NOTICE for AKUites

Notice for AKUites

All students from AKU who wish to help their juniors clear the rigorous AKU admission process are encouraged to submit a written piece about their AKU interview/test experience at theakuchallenge@gmail.com and akuhelp@outlook.com (this email is currently in use)! We are sure the readers (prospective AKUites) would love to have your contribution on this blog.

Monday, November 11, 2013

AKU Interview - Guidelines


General Overview


After you've received the letter stating that you've cleared the AKU Admission Test, you'll be called in for an interview. Each candidates sits down for Two Interviews. Each one can range anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. It's very rare that an interview is prolonged beyond an hour. There is one interviewer in each interview (I had always imagined myself being interviewed by a panel of AKU interviewers, don't now where that thought came from)

Also, keep in mind that an interview has two parts to it. One part is what you can prepare for, it includes a few common questions and lies. While, the other part is what you are to beware of, not in a scary way though, as the interviewer might pic up any topic to discuss with you.

Before anything else: Just be yourself.

How to prepare?


Firstly, keep in mind that you have been called for an interview because AKU wants to know about YOU.

Secondly, dress elegantly; not too lavishly nor too informally. Many guys wear suits but my schoolfellows were advised to wear a dress shirt with pants. As for the ladies, mostly go for the eastern look, a long shirt with chooridar or trousers would do. Some do choose a western attire, well, if you're confident with that then it's fine. Anything that would say, "Oh, I'm just me" :)



Thirdly, below are a few hints and tips that will guide you as you prepare for the interview. Open http://www.aku.edu/‎, get a a general know-how of what AKU has to offer, after all you are choosing to opt for AKU and trying your best to get in, you must know something about AKU that makes it seem so 'desirable'

Fourthly, as you read the following, draw a mind map of what your answers could be. It helps.


Common Questions


About You.
Why do you want to be a doctor?
Why do you want to study medicine at AKU?
What are your strengths (Character + Extra Curricular) and weaknesses?
What do you do in your free time?
Briefly describe yourself? Who is *insert your name here*?
Do you read? Who are your favorite authors?
Why do you think AKU should choose you rather than the other candidates?
How do you handle stress? What is your take on cheating?
You achievements and disappointments?

About Family and Household.
Qualifications of your mother and father?
Any other doctor in the family?
Any servants at home? Do you know about their family and kids?
How do you spend time with your family?

About AKU
Apart from MBBS, do you have an idea of what else does AKU offer?
Do you have an idea regarding PBLs?
From all that you know about AKU, what are you looking forward to most if you get in? (Keep in mind: Safe environment, Sports Center and the likes)
What does AKU's logo represent?

About Pakistan and the World
Tell us about the socio-economic problems of Pakistan
What do you think is the problem in Pakistan's health sector?
Major diseases in Pakistan?
Is the nation loosing sense of its culture?
Any idea about the current affairs? What is in the news these days?
Interviewer describes a scenario related to abortion or euthanasia or genetic engineering (or any other medicinal topic that might spark a debate) and asks your point of view regarding it.


Hints and Tips


One Thing Leads to Another

Think of the interview as a conversation.
Q. What happens when two people converse?
A. One thing leads to another.

Keep the above in mind during your interview. Like, if you tell the interviewer that you have an interest in debating and MUNs. The interviewer might ask you what an MUN is. After your explanation the interviewer might go ahead and ask that what are the major issues that UN has to tackle these days. If go ahead and say that you specialize in SPECPOL and thus know that the Syrian Conflict is a major hot topic these days. The interviewer might further go on and ask you if you know what is causing the conflict and whether you know who Bashar-ul-Assad is and the likes.

From what you read above, remember that one thing leads to another. What you say is going to affect the next question that the interviewer is going to ask you.

DO NOT LIE


Let's see what a lie might lead to
Interviewer: So, do you like to read books?
Candidate (in hopes of impressing the interviewer): Oh yes I do! I read a lot.
Interviewer: That's good. Do you have a favorite author?
Candidate: There is not just one favorite author of mine. J.K.Rowling, Paulo Coelho, Khaled Hosseni and Dan Brown would probably count as my top-most favorite ones.
Interviewer: Oh yes. Dan Brown. Don't you think his views are a bit superficial?
Candidate: Uh, yes.
Interviewer: In what ways do you think that Dan Brown writes exaggeratedly?
Candidate: You know, the Science and Religion conflict.......

NOW, the candidate had heard of Dan Brown but had not really read any specific book with keen interest. In the last answer it certainly seems as if the candidate's hopes of impressing the interviewer have been subdued. Had the candidate been an avid Dan Brown reader the last answer would have worked in a magical way as there's so much to say, even chances of defending Dan Brown.

Religious and Political Concerns

Do not get involved in a religious debate.
Do not get involved in a political debate.

In a global sense, each one is a human regardless of the religion they follow. Which is exactly how it is.

The interviewer might ask you about different Muslim Sects. Or, that what is your religious point of view regarding a certain action. Do not hesitate. Answer by saying that if there is a religious dilemma, your religious scholar will best tend to it as you are just a student and not a religious scholar. If a question arises regarding how you would handle the situation if your patient is against a medical treatment based on religious grounds. It's simple. You do not impose your own religion on the patient, the patient's religious scholar is contacted and then the decision regarding medical treatment is made.

