Happy Thursday everyone!
It's been a tough couple of weeks at work so today I decided to take some time off and write about my mock interview experiences. My interview at UNMC is this Friday Oct. 30th, 2015! ah, less than 24 hours away!
As you may all know, this is my first medical school interview. I am pretty excited yet nervous because I do not know what to expect, this step will determine (partially at least) whether I am going to medical school or not next fall. I don't have a problem with public speaking or speaking in general, I am very sociable and friendly guy that talks to almost everyone at work. I have done formal presentations at work, informal presentations at various organizations throughout the area and I really like talking about my passion and what I love doing but when it comes to interviews, I get nervous and I tend to stutter a little.
I had my first mock interview with our Chief Medical Officer two weeks, she was one of my LOR writers. It was a Thursday afternoon, I went to her office and waited for her a few minutes since she was working on something else--she does many things around here and is very respected around the community. After a few minutes, she received me and we sat down. After a few moments of catching up, we got serious and got down to business. She asked me the typical questions, "Tell me about yourself and why medicine?". I have contemplated this question for quite some time and even though I always come up with different wording, it revolves around the same theme- social justice and equality for our underserved populations. You see, I come from a low income, uninsured, immigrant family. I know what it's like to be angry at life, be angry at people because you were given a "bad hand" in life. I went through the same problems many people are going through: cultural barriers, language barrier, no medical insurance and socio-economic barriers but I was also granted with determination, work ethic, passion and these qualities have been and still are my driving force which is why now I am here--moments away from trying to persuade the admissions boards that I am a good candidate and that I have what it takes to go through the rigorous medical school curriculum and one day be a great doctor, a doctor who understands social inequality, how that impacts the health of people and that I am willing to advocate for those who society has marginalized and neglected.
The mock interviews went okay. I must admit I was nervous but half way through it, I got a little more comfortable--perhaps a little too late. The two physicians that interviewed me said I did okay; I have the right motives, the right experience and even though they could tell I was nervous, my answers were genuine. Tomorrow is judgment day and I feel comfortable and confident, I will just do a little more practice by myself, gain confidence and get a good night sleep-- I am planning on arriving at UNMC around 8:40AM tomorrow.
Right before I enter the building, I will do what I always do before an important moment--get inspired and motivated. I owe it to myself, I owe it to my people, I cannot let them down.
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