Medical School interviews

Welcome back everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Whether you're back at university for the second semester or waiting nervously for news regarding interviews or offers, I hope you are well rested and ready to go - I am (sort of).

This time last year I was constantly checking my UCAS in the hope that Track had broken and the emails offering interviews for all four of my choices had just been delayed getting to me; they hadn't. Track is actually pretty good at getting the news to you as soon as it comes through. If you can, don't torture yourself - forget about Track for a while. I know that's easier said than done when all of a sudden UCAS have so many more promotional emails to send to you and each time that little window pops up on your phone you have a mini heart attack.

When I got my invitation for interview at Warwick I was so happy – surprised, but ecstatic. I really feel like getting that interview is the hardest bit of the application. When you do your personal statement and UKCAT you can write down all the amazing things that you've done to show that you're committed and keen but a lot of the people applying have done the same. The interview is the first opportunity to show the real you. I'm not saying that the personal statement isn't important, of course it is. That is at least partly what will determine whether you will get an interview or not so it should be honest and complete, but sometimes people are just unlucky and for whatever reason don’t get interviews first time round.

So, imagine you've got an email inviting you for interview - *hurrah*! Now all you need to do is be the best you that you can be on that one day, for that one hour, no problem. You should be confident in the knowledge that if you've got an interview the medical school like your application. You seem like a person that has the potential to become a future doctor, you have the right academic credentials and you've made a reasonable effort to find out what it's actually like to be a doctor. The interview is your chance for you to show that your motivations are genuine and that you really do have all the lovely qualities that we look for in healthcare professionals. Don't be too nervous, they like you so far. Then the day comes and you forget all those good reasons you had for wanting to become a doctor. You suddenly find yourself questioning why you're even bothering, thinking you're going up against much more academically gifted individuals who have all done so much more work experience than you have and wondering if the medical school have only invited you to make up the numbers.

While interviews in medical schools take different formats, from MMI to a relaxed one-to-one, with or without group tasks, demonstrating good communication skills is a common theme to any interview, whether for medical school or a job and it’s important that you hold your nerve long enough to relax and engage with your interviewer.

My advice for medical school interviews is simple. Be confident that you have got what it takes. Equally, don’t be over-confident, nothing is set in stone and there’s still a chance you might be rejected. Try to enjoy the interview and don’t act like a lone wolf. Yes, it’s your big day and it is competitive, but the people you meet might influence the outcome of the interview. You might also be seeing them next year and they will recognise you and remember how you acted on that first day.

If you get an offer then well done, you just need to make sure you meet those conditions. If you do make it to interview and don’t get an offer, don’t be disheartened. A lot of work and preparation has gone into getting there and maybe it’s just all about practising your technique or calming your nervous, simple things that you can work on for next time.

Good luck,

Amy

Sarah Hill : 16 Jan 2014 13:50 |  Tags: Applications Interviews Mbchb Warwick Wms |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem