Preparing for Any BS/MD Interview Question

Read Time: 2.5 minutes

​

Good morning parents and future doctors,

As students prepare for BS/MD interviews, it’s completely normal to feel anxious or intimidated by the prospect of unexpected questions – especially those that ask for very specific stories or experiences. But with the right strategy, you can anticipate any interview question with targeted preparation.

Our latest blog article introduces a proven framework inspired by the CASPer exam — a situational judgment test you may know that is used by many medical schools — to help you prepare for any question that comes your way. This approach centers around reflecting on 10 core qualities that BS/MD interviewers are evaluating in your responses.

​

The 10 Core Qualities to Know

To prepare for your interviews, you want to start by understanding and internalizing these foundational attributes:

1. Collaboration
2. Communication
3. Empathy
4. Equity
5. Ethics
6. Self-awareness
7. Resilience
8. Professionalism
9. Problem Solving
10. Motivation

These qualities aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the pillars of what makes a strong candidate and future professional. By preparing stories that highlight your experiences with each, you’ll be equipped to articulate thoughtful and authentic responses to any story-based interview question.

​

Storytelling with the CAIRP Method

To stand out in your interview, you need to be prepared to share compelling stories from your various experiences – both personal and professional. Our blog article explains the CAIRP method to structure your storytelling clearly and effectively:

• Context: Set the background with a brief description of the situation.
• Actions: Detail the specific steps you took in the situation.
• Impact: Share the tangible outcomes of your actions, making sure to be as specific as possible.
• Reflections/Takeaways: Clearly explain what you learned and how you grew from the experience – and how you will apply these takeaways moving forward.
• Prompt Connection: Always try to connect your story back to the interview question for a cohesive response.

This method ensures your anecdotes are clear, concise, and impactful — making a lasting impression on your interviewers and demonstrating your effective communication skills.

​

Practice and Authenticity

Preparation goes beyond merely reviewing potential questions and drafting response. It’s important that you actively practice:

• Adapting Your Stories: Each prompt is different, so you need to modify your experiences to fit various questions.
• Refining Your Delivery: The gold standard for interview preparation is practicing your responses to convey your stories confidently and engagingly.
• Staying Authentic: You need to be genuine in your responses, interviewers can see through dishonesty and your authenticity reinforces your maturity.

By practicing the approach discussed here, you not only prepare for the expected high-yield questions but also build the confidence to effectively handle any curveballs during the interview.

With the right preparation strategy and mindset, you can impress each of your BS/MD interviewers with poise and confidence. To further explore each of these steps and learn how to implement this framework effectively, read our full blog article here.

​

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 unique situation.