Basics

The interview is the last stage of the admissions process for some veterinary schools. For those schools that do hold interviews, this is an extremely important aspect of selecting students for admissions because it allows the admissions committee the chance to look beyond the academic and extracurricular achievements of the applicants. The interviews are designed to help the committees get to know you as a person and to discover if you really are the right fit for their veterinary school. The purpose of these interviews is to allow committees to obtain information about an applicants interest in the program, their values, personality, interests, skills, professional integrity, maturity, compassion, sincerity, honesty, originality, intelligence, confidence, motivation, leadership, communication abilities, and many more attributes that can't always be determined through a paper application. Interviews can also be a great opportunity for students with lower academic qualifications because it allows you the chance to prove that you belong in veterinary school in a more personal and face-to-face setting. The majority of schools do currently hold interviews and those that don't are beginning to implement them as they are realizing that the students they are admitting are more than just words and numbers on a page. If you are applying to schools that require an interview, then I highly suggest that you take a look at the rest of this page. Interviews take a lot of research, preparing, and practicing in order to do well enough to get admitted.

 

**As a note, I did not personally go through any interviews during my admissions process because the schools I applied to either didn't offer interviews or I turned their interview offers down. However, through my experiences at GVSU, the information I learned in the professional and graduate school course, and my own personal research I feel as if I have a good handle on the interview process. The information on this page is a great place to start and I highly encourage you to speak with and utilize your advisor, career services, and any other university resources to help prepare you for this important component of the application process. Good luck!!!

 

Schools that have Interviews

- Auburn University = YES.

- University of California-Davis = YES, they hold MMI style interviews. 

- Colorado State University = NO.

- Cornell University = NO.

- University of Florida = YES, they hold behavior style interviews. 

- University of Georgia = YES, but it is a phone interview.

- University of Illinois = YES, they hold interviews that are based on interpersonal skills, self-management, and communication abilities.

- Iowa State University = YES.

- Kansas State University = YES.

- Lincoln Memorial University = YES, they have interviews conducted in a Holistic manner.

- Louisiana State University = YES. 

- Michigan State University = YES, they are holding MMI style interviews starting next year (2014-2015 cycle). 

- Midwestern University = YES. 

- University of Minnesota = YES, they do Behavioral interviews.

- Mississippi State University = YES.

- University of Missouri = YES.

- North Carolina State University = NO. 

- Ohio State University = YES. 

- Oklahoma State University = NO.

- Oregon State University = YES, they have a MMI style interview process. 

- University of Pennsylvania = YES.

- Purdue University = YES. 

- University of Tennessee = YES. 

- Texas A&M University = YES, they have the MMI formatted interview process.

- Tuskegee University = N/A. 

- Tufts University = YES.

- Virginia-Maryland Regional College = YES, they have the MMI interview process.

- Washington State University = YES.

- Western University = YES.

- University of Wisconsin = NO.

 

Types of Interviews

The most popular form of interview among veterinary schools is the Multiple-Mini Interview, but there are many different types of interviews out there. Once you know which schools you are applying to, then you can figure out exactly which types of interview styles you need to prepare for. The more practice you get the better, so I would suggest having a good understanding of all of the styles and a very deep understanding of those interivews that you will experience. Below are explanations of the different types of interviews used in all professional school admission settings, including veterinary school. 

 

1. The Multiple-Mini Interview = A multiple mini interview consists of a series of short, structured interview stations used to assess non-cognitive qualities including cultural sensitivity, maturity, teamwork, empathy, reliability and communication skills. Prior to the start of each mini interview rotation, candidates receive a question/scenario and have a short period of time (typically two minutes) to prepare an answer. Upon entering the interview room, the candidate has a short exchange with an interviewer/assessor (usually about 8 minutes). In some cases, the interviewer observes while the interaction takes place between an actor and the candidate. At the end of each mini interview, the interviewer evaluates the candidate’s performance while the applicant moves to the next station. This pattern is repeated through a number of rotations. The duration of the entire interview is about two hours. Generally the questions are situational based that touch on topics such as ethical decision making, critical thinking, communication skills, and current healthcare and societal issues. Interviewers evaluate each candidate’s thought process and ability to think on his or her feet. As such, there are no right or wrong answers to the questions posed in a MMI, but each applicant should consider the question from a variety of perspectives.

