The day before your interview can sometimes feel more stressful than the interview itself – no matter how many news articles you’ve read or how many interview questions you’ve practised, you may still feel unprepared.
The reality is, you are probably already an interview expert by this point, and the most important thing to do the night before is to make sure you stay calm and are clear on tomorrow’s schedule.
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Here is a simple list of 7 things that will help you keep a clear and calm mindset as you complete the final hurdle:
This might seem like an obvious point, but every year some students miss their interview just because they had the timings wrong, so this is definitely something worth double-checking the day before.
Some medical schools (especially for MMI-style interviews) will ask that you arrive 15 minutes, or even 30 minutes before your specified time slot for a pre-interview briefing – if that is the case, make sure you take this into account as well.
Medical schools generally try to set an interview venue that is as easily accessible as possible. However, these rooms or buildings might still be hard to find, especially if you have never been to the campus before.
To find the exact location of your interview, instead of typing the address into a general search engine, check the university’s own website which usually has a campus map that will give you a much clearer idea of where you need to go.
See How to Avoid 4 Common Interview Mistakes>>
Whether you were planning to take the train, bus, or any other type of public transport, it is always worth having a back-up travel plan. For example, train routes can be diverted, or schedules can be delayed due to the weather.
Therefore, have a think of some alternative mode of transport the night before to prevent panic on the day of your interview if anything unexpected happens.
To avoid having to frantically look for your passport or any other important documents when you’re about to leave the house, pack your bag the day before. It may be a good idea to pack a small bottle of water and a book to read while you are waiting.
Also, medical schools often email applicants a non-disclosure form in advance to be printed, signed and brought to the interview. Check over your emails to find out whether this is the case for you and be prepared.
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This might seem like a silly thing to mention. However, considering it has been at least two months since you wrote your personal statement and there’s been all sorts of interview preparation in between, you might not have had the chance to read through it since its submission. Taking 2-3 minutes to skim through your personal statement the night before your med school interview will help remind you of the things you mentioned in it.
No matter what the specified dress code is, plan what you will be wearing for your medical school interview in advance to avoid last minute panic. The day before the interview, it’s advisable to take out the items of clothing, hang them nicely and make sure they are properly ironed and cleaned.
Need medical ethics help? See 5 Tips: Medical Ethics Interview Checklist>>
Turning up to your interview being well-rested after a good night’s sleep is arguably the most effective preparation you can do the night before. So, whatever you do, remember to sleep early.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Words: Michele Chan
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