Experts: interview is key for med school admission

While you may be hitting the books to prepare for medical school, a recent survey suggests… While you may be hitting the books to prepare for medical school, a recent survey suggests that brushing up on your people skills might be more important.

The survey, conducted by Kaplan Inc., questioned 130 pre-med adviers at the National Association of Advisors for Health Professions Conference. It found that 84 percent of the advisers rated the admissions interview as a “very important” part of the admissions process for medical schools.

Closely following in the ratings were college grades, with 83 percent of the vote, and MCAT scores, with 76 percent.

Kaplan Inc., a company that specializes in test preparation, offers books, online materials, tutoring and practice tests to help students prepare for standardized tests like the MCAT.

“To increase their chances of acceptance to medical school, aspiring med students need a firm understanding of admissions factors’ relative weights,” said Albert Chen, Senior Manager of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Graduate Programs. “Most people know that college grades and MCAT scores are key components of the medical school application. However, some applicants underestimate the impact interviews can have on their candidacy.”

UPMC and Pitt Physicians Faculty member Edward Curtiss mentioned two other important factors involved in the application process. Curtiss said the applicant’s participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation also play a key role in the admissions process.

Curtiss did not think the interview was more important than any other part of the application.

“I don’t know that we weigh the criteria differentially,” he said. “A balance has to be struck someplace.”

“Poor performance in one area has to be made up by spectacular performance in other areas,” he added.

Curtiss believes that students should be themselves in interviews and not simply try to impress their interviewers.

“In preparing for an interview, one should know specific things about the medical school so that one can answer the question, ‘Why did you apply here?'” Curtiss said. “Also, you should have some idea of what an ideal medical school for you would be. A major question in assessing an applicant is, ‘Why did you choose medicine as opposed to some other profession?'”

The MCAT is offered in both April and August. Curtiss suggests that students take it in April.

“If one takes the August MCAT and the school has rolling admissions, you may be facing a full class by the time you’re offered an interview,” Curtis said.

Pitt’s Medical School does not have rolling admissions, nor does it offer early decision. Applications are required to be completed by January of the prospective student’s entering year.

According to Curtiss, applicants to Pitt’s Medical School have a one in 10 chance of being accepted. The chances of acceptance improve considerably — to about 50 percent — after being selected for an interview.