PA School Interview

2. A member of your family decides to depend solely on alternative medicine for the treatment of his or her significant illness. What would you do?

Question Type: Scenario; Conflict Resolution (Structure: Recap, Pressing Issue, Gather Info, Hypothetical Solutions, Summarize).

1. A 14-year-old patient requests birth control pills from you and asks that you not tell her parents. What would you do?

Question Type: Scenario; Ethical Dilemma (Structure: Recap, Pressing Issue, Gather Info, Hypothetical Solutions, Summarize).

Have you completed any research projects or are you interested in research?

Review your research abstract (if applicable). Be able to highlight the main points of your research. If you haven't done any, be honest and come up with a list of topics you are interested in pursuing.

"The wrap up question" See reverse.

This could be anything. Research your institution. Expect the unexpected. Think on your feet. Find a way to leave them with key points about who you are.

Tell me about yourself.

Where you're from Meaningful youth experience formal academic training (and previous careers if applicable) Meaningful characteristic and story

If you could be any utensil in the kitchen, what would you be and why?

Choose based on characteristics you want to highlight. Be authentic. Present your "best self"

Why should we choose you over other applicants?

Create a list of traits. Explain why they set you apart without putting others down in the process.

Have you applied to other schools? Which ones? Why those schools?

Answer honestly. Describe your strategy, or note that you have purposefully cast a wide net. Show how your plan connects to your a) vision or b) adaptability. Keep this answer brief and tidy.

Teach me something that most people do not know how to do.

Choose a manageable, teachable skill. Embrace the fun nature of the question. Pay attention to detail.

Tell me about a time when you acted unprofessionally.

EX: Not standing up for a study group member with a disability and lacking inclusivity, Intentionally providing bad service to a table/group of difficult customers at a job, Missing an important meeting or being chronically late to important things, Cutting corners in the lab, Any situation where you put yourself first, instead of the customer, client, or beneficiary. This excludes situations where your life may have been at risk. STRATEGY: Pick a real experience of unprofessionalism. Show the reflections you have made about it. Demonstrate course correction and what you learned. Discuss how it might apply to medicine.

What should be done about the shortage of medical specialists and adequate resources in rural settings?

Explain the disparities. Explain the root causes and drivers. Explain the commonly-cited solutions (pick one or two). Explain what your take is on the most important issue.

Tell me about a time you did not get along with a superior.

Prepare for this question in advance. Use neutral language and a non-accusatory tone. Explain the situation honestly. Describe how the resolution was reached and what you learned.

3. If you have the choice of giving a transplant to a successful elderly member of the community and a 20-year-old drug addict - how do you choose?

Question Type: 3. Scenario; Ethical Dilemma (Structure: Recap, Pressing Issue, Gather Info, Hypothetical Solutions, Summarize)