If I actually get an interview, how can I prepare in 2 weeks or less?

[Slickrick]

So I have been rejected everywhere aside from U of T. I was going to start prepping for interviews back in January/February, but never even started after getting my initial rejections from the other Ontario schools. 

Now, I know that this is purely hypothetical at this point, but what should I do if Toronto offered me an interview with 2 weeks or less notice? How would I structure my prep specifically tailored to a Toronto MPI? I don't have much practice with answering ethical scenarios, which I'm sure would come up in the interview. I have heard that knowing your own personal experiences is key.

If you were in my shoes, how would you prep for the interview, basically going from 0 -> 100 in 2 week, especially as it pertains to ethical dilemmas? 

[FlameGrilledChicken]

First, it's totally possible and achievable to prep in a week. The most important thing to focus on is that you can talk calmly, clearly, and confidently. I think that is sometimes the biggest struggle for people and that's basically half the game. To prep for that, you just have to get a handle on your nerves, practice talking and video recording yourself, try looking at strategies that others use when talking in a stressful setting etc.

In terms of actual question prep, read your ABS several times including the day before your interview. Try and think of one story/anecdote/learning experience for each activity. 

For ethical scenarios, you can study up if you want, for a short time span I'd recommend this (https://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/index.html). BUT, I think the most valuable skill is not your knowledge of abstract terminology but rather showing that you can understand the different sides in an ethical dilemma and their pros and cons. Show that you know that no scenario is truly black and white. And then, be able to chose a side and defend it in a rational way. For this, I would try to just verbalize your thoughts and try and put yourself in different individuals shoes in the dilemma to try and get an inkling of what it may feel like from another side.

 

Most importantly, don't stress too much! You've had 20+ years of life experience and time to develop your own values and ways of thinking about things so be honest and genuine because if you try to think about answering every question in terms of what you think they want to hear, it can be easy to falter, stutter and come across as insincere and incoherent!

Best of luck! I hope you get an interview!

[Slickrick]

36 minutes ago, FlameGrilledChicken said:

First, it's totally possible and achievable to prep in a week. The most important thing to focus on is that you can talk calmly, clearly, and confidently. I think that is sometimes the biggest struggle for people and that's basically half the game. To prep for that, you just have to get a handle on your nerves, practice talking and video recording yourself, try looking at strategies that others use when talking in a stressful setting etc.

In terms of actual question prep, read your ABS several times including the day before your interview. Try and think of one story/anecdote/learning experience for each activity. 

For ethical scenarios, you can study up if you want, for a short time span I'd recommend this (https://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/index.html). BUT, I think the most valuable skill is not your knowledge of abstract terminology but rather showing that you can understand the different sides in an ethical dilemma and their pros and cons. Show that you know that no scenario is truly black and white. And then, be able to chose a side and defend it in a rational way. For this, I would try to just verbalize your thoughts and try and put yourself in different individuals shoes in the dilemma to try and get an inkling of what it may feel like from another side.

 

Most importantly, don't stress too much! You've had 20+ years of life experience and time to develop your own values and ways of thinking about things so be honest and genuine because if you try to think about answering every question in terms of what you think they want to hear, it can be easy to falter, stutter and come across as insincere and incoherent!

Best of luck! I hope you get an interview!

Thanks for this!

[robclem21]

Interviewed a few years back on just 4 days notice. Don't overthink it. Know everything on your ABS well and what CANMEDS role each one can be used to exemplify. Just have fun, be personable, and relax. If you are an ethical person and just remain calm then you will be fine and have nothing to worry about.