 

2. Panel Interview = This is a meeting with several interviewers at once. The panel usually includes a variety of faculty in different medical areas and in clinical medicine as well as basic research. A veterinary student is often a member of the interview committee. In this formate, the questions really depend on what the committee is looking to find out about the applicants. In order to do well you need to prepare well and anticipate the questions each member of the committee might have. 

 

3. Blind Interview = In a blind interview the interviewer is “blinded” from your application, He or she knows nothing about you. Your job is to introduce yourself to the interviewer, from scratch. The question you are most likely to face in this interview is tell me about yourself. Be ready, be selective, yet detailed in what you present. Remember that the interviewer has not seen your grades, MCAT scores, or admissions essays. It is also important to discuss much of the material in your admissions essays as well as explain why you want to be a veterinarian because they know nothing about your personal motivations.

 

4. Partial Blind Interview = Unlike the blind interview in which the interviewer knows nothing about you, in a partial blind interview the interview has seen only part of your application. For example, the interviewer may read your essays but know nothing about your grades and MCAT score. Or the reverse may be true. You probably won't know which is the case, so be prepared for both situations. 

 

5. Stress Interview = this type of interview is meant to place the applicant under a magnifying glass, with the intent being to see how you function under pressure. The interviewers ask questions to make you uncomfortable to observe how you speak and behave when stressed. The stress interview is intended to find out what a candidate is really like, apart from the interview preparation and etiquette. A stress interview might include questions about sensitive topics or personal questions that are not permitted. If you find yourself in a stress interview remember that the interviewer is interested in how you function under stress. Take your time in responding. Keep your cool.

 

6. Phone Interview = A phone interview is a very cost effective way to screen candidates. These can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. You should prepare for it like an open book exam. It is recommended that you have in front of you your resume, the job description, a list of references, some prepared answers to challenging questions and perhaps something about the company. The vast majority of communication is non-verbal. Because they can’t see your body language, it is critically important to have positive and polished answers with energetic tone and inflection. Make sure that you have a reliable phone connection and they are you are in a quiet and secluded area. The worst thing that can happen is if the call gets dropped or they are unable to hear you clearly. 

 

7. Behavioral-Based Interviews = The theory behind Critical Behavioral Interviewing (CBI) is that past performance in a similar situation is the best predictor of future performance. CBI probes much deeper than traditional interviewing techniques. You should prepare by thinking of specific examples that demonstrate your competence in core behaviors such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, creativity, flexibility and organizational skills. You will want to tell your story and structure it by stating your answers in terms of the situation, the task, what action you took, and what was the result or outcome.

 

How to Prepare for an Interview

1. Figure out if your schools have interviews and if they do, find out what style of interview. It is very important to know what type of interview you will be going into because it can radically change the types of questions involved, your answers, and the atmosphere of the process. Some schools have very detailed information about the process, while others provide very little or don’t even let the applicants know ahead of time. If you find that you can’t find information about the interview for a particular school on their website, give the admissions office a call because it can’t hurt to ask.

 

2. After you have an idea of what interviews to expect, start researching into those different styles. You can find the basics above, but it is a good idea to delve deeper into the process so that you can master the interview. You can find information by searching the web, looking through their school website, speaking with veterinary students at the school, meeting with your academic advisor, or utilizing your schools career/interview services.

