Premed Tip #7 - Interview Season Tips

Interview day can be really nerve racking. My first interview was in August, and I spent so much time prepping for it.  Here are some tips to get you through the interview season.

1. How to Prep Your Answers
Google questions (all types including ethical dilemmas) and make a huge spreadsheet of them. I think I went through at least 200 unique questions. Go through each question and write your responses. I would try to keep your questions to ~2 minutes. During the interview, you will probably talk more so you don't want to talk for too long. Once you have all your answers, let someone else read them and critique them. After you have finished editing, practice asking and answering these questions with yourself with and without looking at the answers you have written. You don't want to be too well rehearsed, but you don't want to fumble answering questions. Now, get someone else to do practice interviews with you. I skyped with my parents 5-10 times before my first interview to practice, and I let them pick questions to ask so I didn't know ahead of time. I think it prepared me well for many of the interviews.
***See PDF for sample questions and sample mock interview*****
2. Do Your Research on the School
Memorize as much as you can about the school you are interviewing at. Know your stuff in terms of if they have special programs that would be a great fit for you, unique opportunities they offer their students, etc. When you know more, you can ask more intelligent questions about the school and make a better impression. Always have prepared why you want to attend that specific school. It will be asked, and you better have a good answer. I would say 2-3 pages of notes per school is a good range for information. Also, do your research on how interview day is set up in terms of schedule, how many interviews, and the style of interview. You might have to go to blogs for this info.
3. Do Your Research on the Healthcare System
You will be going into healthcare so learn as much as you can about the current system and form detailed opinions on where you want it to go. You never know when they want you to give your opinion on something. Also, look up state specific legislation especially when going to interview at a state school. I was asked a few times my opinions on the ACA and other aspects of healthcare.
4. Prepare Questions For Your Interviewer
Have at least 3 ready for each interview. Use your research to come up with specific questions and ones that sound genuine.
5. Look at other applicants
Who the school brings in for interviews is really telling and can help you describe what makes you unique. Usually, there is plenty of time in between info sessions, tours, and the interviews to talk to other applicants. For example, look if all the other applicants are in state or took gap years because then you might want to make sure in your interview you incorporate why you want to attend a school in this state or why you did/did not take a gap year
6. Professional Wear
Suits are the way to go. I got a pant suit and a pretty flowery blouse. I wouldn't listen to the "no pattern" rule some websites spout, but be tasteful with it. I bought my suit from Macy's and loafers for shoes because you will do a bit of walking on tours and things. Bring a padfolio with you in case you need to take notes. Wear a watch because your phone should be off throughout interview day. I also brough business cards and a resume, but I never needed them.
7. Make yourself stand out
Find something cool you do, and if given the opportunity, talk about it. No one likes a boring interview. I sculpt a little on the side and brought photos of my work. I also brought photos of the research project I was working on. Interviewers loved seeing my photos.
8. Thank You Letters
Right after your interview, write some notes about what you talked about. On your way home, get some thank you cards or email thank yous to your interviewers. It is nice to do, and some schools note if you have sent them. Mine were brief and were specific to why I liked the school and enjoyed some of the topics of conversation. Don't try to sell yourself in them. Your interviewer most likely already filled out your evaluation so it would be pointless and off putting. I also know some friends that sent thank yous to the dean of admission. Those thank yous should be longer and more directed to why you like the school, what you enjoyed during interview day, and why you are a great fit.

Now, here are some tips for planning the trips itself.
1. Host vs No Host
Many of the schools have hosts that you can say with during your interview. Now, some pros to hosts is that you can ask them questions and get insight to what the school is really like, but for me, I found that I didn't get a good night sleep, and I was more anxious. I opted to stay in a hotel most of the time rather than with a host.
2. Essentials
Invest in a handheld steamer so if there is any wrinkles you can fix it.
Bring Advil and any other medication with you. I definitely needed to get Advil during the interview day due to headaches.
Wet wipes, stain removers, etc are great because you never know what will happen. One tour made us walk through mud, and I needed wipes to remove all the gross mud from my shoes.
Don't check your bag if you have anything for interview day in it, especially your suit. You don't want something happening to it.
3. Plan Your Transportation Ahead of Time and Check for Service
Now, most likely, not all of your interviews will be in major cities. Plan your transportation ahead of time, whether that be Supershuttle or another service, because you might not have cell service for an Uber or Lift. Heck, you might not have service at all to check on your ride. I almost got stranded in Iowa when I didn't have service and had to ask the lady in the admission office to use her phone.
4. Check with the school for luggage storage
Some schools let you store luggage at interview day, which is so helpful if you need to check out of hotels early. Make sure to ask if they don't tell you.
5. Find some good food in the area
Interview day lunch is usually sandwiches or cold so plan a good dinner for yourself because you deserve it after a long interview day.
6. Save money
Sign up for a Southwest account (or whatever airline you need to use) to earn points for free flights. I also used Ebates when buying hotel rooms to get cash back.