Q and A

A practice session is approximately one-hour in length. I start off a session with a short check-in, ask you how your week went, discuss anything left over from the previous session, and review any assigned homework. This is followed by commencing to work on the questions. I use different sets of questions in my practice sessions, including standard interview questions, ethical decision-making questions, collaboration activities, discipline-related questions (medical, pharmacy, dentistry, etc.), critical thinking questions, problem solving questions, quotations, pictures, debate questions and role play scenarios. For the MMI practice session, you will be given two minutes (timed) to formulate an answer to the question or role play scenario and then, depending on the school you are interviewing at, six, seven or eight minutes (timed) to respond. Once you complete your answer, I will give you instant feedback on your answer.  We usually complete three or four questions per one-hour practice session. For the MPI practice sessions, we will complete about 3 clusters of questions each hour, each timed at 12 minutes each. Following each cluster of questions, you will receive feedback on each cluster.  If you have a panel or traditional interview, you will be asked a question at a time followed by feedback on that question. For those doing a mix of MMI and panel interviews, we are flexible to switch from one interview process to another. Please note that during the pandemic, from March 2020 to April 2023 all school interviews were completed virtually, and each school completed different interview processes. It is not known yet what the 2023-2024 interview season will look like, please stay tuned.

Most definitely, and it’s completed after each response to provide instant feedback and reflection. I believe providing feedback after each response is important so that it is fresh in your mind and you can see how it ties in with your answer. Students appreciate this timely feedback. My evaluation of your response will consist of the good things you said, helpful tips on how to possibly shift an answer, how to develop consistency in your answer, how to formulate a strong opening and conclusion and, helpful hints on communication skills including body language.

This is a good question that can be summed up in one word, experience. I have well over 35 years combined experience in counselling, interviewing, teaching and coaching individuals. In addition to an undergrad and graduate degree (M.Ed.), I am also a Certified Coach Practitioner (CCP).  As an interviewer I have experience interviewing individuals in a variety of disciplines including employment (including executive), the voluntary sector, research, (both individual and facilitating focus groups), and providing interview practice sessions for professional schools. I’ve developed a strong reputation as a great listener and a solid interview coach. But don’t just take my word for it…read the many testimonials listed on this website.

I most certainly do and you can read many of them on this website. Due to the confidential nature of my work, I will only provide a testimony where a person has given me permission to share their testimony. Additionally, to ensure anonymity, I only use first names of former students who provide testimonies. Maybe one day, you will write me a testimonial.

Once you decide you want to engage my services the first thing to do is to complete the online application. Upon receipt of your application, I will reach out to you and offer you a free 30-minute, no obligation session. This session is generally offered a week before you plan to commence coaching sessions with me. The purpose of the free session allow me to discuss the coaching process in detail. I will answer any questions you may have and we will schedule our first three sessions. All students sign a “Contract for Service” with me, which will be sent to you following the free session.

This will largely depend on both our schedules and arranging a time for your free 30-minute, no obligation session. Upon receipt of your application, I will reach out to you and offer you a free 30-minute, no obligation session. This session is generally offered a week before you plan to commence coaching sessions with me. I like to encourage students to commence working on their practice sessions sooner than later; before we complete the free session, we will schedule our first three sessions (foundational sessions) together. The time you invest in this process should be viewed as an investment in your future plans. It is strongly advised to start practice sessions before you even receive an invitation for an interview…feedback from many students only completing three sessions state they wish they would have had more sessions.

This will depend on you. There is no set “number” of practice sessions as a standard, although my minimum is three sessions. I have worked with students for the minimum of three sessions and with others on a weekly basis for as long as 6-months prior to their interview. During the practice sessions I not only work with you on the content of your response to the questions, but also on such things as body language, nervousness, verbal crutches, how to start off right and conclude a response, etc.. The number of practice sessions you will need will depend largely on you and when you feel you’re ready for your interview. As a coach practitioner I will be in tune with what’s going on with your practice sessions. If I observe something needing to be addressed (e.g., nervousness) I will discuss this with you and we will work on some appropriate solutions for a better outcome. All practice sessions are booked in advance; it is important you notify us when you plan to terminate your coaching relationship so we can make that space available to other students.

