714 miles later...Texas A and M Interview Details

Texas A&M interview Day, Temple Texas

General Info: 
Texas A&M has three campuses: College Station, Temple, and Dallas. The Dallas campus was a new addition and the staff seems to be really excited about that.  Last year Texas A&M admitted 50 too many students. Changes including one medical school loosing their accreditation and a new admission president at another school changed A&M's statistics from 1:3 to 1:2 (Matriculated Student:Offered Acceptance).  They got things worked out eventually.  


Temple's campus is adjacent to the Scott and White Medical Center. Scott and White is Crisp, Clean, and Ominous. That is how I would describe it.  I was very impressed. As a matter of fact I took a jog up around campus around 730am before my interview .  The sunrise was remarkable and the hospital area had a good feel about it. I like how much I could see while on the same hill as Scott and White. 


Here is the schedule of the interview day: INTERVIEW DAY SCHEDULE

The Interviews:


I interviewed with a 3rd year medical student and an Internal Medicine Doctor Dr. S.


The medical student 
What has your experiences in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught you about medicine?  
- Although this topic can be controversial I was able to explain some of the benefits of my serving a two year proselytizing mission in the Caribbean. 


If I (the interviewer) were the only person deciding my acceptance into medical school, tell me why you should be accepted to Texas A&M?
- I was sure to look at him straight in the eye. I told him that he needs me at Texas A&M.  My study habits are such that I will do well in medical school. What's more is I am committed to assisting my fellow students. Therefor I can say with certainty that I will be a benefit to Texas A&M by succeeding in school, giving a good name to Texas A&M along with assisting others to do the same.  (Sort of good answer)


Dr. S
This was a very good interview!
Dr. S has a very built upper body, a firm handshake and he seems to know exactly what and WHY he is doing things. I liked him right from the get-go.
After shaking his hand I immediately asked him, "I've got to ask you, do you road bike or run? You definitely seem like you take care of your body." (I felt this would be a great equalizing question, meaning that it would put us on common ground along with provide him with a genuine compliment).  He asked if I'd ever heard of P90X. Fortunately I had so I made an X with my forearms and said, "You gotta love Tony Horton".  He liked that. We got off on a good note. We talked small talk for just a little longer and then he got into things.


If you could speak to anyone that has ever lived or now lives, for only 1 hour. Who would it be and why?
- Dang. This was a very telling question. I thought should I be completely honest or try to find something that would be non-confrontational and informative?  I went with my gut as I said, "I've got to be completely honest. I would want nothing more than to spend one hour with my Savior Jesus Christ."  He shook his head in approval then asked, "Why?  What would you ask him. What would you want to know from Him?"  I told him that I would like to learn more how he does what He does. How does He know everyone so perfectly well and more so how He knows how to help others perfectly. I would like to know my own personal weaknesses. What will be my stumbling blocks and what I should work on most to be a better physician.  I was honest in my answer and he received it well. Fortunately he was a Christian as I am and we could understand one another well. (Oh, BTW I got a little emotional while answering this question)


If you could be known for specific traits that three people possess what are the traits and who are the people?
- I said (hence the picture) Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, and Atul Gawande. 


Mother Teresa because of her consistent compassion. She was known for pure Christian service.


Florence Nightingale, her trait of sacrifice. Nurse Nightingale had soldiers coughing and spewing disease all over her and she selflessly served them till her dying day. She thought of others before she thought of herself.


Atul Gawande's precision in practice. He is an example to me of someone that has dove deeply into his profession and allowed it to sharpen his abilities and become an active member of the physician network. I would like to be a remembered as a doctor that was proficient in my skill and dedicated to it's perfection insofar as it is possible.


I will go before the Admissions Committee tomorrow. If I were the only individual on that Committee, tell why I Texas A&M should accept you?
-Again, I looked my interviewer right in the eye and said, "You need me at Texas Tech...I am so sorry. You need me at Texas A&M..." I seriously said that. I gave an ackward chuckle and then Dr. S lightened it a little as he said, "I know Michael. You just want to get in at this point". My comment was a matter of desperation. I really don't care where, I just want to get in. I continued to explain something similar to what I had told the medical student and included my commitment to the School. That as a graduate of Texas A&M I would be loyal to them and continue to contribute my time for their benefit throughout my life as a doctor. Something along those lines.


Oh, he asked me if I had any questions for him which I did but I can't remember what I asked him, maybe what kind of doctor he is and his position with the hospital.  He then told me why he asked the questions he did. He said that the answers to his questions revealed more about an individual to him than any "why do you want to be a doctor" type question.  He straight up told me that I should feel proud and confident that when he goes in-front of the admissions committee tomorrow he will tell them that they would do very well to admit me into their medical program.  I expressed my gratitude for his time and for asking me the questions he had.  


Feelings
I gave it my all. I think the way the curriculum is organized will prove a little more challenging than Texas Tech. Until my last interview the day had been ok.  Dr. S interview made all the difference to me. I hold Texas A&M at a much higher level than I did before and for some reason I think that interview will eventually help me get a spot on Texas A&M's admissions.