Preparing for your UBC Med School interview
“The 2-hour interview for med school can seem grueling, but with some preparation it can actually be fun.”
-An unnamed first year UBC med student
With med school interviews upon us, this is a good time to review some tips that might make your experience a little more enjoyable too.
The interview process:
During the med school interview process, you will rotate through 11 different interview stations. Each station lasts 7 minutes, with a 2-minute transition period. Each station may be different, with interview styles ranging from one-on-one to panel to scenario or role-play.
What you can do now to prepare:
- Practice, practice, practice – Get a feel for answering questions in 7-minute intervals by practicing with a friend or parent. This will help you to practice organizing your thoughts under a timed-pressure scenario so in the real interview you sound relaxed and articulate.
- Understand yourself and your motives – Review your application and reflect so you can answer confidently and enthusiastically when they ask you, “Why medicine?”
- Research the institution – Spend a few hours researching the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Knowing facts, such as their latest research or changes in the curriculum, can help you connect UBC to your personal interests and goals. Make sure to highlight why you and UBC Med are a perfect fit!
- Brush up on your current events – What is your opinion regarding Insite, Canada’s first safe injection site (located in Downtown Vancouver)? A well-informed opinion regarding current events, both local and national, can set you apart in the interview process. Check out news sites to help get more information about current events and politics, especially if it’s related to medicine.
More tips:
- Be prepared for non-medical questions – Interviewers may test your behaviour in various situations either through behavioural based questions or role play.
- Don’t take it personally – Some interviewers might act unreceptive or avoid eye contact during your interview. Keep in mind that interviewers have been instructed to act in a certain way to remain neutral to all candidates.
- Be ready for follow-up questions – If interviewers challenge your answers to questions, try to stick to your answer and defend it using facts. In some cases, you may choose to change your mind due to new evidence. If this happens, be sure to clearly explain how this new information has impacted your thinking on the issue.
Links:
More information about the UBC Med School interview process
Articles about tips and techniques for med school interviews