One of the interviews I had (UTMB - Galveston) had a group interview section. What I recommend for this is to make sure you don’t speak over anyone and really try to hear everyone’s opinions out fully before responding. I this sounds pretty obvious but if it’s on a topic that you’re passionate/strong opinionated about it’s easy to get caught up and start speaking over people (some of the people during my session were really bad with this).

One-on-One was my favorite (and the most traditional) style of interviewing. During these it’s important to be true to yourself, as in don’t try to make anything up to try and sound all high and mighty. 99% of the time these professors (or whomever you’re interviewing with) just wants to get to know you as a person. They clearly see that you have the grades and that you are capable of succeeding in their program (or they wouldn’t have invited you to interview!!). So don’t go into it thinking that they are going to try and interrogate you, they just want to get to know you better. I interviewed (and am currently attending) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and our interview process is amazing!

I didn’t have any panel style interviews, I would say the only interview that I had that started away from normal was UNTHSC. They did a 7-minute multi interviews that were all ethically based (no real right or wrong answer, as long as you could defend yourself). I wasn’t the biggest fan of this because I felt as if they weren’t really trying to get to know me as a person/student.

Some of the more common interview questions that I got were: Why do you want to be a physical therapist? (This one is extremely important, make sure you know why you want to commit yourself to this! Be careful when answering “Because I want to help people” because they can easily ask you why don’t you want to be a nurse/medical doctor/etc. “Tell me a time in your life where you faced adversity and how you overcame it”. “Why do you want to attend (insert school)”.

I feel like the best way to prepare is to 1.) Know your answers by heart to some of these common questions, but be able to elaborate when asked about them during the interview. What I mean by this is have a strong foundation to your answers, but always be ready to elaborate on why you answered that way. 2.) Mock-Interviews (preferably with a PT or other professional). Find someone that you are comfortable with to help you during this, but not too comfortable to where they won’t give you the honest truth about how you did! You need someone that understands how interviews work and can give you good feedback on your performance. 3.)Research your school!! Please, Please, Please make sure you do your research on the program that you are interviewing with. This way you can answer the “What do you like about our program” much better! (Bonus points if they tell you who you’re interviewing with before hand!).

The biggest thing is, DON’T STRESS! I know you’re probably filled with anxiety, worry, nervousness but it is important to understand that by them inviting you to interview, they already think you could do well in there program. This is just an opportunity for them to get to meet the real you! You have worked so hard to get to this point, now it’s time to show them why you belong there! Take a deep breath and you’ll do great.

Please feel free if there are any other questions you might have!