PA SCHOOL INTERVIEW PREP: GREAT ANSWERS ≠ GREAT DELIVERY

Let's do a couple questions. See how you do. >> Okay. >> If there's any feedback I see, you know, maybe we'll course correct a little bit and do a couple more. I feel like that's more helpful than doing like 10 and then, >> you know. >> Okay, that's a good idea. >> We'll do that. >> Okay. >> Other questions or are you ready to get going? >> Let's just do it. >> Oh my god, you got this. You so deserve this. Come on. [laughter] >> Got it. >> Okay, let's do this. >> Okay. >> Uh Alexa, thank you so much for coming in. Oh, wait. Sorry. In person or Zoom? Did they say person >> in person. >> Thank goodness. Yeah, I do in person. >> I completely agree. It's so much more normal. >> Yeah. You look them in the eye, you shake their hand. >> Yeah. >> Good stuff. Okay, cool. All right, Alexa, great to meet you. Thank you for coming in. We're excited to learn more about you. >> Thank you. >> All right, so first question I have is, does your academic record contain any challenges? Okay, that is a very interesting question. I yes, I believe that my academic record um does have a few challenges in it. Um I did struggle with my grades for um quite a while. Um the start of my freshman year was especially challenging for me because I did come from a high school that um you know I was online for one and a half years due to co um and those are very crucial times for being in high school and I did miss out on that. So when I traveled across the country to attend the University of Pittsburgh, um not only did I have to deal with that, but I also had to um really learn how to be independent as well. I grew up being very dependent on others and uh when I got to college, I didn't have that anymore and I had to learn how to do things on my own. So this includes learning how to um make up my own study strategies that worked for me and you know not just being told what to do. So that was a very big learning curve. And so when I started my freshman year um I didn't have a great foundation and especially I struggled in my chemistry courses. Um, and I so I really do take accountability because during that time in my freshman year, I should have been asking for help and going to the guidance counselor um, asking what study strategies really do work for this type of class, but I didn't do that. And I take full accountability for that. So, when I took chemistry, I was really just going through the motions. I um I really wasn't thinking about the end goal and well quite quite frankly I didn't know that I wanted to be a PA at the time either. So I you know I really didn't know that grades would be a huge factor in the end and I was just going through the motions when really I should have just retaken that class and got a good grade so that way I have a good framework moving forward. But later on, especially in my chemistry courses, I ended up improving when I took the highest level of chemistry, which was biochemistry. And I really made it a goal to myself at this time to improve my grades and really get out of my comfort zone and ask for help. So, I did make it a goal um to start asking for help. And I started attending office hours every Tuesday at 3 p.m. with my professor. And I really loved how she ran her office hours. She used active recall with us and I really did learn a lot. I learned many study strategies and one study strategy that really ended up working for me was recording my own YouTube videos. So I never posted these videos. They're for my eyes only. But [laughter] but these videos really did help because it made me connect all of the dots and I could also go back and watch the video later on if I needed to remind myself on how I explained something at the time that made sense then but maybe I forgot. So I really did end up improving my chemistry grade. Um and especially I took this class during a time when I had many extracurricular activities happening. So, not only was this a very higher level class, but I also had many other commitments going on at the same time. So, I really did learn a lot of lessons from these courses. Number one being don't cut corners and really have a strong foundation before moving on and also number two ask for help. So that is something that I'll be bringing forward with me into PA school. Um especially >> just give me a few seconds after your response to some. So don't mind the silence. I'm not >> You're good >> asking for more. I'm just kind of typing for a second here. >> Okay. All right, next question. Have you ever considered a career in healthcare that was not physician assistant? >> Yes. So, going into college, I was premed and truthfully, I did not know about all of the other healthcare professions. Um, I knew that I wanted to go into health care, but I I didn't know all the different types of professions out there. So, really, I just listened to my mom and my mom said, "Go and be a doctor." So, that's what I planned on doing. But, um, the whole reason why I wanted to get into healthcare was because of my dermatology um, journey, being a dermatology patient for so long in my life. I had terrible cystic acne starting at a very young age. And really the person that made this journey a lot better for me was a dermatology PA. His name is James, but he also goes by Jim, so that's what I called him. And he really did make the dermatology office feel like a second home to me. He was um he really made me feel like a person rather than just a patient. He always asked me about school. He instilled confidence in me um by just ensuring me that this wasn't going to last forever. I wasn't going to be 80 years old with the same old face of acne. And he um you know, he was just the person that I wanted to be. So that's what made me want to go into healthcare. Later on in college um when I was having a rough time, I I really was having a rough time because I wasn't passionate about going to medical school because it it really wasn't my idea. So, I started researching more healthc care professions other than med school and I stumbled across the PA profession and I was talking to my mom about this. She said, "Well, Jim was a PA." I said, "No way he was." So, I ended up reaching out to Jim and I ended up going to shadow him in two different locations. one where he was more of the independent provider and the other where he was working very collaboratively in a team. And I thought that it was amazing that he could do both. Um, also what I realized when um, you know, Jim was seeing patients was he was using