Medicine Interview Questions: Interest

It is highly likely that at interview you will be asked Medicine interview questions that probe the depth and breadth of your interest. As Medicine is not an A-level subject, you need to do lots of things outside of your normal lessons to show your devotion to the course. This can seem daunting at first, but fear not, aspiring medics! We’ve got five top tips to help you do this!

1. Become an active member in your school’s medical or science society.

If you don’t have one, set one up! This looks impressive! You can organise some illustrious speakers to talk about their medical research. As well as demonstrating your great organisational skills, you could potentially hear from some excellent scientists working at the cutting edge of medical research. Plus, as you’ll have students and teachers together with the same interest in medical sciences, why not brainstorm possible Medicine interview questions?

2. Keep up to date with medical news

This doesn’t have to take up too much of your time. If you regularly browse the BBC News Health website, New Scientist and the Student BMJ, you are sure to stumble across some interesting articles. Take one that really interests you and try and read the original research paper if you can. Then, if you are asked Medicine interview questions about a specific article you have read, you can talk about it in a bit more depth. Think about how that research, however interesting as a scientific breakthrough, will lead to better patient care.

3. Undertake a research project on a topic that interests you

There are lots of different ways you can do this. Why not write blogs for your school website? Or you could undertake an EPQ. You could also give presentations to other students in your school on certain health topics in your science or medical society. Another great way to do this is to help out with an audit at a GP practice.

When posed Medicine interview questions on your project, you could highlight how you might want to further explore this interest at medical school. This could be done by choosing relevant student selected study modules, or by doing an intercalated BSc. However, remember to make sure you highlight your interest in all medical topics. Don’t make it seem like you’re spurred on by just one. Emphasise that you enjoyed the process of looking into a topic in depth, and would relish the opportunity to do similar projects at medical school.

4. Read any of the popular science books with a medical theme

You may be asked Medicine interview questions on what you’ve read outside of medical journals and news. Definitely have a read of Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science. Other perennial favourites include anything by Oliver Sacks.

5. Look into the various career options available that capture your interest, and try to speak to those doctors

You might meet Medicine interview questions which explore your career aspirations. Were you lucky enough to undertake a work experience placement in a specialty that particularly excites you? Paediatrics? Psychiatry? A surgery? It would definitely be helpful to you to talk to any doctors in that speciality, and to get an idea about what the training is like. However, in your interview it is important not to come across as if you have your heart set one one speciality. Many doctors change their minds many times throughout training! Make sure you are open-minded!

So, stay tuned for many more blogs on Medicine interview questions, and how to prepare!

Uploaded by Beth on 30th November, 2015