How to Stand Out in Medical School Interviews - AIMS.Guide (2023)

Do you want to stand out in medical school interviews? This guide will show you how!

Most medical students would agree that the most stressful experience of applying to college is the interview. Often the best antidote to these fears is to feel well prepared for the interview itself. With that in mind, we'll give you brief tips on how to prepare for a medical school interview in the UK.

Please note that this is not a list of common interview questions or tips on how to answer specific types of questions, but rather a general guide on what a medical school interview is and what to expect. This is far from the last interview tip, so get ready for more AIMS.Guide guides!

Section 1 - What is a medical interview and how does it work?

A cornerstone of the application process, the modern medical school interview, is available to all applicants. While the candidate is expected to have some reading in the field, universities do not expect candidates to have a wide range of medical experience and knowledge. Rather, the focus of the interview is to test everyday skills and experience in the medical field, as well as the opportunity to demonstrate one's personality and motivation.

There are two general interview styles:IMMmiPanel interviews (also known as "traditional").

1. 1. Several mini-interviewsThere are 5-10 stations, each lasting 5-10 minutes, where the respondent answers questions on a topic. all SeasonsThere is another interlocutor, which means that candidates have multiple ways to impress their interlocutors.

1. 2. Panel-InterviewsStakeholders must answer a series of questions by answering a series of questionsa panel of 2 or 3 interviewers in a single session. This gives interviewers more opportunities to get into the flow and show more of themselves to the interviewer, but it also means that if you make a mistake or stumble, you can pick yourself up on the next question.
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The types of questions asked between the two interview styles tend to be similar. However, MMIs can also have hands-on stations like role-playing or problem-solving scenarios. Each university evaluates applicants in its own way, but we'll talk a bit more about that later in this article.

Interviews during or COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many medical schools have chosen to conduct virtual interviews online.. These can still be MMI or panel-based interviews, but changing the medium requires a different dynamic and overall feel for the interviews.

However, the content of the questions remains the same and interviewers will be lenient with questions about internet connectivity or finding a convenient time to easily conduct an interview. It is currently unclear how long the virtual interviews will last and whether or not they will take place after the pandemic.

Section 2 - What should I use? How should I act?

A common concern in job interviews is how to dress for the occasion, but the answer is relatively simple:coincidentally more elegantAnd don't worry if you're wearing a suit and tie or formal wear. The default is to usebata clinic “This is how doctors should dress in the room. This is a button down shirt with dress pants (no jeans) and a nice pair of dress shoes.You can wear a tie if you wish, but it is not mandatory.. Alternatively, a blouse with a skirt below the knees.You do not have to worry about any hospital hygiene measureshowever, such as below elbow jewelry or limited jewelry.

When conducting yourself in an interview, you should try to present yourself professionally while showing your own personality. If you don't have experience in the workplace or interviewing, you may find it difficult to find your balance. This is something you can really improve with practice, so I highly recommend it.prepare as well as possible for mock interviews. As he practices, he gets feedback from friends and family about his tone of voice and body language.

Remember: communication skills are an essential part of being a doctor, so a little practice can only help!

Section 3 - What kinds of questions will I be asked?

Each medical school has its own criteria for what it wants to see in candidates and has different ways of qualifying respondents. As a result, the number of questions that can be asked is so large that it would be impossible to cover them all in one article. However, there is usuallyspecific question styles that justify similar answers, so we will try to categorize them. Please note that these are broad categories that we have created and may not cover all questions. Also, certain questions can easily be grouped into one category:

Skill-Based Questions

Questions based on a variety of skills commonly used by clinicians, such as: B. Communication and teamwork. Candidates are often asked to show a time when they have demonstrated these skills.

health experiences

Questions about the candidates' work or volunteer experience and what they have gained as a result of their experience.

ethic

Typically a question that asks the respondent to consider both sides of an argument, or a hypothetical situation in which the respondent must resolve an ethical conflict.

knowledge of medicine

Questions to assess how much extensive reading a medical candidate has done. Often around common areas of knowledge such as the NHS annual budget or the role of an MDT.

personal motivations

Ask questions about why the respondent wants to be a doctor and try to find out how much they thought about the career.

reflective questioning

Questions that try to get the respondent to think about their own strengths and weaknesses and apply this to college and the medical profession.

Study contents and university life

These can be specific questions about individual courses, or more generally about adjusting to the course and leading a self-determined life.

staging

Typically specific to MMI interviews, candidates must act out a simulated situation with the help of an actor. The goal is to show how you would react in a clinical setting to a problem that can be solved without medical expertise.

critical thinking

Questions to assess the lateral and creative thinking of a candidate. These can be, for example, argument analysis or puzzles to solve, as well as data interpretations.

Section 4: General recommendations

Get tips, practice, read books, learn - the more effort you put into the process, the more confident you'll be when it comes time for an interview. For our parting words, here's a little tip to keep in mind during your interviews, regardless of the questions or style:

• -Feel confident in your ability to perform.At the end of the day, an interview is all about showing your personality, motivation, and skills. The best way to build that confidence is to practice, so try to do as many mock interviews as possible. Talk to your school teachers or classmates or even your family. The university invited you for an interview, which means they want to meet you and talk to you.Show them how good you are!

• - Focus your answers on your own experience and skills and how you will apply them to the question.You should also consider how the question relates to medicine or student life. Please note that your background may not necessarily be directly related to medicine, but the skills you have gained (for example, teamwork or communication skills) will certainly apply in a medical setting.

• - Give yourself time to answer!Do not rush to answer something if you are not sure how to answer. If you need more time, ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase the question. Don't be afraid to pause before speaking or ask them to think about it. If you're anxious, take a deep breath, control yourself, keep going.

• You can't prepare for all the questions.But you can think of experiences that can be used to demonstrate a variety of skills that you can use for different questions. Jobs and volunteer work are often ideal for this. Having 3 or 4 of these experiences can be helpful in covering many questions that may arise.