a very holistic um, kind of training like he was he was um, he was really using his generalist kind of education which is what PAs learn in PA school. So they really learn how to treat the whole patient rather than just a condition. So I did see him um you know notice little um conditions in patients that weren't necessarily dermatology related such as diabetes and lupus and he would refer them onwards. So I thought that was incredible. Um you know part of my goal as you know just a person is to have knowledge and be able to help people as much as possible. Um and you know this was incredible to see him do that. Also, what I really like about the PA profession is that PAs have the ability to expand quality access to health care, especially in underserved communities. I did live in an underserved community for some time in high school, and I um you know, it it really is meaningful to me to be able to contribute towards expanding healthc care because you know, it wasn't in reach when I was in high school. So that is part of my mission and also what I really like about PAs is they can bridge the gap between the patient and the provider. So when I was shadowing a surgery PA, I noticed that he spent a lot of time rounding um more often than the physician and just spending a little bit more time with the patient while the physician would focus on either more challenging cases or bureaucratic tasks or you know all the things that physicians do. So, I really liked that this um surgery PA was spending a lot of time with his patients. And um all these qualities are, you know, what I really like about the PA profession as well as all of the traits of a PA. They're collaborative, adaptive, and compassionate. And I really resonate with all of those traits. All right, next question. What is the most important healthc care issue that is going on in America today? >> Um, okay. Okay. Sorry, I just needed one second if that's okay. >> Think about this question. Um, >> let's pause. >> Okay. [laughter] Oh gosh. >> Let's pause. Let's pause. Let's pause. There's a reason they're pausing. Um, so whatever you were thinking about, I'll give you a second to think about it later. Um, I want to first off say first two questions. Fantastic. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Like very very very good. I could tell you practiced. I could tell you thought them through. >> Not afraid to share. There's certainly some little corrections, but we'll deal with it. >> Yeah. >> First two are great. >> Okay. >> So, just breathe a sigh of relief. You're doing really, really, really good. Better than most. >> Okay. >> You take a breath. Have you Have you taken a breath at all today? >> No, actually, not at [laughter] all. I mean, I'll do it with you if I need to, but just take a breath. You know, slow down a little bit. It's okay. You can breathe. >> Okay. >> All right. So, focus on that. Uh, take a couple breaths before I tell you this next thing. >> I already know what you're gonna say. [laughter] >> You do? What am I gonna say? I'm not sure if >> my reaction to that question. >> Okay. Yeah, you're right. >> Yeah, [laughter] I won't do that during the interview. >> Well, >> well, maybe, but >> maybe. Let's hope not. So, I mean, it's not the end of the world, you know? It's not I've seen way worse. >> Yeah. >> But here's literally what I wrote down. >> Okay. >> Transcribe everything, right? This is everything you said. I also said, "Looks up at the sky. We're going to have to correct that." >> Um, here I literally said nervous giggle, played with hair, try to avoid these things because this was like especially not super confident, right? [laughter] >> Yeah, I know. No, >> okay, so let's reframe it. Oh man, >> I understand why you're feeling the way you're feeling and it's okay. >> No, because that is something that I completely forgot to review before >> your issues. >> Yeah, I was fully planning on going through the newsletters, the AAPA site, >> and doing [laughter] all of that. >> I mean, they might bring up something that you totally didn't prepare for. >> Yeah, >> it's okay. I promise if you just give yourself two seconds to think logically, you'll think of something. Okay. >> So, what I want to reframe this as, don't even think about the question. I can see you're thinking of an answer. Hold on a second. >> Okay. [laughter] >> All right. In these moments, like, okay, imagine this. Have you ever had a sick relative, friend, family member? >> Mhm. >> Have you ever been to the doctor with them? >> No. >> Okay. Who was, if you don't mind sharing, or I guess maybe we shouldn't share. Let's say it was your mom, right? >> Okay. >> All right. Let's say mom had freaking I don't know pyon nephritis. She was really sick. Her her kidney was really inflamed, right? And so she's in a lot of pain. She's feverish. She's sweating. She doesn't know if she's going to make it. And you go into the doctor's office, you know, her nephologist or the emergency room. And the PA comes in and you're like, "Oh, thank God you're here. We're in so much pain. Um, you know, is mom gonna make it? Is she going to be okay?" And she's like, "I don't know. Um, uh, you'd probably like run out of that hospital and go to the next one. >> Yeah, definitely. >> Okay. So, don't do that. >> I know. [laughter] >> Easier said than done, but like just visualize that you are the PA. You are the expert. >> You're the expert on you, right? You're the expert on your application. >> Yeah. >> You know, all the information. It's not about that. Mhm. >> You have to zone in and be like, "I'm the PA. >> I'm the boss. This is my show. I got this." >> Okay. [clears throat] >> I'm Alexa. I know everything you're going to ask me. >> Okay. >> None of this >> All right. >> Dialed in, professional, confident. You deserve to be there. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. That's one. Two. If you hear a question and it throws you off or even if it doesn't, take a second, >> okay? >> Just Yeah. Healthcare issue plaguing America today. Okay. And then you just run through like the last three things that you saw and you'll think of something. Just pick it at random. >> Okay. >> Acne. I mean, whatever is important to you. It doesn't matter. There's no right answer. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Blood pressure, schizophrenia, I don't care. Pick something and then just talk about it. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah, I think I can come up with something. >> You have to. You got it. >> That make things better or worse. >> You know, [laughter] I I think that made things better. >> Sure. