Interview Jitters...HELP!!!

[MedPhreak]

Hey guys!

Like almost everyone else, I have the interview jitters. My interview is on Monday, at Philly (april 11th). Is this too late to be interviewing? Are my chances very low of getting in? I heard somewhere that 40% of interviewees get accepted. But after reading a lot of posts on this website, it seems like everyone knows that they're doing, and I'm kinda behind everyone else. I've read that everyone says the interview isn't a huge deal and that it's very laid back. But I want to do my best, especially since it's April already and I'm sure they have already accepted a bulk of their class. This is pretty much my last hope of medical school, and I want to do everything I can to maximize my chances of getting in. I've already got a bunch of questions that everyone seems to be asked, and I'm prepping for those. But emotionally, I feel like I'm still not ready! Everyone that posts something on here before their interview seems to know what they're doing. My GPA is about 3.35 and my MCAT was in the mid 20's. I know those aren't great scores, and so that worries me even more. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

~medpreak :cry:

[restlesseye]

calm down. there is never anything too early or too late. congratulations on getting an interview! thats really exciting as it is. take a look at all your achievements that brought you to this point and you should be proud of where you have arrived to. i agree this is a big step but just a step.

dont worry about the interview its just a conversation. most of all dont worry about things which are not in the scope of the interview.

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this hallmark card was sponsored by lorazepam..... joking....

[emt036]

I agree... calm down. The interview is really laid back - I had mine in a hospital cafeteria.

And I doubt the class is full already, but SGU has rolling admissions, so you'll just be rolled into the next class. So no worries.

[Nimitt]

THe person interviewing you is a SGU grad so he/she will know what it feels like to be in your shoes. At the same time this will be a great opportunity to find out how grads do from SGU.
Be yourself, you made it this far to get an interview so there is something in your file that is of interest. Read over your application and statement, be yourself and make sure you write thank you card to the interviewer after you finish.
SGU looks at everything in the application the whole app not just scores. So dont worry. DO your best.

See the following threads:
http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic27607.html
and http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic26235.html
and http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic25761.html
and http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic25369.html
and http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic24345.html

and many more please do a search!

Good Luck!

[Amanda]

Hey guys!

Like almost everyone else, I have the interview jitters. My interview is on Monday, at Philly (april 11th). Is this too late to be interviewing? :

I APPLIED in mid-May 2003, got my interview 3 weeks later in June, and got the phone call to join the August class in early August. I'm not sure if this is a reliable indication of Bayshore's schedule, but like everyone else said, just relax and you'll probably find yourself in the August class not too far from now.

[MedPhreak]

Thanks everyone. Your advice has been so helpful. I am still nervous. I guess that it's good to be a little nervous...it'll keep me on my toes. As far as answering the questions, do you guys have any tips? Is there anything that one should stay away from saying or talking about? Even the simplest questions like, "Tell me something about yourself" can be tricky. I don't want to talk about myself too much, but I want to have them get the idea about who I am. And how about the ethical questions? (Abortion, euthanasia, cloning, stem cell research, vioxx and other drug questions...) Are there any tips about these questions? I feel like I'm asking too much, and probably somethings must be pretty obvious. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for everything again!

~medphreak

[Toddaa1]

Thanks everyone. Your advice has been so helpful. I am still nervous. I guess that it's good to be a little nervous...it'll keep me on my toes. As far as answering the questions, do you guys have any tips? Is there anything that one should stay away from saying or talking about? Even the simplest questions like, "Tell me something about yourself" can be tricky. I don't want to talk about myself too much, but I want to have them get the idea about who I am. And how about the ethical questions? (Abortion, euthanasia, cloning, stem cell research, vioxx and other drug questions...) Are there any tips about these questions? I feel like I'm asking too much, and probably somethings must be pretty obvious. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for everything again!

~medphreak

The interview is pretty laid back, expect the "why do you want to be a doctor" "who is your hero" type questions as well as a question about how you plan on paying $50K+ per year for SGU (just say loans, unless you happen to have a quarter mill. lying around, in which case you should PM me and we can discuss). They also asked me a question about why i wanted to be a doctor and not a nurse.

If they ask you a touchy question, remember you are applying for med school, your not running for public office here... just tell them what you think, it wont affect your app. also have a couple questions to ask the interviewer at the end, it shows that you are highly interested in SGU.

Good Luck, just remember to relax and don't forget to take your valium.

-T-

[seev99]

i had my interview like 2 weeks ago and i haven't heard back yet...the interview was really laid back and the guy just asked me like 4 questions on some standard form he had to fill out...the essay is the same topics mentioned on the forum here...just be confident and make sure you get your questions answered about the school, cuz that seems to be the more important part.

[MedPhreak]

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to thank you guys for your help. I just had my interview yesterday and it was fine! The interview was laid back, just like you all had said. And it really wasn't bad at all. I hope/think that I did well...I guess I'll find out what they think of me, in the near future (whether they accept/reject me). I actually got an email today from my admissions officer, saying that they got my file and sent it to the admissions board for a final decision. I was very impressed with their speed...I only interviewed yesterday and they already have his comments (I hope that's not a bad thing?). The entire thing lasted about an hour and a half, mostly because he talked so much...def more than me. I'd say that he spoke for about an hour and I spoke for the other half hour. And the essays weren't bad either (what 3 characteristics do you possess that a doctor should have....what person has influenced you the most...and i can't remember the 3rd.). I think it also helped that I spent the night with some friends that helped me relax and not worry about it. (The interview was about 3 1/2 hrs away in philly). So I am eagerly awaiting the committee's decision. Thanks again!!! Gluck with everything...

~medphreak :)

[theplatypusman]

The quick time line is not unusual, I've read many posts indicating a quick response. As you draw closer to the start of the semester the admission commitee meets more often so responses are as a result more frequent. Then again, there are people on this board who have been waiting for months. I had my answer in 8 working days, but I am a vet student so what do I know. Good luck. Most people who post on the board seem to be accepted for some reason, maybe now the odds are tilted in your favor.

[jaywalk81]

patience is a virtue...
jsut wait and kindly give a call every other week to check up on the status.

good luck