Dressing for a Med School Interview Comments Off

Filed under Interaction With People, Interview Situation
Written by Fred on 26th Aug -10

It is no secret that the usual advice when it comes to grooming and dressing for med school interviews is to keep it clean, neat, and conservative.

What this usually means in a color-neutral suit for men and the same for women. For women, you have a choice between a pant suit versus a skirt. Any will do as long as you are comfortable and look professional in it. Women may forgo the suit but make sure that your substitute is very personal.

I personally don’t like giving dress codes since a lot of brilliant applicants just have personalities that don’t go with suits and ties. But since this is a one-time thing it is best to just let ones personality shine through via your words rather than as a fashion statement.

As for the accessories make sure not too wear any flashy jewelry. Keep your shoes shiny and clean and if your a woman and comfortable with power heels, then by all means wear them. If you’ll be teetering a tottering as you enter the interview room though, go with a more reasonably-heeled shoe.

Extraversion A Plus in Applying to Med Schools Comments Off

Filed under Growth Opportunities, Interaction With People, Interview Situation
Written by Fred on 10th Dec -09

A study by the University of Minnesota indicates that personality is a predictor a student’s success in med school. The study showed that students that have some of the key personality factors to success in med school are conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness.

While conscientiousness may have always been a factor that everyone knew contributed to academic success, the level at which extraversion affects academic performance positively came as a surprise since many equated the trait with poor grades.

The study, which is an eye opener, will surely have implication on the admissions process of medical schools with interviewers now noting the extraversion and agreeableness of a person as a positive attribute.

What this means for interviewees is that during interviews it is very important to appear as extraverted as possible. Time to brush up on those interpersonal skills!