 

3. Compile a list of questions that could potentially be asked at each of the interviews. Many of the schools make old interview questions available or have example questions, so that is a great place to start practicing. Practice, practice, practice!!! I would suggest taking each of the example questions, answer them to the best of your ability, have someone professional look over them and then practice saying them allowed. A lot of schools offer interview workshops or individual sessions where you will be in a mock interview setting similar to what you might see in a real veterinary admissions interview. A really great tool is to have them videotape you answering questions so that you can see any behavioral habits that you need to fix.

 

4. In addition to practicing examples questions, you also need to research into the veterinary school program that you are interviewing for. Schools want to know that you are interested particularly in their school and by having knowledge of their program you will show them you are a serious applicant. Many times schools will ask you questions about their program or what you look forward to most and you need to show them that you want to go there for more than just the fact that you can get your DVM. Having this basic knowledge of the program will also allow you to ask informed and inquisitive questions to the committees that are a crucial indicator of your interest and dedication.

 

5. Outside of the more personal or behavioral based questions, you should also be focusing on questions that could be asked in regard to current issues or events in the veterinary field. You need to show them that you are an informed and aware member of the veterinary profession. A great way to start is by asking the veterinarians that you work/volunteer with about the issues/events that they think are the most important. They are the people right in the thick of the profession and most likely experiencing or involved through conferences with issues the committees are going to ask you. You can also start researching the news on the web. With these types of questions the interviewers aren’t grading you on your specific opinion, but more so that you have an awareness of the issues.

 

6. Once you feel adequately prepared for the actually interview questions, you need to focus on the details of the day. You should have a professional folder that contains your resume, practice questions you can study in your down time, paper, and a pencil/pen. Having the appropriate appearance and clothing choices is also very important because the first thing the committee will begin judging you on is what you look like. For guys, you should wear a nice suit with matching socks and shoes. For girls, you should think professional attire such as a dress suit or dress pants with a blouse. I would personally avoid wearing a skirt or dress as pants are more comfortable and in some instances more professional. In general, it is a good idea to wear minimal jewelry as they can be distraction, wear minimal make-up and perfume, and flats or low heels are optimal for comfort and professionalism. Make sure that your clothes are clean and wrinkle free. If possible, cover up any tattoos and remove any unusual piercings as they can seem unprofessional or be distracting. When thinking about what you should wear remember that you should be comfortable because most interview processes are an all-day affair that includes a campus-wide tour with lots of walking and potential unpleasant weather.

 

7. Make sure you have all of the logistics taken care of. Unfortunately, interviews for professional school can be inconvenient and expensive as you might need to travel all around the U.S. Depending on how far away the school is form your current residency, you might need to book a hotel, get a flight or rental car, miss school, and figure out how to pay for it all. Most schools are good about sending you an itinerary of the day, so make sure to know exactly where you should be, what time, and what to expect.

 

8. Relax and be yourself.

 

Tips for Success

- Streamline your story. Depending on the interview style, you might have 45 seconds to a few minutes to formulate and present your answer. If they ask you to talk about your life or veterinary experiences, you need to be prepared with a brief answer because you could spend hours talking about everything you have accomplished or experienced.

 

- If they ask you if you have any more questions and you don’t, you can say “All my questions were thoroughly answered by my previous interviewers, but thank you”.

 

- Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before and have a good healthy breakfast. These interview processes can sometimes take all day, so you don’t want to find yourself dozing off or not at your sharpest.

 

- Be early and never be late!!!!

 

- Be respectful and polite to everyone that you interact with at the interview, whether or not you think they are directly involved in the admissions decision. Some of the students or staff you meet at the interview process could potentially be future classmates or faculty that you work with and you want to make sure you make a good impression.

 

- DON’T talk about other veterinary schools that you are applying to or interviewing at unless you are directly asked about it by the admissions committee. Do not talk about it with other students! You are there on that day particularly for that school and that should be your only focus.

 

- Use the bathroom before you begin.

 

- If possible, drive to the interview site the day before to get an idea of the location and parking situation.

