I really cannot emphasize enough how much Thank You notes after interviews matter. Previously, I've mentioned Thank Yous here and here. I have actually been quite surprised how few Thank You notes I have received this season. Perhaps this is in part due to the fact that I'm a student conducting interviews, but given that I have equal weight on the committee as my more senior colleagues, I think this is a mistake.
Although I'm editing to ensure anonymity (both for me and the applicant), I received a Thank You note via email this evening very similar to the one below, and it blew me away. I found the applicant to be appropriately gracious while continuing to sell herself as an applicant and also mentioning specific details of things we discussed during the interview. Kudos to this applicant! I thought she was terrific when I interviewed her, and this just confirms what I already knew.
Dear ______,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview at *** Medical School on Tuesday. I was really impressed by ***'s top-notch facilities; I was especially amazed that ***. I was also impressed with the innovative PBL curriculum, which seems to be an excellent match with my experience working in small groups as an undergraduate and in my current job. I loved the location and would love to be in *** near my family during medical school.
Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. *** is on the top of my list of medical schools. I really appreciate your consideration for entrance into the Class of 2016. Good luck with your residency interviews!
Sincerely,
_____
October 12, 2011
October 3, 2011
I Prefer Multiple Mini Snickers
I had every intention of blogging soon after my first interview, but between the hectic nature of traveling (always! right?), packing for a brief trip home, attending my high school's Homecoming, and studying for the USMLE Step II CS (tomorrow!), it's been a bit of a crazy week. The interview went really well and reminded me of the medical school interview process, although the lunch was much better.
Interestingly, my first interview day had two primary components: a traditional interview and multiple mini interviews (MMI). You may have read about MMI's here (or some naysayers critiques here). In general, the format uses ethical conundrums, patient vignettes, or real-life challenges to assess how the applicant will respond after taking a brief time to ponder the scenario. I enjoyed the contrast between the two formats and felt as though the MMI enabled me to paint a more complete composite picture of myself as an applicant.
Has anyone experienced the MMI format yet during interviews? Please comment and tell me what you thought, your advice for other people, the strengths and weakness of the experience, etc.
Interestingly, my first interview day had two primary components: a traditional interview and multiple mini interviews (MMI). You may have read about MMI's here (or some naysayers critiques here). In general, the format uses ethical conundrums, patient vignettes, or real-life challenges to assess how the applicant will respond after taking a brief time to ponder the scenario. I enjoyed the contrast between the two formats and felt as though the MMI enabled me to paint a more complete composite picture of myself as an applicant.
Has anyone experienced the MMI format yet during interviews? Please comment and tell me what you thought, your advice for other people, the strengths and weakness of the experience, etc.
September 26, 2011
What Goes Around Comes Around
After two weeks of conducting medical school admissions interviews, I will be sitting on the other side of the desk tomorrow. It's my first residency interview! From the applicants I have interviewed thus far, I have learned a tremendous amount about body language, humility, and poise, and I'm looking forward (albeit a little bit anxiously) to tomorrow's opportunity to practice what I preach. I hope this experience will make me an empathetic interviewer and also give me the opportunity to self-assess my own strengths and weaknesses as an interviewee so that I can regroup for my next interviews in October. Updates to come.
September 21, 2011
Theme and Variations
My school's Admissions Committee convened for the first time this week, and what an interesting experience! I am pleased to say that my gut feeling about the applicants I interviewed was nearly identical to that of the other committee members who interviewed the same applicants. That's not to say the process is perfect (it's not!), but it's reassuring to know that my advice to you is on target.
Below are some of the themes that consistently emerged when interviewers discussed interviewees who did not receive the highest marks.
Below are some of the themes that consistently emerged when interviewers discussed interviewees who did not receive the highest marks.
The applicant:
- spoke at a volume that was too loud or soft to comfortably hear.
- was disorganized in the way he or she spoke about experiences well known to him or her.
- was unable to recapitulate concepts that had been eloquently described in the written application.
- passed blame to someone else for low grades in courses, missed opportunities, etc.
- Speak at a comfortable volume. Ask the interviewer if you're unsure.
- Be organized in your discussions, and in particular, be able to fluently discuss your application. (An applicant I interviewed had incredible leadership experiences listed in her application, but when I asked her to describe a time when she had demonstrated leadership, she could not think of an example.)
- Don't ever lay blame in an interview, even if it's true. Past circumstances are a superb way to demonstrate personal growth.
September 18, 2011
Sunday Funny
This is Why We Knock
Once in medical school, you will learn all sorts of reasons why doctors knock on patients' doors before entering their rooms in the hospital, although certainly common courtesy seems the most compelling to me.
Last week, I knocked my a patient's door (a mid-40's female) before entering her room, and when I did not hear a response, I wondered, "Could something be wrong?" I knocked again, paused to listen for a response, and then entered. And there she was, lying in her hospital bed with her hospital-issued gown wide open in the front, no sign of undergarments anywhere, and her boyfriend lying in the bed right next to her!
That is why we knock. Loudly.
Once in medical school, you will learn all sorts of reasons why doctors knock on patients' doors before entering their rooms in the hospital, although certainly common courtesy seems the most compelling to me.
