PEI

Practice interviews 'nerve-racking' for pre-med students

It was only for practice, but pre-med students were still a little nervous doing mock interviews Saturday before they do the same thing next week — except with real interviewers who have the power to decide whether they get into med school.

Mock interviews set up at UPEI to help pre-med students prepare for the real thing

Ryan Murray (right) goes through a mock pre-med interview Saturday at UPEI. (Stephanie Brown/CBC)

It was only for practice, but pre-med students were still a little nervous doing mock interviews Saturday ahead of the real thing next week — when interviewers will help decide whether they get into medical school.

"It's still really nerve-racking experience," said pre-med student Ryan Murray.

"With the interview coming up next week, I'm trying to prepare and make sure that I'm ready, so anytime I approach these scenarios it's nerve-racking."

Before each interview, students read a different ethical scenario. They had two minutes to think it over, then eight minutes to make an impression on the interviewer. (Stephanie Brown/CBC)

The event, organized by the pre-med society at UPEI, was set up to simulate the multiple mini interviews used by many med schools.

Before each interview, they read a different ethical scenario. They had two minutes to think it over, then they had eight minutes to make an impression with the interviewer.

There were six rooms with different interviewers. The 11 students participating took turns doing one-on-one interviews.

Ryan Kelly, the president of the UPEI pre-med society, said he learned some valuable tips during the mock interviews. (Stephanie Brown/CBC)

Ryan Kelly, the president of the UPEI pre-med society, said he learned some valuable tips.

"It helped me broaden my range of thinking and it's something that I'll probably take note of and just write some things down."

With files from Stephanie Brown