Hey Y'all!
Last week, I asked which grid posts y'all would like to see on my instagram and I decided that the polls that didn't win would end up on my blog! Interview season is definitely a stressful time for us all and whether you're at the end of your interviews are just about to start, I thought I would write this blog post dedicated to interview tips as well as a recap of what interview day looked like for the medical school I am currently attending. With COVID-19 still being a threat, I realize most of y'alls interviews will be conducted virtually, however I still think a lot of these tips will be applicable.
Recap of My Interview Day at the MedicalSchool I am Attending:
My interview day started at 10 am and lasted until the early afternoon. I am so grateful for my school to be accommodating of my interview day since I had a research presentation that I couldn't miss for my thesis and they were able to accommodate me on a non-interview day. When I arrived at the school I felt incredibly welcomed by the counselor who had been helping me through out my application as well as the administration. I was led straight into the clinic at the school where I shadowed a doctor and a student at the clinic. The entire time at the clinic it was so cool to see the experience 3rd years got at the clinic, and I made sure to ask relevant question (the entire day is an interview so I wanted to show just how interested I was without being in the way). I then went straight to a presentation about the school, tuition/finical aide, and other school info that made me more interested in attending the school! My actual interview was then split into two. I first interviewed with a current student then had a lunch break/tour of the school, and then went on to my faculty interview. The student interview was actually very chill IMO. We talked about my potential move from Texas to NYC, undergrad experiences, and country music.The questions were casual and it felt more like a conversation than an interview. I absolutely loved touring the school since I got to meet 4 more student along the way each one being incredibly welcoming and helpful as I went through the day. I then went in for my faculty interview. Was I nervous? Yes. However, it ended up being a pretty chill interview as well. Of course the stakes were higher, they did ask me specific questions from my interview, but they also asked me fun questions and made me feel welcomed as I joked about experiencing my first winter in NYC as well as my many painting mishaps. At the end of the interview I felt so welcomed by the school and the school became my number one choice.
Interview Tips:
1. Look up interview questions. If you google interview questions for the school you're interviewing at, you will probably see posts on either SDN or Reddit of people recapping their interview day and the questions they were asked. Compile a list of those questions and rehearse your answers to them so that if you are asked those questions you aren't using filler words or excess hand gestures.
2. Be ready to explain any discrepancies on your academic record or MCAT if you have them. Make sure to have a solid answer (don’t say the teacher was bad because med schools don’t like that).
3. Send a thank you email to everyone you talk to on that day (make sure to get their emails). This will show your interest in the school and is a professional thing to do. I sent a thank you email to the administrative faculty helping me with my interview, the faculty who interviewed me, and the students who interviewed me.
4. Have questions prepared for interviewer. These questions will show your interest in the school but also highlight that you were prepared for the interview.
5. Treat the entire day as an interview- because it is. Even when you're being showed around the school, that still is part of the interview. Be alert, ask questions, and stand out in the crowd of other interviewees.
6. Be yourself. Be passionate about why you’re applying and know why you’re passionate about podiatry. At the end of the day, you’re being invited to interview because you had a strong application so this is the time to sell your story and why you deserve a spot!
Hope this helps and let me know how your interview day goes in the comments below!
What to wear:
Even if your interview is virtual, it's still important that you dress the part. I'm so excited to announce that i've joined LiketoKnowit (LTK)! LTK is an app that allows bloggers to curate posts both on the app and linked to our instagram. These posts allow bloggers to link specific products so it's easy for followers to shop (the links are affiliate links). I've curated a post on my LTK that has some interview day clothes that I think are perfect! Business clothes can be expensive, but I think it's important to invest in one or two outfits that look great and you feel confident in. Make sure you download the LTK app and follow me both on insta and the app so that you can updates of everything i'm sharing! Click on the picture and it will take you straight to my LTK page and you'll be able to shop these clothes!
Peace and Blessings,
Srini
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