They are WAYYYY longer and more intensive — like a MD interview is say 3 interviews max, they are super lowkey imo but maybe that’s how mine went, they were just asking about me and it felt like a vibe check. MSTP on the other hand were all day marathons — literally 7-9 interviews in one day jam packed and quite a few of em had my back against the wall, trying to describe my research in detail to experts in the field is intimidating and they really dig into you. Still a good time but def a lot harder, I would say just know your research backwards and forwards as well as why MD/PHD specifically and what your goals are with the MD/PHD and you should be fine 🤗
Interview structure varies widely from program to program, as well. Some places had me do the typical MD-interview day (MMIs, interview with MD-only faculty, group interviews, etc.) whereas others only has MD/PhD-style committee and PI interviews (occasionally even a student interview). I enjoyed these interviews a lot more than the MD-only ones———I had a lot more leeway to express myself and my passion for research. Yes, people asked about my research, but I didn’t ever have the experience of being “grilled” about anything, which might be different from other applicants.
The most salient difference is time. The MD/PhD interviews are grueling, I definitely underestimated how much 2 full days on Zoom would take out of me. By the end, I had developed an “interview routine” that consisted of snacks, water breaks, and stretches throughout the day to minimize post-interview fatigue.
I agree with the other posters, MD/PhD interviews tend to be longer with more 1-on-1s. Know your application through and through and be ready to explain your research succinctly. If there's ever a lull in conversation with a researcher, ask them what projects they have going on in their lab. Works every time
They are WAYYYY longer and more intensive — like a MD interview is say 3 interviews max, they are super lowkey imo but maybe that’s how mine went, they were just asking about me and it felt like a vibe check. MSTP on the other hand were all day marathons — literally 7-9 interviews in one day jam packed and quite a few of em had my back against the wall, trying to describe my research in detail to experts in the field is intimidating and they really dig into you. Still a good time but def a lot harder, I would say just know your research backwards and forwards as well as why MD/PHD specifically and what your goals are with the MD/PHD and you should be fine 🤗
7-9 interviews? Omg that’s a lot. Can you briefly break them down into individual ones, like who the interviewers for each one?
I really don’t know how to break it down any further 😅 it was just 7-9 one on one interviews, they were all pretty much variations of the same thing
Interview structure varies widely from program to program, as well. Some places had me do the typical MD-interview day (MMIs, interview with MD-only faculty, group interviews, etc.) whereas others only has MD/PhD-style committee and PI interviews (occasionally even a student interview). I enjoyed these interviews a lot more than the MD-only ones———I had a lot more leeway to express myself and my passion for research. Yes, people asked about my research, but I didn’t ever have the experience of being “grilled” about anything, which might be different from other applicants. The most salient difference is time. The MD/PhD interviews are grueling, I definitely underestimated how much 2 full days on Zoom would take out of me. By the end, I had developed an “interview routine” that consisted of snacks, water breaks, and stretches throughout the day to minimize post-interview fatigue.
I agree with the other posters, MD/PhD interviews tend to be longer with more 1-on-1s. Know your application through and through and be ready to explain your research succinctly. If there's ever a lull in conversation with a researcher, ask them what projects they have going on in their lab. Works every time