Interviews – Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center

The interview allows the applicant to assess their compatibility with the school and to ask any questions they may have. It also provides an opportunity to discuss any item or concern they may have not been able to address in their application.

Types Before Interview Day After Tips

Types

1-on-1: 1 applicant, 1 interviewer
- Open-file: Interviewer has full/partial access to your application information.
- Closed-file: Interviewer has no prior information about you.
Group: Multiple applicants, 1 or more interviewer
Panel: 1 applicant, multiple interviewers
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) – Multiple applicants, Multiple interviewers
- Sample MMI Questions

Before

All costs incurred for the interview are at the applicant's expense, so plan and budget accordingly!
Know why you chose this career: Have a specific experience or set of experiences to talk about that made you want to pursue the chosen path.
Research the school/program.
- Know the school’s mission and vision.
- Be able to answer how you fit the school and how it fits you.
Be ready to ask the interviewer a few questions at the end.
- Cater the questions to the interviewer:
  - Faculty (ex. How are research opportunities incorporated into the curriculum?)
  - Current Student (ex. Why did you choose to apply to this institution?)
Think about what you are going to say.
- Be ready to answer any questions the admissions committee may have about your application (e.g. low GPA or entrance exam score).
- Be ready for scenario-based questions, as it is a way for interviewers to learn more about you, your ethics, decision-making style, critical thinking skills, and motivation level.
Plan ahead for transportation, room, and board, parking, etc.
Visit the campus and find the interview location.
Complete mock interviews. The following offices provide these by appointment:
- Mānoa Career Center: ONLY for UHM students and recent alumni.
- Pre-Health Career Corps: ONLY for pre-health applicants.
- PAC: Preferably two weeks before the first actual interview.
Plan an appropriate outfit.
- Dress comfortably and conservatively. If wearing a suit, do not take off the jacket during the interview.
- Keep nails and makeup professional.
- Maintain proper personal hygiene.
- Do not wear strong perfume/cologne as the smell may be distracting.
- Dress as formally as the other interviewees.
- Remember: You want to be remembered for what you said, not what you wore.

Interview Day

After

Tips

During group interviews, avoid providing the same answer as other interviewees.
- Even if your response was taken, come up with a unique answer or add something extra.
Each interaction counts! Ensure that your phone message prompt (should they call and leave you a message), email address, and phone & email etiquette are professional.
Keep your social media profiles professional (in case interviewers decide to “google” you).
Do not bring your phone or large bulky bags or purses to the interview, if anything just bring a padfolio.
Field- and School-Specific Interview Information and Sample Questions

Contact the Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center if you have any questions or concerns that come up along the way!