 

- Being nervous is ok! They know that this interview process is extremely important to your future and it is natural to be nervous. Remember, it’s a conversation with another person and you want to exude warmth and think positive thoughts. This is the opportunity to sell youself to the school! Your goal should be to be memorable enough to receive support from the committee to gain admission.

 

-Be prepared to address areas of your application and experiences that might be less than stellar. Be truthful and highlight what you have learned.

 

- Know every detail of your personal statement and application so that you can answer any questions they have and highlight any areas you are particularly proud of that they might not have asked about.

 

- Make eye-contact with the committee members as they ask you questions and direct your answers to all of them.

 

- Demonstrate your interest in the school and program in a passionate and enthusiastic manner. Let the interviewer know that you are really interested in attending their school without stating it directly.

 

- Don’t answer or use your cell phone during the interview process, better yet just leave it in your car or hotel room.

 

- Be honest, confident, friendly, polite and above all be yourself. 

 

Example Questions

- What would you do if you saw a fellow student cheating?

- How do you feel about ear docking?

- Describe ______ experiences, what exactly did you doand what didn't/did you like about it?

- What kinds of books do you like to read and why?

- How do you deal with stress? 

- What is the difference between animal rights and animal welfare?

- Various scenarious involving euthanasia or simply what you think of euthanasia.

- What will you do if you don't get into veterinary school?

- What might you want to specialize in?

- What do you see yourlse doing in 5, 10, 20 years?

- Why do you want to be a veterinarian?

- What is the most chanllenging class you've ever had and why?

- Do you have an alternative career plan?

- Out of your veterinary experiences, what have you enjoyed the most?

- Do you have a right  not to treat an animal?

- How would you describe yourself, your backgfound, and your future goals in three minutes or less?

- What skills are essential to be a successful veterinarian?

- What do you think your biggest challenge will be in the veterinary program and why?

- What is a key piece of legislation affecting the food animal industry today?

- What is the biggest challenge facing veterinary medicine right now and how would you overcome it?

- What ethical dilemmas may you encounter as a veterinarian and how would you handle them?

- Who is your primary role model?

- Why/How have you been so successful this far into your academic carrer?

- How do you make decisions?

- Tell me about a time when you.......worked independently on a project, made a split second decision, reached a positive compromise, had to trust your own judgement, had your values changed, went above and beyond what was expected of you, failed to complete all of your commitments on time, made a decision that affected someone else, or made a mistake at work and how you handled it. 

- Sell yourself!

 

***These are just a few of the examples questions that I found online with a quick google search. There are so many different resources out there on the internet and at your university. Make sure to utilize them all and start preparing early. 

 

Helpful Links

Types of Medical School Interviews = http://gradschool.about.com/od/medicalinterview/a/Types-Of-Medical-School-Interviews.htm

 

8 Major Types of Interviews = http://blog.timesunion.com/careers/the-8-major-types-of-interviews/321/

 

Types of Interviews and Tips = http://www.success.uwo.ca/careers/prepare_for_interviews/types_of_interviews.html

 

Multiple Mini Interview = http://multipleminiinterview.com/

 

Multiple Mini-Interview for Medical School = http://www.studentdoctor.net/2011/01/the-multiple-mini-interview-for-medical-school-admissions/

 

Professional School Interviews = https://uwaterloo.ca/career-action/resources-library/how-guides/further-education/professional-school-interviews

 

Admissions Interviews: Dos and Don'ts = http://gradschool.about.com/od/interviews/a/interviewdodont.htm

 

Tips for a Successful Medical School Admisssions Interview = http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor

 

Preparing or the Medical School Interview = http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/2011/10/03

 

DVM Interview Question Examples = http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/vetpac/index.cfm?pageID=2248

 

Veterinary School Interview Quesitons = http://www.careerhelp.umn.edu/PDFs/Vet%20School%20Interview%20Questions.pdf