Need Advice on MCAT and interview

[Guest emz552]

I'm planning to write MCAT next summer, and hopefully do the interview next next summer.

 

I'm wondering if some of you who have gotten in to med. can give me some advice about:

 

1. How to study for MCAT (books/manuals? those prep courses I keep seeing ads about? others?). If you could provide specific details about how to obtain/attend them, that would be great.

 

2. How to prepare for interviews: Do I just try to get myself intensely acquainted with current events especially medical issues? Is there something else I could do? I've heard that the interview usually starts with "tell us about yourself". Following your answer, they will then ask follow-up questions. I'm just wondering how they could prompt a current event question if you are the one who is leading the questions?

 

Any help would be of course appreciated =)

[Guest Lactic Folly]

1. I relied on a review book (university bookstore, Chapters), AAMC sample exams (http://www.aamc.org/mcat or buy used from someone in your area), and my notes and textbooks. If you did well in your first year science courses and are comfortable reviewing on your own, I don't think a prep course is necessary. It's a good idea to follow the MCAT syllabus closely to make sure you have covered all the topics (also available at http://www.aamc.org/mcat, along with sample questions). You can also check your university library or public library for supplementary materials.

 

2. You can read on current events, ethics, health care, etc. but you'll want to focus on your personal qualities and experiences (especially since this is a closed file interview). Check the Interviews forum for discussions on many sample questions, and links to interview feedback. Think about how you would answer those questions, and get someone to ask you a few for practice. The career centre at my university offered videotaped mock interviews, and it was helpful to get feedback about body language and the quality of your answers.

 

You lead the content of the interview, not the questions. That is to say, what you talk about will determine what they learn about you and perhaps lead to a more specific question or two on your experiences, but they'll still ask whatever they want to ask. It could go like this (example only):

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself.

You: (talks about experiences)

Interviewer: So, what was an experience that particularly influenced you to go into medicine?

You: (answers)

Interviewer: Mm-hmm. So, what do you think of this current event?

[Guest emz552]

Thanks, Lactic Folly!

 

Just a follow-up question: I hold some strong opinions about a lot of current issues, and not all of them are "NO" stances. To me, it seems apparent that those who take the "NO" stance would be more offended by the "YES" stance than the other way around. Say for example: gay marriage - someone who's a devout Christian would be much more offended by someone who wants gay marriage legal than the other way around.

 

So i'm wondering: should I just tell things exactly from my viewpoint, even though some of my "YES" stances may offend some of these interviewers personally and perhaps religiously? ...

 

tough dillemma for me.

[Guest Lactic Folly]

Well, I didn't get anything remotely controversial at my Saskatchewan interview, but here are my thoughts nonetheless. If you do get a question like that, I don't think you can assume where your interviewer stands or how likely they are to be offended (aside from observing them.. but they are often not easily read!).

 

You'll want to show you understand both sides of the issue, are able to provide reasons for your stance, and won't let your views affect the quality of patient care (if applicable). What's important is the overall impression that you give - do you appear mature, thoughtful, and open-minded? If you succeed in this, I think you've done the best you can, given the nature of the question.

[Guest RageoftheDragon]

Don't give up on what you believe in just for an interview. To show you've actually thought something through and have come to a reasoned conclusion shows alot more than jumping a bandwagon to try to please people. My views are generally considered somewhat harsh in this vast socialist prarieland, but I don't budge on them just to try to please people. And it worked for me.

 

RotD