Impressing Interviewers: 10 Tips for Pre-Health Students

After you apply for professional school, the next step for many programs is to invite applicants for an interview. Interviews are an incredibly important part of the process—up until the interview, most of your interactions with schools have been through your written application. In an interview, you have the opportunity to show schools more of your personality.

Here are our top 10 interviewing tips:

1. Know your why

Make sure you can explain your “why” behind pursuing your chosen profession, beyond just wanting to help people. Why do you want to help people in this specific way?

2. Have a response for “tell me about yourself”

When programs give this prompt, they want a response that goes beyond telling them where you are from. This is your opportunity to tell interviewers how your experiences have helped you grow and why your experiences have led you to apply for their program.

3. Know the structure of the interview

Is the interview in-person or virtual? If it is virtual, what video platform are they using? Will interviews be conducted in groups with your peers, or one-on-one with an interviewer? Is the interview open-file or closed-file (Have the interviewers been allowed to see your application materials/GPA/test scores)? Is it a multiple mini interview (MMI; multiple short interview stations intended to learn more about your personal skills and qualities, including communication skills, ethical decision making, and others)? The answers to these questions should change the way you prepare for the interview.

4. Review your application materials

Interviewers might ask you questions related to what you wrote on your application or in your personal statement. Review your materials before your interview so you are prepared to answer questions.

5. Research the school/program

It is likely that interviewers will ask you why you are interested in their specific program. Do research on the school/program ahead of time so you can speak to their curriculum, methods of training, opportunities for involvement, and mission/vision/values.

6. Dress comfortably but professionally

For in-person interviews, you will likely be taking a tour of their facilities (lots of walking) as well as sitting for long periods of time. Plan your attire and shoes accordingly. For virtual interviews, we still recommend dressing in full professional attire to help you get into the interviewing mindset. If you are wondering what to wear, read the Career Center’s information about dressing to impress, and visit the Career Closet for free professional clothing.

7. Pick a professional background (virtual interviews)

For virtual interviews, pick a plain and professional background. Consider lighting as you choose a location, and make sure your computer is eye-level so it is easy for you to maintain eye contact with the camera.

8. Think about ethical considerations and current issues in healthcare

Questions about ethical dilemmas are common in healthcare program interviews. Programs are not looking for a specific answer to those questions, but want to see how you think. It is important to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of ethical dilemmas and social/political issues in healthcare, with the wellbeing of the patient at the forefront.

9. Practice, practice, practice

Research questions commonly asked of students in your programs of interest and practice your answers to them. Even better, schedule an appointment with your pre-health advisor for a mock interview to practice and receive helpful feedback. Consider practicing interviews in the format they will be conducted (virtual vs. in-person).

10. Be professional, but also be your genuine self

Don’t feel like you have to pretend to be someone you aren’t while interviewing for programs. Be professional, but help the interviewers get to know who you are as well.

Interviews are a two-way street. If you don’t feel like you can be genuine while interacting with a particular program, we encourage you to investigate further to decide whether that program would be a good fit for you.

How to Prepare: Your Pre-Health Advisor is knowledgeable about typical interview formats and questions for your pre-health designation’s programs. Practice interviewing with your advisor by scheduling an appointment in Navigate!

In addition, consider attending the Pre-Health Mock Interviews events held each semester, where you can practice interviewing with healthcare practitioners from the area.