I Am Expecting Good Grades and I Scored Highly in UCAT – Do I Still Need Interview Training?
10 months ago by Chris
This is a common question asked by MedEntry students who are applying for medicine at Auckland Uni after their first year BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Science). Such students, having used MedEntry’s program, have scored highly in UCAT. In addition, many expect to receive a very high GPA across all 8 courses in their first year. These students may feel that a place in medical school is guaranteed, so they wonder: ‘Why bother with interview training?’
Here is a question we received recently from a student: ‘I expect good grades and I achieved a UCAT percentile of 99. So do I still need interview training?’
The answer is: Congratulations, but definitely, yes!
There are several reasons for this, including:
1. Interviews are very different from UCAT and academic scores
The skills required to succeed in interviews are completely different to the skills required to succeed in ATAR, and academically. Interviews test your ability to speak eloquently while thinking on your feet, exude confidence and passion, deliver insightful and considered responses under pressure and engage with interviewers from diverse backgrounds.
2. Interviews are very important
When making the final selection for medicine, your interview score is weighted at 25% of the admissions criteria! Yes, you read that correctly. At Auckland university, once you have achieved a threshold GPA and UCAT score, a quarter of the marks about the final decision regarding whether or not you will be admitted into the medical program is based entirely on your interview performance.
By attending interview training, the probability of getting into medical school will increase, from say, 90% to 99%. While you can never be 100% certain of anything in life, for all high stake situations, it is worth striving to do everything possible to maximise the probability of getting what you are seeking.
3. Interviews are subjective
Even if you receive an interview there is no guarantee that you will gain a place in medicine.
4. Entry into the MBChB is limited and competitive
You don't know the competition this year. The cut-off scores required for medicine can vary from year to year. This can happen for various reasons such as a higher proportion of students applying for medicine or a greater number of high performing students seeking a place at Auckland University. The medical school place you thought was in the bag, may not turn out to be.
5. You can only apply once
You are only given one chance to apply for medicine under the "First Year" entry category, at Auckland University, and only in the year in which this study is undertaken. If you get good grades and UCAT, but don’t present your best self in the interview, you will need to complete your degree and then apply under the ‘Graduate Category’. And even in the Graduate Category can you apply once. Therefore, you should do all you can to make sure that one time really counts!
So, aim to be the 'crème de la crème' and ensure you are well prepared for interviews!
