What You Must Not Do in Your Medical School Interview

Preparing for a medical school interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. It presents an opportunity to showcase your passion for medicine, commitment to learning, and ability to thrive under pressure. However, even the most confident candidates can make mistakes that leave a poor impression. To assist you in navigating this critical step, here's a comprehensive list of things you should NOT do during your interview, along with tips to keep your performance polished and professional. 🚀

1. Don’t Fidget 😬

Fidgeting can signal nervousness or a lack of focus. Whether it’s tapping your fingers on the table, shaking your leg, or playing with a pen, these habits can distract interviewers and detract from your message.

Why it matters: Medical professionals must remain calm and composed, even in high-pressure situations. Your ability to stay poised during the interview is a small but meaningful demonstration of these qualities.

Pro Tip: Practice maintaining stillness during mock interviews. If you feel anxious, channel your nervous energy into measured gestures or deep, controlled breaths.

2. Don’t Wear Overpowering Perfume or Smell of Food 🚫

For in-person interviews, avoid strong perfumes or colognes, as they can be overwhelming or even cause discomfort to others. Similarly, arriving smelling of food or smoke can leave an unpleasant impression.

Why it matters: Your personal presentation extends beyond your words and attire. A neutral, clean scent helps ensure that the focus remains on your skills and qualifications.

Pro Tip: If you’ve eaten before the interview, double-check for lingering smells and freshen up with mints or a quick rinse.

3. Don’t Neglect Personal Hygiene or Choose Elaborate Hairstyles 🫶

Your appearance reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. Poor personal hygiene or overly elaborate hairstyles can distract the panel and lead to negative assumptions about your priorities.

Why it matters: Medicine is a profession where cleanliness and presentation are critical. How you care for yourself is often seen as an indicator of how you will care for others.

Pro Tip: Maintain hairstyles that are simple, tidy, and professional. Ensure that your nails are clean and your clothes are freshly pressed. A well-groomed look will also boost your confidence!

4. Don’t Slouch Back in Your Chair 🪑

Body language conveys a great deal. Slouching or lounging can make you seem disinterested or overly casual. In contrast, sitting too stiffly may imply nervousness.

Why it matters: Confident and engaged candidates sit upright, leaning slightly forward to indicate interest. Your posture can express enthusiasm and respect for the process.

Pro Tip: Practice sitting in a neutral, comfortable position that feels natural. This will help you stay focused without discomfort.

5. Don’t Swear or Attempt Humour with the Tutors 🙊

Please don't try to crack jokes or use informal language, even if a light-hearted moment arises. Swearing is absolutely off-limits, as it can be unprofessional or disrespectful.

Why it matters: Medical school interviewers expect maturity and professionalism. A poorly timed attempt at humour can easily backfire, especially if the panel doesn’t share your sense of humour.

Pro Tip: Maintain a friendly yet formal tone. Stick to thoughtful, well-structured responses to ensure your answers leave a positive impression.

6. Don’t Let Tutors’ Expressions Throw You Off 😠😐

Interviewers may sometimes appear stern, bored, or even aggressive. This could be intentional to test your resilience or simulate challenging situations.

Why it matters: Staying calm under pressure is a vital skill for any doctor. Reacting emotionally or losing focus in response to such expressions can signal a lack of confidence.

Pro Tip: Maintain steady eye contact, take a moment to compose yourself if needed, and respond thoughtfully. Focus on the substance of your answers rather than the interviewers’ expressions.

7. Don’t Arrive Unprepared 📄

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Arriving without researching the school, reviewing common interview questions, or practising your answers can signal a lack of interest and effort.

Why it matters: Preparation demonstrates that you take the opportunity seriously and respect the institution’s time. It also helps you feel more confident and articulate.

Pro Tip: Familiarise yourself with the school’s values, recent news, and curriculum. Prepare answers to common questions like, “Why do you want to study medicine?” and, “What makes you a good fit for this university?”

8. Don’t Interrupt the Interviewers 🙅‍♂️

Cutting off the interviewer mid-question or dominating the conversation can seem rude and overly aggressive.

Why it matters: Active listening is a vital skill for any medical professional. Interrupting may imply impatience or a lack of respect for others’ contributions.

Pro Tip: Wait for the interviewer to finish speaking before responding. If you’re unsure whether they’re done, pause briefly to confirm they have finished.

9. Don’t Overshare or Ramble 🗣️

While providing detailed answers is important, please don't go off on tangents or share irrelevant personal anecdotes. Oversharing can dilute your message and make you seem unfocused.

Why it matters: Clear, concise communication is essential in medicine. Demonstrating this skill in your interview shows that you can prioritise important information.

Pro Tip: Practice structuring your answers using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your responses organised and relevant.

10. Don’t Forget to Show Enthusiasm 🌟

Appearing disinterested or overly robotic can hinder the panel's connection with you. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious and can leave a lasting impression.

Why it matters: A passion for medicine and a positive attitude are essential traits for successful medical students and professionals.

Pro Tip: Let your interest shine through your tone, expressions, and body language. Share specific experiences that showcase your excitement about pursuing a career in medicine.

Final Thoughts 💡

Your medical school interview is not merely an assessment of your knowledge and aptitude; it also evaluates your professionalism, emotional resilience, and communication skills. Steer clear of these common pitfalls to ensure you shine during this critical step. By remaining composed, well-prepared, and professional, you’ll leave a lasting impression that distinguishes you from others. Best of luck on your journey to becoming a medical professional!