Hello everyone.

This past Thursday, Dr. Steven T. Case, PhD, came and talked to us about the interview process at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Dr. Case is a professor of Biochemistry and the Associate Dean of Admissions. He conducts many interviews at UMC. The program on Thursday was the first in a three-part series about the application and admissions process at UMC. This program was directed at Seniors preparing to interview at UMC in the next few weeks, but some helpful information for students of other classifications was included as well.

Dr. Case’s PowerPoint Presentation is available on the UMC website, http://som.umc.edu/admissions.html.

Some additional information is:

• Apply as soon as possible! The sooner you apply, the sooner an interview invitation can be sent to you.
• Admissions preference is given to applicants whose files are complete, including transcripts and letters of evaluation, so try to get everything in as soon as possible.
• At UMC, you will have 3 interviews. The interviews are one-on-one and typically last 20 - 30 minutes.
• On interview day, some of your interviewers may have read your file, and some may not have read it. Be aware of this in case they ask you questions about things in your file.
• Be sure to look at the website to see the traits that your interviewers are seeking to assess.
• Every question the interviewers ask you helps them to evaluate you as a future physician.
• The most important thing to remember in an interview is to be yourself!
• Be sure to sit up.
• The single most common mistake people make in the interview: failure to answer a question. This includes responding to a question without answering the actual question that was asked. If your interviewer asks for one reason for something, only give one reason (not two or three)!
• Remember that it is no longer about you. It is about how you would treat your patients as a physician. Conduct yourself how you would like your doctors to conduct themselves.
• Finally, interview day is not designed to intimidate you.
• About half the people who interview will be accepted. Some of the interviewed applicants will become alternates.

The Admissions Office email is AdmitMD@umc.edu. The Admissions Office phone number is (601) 984 - 5010. One-on-one appointments are offered at UMC. The appointment will allow you to get prepared for the interview beforehand so that you will be more comfortable on the day of the interview. You will be able to meet the staff in the Admissions Office and to familiarize yourself with the campus. If you would like to schedule one of these appointments or a medical school counseling appointment, call (don't email) the Admissions Office.

Also, we would like to thank everyone for coming on time and looking nice!
Kelsey