As for politics. Leave it to the politicians. Yes, you do have a say with regards to your views about certain policy changes that might uplift your country's economy but as for your country's stance in the global arena, that is for the policymakers to adhere to. You as a citizen love your country.


What's the right answer?


There is no right answer. There is only the right way to answer every question.
Stay calm and be humble. Nobody likes the scent of arrogance anyway.

At times the interviewer may ask you questions that have no right or wrong answers. What is checked is your thought process. Be rational and logical. Be yourself.

This will be all, folks. Drop a message or a comment if you have any questions or queries in mind. 

31 comments:

  1. Dang, I wanted to do something like this too! :(
    Khayr, I'll jot down my two cents in here.

    'WHO and its goals' should be one of the things under 'about Pakistan and the World'. The Millennium Development Goals came up in both my interviews. Okay, I guess that was because there was an article about it in that day's newspaper (Express Tribune/DAWN is the one that the staff usually gets). So, if possible, give that day's newspaper a meticulous read before coming.

    Also, mention any work experience/volunteer work you've had and what you learned there. You've probably already mentioned that in the form you fill before the interview (they'll have a copy of that form right in front of them when they're interviewing) but if you emphasise it, it counts as something you went out of your way to do and eventually a reason why they should choose you.

    Will add more later.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greetings always are and always will be a point of contention when it comes to interviews.

    Greeting with 'Assalam Alaykum' it's always a safer bet unless you're not a Muslim/are absolutely sure your interviewer is not a Muslim. 'Good Morning/Evening' is more professional, yes, but interviewers are looking for Pakistani/Islamic morals and values in the interviewee. This is not to say that not being either one (Muslim or Pakistan) will affect your chances in any way; AKU is beyond that. The idea is to check if the prospect student knows how to integrate into a Pakistani/Muslim community.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Why thank you for elaborating on the above post, Basim :)

    Comments like yours are more than welcome. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Heyy! I have my aku interview this coming week. I really need help! :/ Is their any way of contacting you personally?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure your interview has already passed by.
      Hope you made it to the Class of 2019 :)

      Delete
    2. i made it in aku this year but unfortunately could not go there cuz my expenses were upto one crore and the university was not willing to offer me any financial assisstance..i regret every single day cuz aku was my dream but felt really dissapointed as university offered me no help.

      Delete
    3. can a person get admission again next year if he turns down the offer once?please i am looking foward to your reply..although i am persuing my medical in another med clg but still cant get over aku..i wish they would have given me financial assisstance cuz i worked so hard to pass the aptitude test and interview

      Delete
    4. i am a student at rmc at the moment

      Delete
  5. Hay Anonymous why the university didn't help you?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I thought Aga khan university helps everyone, who need help.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i just got my aku result and i got shortlisted. However, my score in the comulative science component is pretty low. It is equal to the min. passing percentage required for this year. So what can i do (in the interview)to improve my chances of being selected or do i have no chance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing. Just pray that some miracle happens

      Delete
    2. i also gave test this year and got shortlisted with 3% more than cut out but dont worry i think interview is not on the test score.....it is only to know about the person.

      Delete
  8. I got 67% in comulative science component .... would it has any effect on my interview

    ReplyDelete
  9. I got 67% in comulative science component .... would it has any effect on my interview

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have my interview tomorrow and this site was a great help.Thanks for the effort and wish me luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How was interview like what type questions did they ask?would be pleased if you do reply as i hv my interview on monday

      Delete
  11. Is it possible that I don't even study for the aptitude test but pass it with previous knowledge of fsc?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well it depends on how strong your grasp on the syllabus is. I recommend you keep studying until the exam day as this is an opportunity for which you'd want to give it your everything.

      Delete
  12. Plz dear friend .it is requested. ..plz my interview will be at 1st September. ...I do not have any idea plz help me any senier.....plz my contact number is ...00923341960076

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Email address. .....Irshadpk888@gmail.com. ......
    Plz guide me any one....I will be very thankful. .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please go through the latest post on this blog.

      Delete
  15. Hi
    Don't know if this site/link is still active or not
    Just wanted some help regarding the interview
    What type of questions do they ask?._.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes this is active. Please see latest post on this blog.

      Delete
  16. Hi,

    I am planning to apply to AKU as a student from the US. I was wondering, when do the interviews usually happen?
    Also, when do I have to submit the equivalency certificate?

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a nice link, where you can be relieved from interview anxieties.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I need some guidance coz i have oral interviews on 29/5/10 thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am shortlisted for interview this year... But my cumulative science achievement component is 61.6 percent and commulative science and math reasoning component is 73.33 percent... It is too low. Till now i have not got any call for the interview.. but i hope soon i will.. i want to know that can i get one of the 100 seats by passing the interview?
    Someone please guide me

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am shortlisted for interview this year... But my cumulative science achievement component is 61.6 percent and commulative science and math reasoning component is 73.33 percent... It is too low. Till now i have not got any call for the interview.. but i hope soon i will.. i want to know that can i get one of the 100 seats by passing the interview?
    Someone please guide me

    ReplyDelete

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