Medical School Interviewing Workshop September 24 th 6:30-7:30 PM 5 Points (Academic/Workshop)

Format – “Speed Friending” Review basic facts about UTSW and BCM Practice Questions Group A and Group B 1 min  discuss things to keep in mind 3 min (90 sec/person)  answer question 1 min  review good/bad answers Switch groups and repeat

Rules for workshop: Shake hands at the start Thank the “interviewer” at the conclusion of the “interview” Constructively criticize the answers Act as if you have never met Be open and honest NO JUDGEMENT ZONE. What is said here stays here. This includes information about personal hardships, grades, or anything personal that is shared with you.

General Tips Yes: Maintain good posture Sustain eye contact Be sincere and show your passion Talk slowing and enunciate clearly Prepare beforehand Be polite (Yes ma’am, yes sir) Thank them for their time Shake hand firmly Avoid: “like,” “uhm,” and “you know.” fidgeting, playing with hair, and other extraneous movements. “Do you know what I mean?” and “Does that make sense.” Say instead, “Did I answer your question?”

UT Southwestern Medical School What are they known for?

UTSW Quick Facts US News and World Report: #25 Location: Dallas, TX Class Size: ~230 Tuition Resident - $20,441 Non-resident: $33,512 Averages GPA: 3.8 MCAT: 33.7 USMLE Pass Rates/Mean Score: 99%, 236 Match Rates #1 choice: >50% Top 3 Choices; >85% Affiliated Hospitals Parkland (county, Level 1 trauma center) UT Southwestern University Hospitals (Zale Lipshy & Clements University Hospital) Children’s Medical Center Dallas VA

UTSW Curriculum Pre-Clerkship: 1.5 years, Post-Clerkship: 2.5 years Grading Scale: P/F Scholarly Activities (research project) Graduation Distinctions Research Healthy Policy Global Health Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Dual Degree Programs MD/Ph.D MD/MBA MD/MPH Colleges 40 people/college 5-6 people/mentor

Baylor College of Medicine What are they known for?

BCM Quick Facts US News and World Report: #21 Location: Houston, TX (in The Medical Center) Class Size: ~185 Tuition Resident - $6,550 Non-resident: $19,650 Averages GPA: 3.84 MCAT: 11.37/section USMLE Pass Rates/Mean Score: 100%, 243 Affiliated Hospitals Texas Children’s, MD Anderson, DeBakey VA, Ben Taub General Hospital (County), Memorial Hermann (Level 1 trauma center), Menninger Clinic (psych), Children’ San Antonio

BCM Curriculum Pre-Clerkship: 1.5 years, Post-Clerkship: 2.5 years Grading Scale: P/F Dual Degree Programs MD/Ph.D MD/MBA MD/MPH MD/JD No required research, but opportunities if desired Specialized Tracks: Medical School Research Global Health Care for the Underserved Geriatrics Medical Management Medical Ethics Space Medicine Genetics Fall I Integrated traditional medical school classes (biochemistry, contains integrated material from the traditional disciplines of Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Gross and Microscopic Anatomy) Patient, Physician, and Society Spring: Principles of Pathology and Immunology Pharmacology Head and Neck Anatomy Nervous System Components of Infectious Disease Behavior Sciences Bioethics Patient, Physician, and Society Fall II Organ-based teaching, including pathophysiology, pathology, and pharmacology Patient Safety Transitions to Clinical Rotations

Interview Day Formats UTSW 25 minute “conversations” 1 open/1 closed interview Day before: rounds in the hospital, lunch with students, hospital tour Day of: breakfast, presentations, interviews, lunch, hospital tour, UTSW tour BCM 30 minute interviews Open interviews Students could interview you – take this seriously! BCM tour, affiliated hospital tours, lunch

Questions!

Keep in mind… Be relaxed The interviewers truly do want to get to know you. Have several things to reference for questions for when you draw a blank Ex: meaningful leadership, service, personal experiences, etc. Some interviewers have your entire application and others have only your essays. UTSW: 1 open, 1 blind interview BCM: both open

**UTSW – Tell me about yourself. Often the first question if it is a closed interview Tips: Start with family, where you grew up, what you enjoyed in high school Talk about how you became interested in medicine Talk about Baylor, your major (why you chose it), experiences while at Baylor Talk about what you do for fun – they want to know that you are the pre-med that only studies Don’t be alarmed if they stop to ask questions, this is a good thing because they are interested in you!

UTSW – Tell me about your research. Why did you do research? Do you plan to continue or did you only do it for your application? What makes data “good?” Tips: If you did research, be prepared to talk about it, especially at the research- oriented schools Be knowledgeable in the subjects that you researched

BCM: I am your patient. Explain your research to me. They want to know that you really understand what you are studying. Use plain terms.

**UTSW/BCM: What do you do for fun? What is the last book you read? Tips: Read a book for fun before you start interviewing Take time to relax – 30 minutes a day doing something you love will not kill you Rediscover something you loved to do in high school. Join a club that allows you to explore what you love. Think of specific examples of what you do with your hobbies

Why did you apply to UTSW/BCM? Tips: Research each school prior to the interview and have several facts in mind that you could reference Be genuinely happy about your interview Talk about personal experiences (ex: talking to students, internships, etc.)

**UTSW/BCM: Why do you want to be a doctor? What specialty are you interested in? They may have your personal statement, but they want to know that the person on paper is the person you are in real life. Be open, honest, and share your experiences. Stay genuine DO NOT LIE! They are experienced interviewers and will be able to tell. Don’t say: “to help people” or “I love science” or “doctors make a lot of money” – go deeper and really figure out why. This could be a learning experience for you and allow you to rediscover your passion. Show that you have thought about your future Why that field? Specific experiences, people you know, etc How do your skills fit with that field?

**UTSW – What is the most controversial issue in medicine today? If you could go talk to Obama today and take 3 people with you to discuss this issue, who would you take? Tips get the CNN app and have notifications turned “on” Research a couple of medical issues to talk about EX: Obamacare (a MUST) or vaccines Be general: types of people, be sure to include all sides of the issue Express your POV on the subject and stick to your guns! Sometimes they will play Devil’s advocate and try to make you change – don’t do it!

**UTSW: What would your friends say is your general weakness? Tips: Actually ask your friends Turn the weakness into a strength by showing how you are trying to improve the weakness (give specific examples)

**BCM - What are you most proud of in your college career? Talk about why you joined, what you have learned, and why you love it now. Examples: An organization or event that you started A service event you have continuously attended A time when you helped someone Maintaining good grades while working, etc.

**BCM: What is the most intense medical experience you have encountered? Tips: Show that you have medical experience (shadowing, working, volunteering) You may be asked how you would handle it differently

**BCM – What are 3 qualities that are essential for doctors to have? Show that you have experience and understand what it takes to be a physician Give examples of why you think those qualities are important

**BCM: Tell me about a difficult experience, how you recovered, and how you have/will use that knowledge in the future. Be ready to discuss weaknesses, how you have learned from them

Extra Questions BCM: What has been your favorite class? Maybe give favorite science and non-science class Show that you are not only about science classes BCM: What would you do with an empty room in your house? Decorations, etc. Show the things that you are passionate about