Congratulations – You've Reached the Interview!

Receiving an invitation to interview is a significant achievement. Medical schools receive thousands of applications every year, and only a proportion of applicants are invited to interview. Reaching this stage means the admissions team believes you have the academic ability and potential to become a future doctor.

Take a moment to appreciate how far you have already come.

The interview is your opportunity to show the admissions panel the person behind the application—the qualities, values and motivation that cannot be captured by grades alone.

Confidence Without Arrogance

Interviewers are looking for applicants who are confident enough to make decisions, communicate clearly and interact comfortably with others.

However, there is an important distinction between:

• Confidence – believing in your abilities while remaining open-minded and reflective.
• Overconfidence – believing you always know the right answer.
• Arrogance – appearing dismissive, unwilling to listen or unable to accept different viewpoints.

The best doctors combine confidence with humility. They recognise their strengths, acknowledge their limitations and know when to seek advice.

Aim to demonstrate quiet confidence throughout your interview.

Preparation is the Key to Success

Confidence comes from preparation.

The more familiar you become with common interview questions and scenarios, the more naturally your answers will flow.

Successful applicants consistently report that practice was the single most important factor in helping them perform well.

Consider:

• Practising common interview questions aloud.
• Completing mock interviews.
• Timing your answers.
• Recording yourself on video.
• Reviewing your body language.
• Reflecting on feedback.
• Refining your answers without memorising them.

Remember:

Do not memorise speeches.

Instead, become familiar with the key ideas you wish to communicate.

Practise with Other People

Although independent preparation is valuable, practising with others is often even more effective.

Ask a:

• Friend
• Parent or family member
• Teacher
• Careers adviser
• Current medical student

to ask you interview questions.

Different interviewers will ask questions in different ways, helping you become more adaptable.

Flashcards Can Help

Many students find it useful to prepare flashcards covering:

• Why Medicine?
• NHS values
• Medical ethics
• Work experience
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Reflection
• Current healthcare issues

Avoid writing complete answers.

Instead, use key words that prompt natural discussion.

During the Interview

Dress Professionally

Choose clothing that is:

• Smart
• Comfortable
• Appropriate
• Something you feel confident wearing

Professional appearance reflects professionalism without needing to be expensive.

Smile

A genuine smile helps establish rapport.

It demonstrates warmth, confidence and approachability.

First impressions matter.

• Smile! A friendly smile is essential when greeting new people, and most interviewers will respond very positively. Depending on your cultural background, there may be barriers to making this natural. Practice! Even small smiles, appropriately delivered, can add a human quality to the process and make you relatable.

Maintain Good Eye Contact

Good eye contact demonstrates:

• Confidence
• Interest
• Respect
• Engagement

If interviewing with several assessors:

• Include everyone.
• Move your gaze naturally between interviewers.
• Avoid staring continuously at one person.

Maintain eye contact with your interviewers. Part of appearing confident is to maintain eye contact during conversation. Again, this may be more difficult depending on your cultural background, but it is important. It mustn’t appear awkward or forced, and it is something you can practice if you find it difficult. Make sure you make regular eye contact with all the panellists in order to make them all feel part of your interview. Regularly moving your gaze prevents you from staring.

Listen Carefully

One of the most common interview mistakes is answering the question you expected rather than the one actually asked.

Take time to:

• Listen carefully.
• Pause briefly.
• Think.
• Then answer.

If necessary, politely ask for clarification.

• Listen! Listen carefully to the question being asked, so that the answer you give specifically addresses what is being asked. This may sounds obvious, but it is surprising how many people answer what they think they have been asked, rather than what they have actually been asked. Ensure you do not fall into this trap. Take your time and listen to the question, then ask yourself, ‘am I responding appropriately to the question being asked’?

Interviewers appreciate thoughtful answers far more than rushed ones.

Speak Clearly

Remember to:

• Slow down.
• Speak naturally.
• Avoid rushing.
• Use simple language.
• Pause when appropriate.

Nervous candidates often speak too quickly without realising it.

A slower pace projects confidence and allows interviewers to follow your reasoning.

• Speak calmly and clearly. When answering questions, be careful to speak slowly. Many people speed up during the interview. Beware of this, as it can make you seem rehearsed and unnatural. If you speed up because of nervous, however, it can make you difficult to understand and you may omit to include important facts about yourself that might support your application. Slow down your delivery and do not ramble.

Let Your Personality Show

Medical schools are not looking for identical applicants.

Allow your enthusiasm, interests and individuality to come through.

Interviewers want to know:

• What motivates you?
• What matters to you?
• What have you learned?
• What kind of colleague will you become?

Authenticity is far more memorable than rehearsed perfection.

Ask Questions

Many interviews conclude by asking whether you have any questions.

Having one or two thoughtful questions prepared demonstrates curiosity and genuine interest.

Examples include:

• "What opportunities are there for students to become involved in research?"
• "How does the medical school support student wellbeing?"
• "What opportunities exist for overseas electives?"

Avoid asking questions that can easily be answered by reading the university website.

• Have some questions to ask at the end of the interview. This is a sign of positivity, and shows that you have thought about what you are applying to do. It is a sign of confidence and can make the interviewers feel that they would want you.

Managing Nerves

Feeling nervous is entirely normal.

In fact, almost every applicant feels anxious before an interview.

Remember:

The interviewers are not trying to catch you out.

They want you to succeed because they are looking for future students who will thrive at their medical school.

If you feel yourself becoming nervous:

• Pause.
• Take a breath.
• Think before answering.
• Speak slowly.

A brief pause often makes you appear thoughtful rather than anxious.

If You Don't Know the Answer

No one knows everything.

If you are unsure:

• Be honest.
• Explain your reasoning.
• Think aloud.
• Remain calm.

Interviewers often value thoughtful reasoning more than immediate answers.

Remember the Three Cs

Throughout your interview, aim to demonstrate:

Confidence

Believe in yourself without appearing arrogant.

Communication

Listen carefully and communicate clearly.

Compassion

Show empathy, professionalism and respect in every interaction.

Final Thoughts

By the time you reach interview, you have already demonstrated academic excellence, commitment and determination.

The interview is simply your opportunity to show who you are.

Every interviewer hopes to meet applicants who are enthusiastic, reflective, kind and genuinely motivated to study medicine.

Be yourself.

Be prepared.

Be professional.

Above all, enjoy the experience.

Whatever the outcome, reaching this stage is an achievement of which you should be proud.

• Use interview questions as opportunities to demonstrate your personality.
• Enjoy the process! By the time you reach interview, you have already invested an enormous amount of time in preparing for this stage. And you would not be invited for interview if your interviewers did not think you stood a serious chance of being awarded a place. So, try and relax and enjoy the interview!