Parent's Guide: Interview

Interview preparation is an area that as a parent you can help your child the most. Interview preparation help can take several formats; from helping your child write down a few ideas of their skills, discussing hot topics in the news about the NHS and healthcare advances, as well as asking them questions in an interview style and providing feedback on their answers. 

Simple things you can do at home to help your child with their medical school interview:

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Interview them

it sounds too simple, but in order for your child to be prepared for their interview it is important that they practice a proper interview. 

Encourage them to form their own opinions

It is important that when asked for their opinion on a medical topic that your child can answer, and be able to justify their opinion with relevant information that they have read. Therefore ask your child for their opinions on contraversial topics such as euthanasia and abortion. Although students will usually be asked to discuss the ethical issues surrounding these topics, often students are then asked for their opinions. Therefore, it is vital to be prepared for these style questions. 

Test them on key information

Repetition is known to be a good way to make information stick in someones memory, therefore by testing your child on key information that they need to know for their interview, or that they want to know to possibly include in their interview answers is quite a helpful thing you as a parent can do. Examples being the NHS values, and facts from hot topics such as the Bawa-Garba case and junior doctors contract dispute.

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    Practice de-stress techniques

    Interviews are stressful for most of us, let alone a medical interview which is like no job interview you will ever have. Therefore, it is important that your child is able to cope with the stress and pressure of the day. As well as not letting one bad answer ruin the rest of their interview. It is for this reason that practicing de-stressing techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness can be really helpful to applicants in their preparation for interview. Some universities include ice-breaker questions at the beginning of their interviews to help students combat the initial stress of the interview. 

    Tutoring and Courses 

    For many parents they have little to no knowledge of what a medical school interview is like. Even if you did sit one yourself, it may have been a few years since then, and the interview process does change. Therefore many parents opt for 1-1 tutoring or choose an online course for their child, to help them in their preparation for their medical school interview. At Medic Mind we offer both an online interview course and 1-1 tutoring either over Skype or face-to-face. 

    Frequently Asked Question

    →How can parents support their child in preparing for a medical school interview?

    Parents can support their child in preparing for a medical school interview by helping them practice common interview questions, providing feedback on their communication skills, and helping them research the school and its program. It is important for parents to encourage their child to take ownership of the interview process and to approach the interview with confidence.

    →How can parents help their child prepare for ethical scenario questions?

    Parents can help their child prepare for ethical scenario questions by encouraging them to think critically about different perspectives and consider the potential consequences of different courses of action. It may also be helpful to discuss current events or controversial healthcare topics to help the student develop a well-rounded understanding of ethical issues in medicine.

    →What should parents and their child do after the medical school interview?

    After the medical school interview, parents and their child should debrief and discuss the experience. It is important for the candidate to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement, as well as to follow up with any thank you notes or additional information requested by the school. It is also important to remain patient and wait for a decision from the school, as the admissions process can take several weeks or months.

    →What should parents do if their child is not accepted to medical school?

    If their child is not accepted to medical school, parents should offer support and encouragement and help the student explore alternative career paths or educational opportunities. It may also be helpful to seek feedback from the school or other professionals to identify areas for improvement and develop a plan for reapplying in the future. It is important to remember that rejection is a common experience in the competitive field of medicine, and that there are many paths to a fulfilling career.

    →What is the purpose of a medical school interview?

    The purpose of a medical school interview is to assess a candidate’s communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and suitability for a career in medicine. The interview also provides an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions and learn more about the school’s program.

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