Applicants ask me whether they can wear this-or-that suit, and I’ve seen entire articles written on interview attire.
But this is an easy one: Don’t be noticed for your clothes. Don’t wear the cartoon tie (even if you are a pediatrics residency applicant), and don’t wear the orange tights in honor of Halloween. You want to be noticed for your accomplishments, not your appearance.
Email me at insidermedical@gmail.com for mock interview help.
I don’t usually recommend compulsive behavior, but it’s worth checking your email once a day to see if you’ve received interview invitations. Out of courtesy, an invite should be responded to quickly, and the sooner you contact the institution, the more likely you are to get a slot that you want. Ensure your email account is reliable and that messages aren’t going to spam. (I’ve heard some horror stories.)
Contact me for help with Mock Interviews.
Congrats to those who have already been invited for med school interviews.
Getting into medical school has gotten so competitive; the interview is critical. But what are medical schools looking for during the interview process?
First, they are seeking someone distinctive. Your goal is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants by showcasing your accomplishments. Anyone can say s/he wants to help people or is hard working. Fewer candidates can prove it.
Second, they want to ensure you are committed to medicine and that you have an idea of what you are getting yourself into. Medical school is tough; the institutions are not seeking someone who is ambivalent and might quit. Giving examples of your clinical experience can help. Read more ›
For those of you interested in Mock Interviews, please contact me the day you receive your first invitation. I still have some availabilities in September but am already scheduling into October. I have opened up weekend and late evening sessions to accommodate everyone as best as I can.
I conduct all of my own Mock Interviews. I thoroughly review your background information before the session and provide an individualized feedback document after. Live face-to-face video is an option you can add to your sessions.
A recent article in the NY Times highlights how individual debt taken on as a student has the power to adversely affect one’s subsequent relationships. You can link to the article here.
You are feeling less anxious and more comfortable with the whole medical school applications game. The interviews keep rolling in. Finally, you start to receive acceptance letters from multiple schools. Suddenly you find yourself in the enviable position of having a choice between a reputable state school, where tuition is relatively low, and a reputable private school, where you will go deeply into debt. You visit the private school and see stars: the buildings are made of marble, the admissions officials wear designer suits, and the alumni network, everyone assures you, will give you a leg up in residency applications. Should financial considerations play into your decision? Should you ignore finances and follow your heart, assuming that as a future physician you’ll comfortably be able to pay off any educational debt? Read more ›
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more
