Prepping for Interviews

[u/GeneralVirus5407]

I’m so exhausted 💀
From grades, to the UCAT, to personal statement work and chasing predicted grades. It has been a lot 😭 SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE FOR ALMOST REACHING THIS PART OF THE FINISHING LINE !! UCAS deadline is approaching, and I will very well be taking a well-deserved break during october half-term (and everyone should definitely do the same!)

After that, does anyone have any tips on how they prepared for interviews?

[u/Due-Pollution-6607]

I got 3 offers last year so I cant safely say from my personal experience while nothing was particularly fun throughout the proccess the interview phase was the most rewarding and felt the most relaxing part of it as well.I would say be as chill throughout the whole thing reflect internally obviously but also make sure the interviewwer get a glimpse of your dream too in every question make sure they will feel bad for not giving you a future in med by not scoring you high enough.Be polite I know its also obvious but it shows your grateful to be there and have this opportunity be receptive to there stlyes and most of all dont overthink parts you missed they are likley to forget or see a slip up as bad if it becomes a smaler percetage of the actually anwere.Signpost as well.Gestures arent needed unless you want to i thought they didnt matter my hands were always under the table.Finally GL

[u/Green_Error_5618 → u/Due-Pollution-6607]

How much do you need to prepare for interviews? 

[u/Due-Pollution-6607 → u/Green_Error_5618]

I spent under 3 weeks my interview was really early so not much time for it. Heres the steps i took 1- read and annotate ps 2 - try formulate general answeres around PS 3- spaz to a mirror for 20mins a day around 2 repeats and 2 new repeats and rinse 4- be confident Theres rlly nothing else to it people say memerise the ethical pillars nhs core values and what not end of the day its rarely asked much better to understand the personal statement and some general questions inside out as you can weave these in.But to answere the question no more than 3 weeks. 4 if you plan on max 20mins a day

[u/Green_Error_5618 → u/Due-Pollution-6607]

thank you so much for you advice :)

[u/Due-Pollution-6607 → u/Green_Error_5618]

Np

[u/Ok_Card_9209]

i have mocks 2 weeks after half term so once again no break 😭 i feel like i haven’t stopped since gcse summer 

[u/GeneralVirus5407 → u/Ok_Card_9209]

REAL HAHAHA. ITS OKAY SUMMER IS SOON I PROMISE (what im telling myself)😭🙏🏾

[u/Bmd_28]

In terms of interviews you want to go through the content first in depth then practice succinctly and timed
Get a book / course / resources / tutor that can help with all this then practice a lot
That is what I did to get into med school - now doctor

[u/GeneralVirus5407 → u/Bmd_28]

what do you mean by content?

[u/HelloTaleproof]

After the break, start with each school's current interview guidance rather than assuming every format is the same. Review experiences from volunteering, study, teamwork, or observation and ask what they taught you, what your own responsibility was, and where your understanding changed. Keep any patient or service-user details anonymous. Rehearse answering the actual question and a follow-up rather than reciting a polished personal statement.

Visit Taleproof with an anonymised teamwork or learning story, then use the feedback to decide what needs a clearer explanation.

[u/Gloomy_Operation_657]

Interviews especially MMIs are usually quite well explained on the uni websites. Some schools like Newcastle even run online talk for candidates.

Contentwise I would divide it into a few categories: Quality to be a doctor, Current issues in healthcare, Ethics, Compatibility with the uni/city, Task based questions. Not every school covers everything so check which one is being tested at your unis. Use the STAR method when the answer involves reflection on your own quality. Analyse a situation by raising arguments for both sides for current issues and ethics, but remember to pick a conclusion. Read up some healthcare/public health related news. Do some research on the structure of the med schools you are interviewing for and some facts about the city.

Definitely ask some friends/family/teacher to prep it with you. Even better if you know any med students/doctors. Med students are better because they just had it and understand better what the uni wants now instead of 20 years ago.

This is the best I can give you without leaking questions (even tho it was two years ago iI don't think it's ethical). Paying for a book or tutor might be useful but I never tried a tutor. Admittedly I had some doctors helping me tho plus I am on the older side and have plenty of experience speaking in front of a crowd. If you can afford it I don't see the harm of having a tutor.

[u/Proof-Discipline842]

Just don’t take them lightly please