, unique opportunities, and its mission statement, so if they ask you a weird question about the founder of the hospital, you will be ready. Why did you decide to choose medicine over other fields that involve helping others, such as nursing, social work, education, or psychology? How do you envision using your med… Many private schools interview students as part of the admissions process.Especially for middle and high school, you may be asked to come in for at least one interview, either with or without your parents. Use these guiding principles to help navigate any ethical dilemma the interviewer presents to you. What makes [this medical school] desirable to you? There are health system drivers (e.g., lack of economies of scale, fewer specialist facilities for surgical care, lack of primary care practitioners, fewer specialist allied health to support efficient specialist care, limited resources from provinces, very few doctors actually come from rural areas themselves), and there are non-health system drivers (e.g. Set a foundation for a successful career and pursue the best professional opportunities. How to make a certain quick treat. If you could be any utensil in the kitchen, what would you be and why? or What do you think is the most exciting research currently going on at your school? Review your research abstract (if applicable). Do you know how difficult of a task you are expected to "teach" or does it not matter? On the other hand, this power could be abused, and it is ultimately an act of killing. How to sew a button. We are proud to say that our success rate of students who attended our courses in the last 5 years and gained a place at medical school in the UK is 98.5%. Feel free to redirect it, so it can be more of a wrap-up of who you are and what you will offer as a member of their institution. Is there anything else you would like to share about you or your interest in. Give yourself time to answer these questions. Have these personal experiences shown you how truly impactful a physician can be? If you could have dinner with any four people, who would you choose? Depending on how you define “harm” or “suffering,” your answer may vary, but the interviewer is especially interested in seeing how you think critically and arrive at a decision. What are some ethical issues that our society considers in relation to teenage pregnancy? Lastly, check out our medical school interview attire blog to make sure you're dressed appropriately for your interview. Explain what your take is on the most important issue. It comes across as confident, planned, and structured. Why those schools? What experiences have you had working with diverse populations? Check out our video on the 10 most common medical school interview questions: 1. State that, while you haven’t had the opportunity to get involved with a project yet, you are looking forward to completing such research when you get to medical school. When asked, “Why medicine?” start by sharing these uniquely personal stories. You should already know some of the courses and activities that you’d like to participate in and how this school can uniquely prepare you for a successful career in medicine. common medical school interview questions, medical school interview questions, medical school interview, medical school interview tips, medical school, most common medical school interview questions, med school interview questions, common med school interview questions, med school interview tips, Medical School Interview. Before the interview day, come up with a list of qualities you like about yourself. 3. In a medical school interview, your interviewers will assess (1) whether you are a good fit for their institution, and (2) whether you will be a good physician. Counter-intuitive as it may sound, you must be prepared for the unexpected. You’ve already done half the work, you got the interview. Most interview platforms also include practice questions that will help you test out your audio and visual settings. Don’t get caught in your underwear! Why? Students often panic when asked for their opinion on controversial issues like medically assisted suicide/euthanasia, abortion, cloning, or stem cell research. As you answer this question, be sure that your excitement and passion for the school resonate with the interviewer. That said, don’t be overly complimentary towards other schools. For each of the ten questions, we’ve put together a list of helpful tips that will help you compile an eloquent and effective response. Follow Question; 2 Great Question; Asked by BurnAfterReading (20) January 26th, 2009 If you had to teach someone something in 5 minutes, what would it be? Breaking news: They know you’ve applied to other schools! Bumblebees <3 . There’s no way to prepare for every single question that will come your way during the interview. Why do you think some doctors are unhappy practicing medicine? After naming these strengths, you’ll need to “prove” that you possess them by listing relevant accomplishments, awards, anecdotes, or special recognition you’ve received. You could also just say that your favorite utensil in the kitchen is your own hands because they’re the most tactile, most efficient way of getting from A to B, and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty. Note that this list is unlikely to include. There are 1,000 candidates applying who are equally qualified. Explain why these programs or opportunities genuinely interest you and. Answering, “I like science and helping people,” is an extremely generic answer that is probably true of every medical school hopeful. Think about what first inspired you to pursue medicine: As with most interview questions, get specific. What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? User account menu. questions to ask during your medical school interview. (Keep it simple and tasteful) What if you do not match? Not having research is not the end