The Medical School InterviewThe Medical School InterviewStrategies for an Effective InterviewStrategies for an Effective Interview

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYTEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYAlpha Epsilon DeltaAlpha Epsilon Delta

Filomeno G. MaldonadoFilomeno G. Maldonado

Assistant Dean for AdmissionsAssistant Dean for Admissions

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

Preparing for the interviewPreparing for the interview Looking the partLooking the part

The interview visitThe interview visit TimelinessTimeliness AttitudeAttitude UniquenessUniqueness

Strategies for an effective interviewStrategies for an effective interview What interviewers look for in applicantsWhat interviewers look for in applicants Applicant StatisticsApplicant Statistics

Preparing for the InterviewPreparing for the InterviewLook the Part: Interview AttireLook the Part: Interview Attire Do what others do—but better. Yes, there is a “uniform” to wear. It is:

Conservative Tasteful Neat

Men—a suit is the standard dress Solid or pin strip, navy or gray Well-cut and well-tailored

Ladies—although styles are changing in the work place, the suit is still the standard dress. Find out what woman accountants who work for large accounting firms wear. This will be the “classic” style.

Choose wool, linen, or a synthetic that simulates either. The best colors are gray, light charcoal, medium-range blue, and dark maroon

Avoid bold or flashy patterns Accessories—keep it sedate; limit jewelry to a watch and wedding band (if

married) Personal Grooming—keep it neat, squeaky clean, and conservative

There is no need to flaunt your lifestyle in your dress.

The Interview VisitThe Interview Visit

Timeliness – Timeliness – DDon’t be late! Faculty’s time is valuable.on’t be late! Faculty’s time is valuable. Confirm your interview

Communicate with the medical school soon after an invitation Know the schedule

Get your schedule in advance of your interview (if the entire schedule is not available, find out the time you begin)

Leave some time flexible After your interview, don’t run out early Avoid scheduling multiple interviews too tightly Remain flexible

Attitude – Attitude – SMILE!SMILE! It doesn’t cost you anything.It doesn’t cost you anything.Be pleasant to everyone. And be pleasant at all times.

Consider yourself under observation the entire time you interact with the medical school

The Interview VisitThe Interview Visit

UniquenessUniqueness Selective Exposure

People notice exceptional deviation from the normal patternThe deviation can either be positive or negativeEssential that you are noticed—and noticed positively

Selective DistortionPeople interpret data in ways that support their preconceptionsPreconceptions based on written material that you’ve providedAdd to the positive feeling you have already worked so hard to

create. Selective Retention

People forget much of what they learn. And they forget it quickly. Make certain that interviewers remember you.

Strategies for an Effective InterviewStrategies for an Effective InterviewPart IPart I

During the interview, be yourself, for interviews can bring out betrayals of character. Convey a healthy self-understanding.

Try to communicate clearly and succinctly but do not be verbose. Be prepared to respond to all kinds of questions, many unrelated to the

study of medicine. Be prepared to discuss your motivation for the study of medicine and any

activity or experience which is relevant to your goal of medicine as a career. “Tell me about the development of your interest in the study of medicine and

anything you have done to clarify or test your interest.” Be prepared to discuss social issues across several domains.

“If you were asked to give a keynote speech to your graduating class about societal problems, which problems would you focus on? What major points would you make?”

Be prepared to discuss in what capacity you have served others.

Strategies for an Effective InterviewStrategies for an Effective InterviewPart IIPart II

Don’t try to second guess the interviewer. Answer questions honestly. Avoid attempting to “butter up” the interviewer. Be original and spontaneous in your responses. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. Explain your deficiencies honestly and don’t offer mere excuses and

rationalizations . Take responsibility! Don’t be hesitant to ask questions, for the interview serves equally the purpose of

the applicant. Don’t be on the defensive or on the offensive; show respect. Don’t disparage others. Don’t display anger. Avoid inappropriate humor.

There are almost as many approaches to interviewingas there are interviewers.

What are InterviewersWhat are InterviewersLooking for in Applicants?Looking for in Applicants?

