Early BS/MD Interview Preparation

Read Time: 3.5 minutes

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Good morning parents and future doctors,

In the BS/MD admissions process, the final step of admissions consideration is the BS/MD interview. Unlike undergraduate alumni interviews which generally hold little value, the BS/MD interview is a critical part of your admissions decision. Surprisingly, many applicants overlook this pivotal step until it’s almost too late. Just as you wouldn’t start writing your application essays the night before they’re due, you shouldn’t delay preparing for an interview that could secure your acceptance at a BS/MD program.

Below, we’ve distilled the essential strategies to ensure your high schooler is fully prepared to stand out in their BS/MD interviews.

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Start Preparing Before Receiving an Interview Invite

Timing is everything. BS/MD programs often send interview invitations with little notice — sometimes just one to two weeks in advance. Waiting until that email arrives to begin preparation is a common mistake that leaves applicants scrambling last minute. Starting 4-6 weeks ahead not only reduces stress but also allows your student to:

• Internalize Strategies: Thoroughly ujnderstand the nuances of different interview formats, question types, and methods to approaching every possibility.
• Refine Responses: Prepare and polish thoughtful answers to common questions, and ensure you have a response for any possible question.
• Build Confidence: Practice delivery until your responses flow naturally, so you can impress at each and every question.

At Outperform BS/MD Coaching, we emphasize early and strategic preparation to ensure you’re not just ready — but that you stand out from all the other interviewees. With interview acceptance rates around 30-50%, you want to be certain you will secure your BS/MD acceptance.

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Know the Interview Formats

BS/MD interviews come in various formats, each evaluating an applicant’s qualities and skills using different question types:

• Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI): Short, structured stations testing ethical reasoning, problem-solving, and assessing your depth of experiences.
• Group Interviews: Assess your ability to collaborate, demonstrating leadership and teamwork in tough situations.
• Traditional Interviews: In-depth, one-on-one discussions about your experiences and motivations, where your interviewer becomes your advocate for the admissions decision if you perform well.

Understanding these formats is essential. Your student should research each type and adapt their preparation accordingly to make a strong impression.

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Prepare for High-Yield Questions

While it’s impossible to predict every question, certain themes are almost guaranteed to appear:

• Motivation for Medicine: Why pursue this path?
• Personal Challenges: How have you grown from past experiences?
• Ethical Scenarios: How do you approach complex dilemmas?

Have your student compile a list of common questions and begin drafting thoughtful, reflective answers. Our proven templates at Outperform BS/MD Coaching have helped countless students prepare and practice compelling responses that stand out.

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Seek Expert Guidance

Even the best self-prepared responses are not complete without input from BS/MD experts. You can start by evaluating your responses for:

• Clarity and Coherence: Are your responses easy to follow?
• Depth of Reflection: Do they demonstrate maturity and insight?
• Avoiding Red Flags: Are there any phrases that might be misconstrued?

Feedback helps ensure your student’s answers are clear, compelling, and free of unintended red flags. Most students we meet before interview coaching struggle with at least two critical issues. Working with mentors or professionals who understand BS/MD admissions can provide invaluable insights to developing responses that are guaranteed to impress interviewers.

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Practice Verbalizing Responses

Your student’s delivery is equally (or more) important as content. Encourage your student to:

• Record Themselves: Watching playback can reveal habits like filler words and lack of eye contact or identify irrelevant content in their responses.
• Evaluate Non-Verbal Cues: It is important to be aware of body language when responding to questions, from hand gestures to facial expressions.
• Adjust Pacing and Tone: Speaking clearly and confidently leaves a lasting impression, and it takes practice to reach this level with interview responses.

Consistent practice builds the confidence and preparedness needed to navigate any interview scenario that your student might encounter at their BS/MD interviews.

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Review Application Materials

For some BS/MD programs, interviewers will draw from an applicant’s submitted materials. Your student should:

• Revisit Essays: Be ready to discuss experiences in greater depth, considering the stories and reflections from significant extracurriculars.
• Highlight Achievements: Prepare to expand on significant accomplishments and align these with educational and professional aims.
• Share Stories: Each student’s personal narrative is critical to their admissions decision, so review anecdotes that demonstrate growth and impact.

By reviewing their application, your student will increase their confidence and ensure consistency during the interview.

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Stay Informed on Healthcare Issues

Current events matter. For several BS/MD programs, interviewers may assess your student’s awareness of healthcare challenges. They should:

• Stay Updated: Regularly read reputable news sources, looking at headlines in the healthcare section of major news outlets.
• Form Opinions: Reflect on issues to articulate informed perspectives, considering the various individuals affected by different issues.
• Connect Personally: When possible, relating topics to their own experiences can demonstrate understanding and consideration.

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Remember, BS/MD interview acceptance rates can be as low as 20%, with most in the 30-50% range. Early and thorough preparation is the key to standing out. By having your student start preparing now, they can increase their chances for BS/MD acceptances and ensure they impress at each interview.

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Yours in Success,

Rishi Ray

Outperform BS/MD Coaching

Our team at Outperform BS/MD Coaching is dedicated to guiding you through the BS/MD application process. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss strategies personalized to your student’s journey.