by Brian M. Brown, Stanford Class of 1979 / UCLA Medical Student

(These notes were written by Brian Brown, a Stanford graduate who attended medical school at UCLA. Brian generously offered to share his "Thoughts on Interviews", and we think you will find them to be very helpful as you prepare for medical school interviews. Please bear in mind that they represent one person's opinions and should not be considered official Undergraduate Advising Center recommendation.)

1. The most important thing is to be enthusiastic about the school. Know why you want to go there (4 or 5 reasons): be prepared to state them. It's not a good idea to say you applied because you thought you had a good chance of being accepted. If the school isn't your #1 choice, at least say it's one of your top choices, or emphasize that you are seriously considering it. (This is a good place to give your well thought reasons for applying to the school.)
2. Know what your answers will be, but don't prepare the way you give them, i.e., don't look too practiced. Answer the interviewer's question, don't try and fit one of your prepared answers into the question (unless it's relevant).
3. Have some questions ready to ask the interviewer. They will always ask you if you have any questions. If anything about their curriculum is unclear, ask. Ask about research opportunities or whatever interests you. Your questions should show some familiarity with the school, and show some intelligence: "I noticed you grade on a letter grade basis rather than pass/fail. How does this affect competition between students?" rather than "What kind of grading system do you use?" Alternatively, you can ask general questions that make the interviewer think about his/her answer: "If you could change one thing in this medical school, what would you change and why?" "Would you go to this medical school if you had a choice?" "Based upon what you know of me, do you think this would be a good medical school for me to attend? Why?" All the general questions require some tact (you can sound obnoxious if you ask them wrong). If you're not up to it, stick with specifics.
4. Read their catalog. A good source of questions! Good questions show you have seriously looked into their school.
5. Walk the thin line between humility and self confidence. Don't be afraid to bring up your good points, but at the same time don't come off as thinking you're God's gift to medicine. Don't put yourself down but be aware of your weak points. (Interviewers have a nasty habit of pointing these out to you so it's good to counter with a good point: "Yes, I realize my GPA is only 1.2, but I think the fact that I scored all sixteens on the MCAT is a better indication of my academic ability.")
6. Relax, enjoy yourself. If nothing else, the interview process is fun. There is very little to be nervous about. They wouldn't have invited you if they aren't very seriously considering your application.
7. Listen to the interviewer. He/She will give hints as to what they are interested in (e.g., don't overly advocate socialized medicine to a past president of the AMA; don't try to out-think him and have the answers you think he wants to hear. All but the most dense will pick this up (and cross you out). You can disagree with an interviewer, but don't get into a roaring argument. (Try to change the subject.) But, if they insist, stick up for your rights and write a letter to the admissions director if you think the interview was unfair. I would think they admire some spunk in an applicant; many times the interviewer will "play" to see if you can think.
8. It doesn't hurt to write a note to the interviewer, especially if you enjoyed the conversation. (Make sure he gets it before he makes his report to the committee for maximum effect.) Emphasize that you enjoyed your visit to the school and your strong desire to attend.
9. A little bit of humor never hurts either (especially if it's funny). Likewise, don't take the interview lightly.
10. Many interviewers will not have read your application. Be prepared for some idiot questions. Just answer their questions patiently.
11. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know an answer. Anything on your application is fair game. If you did research, be prepared to talk about what you did in depth. You won't be expected to be an expert in the field (unless you say you are), but you should know the overall goal of the research, it's benefit to society (if any), your part (hopefully significant: you don't get points for washing test tubes for Linus Pauling), what you learned, what you would change if you received unlimited funds, etc. The same type of questions apply for any clinically related experiences. Don't think they won't be impressed if you did work on your own, or performed a small part of a large project with little supervision. Several interviewers mentioned that many pre-meds cite research experience when they only washed test-tubes. It is important to show that you can think for yourself. At the same time take advantage of the knowledge of those with more experience in the field.
12. It's important to show you have thought about issues in medicine. They don't expect you to be familiar with every health law passed in the last ten years. You should have given (and be giving) the major issues some thought.
13. Dress nicely. It may not help, but certainly won't hurt. It shows you care enough to spend time on your personal appearance as well as implying that you consider the interview important. (Consider coat and tie mandatory, 3 piece suit even better; nice dress for women.)
14. Be prepared for stress interviews. (Glass of water glued to the desk, window won't open, interviewer leaves the room, interviewer takes opposite view of whatever you say.) These are rare, but they do happen.

Some Questions That You Will Invariably Be Asked:

"Why do you want to be a doctor?" will be asked in some form. A well thought out answer probably counts more than a specific answer. They know it's a tough (personal) question and will be listening more on how you express yourself than what you say (within reason).

"What will you do if you are not accepted to medical school?" Almost everyone says they will do research, or more school, and then reapply. This is fine. Don't say you will apply to business school if you don't get in. Emphasize your great desire to be a doctor, no matter how long it takes to get into medical school.

Other Interesting Questions:

"What makes you special?" "What are your 2 best points?" "What are your 2 weakest points?" "What do you think will be your greatest difficulty in med school/medicine?" (Don't be afraid, but don't give them a good reason to reject you.)

"What do you see as the most pressing problem facing medicine today?" This is a loaded question - a researcher will be interested in the availability of funds, a clinician in government red tape, a liberal in the lack of medical care in certain regions (usually poverty areas). Know what you think about them all, but more importantly know what you think are the most pressing issues and what, if anything, can be done about them. Give well reasoned answers, not mindless repetitions such as "all government interference is bad" but "I think this is harmful to medicine because..." Show that you have thoughtfully considered the issues that will affect you as a future physician.

"How do you intend to finance your medical education?" Whatever the method, show that you have thought about it.

"If you could do anything different in your education, what would you do?"

"Are you a Christian? What do you think of euthanasia? What do you think of abortion?" They're usually not supposed to ask very controversial and personal questions, but they may or the issues may come up in the conversation so know what you think. (Don't be afraid to say you're undecided and why; many of these are complex issues, but do show that you've given the issue a lot of thought.)

"Where else are you applying?" "Have you been accepted anywhere?" Tell them if you have been accepted. "What is your first choice?" Don't lie, but don't necessarily compromise your chances. Perhaps mention that you're considering all the schools and have been ranking them after you've had a chance to visit the school. Naturally, if that school is your first choice, tell the interviewer how much you'd like to go to the school.

"Tell me about yourself." Try and go down your application. Hopefully the interviewer will ask something specific.

"How do you feel about women in medicine?" (If female, how will you reconcile your family life with your professional life, etc.)

"Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?" "What do you do in your spare time?" Don't say you always study - in general they want to know if you are a person outside of academic situations. Relatedly: "ls there a good deal of drug abuse in your school?" "Have you taken drugs?" Don't trap yourself. Ask what they mean by drugs. Say you have tried marijuana (if true), you think almost everyone in your age group has tried it at least once.

Finally

Be yourself. Be friendly. Don't worry. Remember the interviewer's name. Be aware of specific issues facing that particular school (the dean just quit, lack of funds, high crime area, etc.). Don't say something that isn't true, or pretend to know about something you don't. Read over your application before you go, especially the essay. Many things have changed in the six months since you wrote it and you'll want to let them know (unless you got a C in chemistry - don't volunteer negative information, but if they ask, don't lie). Be enthusiastic about their school!

Issues to think about:

• Euthanasia
• Abortion
• Medicaid, Medicare
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician's Aides
• Socialized Medicine
• H.M.O.s
• Pre-paid health care
• Fee-for-service
• Third party billing
• Federal health care plans