<p>Hey guys, so I went through this whole process a couple years ago (HS class of 2012). In terms of background, 2380 SAT, 3.95 GPA UW, did EMT, Research, Hospital Volunteering, Shadowing, etc. </p>
<p>The interview is completely make or break and at that point it is about 50/50 chance of admission so it is important to nail. Stats and stuff shouldn't matter at this point from my experience. </p>
<p>So the four core questions are: 1) Talk about your experiences, 2) Why medicine, 3) Why this school and 4)Why accelerated. Outside of that they may ask about your strengths/weaknesses, biggest challenges, medical ethics, etc. The key is to develop a story, based on your resume, that points you towards being a physician. For the why med. question a good answer could have the following framework: "three key reasons: I love interacting w/ people. When I was a volunteer I interacted with x patients and enjoyed heavily. Secondly, I love science and critical thinking applications. When I researched I found x rewarding. Since I was a kid I had a commitment to serving others which I further realized when x. Being a physician accommodates three of the aspects I value most." Accelerated answer can be something along the lines of, you already know what you want to do so you want to be able to use the flexibility of your undergrad to pursue your passions while saving time and being able to accomplish your goal of helping people even sooner, etc. Bring a resume to your interview just in case. </p>
<p>I will provide my brief interview experiences for BU SMED, Miami HPME, PSU/Jefferson, Pitt GAP, UMKC, Albany, Drexel Med and UMDNJ</p>
<p>BU:
For BU they make you do two interviews, one with undergrad professor and one with a doctor. The undergrad professor one is more like a typical college interview. So they asked why interested in BU (talk about wealth of research opportunities, intellectual area, etc.). Guy asked about a challenge I overcame and about issues that I felt existed in the emergency room. He ultimately recommended that the triage process in emergency rooms should be better and that there should be more urgent care centers established for less severe injuries/ailments. Also be prepared to describe again why you want to be a physician. It was honestly the tougher of the two. The doctor was really chill, more informal and he asked why medicine, why program, etc. and discussed my medical experiences (to clarify I mead shadowing, research, EMT and hospital volunteering). Got lucky with the physician since he was really nice. After the interview, you grab lunch with a current student and they talk about their experiences. </p>
<p>Miami:
For Miami interview I had a doctor who based a lot off his interview off the resume asking me about my experiences,etc. that were listed. He had a couple tricky ones asking about times I've been a leader as well as asking about an ethical dilemma (I mentioned something about a friend cheating off of me on an exam). I think he also asked the strengths/weaknesses question. He also asked "why this program" be prepared to say something about how why you want to do accelerated. Express a ton of interest in the school. For Miami while you're waiting to be interviewed they put you in a room and make you watch a video clip--the doctors observing you while you're watching this clip do have a lot of sway. Just be ready to say something along the lines of the doctor in the movie clip not being passionate enough. There is a pretty extensive tour of the med school and undergrad campus after the interview/lunch. </p>
<p>PSU/Jefferson:
PSU/Jefferson also has two interviews both of which are pretty short-- the student interview and the doctor interview. The student one should be chill where you talk about your interest in the program, they try to ask you stuff about what you do in your free time. Get across clearly your interest in medicine to them and also how you want to be involved on campus and stuff. The doctor interview was pretty short, so they only really have time to ask you why medicine, make clear how your experiences link with that. </p>
<p>Pitt:
These guys effectively had three measures of screening. First they pair you with a student and they discuss their experiences and ask you a bit about your background/interests. It's an opportunity for you to ask the students questions--I believe the student I paired with mentioned taking this program over Northwestern HPME. Even though they make it seem chill, make sure to come across competent and committed to medicine (even if they don't ask directly). Second stage is a little more intimidating. The program coordinator has all the interviewees for the day in a conference room (about 6-10) and goes around asking each person to discuss their interests (outside of medicine) and then why medicine in front of everyone. Have a unique interest ready and make sure to summarize your why physician spiel in a sentence or two. This portion, I believe, is quite important and the coordinator has very keen perception. Immediately afterwards, you parents come in and she discusses the program as a whole. Last stage is a physician interview in their office and carries with it a typical format.</p>
<p>Albany
These guys also had a pretty interesting situation. They had a group activity followed by typical physician interview. The group activity involved providing a plan for giving advice to high school freshman regarding what they should be thinking about in terms of college admissions during each year of high school.The coordinators observe your idea generation and presentation process; the key is to stand out as a leader in some way. You will be presenting with around 4-5 other students. Before that they had us go around and give a brief background as well as interests. After the group activity/lunch you also get to meet undergrads in the programs for the respective schools which is then followed by a physician interview. I had a very friendly lady who just asked the basic questions and pressed more on my experiences. </p>
<p>UMKC
I'm a bit hazier on this one but I believe that there are both student interviews and physician interviews. I believe it was the typical questions--nothing out of line. Interview day was reasonable. Info sessions, tour, interview, closing session. </p>
<p>Drexel Med
A short 30 minute interview in the physicians office. The question they seemed to emphasize was why Drexel Med (beyond the typical stuff like asking about experiences) so have a good answer to the question. Maybe mention research opps and how Philly is an awesome city. Also be aware of the fact that Drexel has a different campus for first two years and third/fourth year is in Philly. If I recall correctly, they also made you take some basic math test for placement. </p>
<p>UMDNJ
Some I talked to had the typical interview format. My interviewer had a vastly different perspective from anyone else. He spent the entire interview convincing me that accelerated med is the wrong route to go and it wasn't just mind tricks--he sincerely felt that way. He encouraged going to a normal undergrad and benefiting from the experience. My approach was to prove my commitment to medicine, discuss why I thought accelerated was the way to go, but also concede that he might be right and if I got the acceptance it would be something I would have to think about deeply. I'm sure this guy interviews a solid chunk of the applicants so just be ready to deal with this guy in case. Interview day was very much hassle-free though. Go in the building, take a brief tour and leave. </p>
<p>Practice is the name of the game. I can't emphasize enough how much luck is a factor in determining your fate since some interviewers are nice and others don't gel with you at all. Once you go through your first interview you'll be confident for the rest because it's more or less the same. Good luck, hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me (username at gmail). </p>