The usual frequency is a weekly session, although some prefer to meet twice a week as the interview date draws closer (these should be booked in advance). We offer session time slots during the daytime, evening, and selected times on weekends. We will do our best to accommodate the time you have available.

It is very common to be nervous in unfamiliar surroundings and situations, including interviews. I was once interviewed by a panel of eight people. To say I was nervous during that interview is an understatement. There are a number of techniques I employ to help you overcome your nervousness and we will practice some of those during your interview practice sessions.

Building confidence does not happen overnight; in fact for some people it takes a long time to build a comfort level in certain situations. Keep in mind that building confidence in oneself is a gradual process. Throughout the interview practice sessions I will help you overcome your lack of confidence about yourself. The more you become familiar with the process and the questions asked, the more confidence you will build in yourself. I will also help you overcome any nervousness you have when in unfamiliar situations. Some of my testimonials on this website refer to this help.

Research shows that in an interview when we are unfamiliar with how to answer a question we stumble and falter in our attempt to respond. On the other hand, if we are familiar with the question we are more apt to do a good job with our response. During your interview practice sessions with me, there will be questions that are more difficult to answer than others. I will be patient with you as you work through this. For some of the questions, it might be in your best interest to practice answering it a second time, perhaps a week or two later.

Yes, by all means. In fact, I have a client referral program whereby if you are one of my clients (current or past) and you refer a friend or family member (sibling, cousin, etc) who also signs a contract for my service and completes the first three practice sessions, you will receive a $25.00 Gift Card as a token of my appreciation for the referral (vendor to be discussed).  The more friends you sign up, the more gift cards you receive. Please be sure to tell your friend or loved one to state your name on the application form in answer to the question, how did you hear about us?

I certainly can. In fact, every year many of my pre-med students return for preparation sessions for their CaRMS interview. I am well versed in the CaRMS matching process and will be happy to prepare you for your interviews. For further information, click here.

To help you prepare for your CASPer® Test, I will present you with many videos and worded scenarios, each followed by three questions and a strictly-timed, five-minute time-frame for you to type your answers to the questions. Following each hour-long session, you will be asked to submit your responses to me and within two days, your answers are evaluated and returned to you with helpful tips on enhancing your response. The minimum number of weekly preparation sessions is three, with many students completing as many as six or seven sessions. Please note there is no free 30-minute session provided for the CASPer® Test program, this is only for interview preparation. Please talk to me if you plan to do both interview and CASPer® Test preparation sessions.

Yes, I most certainly do. Firstly, congratulations. If you’ve been invited to write the CAP, this means you have been selected among the top applications to move onto the final stage of the selection process for the PT program at the U of T. The CAP (Computer Administered Profile) is an exam, lasting approximately two hours, with questions that reflect on your knowledge of the profession by exploring your personal attributes, experiences, values, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. I help students, through hourly preparation sessions, by posing questions to them followed by reviewing their answers and providing helpful constructive feedback.

Unfortunately, I cannot as this is not one of the services I provide. There are several businesses who can help you. While I am not able to recommend one business to you, I would suggest you do a Google search or check the university/college bulletin boards where I always see posters of businesses offering this service. Additionally, there may be some medical students who help in this regard, so ask around. Good luck with your MCAT and be sure to come back to us for your CASPer® Test preparation as well as your interview preparation.

Sadly, I do not have time to do this. This was a service I used to offer before the introduction of the CASPer® Test, but as I am very busy with helping students prepare for their CASPer® Test and their interviews, something had to be dropped. However, there are several businesses that will be happy to read your essays and give you feedback. While I am not able to recommend one business to you, I would suggest you do a Google search or ask a family member or trusted friend to read your essays and provide you with some feedback.  Good luck with your essays and application process and be sure to come back to us for your CASPer® Test preparation as well as your interview preparation.