Personal Essay and Interview Preparation
The personal essay is your introduction to the Professional School Admissions Committee. Take it seriously because all admissions personnel will read it. Include events that influenced your choice to pursue a health care career. It is important to express sincere interest in your chosen health care field and relate pertinent volunteer or work experiences.
Prepare a typed summary of your personal achievements. It should include academic accomplishments, degrees, grade point average, volunteer experience, work experience, college honors, college activities, community involvement, volunteer work, and hobbies or leisure-time activities. Provide copies to faculty writing academic recommendations for you and also individuals who will write character or work related references.
Health care issues and current events are common interview
topics. Your topic preparation will vary depending upon the profession for
which you are applying. Some possible examples include Health Maintenance
Organizations, medical ethics, alternative medicine, abortion, religion, increasing
role of physician's assistants and nurse-practitioners in the health field,
and changes in pharmacist training. Consider your personal presentation. It
is advisable to present a professional appearance. Body language is important.
Good posture with your head held erect and direct eye contact help make a good
first impression. Have another person evaluate and make suggestions for improvement
of your
sitting posture and hand placement and movement. Your diction and speech
patterns are important. Use of poor grammar will adversely affect the interview.
Speak in a confident positive manner. Think before you answer a question.
Review the content of your personal essay. Be consistent in your answers
and convictions. Do not be afraid to say that you do not know an answer
to a question. You
can readily indicate your willingness to learn.
