Medical School Admission - Interview
Top 15 Interview Tips
  1. Walk into the interview with 3 things that you want the committee to know about you before the end.
  2. Eat something before your interview. It will help you stay calm and survive the process.
  3. When in doubt, just be yourself. If you don't know the "best" answer to a question, just answer honestly.
  4. Read over the CanMEDS roles (see “So what are they looking for in doctors anyways?”) and think about what makes a good physician. Brainstorm examples where you have demonstrated these qualities.
  5. Don't let the interviewer's demeanour affect you or influence how well you think you are doing.  Some interviewers just don't smile, some don't believe in follow up questions/feedback, etc.
  6. Give some thought to where you would like to see yourself in medicine in the future.  What are the possible specialties that you are considering?  Are you considering teaching?  Research?  Community medicine? You don't have to know for sure, but it's good to demonstrate that you have put an appreciable amount of thought into your future goals.
  7. Practice! Practice! Practice! There is a big difference between writing down your responses and articulating your ideas vocally. Practice with your friends, your siblings, your parents, and even strangers. The best possible practice actually occurs with people with whom you are not so comfortable.
  8. After a question is asked, don’t be afraid to take a few moments to think about your answer. In fact, it is preferable that you do so to show that you are putting thought into what you are saying.
  9. Take each question in strides. Once you are done one question, move on to the next. Don’t dwell on past questions.
  10. To gauge whether you have adequately answered a question, ask yourself, “Am I repeating myself.” If you feel that you are repeating yourself, it is probably true and it’s time to stop or move on.
  11. Be ready with your own questions at the end of the interview. This is a good opportunity to show that you are interested. Although there is no such thing as a “stupid” question, try not to ask questions about the school that can easily be found on a website.
  12. When faced with an ethics question, you want to demonstrate an ability to critically think about the question. Take this opportunity to identify the ethical dilemma, present arguments for both sides, and voice a rational, logical opinion.
  13. When faced with a behavioural question, such as “Tell me about a time where you failed,” it helps to organize your thoughts with the following acronym: SARS. Tell them about the Situation that you found yourself in and the Actions that you took. Next, describe the Result of your actions and present a better Solution or learning points to demonstrate personal growth.
  14. Before your interview, try practicing in front of a mirror. This gives you an opportunity to evaluate your own body language (i.e., your facial expressions, hand gestures, etc.) and modify them as required. It is also a good opportunity to identify any nervous habits and eliminate them.
  15. Be confident in yourself! Yes, this is easier said than done, but you have a lot to be proud of having made it this far. The interviewers are looking for confident, not arrogant, candidates.