Being asked to come in for a medical college interview takes you one step closer towards your admission. It means that the college is impressed by your credentials and is interested in having you as a student at the medical school. However, being called for the interview is only half the battle. The personal interview that you have to go through will be the primary deciding factor.

Why The Interview Is So Important

No matter how impressed the interviewers may be by your credentials, that is just on paper. They still need to speak with you and interview you personally before they give you the nod for admission. This is the crucial part of your medical school admission. Don’t underestimate how important it is to get it right.

This is the chance you get to express your personality and to make a strong case for your acceptance. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of other applicants who have been called in for an interview as well. You have to be able to shine above the rest.

Here are some tips that will help you stand out at a medical interview.

Stay Focused

Try to restrict the conversation around your strengths but do not stretch it to the point of arrogance. Sound confident yet modest about your achievements. Acknowledge your weaknesses and also have some answers ready about how you are working on overcoming them.

Be Truthful

Do not make up anything. If you do not know the answer to a specific question that has been asked of you, be honest and say so. Interviewers understand that you are not expected to know and be aware of everything under the sun and will appreciate your truthfulness. It is way better than making things up and being caught out in a lie.

Show Interest

Irrespective of whether or not this was your top choice, take your interest levels one step further and show the interviewers that you are excited about joining their school. Interviewers want to see interest and enthusiasm and that is what you must aim at exuding.

Be Inquisitive

When you are at the interview, ask questions if you have any. Research the college website and keep a few questions ready. This indicates that you are genuinely interested in the school and that you have the capacity to think critically.

Do A Few Mock Interviews

This is something that you will have to work on, in advance. Prepare some tentative questions and run yourself through a mock interview. Ask a friend to help you with it. This will help you in gaining more confidence and also in handling your responses.

Most Important Of All – Be Well-Prepared

Speak with people who are already studying at the school and understand what it specializes in. This will help in adding some weightage to the conversation at the interview. Go through your application thoroughly several times. This is important as you should never refute what you have written there.

At times, you might be asked questions about something you have written in the secondary essays you submitted. Re-reading your application will help you speak confidently. It’s true that the thought of going through a medical school interview can be intimidating but being prepared can help you overcome all your fears and appear more confident.