interviews...

I've been to two medical school interviews so far: Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Pittsburgh. Both schools were quite impressive, particularly the facilities. WashU just built brand new classrooms and study carrals in the new Learning Center. Pittsburgh has the most extensive simulation center out of all the medical schools. I enjoyed both cities a lot, but I may be biased toward UPitt since Frances showed me such a good time. =)

What I wanted to report was that both faculty interviews, either by luck or match, were just perfect. Dr. Kim at WashU had lived in Berkeley for 5 years and loves yoga, so most of the interview involved chatting about healing energy and my undergraduate experience there. Dr. Yazer at Pittsburgh (amazingly enough) happened to love trance music so we discussed various artists, musical genres, its availability in Pittsburgh, and my involvement with DanceSafe. Oddly enough, DanceSafe and integrative medicine were the two areas of my background that I thought would be too controversial to bring up in the interview. Much advice was given against discussing my views on these subjects in fear that I would offend my interviewers. Yet somehow either these interviewers found in me a kindred spirit, one who could supplement their opinions, or setting my space when I came to interview REALLY helped (with aid from friends I'm sure). It's been a great experience so far to not only feel truly qualified to be at these prestigious institutions but also to feel wanted by the people who have interviewed me. How comforting to know that there is a match out there for me, despite all the rejections (7 and counting).

So when people ask about med school interview horror stories, I have nothing to say...yet. One more interview to go at Mayo. Cross my fingers that it'll be as good (if not better) than the ones so far.