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> We got quit giggling. Um >> I know. >> I don't know what to do about this. Uh I don't know. I mean, I hate bringing people's vibe down, but think of something sad, I guess. >> I don't know. Um, but anyway. Okay. Ready? >> Yeah. >> We're going to do the we're going to do a different question, then we'll we'll do it again. >> Okay. >> Back to that one. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, next. You got me. All right. Next question. Uh, what kinds of patients are difficult for you to work with? >> Yes. So, I I wouldn't necessarily categorize patients into being difficult. I would say that in healthcare sometimes you come across patients that require a little bit more effort than others which is completely okay. Um and honestly that's just part of life. Um, so one situation in particular was when I was working as a patient care technician in the surgical unit of the hospital and we had a patient um she was an older lady who was refusing much of her um care and she would refuse things like vitals and she also refused getting up and going to the bathroom. So, she was going in the bed and a lot of our co-workers thought that she was doing out of spite. You know, it was this little old lady. Um, and people thought that she was really mean and, you know, just refusing things out of spite for our team for some reason. So, I knew that something had to be up because we get a lot of these patients. Um, and I've been around there for a while, so I've seen it all. So, usually I'm the one that goes into these rooms because my co-workers know that I am usually pretty good with conflict resolution. So, usually I'm the one that gets sent into these rooms. So, before I went in, I just decided to collect my thoughts a little bit and just try to think of all the different possibilities of why this little old lady was, you know, refusing everything and yelling at everybody. And, you know, I just had to think for a minute. So, I was thinking that, you know, maybe she was agitated, she was in pain, or her medications were making her act out in some kind of way or maybe she was from a different culture where uh you know her hospital care is different there than it is here and we weren't doing things up to her standards and that has always that has happened many times in the hospital. So, I just tried to think of all of these possibilities before going into the room. And when I entered, I introduced myself very calmly and I just explained everything that I needed to do and why. And I found that in health care, usually if you explain what you're doing that the patient will be a lot more um they'll be they'll accept what you're doing a lot more and they won't be as afraid or agitated. Um so that's what I did. I just explained everything that needed to be done and why. I told her that we needed vitals because she's on uh these certain medications where if her heart rate goes up that's not good or if her blood pressure goes up that's not good and she's on this medication and you know so I just explained everything to her and I also explained um you know if you keep on going to the bathroom in the bed then you know that might um affect your quality of life in the future because that might um you know make you incontinent in the future and you can't get up out of bed. So, I was just explaining all these things to her and she was becoming a lot less agitated. Um, so I took everything one step at a time. I explained it. I did it and I ended up um finding out why she wouldn't get up to go to the bathroom and that's because she had a previous fall at another hospital. And you know, this is when everything clicked. And I said, "Okay, so we have these things called bedside commodeses. we can put it right next to your bed. You don't have to get up. You can just stand up and pivot. I'll be right here. I could even get a helper. And when she heard that, her mood completely changed because she was so afraid of falling again. Um, you know, that she didn't want to get up. So, that really did help her. She ended up getting up to the bedside commode perfectly and she was so happy. So, that really did teach me a big lesson to, you know, not look at things at face value. really think of why a patient might be feeling a certain type of way and just have a lot of patience with people because even though I was in that room for a while um you know ultimately our job is to ensure the safety of our patients and um you know just you know provide the best care possible. So, uh, I'm she really did appreciate it and she did end up writing me a handwritten l handwritten letter later on thanking me for being patient with her, which I really did appreciate and it also solidified my uh, desire to be in healthcare. >> Okay. >> All right. Going to pause the slow clap on that one. You did so good. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Did [laughter] you notice that? >> You notice how much better that was, right? >> Oh, yeah. [laughter] >> Oh, thank the Lord. Okay, good. Yeah, that was way better. >> Okay, good. >> Way, way better. You were professional. You were still warm, friendly. >> Okay. >> Smiling, but you weren't like over the top. >> Okay, that's good to hear. >> That was excellent. All right. Excellent. Good job. Um, okay. Next. Next. I was going to ask you about the chemistry, but you already talked about that. >> Uh, okay. >> What qualities do you possess that set you apart from other PA school candidates? >> This is a very interesting question. So, I think that a quality that sets me apart is my optimism. I have always been very optimistic throughout college. I faced many challenges as you know, and I still persevered. So, I'm still sitting here right now in a PA school interview. I did not let those challenges get the best of me. and I I continue pushing through. Um my optimism has led me to create a club at my university called AIMH High, which is all about self-improvement. And I motivate many students um from my university in this program. I mean, in this organization, I um I've really taught people how to push past barriers and achieve their goals. And really all that takes is hard work and dedication. So I am somebody who likes to give out compliments. I always look at things as a glass half full and I continue pushing no matter the barrier or the challenge. So I think that um in the future when I am a PA student, I will be