Interpersonal Skills – Ability to Communicate and Interact Intellectual Capacity and Curiosity for Learning Social and Medical Consciousness Maturity Motivation and Goals for Medicine as Career

How well developed is your understanding of medicine? Evidence of Altruism – An unselfish concern for others; a

willingness to serve Community Service Outreach Activities

Interpersonal SkillsInterpersonal Skills

What are some of your interests other than medicine? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of? In what situations have you gone to school or worked

with people who are of different backgrounds or conviction?

How have you dealt with people or situations that have frustrated you or when communication broke down?

Intellectual Capacity andIntellectual Capacity andCuriosity for LearningCuriosity for Learning

How do you manage your time and learning?

How would you describe your academic skills?

What personal attributes have contributed to your success as a student?

What courses did you find most enjoyable, most difficult? Why?

How are the humanities relevant to the study of medicine? Give an example and discuss.

Describe your research experience(s).

How have you broadened your educational experience?

MaturityMaturity

What are the advantages of medicine as a career? What are the disadvantages? What challenges will you face as a physician? What has been the most difficult period of your life? How would you describe the way you relate to people? Describe a significant leadership experience. What have you

learned about yourself and others? What have you done in the community that demonstrates

your concern for others? Being a good physician requires empathy, sensitivity and

flexibility. Tell me of one life incident that required you to demonstrate these attributes.

Social ConsciousnessSocial Consciousness

What is your perspective on the issues facing society? What are some problems in society that impact the

practice of medicine? What are some current issues in medicine? What solutions in medicine are being explored? Describe your service to the community, your work in

medicine?

Admissions StatisticsAdmissions StatisticsEntering Year 2008Entering Year 2008

TMDSAS Applications EY 2008TMDSAS Applications EY 2008(Across all 7 state schools)(Across all 7 state schools)

TexasTexas’’ State Schools: 3 State Schools: 3,987,987 (-2%)(-2%) Overall Avg. GPAOverall Avg. GPA——3.53 3.53 (0.03)(0.03) Avg. Total MCATAvg. Total MCAT——27.627.6 (0.5)

COM Applications EY 2008 3,0603,060 (-2.3% decrease from 2007)(-2.3% decrease from 2007)

Overall Avg. GPAOverall Avg. GPA——3.52 3.52 (0.03)(0.03) Avg. Total MCATAvg. Total MCAT——27.3/O27.3/O (0.4)

Total Interviewed EY 2008Total Interviewed EY 2008 All Schools: All Schools: 2,2592,259 (57%) (1.7% increase)(57%) (1.7% increase)

Overall GPAOverall GPA——3.66 3.66 (0.02)(0.02) Total MCATTotal MCAT——29.8/P 29.8/P (0.30)(0.30)

Total Interviewed EY 2008 (cont.)Total Interviewed EY 2008 (cont.) College of Medicine: College of Medicine: 757757 (25%) (4%)(25%) (4%)

Overall GPAOverall GPA——3.71 3.71 (0.04)(0.04) Total MCATTotal MCAT——30/P 30/P (0.60)(0.60)

Accepted Applicants EY 2007Accepted Applicants EY 2007 All Schools: All Schools: 1,4321,432 (63%) (9.6% increase)(63%) (9.6% increase)

Overall GPAOverall GPA——3.71 3.71 (0.01)(0.01)

MCATMCAT——3131 (0.5) College of Medicine: College of Medicine: 143143 (19%)(19%)

Overall Avg. GPAOverall Avg. GPA——3.69 3.69 (-0.07)(-0.07) Avg. MCATAvg. MCAT—30—30/Q /Q (1.0)(1.0)

Admissions StatisticsAdmissions StatisticsEntering Year 2007Entering Year 2007

TMDSAS Applications EY 2007TMDSAS Applications EY 2007(Across all 7 state schools)(Across all 7 state schools)

TexasTexas’’ State Schools: State Schools: 4,0834,083 Overall Avg. GPAOverall Avg. GPA——3.503.50 Avg. Total MCATAvg. Total MCAT——2727

COM Applications EY 2007 3,1333,133 (8% increase from 2006)(8% increase from 2006)

Overall Avg. GPAOverall Avg. GPA——3.493.49 Avg. Total MCATAvg. Total MCAT——27/M27/M

Total Interviewed EY 2007Total Interviewed EY 2007 All TMDSAS Schools: All TMDSAS Schools: 2,2222,222 (54%)(54%)

