Personal Admissions Interview
To better prepare for the actual admissions interview, all students wishing to gain admission into any graduate program are recommended to sit for an interview with the EU Premedical Advisory Committee.
Schedule an interview with Evangel’s Premedical Advisory Committee during the semester BEFORE you apply to graduate school. This is done through the department secretary, and she can provide you with information about which graduate schools EU grads have gone to. This information can offer solid support of the quality of your undergraduate training.
To prepare for the EU Premedical Advisory Committee interview, you should first carefully review this document. Look over your academic record, and be prepared to explain any inconsistencies, especially low grades. Be prepared to defend the quality of your education at Evangel. This involves knowing about the accreditations held by EU, along with the professional credentials of the premed faculty. Also be prepared to discuss bioethical issues related to your intended field of study.
On the day of the premedical advisory committee interview, dress professionally (formal business), and arrive early. Be sure to have rested well the night before, and be alert.
When you receive the letter inviting you to an admissions interview at the graduate school you applied to, rejoice, for you have passed the first screening process! Read very carefully the instructions that come with the invitation and respond promptly. The interview is important! This will be your only opportunity to speak for yourself, and it deserves careful thought and preparation.
Applicants are typically interviewed by a team of three interviewers. Other programs prefer a one-on-one format. The format of the interview will usually be explained in the invitation. Interviewers usually include clinical faculty, basic science faculty, and senior students. The interviews are normally unstructured, and usually last from 30 to 45 minutes. The length of the interview is not an indicator of whether or not it went well. Consider the following tips:
- Think positively about yourself. If you are not convinced that you deserve a place in the current class, the interviewers will probably agree with you. Think about your goals, and the strengths and qualities you feel you can bring to the profession. This can be of great importance if the interviewer begins by asking, "Tell me something about yourself and why you want to do this."
- Arrive early.
- Dress professionally--sport coat and slacks (or suit) for men (with tie) and a dress or business suit for ladies. An appearance deemed inappropriate by the interviewers may create a bad impression. Female applicants who look particularly young should dress and do their hair in a manner which will leave the interviewers thinking only about their qualifications: not that they were "cute."
- Think about the state of your intended profession and any controversial aspects of it. The interviewers may legitimately expect you to be familiar with topics such as euthanasia, universal health coverage, malpractice suits, animal rights activists, cost containment, the current debates over the revision of our health care system, etc. Remember, also, that some questions may have no "right" answers. Sometimes the best response may be, "I just don't know how I would react in that situation until I'm faced with it." You may have your own opinions about things but don't appear to be dogmatic.
- Delete personal habits which might be irritating or objectionable to the interviewers such as chewing gum, or nervous mannerisms such as pulling at your hair, cracking your knuckles, pulling at a too-short skirt, playing with your tie, etc. Always try to maintain good eye contact.
- Cockiness or arrogance at the interview is a certain ticket to rejection. Outstanding or unique activities in your background may provide some advantage in selection, but not necessarily. And no amount of personal charm or activities will compensate for what the admissions committee perceives as poor academic skills. Try not to be defensive; if you make a mistake in one of your answers, admit it. Never try to bluff a response. If you don't know the answer, say so. Some interviewers try to create a stressful situation to observe how you will handle it. Always keep your emotions under control.
- If you are questioned about your faith, be honest and straightforward about it, but remember you're not there to evangelize. EU students have sometimes been questioned about how their faith would influence their study or practice, but have rarely been criticized for their faith.
- Refrain from expressing opinions on subjects about which you know little. Demonstrate, through your responses, a willingness to learn and follow advice.
- Always have two or three questions you wish to ask about this particular program. Sometimes an interviewer will say, "Now, do you have any questions to ask us?" It's best not just to sit there and admit that you haven't thought anything about this program.
The following are questions that have been asked of previous applicants during interviews. Spend some time developing a thoughtful response to these questions.
- What specific factors in your life led you to pursue this career?
- Have you ever considered a career in another field?
- Briefly describe your contacts with the medical field.
- What assets do you have which will make you a good?
- How have you served your community during college?
- Describe the college activities in which you participate.
- Describe your most significant volunteer experience. How did it affect you?
- If you are not accepted into medical school, what other career would you consider and why?
- Why did you apply to our program? Have you applied to other programs?
- Medicine is a very demanding career. How do you plan to integrate family and career? Do you plan to have children?
- What are the qualities you look for in a friend?
- What is the most sacred thing you know?
- Are you registered to vote? Who is your governor?
- Name your state senators. Name two representatives.
- What are your views on reproductive technology?
- Would you perform an abortion? Why or why not?
- What do you do to relax? What leisure activity do you enjoy most?
- Who is our Surgeon General? What is your opinion of him/her?
- If you could change one event of history, what would it be?
- Do you think drugs should be legalized? Why?
- What is your opinion of "socialized medicine?”
- What is an HMO? What is "managed health care?"
- How do you feel about universal health coverage in the U.S.? How can it be paid for?
- Should everyone have equal access to the most modern and expensive technological procedures? Who will pay?
- What is the last non-text book you read?
- What is Medicare? Medicaid? Do you feel these programs are necessary? Are they meeting the perceived needs?
- How would you feel about treating an AIDS patient? Should there be mandatory AIDS testing?
- Who has had the greatest influence on your development and why?
- Do you have a girl/boyfriend? Is it serious?
- How do you feel about treating homosexuals? Would you rather not know someone's sexual orientation? Why?
- How do you feel about cheating? Have you ever cheated?
- What do you consider to be your strong points? Weak points?
- What makes you angry? Are you often angry?
- How will you finance medical school?
- Why did you go to Evangel University?
And, here is a link that allows you to read what specific questions were asked of interviewees at specific medial schools: http://share.studentdoctor.net/interview/.