somebody that remains very optimistic. I'll encourage all of my classmates to continue working hard. And even if somebody gets a bad score on an on an exam, I'll still look at things positively and encourage them to do the same. And I will always offer support towards my classmates um by offering guidance as well as um offering other solutions that might help them. So I I really try to remain optimistic and that is something that I think is a strong suit of mine. >> Good. And why are you choosing to apply to this program? >> Yes. So Mercy College of Ohio is one of my dream programs. I immediately was intrigued in this program due to its small class size. Um, going to the University of Pittsburgh, I was in classrooms of over 400 students. I didn't get to connect those um I didn't get to form those connections with my professors as much as I would have liked to. But when I did have an opportunity in my anatomy course that only had 30 students, I excelled and I made a very strong bond with my professor who also wrote me a letter of recommendation. So, um, first of all, the small class size would be incredible to my learning and I think that I would really fit in. And then once I did see that small class size and decided to apply to this program, I um I did see the secondary um the supplemental question that asked about the growth mindset, which is what I based my self-improvement club off of. So, as soon as I saw that growth mindset question, I felt connected to this program immediately because there's no other programs that I've come across that have asked about that. So um the growth mindset is something that I really um value and what I want in a program. So that is another thing. And then also um Mercy College offers um simulated environments and I am really somebody that learns by doing. So, I've always performed much better in my lab courses than the actual lectures. Um, that's just because I I really do learn by doing. So, I would really benefit from a program that has uh simulated environments and simulated patient encounters. Um, and I really do believe that would make me a more confident provider in the future. Also, what I really like about this program is its emphasis on interprofessional education. Um, and I really do believe that you can't learn how to collaborate in a team from a book. You have to experience it and actually learn in the moment. So, this program offers experiences like disaster day and the opioid crisis where you're working collaboratively in a team. And that's just really exciting to me um to be able to experience that. So, I'm very impressed with this program and those are all the reasons why I would love to be part of this. All right. And then this is No, we'll skip this one in the interest of time. Okay. Uh this is me as the interviewer, not me as Boris. Uh do you have any questions for us? Yes, I do. So, I did notice on your social media that the class of 2025 did reach a 100% firsttime pants pass rate and that is incredible. So, I was wondering what the program did differently to achieve this. >> Anything else? >> Yes. Another question that I have is um this program um I did see that it emphasizes service, leadership and scholarship and um I was wondering what experiences or events you offer to students or that students will embark on um themselves to achieve this mission. >> Anything else? Two is good. If you have two, it's fine. >> I was just going to say like a more personal question. Um, what made you decide to teach at this program? >> Is that all of them? >> Yeah. >> All right. And I think we should do at least one scenario just to see how you go through the four-step method, right? >> Okay. Okay. Did you get to that in your >> I'm not going to lie. I did not look at yours, but I did take the Casper exam and I did score in the fourth fourth percentile. So, >> which percentile? >> Fourth quartile, which is the highest. >> Oh, good. Okay. >> So, and that is another thing they asked me to do and I I scored in that. So, >> we'll see if I remember [laughter] to do this. >> All right. We'll see how you do. >> Okay. My method is not like written in stone. It just kind of helps. >> Okay. What was your method again? Was it um >> let me see >> take a look at it for the second. I'm just picking a question that I want to use. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Here's a good one. Got it. >> Um, I'm just trying to remember what I used for the Casper exam that helped me >> or the STAR method. >> I don't I don't remember. Was it? [laughter] >> Um, what was that? situation, task, action. Hold on. Let me just look at this for a second. >> Just let me know when you're ready. >> Okay. Situation. Okay. The problem solutions. Oh, get more information. Okay. That That was something that was big. >> That's a big one. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Okay. All right. I think I could do this. >> Got it. >> Okay. We'll see what happens. Yep. >> I mean, demonstrate understanding, summarize, uh, get more information, and then just kind of go from there. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Don't forget to try to get more information. And that's literally it. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, last question. This is going to be a group activity. You're the only person in the group, but still, this is a group activity. Uh, it's a situation question. So, the situation is your best friend confess confesses. Confesses, my bad. Your best friend confesses to you that she hit a pedestrian one month ago while driving under the influence. She tells you that she kept driving because she was scared and felt really guilty about it. How would you respond? >> Okay, that's a very tough situation because um first of all, that is my best friend. Uh but second of all, she did hit a pedestrian under the influence, which is illegal, and she did drive off. First of all, I would try to gather more information and um approach her in a non-confrontational and non-judgmental way. um I wouldn't want to come across as you know judging her at all. So um I would really try to remain calm and keep a calm tone. So I would ask her for more information. Um you know I would ask first of all um was the pedestrian okay afterwards if that she knows about. Um I would also ask why she was driving under the influence and also why she drove off. Um, you know, there might be a reason why this happened. Maybe she was um on her way to the hospital or trying to get to an emergency and you know some Oh my