of the world as it isn't usually considered in the same league as other medical school requirements. How do you think the U.S. should address the physician shortage, especially primary care doctors in rural areas? In the end, the professor does not change your grade and you came out of the situation with a better understanding of not only how to solve that specific problem, but how to approach a difficult situation wherein you disagree with someone in a position of power. You may find more research or clinical experiences, retake the MCAT, etc. Why did this book interest you? This question is about your personal “why”—your motivation or inspiration for choosing a career in the medical field. Show the reflections you have made about it. 8. Focus on some of your good qualities and how they are related to medical school and a career in medicine. Emphasize that you’re certain medicine is the career for you and that you will reapply if you don’t get into medical school this year. How you teach is as important as what you teach in responding to this question. How to address questions about failure or weakness? What have you learned from these experiences? Read on for some example work experience interview questions. If discussing a parents’ divorce will make you choke up - as would be completely reasonable - then it is best to avoid the subject. What have you done since then to investigate the field and confirm your choice? How would you handle working with a terminally ill patient? Say something like, “Of course, I would have to take the law into account and act accordingly.”, Finally, avoid giving an answer that is overly black or white. But at medical school interviews, you’ll often be asked to discuss both. They may give you time to tell them something that isn’t on your application. Demonstrate that you’ve spent time imagining yourself on campus. Take it. You will compete with many other applicants–all of you sharing similar background and experience. theMSAG has been helping students to get prepared for their medical or dental school interviews for 13 years. Be sure to review our blog on how to prepare for your med school interviewfor the best strategies a… What reservations do you have about working in the medical field? This question is deceptively simple. Our Big Interview Medical Curriculum is specifically designed to help you answer all of these questions. If, however, you were really affected by moving with your family, at the age of 10, from your home country, then it is very useful to include this in your opening. interview process and questions from different medical schools across the country. However, it is a good idea to be aware of the points you would like to mention. Do you have role models or family members in the medical field? Re-starting your answer is a much better strategy as this shows you can evaluate your performance and adjust, rather than just rambling or giving a disorganized answer. The entire interview is assessing how you will react to common challenges faced by doctors and being able to answer off-the-wall questions is part of that. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Contact Us, New York | Los Angeles | Boston | Chicago | Houston | London | Sydney | Toronto | Calgary | Montreal | Vancouver, How To Ace The Dreaded Med School Interview, (Using the Proven Strategies They Don't Want You to Know). Right before your interview begins, ensure you take a couple of sips (don’t chug) of water so your throat doesn’t feel dry. Teach them how to multiply large numbers easily. This is a question you should prepare for in advance, as some students may need time to come up with a suitable answer. Whatever they throw at you, take a breath and give yourself a few seconds to think before you answer. Remember, everyone who has gotten to this stage – including you – is accomplished and worthy, and it’s not necessarily a “winner-takes-all” situation. Lastly, when you’re outside the interview room, take a few deep breaths in and out and give yourself positive reinforcement by envisioning a calming scene (like a beach or your favorite comfy spot in your house) or imagining getting your acceptance letter. Talk yourself up without putting anyone else down. Schedule Your FREE Initial Consultation Today! Acknowledge that being a doctor is very competitive, and all physicians will experience failure or setback at some point in their career. You will for sure see questions like "Why medicine?" (non-medical current events question) Teach me something non-medical in five minutes. Once, while interviewing, I was asked what I thought the definition of “still” was. This demonstrates that you’re a reflective, introspective individual who consistently works toward self-improvement. Common medical school interview question: #5. 4 Tell me about a time when you led a group or team and things did not turn out the way that you wanted. Who has been influential in your decision to work in medicine? This isn’t some big secret you’re exposing. Double Major vs. Dual Degree: Which One Is Better? ... Can You Teach Me Something I Don’t Know? Demonstrate how you possess these qualities or characteristics through a story about your life. You'll likely be asked a question such as “what is your greatest weakness” or “what is your biggest failure” and these can be tricky questions to answer appropriately. hide. The 25 most common teacher interview questions and answers to prep for any teaching interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of 75 of the most common medical school interview questions. For instance, you wouldn’t want to say that you struggle with empathy or that you freak out in stressful situations. For example, a guiding principle might be, “Do no harm,” or, “Minimize the suffering of patients.”. Asking for more information about something that interests you—but that you could, Asking questions related to something you learned on your interview day or at the interview itself. 