MedEntry UMAT Prep

COMMENTS FROM THE INTERVIEW TRAINING SESSIONS

Following are examples of written comments made by students at the Interview Training Sessions. You are welcome to view originals of these comments at our business premises, with a prior appointment.

WHAT IS YOUR OVERALL VIEW OF THE TRAINING?

• “It gave me an insight into the intricacies of personality testing”.
• “The Course Lecturer was warm, friendly, helpful and provided individual feedback”.
• “I obtained many ideas on how to answer ‘the’ question”.
• “I took away numerous ideas and even if I remember to talk about only a third of those in the interview, I should do very well”.
• “The teacher went through not only the likely questions, but more importantly the rationale behind those questions and what the interviewers like to hear”.
• “I had all my ‘silly’ and ‘curly’ questions answered in the session”.
• “The strategies gained will be useful not only for this year’s interviews but for numerous interviews I will be facing in my career”.
• “I can now go into the interview confident that I have a significant edge over those who have not prepared for it”.
• “A very interactive and engaging session with interesting activities that made it lively”.
• “The day went quickly because it was enjoyable learning experience”.
• “A very relaxed atmosphere with a small group of students so we all got individual feedback”.
• “A great networking opportunity with like-minded students”.
• “We were free to express our opinions and it was great to hear a range of responses from others”.
• “Plenty of food for thought for me tonight!”
• “Today’s session pointed out areas I need to work on”.
• “Reading the interview guide on the LMS and notes taken at the UMAT workshop on the second day were very useful because the lecturer assumed some basic prior knowledge of the principles behind behavioural interviews”.
• “We discussed many more questions than could possibly be asked, so I am well prepared for anything thrown at me!”
• “The Lecturer did not tell us what we should say but told us what would be viewed as an appropriate answer”.
• “The various types of interviews (Panel, MMI etc) and the rationale behind them made me see the relevance of interviews for selection”.
• “The lecturer gave examples of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ answers to various questions, so we could figure out for ourselves what is best to say”.
• “The emphasis in the session was on the exploration of ideas that can be used in answering interviewer’s questions”.
• “A wide range of aspects were covered: from the nitty gritty stuff to fundamental principles”.
• “The differences between the various university interview questions in Australia/New Zealand was interesting to hear”.
• “Until today I thought all universities asked the same questions in the interviews!”
• “I am an anxious person and I took away some practical ideas on how to deal with my nerves”.
• “I am far less nervous now due to greater confidence”.
• “The techniques I learnt will be useful for job interviews too”.
• “The teacher gave many useful ideas on how to come across in the interview in a natural and spontaneous manner”.
• “I liked the fact that the emphasis was on principles behind the strategies discussed”.
• “The psychology of winning over interviewers was great”.
• “Hearing views and opinions of others was the best part”.
• “After being put on the spot during the day so many times, dealing with only 3 interviewers on the interview day should be a breeze”.
• “Having an understanding of the format of the interview was very useful”.
• “The emphasis was on becoming more professional in my approach rather than on gimmicks”.
• “I was able to learn how to seamlessly link my past experiences into my answers”.
• “The importance of professionalism was dealt with in depth”.
• “Learnt some great anecdotes and tips”.
• “The strategies to approach decision making and ethical scenario questions that I learnt will be useful for my long term future”.
• “It was open, interactive, relaxed and fun!”
• “It gives a better idea of what to expect in the interview and therefore more confidence”.
• “I now feel more confident in my ability to appeal to the interviewers”.
• “The sample questions forced me to consider what I would actually say in the interview”.
• “We covered a wide range of topics”.
• “I now know why I bombed out in the interview last year!”
• “Thorough, yet structured and organised with advice for each question, what it targets and how to answer it”.
• “It provided me with knowledge and necessary information overlooked by most people”.
• “I gained several ideas from the group discussions”.
• “It gives extremely valuable insight into the interview process”.
• “Ed is an excellent mentor!”
• “Being put on the spot today was discomforting but better now than in the actual interview”.
• “Thank you. I greatly appreciate the commitment of MedEntry to assist me in pursuing my medical career”.
• “The small group dynamic worked very well and I also got personal help”.
• “I feel lot more prepared than if I had not completed the training. It has improved my confidence”.
• “Very enlightening and helpful”.
• “Answered a lot of questions I had about the interview”.
• “It was very helpful and well worth the time and the fees”.
• “Listening to lecturer’s answers to others questions enhanced my understanding of the interview process”.
• “It gave me exactly what I needed in terms of information and also that extra confidence boost”.
• “I learnt the most when I made mistakes in answering the questions asked or failed to say something I should have. The feedback provided by the lecturer was insightful”.
• “I learnt more than I thought I would about what to do and what not to do”.
• “Skills and information will be beneficial and useful in all interviews to come in life”.
• “Knowing what to expect gives me confidence”.
• “Hearing responses to questions, feedback and ideal responses was the best part”.
• “Without this, I would have been completely unprepared”.
• “I had an interview last year without preparation and it is not an experience I want to remember”.
• “I liked the opportunity to answer real questions and by doing the session I felt that I was getting ahead”.
• “Until today, I thought the interviews are like job interviews”.
• “I didn’t realise the questions asked at each university is different”.
• “It was useful to hear about the different format and structure of the various university interviews”.
• “I have realised I have plenty of thinking and reflecting to do before the interview day”.
• “I got lots of good ideas from the discussions”.
• “It gave me a valuable idea of the interview from an interviewer’s perspective”.
• “My advice to interviewees: Don’t miss it: you will benefit more than you think”.
• “Many thanks to the MedEntry team in their professional approach in organising and conducting this seminar”.
• “Alicia (of the MedEntry Team) was very helpful in accommodating my request regarding attendance at this session”.
• “I thought interview is just a chat with the interviewers. I didn’t realise there is sooo much more to it!”