gosh. [laughter] Okay. Wait, sorry. Sorry that didn't happen. Okay. Okay. So, I would get more information um and I would think about different solutions. So I mean solutions. Okay. So maybe there was a reason why she was under the influence. Um maybe it was accidental and she didn't realize that she was under the influence or maybe she was, you know, she was she spent a late night at a bar. she had a few too many drinks and she um had some kind of emergency situation to get to like maybe her mom was in the hospital um and she had to get there. So, I would really try to think about all these different possibilities first. Um first of all, I would encourage her to step up to the plate and um confess that she was the one that hit this pedestrian. If she did not go herself, I would feel that I have um I'm obligated to confess because she is the one that did confess this and it is illegal. So if so, I would have to do that if she didn't. Um but you know, first of all, I would give her an opportunity to That's my answer. All right, that's the end of the What happened there? You did so good. >> I think I just like stumbled on my words and then I started getting the giggles. So, [laughter] >> if that part didn't happen, it would have been fine. [laughter] >> Yeah, it was really solid and you were doing so great. I was like, what happened here? >> I I really don't know. Well, I was well, the thing is I was thinking [laughter] like if she was drunk, what kind of emergency would she be going? I mean, I was like at first I was thinking, okay, yeah, like there might be an emergency like with her family, but then I think I started saying something like an emergency that she has to respond to and I was like, she's not on the job. [laughter] I don't know. I just >> just kind of got away from you. >> It's okay. >> Okay. >> It's all right if that happens. practice a little more and it'll happen less. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'll be I won't I won't have all the giggles on interview day. I'll be too nervous. >> Wait, I thought you got the giggles when you were nervous. >> I don't know. [laughter] >> Okay. I mean, it's not it's not a big deal. It'll be fine. Giggles are definitely better than like it's not the end of the world, >> right? >> Um Yeah. You don't want to cry too much. >> Yeah. >> You don't want to giggle too much either. I mean, you want to take it serious. >> Yeah. Uh, I mean, I love the energy, but in a professional setting, I'd be like, "Come on, girl." Like, dial it in a little bit. [laughter] >> Yes. Yeah. >> Practice with someone who I don't know if I'm making you nervous or practice with someone who's like I don't know that makes you nervous and just hold it together. >> Okay. Okay. >> I don't know somebody. Um, but Okay, cool. How did you feel about the scenario? I I think that I um I like the framework really does work for that and I feel like I'm able to navigate that pretty well. Um and I feel like I was able to think of things on the spot pretty fast, too. >> So, I feel like in scenario questions, I feel like I won't have a problem. I think it was just that one. I got the giggles. It's not going to happen. I did fine on my Casper test, [laughter] I swear. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, is the Casper's on a computer and this is what >> Right. Yeah. >> But Okay. When is your interview? >> It is on the 14th. >> Oh, you still have like two weeks. >> Yeah. Well, >> nine days. >> Yeah. Math. I can't do math. Uh, nine days. >> Yeah. >> Are you working a lot until then? >> Yeah, every single day. >> Oh, no. Why? >> Every single day. Well, I did start a new job as a medical assistant and um they need help and I picked it up pretty fast. So, I'm taking on extra days to help >> or because you can't say no to work. >> Yeah, I can't say no. And then I'm also working at convo. So, >> damn. Are you gonna be able to like focus for a couple hours and really just uh >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Slow down a little bit. Really focus on this? Yeah, >> it's important. >> No, this is the future. Medical assistant's not and the bar is definitely not. >> Yeah, though. >> Okay. All right. Just promise me you'll go for like a solid half an hour to an hour of like dedicated practice. >> Yeah. >> Just over and over again questions over and over again. Practice thinking, practice talking. >> Yeah. >> You get a little awkward or, you know, giggly or anything and practice being like, "All right, stop it." >> Okay. [laughter] >> That'll come with practice. >> Swear I really wasn't giggling when I was practicing on my own. I like I had my camera up. I was recording myself and honestly I was I was looking back at the videos and I was like, "Wow, I sound so monotone." So, >> really? >> And now [laughter] now I'm giggling. So, honestly, I think it might just be you. >> It's my fault. >> Yeah. [laughter] No, I'm just kidding. >> No, it literally is I I have that effect on literally nobody. But yeah, I don't know. Maybe it's me. I don't know. Practice with somebody else who like >> Yeah. Yeah, I haven't practiced with anybody yet besides myself. So, it I think it might just be that. >> Oh my god. Yeah. Have all your friends quiz you, your family. >> Yeah. >> People at the bar, I don't care. Like, they can laugh, they can giggle, they can have fun, and you're the >> boss mode. The best practice ever. They're going to be drunk >> and they're going to be like firing up questions and you're going to have to hold it together. >> That is true. Yeah, that's a great idea. [laughter] >> Yeah. I mean, imagine you're at a small rural emergency room. The doctor's doing like a chest tube. you're the only one there. And like seven drunk, giggly bartender girls come in and like one of them broke their leg or something and they're all like the energy is crazy. You're the one who's got to hold it together. You're the boss, >> right? Yeah. Yeah, that is true. That's That's a great idea actually. Yeah. >> You're the one wearing the jacket. You're boss mode. >> Yes. Exactly. