Interview Tips: Knowledge of Medical Schools

Research The Medical School

There are several Medical Schools in the UK, so what compelled you to apply to the specific ones you did?

Medical Schools will want to know why you chose their institute to apply to, so it is important to have an answer! Try to steer clear from generic responses that involve repeating the Medical School’s ranking or that your friends are applying there too.

Instead, take the time to research the Medical School – what makes it different from other Medical Schools? Are there any unique research or placement opportunities that excite you? Think about why this particular Medical School is a good fit for you.

Speak To A Medical Student At That University

What better way to gain insight than by talking to a Medical student at the university you are applying to? They can provide information about:

• The course itself
• Workload expectation and pressure
• Clinical placements experiences
• General advice about adapting to Medical School/university life

Perhaps you know someone who is the Medical School you secured at an interview at and can reach out to them. If not, don’t worry! Check out the UCAS website – it has the option to chat with students.

Not only will this give you thorough insight, but will also demonstrate to interviewers that you have taken initiative to learn more about the Medical School and therefore possess a genuine interest in studying there.

Think About What You Can Offer The Medical School

Whilst it’s crucial to consider why the Medical School is a good fit for you, thinking about what you can bring to the Medical School is equally important.

Interviewers want to know why they should select you above all the other applicants.

Here are some things to think about when considering why you are a good fit for a particular Medical School:

• Strong qualities you possess both in an academic and non-academic setting
• Ways you could become an active contributor to the Medical School/university in general.

Remember, it is a fine balance between being confident in yourself and being cocky – use realistic and personalised examples rather than making grand claims about what you will accomplish whilst you are at Medical School.

Do Not Underestimate Extracurricular Activities

This may seem like a strange one, but it’s very possible that interviewers will be curious to know what extra-curricular activities you plan to take on whilst at Medical School.

The purpose of this question is to know whether you are someone who can juggle the pressure of Medical School and make time for non-academic commitments. Candidates who can do this demonstrate good time-management, which is a key skill for Doctors to have.

If there are my new sports or societies you are interested in trying, mention them! It is always a plus to show interviewers that you are open-minded and willing to try unfamiliar things.

Practice Tricky Questions

One of the best ways to prepare for your interview is to practice some tricky questions. We’ve got a series of knowledge of Med School questions and guides on how to answer them that you can review for free.

If you think you’re ready, try our quiz to check if you know enough about your chosen Med Schools.