The Day Before the Interview
If you will need to travel a significant distance to your interview, consider getting a hotel room and staying over the night before. Also, many medical schools have students who have offered to put up interviewees the night before their interview. If this is the case, try to take advantage of this great opportunity to talk to the students and see the school on an informal basis. You can learn a lot!
Be prompt, if not a bit early. No matter what, you don't want to be late to your interview. You also dont want to show up more than 10 to 15 minutes early. The staff may not be ready for you and it can be a bit awkward waiting. You might want to bring something to read (especially a copy of your application forms) because you may be waiting around in a smallish room for a while before your interview.
Have something to eat well in advance of your interview time, but not too much in case those butterflies backfire. Take it easy on the caffeine... a cup or two of coffee or a Coke wont hurt a bit but too much may make you jittery.
For your interview itself try to be relaxed. Be yourself. Try to be clear, concise, and think about your answers. Its easy when youre nervous to go on a bit. Try to catch yourself and stop after your point is made. Try to remember to smile and make eye contact with your interviewer. Try not to fidget or fiddle with anything. If you dont understand a question the interviewer asks, ask them to rephrase it. We suggest 2 minutes maximum time delivering your response to a single question.
Most interviewers want to make this experience as painless for you as possible. These people are the ones who will try to sell you to the rest of the panel during the discussion that will occur after your interview when you have left the room.
