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Don’t Let Other People Freak You Out

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I started Insider Medical Admissions over 15 years ago, so I’m pretty good at spotting trends. Every year about now I start getting emails from premed clients saying they’re worried about their lack of (or minimal number of) interview invitations. Yes, even as early as late August folks are concerned. They say they have a classmate who says he’s gotten multiple interview invitations or they read online that others are being contacted with many invites.

Sure, it’s possible some people are getting tons of early interview invitations. But, it’s rare and should not affect your confidence. After all, according to Amy Cuddy, whom I’ve referenced before, confidence is the name of the game when it comes to interviews.

So, simply stop checking online and minimize conversations about interviews with others. If you are in the thick of the season and you still haven’t gotten any interviews, then you’ll need to reassess and act. But for now, put in ear plugs. This process is so very stressful; you certainly don’t need to seek out more anxiety-provoking information (and who even knows if it’s accurate anyway!).

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Finding Balance

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This time of year, when the residency and medical school interview processes are in full swing, many of us feel overwhelmed. Here’s a brief but thoughtful piece regarding balance. As you consider your future career, it’s worth thinking about issues the author covers like clarifying what makes you happy and defining balance. In this day and age, one can choose a traditionally tough specialty but work in a practice setting that allows for some autonomy and flexibility. But you need to know what you want to guide yourself in the right direction.

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Medical School Interview Questions – Discerning or Disturbing?

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This fun piece from the Harvard Medical School (HMS) alumni magazine is worth a read. The article, “Stress Fractures” by Dr. Jules Dienstag, a member of the HMS Admissions Committee, briefly chronicles a history of the “stress” interview at HMS, specifically whether a well-known professor Dr. Daniel H. Funkenstein used the dubious tactic. The famous nailed-shut window story is explored.

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Medical School and Residency Interviews: Illegal Questions and How to Manage Them

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The interview – whether for medical school, residency, fellowship, or dental school – is subject to basic legal rules. Admissions officers/faculty members should refrain from asking questions that are not relevant to the position the interviewee is seeking. Questions about race, religion, and marital/family status fall into this category.

If you are asked these types of questions, you can simply answer – if it’s not distasteful to you – or respond by addressing the intent of the question without revealing personal information. (“I think you’re asking if my home life will affect my ability to carry out my duties. I can assure it won’t.”)

If you have the opportunity to give feedback to the institution, you can consider doing so after the interview. When I was interviewing for residency, I was asked by a faculty member if I had a boyfriend. After the interview day, I talked to a faculty mentor at my school who reported the situation to the other institution. The faculty member who asked me the illegal question was no longer permitted to interview.

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Medical School and Residency Interviews – Power Posing

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As medical school and residency interviews approach, I want to remind everyone about Amy Cuddy, the Harvard faculty member who speaks about the psychology of power, influence, and nonverbal communication. Her research shows that a “fake it until you make it” philosophy and “power posing” practices improve your performance in interviews. Cuddy’s TED talk has been viewed over 27 million times.

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About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more

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Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: