Question to those of you who got interviews!

[panick]

Hi, I would like to ask a question to those you who were invited to at least one interview.

 

Since most applicants apply to multiple schools (seems like many apply to at least 3, especially those ones in Ontario), and since many schools are looking for similar characteristics (their weighting formulas may vary, but it seems like their standards are more or less the same, especially when they don't have strong regional selectivity)....if one school finds you worthy giving a shot, others probably like you too.

I am assuming that in many cases, either one doesn't get an interview for any, or gets several. (it's just my guess)

 

So my question is....if you DO get more than one interviews (so your academic & EC are fairly strong), is it still possible not being accepted ANYWHERE?

 

I'm asking this because I want to know if once you pass the first hurdle (in-paper process), CHANCES ARE LIKELY that you'll get in SOMEWHERE....(although I won't solely rely on it, it will comfort me somewhat)

 

I'd appreciate any input on this! =D

[Mithril]

Yes, there's still a possibility that you don't get in somewhere with multiple interviews. They check GPA and MCAT see if you're academically sound. They check ECs to see that you have life experiences and possible qualities pertaining to being a physician. They then interview you to see personal qualities and thinking processes firsthand. A lot of schools weigh the interview heavily, so if you are mediocre or worse at interviewing, there's a possibility you may be rejected. I'm not going to sugarcoat it by saying that if you get 2-3+ interviews, then you're a shoe-in simply because it depends on the applicant.

[gb35]

Hi, I would like to ask a question to those you who were invited to at least one interview.

 

Since most applicants apply to multiple schools (seems like many apply to at least 3, especially those ones in Ontario), and since many schools are looking for similar characteristics (their weighting formulas may vary, but it seems like their standards are more or less the same, especially when they don't have strong regional selectivity)....if one school finds you worthy giving a shot, others probably like you too.

I am assuming that in many cases, either one doesn't get an interview for any, or gets several. (it's just my guess)

 

So my question is....if you DO get more than one interviews (so your academic & EC are fairly strong), is it still possible not being accepted ANYWHERE?

 

I'm asking this because I want to know if once you pass the first hurdle (in-paper process), CHANCES ARE LIKELY that you'll get in SOMEWHERE....(although I won't solely rely on it, it will comfort me somewhat)

 

I'd appreciate any input on this! =D

 

For some people, the interview will be the biggest hurdle of all, so I don't think it's really possible to answer your question. That being said, I found the interviews were pretty fun, and I was way more worried about the "pen and paper" part, as you put it.

 

If you get a few interviews, and are able to relax and be yourself for them, then you'll have given yourself a great shot. That's all you can ask for.

[mm88]

Your performance might also depends on the style of interview. Some people prefer panel where they can share themselves with a few people for a good 45 mins and tell their story. They like that personal level of connection and feel very comfortable in that environment. Others like the MMI because its refreshing to rotate through the stations and not have to worry about the impact of one poorly answered question for the rest of the interview.

 

I think if you are well spoken, are in touch with yourself, and are knowledgeable in some basic medical ethics and current issues, you should be set. I have heard of people getting interviews and not getting in anywhere, it does happen but its not very common. I had many friends who had a couple interviews and were waitlisted everywhere but eventually got in.

 

Med school is kind of like a raffle, the more tickets (interviews) you get, the higher your chance of winning (acceptance). But was with any game of chance, nothing is guaranteed.

[ellorie]

The other advantage to multiple interviews is that you get to "practice" a bit. I got 6 interviews this cycle, and I definitely felt that I performed better in the last ones, particularly with MMI.

 

I was definitely better with the panel style - got into both the panel schools I interviewed at without much practice/prep. My first MMI (Calgary), which I DID prep for, I bombed - scored less than 50%.

[thatonekid]

The other advantage to multiple interviews is that you get to "practice" a bit. I got 6 interviews this cycle, and I definitely felt that I performed better in the last ones, particularly with MMI.

 

I was definitely better with the panel style - got into both the panel schools I interviewed at without much practice/prep. My first MMI (Calgary), which I DID prep for, I bombed - scored less than 50%.

I agree with the bolded part. I think I did best on the interviews that I did last (which is funny since I'm going to one of the 1st places that I interviewed at).

