First interview ever - help with preparation

[future_doc]

Originally Posted by Real Beef

I have never really heard of someone who is already in a Caribean school continue applying to domestic med schools. Definitely a unique situation ... Very interesting.

This is not an uncommon approach and is an excellent strategy. There is no prejudice to the applicant and indeed, the applicant is showing strong commitment to medicine and to practicing in Canada.

[futureGP]

Originally Posted by maadaputtar

that's a good point Davjw. But isn't UofT really big on research? And so wouldn't such a response give them the impression that even though I did research, I was doing it for reasons other than my interest in research?
I actually really enjoyed my research experience and would like to incorporate research into my future clinical career. But how do I go about convincing the committee that even though I really enjoyed it, it is not all I would like to do. I can see a potential question being that if you are so interested in research, how come you didn't continue with a PhD?

Any suggestions?

be honest with them. If you enjoyed your research experience and want to incorporate research into future clinical career tell them.

It's completely fine to tell them that although you enjoyed research, that is not the only thing you want to end up doing in the end. You can say that medicine is something that allows you to catch multiple birds with one stone (research + clinical work).

UofT is very friendly with research. IMS at UofT is basically grad school created towards training physician-scientists (they encourage master's students to get their MDs). Most specialists at UofT have backgrounds in both research + clinical work, so it doesn't hurt to tell them that you enjoy doing research and want to incorporate that into clinical medicine.

Most will understand any of the reasons why you didn't do a PhD (time constraints, disinterest in the project you were working on, financial constraints, wanting to start the MD degree asap)

[maadaputtar]

thanks guys. i did show my keen interest in research and made it clear that i would like to incorporate it in my clinical career. now most of my days are spent replaying the interview in my head and thinking how i bombed it. and attending the tour didn't help. after seeing all the facilities/resources, it's going to be more depressing to get an email of regret. it's going to be quite a stressful time until d-day.

[leviathan]

Originally Posted by maadaputtar

it's going to be quite a stressful time until d-day.

Is that next month? Good luck buddy!

[Percephone]

Originally Posted by maadaputtar

Hey guys,
So after applying for the fourth time, I finally have an interview at uoft on Apr. 21st. I have completed a masters and am currently a first year medical student at a Caribbean medical school. ...

How many people have heard of a situation like this? Is there any thread out there about this?


Many thanks.

PS - How did the interview go, maadaputtar?

[maadaputtar]

Originally Posted by Percephone

How many people have heard of a situation like this? Is there any thread out there about this?


Many thanks.

PS - How did the interview go, maadaputtar?

Hey,
I don't think there is a thread for this, but there were other students interviewing there that were in a similar situation (one student, in fact, had completed 2 years at a caribbean school). Also, first year students that were giving us a tour told me that they have a few studdnts in their class that are from caribbean schools. So it may not be as uncommon as people think.
As for my interview, it was really relaxed. It was my first "proper" interview and so I was a bit nervous. I wanted to discuss my motivation to practice in Canada, but the questions being asked were so specific that I could not work that in somewhere. The interviewers had the same look on their face throughout the interview so it was hard to gauge what they were thinking. After coming out, like many students, I started questioning EVERYTHING I said and why did I say it.
So, ya, if you are planning to start school somewhere outside of north america and apply to uoft, it is definitely an option.
You can PM me if you have more specific questions.