Alex seems like a kind, genuine person who’s harshest critic is himself. Great job seeming to have worked to come out of your shell. Even if this is a mock, I would love to see him become Dr. Alex in real life. Medicine needs diversity in terms of gentle, shy, relatable souls as well as gunners too. 🙏🏾 #ElijahMcClain🎻
Being a medical mentor here in the UK, I am impressed with the virtual interview process . Alex seems affable but there’s too much “ stuff “ in the background of his room . He loves chatting , he waffles a bit too and he also pauses a tad too long . Good luck to him . A good insight into virtual interviews across the pond .
I'm no adcom but would you want to take the focus of the interview away from yourself and put it on your interior decorating skills during a med school II? Obviously having a really messy background with trash all over the place would be bad as well. Plain seems like the safest option IMO.
@@alphaspartan I just had my interview, I did choose a good background with a color scheme that matched what I wore. It was good because it was a nice conversation starter with some of my hobbies and hand-eye coordination skills. Very clean and presentable. Video interviews give you an opportunity to show off part of your personality. I was able to observe 12 other applicants and the backgrounds they used, most were too dark or washed them out completely. It doesn't seem like there was a lot of thought put into their interview, or the angle of their camera with bad lighting. I found that having a delicate yet presentable well-lit background makes you appear more professional and grabs the attention of the interviewer. Pleasing to look at is always good.
@@deekswarner7283 not pushy at all, just make sure you are well lit and you are well dressed. Most the applicants I saw didn't do that. It also doesn't hurt to be extremely charming like myself ;-) luckily I have had a lot of practice. I was a waiter for years so talking to people comes naturally. What I did must have worked because I was on the top of the list for acceptances and got right in without issue. I would advise you to get on the school's website and read everything about it. Find out who's going to be interviewing you and research them directly, Facebook stock them if you have to kidding to an extent. however I did look up one interviewer's Instagram and found out they were interested in cooking which I am very good at so I was able to tie that into my hand eye coordination skills and hobbies. I found out another interviewer had built his own cabin and grew up on a farm. I also grew up on a farm and worked on my uncle's cabin so I had something in common to chat about. I also talked about research that the college is currently working on and followed the instructors who were leading the research projects so it showed that I was forward thinking. I also read every single article of the school newspaper dating back to 2016, that gave me a lot of insight into the student body and what was happening at campus and around the city. I found out what type of demographic the school worked with and which type of communities they worked with best and I was able to sell myself to an extent on what would make me an excellent candidate to work with that crowd. The idea of the interview isn't to sell yourself, the people aren't looking for that, they are looking to have a conversation with you and get to know who you are besides who you are on paper. As long as you can be genuine and be your best self then you will do just fine. I like to plan way ahead of anything I do and it has led to great success. Don't be complacent, do a mock zoom call was somebody in your family so you can make sure your camera height is perfect and your lighting is perfect. You don't want your background to be distracting, but you do want someone to be curious about something in the background but not everything. For example my background had butterflies, so I talked about being involved with taxidermy and how I would use adhesives and small tools to manipulate the butterfly anatomy which correlates perfectly with dentistry. This might be a lot, but I hope it helped. Also if you're going to ask your interviewers questions make sure the answers are not easily found on their website. Ask questions related to what interests you about the school meaning their research or specific areas where you want to focus yourself. For example one of the research projects at my school of interest was using VR to perform root canal surgeries, it's awesome because you can rewind if you screw up and try again. Playing the game makes you better at actual dentistry so you can go in and get the job done faster and more efficiently.
The student Alex in the mockinterview sounded like he memorized the answers to the questions. Really surprised nobody mentioned it in the comments. He sounded scripted.
@@manvirsandhu508 it was actually really laid back and super chill! it was nice being in my own comfortable environment Honestly man the best thing to do is stick to your application. Let that guide the conversation
The Admissions Director of U Colorado (in All Access: "Medical School Admissions" Podcast), has stated that this type of facial hair should be shaved off for interviews. I think the saying is "Clean Shaven or Full Beard". You should not fall in the in-between.
I don't want to shave for my interviews either but it's safer than having something they'll talk about negatively instead of focusing on the great responses you provided during the interview
@@alphaspartan as long as your well dressed, it doesnt matter. do whatever makes u more confident on your interview day. if they reject you just cause u had facial hair, you dont wanna go to that school anyways lol
I would reject him. His answers were really generic, lacking in energy, and did not showcase how he is a better candidate than the average applicant. This is coming from someone who is still in the process and awaiting his first interview (though I have an invitation for one, so I am at least in the running), so take my criticism with a very large grain of salt.
I disagree, I think you're being too harsh. He did a great job. Premeds and certain adcoms are neurotic to the point of being super judgmental about things that have no bearing on one's ability to be a good doctor.
I didn't have a positive first impression either, but he started to grow on me as the interview continued. He seemed like a really nice guy who genuinely wants to help people. If he had the academics to supplement that, I think he'd be great.
Alex seems like a kind, genuine person who’s harshest critic is himself. Great job seeming to have worked to come out of your shell. Even if this is a mock, I would love to see him become Dr. Alex in real life.
Medicine needs diversity in terms of gentle, shy, relatable souls as well as gunners too. 🙏🏾
#ElijahMcClain🎻
I had an interview and the neighbor's dog kept barking through it all. I was so embarrassed. Luckily the interviewer was kind about it... Good video
This was an awesome talk!!! Really practical advice. Thank you for posting. This is one of the most helpful videos I’ve seen this interview season.
