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Interview advice to next years applicants
Hey all!
I was in the process of writing a reply to a PM for somebody who wanted advice on the interview process, and I thought it might be a good idea to create a topic.
My views are obviously quite biased, narrow and somewhat lacking in comprehensiveness (not least because I don't have hours to write decent PM's) and so this way you people can kick me into line/ add your own thoughts.
Here's the PM I wrote, feel free to add your own thoughts:
(I got a bit carried away - there's a summary at the end)
I'm not really an expert on the Oxbridge admissions process - I was convinced I wasn't going to get in myself - but I'll give it a shot.
Firstly, I'm not going to give you a list of the questions I was asked. There's no point.
If you're asking for that, then you're missing the point of the Oxford interview. It's not like some GCSE exam where you're expected to memorise answers. What they're trying to learn about is YOU. They will be looking at how you think, whether you're afraid to say you don't know, whether they would want to teach you etc. etc. etc.
Having said that, you are expected to have some scientific knowledge. You will need to know your AS and A-level Biology and Chemistry inside out as well as being able to apply maths techniques (like sim. eq.) in different contexts. This you should be doing anyway though, since you should be aiming for top grades.
You don't have to spend 24 hrs a day reading extension books, even in the run up to your interview. I didn't do any preparation outside of the prep I'd do for an interview at any uni. All I did is just kept on trying hard and involving myself in medical-related things (volunteer work, reading the medical news, further reading etc. etc.). IMO, you can't 'prepare' for the Oxford interviews (at least no like you would a test).
However, this was only because I do a lot of extra reading anyway! If you're applying to medicine, then medicine should be a big part of your life. You should be doing extra reading (medical and scientific) even if your interviews are a year away. If you're not interested in this stuff now (and also your volunteering etc. etc. AND maintaining a vaguely normal life) then you should be seriously considering to your motivation for medicine; especially for a course as scientifically based as Oxford's.
I had five interviews and a (surprise) written test all-in-all, so I do have a little experience of the interview process. :P One of the big things to remember is that there will be no set process. You MAY have one general interview and one science one, or you may have three science ones. Each college does things differently, so be flexible.
At one college, I didn't have an interview devoted to my motivation for medicine, I only had sciences ones with some 'general' questions thrown in. If, however, you do get some of these questions don't throw them away! It's true, a lot of your chance of getting in will depend on your scientific ability and logical thinking skills, but you are applying to medicine and you will get precious few chances to prove that medicine is right for you!
The depth of science will vary with your interviewer. Some interviewers like to test how you can apply your existing knowledge in a new context (I had to talk about temperature regulation in a sauna, at one point) and other interviewers will be obsessed with being able to work out answers from first principles. Like I say, be flexible and most importantly, THINK ABOUT THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU ANSWER IT. Do not be afraid to think in your interview.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give (it worked for me, apparently) is to treat the interviewer a bit like a teacher who you have a good relationship with. By this I mean, don't be afraid to say 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'. In one more complex topic (animal testing) I said 'That's a good point - I'm obviously not as well informed as I should be. I'll have to look into it more.' Essentially, be HUMAN. Your interviewers aren't looking for an answer producing machine, just in the same way as your patients won't be.
Also, when you're answering a question, talk them through your thought process and make it as easy as possible for them to continue the interview process. Help to guide you. If they ask you a maths question, don't just blurt out a number. And, if need be, don't be afraid to defend your point of view (as long as you're not on the verge of ignorance/ arrogance).
On another note, don't let yourself obsess over the interviews. Obviously be reflective and learn from them, but don't spend your whole time at Oxford studying. Get out of your room, relax and have fun! When I was there, another med app., some other people and myself were up until 23:00 playing spoons. Regardless of whether you get in or not, you'll want to say it was a worthwhile experience. Believe it or not, the interviews can be quite an enjoyable if you just relax (as much as is possible).
That's all the advice I can think of for now, I think I've written enough. Here's some take-home points:
- Be yourself!
- Be human
- Think logically
- Be creative, and confident
- Relax
- Reflect, but don't obsess
- HAVE FUN!
P.S. Everybody thinks their interviews have gone badly.
Disclaimer: my advice is only my own opinion (and a bit sucky).
Last edited by Tyraell; 22-12-2007 at 01:34 AM.
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