Interviews for
medicine
Dr Fiona Cameron
Consultant anaesthetist
Ninewells Hospital
Interviews
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Why interview
Who is interviewed
Different medical schools
Potential probity/ conflict of interest
Why interview
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Achieved minimum academic requirements
Assessment of personal attributes
Confirm evidence of personal statement
Rank applicants
Weed out the ‘nutters’
What qualities are
assessed
• Evidence of commitment
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Probing questions about personal statement
Learning from volunteering etc
Knowledge of medical curriculum/ career
Why medicine/ why this university
Understanding of learning styles
What qualities are
assessed
• Knowledge of specific course
o Websites/ open days (cross checked by registration)
• Knowledge of life in chosen career path
o As a junior doctor – foundation programs/ professional examinations
o Differences between primary/ secondary care
• Evidence that you have considered why you have
the attributes to excel
• Evidence that you can solve difficult problems
• Evidence of taking responsibility for your actions
and that of others
qualities
• Understanding confidentiality and probity
• Evidence of team working and team leading
Methods of assessment
• Different for each university
• Information on the websites
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Aberdeen 5 stations
Dundee 7 stations
St Andrews- traditional panel
Glasgow- panel
• Change or updated annually- i.e will NOT be the
same questions as last years applicants and will not
be the same each of the weeks
• No point at all in finding out what your friends got
asked as it might actually be detrimental
Example questions
• Websites/ books
• Obvious questions- why do you want to study in this
university
• What should we offer you a place here
• What challenges have you encountered to reach
this stage
• Tell me about a difficult situation that you have had
to resolve
• Some universities use role play to assess how you
would deal with situations
presentation at interview
• Arrive on time
• Dress appropriately (medical students have a dress
code)
• Try to look like a medical student/ junior doctor
• girls
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No short skirts/ silly high heels-/ open toes- they don’t impress
Make up discreet
Hair tied back and neat
Nails short and clean
Keep jewelry to a minimum
• Boys
o Clean
o Short hair
o Suit or jacket and tie
Presentation at interview
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Be confident
SMILE
Don’t be arrogant
Maintain eye contact, no giggling, looking at the
floor
Speak slowly
Don’t use slang
Avoid using the phrases you all use- eg ‘like’
between each word
PRACTICE SPEAKING IN FRONT OF A MIRROR
Presentation at interview
Say good morning
Shake hands and introduce your self
If they make a joke- laugh
Don’t be flippant – even if they seem to be
If your are not sure what an answer is take a few
seconds to think before saying something
• Often there is no correct answer its how you
approach the answer and they are assessing your
thought processes based on what you have
learned
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Who would I select and
why
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Well prepared
Enthusiastic
Clear ideas of why medicine
Clear ideas about the course
Shows genuine interest
Really wants it
Essential preparation
• Know your personal statement well
• Be able to talk about its contents and what you
have learned from each achievement/ experience
• Know ALL about the course you have applied to
• Each course is different
Integrated vs traditional
Systems based
Spiral learning
Opportunities for intercalated BMScs
5 or 6 years- value of St Andrews- future benefits for application for
Specialty training
o Remote and rural
o Mention something very specific to that course
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What not to say
• ‘i want to work in anaesthesia in Scotland- its very
beautiful which is why I am looking forward to
working in Wales’- serious cut and paste issues here
• I would tell a junior that anaestheisa is an interesting
job but even when you are old you still need to get
out your bed at night- true but not the right answer
• Don’t say you you want to be a doctor to earn lots
of money (you don’t)
• Don’t say its because your mum/ dad is one- counts
against you
MMI
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Academic ability and intellect
Empathy
Initiative and resilience
Communication skills and problem solving
Team work
Insight and integrity
Effective learning style
from St Georges medical school
Useful websites
• www.medical-interviews.co.uk
• www.thestudentroom.co.uk/
• www.medical-interviews.co.uk/interview-questionsmedical-school
• www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=8
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• You tube
Remember
No guarantee of a place
Highly competitive
Keep cool and calm
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
• GOOD LUCK
Questions
• QQuestions