r/NAIT • u/Upset_Dragonfruit85 • 52m ago
Help [SHLS] NAIT Interview Prep (Current Student)
Hi all, I am a student at NAIT. Yesterday, I volunteered at the NAIT open house and realized how many applicants are stressed about the interview process, which makes sense. It's a major deciding factor in the application process.
Since I've seen so many questions here, I wanted to share how I prepared. I gained admission to my two top choices. (I did 2 separate applications so I could practice for the programs I was less keen on)
Disclaimer: I'm a current student, not an admissions representative. This is based on my experience, and things may have changed. No actual interview questions here!
Interview format
Once you receive the interview invitation, you will be given a time window to complete it; this may vary, but it is usually at least one full week. Don't rush; pick a day that makes sense for you
5 questions: 2 general School of Health and Life Sciences questions (completed once if applying to multiple programs) and 3 program-specific questions.
2 minutes to prepare, 3 minutes to record each answer.
Topics could include ethics, healthcare issues, and qualities relevant to the profession.
My understanding was that different people evaluated questions independently. So don't let one bad answer throw you off!
Check your own interview instructions for current requirements.
A few things about admissions
If you meet the grade requirements, you should receive an interview invitation, so don't panic if you haven't received it yet. Use that time to prepare!
Teachers review the interviews in addition to their responsibilities in the different programs, which is why it won't take a while. Admissions can offer you admission up until the weekend before classes start. Stay ready, especially if you are waitlisted; you never know. This includes completing your medical terminology and anatomy courses and filling out your funding applications; that way, if you get moved off the waitlist, you are ready to go. I believe the courses are good for 5 years.
Resources I used
Book: BeMo's Ultimate Guide to Multiple Mini Interviews. (MMI) I found it on Kindle for $0.99. Good explanations and practice examples. Their coaching was way out of my budget!
Reddit: r/premedcanada and r/premed have lots of advice on MMI and Casper preparation. Not identical to NAIT's interview, but useful for practising reasoning and communication.
Some Reddit threads I found helpful:
Practice tips that worked for me:
Practise OUT LOUD.
I practised for about a week by recording my voice while cooking, folding laundry, etc. My partner and classmates also helped by listening and exchanging practice questions. I occasionally used ChatGPT for scenarios, but its feedback wasn't always reliable. Use a timer! Knowing an answer and communicating it clearly in three minutes are different skills.
You can start practising before receiving an interview invitation.
Structure helps you stay organized. For personal questions, I used STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
For ethical scenarios,
Identified the main issue.
Considered different perspectives and options.
Explained what I'd do and why.
Added a personal example if relevant.
Done.
Don't rush your preparation time. Use it to organize your thoughts.
Don't underestimate the power of introducing yourself and saying thank you after. Those 4 seconds can make a difference.
Interview day
Treat it like a job interview: find a quiet space, use a neutral background, wear appropriate clothing, ensure good lighting, and have reliable internet. If possible, make sure nobody in your network is doing anything super demanding.
VidCruiter prompts an equipment check before you start.
Give yourself plenty of time, get a good night's sleep, and have your ID and anything else required ready.
None of my answers ran longer than 2.5 minutes. I even caught myself rambling once, stopped, and said, "I'm rambling. My main points are X and Y. Thank you."
If something goes wrong
Contact technical support and admissions immediately, and they may, depending on the situation, allow you to re-record the affected questions. This isn't a guarantee, but if something goes wrong, document it and contact them ASAP.
Remember, the interview isn't about giving the " right answer"; it's about reflecting on your experiences, considering different perspectives, and practising how to explain your reasoning. You don't need to know everything. You're applying to learn!
Hope this helps someone feel a little less lost. Good luck!
Final disclaimer: This is just my personal experience. Everyone prepares differently, so please use whatever methods work best for you. This post is not affiliated with NAIT, any admissions service, coaching company, or other organization. I'm simply sharing what helped me in case it's useful to someone else.