What is it like to interview for medical school as a high school student? What will I be asked?
- Interviews for combined degree programs share some similarities with regular medical school interviews, but have some differences. Here are some of these:
Similarities:
In both cases, you will likely have a 1 on 1 interview with at least one member of an admissions committee or a panel interview. You will usually go to the school on a set day, tour the school and have a chance to ask questions, and do interviews. You will be expected to “dress up” for an interview – sports coat/suit and tie for boys and dress clothes for girls. No Jeans and t-shirts, and go easy on the piercings!
You will be expected discuss the things that you put on your essays about why you want to go to that school and why you wish to become a physician. Depending on the school, you may be asked about your high school activities, volunteering, research and any shadowing you have done. Remember that you MAY be asked about anything you put on your application so make sure you know it inside and out.
- Interviews for combined degree programs share some similarities with regular medical school interviews, but have some differences. Here are some of these:
Similarities:
In both cases, you will likely have a 1 on 1 interview with at least one member of an admissions committee or a panel interview. You will usually go to the school on a set day, tour the school and have a chance to ask questions, and do interviews. You will be expected to “dress up” for an interview – sports coat/suit and tie for boys and dress clothes for girls. No Jeans and t-shirts, and go easy on the piercings!
You will be expected discuss the things that you put on your essays about why you want to go to that school and why you wish to become a physician. Depending on the school, you may be asked about your high school activities, volunteering, research and any shadowing you have done. Remember that you MAY be asked about anything you put on your application so make sure you know it inside and out.
Differences:
In general, admissions committee members who interview high school students for medical school programs are experienced at these interviews and recognize the differences between high school and college students. You will not be expected to have the number and type of standard pre-med experiences that would have been typical for college students. You will be more likely to be asked somewhat general questions about your interest in science, the types of things you like to read, and about your non-scientific activities in school. Make sure to tell the whole truth about yourself and your background.
How to Prepare:
As with any other applicant, admissions committee members are looking for your maturity, your ability to communicate ideas thoroughly, your passion to pursue medicine and for evidence that you are likely be committed to the program. Most admission committee members believe that at the age of 16 or 17, high school students cannot know how they want to spend the rest of their lives. PROVE THEM WRONG.
Some potential questions that you can be asked. There are definitely variations these questions as well as many questions not included in this list. Make sure you have a solid answer with reasons. Typically, you should include an example with your answers.
“When did you first decide you wanted to go to medical school?”
"Why do you want to pursue a career in medicine."
"If you had a second choice for a career, what would it be and why?"
“What about a combined degree program especially appeals to you?” *Don't mention that you want to be sure to get into med school as your primary reason.
“What are your favorite books (or most recently read non-school book) and why? Which character do you think is most similar to yourself”
“Who has talked with you about medical school and what did you learn from them about it?”
"What has been your greatest challenge thus far and how have you dealt with it?"
"What has volunteering taught you?"
"What are your biggest strengths/weaknesses?"
"Who is your role model and why?"
*Some of the more competitive programs may present ethical questions. Be prepared for variety of ethical scenarios and make sure you have an answer for your interviewee.
DO NOTS:
Do not indicate that you want to do one of these programs just so you can be sure of getting into med school.
Do not speak informally to your interviewer. Practice sounding as mature as you can – avoid any slang expressions. Remember, you are trying to convey maturity.
Do not panic if you don’t have an answer to a question. Just say “I’m not really sure, but I’ll think about it/look it up.”
Although you will be nervous, have someone practice with you avoiding things like “twirling your hair” and fidgeting.
Practice making eye contact. Then practice it some more and work on your speaking skills with someone who is willing to give you honest feedback. No one wants to spend half an hour talking to someone who won’t look at them or mumbles into the ground.
Do not insult any school. Don’t try to say that you want into this program because other programs are not good.
Do not spend excessive time or energy working on your appearance. Look nice, but be yourself. We want you to be neat, but otherwise don’t care much about appearance.
Make sure you can explain why you want to be a physician.
Do not waste time explaining one bad grade or your first SAT score that wasn’t as good as you would've liked. If you are interviewing for a program, they believe you are smart enough to succeed. You just have to prove yourself personally.
Instead of talking about negatives, introduce positives.
SMILE. It goes a long way in showing charisma and personality.
Do not indicate that you want to do one of these programs just so you can be sure of getting into med school.
Do not speak informally to your interviewer. Practice sounding as mature as you can – avoid any slang expressions. Remember, you are trying to convey maturity.
Do not panic if you don’t have an answer to a question. Just say “I’m not really sure, but I’ll think about it/look it up.”
Although you will be nervous, have someone practice with you avoiding things like “twirling your hair” and fidgeting.
Practice making eye contact. Then practice it some more and work on your speaking skills with someone who is willing to give you honest feedback. No one wants to spend half an hour talking to someone who won’t look at them or mumbles into the ground.
Do not insult any school. Don’t try to say that you want into this program because other programs are not good.
Do not spend excessive time or energy working on your appearance. Look nice, but be yourself. We want you to be neat, but otherwise don’t care much about appearance.
Make sure you can explain why you want to be a physician.
Do not waste time explaining one bad grade or your first SAT score that wasn’t as good as you would've liked. If you are interviewing for a program, they believe you are smart enough to succeed. You just have to prove yourself personally.
Instead of talking about negatives, introduce positives.
SMILE. It goes a long way in showing charisma and personality.
What makes a strong interview?
Above all, the admissions committee is looking for your passion for medicine and for your maturity. They know you are about 17/18 years old, but even at that age, they believe they can learn something from what you say and how you say it. Tell them your story – what makes you unique? Why will you ENJOY going into medicine? If you have done music or sports, tell them how committed you can be to what you do. They’ll understand that can transfer this commitment to your medical studies. If you’ve traveled somewhere unique or done anything special – describe it and be proud, but not boastful, about it.
We created a brand new course to help prepare you for your BS-MD interviews. They go over all the types of questions asked and how to structure your answers for maximal points. It was created by a group of BS/MD coaches, including a number that have served on medical school admissions committees. Check it out here.
Above all, the admissions committee is looking for your passion for medicine and for your maturity. They know you are about 17/18 years old, but even at that age, they believe they can learn something from what you say and how you say it. Tell them your story – what makes you unique? Why will you ENJOY going into medicine? If you have done music or sports, tell them how committed you can be to what you do. They’ll understand that can transfer this commitment to your medical studies. If you’ve traveled somewhere unique or done anything special – describe it and be proud, but not boastful, about it.
We created a brand new course to help prepare you for your BS-MD interviews. They go over all the types of questions asked and how to structure your answers for maximal points. It was created by a group of BS/MD coaches, including a number that have served on medical school admissions committees. Check it out here.