Interview Qs

Nontraditional Premed Discussion
1

For interviews, would it be considered appropriate to have a notebook with me? I don’t want it to look like I’m doing something scripted or anything . At UC, there were a few questions I had for the interviewer that I forgot to mention, and I figured this might be a good way to keep things organized.


A friend of mine made mention of wanting to bring a tape recorder with her (to interviews), but my gut reaction was that it wouldn’t be kosher. What do you all think?

2

I had a file folder with me with my interview letter , directions, etc. as well as copies of my CV, research articles, and a list of questions for the interview. As I did the tours and spoke with students, I added or deleted questions. When I got to my interviews, I would jot down a few things for later research on my question list.


I had positive feedback about my questions - my interviewers were delighted that I was prepared for them and that I was going to take even more initiative afterward.


If a notebook works for you, I say do it. I kept it a little more organizable, and you could probably use a portfolio pad or similar to make it look more professional.

3

Thanks, meg. I did have all that with me - I just wasn’t sure if it’d be ok to whip it out mid-interview.

4
  • pi1304 Said:
Thanks, meg. I did have all that with me - I just wasn't sure if it'd be ok to whip it out mid-interview.



As long as we're still talking about your notebook/portfolio and not anything else I think they'll be ok with it.

Sorry, couldn't resist.
5

Adam, I always took my black leather portfolio with me, had it open during the interview, and had a list of questions in front of me that I could ask them. All I can say is it worked for me!

6

I have only interviewed two places but so far each place has given every interviewee a folder or portfolio with paper in it for the purpose of taking notes so it seems kosher to me! Good luck!

7

I can understand taking notes, but what kind of questions would you ask an interview committee?


I was always under the impression that it was a one way street where they were doing most of the asking and you were doing most of the answering.

8

So far every interviewer except for one has asked if I had any questions about their school. So be prepared, a good question can impress them too. You are interviewing them as well to find out if you match with their school. It is always good to show leadership in directing conversation if it naturally flows that way. Ask questions, if you need some ideas, I asked things like:

  1. Are there any special programs that your school is noted for?

  2. Is there a financial aid or counseling program?

  3. Are there faculty mentors?

  4. Is there a method in place for evaluating professors?

  5. what is the patient population in the area? it will help to see as many different patients as you can in various scenarios

  6. how are students evaluated, are they ranked?


    I have like 30 of them but you should have a few on hand.
9
  • snowgirl Said:
So far every interviewer except for one has asked if I had any questions about their school. So be prepared, a good question can impress them too. You are interviewing them as well to find out if you match with their school. It is always good to show leadership in directing conversation if it naturally flows that way. Ask questions, if you need some ideas, I asked things like:

1. Are there any special programs that your school is noted for?

2. Is there a financial aid or counseling program?

3. Are there faculty mentors?

4. Is there a method in place for evaluating professors?

5. what is the patient population in the area? it will help to see as many different patients as you can in various scenarios

6. how are students evaluated, are they ranked?



I would be very careful to not ask any question that shows you didn't do your research. By delving VERY deeply through each link on the school's webpages you'll often find the answers to many of these questions. And, if you still have a question on a particular topic, you might then be able to say, "I noticed in my research that you have xxxx; can you explain that further to me?" (Or whatever seems to fit the situation.)

Cheers,

Judy
10

I agree. I asked those specific type questions too. The first interviewer seemed disappointed that I didn’t have more questions. They must have asked us 10 times if we had questions along the way. I think you can state it in such a way that will not give the impression that you didn’t do your homework.

11

Whatever you do, remember its suppose to be a conversation so come w/ questions prepared but don’t make it into a ping-pong type interview. Be able to build on a question/situation you ask or the interviewer proposes to you.