UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

School of Veterinary Medicine


VETERINARY SCHOOL INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

Saturday, February 20, Gladys Valley Hall, Room 1030
10am-Noon Interview Workshop (open to all pre-veterinary students)
Noon-4pm Interviewee Orientation (open to applicants who received interview invitations)

Representatives from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Admissions Office and Health Sciences Advising Vet Student Advisors will discuss:

  • The interview process
  • Who interviews and what they look for
  • Typical interview questions
  • How to prepare for interviews
  • What to wear

A panel of current vet students will discuss their own personal interview experiences. Current and future applicants are all welcome to attend the workshop.

Applicants unable to attend this year’s event may view the workshop that was originally videotaped in February 2007. Excluding any dates mentioned, the commentary remains applicable.

This webcast will be available on our website http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/studentprograms/subpages/application_updates.html on Tuesday, February 16.

THE VET SCHOOL INTERVIEW

Health Sciences Advising (HSA) at UC Davis has prepared this information to assist veterinary school applicants in the interview process.

The interview is a very important step in the selection process. It allows the school to learn more about you. And it gives you a chance to elaborate on your application, as well as allowing you to learn more about the school. The latter is very important since your next four years may be spent there. It is important that the school you choose be appropriate to your needs and interests.

If a school offers an interview it means they are seriously considering you for a place in the class. By the time you get to this step, the majority of the applicants have been screened out, but there is still an excess number of people in contention for a limited number of seats: you could "make it or break it" on this last step. Prepare and know yourself.

If you are granted an interview, read about the school (they may ask why you applied here), think about your qualifications (self-evaluation, work experience), and think about some of the questions they may ask. Remember that the committee has already read your application but it may have been several weeks earlier so feel free to remind them about you. You should re-read your application and know it completely. Do not prepare set answers; questions can be phrased in many different ways. Be flexible in your answers and most of all, be yourself. If you feel a question is unfair, you have a right to say so; however, evaluate the situation and use careful judgment in your decision to respond.

BE PREPARED:

  • To be asked questions that pose an ethical dilemma.
  • To be interviewed by three or more interviewers.

APPEARANCE
First impressions are very important. Your personal appearance is the outward expression of your inner state of mind. To be less than well dressed and well groomed may convey an apathetic attitude. Wear clothes that are in good taste. Appearance also includes cleanliness, neatness, sense of composure, "at-ease" conversation, and other intangible things that convey confidence--the very traits you like to find in other people.

INTERVIEW MANNERS
Above all, be on time. Pronounce the interviewer's name correctly. Ask to have it repeated if you are not certain. Take your cues from the interviewer. Greet him/her in a friendly (but not "buddy") manner, with a firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake. Do not slouch, tap your feet, or nervously play with pencils or other objects. Maintain eye contact when speaking or being spoken to, but do not stare. If looking directly at the interviewer's eyes is uncomfortable, look at the area between the eyebrows or at the nose. Talk, but not too much, and do not tell unrelated anecdotes. If a question or comment is unclear, ask to have it repeated or clarified. If a question is particularly difficult, ask for some time (not too long!) to think over your response. Demonstrate that you have good listening skills. Listen to the question/comment and when responding, do not ramble. Be specific. If you cannot answer a question it is better to say, "I don't know" than to make something up. The interviewer will usually indicate when s/he wants to close the interview--do not attempt to extend it. S/he will probably ask if you have any questions. Intelligent questions about the school are in order but do not make up questions just for the sake of asking, and do not ask questions about the admissions process!

SOME DO'S AND DON'TS IN SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING

DO:

  • Review your Personal Statement and application before the interview.
  • Give direct answers.
  • Be natural.
  • Discuss yourself in a positive manner (turn negatives into positives).
  • Be prompt, neat and courteous.
  • Allow the interviewer to express her/himself.
  • Express yourself clearly.
  • Make yourself understood.
  • Show interest in the school.
  • Help guide the interview by being forthcoming. (The interviewer should not have to persist in his/her questioning to obtain information from you.)
  • Be prepared to address any discrepancies in your school record (e.g. low grades, low GRE scores, leaves of absence from school).
  • Be prepared to answer specific questions about any research projects in which you participated.

DON'T:

  • Take notes.
  • Criticize yourself.
  • Be late for your interview.
  • Freeze or become tense.
  • Oversell or undersell your case.
  • Make elaborate promises.
  • Be overbearing (superior complex, know-it-all attitude).
  • Be passive or lack enthusiasm.
  • Be cynical.
  • Be critical of the profession.
  • Give simple yes/no answers.
  • Try to bluff by answering a technical question if you are unsure of the answer.
  • Be afraid to say, "I don't know."

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
The following list consists of some general sample questions that may be asked in an interview. It is not necessary to prepare an answer for each question. However, you should formulate well organized and logical responses for selected questions that are somewhat related. Select those questions that can help you learn more about yourself and practice answering them with friends. If necessary, use a tape recorder and speak in front of a mirror. Preparation and rehearsal will enhance your relaxation and, thereby, your self-confidence.

  1. Why do you want to be a veterinarian?
  2. What are your specific goals in veterinary medicine?
  3. Why should I select you over other equally qualified applicants?
  4. Do you think your grades are a good indication of your academic ability?
  5. What are your plans if you do not get accepted?
  6. Why did you apply to this particular school?
  7. What do you intend to gain from a veterinary education?
  8. What do you see yourself doing eight years from now?
  9. What motivated you to pursue your career goals?
  10. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
  11. How would you describe yourself?
  12. What aspects of your life's experiences do you think make you a good candidate for vet school?
  13. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to veterinary medicine?
  14. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
  15. What college subjects did you like best/least? Why?
  16. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
  17. What do you do in your spare time?
  18. Would you practice in the rural areas? Why?/why not?
  19. What do you think are the most pressing issues in veterinary medicine today?
  20. How do you feel about the use of animals in research?