Human kinetics student Craig Jennings wants to apply to medical school following StFX graduation. Thanks to a unique StFX offering, he now knows what it’s like to go through the nerve-wracking, all-important admission interview process.

Mock Interview Day, an annual event organized by the StFX Career Centre and StFX biology professor Dr. Edwin DeMont, gives science students a chance to hone their interview skills – a key part of the admission selection process – before going through the real thing. 

“Most of the programs students apply to, the interview can constitute up to 40 per cent of the decision on admission. The issue is many of our students have never gone through a formal job interview,” says Dr. DeMont.

He came up with the idea to help students applying to post-graduate programs such as medical, veterinary sciences, dentistry as well as many direct entry jobs and other programs by offering a mock interview.

He spoke with Jane MacDonald, manager of StFX’s Student Career Centre, about setting up a day where faculty, staff, and local professionals could join together to act as interviewers. The partnership was born.

Students apply to take part (there is no charge) and questions are customized to suit each interview.

Results have been impressive.

Dr. DeMont says about 80 per cent of students who have gone through the process were admitted to the program to which they applied.

Student feedback has also been quite positive.

“This type of situation is great for students to be placed in and should be practiced more often,” says Mr. Jennings, co-president of the campus pre-med society, who liked the chance to think on his feet in the interview.

“Additionally, when the interview was over, they provided very constructive feedback.”

He also thanked the volunteers who gave freely of their time on a Saturday. “They did a great job.”

“I really think it helps the students to prepare,” says local dentist Dr. Paul Cameron, a StFX alumnus, and immediate past president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association.

“The types of questions and hypothetical situations that are presented to them, are ones they would not normally encounter.”

Dr. Cameron says he personally knows a few very qualified dentistry applicants who had high academic averages, played sports, volunteered, and seemingly had everything needed for successful admission into dental school. “But they did poorly on their interview and that's what kept them out. So the more prepared a student can be for that interview, I believe is crucial for their application.”

The Mock Interview Day provides students the opportunity to practice their skills in a welcoming, learning environment, Ms. MacDonald says.

“Having local professionals contribute to the event gives students a first-hand experience of the profession and what competencies and attributes contributes to professional success. Mock Interview Day is one event that contributes to the unique learning environment that StFX has to offer.”

Following a 35-40 minute interview, panelists provide feedback to the students shortly after the interview.

To participate, students must submit an application form and resume before the application deadline. All questions are customized to the program the student plans to apply to. Questions can range from situational, behavioural, to those that arise from the application package. Students are to prepare the same way they would for a real interview.

Information on the Mock Interview Day and an application form is available on the StFX Student Career Centre website at http://sites.stfx.ca/scc/Mock_Interview_Day