Interviews are the perfect opportunity for the admissions committee to get answers to questions that they have about your academic past. They are looking for clarification of any “red flags” that they see in your academic record. Be honest. Avoid blaming anyone, especially your professors. Focus on the positive, for example, what you have learned from the experience and how you have applied what you learned to ensure success in your future studies.
Be very careful in your explanations. Perhaps you withdrew from organic chemistry because you were taking a heavy course load and wanted to take it when you had a lighter schedule, and perhaps increase your chances of earning an “A.” This may indicate to an interviewer that you are not up the challenge of the medical school curriculum. It is also not a good idea to say you dropped a class because the professor was difficult and you wanted to take it the next semester with an “easier” professor.
This post is excerpted from 101 Tips on Getting Into Medical School by Jennifer C. Welch, who has served as the Director of Admissions at SUNY Upstate Medical School since 2001.
Read the full article: Be Prepared to Talk about Pass/Fail Courses, Withdrawing from Courses, or Repeating Courses.