Overall GPAOverall GPA——3.633.63 Total MCATTotal MCAT——28.9/P28.9/P

Total Interviewed EY 2007 (cont.)Total Interviewed EY 2007 (cont.) College of Medicine: College of Medicine: 724724 (23%)(23%)

Overall GPAOverall GPA——3.673.67 Total MCATTotal MCAT——29.4/P29.4/P

Accepted Applicants EY 2007Accepted Applicants EY 2007 All TMDSAS Schools: All TMDSAS Schools: 1,3071,307 (59%)(59%)

Overall GPAOverall GPA——3.703.70 MCATMCAT——30.330.3

College of Medicine: College of Medicine: 112112 (15%)(15%) Overall Avg. GPAOverall Avg. GPA——3.763.76 Avg. MCATAvg. MCAT——29/Q29/Q

MEDICINEMEDICINE

““To Cure Sometimes”To Cure Sometimes”“To Relieve Often”“To Relieve Often”

“To Comfort Always”“To Comfort Always”

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

Strategies for Gaining the Strategies for Gaining the Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge

Strategies for Gaining the Strategies for Gaining the Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge

Put effort where it counts Set goalsSet goals Get OrganizedGet Organized CommunicateCommunicate Be timelyBe timely

Consult with your health professionsConsult with your health professions’’ advisoradvisor Review your applicationReview your application Inventory your accomplishmentsInventory your accomplishments

Determined what youDetermined what you’’re lacking in re lacking in experiences/activitiesexperiences/activities

Review your course workReview your course work Determine weaknesses academically Determine weaknesses academically Consider additional course work, Consider additional course work,

another degree, or diversifying your another degree, or diversifying your curriculumcurriculum

Determine if re-taking the MCAT Determine if re-taking the MCAT will be beneficialwill be beneficial

Apply to all Texas SchoolsApply to all Texas Schools Apply early and avoid application Apply early and avoid application

snarlssnarls Know something about the Know something about the

profession of medicine and your profession of medicine and your communitycommunity Study the issues around the country Study the issues around the country

and Texasand Texas Think about and discuss solutionsThink about and discuss solutions Know about post-graduate medical Know about post-graduate medical

training (specializations)training (specializations) Gain more or broaden experiences Gain more or broaden experiences

and exposureand exposure

Monitor accuracy and authenticityMonitor accuracy and authenticity Academic record Extracurricular activities Life circumstances

Write a personal statement that Write a personal statement that addresses well youraddresses well your MotivationMotivation GoalsGoals Philosophy of medicinePhilosophy of medicine

Respond to the optional questionsRespond to the optional questions Any unique circumstances or life Any unique circumstances or life

experiencesexperiences Characteristics/experiences Characteristics/experiences

contributing to diversity of classcontributing to diversity of class

Complete thoroughly the application, Complete thoroughly the application, attending carefully to the following:attending carefully to the following: Record of college workRecord of college work Prescribed Course RecordPrescribed Course Record Record of community service Record of community service

and medically related or research and medically related or research activitiesactivities

Dates and hours of serviceDates and hours of service Role or dutiesRole or duties

Quality of personal statementsQuality of personal statements Secondary applicationsSecondary applications

Strategies for Gaining the Strategies for Gaining the Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge

Strategies for Gaining the Strategies for Gaining the Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge

Have your evaluators write Have your evaluators write letters in the range of 1-2 letters in the range of 1-2 pages, highlighting the pages, highlighting the following:following: Academic backgroundAcademic background Communication skillsCommunication skills Breadth and depth of interests Breadth and depth of interests

& activities & activities Community service or altruistic Community service or altruistic

activitiesactivities PersonalityPersonality

Provide evaluators with a Provide evaluators with a rréésumsuméé or CV or CV

Submit highly supportive Submit highly supportive letters of evaluation:letters of evaluation: Have your Have your Health ProfessionsHealth Professions’’

Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Committee submit submit your letters of evaluation your letters of evaluation

Know your faculty and let them Know your faculty and let them get to know youget to know you

Submit at least 2 letters from Submit at least 2 letters from professors, but not more than 5professors, but not more than 5

Be timely in submitting Be timely in submitting letters to letters to HPACHPAC or or TMDSASTMDSAS

Strategies for Gaining the Strategies for Gaining the Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge

Strategies for Gaining the Strategies for Gaining the Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge