6 reasons why medical schools will think you are not Amiable.
One of the attributes that medical schools are looking for in future candidates is whether you are Amiable. That is your manner in which you conduct yourself comes across and friendly and pleasant. The days of doctors coming across as aggressive, arrogant and not giving patients a say in their treatment choices are now in the past.
DON’T Fidget. Don’t tap your fingers on the table or move your feet erratically
Whilst an element of anxiety is normal during interviews, excessive abnormal voluntary movements will make the examiner feel you are not interested and also annoy them. As a result, they may mark you down however good your performance.
If, however, your behaviour is due to a disease, your teacher should have indicated this on the UCAS reference. You can also say to the examiner if this is the case at the start of your answer – ‘I suffer from [name of disease] which causes [symptoms] that I cannot control, so please bear with me’.
DON’T Wear offensive or overpowering perfume or smell of food
Your interviewer has to be able to breathe normally during the interview and also may not share your choice of cuisine. If you come across as unpleasant the examiner will instinctively mark you down in your performance. There may be specific marks for being amiable and you could lose out here but also at each MMI station if there is a different examiner, each one will be subject to your offensive odour. Never give any examiner an excuse to try and mark you down.
DON’T Have elaborate hairstyles or appear to have not looked after your personal hygiene.
There may not be a formal requirement or dress code for the interview, but if you have appeared to have neglected your personal hygiene or gone the other way with extremes of hair styles, the interviewer will instinctively mark you down, irrespective of any marking criterion. Doctors, especially the more senior ones, may have a specific view of what a medical student should dress like and may not easily accept a more modern contemporary look.
Remember even if the interview is virtual, they will still see you and able to form an impression. You might also want to take down any clutter or loud posters in the background.
DON’T Slouch back in the chair
This comes across as showing a lack of interest and a lack of respect. Both will make the interviewer instinctively mark you down, however good your performance is otherwise. If you genuinely have a mobility disability then do say so.
DON’T Swear or attempt humour with the tutors
Remember the interview is not an informal chat and these are not your friends. They are there to formally and professionally assess your performance. Inappropriate language is not acceptable, and it is simply not known how they react to humour. They could interpret is at you simply trying to be friendly but also that you are not serious about medicine as a career or the interview itself. Don’t take the risk with people that you do not know.
DON’T Get put off by angry, aggressive or bored looking tutors.
You will come across people in your life that would rather wish they would be somewhere else. Either they are tired or simply fed up with the repetitive task of interviewing several students all day. Do not let this affect your performance or the manner in which you conduct yourself. Medical school interviews may be recorded, and examiners have to remain impartial and professional at all times. Also don’t forget what appears to an aggressive tutor may also be challenging you because you are good!
Come and practice your medical school interview skills on our Medical School Interview Course. Learn with doctors who teach at UK medical schools, practice role play and practical tasks and get expert feedback on your performance!
The photos below are from our Medical School Interview courses (pre COVID 19 pandemic).