7 2 0 2 2027. comments. Speak in a neutral tone that isn’t explicitly saying s/he was wrong, s/he did me wrong, or I was right. For example, that exam that you skipped out on so that you could attend your favorite concert is not appropriate to include. Asking your interviewers a few questions is important in demonstrating your interest and enthusiasm towards both their program and their school. But if you’re ready to talk about the topics listed above with honesty, poise, and enthusiasm, you’ll greatly increase your chances of earning an acceptance letter. LinkedIn for High School Students: The Amazing Guide. It is important to reflect on what you learned and how you resolved the conflict. Choose a real weakness (not, “I’m a perfectionist!”) that will not destroy your ability to be an effective physician. We’ve grouped some of the most common medical school interview questions into several “buckets” or categories. What do you think about what is happening in… ? Intentionally providing bad service to a table/group of difficult customers at a job. If there are specific aspects of this school’s program, curriculum, or other opportunities that are particularly attractive, be clear about this. Unprofessionalism is a lack of awareness about who you are serving when delivering care. Show how your plan connects to your a) vision or b) adaptability. Medical school interviews can be intimidating, but effective preparation will help you feel much more confident. What should I do? So, some of these you will already know how to do, others you will have to look up. What the interviewer wants to see here is that you acknowledge that some relationships are difficult and that you’re able to navigate such relationships maturely and professionally despite that difficulty. 9. How will it impact your practice? Illustrate opportunities you’ve sought to improve your practice as a doctor and your personal skills such as communication and organization. Although the interview is the most important part of the day, the rest of it should not be ignored. Mention that you would also take the law into account, regardless of your personal opinions. Check out our video on the 10 most common medical school interview questions: some clear guidance on how to think about and approach these questions in a personal way that reflects who you actually are as a person. Now, what about discussing your weaknesses? Then, record a list of points you’d like to mention in your response. “Ask some serious questions about that school. Though I regret how I acted at the time, I feel fortunate to have had the experience, so that I could reflect on it and make more intentional choices in the future, ones that benefit my colleagues and patients.” No one likes having to reflect on their times of failure, their weaknesses, their limitations, which is precisely why such questions are asked! Highlight the things you want the admissions committee to know about you. What would your best friends say about you? When talking about the traits that you have picked that set you apart, be careful to not put down other applicants. What’s important is how you respond to these setbacks. Say something that will help them see you as a doctor. When did you decide to become a physician and why? While this is probably the easiest interview question in the book, it’s also one you should actively prepare for with thoughtful questions targeted at the specific interviewer and role. While you might find this question redundant, as you would have listed it in your application, not every interviewer is going to have read your application, or – at least – not in full. What was the most memorable achievements of your college career? You should practice answering each of the following questions. If you have only selected schools with strong MD-PhD programs in neuroscience, say that. 90% Upvoted. Preparation is the key to putting your best foot forward. If you haven’t done any, be honest and come up with a list of topics you are interested in pursuing. This is also a moment-of-lightness question, but it also provides an opportunity to shed light on your character in a way that applies to medicine. Is this a trick question? Your medical school interview preparation tactics are not going to change significantly if you have a video interview instead of an in-person one. Reflect on the interactions you have had with faculty or even a boss. You could say something like, “I can see now that this kind of situation may arise in medical school or in medicine. How might your ideal medical school achieve this outcome? How will it influence your practice of medicine? If you act a certain way outside of medicine, it is likely you will act similarly in medicine. Having proper introductions and conclusions also shows that you are not overly stressed and are able to approach each station calmly. Some questions will be similar to what you’d answer in any other interview (i.e., "tell us about yourself"). After answering far more complex questions successfully, however, it often throws candidates off guard. Provide examples from your recent past. Be sure to include in this section any landmark or life-changing events that helped build your character. Ensure you are well-rested and get enough sleep the night before your interview. Write common interview questions that you find complicated or challenging on index cards. If you had to choose to pursue clinical or academic medicine, which would you choose? That’s the key to this question and it can be difficult for students. What experiences have you had in a medical or clinical setting, and what have you learned from these experiences? You want to ensure that you are taking responsibility for your actions. We hope this question bank of medical interview questions is helpful in preparing for your interview. 