Being a medical mentor here in the UK, I am impressed with the virtual interview process . Alex seems affable but there’s too much “ stuff “ in the background of his room . He loves chatting , he waffles a bit too and he also pauses a tad too long . Good luck to him . A good insight into virtual interviews across the pond .
Is a plain background acceptable or should you dress it up? UPDATE comment. I got in! My method was executed flawlessly. I'm pretty excited about it.
I'm no adcom but would you want to take the focus of the interview away from yourself and put it on your interior decorating skills during a med school II? Obviously having a really messy background with trash all over the place would be bad as well. Plain seems like the safest option IMO.
@@alphaspartan I just had my interview, I did choose a good background with a color scheme that matched what I wore. It was good because it was a nice conversation starter with some of my hobbies and hand-eye coordination skills. Very clean and presentable. Video interviews give you an opportunity to show off part of your personality. I was able to observe 12 other applicants and the backgrounds they used, most were too dark or washed them out completely. It doesn't seem like there was a lot of thought put into their interview, or the angle of their camera with bad lighting. I found that having a delicate yet presentable well-lit background makes you appear more professional and grabs the attention of the interviewer. Pleasing to look at is always good.
Bookshelf to look sophisticated.
@@user-sr3tj5gn8y sorry to sound pushy but did it work ?? i'm planning to put my certificates , medals and trophies on display
@@deekswarner7283 not pushy at all, just make sure you are well lit and you are well dressed. Most the applicants I saw didn't do that. It also doesn't hurt to be extremely charming like myself ;-) luckily I have had a lot of practice. I was a waiter for years so talking to people comes naturally. What I did must have worked because I was on the top of the list for acceptances and got right in without issue. I would advise you to get on the school's website and read everything about it. Find out who's going to be interviewing you and research them directly, Facebook stock them if you have to kidding to an extent. however I did look up one interviewer's Instagram and found out they were interested in cooking which I am very good at so I was able to tie that into my hand eye coordination skills and hobbies. I found out another interviewer had built his own cabin and grew up on a farm. I also grew up on a farm and worked on my uncle's cabin so I had something in common to chat about. I also talked about research that the college is currently working on and followed the instructors who were leading the research projects so it showed that I was forward thinking. I also read every single article of the school newspaper dating back to 2016, that gave me a lot of insight into the student body and what was happening at campus and around the city. I found out what type of demographic the school worked with and which type of communities they worked with best and I was able to sell myself to an extent on what would make me an excellent candidate to work with that crowd. The idea of the interview isn't to sell yourself, the people aren't looking for that, they are looking to have a conversation with you and get to know who you are besides who you are on paper. As long as you can be genuine and be your best self then you will do just fine. I like to plan way ahead of anything I do and it has led to great success. Don't be complacent, do a mock zoom call was somebody in your family so you can make sure your camera height is perfect and your lighting is perfect. You don't want your background to be distracting, but you do want someone to be curious about something in the background but not everything. For example my background had butterflies, so I talked about being involved with taxidermy and how I would use adhesives and small tools to manipulate the butterfly anatomy which correlates perfectly with dentistry. This might be a lot, but I hope it helped. Also if you're going to ask your interviewers questions make sure the answers are not easily found on their website. Ask questions related to what interests you about the school meaning their research or specific areas where you want to focus yourself. For example one of the research projects at my school of interest was using VR to perform root canal surgeries, it's awesome because you can rewind if you screw up and try again. Playing the game makes you better at actual dentistry so you can go in and get the job done faster and more efficiently.
I’d accept Alex. He seems like the average student and person. 99% of ppl are average which is not a bad thing.
Great video - thanks:)
Healthcare is a human right. Not a privilege. It’s really that simple. #M4A
Wrong
How will the interview take place in the situation of it being an MMI ?
guessing one person does all 3 stations and another is in the room to make notes, I have dental hygiene therapy interview in 20 minutes!
@@bdulrhman5412 how'd it go!
The student Alex in the mockinterview sounded like he memorized the answers to the questions. Really surprised nobody mentioned it in the comments. He sounded scripted.
this came in clutch. I interview on August 13th!
good luck!
@@manvirsandhu508 Got in!!
@@cs7623 ayeeee! congrats bro! how was it? was it similar to this mock interview? I have one coming up too and kinda freaking out lol
@@manvirsandhu508 it was actually really laid back and super chill!
it was nice being in my own comfortable environment
Honestly man the best thing to do is stick to your application. Let that guide the conversation
@@cs7623 do you remember a question you were asked?
Should I be clean shaven for my interview? I have a light well kept beard and a mustache that curls upward
The Admissions Director of U Colorado (in All Access: "Medical School Admissions" Podcast), has stated that this type of facial hair should be shaved off for interviews. I think the saying is "Clean Shaven or Full Beard". You should not fall in the in-between.
I don't want to shave for my interviews either but it's safer than having something they'll talk about negatively instead of focusing on the great responses you provided during the interview
@@alphaspartan as long as your well dressed, it doesnt matter. do whatever makes u more confident on your interview day. if they reject you just cause u had facial hair, you dont wanna go to that school anyways lol
I would reject him. His answers were really generic, lacking in energy, and did not showcase how he is a better candidate than the average applicant. This is coming from someone who is still in the process and awaiting his first interview (though I have an invitation for one, so I am at least in the running), so take my criticism with a very large grain of salt.
I disagree, I think you're being too harsh. He did a great job. Premeds and certain adcoms are neurotic to the point of being super judgmental about things that have no bearing on one's ability to be a good doctor.
I didn't have a positive first impression either, but he started to grow on me as the interview continued. He seemed like a really nice guy who genuinely wants to help people. If he had the academics to supplement that, I think he'd be great.