Health Professions Interviews
An invitation to interview is usually your first indication that you have moved forward in the application process. Read on to learn how to prepare.
Your interview day likely will include a tour of the school, lunch, opportunities to meet current students, and information about financial aid and housing options in addition to the actual interview. You'll have an opportunity to ask questions and to make small talk, and you may even get to stay with current students the night before.
How to Prepare
Know Yourself
What motivated you to pursue this profession? Why did you apply to this particular school? What are a few accomplishments that make you proud? How would others describe you? Take some time to reflect on who you are and what you value.
Know the School
Research the school’s website for more information about its mission, curriculum, grading system, research opportunities, student organizations, clinical experiences, facilities, and student support services.
Reflect on Past Experiences
Health professional schools will want to understand how you make decisions, resolve conflict, manage stress, work as a team, and demonstrate respect for others, among other important qualities. Review your primary and supplemental applications, including essays, and think about a few examples of ways you have demonstrated key qualities.
Dress Professionally
Traditional interview attire, such as a neutral suit is always appropriate. If you choose to wear blouse, shirt, tie or other accessories for a pop of color, just be sure your clothing and accessories will not be a distraction. You want to be remembered for what you say and do, not for what you wear. Also,make sure you have comfortable shoes and weather appropriate clothing for the tour. Your tour may cover several floors or buildings, and may take you outdoors.
Interview Formats
Each school approaches the interview process slightly differently. However, there are common interview formats that you may see during your interview day. It's important to read all materials you receive with your interview offer in order to know what to expect on your interview day. Below are some of the interview types that an applicant may encounter:
- One-on-one: Applicant is interviewed by one individual at a time.
- Panel: Applicant is interviewed by several individuals at the same time. The applicant may be interviewed alone, or with other applicants as well.
- Blind: Interviewer does not know any information about applicant—interviewer has had no access to applicant materials. The applicant may have to discuss items that were included in application materials.
- Partial Blind: Interviewer has reviewed some application information (usually personal statement and secondary application), however does not know GPA or test scores in many cases.
- Open: Interviewer has every piece of information in the applicant’s application. The applicant may want to think about sharing information that has not been included in application materials.
- Behavior Based: Questions revolve around real-world situations or the applicant must share an experience that provides an example of the question asked.
- Standardized Patient: Applicant will meet with an actor who plays the role of a patient with a medical history. The patient’s medical history is “standardized” for each encounter with an applicant, so the story is consistent among applicants. The applicant is expected to interact with the patient as if he/she is already a healthcare professional. These types of interviews often present ethical or moral dilemmas, and evaluate skills such as communication, decision making, empathy, and professionalism.
- Multiple Mini Interview: Applicants move through multiple interview stations. At each station are different scenarios that focus on issues such as communication, ethics, critical thinking, teamwork and opinions on health care issues. Applicants are asked questions about how they would handle those scenarios, and subsequent questions are based upon their answers.
