The GAMSAT exam is over, and now it’s time to prepare for the next step of the medical school application process: the interview.
The interview is the final part of the process. A lot is relying on how you perform in the interview, and for that reason, it’s natural to feel nervous. To help, at GradReady we’ve prepared a few tips that can help consolidate your prep for the medical school interview.
TIP #1: THINK ABOUT YOUR “WHY”
It’s almost guaranteed that you will face this question in the interview: why did you decide to pursue medicine?
The best way to answer this question is to be honest. There is no right answer to this question. You just have to look into yourself and determine what prompted you to decide to go to medical school. While you shouldn’t memorise the answer, you should know the main points that you want to convey because you only have a limited time in the interview.
TIP #2: THINK ABOUT THE GOALS OF THE INTERVIEW
Next, you’ll have to think about the reason this interview was conducted in the first place. It’s because the assessor is tasked to find a candidate who’s a good fit for the medical school. They are looking for certain values within each candidate to find the best fit.
You should spend some time looking into the characteristics that are often present in a medical doctor. They are looking for students who have good communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
You may also be tested on your ability to operate under pressure. During the interview, you may not be asked any questions at all. You may even be presented with a scenario where there are actors who act like they need medical help, and you’ll have to take action to diffuse the situation.
Finally, you should also remember that different universities have different criteria for the ideal student. Spend some time studying your chosen university’s specific requirements.
TIP #3: PRACTICE FOR THE INTERVIEW
The most common structure for the medical school interview is MMI, or the Multiple Mini Interview. But that’s not the only type of interview. Consider which university you’re going to be interviewing at and do some research.
The next step is to practice for the interview. While you should not memorise the interview questions and answers because it wouldn’t sound sincere to the assessor, you should still practice. The best way to practice is to conduct a mock interview with the help of family and friends. This will help build your confidence.
TIP #4: TRY TO SMILE
It’s natural to be nervous on the day of the interview, but you should try to smile. It will give a positive and more lasting impression on the assessor, and it may even help you feel less nervous.
For more information, check out our full article here: https://gradready.com.au/posts/gamsat-preparation-courses/preparing-for-medical-school-interview