[panick]

thanks for your replies!! (they're very helpful)

 

well, as for now, i'll just worry about passing the first hurdle (hoping my application will be reviewed on the day when the judges are feeling super-generous...)

 

if i may ask, for how long did you prepare for the interviews? did you hire some 'interview coaches' to practice???

[Mithril]

I practiced for 2 months, 1-2 times a week with a group of people offered interviews at UBC. We were known as Team Tuesday. There were about 15 of us and I think around 11 of us got into UBC and one of us got into Manitoba not including me. You could try joining a practice MMI group if that's your cup of tea. You become more accustomed to speaking and talking to strangers and learning about the different perspectives students have when answering with MMI prompts. The book Doing Right also helped with giving me a basic background on the Canadian healthcare system and Canadian medical ethics.

[ellorie]

I read "Doing Right" which is like the classic medical student ethics book. I also looked online for common interview questions and practised in my head and I was part of a listserv here which sent out old MMI questions. I started preparing around January or February, I think.

 

The amount of time you need to put in depends on you. I know that I am articulate and generally comfortable interviewing, so I didn't do in person practices or go to the sessions at my school career office or anything, I just brushed up on some material, but those are good options if you're not confident. See if your school has info or practice sessions for med interviews. Learn all you can about the formats and common questions.

 

Once you find out where you will be interviewing, go to their websites and get really familiar with their curriculum - try to get a feel for what they are looking for in an applicant, so that you can gear your responses towards that. Also try to find a few "hidden gems" - unique points about the school or curriculum that you can drop to show that you are really interested in them, and make sure you have questions for when they let you question them. And not questions that you could look up the answer to yourself either, like "what are the core rotations for your clinical clerks?" - questions that will give you an insider look and show you've done your reading, for instance, at U of T, one of the interviewers was a group leader for ASCM, so I asked him to tell me what his duties were and what a typical ASCM session involved/looked like.

[psychoswim]

I didn't practice at all before my MMI. I'd never interviewed before but I felt I'd be able to do well if I just stayed true to myself and had fun, and I did.

[simpy]

thanks for your replies!! (they're very helpful)

 

well, as for now, i'll just worry about passing the first hurdle (hoping my application will be reviewed on the day when the judges are feeling super-generous...)

 

if i may ask, for how long did you prepare for the interviews? did you hire some 'interview coaches' to practice???

 

I did an MMI practice group with others invited to interview. I'm not positive of the final count, but I think 11 out of 12 of us got into medicine. We set up a total of three "interview days," where we booked a bunch of library rooms, made up MMI questions, and rotated around them. So total prep time was probably ~10 hours.

[LostLamb]

Indeed it is possible to interview at multiple schools and not get in.

 

For two non-consecutive application cycles I did not receive an interview. For three different consecutive application cycles I received 1 or more interviews. Every school where I was invited for interview I was waitlisted and did not get in...until this year! I believe it was my grades that hindered me and my interview/ECs that saved me.

 

After 3 years of being on the waiting lists (including this year) I finally got an offer! So...do not despair if you don't make one or more cuts. Just keep trying if it is what you really want to do!

 

Edit: in terms of practicing, I read/skimmed "doing right" and practiced with the sample questions provided by the universities. I would say I spent ~1 week beforehand prepping. In reality, your everyday life is what preps you for interviews.

[ellorie]

I did an MMI practice group with others invited to interview. I'm not positive of the final count, but I think 11 out of 12 of us got into medicine. We set up a total of three "interview days," where we booked a bunch of library rooms, made up MMI questions, and rotated around them. So total prep time was probably ~10 hours.

 

Wow, I feel terrible for that twelfth person

[mm88]

To practice and get ready, I signed up for one of the online practice groups and had some questions emailed to me everyday. Although I only sometimes participated in the discussions, I really learned a lot from other people's responses. It was good to see problems from various perspectives and helped me to understand some of the ethical issues better.

 

I had my interviews over spring break so I spent my reading reading "Doing Right". I also scheduled 2 practice sessions with some PM101 members. To my knowledge, all of us got in somewhere this year, and two of us are going to the same school (even though I deferred).

