McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine

Positively 🙂

4 out of 10

I had a very positive interview experience. The people at Mac really succeeded in keeping me comfortable and relaxed. Mac's interview process is very unique to the school and it can be intense and nerve-wracking if you don't know what to expect. So do your research! Find out ahead of time what will happen during the different segments of the interview. That's why I did and so I felt extremely comfortable during my time there. Most of the interviewers were quite nice and supportive. I didn't feel like they were out to grill me or stump me. They really wanted to pick my brain and find out who I really am. One of my interviewers came across as being very disinterested in what I had to say. She was scrawling notes on her notepad the whole time I was talking and she didn't really give me much eye contact. If that happens to you, don't be shaken by it. Just maintain eye contact with the other 2 interviewers in the rooom and remain confident. I know this is a cliche but I think this is the best word of advice anyone ever gave me: BE YOURSELF!!! Show them who you really are. Don't be afraid to talk about your weaknesses and struggles but put a positive spin on things and talk about the lessons you've learned from those life experiences.

You voiced your interest in international health...Would you feel guilty for going overseas to provide health care while many of your fellow Canadians are waiting months and months in long queues to be seen by a doctor?

I read & re-read my autobiographical submission over and over again. I also thought of potential questions they might ask me and brainstormed ways to answer those. The most important thing is to know yourself well. Know what you want and why you want it. You may not be able to answer every question perfectly but that's ok. The interviewers know you're not perfect and the whole point of the interview is not to show that you're perfect. Show the human side of yourself. Be ready to talk about your interests, passions, and the things that motivate you in your pursuit of medicine.

Which celebrity do you see as a role model? ...this was a hard one for me because I wasn't expecting it and frankly, I don't view any celebrities as a role model.

The whole interview process was very organized. The coordinators were very punctual. And the friendliness of the interviewers and student hosts was incredible. They really tried their best to make me feel comfortable. Realize that the interviewers are not actively searching only for your flaws and weaknesses. They really do want to get to know you, to see if your personality and learning style is a good fit for the Mac program.

nothing really

nothing

Student