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, how did you feel you did overall? >> Um I feel like I I feel like my stories were there. Mhm. >> Um I I think that at first um when I heard certain questions I was like okay how am I going to connect this to you know what I wanted to say like what I wanted to bring up in the interview. So I think um once I started going with the question and quit rambling a little bit I got on point and got to what I wanted to say. >> Yeah. Um I wouldn't worry too much about rambling. There was a little bit of repetition. >> Yeah. >> But it wasn't excessive. So, I wouldn't worry about it because I don't want you to like get nervous and try to correct too many things. Like the way you talk is fine. >> Okay. >> And if that kind of helps you pull things out of your brain a little bit, it's okay to be like a little rambly. It's not a big deal. >> Okay. >> You did it excessively, I'd tell you stop, but like no, you're you're okay with that. >> Okay. >> I honestly thought like overall like way better than most. Like easily easily way better than most. You weren't afraid to talk. You weren't afraid to give examples, warm and engaging. You answered the questions well. Uh everything was very positive. I mean, I would say easily like I don't know what percent the top few that I've done. >> Thank you. That that makes me feel a lot better. [laughter] >> Honestly, the more I do this Where'd you go? I have this Oh, I'm sharing my screen. That's why. Um the more I do this, the more I realize it's kind of like practicing medicine where more people just kind of want reassurance rather than actual solutions, >> right? Yeah, >> that is true. >> Like I would go through like a whole hour of advice and someone would be like, "But am I doing okay?" Like, "Yes, you're doing okay." >> Yeah. >> You know, but you like genuinely. You are doing very, very well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So, any little criticisms are mostly just tweaks except for the hyper giggliness that needs to go. >> I'm I'm gonna work on it. [laughter] >> Uh, okay. So, yeah. Don't take any critique too serious, >> but not the most confident thing in the world, right? >> No. >> All right. So, do you have any um academic challenges? Uh [laughter] >> it's not. Um well, yeah, actually I I think I do. Straight on. >> Yeah. Okay. >> You said interesting question a few times. Is it though? Is it that interesting? >> Well, okay. I I'm trying to think of what to say when I'm like thinking because I don't want to say Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. You watch Grace's uh video, right? >> Watched all the videos. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. That I mean that's a good one. Interesting question is fine. It's just not super genuine because it's >> Yeah. >> Glad you did a C and C. Oh, interesting. Like is it though? [laughter] >> But if that's your habit, I guess fine. I just rather it be something more genuine. >> Yeah, I I'll work on that one too. Can you work on can you practice doing this? Um either repeat the question or just like respond to the question with like your gut level reaction. Then you can take a pause if you want and then go into your response. >> Okay. >> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Yeah. Just like restate the question basically. Yeah. >> You can restate it or you can literally just like your gut level response. So like excuse me. Uh, so like does your academic record contain any challenges? You immediately think like, okay, damn, that C, that withdrawal, that whatever. Go like, yeah, it definitely does. >> Mhm. >> And then it's totally natural to pause right after that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> You know, >> yeah, >> I would practice doing that. I think that's much more genuine. >> Okay, that's a great idea. Yeah. >> Have you ever considered a career in healthcare that was not physician assistant? Actually, yes, definitely. >> Pause is fine. Gather your thoughts. Okay. >> Right. I think that's a strategy for you. >> Yeah, that's great. >> What's the most important healthcare issue in America today? Oh, very interesting question. That is genuine. >> Yeah. >> What kinds of patients are difficult for you to work with? >> Some patients can certainly take some energy. >> But I would not categorize them, you know, like >> Yeah. reaction tiny little statement and then you can think. >> Okay. That's Yeah, that's a great idea. >> That would be if you could. Okay. Perfect. You have to default to interesting, whatever. Do it. But like, >> yeah, [laughter] >> stop that habit. I know. As soon as I said it, I was like, "Oh, >> you said a number of times. Let's [laughter] >> interesting." >> Oh gosh. >> Only twice. Oh, only twice. Good job. >> I probably said it more honestly. >> I don't know. Command fine doesn't really lie. Okay. Yes, only twice. Not too bad. >> Okay. >> Anyway. Okay. So, here we go. This uh my record does have a few struggles. Absolutely good. I mean, reviewing your record, I was going to ask you about this and you got ahead of it. So, cool. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Um so, I don't really like general statements without explaining anything. So, I grew up very dependent on others. What does that mean? >> Just dependent for help. Like, you know, in school I would I would go to my teachers for every little thing. I'd say, "Okay, what's going to be on the test?" Like, [laughter] you know, stuff like that. And then also my parents, I um they helped so much with every little thing. You know, I was an only child, so you can just imagine um you know, all the special attention that I would get. They would do everything for me, including schedule my own doctor's appointments. So, I >> mean, that would certainly help them get to know you, like who you are, where you came from. >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. That's true. your glow up as a big independent human being like >> Yeah, it was a big glow up. Seriously. >> No, [clears throat] for sure. I'm super proud of you. Like, you're killing it. [laughter] >> But yeah, so like you make a little general statement like this. I grew up being very dependent on others. >> I'd probably like to know how. >> Okay. >> You know, this might have taken you four minutes. You had another 30 seconds to explain that. That's fine. >> Yeah. >> Um, so, but otherwise, good. It was okay if you omitt it, but I would rather you because this would help them get to know you better. >> Yeah. Okay. U when I took chem I wanted to PA. I don't know if that's necessarily relevant to say right there, but I saying you didn't know grades were important. >> Yeah, >> whatever. Not a big deal. Um, okay. This I said was really good because I was like waiting to type like, "Okay, cool. Now, what are you going to do in PA school?" And then you said it. