Interviewing
How can I prepare for the professional school interview?
Check tips and recommendations from the professional associations. Examples include:
Practice answers to commonly asked questions:
- Why are you interested in this profession?
- Tell me about a personal clinical experience that has made a difference.
- Why are you interested in this school?
- What would you contribute as a student at this school?
- Tell me about your experience working in a team.
- Tell me about how you handled a problem that arose working in a team setting.
- Tell me about a time you had to overcome adversity.
- Why did you choose to major in…?
- What characteristics do you possess that will help you to become a successful student? A successful professional?
- What extracurricular activity has been rewarding for you.
- How do you handle stress?
- How do you take care of yourself?
- Tell me about a current issue in health care.
- Tell me about a time you faced an ethical situation and how did you handle it.
A few tips
- Practice answers to questions out loud or with a friend,
- Be prepared to show positive results to behavioral questions (tell me about a time when…)
- Arrive early to an interview
- Review the school’s website in advance
- Be polite to all
- Dress professionally
- Let them know who you really are – what you care about – what has made a difference in your life
- Be prepared to ask questions to the interviewers (usually pertaining to the education and experiences provided and the culture of the school)
- Ask questions that are genuinely of interest
How to schedule a mock interview:
Students can request a mock interview when they have been offered an interview from a health professions school. Use this form to request a mock interview with Health Professions Advising. Health Professions Advising will offer one mock interview per student per application cycle.