Professional school interviews

Owned by Amanda Vos
Last updated: Nov 08, 2024 by Linda Liu
11 min read

Will my interview be in person or online? When will it happen? 

The logistics of your interview are program-dependent. For example, professional school interviews can be:

  • in-person

  • online (asynchronous/synchronous with recorded/live responses)

  • held at any time on a single day or multiple days (weekdays/weekends)

  • held between mid-January to early May

  • 30 to 120 minutes in length

Some programs publish interview information on the program website, while others only share this information with candidates they invite for an interview.

You might be able to choose your preferred format, day, and time or this may be automatically selected. If you identify a scheduling conflict, reach out to the program directly to learn more about what options you have.

Interview accommodations: If you have an accommodations request, please contact the program directly and/or review the program website or the interview invitation for further information

 

How do I prepare for a professional school interview?

There’s no right way for everyone to prepare. You need to do what is right for you.

Consider the following:

  • Reflecting on questions you’re confident answering and which ones you feel less confident responding to – focus your energy on questions you are less confident responding to.

  • Research the school(s) you are interviewing with to understand the number of stations, time between each station, time in each station, past station types and other interview conventions (if relevant).

  • Learn about your prospective field, including scope of practice, key priorities, and issues through podcasts, documentaries, articles and books.

  • Prepare stories, reflections and anecdotes related to the program competencies.

  • Familiarize yourself with question types and possible answer structures.

  • Practice according to known interview logistics. Consider practicing on your own, with a friend, family member, co-worker or a member of the Centre for Career Development team until you feel comfortable and confident.

  • Start your own practice group or join one organized through a WUSA club.

  • Attend the Professional School Interview preparation workshops and MMI simulations through Centre for Career Development.

Mnemonic models for answering questions

There are many ways of organizing your response to different types of interview questions. Some individuals find mnemonic models helpful in structuring their responses. No model is better than another, and you will not be evaluated based on the model you choose or how well you adhere to it.

For behaviour-based questions

Expand the following content for more information.

The “STAR Approach” (Development Dimensions International, n.d.) is a useful technique for answering behaviour-based questions:

  • Situation: Provide background and context

  • Task: Describe what you needed to do

  • Action: Explain what actions you took and how you did it

  • Result: Describe the outcomes of your actions

  1. Learn more tips about using the “STAR approach”.

For delivering bad news

Expand the following content for more information.

The SPIKES model is used for delivering bad news and was developed by Robert Buckman, MD, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Toronto and modified from the original version.

  • Setting  - where you as healthcare professional sit in relation to patient/family members; create best physical circumstances.

  • Perception  - why here today: as you know we have done some tests; ask before tell to get patient’s understanding of medical situation.

  • Invitation  - how much does the patient want to know? e.g. “how would you like me to provide information about your test results?” Some prefer the big picture and some prefer every small detail; let patient ask questions.

  • Knowledge - (physician tells “bad” news: don’t tell them they have cancer immediately — use “tumour” first; did I answer your questions?

  • Empathy  - listen for and identify emotions of patient and identify cause, validate patient’s feelings and expressions, offer resources and other support.

  • Summary - summarize discussion.

(Sandrick, K.1998)

For ethical and critical thinking questions

Expand the following content for more information.

PESTLE model

  • Political: government interventions, tax considerations and policy initiatives.

  • Economic: cost in time and money.

  • Social: cultural considerations, health consciousness, population growth and social determinants.

  • Technological: R&D activities, automation and innovation.

  • Legal: legal implications.

  • Environmental/Ethical: weather, climate change, tourism and/or ethical considerations.

(Wood, n.d.)

CARVE model, developed by Eric H. Gampel

  • Consequences: what are the potential consequences of the solution?

  • Autonomy: how fully does the solution preserve the right to choose?

  • Rights: how does the solution affect the rights of the stakeholders?

  • Values: how well does the solution uphold personal or organizational values?

  • Equality: how well does the solution promote equality? Is the solution just?

(McClean, 2019)

ABCDE model

  • Autonomy: how fully does the solution preserve the right to choose?

  • Beneficence: does the solution provide the greatest benefit to the affected parties?

  • Confidentiality: how well are principles of confidentiality preserved by the solution?

  • Do no harm: how well is the principle of do no harm upheld by the solution?

  • Equality, Equity or Justice (justice): how well does the solution promote equality/equity? Is the solution just?

(Levine, 1994)

 

Multiple Mini Interview or MMI, is used to support admissions to programs and is often used by those in health programs (e.g., Medicine, Pharmacy etc.). MMI consists of a series of structured interview stations, with each station featuring:

  • a set time to reflect on a prompt and prepare your response

  • a set time to respond to the prompt one or more individuals rating your response

MMIs are designed to allow you to show your characteristics and demonstrate your competencies to the interviewers.

What do I do during the reflection and preparation time?

  1. Take a deep breath

  2. Read or listen to the question carefully

  3. Identify the type of question so you have a better idea of what to expect next

  4. Organize your answer, using a model where applicable

  5. Take notes if your school allows this

What kinds of questions will I be asked?

In MMIs, you can anticipate reflecting on and responding to different types of questions:

Expand the following content for more information.

  1. Explore: All programs and standardized admissions tests

Development Dimensions International Inc. (n.d.). STAR method. https://www.ddiworld.com/solutions/behavioral-interviewing/star-method

Levine, D. (1994). Physician-patient communication in the urban clinical setting. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 71(2), 188-193. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359272/pdf/bullnyacadmed01039-0058.pdf

McClean, D.E. (2019, October 5). How to make an ethical decision in your business, organization, or public office (Part 1 of 3). LinkedIn Pulse. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-make-ethical-decision-your-business-organization-1-david-e-/

Sandrick, K. (1998). Codified principles enhance physician/patient communication. Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, 83(11), 13-17.

Wood, A. (n.d.). What is a PESTLE analysis? A complete PESTLE analysis guide. OnStrategy. https://onstrategyhq.com/resources/pestle-analysis/