A substantial proportion of medical school applicants have performed research prior to matriculating to medical school. Several concrete accomplishments — such as presentations, publications and awards, to name a few –can distinguish applicants in this area.
But the key to leaving a strong, positive impression of your research with the interviewer is how effectively you tell the story of that work. Story is one of the most effective — and memorable — ways to communicate information about your accomplishments to others.
Some people are naturally gifted storytellers, but storytelling is a skill that anyone can learn to master with a deliberate approach and practice. Here are four tips to powerfully communicate the story of your research during medical school interviews.
[Use five strategies to ace a medical school admissions interview.]
1. Follow a three-act structure: At their most basic level, stories have a three-part structure : a beginning, middle and end. This may seem basic, but it is surprising how often interviewees leap into describing the details of their research without providing the necessary context.
Use the beginning of your story to frame the narrative and make the case for why the research you are doing or have done is important and what is known in the field. Then use the middle of your story to describe the experience by explaining your role in the research and how each result informed the hypothesis and direction of your project.
Finally, for the end, convey what you have learned and what the next logical steps are. Throughout the narrative, emphasize what surprised and confused you and what new questions you have about the experience.
Remember that the results of the research are relatively less important than what your reaction says about your intellectual curiosity, ability to think critically and work as a member of a team.
[Read six tips for discussing research experiences in medical school interviews.]
Compare these descriptions of the same research:
Story 1: My research is focused on the role of protein X in HIV. My hypothesis was that protein X is overexpressed as a compensatory response to treatment with drug Y. I used techniques A, B and C to show that my hypothesis was correct. I also found that protein Z is overexpressed. I am now studying the role of proteins X and Z in HIV replication and survival.
Story 2: Resistance to antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV is a major public health problem. Given that protein X has been shown to play a role in HIV resistance, I hypothesized that it is overexpressed as a compensatory response to treatment with drug Y. Using techniques A, B and C, I showed that protein X was overexpressed and — to my surprise — that protein Y was also overexpressed. Protein Y is particularly fascinating because of its role in virion release. Given these data, I refined my hypothesis and am now studying the role of proteins X and Z in HIV replication and survival. Better understanding of these pathways may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies to combat HIV resistance.
Note that the second narrative places the research’s hypothesis, findings and implications in a clear context. Further, explaining your response to unanticipated results makes the story more engaging and memorable for the interviewer. By implementing this approach, you will put yourself in a strong position to make a lasting, positive impression with your interviewer.
2. Write down your research narrative: This may seem tedious, but writing down your research narrative is one of the best ways to remove extraneous information and clarify your point.
The good news is that you have likely already done most of this work when preparing your admissions essays. The trick here is to distill these essays so that you can explain your project in a roughly two-minute window.
Despite the fact that you are writing down this narrative in advance, resist the urge to pack the story with detailed technical explanations of how you conducted the research. This common pitfall in both essays and interviews may make it appear you can’t see the bigger picture of the research . While you should be prepared to answer any technical questions regarding your project, leave out detailed technical explanations from your initial explanation.
[Know what to ask during medical school admissions interviews.]
3. Practice, practice, practice: This is perhaps the most important — and often overlooked — aspect of your narrative preparation.
Practice explaining your research to colleagues and peers as well as to family and friends without a science background. In all instances, seek candid feedback both on what worked well and on areas upon which you could improve.
Explore taking part in presentations at conferences and lab meetings as well as mock interviews that are offered on many college campuses. These are more structured settings that can provide you with excellent opportunities to practice.
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3 Tips for Crafting a Research Narrative for Medical School Interviews originally appeared on usnews.com