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. You definitely been paying attention. >> Yeah. >> But a little bit more specific would have been good here. >> Okay. >> You know, and I'm going to bring that forward to me or with me to PA school. Yeah. >> What did you say? Extracurriculars, blah blah blah. I did learn a lot of lessons, not to cut corners, have a strong foundation, >> and ask for help. >> Yeah. >> And those are things I'm going to bring with me to PA school. For instance, I know that it's going to be a tremendous amount of work, and I just know that I'm going to have to prioritize it, not to work, not to uh, you know, have a whole lot of hobbies. Prioritize it first. >> Um, if I find that I'm struggling, or even if I feel like I'm struggling, I will definitely ask for help just like I did, you know, that kind of thing. >> Yeah. Okay. Otherwise, good. >> Okay, perfect. >> Uh, have you considered a career? You said yes. Okay, there you felt confident. That was good. >> Uh, what did you say, Jim? He made the office feel like a second home. I said that was beautiful. I really like that. >> Uh, yeah. So, definitely mentioned that line. >> Okay. >> Definitely use that one. I like that. Uh, yeah. I don't think there was really any feedback on this one. Everything was great. This was I can tell you practice this. >> What is this also about the P profession? I like that. >> Mhm. >> Oh, here we go. Yeah, this would have been good to talk about. >> Yeah. >> Underserved communities. Are we talking inner city trailer park? Are we talking >> trailer park in the Mojave Desert? Deep in the Mojave Desert. Tumble weeds and everything. [laughter] >> Were you there? >> Huh? >> What were you doing there? >> My dad, he moved there. Once my parents got divorced, my dad um he moved a little bit out of So, I I grew up in the desert. Um, but we were in the high desert and then there's, you know, deeper deeper in the desert. That's where my dad went. So, um, >> yeah, there wasn't much out there. [laughter] >> Uh, yeah. I mean, explain that because one, that's just cool. Nobody has that experience. >> Yeah. Especially in Ohio. [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. Wait, where even is Mercy? Is that in Cleveland? >> It's in Toledo. >> Oh my god. Yeah, I'm from Cleveland. Yeah. >> Mercy College, Toledo. >> You know what's crazy? Okay, I found this out today, but a previous medical assistant at the office that I just started at goes to that school >> as a PA. >> Yes. >> What? >> Yeah. Isn't that crazy? >> Kind of. Yeah. Have her like tell you exactly how to get in. Like what's the uh what's the interview like? >> Yeah, that's my goal tomorrow. And I actually I was talking to another student on Instagram, too. So [laughter] >> Oh, that's awesome. >> Oh, Toledo's out that way. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Okay, that's not bad. Youngstown's really really rough. >> Yeah, that's where that's Yeah, that's where I'm uh that's where I was born. That's where all my family is. >> Oh, yeah. Youngstown is rough. >> Yeah. >> Like don't go outside. But no, Toledo, I think, is okay. Right. I mean, I don't really plan on going outside much to be studying, so >> my parents live right there. >> Oh, okay. >> For Thanksgiving, actually, in a couple weeks. >> Oh, awesome. >> Okay. Yeah, it's gonna be cold. >> But, [laughter] >> all right. Fremont. Okay. Sweet. Okay, cool. So, that's where you're going. >> All right. Where where's this? Am I still sharing my screen? >> Yeah, you are. >> What is happening? Okay, got it. Okay. Anyway, cool. So yeah, so that would have been cool to like talk a little bit more about one, it's unique to you and three and two, you're just like underserved communities like the ones I grew up in. >> Yeah. >> Make it believable. >> Okay. >> You know, a story like you're living in this trailer park and then this other guy got a staff infection from his roof because it was rusty. I don't know. Like just details, details, >> details. >> Okay. >> Otherwise, I said very good. >> Okay. Perfect. >> Very very good. This one we'll come back to. What kinds of patients are difficult? >> I'd rather not. >> I would be robbing you if I didn't try to correct that. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Uh but yeah, this one was really good. I think I didn't really much about it. >> Okay. >> Difficult to work with. You told a really really really nice story. >> Think what what are the elements that I always want for these? I want empathy for the other person which you showed. Mhm. >> on you which you showed >> um patients that are difficult to work with. >> Yeah, I think overall the answer was quite good. >> Okay. >> Really nice story. Uh what qualities do you possess that set you apart? This one was good. Uh the optimism. However, the whole thing was about optimism, right? >> Yeah. >> Maybe like one more thing like about your experiences. >> Yeah. >> Maybe more about this like conflict resolution. My my uh >> Yeah. Yeah, that was another strength when I was first thinking about um you know like strengths and weaknesses. Confidence resolution was one. Um so that's a great idea to include that. Yeah. >> Resolution experience in psych. Not a lot of people have that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But I mean this was really good. >> Just a little bit more would have been better. >> Yeah. >> Okay. This is exemplary. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Okay. This was phenomenal. You did a lot of research. You made it genuine. You made it real. This is >> I wanted to add more on to it too. I just forgot. And um you know that student that I was talking to, she was saying that they have a uh open door policy which is something that I'm really looking for in faculty. I want to be able to um go and ask for help when I need it. And also when they're teaching clinical skills, um she said that they teach one-on-one, which that's incredible, especially because I I learn by doing. So, if I can have somebody with me while I'm, you know, learning, they'll be like, "Oh, I will be, you know, on top of it." [laughter] >> Uh, yeah. So, like I would probably even put that like maybe right here. >> Yeah. I would even put that like maybe right here. >> Okay. >> Here's a good spot for the individual attention and open door policy. >> Mhm. Yeah, I was ready for that question. [laughter] >> You're ready for all these questions. You did so good. >> Oh, thanks. >> All the paying attention you've been doing. >> Yeah. >> Do you have any questions? >> Every single one of your videos. [laughter] >> I've got like 900. Have you watched all 900? >> Well, all