Interviewing at Mercer School of Medicine is an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. As an applicant, you want to make a great impression and show the admissions committee why you would be an excellent addition to Mercer’s medical school. While you can’t predict exactly what questions you’ll be asked, being prepared can help ease those pre-interview jitters. In this article, we’ll walk through what to expect during your Mercer medical school interview and provide tips to help you ace it.
Overview of the Mercer Medical School Interview Format
Mercer interviews are conducted virtually via Zoom and last 30-45 minutes. You will be interviewed by two faculty interviewers simultaneously in a Zoom breakout room. One interviewer is typically an Admissions Committee member, while the other may be a basic science or clinical faculty member. The interview is closed file, meaning the interviewers have full access to your application materials.
After the interview, you’ll spend an hour interacting with 2nd year Mercer medical students called “Ambassadors.” The Ambassadors do not have access to your application so this is a chance to make an impression apart from your credentials. Their feedback is considered during the evaluation process.
Sample Mercer Medical School Interview Questions
While every interview varies, here are some common Mercer medical school interview questions that applicants have reported:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to become a doctor?
- What makes you a strong applicant to Mercer?
- How did you prepare for the MCAT?
- What do you know about Mercer’s problem-based learning curriculum?
- Where do you see yourself practicing medicine after graduation?
- What interests you about rural medicine and serving underserved populations?
- What extracurricular activities did you participate in during college?
- What is the last book you read for pleasure?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time you failed at something. How did you respond?
- Describe a meaningful clinical experience or patient interaction you had.
- What qualities make a good physician?
As you can see, Mercer interview questions aim to assess your fit for the program, interest in rural/underserved care, communication skills, and more.
7 Tips to Prepare for Your Mercer Medical School Interview
Here are some top tips to ensure you ace your Mercer interview:
1 Practice answering common questions out loud Get comfortable speaking on your feet and organizing your thoughts, Time yourself to stay concise,
2. Research Mercer’s mission and curriculum. Understand the school’s focus on rural medicine and PBL style. Relate your experiences and interests.
3. Review your application materials. Refresh yourself on your essays, experiences, and key themes. Interviewers may refer to specifics.
4. Prepare stories and examples. Have a mental catalog of anecdotes you can draw from to illustrate strengths, overcoming challenges, interactions with patients, etc.
5. Anticipate curveball questions. While many questions will be straightforward, some may challenge you. Think through your values and how you’d respond.
6. Dress professionally. Business formal attire is expected for virtual interviews too. Look polished and well-groomed.
7. Rest up and do a test run. Get plenty of rest before your interview. Log into Zoom ahead of time to avoid any technical glitches.
Being invited to interview at Mercer is an exciting milestone. Preparation and practice are the keys to presenting your best self. With these tips, you’ll be ready to ace your Mercer medical school interview!
Frequency of Entities
Mercer – 25
School – 8
Medicine – 10
Interview – 23
Questions – 10
Medical – 14
Admissions – 5
Committee – 4
Rural – 5
Problem-based – 2
Learning – 3
Underserved – 2
Tell Me About Yourself: How to Answer this Medical School Interview Question
FAQ
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