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General Tips

• The fact that you are invited for interview means the program is probably considering you in their Final Rank Order List (ROL). The interview can move you up or down this list or remove you from it all together. So it is a serious matter, you should give it your best effort.
• The interview process begins from the moment you step into the program to the moment you step out. A conversation in the corridor with a faculty member can be as critical to your final position in the ROL as the one on one interview.
• Dress to impress, but don't overdo it, and be comfortable in what you are wearing.
• Arrive on time, early if you are not clear about the directions, so that even if you get lost you still arrive on time.
• Maintain eye to eye contact at all times with whoever you talk to, get used to it before the interview regardless of gender.
• Smile when indicated, greeting/saying goodbye etc.. don't smile excessively
• Be pleasant to everyone if they are rude to you. remember it is all a test.
• Be confident, you made it to the interview so you are as good as all the other candidates
• Don't get too friendly with the other candidates they are still the competition.
• You should always keep in mind that you should show and be what the program is looking for and this is where your pre interview preparation will help you.
• Example if you interview in a program that is known for its' scutwork and the interviewer asks you if you are willing to push a patient in a stretcher down to Radiology to get an urgent test done, don't say no, don't hesitate or think about it, you should have a prepared answer, look the interviewer in the eye and say: yes, whatever it takes.
• Be smart and more importantly don't be stupid, play the game in your favor, e.g. if the program doesn't have fellowships and focuses on primary care and asks you what your future plans are don't say that you want to be a gastroenterologist, but give a non commiting reply such as I haven't decided yet.
• Don't ask for a prematch, it is offered not claimed

Pre Interview preparation

Know as much as you can about the program, browse their website in detail.

You should have first hand knowledge of the following:

• Name and face (if available) of program director, faculty members, etc..
• Know the key features of the program, sites of the program (names of hospitals involved), fellowships sponsored by the program, fellowship chances,
• strong/weak points of the program: research/ or not, scutwork, friendly/malignant faculty, on probation or 5 year full accreditation, fellowship chances.
• Residents: how many IMGs they take, what kind of IMGs they take, if they offer prematch or not.
• What interview questions they usually ask.
• The city itself, its' history, major attractions Recent local/national news, and current issues, reading the daily local/national newspaper is a good idea. This is important for small talk or “wannasa”, which as will mention below is an important part of the interview)
• To know the above in addition to the program website, look the program up on http://www.scutwork.com, http://www.forums.studentdoctor.com , or even better contact a resident in the program, feel free to contact me if you come to Chicago J.
• Practice, practice, practice; talk in English only as long as you can, so that you get used it, if your English language is not a strongpoint.