Last week, I knocked my a patient's door (a mid-40's female) before entering her room, and when I did not hear a response, I wondered, "Could something be wrong?" I knocked again, paused to listen for a response, and then entered. And there she was, lying in her hospital bed with her hospital-issued gown wide open in the front, no sign of undergarments anywhere, and her boyfriend lying in the bed right next to her!
That is why we knock. Loudly.
September 16, 2011
The (Body) Linguist
Unfortunately, I am decidedly less enthusiastic about the candidate I interviewed yesterday compared with the young man from Tuesday. After pretty much devouring her written application, I was eager for our conversation but left with a sour taste in my mouth. However, I am going to withhold most details for now because my Admissions Committee meets next week, and I want to determine whether my evaluation of the applicant is similar to that of other Committee members.
For now, my thoughts on body language.
The applicant from Tuesday had some of the best body language I have ever observed. He made excellent eye contact throughout the interview, resisting the temptation to look at the floor or to the windows for inspiration during difficult questions. Similarly, when I responded to his questions, he continued to maintain eye contact and appear sincerely engaged. His hands were folded in his lab or on the armrest of the chair for the entire interview except for his firm, reassuring handshakes at both the beginning and ends of the interview. All of this is worth taking note of and attempting to emulate, although certainly a difficult task. In a similar way, the applicant from Thursday had very appropriate body language when she was speaking. She used her hands somewhat more while talking, but I found this to be tasteful and acceptable because it was appropriate in context. However, during the time when I answered her questions, she became extraordinarily fidgety. It was as if she thought I would be so wrapped up in my own responses that I might not notice her ongoing presence in the room. She fluffed her hair (fairly dramatically), adjusted her glasses, straightened her skirt, etc. It was so distracting! Given her sincerity, I am positive she did not mean to be disrespectful, but I was struck by the suggestion that things she said were important and things I said were simply an obligatory part of the interview.
Be cautious. Body language is too important to put on autopilot. Think about your actions and how they appear. If need be, practice answering questions in front of a mirror or with someone you trust. Become aware of your tendencies. As my grandmother said to my (occasionally bickering) siblings and I siting in the back of her car, "Be still."
For now, my thoughts on body language.
The applicant from Tuesday had some of the best body language I have ever observed. He made excellent eye contact throughout the interview, resisting the temptation to look at the floor or to the windows for inspiration during difficult questions. Similarly, when I responded to his questions, he continued to maintain eye contact and appear sincerely engaged. His hands were folded in his lab or on the armrest of the chair for the entire interview except for his firm, reassuring handshakes at both the beginning and ends of the interview. All of this is worth taking note of and attempting to emulate, although certainly a difficult task. In a similar way, the applicant from Thursday had very appropriate body language when she was speaking. She used her hands somewhat more while talking, but I found this to be tasteful and acceptable because it was appropriate in context. However, during the time when I answered her questions, she became extraordinarily fidgety. It was as if she thought I would be so wrapped up in my own responses that I might not notice her ongoing presence in the room. She fluffed her hair (fairly dramatically), adjusted her glasses, straightened her skirt, etc. It was so distracting! Given her sincerity, I am positive she did not mean to be disrespectful, but I was struck by the suggestion that things she said were important and things I said were simply an obligatory part of the interview.
Be cautious. Body language is too important to put on autopilot. Think about your actions and how they appear. If need be, practice answering questions in front of a mirror or with someone you trust. Become aware of your tendencies. As my grandmother said to my (occasionally bickering) siblings and I siting in the back of her car, "Be still."
September 13, 2011
The Conversationalist
"Interview" is really a misnomer for the conversation that occurs between an applicant and Admissions Committee member. Interview seems to imply that one person is asking the questions, really grilling the other person, while the applicant spitfires rehearsed, trite, and long-winded answers. An interview does not at all describe what transpired between me and the first applicant with whom I spoke today. (Yes, I was scheduled for my first "interview" on Thursday, but a physician interviewer canceled, and I was recruited to take his place.)
Have a conversation with your interviewer. In fact, having a conversation is precisely what my Dean of Admissions instructed interviewers to do - to coax a conversation out of the applicant, to assess the genuineness and spontaneity of his or her answers, and to discern whether the applicant responds to the interviewer's facial expressions and body language, particularly when explaining potentially challenging topics such as research endeavors.
Today's applicant did a fantastic job embodying the conversationalist approach to interviews. I was impressed by his consistent eye contact, lack of fidgeting, and natural intuition regarding my level of interest in the things he described. In truth, the young man I interviewed today was far from the most outstanding applicant with whom I will speak this season, but his poise, sincerity, and articulateness were more than enough to impress me. "Two thumbs up."
Have a conversation with your interviewer. In fact, having a conversation is precisely what my Dean of Admissions instructed interviewers to do - to coax a conversation out of the applicant, to assess the genuineness and spontaneity of his or her answers, and to discern whether the applicant responds to the interviewer's facial expressions and body language, particularly when explaining potentially challenging topics such as research endeavors.
Today's applicant did a fantastic job embodying the conversationalist approach to interviews. I was impressed by his consistent eye contact, lack of fidgeting, and natural intuition regarding my level of interest in the things he described. In truth, the young man I interviewed today was far from the most outstanding applicant with whom I will speak this season, but his poise, sincerity, and articulateness were more than enough to impress me. "Two thumbs up."
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