 

I definitely do recommend doing practice scenarios and talking out loud in front of people. You will discover a lot of your own faults and quirks, if the people you're practising with are not afraid to speak the truth and aren't afraid to be honest with you.

[simpy]

Wow, I feel terrible for that twelfth person

 

Me too. He's a great guy and I'm not really sure why he didn't get offers (had multiple interviews).

 

Just a reminder I guess that the system can be capricious.

[future_doc]

I had fun and enjoyed the MMI. See my sticky thread in the forum dealing with interview prep.

[Fatso]

I think some form of MMI/interview prep is well worth the time. I felt I was a natural when it came to interviews, but was given some pretty key pointers I never would have thought of otherwise and constructive criticism. Super helpful to get some outsider perspective (some places will even tape you to catch any ticks/eccentricities you never knew you had).

 

I agree with the comment that the more MMIs you do the better prepared you will be for the questions as there are repeats or similar scenarios and the practice does help, more than repeated traditional interviews IMO. Definitely read "Doing Right"; it's both a helpful and entertaining read! Best of luck

[preppy038]

I really enjoyed the MMI experience. Especially because of the package I received from future_doc (THANKS!)

 

I applied to 8 schools (4 in ontario, 4 in western canada), rejected from 5 schools pre-interview hahahaha mostly western canadian schools

 

Out of the 3 interviews I got into one.

 

I must say, the interview selection is the most important out of all

 

1/8 = 12.5%

 

Not bad eh? :S

[future_doc]

I guess that the system can be capricious.

 

This is is soooo true. Not all adcoms see us the same way. That is why casting a wide net is best. Michelle certainly took a chance by applying to just one med school, however, her gamble was crowned wtih success and she now is happily going to UdeM late next month.

 

 

I really enjoyed the MMI experience. Especially because of the package I received from future_doc (THANKS!)

 

I applied to 8 schools (4 in ontario, 4 in western canada), rejected from 5 schools pre-interview hahahaha mostly western canadian schools

 

Out of the 3 interviews I got into one.

 

I must say, the interview selection is the most important out of all

 

1/8 = 12.5%

 

Not bad eh?

 

You are most welcome.

 

Your experience is typical to many and is the very reason why applicants should apply to as many schools as is possible.

 

Congrats preppy! Not bad at all, in fact, GREAT!

 

 

Indeed it is possible to interview at multiple schools and not get in.

 

In reality, your everyday life is what preps you for interviews.

 

Words of wisdom!

[gb35]

I agree with the bolded part. I think I did best on the interviews that I did last (which is funny since I'm going to one of the 1st places that I interviewed at).

 

Ditto. 10char

[psychoswim]

Here in QC they combine the MMI for the 3 French schools into one so if you screw up, then you're pretty much done for the year. I agree having multiple interviews is helpful in that you could have a really bad one, but do well on others and still manage to get in. And it actually gives you practice though sometimes practice doesn't help all that much. I heard many this year say they liked the McGill MMI better than the French schools one, and McGill came first.

[future_doc]

Yes, the French are known for the guillotine and it is alive and well in QC for aspiring medical students.

[lekarza]

To practice and get ready, I signed up for one of the online practice groups and had some questions emailed to me everyday. Although I only sometimes participated in the discussions, I really learned a lot from other people's responses. It was good to see problems from various perspectives and helped me to understand some of the ethical issues better.

 

Hey mm88! What was the online practice group you joined?

[RiceWine]

So my question is....if you DO get more than one interviews (so your academic & EC are fairly strong), is it still possible not being accepted ANYWHERE?

 

I'd appreciate any input on this! =D

 

 

totally, it just depends how your interviewers evaluate you. by the same token, you could also interview at the same school 3 times and not get in............

[RaVen777]

I interviewed at UBC two years in a row, and was rejected both times.

 

This year I interviewed at UofA, UofC, and UBC. I was accepted at UBC and UofC.

 

I think having multiple interviews this year helped me relax a bit. I also practiced much more this time. I practiced several hours a day leading up to the first interview, and got some professional help.

 

I still would not have been surprised if I was rejected from all three. It feels like a lottery.