paPassion7 Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Hi everyone! I have my first interview coming up, and I was wondering if there was anyone who only interviewed at one school and got accepted? If so, how did you contain your nerves, composure, and confidence throughout the interview? I've read a lot of posts about people continuously improving after each interview they have, but at the moment I only have one scheduled. Any other tips and advice would be greatly appreciated! I've been searching through all the old 'interview' threads, and those have been very helpful. A lot of people have given the advice to not put to much weight into one interview, but being that I only have one scheduled as of now it's kind of hard not to! Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 I was accepted at my first school, accepted, and ultimately paid two deposits there. It certainly took the pressure off! I kept interviewing and ultimately went to a different school that better met my needs. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paPassion7 Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 8 minutes ago, UGoLong said: I was accepted at my first school, accepted, and ultimately paid two deposits there. It certainly took the pressure off! I kept interviewing and ultimately went to a different school that better met my needs. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Thank you for your reply! What helped you feel more confident going into your first interview? I have never interviewed in such a formal setting before, so I just don't want to let my nerves take over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSPP123 Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I am also in your shoes! I have my first/only (so far) interview this upcoming Thursday and I am nervous as heck. This school is also my top choice, so I am really praying things go well. How are you preparing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 This is a topic that has been addressed several times from lots of different perspectives. Let me give you mine. I'm old now, so I've been the interviewer way more times that I've been the interviewee. Some day, you will have too. I used to feel nervous then the the same way you do now. My life interview lesson: being the interviewee is not hard if you stop worrying about how you're doing and just "be." If you've too nervous, or over-rehearsed (usually easy to spot), you'll have a problem. Oh: knowing something about the program you've applied to is not "over-rehearsing"! The interviewer has read all the stuff that CASPA collects about you. Someone else at the school has read all that and recommended that you be invited. Why? To see what you're really like. Are your personable? Do you work well in groups? Can you think on your feet? Would they like to have you in class? Are you going to be a problem child? Can you take answer a question in 30 seconds? Can you briefly explain why you're here? What you think about your "C" in organic, or whatever, without making excuses and instead explaining why the experience made you better or stronger or wiser? Take the opportunity to interact with the other applicants. If you are in a group interview and someone else gets to answer a question first, look for ways to acknowledge what others have said and nicely build on it. Don't be competitive. I know that sounds counter-intuitive because you had to compete for the interview. But now you're among peers and hopefully future PA colleagues. It's time to play nice. You don't have to be gregarious, but you have to be willing to smile, be responsive, and share something of yourself when asked. I've described this before as acting like you're meeting your boyfriend's or girlfriend's parents for the first time, for those of you that are closer to that event than you are to your 50th wedding anniversary. You know: be yourself, but on a good day! What sometimes gets in the way is that you think your whole future depends on doing well in this one interview. Like you're the field goal kicker trying to win the Super Bowl with seconds to go. "If I miss, my team will lose, the coach will be mad, I'll get cut, another team won't hire a loser like me, my family will leave me, and I'll have to beg at an intersection to make a living..." Sounds funny, but we all can go go to a place like that when we panic. And these outlandish thoughts just make us tighten up and not be ourselves! In reality, this interview is only one event on one of many paths to this goal, which is only one of the many goals you'll have in your life. The more you fixate on it and tighten up, the worse you'll probably do. So get some rest, tell yourself that it is not the equivalent of match point in your life, and just do your best. You may be asked a bizarre question, like if you could be a body part, which one would it be and why? Is there a right answer to that? Of course there's not! Just roll with it and think on the fly. And, when you're done, having left an impression that you are a balanced, personable human being who has learned something from being alive this long while pursuing difficult goals, be satisfied with that. You don't have to be mistake-free in your life -- no one is. But only that your experiences -- good and bad -- have made you who you are. And that is good enough. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLopez11 Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Hi! I was in your exact position last year! It was my one (and only) interview, and I did end up getting accepted and am currently in my second term of school (which is so wild to me!). Don’t get me wrong, I was definitely nervous! But I like to look at interviews as a chance to show the interviewers who I am. I think part of what makes that easier is to be confident that you are deserving of your interview. They saw your stats, read your personal statement and it made them excited to meet you. Now is your chance to show them why you’d be a good fit for the program! So many people regret not showing their personality, so think about that and just enjoy the day! There was a huge chance I wouldn’t get in, but I knew either way I was gaining something. If it doesn’t work out this time, you’ll learn a ton for next cycle! But that’s not to say you won’t nail it in one shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paPassion7 Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share Posted October 7, 2018 @UGoLong @SPLopez11 thank you both SO much for your encouraging words! It's nice to get a perspective from people who have been through this process. I will take your words to heart while prepping and while I'm at the interview. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paPassion7 Posted October 7, 2018 Author Share Posted October 7, 2018 On 10/5/2018 at 9:30 PM, SSPP123 said: I am also in your shoes! I have my first/only (so far) interview this upcoming Thursday and I am nervous as heck. This school is also my top choice, so I am really praying things go well. How are you preparing? Good luck, I'm hoping for the best for you!! I bought "How to Ace the Physician Assistant School Interview" and have been reading that book and taking notes on the advice it gives. I also am making lists of my strengths, weaknesses, personal qualities, etc. I have two mock interviews set up with a physician I work with, as well as one of my professors. I am also shadowing a PA next week, and I'm going to bring a list of questions I have for her. Finally, I gave my roommate and other friends a list of common questions that are asked at interviews, and I have them randomly ask me questions/catch me off guard with them to help me think on my toes. You're not alone in feeling uncertain and nervous, but I will be rooting for you on Thursday! Oh, and I've been reading the programs website at least once EVERYDAY to get a better understand of their program/values/what they're looking for. Everyday I find a tidbit of information I overlooked before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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