What does it take to stand out at interview? University admissions staff share their guidance
Getting to the interview stage of a medicine application is a huge achievement.
By receiving an invitation to interview, you’ve already made your way past a huge amount of competition. Now you’ve got a golden-ticket chance to impress the admissions team and secure your offer.
It’s only natural to feel the pressure at this key stage of your application. So we spoke to experts from Leicester Medical School at the University of Leicester to get some inside knowledge.
In this guide, Dr Suzanne Dawson, senior admissions tutor at Leicester Medical School and Dr Sam Adcock, admissions lead for medicine with foundation year at Leicester Medical School, share their insights on how to prepare, how to practise and – perhaps most importantly – what not to do…
Don’t make assumptions; make sure you understand what a medicine degree involves
Firstly, don’t expect to be asked any questions testing specific medical knowledge.
“Remember you are applying to come to medical school, so we do not expect you to have any medical knowledge at this stage,” says Suzanne. “There is therefore no need for you to pay to go on any interview courses.”
What is going to be expected is that you’ve done your research into the realities of taking a degree in medicine.
“Make sure you understand what medical school and postgraduate training in medicine consists of,” says Suzanne.
As well as reflecting your commitment to the course, this foundational knowledge will also help you better answer any questions about how you see your medical career developing.
Qualities of successful applicants
Another core reason for the interview is so the university can understand you better as a person.
By this point, they know you’ve got the academic potential required, but how about your personal qualities?
Sam and Suzanne have identified the most important attributes they look for in applicants.
They describe these as individuals who can:
- reflect on a situation/fact/incident and learn from it – they will make good clinicians
- perform under pressure
- follow instructions
- demonstrate individual/free thinking
- communicate clearly and succinctly
- listen
- empathise
- work in a team and respect all members of that team
When you’re preparing for your interview, think about how you can show you possess these qualities.
Get some practice
If you can get someone to roleplay practice questions with you, it can help ease the nerves that you’ll naturally feel before the interview.
Think about how you demonstrate the attributes listed above. You can also look ahead at the qualities you’ll need to show in your future career.
“The best thing to do would be to think about what the NHS is recruiting for,” says Sam. “Look at the NHS constitution and values-based recruitment and [then] get someone to give you interview practice.
“You need to get used to thinking on your feet and articulating a response in a timely manner.”
You could also try thinking about “any health care encounters you have had and what made you feel reassured by the staff during those encounters,” adds Sam.
Keep it relevant
Remember, the focus of the interview is on you. So make sure you answer questions in a way that shows why you want to commit to studying medicine.
When you’re preparing for your interview, “try to consider what skills you bring and offer to medicine,” says Suzanne. “Be yourself. And be proud to be yourself.”
It’s also important to stay on track in your answers.
“Answer the question you are asked and not what you think you are being asked,” says Suzanne.
Again, practising your interview technique with a friend or family member can really help here.
Leave yourself plenty of time to prepare
Your interview might feel like it’s ages away, but it will come around quicker than you think. Don’t delay your preparation.
This is especially true of any materials you’ve been sent to read before the interview, or tasks you’ve been asked to complete.
“Make sure you have read all the instructions you are sent ahead of time and completed any preparation necessary in a timely fashion,” says Sam.
Create a positive first impression
You want to make it as easy as possible for the interviewer to offer you a place on their course, and one way to help that happen is to make a good impression as soon as you walk into the interview room.
Sam shares some tips for a few little things you can do to make sure you’re remembered for all the right reasons.
“Be punctual,” he says. “Be presentable. You don’t need to wear a suit, but clothes and shoes should be smart, tidy and clean.
“Get a good night’s sleep before. Try to relax, and your performance is likely to be much more natural.”
The interview format
The format of the interview will vary depending on the university, so make sure you’re clear on what to expect from yours.
Most medical schools will use an interview format that’s known as Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) although at some universities you could be asked to sit a more traditional panel interview or even a group interview.
To take one example of an MMI format, Suzanne explains that at the University of Leicester interviewees will move through “seven different stations, each looking at different aspects and each with a different assessor. The total duration will be about an hour”.
These stations could include discussion of your personal statement and experiences, as well as practical activities such as roleplaying a scenario or solving a problem.
Most universities will brief you on what to expect (and give you the chance to ask any questions) before the day of the interview.
What not to do
There are a few common pitfalls to avoid in your medicine interview. For a start, says Sam, don’t be the interviewee who hasn’t read the instructions they’ve been sent.
Be sure to answer the questions thoroughly but succinctly – don’t let nerves lead you into talking too much (or too little). And don’t trip yourself up “trying to work in rehearsed answers that do not fit with what is actually being asked,” adds Sam.
If you think one of the mini interviews has gone badly, try your best not to dwell on it.
“Avoid ruminating on a station after it’s complete,” says Sam. “Move on and forget about it. Often it's not gone as badly as you think but then you let it impact your performance on subsequent stations.”
Communication is key
Finally, when you’re in the interview, don’t get caught in the trap of thinking there’s always a right or wrong answer.
Sam and Suzanne agree they’re looking for people who can “make balanced arguments”.
“Most of the time there is not necessarily a right answer,” says Suzanne. “We want individuals who can see things broadly.”
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