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    Interview Help Archived Message

    Posted by lipton on March 30, 2009, 11:59 am

    Okay, first of all, i'm not an interviewing specialist. These are strictly opinions, do not use as a blue print for your interview, just stuff to keep in mind if you're having trouble preparing.
    So you have been called for an interview..guess what, they want to meet YOU! So quit stressing about your GPA's and MCAT scores and how they'll measure up, I have a feeling that's already been done. I am relating the below to my interview process, how things went, and my observations.
    1)Be prepared. Know what you're wearing well ahead of the date (guys=suits, girls=business professional + comfortable shoes), you will more than likely be there for awhile and may take a tour. Somebody in my interview group said, "Is this tour going to be much longer? My feet are killing me,".. Seriously? In addition, invest in a decent pen and leather notebook to bring to the interview just in case they do not provide anything.
    Compile a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer or students of the program. There will be a moment during the interview when they ask you, "Do you have any questions about the program, etc." and your response should be, "yes, as a matter of fact i do.." I asked other people at the interview if they had questions and the majority said they didn't and said it was an awkward silence. Show them you've done research about the program and you are serious about being there. Oh, and don't ask them simple yes-no questions or conversation starters. Somebody told me they tried to break the silence and asked, "Do you guys get a lot of hurricanes here?" Again, seriously? Your questions should be to this extent, "How do you feel your program prepares its students to be successful?" Or "What kind of qualities do you think an applicant needs to be accepted to your program?" This may throw them off guard at first, but if they respond with, "Well, that's a good question.." your on the right track. And you should be prepared to further discuss their answers and prove that you are indeed the applicant they just described. Remember, you want your interview to last as long as possible, this is your best shot to separate you from everone else. I watched people's expressions as they exited their interview with the OMG look on their face and saying, "Whew, im glad thats over." I left the interview with a smile on my face thinking how good that went and how easy it was...thats the attitude you should have.
    Interact with everybody. Don't just focus on the interviewers, talk to the interviewees and get to know them. This will show that you have social skills and are able to get along with everyone else you'll be working with for the next 27 months. Have a good time while you're there, don't be afraid to crack a joke (in good taste of course) and laugh. The interviewers will notice this and think you are an approachable person, you know how to handle a stressful situation, and people want to be around you and work with you.

    These are just a few things IMO people should consider. Of course, everyone has their own approach and other methods are effective. Remember to be yourself, they have you there because they see something, show it to them. Don't show up as somebody else than the person you described in your personal statement.
    Please feel free to post additions or questions..but please don't ask me any stats about GPA's, etc. That's not the purpose of this post. Good job to everyone who got in and good luck to future AA's!


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