Professional School Interview Tips

Professional schools are schools of higher education that include business, dentistry, law, veterinary, chiropractic, nursing, journalism, optometry and pharmacy schools. Depending on the field you are interested in pursuing, many professional schools are difficult to get into because of the high number of applicants. It is likely that in addition to having good grades, you will have to undergo one or more personal interviews during the application process.
  1. Before Your Interview

    • Research the school where you will be interviewing. Try to find out with whom you will be speaking so you can learn something about his background and special interests or contributions. If possible, arrange a tour of the campus before your interview so that you are familiar with the school, dorms (if any) and campus. Ask a friend, parent or spouse to practice asking you questions that you might expect, such as why you want to be a doctor or lawyer, or why you think veterinary school is for you. Pay attention to how many times you say words like "uh," "er," "um" and "like." You may even want to tape your practice interview so that you can listen to yourself.

    What to Wear to Your Interview

    • Wear clothing that is business-appropriate, taking extra care that everything is clean and pressed. If you are interviewing for medical or law school, wear a suit. Don't wear colognes or perfumes, and although it may go against your personal preference, remove any visible body piercings that most people don't have, such as nose or eyebrow rings. Don't eat anything that day that can upset your stomach, especially if you are prone to nervousness.

    During Your Interview

    • Shake hands firmly when you meet your interviewer and make direct eye contact. Body language is important, so don't look down and don't spend time glancing around the room or fidgeting, because it could seem that you are not interested in your interview or that your mind wanders. Smile often, and if you are nervous, admit it. Listen very carefully to the questions and answer them directly. If you don't understand a question completely, ask your interviewer to reword it. Have questions prepared about the program or the school. That way, when the interview concludes, if asked whether you have any questions, you will be ready.

    After Your Interview

    • Follow up your interview by mailing a handwritten thank-you note rather than an email. Remember, you may be competing with hundreds or even thousands of other applicants, so it's important to do anything you can do to shine above the rest. Keep the note succinct, and thank the interviewer for his interest in you and the time that he spent with you.

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