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Christopher Wong ('00), now a first-year medical student at Albany Medical College used internet-based resources to prepare for interviews. Bulletin boards like InterviewFeedback.com give you a chance to see the kinds of questions you can expect to get, and how others frame their answers. "It helped me to consider my own ideas and responses to hear others discuss their experiences in postings." He also recommends that you be prepared to discuss your weakness and strengths; "they are sure to ask."

Carmen Partida ('98), a third year at UCSF, used the web to get organized before each trip, and to focus on the specific way in which a med school presented itself and its program. She reviewed the school's website well ahead of the interview, and "Often printed out part of the web-pages to read on the plane. I also recommend getting maps and contact information together for each trip. This is also about being prepared to deal with any situation that can arise." She also suggests that you take copies of any correspondence exchanged with a given school, including application materials.

Allison LaBarbara, a second-year medical student at UCSF who had 10 interviews, always took along a portfolio. "The interviewers seemed happy to see something tangible. [I think] it helped them understand my story and make their difficult decision." Items might include a photo of the children you mentored or tutored, a shot of a slide from your lab work, or the abstract of a paper published by the sociology professor you worked with, even if your name was not on the article.

Carmen had these additional pieces of advice to offer:

• "No matter what you are doing while your are applying [finishing your senior year, working in a lab, teaching science, volunteering at a clinic, etc.) be able to reflect on that experience and connect it to your readiness to be trained as a physician."
• "Don't get psyched out; sometimes if an interview gets intense they are really just looking to see if you can keep your composure."
• "Be able to say what you would do should you NEVER be able to become a physician" "I like this…so I will do…if I don't become a doctor."
• "Ask questions your interviewer is likely to know something about like the clinical experiences or opportunities for research as a student."

Isabel Ferrales, former Pre-Health Career Counselor at the Career Center, use to help train interviewers at a medical school. Her advice,

Use your friends, family, fellow student club members. One of the panelists came up with a ten-minute presentation about herself and delivered it in front of a mirror. It may sound silly, but then again she got in. Current Cal students can set up a mock interview with a counselor by calling 642-5207 or can practice at a videotaped interview practice workshop offered periodically throughout the year.