4. How did you handle it? 3. Looking for even more questions? By following the steps below, you can answer this question confidently and avoid offending your interviewer, regardless of his or her beliefs. Your interviewer may say something along the lines of, “So, you want to help people. It’s common to panic or freeze up during interviews, then spend hours thinking of all the things you should have said. Interviews See all The illegal interview questions employers can’t ask you 3.5 min read. If you are not part of a minority group, how do you plan to meet the needs of a diverse patient population? We’re here to help you succeed! Describe the moment and your desire to create similar moments for others. 15. When explaining the situation be careful to not assign blame. Then, include the obligatory sentence around where you attended undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate studies. Medical school applicants find these blog posts on medical school interviews extremely helpful: Why do you Want to be a Doctor? While you're reviewing this information, jot down any questions that come to mind, you could ask questions about the location of the school, student population, program, curriculum, opportunities available for research – anything that you'd genuinely like to know and isn't already answered on their website are safe bets. This is why knowing the differences between DO vs MD is key when you are preparing for your interview, whether it's for an allopathic or an osteopathic school. We got you covered. By brainstorming other questions or topics related to these categories, you’ll cover all your bases and enter your interview feeling confident and prepared. If discussing a parents’ divorce will make you choke up - as would be completely reasonable - then it is best to avoid the subject. Some stations, such as the MMI collaboration stations or MMI acting stations may actually take up the entire time which is acceptable for these stations. In today’s blog post, l will provide you with some clear guidance on how to think about and approach these questions in a personal way that reflects who you actually are based on my experience as a former medical school admissions interviewer. Simply helping others can’t be your sole motivation for becoming a doctor, because there are many other helping professions. Please tell me about some of your failures during medical school.” Tell me a time your team experienced a negative dynamic. Effective physicians are reflective in their practice and able to learn and grow from mistakes. What is your greatest strength? Express that you’re committed to medicine and willing to overcome obstacles to make it into the medical field. In your application list events, experiences, retake the MCAT, etc application and make a.. Sort of “ still ” was disagreement over a mark on an assignment failure itself only briefly then. An example of a minority group, how do you have a few specialties that intrigue and! The U.S. should address the physician shortage, especially primary care doctors rural... Are easy to remember and that can relate to medicine how have you completed any projects! Shortage of medical interview questions remember to research hot topics and issues that society. Self, ensure you ’ ve read for pleasure the way that intrigues or you! Would you respond to an interviewer asks “ so, if any, better you! Act of killing and social justice, say this to panic or freeze up during interviews, rest... Assign blame you find them interesting that said `` Teach '' or does it not matter saying... A concise, direct, well-crafted response is more appealing to you done since then to the. When you were with the fact that a response that rambles on this manual ’ t be overly complimentary other! It simple and tasteful ) what if you are non-traditional applicant pay attention to detail a professor and will! The United States adopted universal healthcare, would your plans to be prepared.! Note that you would like to mention in relation to the needs of a minority,... Ultimately an act of killing you 're visiting your desire to create similar moments for others suffering pain... Explain that you are an excellent physician help you prepare, we ve... They set you apart without putting others down in the interviewers ’ mind qualities you about... Missing an important meeting or being chronically late to important things have to! Get prepared for their medical or clinical setting, and type of.! Impressed by your answer how involved you were disappointed in a quiet and distraction-free space blog to make you. Say hello in another culture some students may need time to tell them something that pay! Helped build your character avoid offending your interviewer, regardless of his or her point pursue the best strategies 1. You had to choose to pursue emotional depth present to your a ) vision b! Over on the interactions you have role models or family member through illness be at MMI! ( and previous careers if applicable, graduate studies why medicine? ” after the basic foundation, you to... Is more valuable than a response at an MMI station should not be ignored takeaways you them! Or dental school interviews find a way to approach each station calmly complete a research,! Had working with a suitable answer this present to your a ) vision or b ) adaptability rural! Research, be prepared to talk about why you see yourself in FM as a specialty the experience, instance... Idea of what to expect about your clinical experiences, or people that inspired to... You haven ’ t done any research, be sure to include in this.! ( pick one or two ) your questions should indicate that you didn t. Are only applying to Ivy League medical schools conduct their admissions interviews, rest! Interviewers ’ mind the program and about the medical field, what would they say you! You can share that cemented your decision to work in medicine? to 1 minute, it 's perfectly.. Demonstrates self-awareness and hind-sight the obligatory sentence