Interviewing Applicants forInterviewing Applicants forMedical School, Internship Medical School, Internship

and Graduate Schooland Graduate School

Gary J. Balady, MDGary J. Balady, MD

Assistant Dean of AdmissionsAssistant Dean of Admissions

Professor of MedicineProfessor of Medicine

Boston University School of MedicineBoston University School of Medicine

Preparing for an InterviewPreparing for an Interview

• Know your Institution– Who are you and whom do you represent

• Know your program

• Application Review

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

MISSION STATEMENT

Boston University School of Medicine is dedicated to the educational, intellectual, professional, and personal development of a diverse group of exceptional students, trainees, and faculty who are deeply committed to the study and to the practice of medicine, to biomedical research, and to the health of the public. We, as a community, place great value on excellence, integrity, service, social justice, collegiality, equality of opportunity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Boston Medical CenterBoston Medical CenterEstablished 1996Established 1996

BiosquareBiosquare

Preparing for an InterviewPreparing for an Interview

• Know your Institution– Who are you and whom do you represent

• Know your program

• Application Review

White Coat CeremonyWhite Coat Ceremony

• Summer research– Stipends through the Office of

Student Affairs

– ~30 students/year participate

Boston University Medical CampusBoston University Medical Campus

Medical Student Residence Hall

Preparing for an InterviewPreparing for an Interview

• Know your Institution– Who are you and whom do you represent

• Know your program

• Application Review

HOLISTIC REVIEWHOLISTIC REVIEW A flexible, highly individualized process by which balanced consideration is given to the multiple ways in which applicants may prepare for and demonstrate preparation for a career in medicine. Candidates are evaluated by criteria that are institution-specific, broad-based, mission-driven, and that are applied equitably across the entire candidate pool.

Courtesy of Robert Witzburg, MD

Preparing for an InterviewPreparing for an Interview• Application Review

– Applicant background• Academics

– Undergraduate/graduate/post graduate training– GPA/ standardized test scores– Awards/honors

• Home/family/personal interests• “Distance traveled”

– Experiences• Clinical• Research/publications• Volunteer work• Other – travel/ arts/ sports teams/student groups

Preparing for an InterviewPreparing for an Interview• Application Review

– Personal Statements and Essays• Tells a story about the individual

– Why medical school? Why internal medicine? Why neurobiology research?– Well written/cohesive/ grammatical and spelling errors

– Letters– Knowledge of the applicant– Intelligence/competence– Personal attributes

» Professionalism» Interpersonal skills» Work ethic

The InterviewThe Interview• “Every encounter is an opportunity”

• “ We are always selecting and recruiting” – R. Witzburg

• Environment– Reflects the professionalism that we desire in our applicants– Start on time– Avoid phone calls and interruptions

The InterviewThe Interview• First Impressions

– Put the applicant at ease ( if possible)– Find common ground

• “ I’m from New Jersey too!”

– Have a conversation• Explore items in the application

– Waived right of access to letters/confidentiality

• Knowledge of research• Discuss experiences/activities/interests• Clarify items and issues

– Unexplained time gaps

The InterviewThe Interview• Specific Question Areas

– Ethical issues– Professionalism– Why Boston University?– What are you seeking in a training program?

• Time for Questions to the Interviewer– Any areas which the applicant wants to discuss?– Other questions

• Resources for the applicant

– The Exit

Sample questionSample question

• One of your established patients asks you to write her a prescription for an antibiotic. She is not having any symptoms but tells you that it is for her brother, who does not have health insurance and cannot afford the medications.– What issues do you consider important in

coming to a decision about what to do?

The InterviewThe Interview• Specific Question Areas

– Ethical issues– Professionalism– Why Boston University?– What are you seeking in a training program?

• Time for Questions to the Interviewer– Any areas which the applicant wants to discuss?– Other questions

• Resources for the applicant

– The Exit

The Interview ReportThe Interview Report• Customized Report for the Position• Summarize applicant history

– Who is this person?

• Academics• Experiences as relevant to the position

– Clinical– Research– Leadership– Interests

The Interview ReportThe Interview Report

• Letters– Author/ Brief synthesis

• Red Flags

• Summary