Medical School Interviews: Expert Advice from Dr. Fiona Cameron

1. Interviews for medicine Dr Fiona Cameron Consultant anaesthetist Ninewells Hospital

2. Interviews • Why interview • Who is interviewed • Different medical schools • Potential probity/ conflict of interest

3. Why interview • Achieved minimum academic requirements • Assessment of personal attributes • Confirm evidence of personal statement • Rank applicants • Weed out the ‘nutters’

4. What qualities are assessed • Evidence of commitment • Probing questions about personal statement • Learning from volunteering etc • Knowledge of medical curriculum/ career • Why medicine/ why this university • Understanding of learning styles

5. What qualities are assessed • Knowledge of specific course • Websites/ open days (cross checked by registration) • Knowledge of life in chosen career path • As a junior doctor – foundation programs/ professional examinations • Differences between primary/ secondary care • Evidence that you have considered why you have the attributes to excel • Evidence that you can solve difficult problems • Evidence of taking responsibility for your actions and that of others

6. qualities • Understanding confidentiality and probity • Evidence of team working and team leading

7. Methods of assessment • Different for each university • Information on the websites • Aberdeen 5 stations • Dundee 7 stations • St Andrews- traditional panel • Glasgow- panel • Change or updated annually- i.e will NOT be the same questions as last years applicants and will not be the same each of the weeks • No point at all in finding out what your friends got asked as it might actually be detrimental

8. Example questions • Websites/ books • Obvious questions- why do you want to study in this university • What should we offer you a place here • What challenges have you encountered to reach this stage • Tell me about a difficult situation that you have had to resolve • Some universities use role play to assess how you would deal with situations

9. presentation at interview • Arrive on time • Dress appropriately (medical students have a dress code) • Try to look like a medical student/ junior doctor • girls • No short skirts/ silly high heels-/ open toes- they don’t impress • Make up discreet • Hair tied back and neat • Nails short and clean • Keep jewelry to a minimum • Boys • Clean • Short hair • Suit or jacket and tie

10. Presentation at interview • Be confident • SMILE • Don’t be arrogant • Maintain eye contact, no giggling, looking at the floor • Speak slowly • Don’t use slang • Avoid using the phrases you all use- eg ‘like’ between each word • PRACTICE SPEAKING IN FRONT OF A MIRROR

11. Presentation at interview • Say good morning • Shake hands and introduce your self • If they make a joke- laugh • Don’t be flippant – even if they seem to be • If your are not sure what an answer is take a few seconds to think before saying something • Often there is no correct answer its how you approach the answer and they are assessing your thought processes based on what you have learned

12. Who would I select and why • Well prepared • Enthusiastic • Clear ideas of why medicine • Clear ideas about the course • Shows genuine interest • Really wants it

13. Essential preparation • Know your personal statement well • Be able to talk about its contents and what you have learned from each achievement/ experience • Know ALL about the course you have applied to • Each course is different • Integrated vs traditional • Systems based • Spiral learning • Opportunities for intercalated BMScs • 5 or 6 years- value of St Andrews- future benefits for application for Specialty training • Remote and rural • Mention something very specific to that course

14. What not to say • ‘i want to work in anaesthesia in Scotland- its very beautiful which is why I am looking forward to working in Wales’- serious cut and paste issues here • I would tell a junior that anaestheisa is an interesting job but even when you are old you still need to get out your bed at night- true but not the right answer • Don’t say you you want to be a doctor to earn lots of money (you don’t) • Don’t say its because your mum/ dad is one- counts against you

15. MMI • Academic ability and intellect • Empathy • Initiative and resilience • Communication skills and problem solving • Team work • Insight and integrity • Effective learning style from St Georges medical school

16. Useful websites • www.medical-interviews.co.uk • www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ • www.medical-interviews.co.uk/interview-questions-medical-school • www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=85 • You tube

17. Remember No guarantee of a place Highly competitive Keep cool and calm

18. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

19. GOOD LUCK

20. Questions • QQuestions