The Interview Advice Every Premed Needs to Hear | Dr. Ryan Gray, Medical School HQ

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Today, I'm covering what every premed should know before their medical school interview! This is a recording from a talk I did in Austin, TX, all about the interview.

In this talk, I cover a bunch of topics relating to the interview, including:

• The medical school interview is like a dance. One person leads, and the other follows. The interviewer asks a question, and you answer it. But a lot of students step on the interviewer's feet because they come in with an agenda of showing off why they're going to make a good physician.

• To tell your story, you need to identify your "seed"—that initial experience that got you exposed to medicine.

• The different kinds of med school interviews: open interviews, closed interviews, the multiple mini interview (MMI), etc.

• Students who do poorly in the MMI, and the interview in general, are coming in trying to prove something. Really, the medical schools want to see if you're going to be a good member of the class. They want to see your personality, and they want to see how you'll work with others.

• When going through your personal statement and your interview answers, you need to look at each sentence and ask, is this generic? Or is this telling MY story?

• Why you should be journaling after ALL your experiences on the premed path.

• How to talk about your strengths and weaknesses: None of us are perfect. But can you explain what you're doing to work on your weaknesses? Can you tell a story that supports/illustrates it? Why stories help so much.

• What are good questions to ask the interviewer? I mention a few specific kinds of questions NOT to ask your interviewer, along with my favorite tip for what ones TO ask. (Here's one of my favorites: "What do you think is a cool part of this school that doesn't get a lot of attention?")

• How personal should you get in the interview? I cover this question from a few angles, such as talking about mental health issues and tragic events from your past that could make you emotional during the interview.

• What should you get from mock interviews? You should be paying attention to how nervous you are and how that's affecting your body language, mannerisms, etc. It will hopefully get you a little more comfortable.

• What if you don't know how to answer a question? It's okay to say you don't know. But what you don't want to do is fake it. Doctors shouldn't fake that they know something when they don't. Also, be aware that it's okay to share your personal opinions on questions.

• What counts as clinical experience? It's not about the job title—it's about whether you're interacting with patients in a way that's even slightly clinical. Just gathering information from patients at the front desk is not clinical. And working as a janitor in the hospital is not clinical either. Use your common sense.

• How should you prepare for the interview? First, be wary of OVER-preparing. You don't want to become scripted. Think of bullet points—not a script. Remember it's a conversation, not a monologue.
• Can shadowing count as clinical experience? In its pure form, shadowing is not clinical experience, as it is very passive. However, if you do a lot of shadowing where the doctor lets you interact with patients, take vitals, etc, then it can also be listed as clinical experience.

• Should you send thank you notes after the interview? Usually, yes. It's courteous. It's another contact point. Mention a specific conversation you had so they may remember you better. But if the school says NOT to send them, then don't! Follow directions!

• If you're a nontraditional student explaining your career change to medicine, remember the question is not "Why NOT your old career?" It is "Why do you want to be a doctor?" So focus on what's pulling you toward medicine—not what's pushing you away from your previous career.
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“The MCAT is hard and the MCAT is important” - every single damn YouTube ad when I try to watch a video 😂. Hi Dr. Gray! I listen to your PreMed years podcast and got directed to this video!

mgn_tr.i
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7:33 the guy shaking his leg. thats me rn thinking bout the interview day and freaking out.

JamezBnd
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Dr. Gray has been an amazing source of information, wisdom, and clarity on the journey towards medical school thus far.

nicu_musings
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Thanks for all the advice Dr. Gray!! As a non trad with minimal undergrad contacts your advice has been extremely helpful through this process!

shelbydurler
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Hi Dr. Gray! I heard about this from your podcast episode this week, and I'm stoked to have found your youtube channel! As a non-trad premed who's building my own adventure without classic pre-med help, I can't even express how valuable all the info you share is. Thank you so much for everything!

sagebuch
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Hi Dr. Gray! I listen to all of your podcasts. Also, I was hoping to post about my current situation on the nontrad forums but I think they are down. Thanks for all of your free help and also for your positive encouragement!

raspberryK
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Thanks for all you do Dr. Gray. I found your podcast a few months ago and have been listening to all the old episodes in between new ones.

tylerdrummond
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Found your YouTube after listening to your podcast. Great advice thank you so much for all the work you do. As an older student hoping to get into med school I'm so appreciative for all your up to date advice for those of us without all the resources available to walk them through applying.

usergatortime
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Thank you for everything you do for us students pursing a career in medicine.

jamescrank
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Hi Dr. Gray, I heard this video on "The PREMED YEARS" podcast. I'm excited to follow you on youtube. Thank you for your advice about the medical school interview process. I especially took note of the point you mentioned regarding journaling shadowing/volunteer/any experience you are obtaining on a regular basis. I am about to start working at a hospital in the next few weeks and will do just that. Also, looking forward to hearing who wins next week's giveaway!

jaz
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I got one interview and one acceptance

zerochill
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Just subscribed Dr Grey! I listened to this video on your podcast. now that I can connect YouTube to my TV this is oh so handy 💁🏻‍♀️ Would love to win a call!! Thanks for all that you do. YOU ARE THE
GOAT 🗣🐐🔥

melanielopez
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Subscribed! Love your podcasts and can’t wait to see more videos! 😊

cheyannehead
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literally the best guidance ever. thank god for people like you. us premeds this type of support! thank u so much for what you do! love ur podcasts btw

hannahbanana
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I'm here from the podcast :D Thank you for all your advice and encouragement! Hoping I get to be the lucky caller

souviesomsacksy
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I found Dr.Grey’s podcasts a few months back and they been extremely motivating and informative! I’m a non-traditional student who’s just returned to college after a three year gap. Dr.Grey’s podcasts, books, and video have made my process as a premed so much easier to manage! I’m extremely grateful and will be supporting his media even into medical school.

danielleharris
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great video. I haven't gotten an interview yet but I definitely want to prepare

themiamilife
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Came here from the podcast! Thank you for all of your detailed information into the realm of medical school applications and medical school!

Jonjonthemonmon
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I’m here from the audio version of this video on “The Premed Years”. Finger-crossed for a call!

hanieg
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Came here from the podcast! I’ve listened to it for a long while now, thank you for the guidance you provide!!

leslyesantiago