On The Interview Day

I mentioned this at the beginning of the previous blog but let me remind you that I will not be discussing any of the real questions I had to answer as candidates are sworn to secrecy about this. This is something the university takes very seriously. If you are found to have disclosed the nature of any of the questions you can have your offer of a place withdrawn, even if you have already accepted it.

Essential notes
Make some essential notes, bullet points, of the things you find hard to remember or are very important and take them with you to read on the way there and before you go in. Having something practical to read will likely also help to calm your nerves.

Be punctual
Make sure you plan your travel so that you will arrive on time. If you have a long way to travel consider staying somewhere local the night before. Do not plan to arrive at the very last minute or any delay will make you late for your interview.

When you arrive
Register your arrival, there will be people to greet you, likely student volunteers. You may be required to show your qualification certificates at this stage, if you already have them. You will be shown where to wait. Stay calm and read your notes. Eat something small and not too sugary, and remember to stay hydrated.

Information talks and campus tours
You may be given a short talk about your university and what to expect in your interview and you may be taken on a campus tour. This tour could be optional or compulsory. Especially if your tour is before your interview try to use this time to actually look around and ask questions. Could you imagine yourself living and studying here? Which halls would you like to live in? Are amenities conveniently located? What is transport like? Are there lots of societies and clubs to choose from?

In the interview
I had a mini-station interview so that's the only set up I can talk about. This set up is good because you move to a new station every few minutes and start fresh so if you feel like you've messed up one station it's easier to move on and not let it affect the rest of your interview. You get a minute between stations to have a breather and a drink. This set up is also very similar to the OSCE style of exams you will do as a medical student if you get a place so it is good practice.

First impressions
At each station you will have to make your first impression again so remember to smile, introduce yourself and shake hands with your interviewer.

Answering the questions
When you are answering the questions you need to consider the following:

• Am I answering the question they have asked me, not the question I want to answer?
• What skills or attributes are they looking for with this question?
• Where have I shown these?
• Where have I observed these?
• What have I learned?
• How could I use these as a student or doctor?
• The length of your answer.
• The structure of your answer.
• The vocabulary you use.

Remember

Your interviewers are there to help you answer the questions. If they can give you a hint or guide you then they will. If they do this it does not mean you are doing badly.

Your interviewer may cut you off in the middle of a sentence. This could be because what you are saying is not relevant, or you have already said what they want to hear and they want to move on. They may also come back to a question if they feel you have not answered it as well as you could.

Your interviewer may be very cheerful or very serious, this is not a reflection on you or how well or badly you might be doing, they are told to act that way. 

Remember to thank your interviewer and shake their hand as you leave their station.

And remember to relax. You will either receive an offer or you won't, but getting worked up about it won't help you to answer the questions to the best of your ability. 

Good Luck!
Thanks for reading.
Katherine