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WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE SESSION TODAY?

• “Contributions from a range of people – broad perspective”
• “The questions that were given and the ability to try out some of my own answers. Then I could judge my current level”
• “The group environment meant that we all contributed different ideas and were able to learn from each other”
• “Specific questions we may get and knowing what the interviewers will want to hear”
• “Covered various parts of interview in detail”
• “The rationale behind questions”
• “Knowing the questions and what to expect. Knowing how to answer the questions”
• “Sharing of ideas, a chance to express and contribute own perspective on each subject”
• “Really detailed and specific to university, small group meant more one on one interaction”
• “It had personal interaction and you were able to ask questions freely. Also the way each theme of the interview was tackled was good”
• “It was very in-depth and made me feel confident for the upcoming interview as I feel very prepared and ready for it. Having the past Monash med student here as well was really good”
• “The fact that each important question was addressed in detail, with various responses considered was pleasing. Session boosted confidence in the time leading up to the interviews”
• “The amount of content covered without reducing the quality. Good insight into the questions for each university”
• “Lecturer is experienced and knows what he is doing/saying”
• “The intricate detail of questions and ideal responses”
• “Different answers given by each individual, each was unique and opened my eyes to the possibilities of answers”
• “I liked the group environment as it enabled me to hear many different answers and hence think more about how to improve my own responses”
• “The complete expose on the various  interviews. I feel much more prepared after today than I did this morning when I didn’t know the extent of the questions they’d ask”
• “The knowledge of the questions asked and structure of the interview as well as the ability to have individual answers analysed”
• “The advice and tips given to tackle the questions, unique answers to say that will differentiate us from others”
• “The ability to bounce around possible answers to different questions that can be asked. It is helpful to me that I can further develop my ideas and thoughts”
• “Friendly atmosphere”
• “Reassuring to interact with others in similar situation”
• “Lots of information! Good teacher! How to tackle scenarios. Overall pleasurable”
• “I like the fact that we went through specific questions and had a chance to give our answers to them”
• “Answer questions not available on interview guide”
• “I found it very enjoyable and useful. I learnt many things that I would not have known about the interview”
• “Small group, interactive, challenging”
• “Interactive small group helps to think personally and specifically with lots of ideas but not being embarrassed to contribute”
• “I enjoyed being put on the spot with questions; really helped me overcome any nervousness and uncertainty I felt about being unable to verbalize my thoughts”
• “Made everything clear, was easy to understand, very enjoyable”
• “It was very interactive and brought each of us out of our comfort zone as we were forced to answer questions”
• “Practical, Ed is excellent presenter and gives specific feedback”
• “It was very detailed; Ed was very nice and explained everything very clearly”
• “Going through questions systematically and being taught appropriate possible answers. Learning what not to say and how to make answers more engaging and passionate was a really key factor”
• “My mistakes were shown more proficiently and now I can work on them”
• Openness; Humour; I felt very comfy in it”

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WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE INTERVIEW TRAINING SESSION TO YOUR FRIENDS? IF SO, WHY?

• “You would have no idea what to expect if the training session hadn’t been taken”
• “Broadened my ideas, more confident to go into interview”
• “Gets you motivated to prepare and gives a very good insight into the interview process”
• “Definitely worth the time and expense”
• “I came to the session because a current medical student recommended and I will recommend the course to others whether I get in or not”
• “Builds confidence, great preparation”
• “The key to interviews seems to be preparation for the style of questions and type of thinking needed and this course provides that”
• “Increases confidence in knowing what to say. Overall, good learning experience”
• “It is helpful and good practice for interview”
• “It gives a good overview and in-depth explanation and exploration of the structure of interviews, possible questions, answers and advice”
• “Gives good indication of what interview is like”
• “You shouldn’t miss it”
• “Facts are useful and areas where help is needed are fully covered”
• “Provides you with confidence leading into the interview”
• “It provided many life skills and info that will be relevant to one in the future”
• “I thought it was helpful and gave a thorough insight into what to anticipate at the interview”
• “It provides a deep insight into our particular university interview offer”
• “It is helpful to get thinking about some of the more abstract ideas that help in this and other interviews”
• “You will go away with lot more ideas than you think”
• “It has definitely been helpful in preparing myself and getting into the frame of mind needed”
• “It definitely clears up any misconceptions I had and guides me in the right direction, allowing me to get an idea of what I have to do to achieve my goal”
• “It provides us with experience of sample questions allowing us to think prior to the interview rather than during the interview”
• “Even though I had to think of my own unique responses, the interview training session gave me a sense of direction on the type of answers the interviewers like”
• “It helps develop an understanding of what the interview entails. Also speaking/answering interview questions in front of a group of people who you haven’t met before is good preparation for an interview situation where only a few individuals (strangers) will be present”
• “It enabled me to reflect on the reasons to pursue medicine as a career, my aspirations and goals”
• “Even if you are well versed in interviews, gives you confidence, tells you what you should aim to portray”
• “I think that it’s essential to gain a general understanding of the types of questions asked and to give them some thought before being put on the spot in an interview situation”
• “It was a great self-reflection exercise”
• “Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us and giving your much appreciated advice. It will definitely help me prepare for my interviews and I’m very grateful for that”
• “I think the friendly and personal way it was presented was good”
• “I think overall this was a very valuable experience”
• “It is more extensive than the MedEntry interview guide”

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