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Med/Dent Interview Preparation

In your opinion, what makes a candidate perform so well in their interviews? Does it come down to maturity, the 'X' factor? How do these people do it?
 
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Country Folks said:
In your opinion, what makes a candidate perform so well in their interviews? Does it come down to maturity, the 'X' factor? How do these people do it?
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I honestly have no idea seeing as I haven't sat any interviews as of yet. But I'm fairly certain having a diverse range of life experiences, maybe doing some team sports, volunteering, work experience etc. will make it easier for you to answer the questions in an interview.
 
Country Folks said:
In your opinion, what makes a candidate perform so well in their interviews? Does it come down to maturity, the 'X' factor? How do these people do it?
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A good candidate has everything down pact on it's fundamental level. Some candidates will display strengths in certain areas. The universities will vet interviewees on a predetermined set of criterias; criterions which would reflect a good doctor. Once you have seen enough candidates you will know which ways will make it and which ones won't. There are some students that I have mentored that I knew for a fact no matter how hard they try it is unlikely they will get accepted.
 
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bigyikes said:
Well that's...depressing
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Not everyone can be doctors just like not everyone can be lawyers, CEOs, biologists etc.. That is the sad reality of life. The old tale of "you can be anything you want to be" is false information fed to people as children. Do I like surgery? hell yes I do, unfortunately I also don't function well with 4-6hrs of sleep per day. So I have accepted the reality that I shouldn't be a surgeon.
 
ucatsyd said:
Hey guys, for the JMP MMI interview, when they ask scenario questions - do they tend to let you speak your answer in full and then ask the follow up questions if you haven't touched on them? Or do they ask them throughout and you answer each one?
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There’s an NDA so people can’t disclose the details of their interviews there. I suggest you be prepared for either.
 
whoartthou said:
Not everyone can be doctors just like not everyone can be lawyers, CEOs, biologists etc.. That is the sad reality of life. The old tale of "you can be anything you want to be" is false information fed to people as children. Do I like surgery? hell yes I do, unfortunately I also don't function well with 4-6hrs of sleep per day. So I have accepted the reality that I shouldn't be a surgeon.
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I don't disagree that that's the way life is and that not everyone can become a doctor, but don't you think that's a bit of a toxic mentality to have, especially for people who are in the midst of preparing for their interviews right now? And at what point do we decide we're not meant for it - I failed a Newcastle interview last year, does that mean I should reject my interview offers this year and not even try because Newcastle decided last year that I wasn't good enough to be a doctor?
 
bigyikes said:
I don't disagree that that's the way life is and that not everyone can become a doctor, but don't you think that's a bit of a toxic mentality to have, especially for people who are in the midst of preparing for their interviews right now? And at what point do we decide we're not meant for it - I failed a Newcastle interview last year, does that mean I should reject my interview offers this year and not even try because Newcastle decided last year that I wasn't good enough to be a doctor?
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I didn't direct it at anybody in particular here so don't be so sensitive. You totally took my point out of context which I would be concerned about this if this is how you approach your interview. The students I have mentored sometimes could not even string a proper sentence together under pressure, maintain eye contact or break down even basic principles for explanation. Other times they just totally lacked empathy or made assumptions which made no logical sense. Do you think it would be appropriate for those students to become doctors? Yes it's not always fair but it is the best that universities can offer so students need to learn to play the game.

If you are going into the interview with a mentality that you won't make it then why are you even applying?

It is not uncommon for students not to get in on their first, second or even third attempts. I didn't make it after 2 interview attempts either. However, after the 5th or so attempt I think it's important to re-evaluate your decisions. There will still be students who get through after their 5th attempt but the likelihood will probably be slim at that point in time.

For all training programs for specialities there is now a limit to the number of times you can sit an exam. If you fail to pass after a "x" amount of times you can no longer apply for that training program. The college of RACGP has made a statement stating doctors that fail the exam after 3 attempts are unlikely to pass in their 4th, 5th and 6th attempts. Does this mean they make bad doctors? Not necessarily because I have certainly met a great doctor who failed his BPT exam 7 times. However, the line needs to be drawn and you need to consider the worst case scenarios. The great doctor reevaluated his choices and is now pursuing training in the GP speciality.

If a candidate told me blindly they will continue trying until they get in, I would probably mark that answer below average because it shows no insight or judgement.
 
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I have a question about the correct approach to answering questions on subjects with many opinions but no obvious answers.

Example:
You are given the responsibility of solving the problem of obesity in people between 15 and 30 years old in Australia. What do you do?

My thinking (just the main steps to be fleshed out).
Start with a brief explanation of the issue and:
1. I look for experts in the field and try to build a team that will analyse the task and come up with recommendations on possible solutions.
2. Conduct consultation of the proposed solutions with external stakeholders, review their feedback.
3. Within the team negotiate and choose a small number of the most promising potential solutions, let's say 5.
4. Implement these solutions in different geographical and socioeconomic areas of the country.
5. Run for some time, analyse the results, modify the solutions if needed, run some more time.
6. Get feedback from people involved in the solutions.
6. Conduct a thorough review of solutions and results decide on a range of specific solutions to be implemented in different areas (geographical and socioeconomic).

Is this making sense as an approach to such questions?
 
PiKay said:
Example:
You are given the responsibility of solving the problem of obesity in people between 15 and 30 years old in Australia. What do you do?
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Is this taken from a US prep book?
IMO it would be mad of Aus med schools to pose such questions to 17-18yo school leavers with no previous medical study whatsoever.
 
A1 said:
Is this taken from a US prep book?
IMO it would be mad of Aus med schools to pose such questions to 17-18yo school leavers with no previous medical study whatsoever.
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I've seen questions like this in undergraduate interviews but the expectations for the answers are probably not as extensive.
I've seen graduate interview questions more similar to this.

Usually the question revolves more around what are the solutions you can implement rather than what you have mentioned above. It depends on how the question is worded. I think the wording you provided is not specific enough for students to understand and therefore, can be interpreted both ways.
 
I have seen some questions of this type for panel interviews.
What would you do to: stop underage drinking, reduce dropping out of school before finishing year 12, close the gap in life expectancy etc.

Am I expected to just provide a list of potential solutions to such problem as gathered from media and discuss them in some detail?
 
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