of the mock interviews. >> Oh, those. Okay. Yeah, that's >> Yeah, I was seeing all other ones. [laughter] Yeah. >> I mean, there's so many shorts at this point. >> Yeah. >> But no, good. Good job. Uh, okay. So, do you have any questions for us? I noticed on social media. Cool. You were like following them. You showed you care. I like that. >> Um, you said you wondered what they did differently to achieve this. I'd be a little more specific like what did you do differently this year as opposed to previous years that had, >> you know, stats. They'll be good. 92, 95, 91. >> Okay. >> You know, >> but otherwise good. >> Uh, emphasizes leadership. Wondering what events the program offers for students to achieve that mission. It was a little vague. What are you talking about? >> Well, their mission is um it is, you know, about service, leadership, and scholarship. And they have these um like competencies that their students have to meet. So, you have to do two out of three um in order to like meet their goal. >> So, e whether that's community outreach like um I don't know. I don't know what they do. That's that's my question. like going to the donating to food banks or for the leadership like maybe they go to conferences and speak you know I don't I don't know so that's a question that I have >> I would make it less vague then so >> you know researching the program I noticed that students have to complete whatever the competencies are just wanted to know how students complete that are they going to food banks are they volunteering or do they have a choice or there group activities like how do we do that >> yeah okay that's a Great idea. Yeah, >> it's a little more specific. And this one, I like this question, >> but I like a lot more a different version of it. That's like, uh, and you know, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask just something about your career. And they'd say yes. And you can say, "How long have you taught here?" They would say, "One year, five years, nine years." You could say, "What do you really, really love about being here? What is your favorite thing about teaching at the school?" >> Okay. >> It's like warm, fuzzy. Like every they'll leave there with a smile. like it's better than just like oh the t-shirt. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, that's a great idea. >> So this is fine, but this is better. I think instead >> uh ask is it okay to ask a quick again quick question about your career? They'll say sure. Then you can ask how long have you taught here? and then ask, "So, what is your favorite or what is something you absolutely can't spell love about teaching here?" >> And that's more closeended, too. >> Yep. Oh, you remember me saying that >> thing. There we go. I don't know why I don't have a spell check, dude. What the favorite thing? Absolutely. Cool. So I think I would rather you say that. >> Okay. Yeah, that that sounds a lot better. Yeah, >> I think so. Okay, this Okay, be like real character here. [laughter] [gasps] >> Just practice with friends, family members. eventually have them try to make you laugh and focus on staying professional >> or if you laugh focus on composing yourself faster. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Okay. >> That otherwise great answer you know exemplary answer just >> okay >> and that was yeah the end here too. Yeah, >> but fine. [laughter] >> Okay, >> I think that was Oh, no, wait. Where is Where is that last little tiny one that we had an issue with this one? Okay. Um, >> this try to avoid these things. Makes you seem less confident. Okay, we talked about first. Uh, yeah, I mean, you just have to pick one. It's just one thing that I've been telling people to think about like whatever it may be. full practice authority the PA name change which is kind of stupid thing. >> I was thinking burnout like provider burnout. >> Definitely. >> Yeah, that that like just came to my mind now. >> Oh yeah, because everybody can relate to that. >> Oh yeah, definitely use that one. That's a good one. Um I shared that with you. >> Okay, >> cool. How'd you feel? >> I feel I feel pretty good. I think that with more practice I'll be solid and just um I've just I really just been focusing on those like you know those big questions like if you look at my recordings when I was recording myself it was >> tell me about yourself why do you want to be a PA >> a conflict you know so I've just been going through those ones I need to start you know doing the little ones and you know connect it back to what I want them to know so that one that you threw me off with. I need to do more questions like that for sure. >> So, here's what I'm going to do for you. >> Okay, >> I'm going to do this. Uh, where' it go? >> Boom. Let me share my screen again for two seconds. If you run off, go for it. But I'm >> No, I do. Probably gonna go out to eat. >> What? >> Probably gonna go out to eat. >> Oh, you're hungry. No, but >> I don't want you to stay hungry. I just >> wait time takes a while. So [laughter] >> the wait time. >> Yeah. >> Oh, you know where you're going? >> Yeah. >> Nice. Where you going? >> It's called Danoyas. It's an Italian restaurant. It's so good. >> Of course. >> So good. [laughter] >> Make a shirt. Uh, okay. So, here is a long list of questions. >> Oh, okay. >> All right. These kind of cover all of these six categories and then obviously the seventh here's a bunch of scenarios. >> Okay. >> Um I'm like working on a master question list because I'm writing that interview book. So I want these like in the back. >> Um but yeah, this isn't a complete list, but it's definitely way more than you'll need for the next week. >> Okay, perfect. Yeah, I a few questions that I was practicing with also was like, what's your favorite color? What kind of tree would you be? Or like I what tree do you like? I I came up with answers to those at least. So >> cool. >> I feel like I'll be able to hopefully think of some stuff for these. >> Sure. You will. >> So there was the issue the the healthcare issue in America today. What else was there? >> What's a relevant topic in the news that affects physician assistant >> recently? Like you can talk about the name change, you can talk about burnout, you can talk about diabetes, you can talk about GLP1s, you can talk about just all this other stuff. Smoking, >> the whole Tylenol fiasco about people thinking it causes birth defects. >> Oh, that is a good one. Yep. [laughter] >> Well, be very, very, very careful with anything that's at all political. just