The last week before your medical school interview.
Although it feels like most of the application process is out of your hands, there is still plenty to be improving! Here are a few key things to be doing in those final few days before your interview.
1. Re-read your personal statement.
Not just read through it, but study it. Work out the stand out parts examiners may pick to discuss and prepare responses. This preparation doesn’t have to be word for word answers, but just a general themes and ideas you can draw upon on the spot.
If there is anything technical or scientific, make sure have read up thoroughly on it. The personal statement is a great opportunity to steer parts of the interview so make sure you are able to talk in depth about anything you mentioned. It would not look good if you claim to find a topic really interesting but fail to explain the basics on the day.
Did you make any of these common personal statement mistakes? >>>
Was your personal statement kept PERSONAL? >>>
2. Read the news
Pick up today’s paper and you are guaranteed to see medical-related stories. NHS in crisis, new cancer treatments, junior doctor contracts, you name it. You need to be aware of and able to talk about current medical topics. It shows you’re interested in the profession, not just the science. Be aware of the current issues doctors are facing, find new research that you can talk passionately about and demonstrate you are more than just book-smart. BBC News is a good place to start for ideas. This is particularly important for the day before, and of, your interview. I know someone who was asked about a news story that had only just broken in that day’s paper. It may seem like overkill, but better safe than sorry.
NHS HOT TOPIC: Get clued up on the current state of the Junior Doctor’s Contract >>>
Should the NHS fund this expensive drug? >>>
NHS: The nominal fee >>>
3. Plan your interview day
- Find out where you are going and when.
- Find out how long it takes to get there.
- Pick your outfit and make sure it’s clean.
- Plan what time you will get up so have amble time to get ready.
These things may seem minor, but being late and ill-presented for your interview can make for a terrible first impression – something hard to come back from. Make sure you get there with plenty of time to get yourself ready before the interview – you don’t want to appear flustered. Don’t stress too much about clothing either. I personally always suit-up for anything remotely formal, but I know people who got offers from Oxbridge after wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Wear something you are comfortable in and wear it with confidence.
