Interview Flashcards
What should you say when they ask why you want to go to medical school ?
-You need to understand what it entails
-balance passion and pragmatism
-avoid waffling
-emphasise your want to help people
What common mistakes are made when they ask why you want to go to medical school?
-Knowing you want to be a doctor but not being able to articulate why.
-Referring to financial rewards or social status
What should you say when they ask what you would do if you weren’t offered a place ?
SHOW COMMITMENT
-Say you’d apply next year
-perhaps try to get a volunteering post
What common mistakes are made when they ask what you’d do if you weren’t offered a place?
-Don’t simply say “I will get in” as it is arrogant
-don’t say you would do something unrelated.
What should you say when you are asked what aspects of being a doctor appeal to you?
-say you find it rewarding to help people and make a difference
-it is intellectually stimulating
-it is challenging
-enjoy the teamwork and problem solving
What common mistakes are made when you are asked what aspects of being a doctor appeals to you?
-Focusing on the career advancement, respect and remuneration
-saying that the life of a doctor is entirely positive and failing to appreciate the emotional difficulty involved
What should you say when you are asked what aspects of being a doctor don’t appeal to you ?
-show you understand that it is challenging
-keep a positive outlook and demonstrate that you are up to the challenge
-show you are aware of the stress and commitment
-eg show you understand how the death of patients may affect you
What common mistakes are made when asked what aspects of being a doctor do not appeal to you?
-being blindly positive
-referring too much to NHS cuts and working long hours for relatively small remuneration could make you seem like you have the wrong priorities
-Saying that everything appeals and you can’t think of anything that would be difficult shows a lack of understanding and appreciation of reality
Can you think of any non-scientific hobbies that add to a person’s ability to be a good doctor and why?
-playing guitar - shows perseverance (even when frustrated), and a catharsis for difficult and stressful times as a doctor, so that they may come back and be more prepared
-Powerlifting - shows mental and physical durability to dedicate yourself. Has given me the ability to help others with the same interest and work together to push each other further. Great way of meeting new people (at competitions) Also acts as a catharsis.
What common mistakes are made when you are asked about how non-scientific hobbies may add to a person’s ability to be a good doctor?
-Focusing too much on extracurricular agendas at the expense of medical school
-being dismissive of non-academic pursuits
What should you say when you are asked what do you wish to achieve from your medical career?
-aim to cover your interests in the areas of clinical training, academia, general skills development and social activities.
-mention how you wish to spend some time after graduating working/volunteering for Medecins sans frontiers (MSF) to be able to give back to the world and help others.
What common mistakes are made when you are asked what you want to achieve from a medical career?
-not being open enough
-forgetting to mention that you wish to help patients in some way
-focusing on financial rewards or social status.
What should you say when you are asked why be a doctor and not a nurse?
-Highlight the similarities and differences of doctors and nurses such as
(Equal number of specialities but nurses have a greater focus on patient care)
-mention you feel more suited for the decision-making and leadership role
-Show interest for the learning of medicine
-Show respect for nurses as they form the backbone of the NHS
Give some general tips for traditional interviews
-Make sure youre familiar with your personal statement
-Do your research on what the medical school is looking for in its applicants
-Understand the course
-familiarise yourself with virtual interviews.
-Give spontaneous answers rather than robotic, rehearsed answers
What are the 6 Cs?
-Care
-Compassion
-Competence
-Communication
-Courage
-Commitment
