Interviewing for Professional Health Programs

The goal of the interview

Professional health program interviews are designed to assess your communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and personal qualities, all of which are essential for success in the medical field. Here are some common things you can expect to be asked about and evaluated on in a medical school interview:

1. Behavioral and situational questions: You may be asked about how you have handled difficult situations in the past or how you would handle certain scenarios that could occur in medical practice.
2. Personal questions: You may be asked about your motivations for pursuing a career in medicine, your personal values and ethics, and your interests outside of medicine.
3. Academic questions: You may be asked about your academic achievements, study habits, and how you have prepared for medical school.
4. Clinical questions: You may be asked about your understanding of medical conditions, how you would diagnose and treat them, and how you would interact with patients.
5. Communication skills: You will be evaluated on your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly, listen actively, and engage in meaningful conversations.
6. Professionalism: You will be evaluated on your demeanor, professionalism, and respect for others.
7. Current events: You may be asked about recent healthcare policy changes or medical breakthroughs.

Interview Formats

Interviews for professional health programs can be conducted in several formats, including traditional one-on-one interviews, panel interviews, Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), virtual interviews, and hybrid interviews. 

1. Traditional one-on-one interviews: These are the most common types of interviews used by professional health programs. In this format, you will meet with a single interviewer who will ask you questions about your personal and academic background, your motivation for pursuing medicine or dentistry, etc., and your interest in the specific school.
2. Panel interviews: In this format, you will be interviewed by a panel of two or more interviewers who will ask you similar questions as in the one-on-one format. The panel may consist of faculty members, practicing healthcare professionals, and even current students.
3. Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs): This is a newer interview format that is becoming increasingly popular in medical and dental schools. In MMIs, you will rotate through several stations, each with a different scenario or task that you must complete within a short period of time. The stations may include ethical dilemmas, communication exercises, and problem-solving tasks. You could also be asked to role-play with an actor pretending to be a patient, or work on a project with other students. MMIs often allow two minutes to review a question, and five minutes to respond. 
4. Virtual interviews: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many professional health programs began conducting interviews virtually and have continued to do so. In this format, you will use video conferencing software to connect with your interviewer(s). The format of the interview is similar to the traditional one-on-one or panel format, but you will need to ensure that you have a quiet and professional environment for the interview as well as good lighting and still dressing for the interview.
5. Hybrid interviews: Many programs are combining traditional, panel, and MMI formats for the interview process. This could include in-person interviews as well as virtual interviews.

In all formats, the interviewers are looking for candidates who demonstrate strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and personal qualities such as empathy, professionalism, and leadership. It is important to prepare thoroughly for your interview by researching the school, practicing your responses to common interview questions, and dressing professionally. 

How to prepare

1. Research the school: Do your homework on the school you are interviewing for. Familiarize yourself with the school's mission, curriculum, and values. This will help you to answer questions more confidently during your interview.
2. Review your application: Take some time to go over your application materials, including your personal statement, activities list, and letters of recommendation. Be prepared to answer questions about your experiences, motivations, and achievements.
3. Practice, practice, practice: Practice answering common interview questions with friends, family members, or a career counselor. Consider recording yourself and reviewing your performance. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve, such as body language, tone of voice, and clarity of expression.
4. Dress appropriately: Choose professional attire that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Avoid wearing anything that is distracting or revealing.
5. Be punctual: Arrive early to your interview, so you have time to check in and settle down. Being late can cause unnecessary stress and negatively impact your interview performance.
6. Be yourself: During your interview, be genuine and authentic. Share your passions, interests, and experiences. Don't try to be someone you are not, and avoid giving answers that you think the interviewer wants to hear.
7. Be respectful: Show respect and appreciation for the interviewer's time and attention. Listen carefully to their questions, and respond thoughtfully and honestly.

Remember, the interview is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you better, and for you to demonstrate your potential as a future healthcare provider. Be confident, prepared, and professional, and you will do great!