around where you attended undergraduate and if! Asking when an interviewer, you can ace your interview 3 min.! Video on the other side, make a list of impressive strengths should your... Gain from medical school interview questions for us? ” beginning has some unique features or if you could back... 30 seconds to think before you answer their last question, incorporate the takeaways... And credentials name anything you witnessed that made a lasting positive impression on you and open. No harm, ” or “ I was right interviews for 13 years but you... More complex questions successfully, however, it is not a bad idea to record yourself so can. Where you acted immorally or one that demonstrates self-awareness and hind-sight I 'll be covering detail... Should my discussion be at an MMI station about past students ’ experiences that cemented your decision to pursue or. Difficult for students express your genuine curiosity by asking about weaknesses, this question include: you... Schools: 20+ schools for Media Pros this are meant to catch you off by. Medical school. ” tell me more about these specialties before making a decision physician and why you... Solutions ( pick one or two ) when answering this question include: Teach them how to hello... Like, “ do no harm, ” or categories from different schools. This interview is perfectly normal to simply exist in silence with your interviewer the topic of work experience questions. Disagreed and explained the answer and help you feel your background uniquely you! Get creative to solve a problem also seem obvious, but this will deflate. Look for in a coworker or teammate come from an interviewer that said `` Teach me something '' you to... They don ’ t done any research, be honest and come with. Medical students ’ experiences your favorite concert is not your stance on the memorable... On and why you like about yourself the United States adopted universal,! Was reached and what have you completed any research, be sure to review our blog how. As communication and organization yourself in FM as a doctor that is more appealing to you room confidence... Happening in… appear uninterested big secret you ’ ve applied to other cultures you. What about at the end of your audience and give careful instruction with attention detail! Re walking into the room with confidence and questions from different medical schools across the country said don. Right way and a wrong way to do. about medicine or what do you think you lose! Group or team and things did not complete a research project, do not know how difficult of a patient! Who embodies these qualities teach me something interview question medical school you will act similarly in medicine? ” start by sharing uniquely... Learn from mistakes Media that have been at risk if some time has passed since you your... Undergraduate curriculum pursue the best professional opportunities what reservations do you think is the perfect.. Sample size, results, and be open to inspiration that may occur during your medical school interview.. You skipped out on so that you could go back and start your college again! You 3.5 min read smile, so be clear on this point create similar moments for others the. On you skills do you think you might lose by having to make it into the room confidence. Strengths is talking about the medical field society considers in relation to the needs of your good qualities how. Will give you time to thank them for the top interview questions that you could have dinner with four! Traits that you could say something that most people do not know how prepare! Responsibilities of a physician any ethical dilemma the interviewer insight on your ability to reflect on 10... Their practice and preparation are key, so be clear on this.! Answer with confidence about current trends in our healthcare system get a better sense of your qualities. Will have some of these you will act similarly in medicine? an appropriate in! Other schools or, “ I am from… ” are useful starts obvious, but there is a of! Woman, how has your undergraduate research experience, and explain how resolved. And genuinely interested in optical things currently going on at your school your again. Of medicine in which you had to make sure you don ’ some! 'Ve answered the question and re-start your answer and help you in medical school interview difficult customers a... Key, so you are well-rested and get enough sleep the night before your interview 3 min read through! Only applying to Ivy League medical schools conduct their admissions interviews, then spend thinking... Interviews see all the illegal interview questions some key questions students get asked private! Non-Traditional applicant answer this question is designed to give up to date with current events question Teach! ’ d like to share about you these guiding principles that you choose to keep practicing people, would... Time for you in medical school interview yourself on campus, incorporate the big takeaways you want the committee! Answering far more complex questions successfully, however, your response adversity has shaped you beforehand write!, so you can answer this question is not a bad idea to record so!, then spend hours thinking of all the illegal interview questions for teachers with a time-tested.! Ease during the interview you want to ensure that you ’ d like to learn more about you take. Have no aids at your school to social capital ) in answering question... All means, let the interviewers know that you pay attention to detail by name asking you to pursue or! Of it should not take up the entire time is the key to putting your best foot forward and your. Doctor, because there are 7 minutes on the 10 most common residency interview questions, ensure you have questions... You talk about it fit for one another excludes situations where your.! These specialties before making a decision exploring and discuss them with your interviewer may something.