Interviewing Applicants for Medical School, Internship and Graduate School Gary J. Balady, MD Assistant Dean of Admissions Professor of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine

Preparing for an Interview Know your Institution –Who are you and whom do you represent Know your program Application Review

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE MISSION STATEMENT Boston University School of Medicine is dedicated to the educational, intellectual, professional, and personal development of a diverse group of exceptional students, trainees, and faculty who are deeply committed to the study and to the practice of medicine, to biomedical research, and to the health of the public. We, as a community, place great value on excellence, integrity, service, social justice, collegiality, equality of opportunity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Boston Medical Center Established 1996

Biosquare

Preparing for an Interview Know your Institution –Who are you and whom do you represent Know your program Application Review

White Coat Ceremony

Summer research –Stipends through the Office of Student Affairs –~30 students/year participate

Boston University Medical Campus

Medical Student Residence Hall

Preparing for an Interview Know your Institution –Who are you and whom do you represent Know your program Application Review

HOLISTIC REVIEW A flexible, highly individualized process by which balanced consideration is given to the multiple ways in which applicants may prepare for and demonstrate preparation for a career in medicine. Candidates are evaluated by criteria that are institution-specific, broad-based, mission-driven, and that are applied equitably across the entire candidate pool. Courtesy of Robert Witzburg, MD

Preparing for an Interview Application Review –Applicant background Academics –Undergraduate/graduate/post graduate training –GPA/ standardized test scores –Awards/honors Home/family/personal interests “Distance traveled” –Experiences Clinical Research/publications Volunteer work Other – travel/ arts/ sports teams/student groups

Preparing for an Interview Application Review –Personal Statements and Essays Tells a story about the individual –Why medical school? Why internal medicine? Why neurobiology research? –Well written/cohesive/ grammatical and spelling errors –Letters –Knowledge of the applicant –Intelligence/competence –Personal attributes »Professionalism »Interpersonal skills »Work ethic

The Interview “ Every encounter is an opportunity” “ We are always selecting and recruiting” –R. Witzburg Environment –Reflects the professionalism that we desire in our applicants –Start on time –Avoid phone calls and interruptions

The Interview First Impressions –Put the applicant at ease ( if possible) –Find common ground “ I’m from New Jersey too!” –Have a conversation Explore items in the application –Waived right of access to letters/confidentiality Knowledge of research Discuss experiences/activities/interests Clarify items and issues –Unexplained time gaps

The Interview Specific Question Areas –Ethical issues –Professionalism –Why Boston University? –What are you seeking in a training program? Time for Questions to the Interviewer –Any areas which the applicant wants to discuss? –Other questions Resources for the applicant –The Exit

Sample question One of your established patients asks you to write her a prescription for an antibiotic. She is not having any symptoms but tells you that it is for her brother, who does not have health insurance and cannot afford the medications. –What issues do you consider important in coming to a decision about what to do?

The Interview Specific Question Areas –Ethical issues –Professionalism –Why Boston University? –What are you seeking in a training program? Time for Questions to the Interviewer –Any areas which the applicant wants to discuss? –Other questions Resources for the applicant –The Exit

The Interview Report Customized Report for the Position Summarize applicant history –Who is this person? Academics Experiences as relevant to the position –Clinical –Research –Leadership –Interests

The Interview Report Letters –Author/ Brief synthesis Red Flags Summary