dardalys098

Hi Everyone,

I also had my interview yesterday here is what I remember. 
The first component is a writing assignment where you get 20 minutes. You might be writing in the same room with another person. The question is really straightforward and is checking your critical thinking on the implementation of a very common topic in health informatics (hint).  You will be told when you have 3 minutes left, it will help you plan your time. If you wear a watch even better! I don't remember seeing a clock in the room.
After the written component you are moved to the first room where you are interviewed 1:1 with one of the faculty (for 15 min). They basically asked behaviour style questions like describe a scenario where you showed leadership, how would you approach management with a challenging idea etc. Where do you see yourself in 5 years and how do you think this program will help. They really seemed to place a lot of emphasis on the last point. Make sure to have some type of clear vision.
Then you are moved to a second room where you'll do your presentation (5 min for presentation, 10 minutes of chat). If you are making a powerpoint you are literally going to be sitting beside the interviewer and showing it to them. You do not need to HDMI your comp to a big screen or anything. The only question I got asked in that room after the presentation was How does this impact your personal practice. My topic was Big Data and the Impacts on Canada's Health Care system. It might be a good idea to quickly read up on some of the profs and if you can use some of their papers to help support your topic. Also use the outline that Zoe sent when creating your presentation 
In hindsight I am happy I did a quick read up on the profs because they spoke to me a lot about their interests and I was able to ask my ending interview questions more appropriately. The prof sitting in on my presentation is actually one of the experts on Big Data and although some of my content may/ may not have been to their standards they don't drill you after. I think they'll try to engage you regarding your opinion on the topic.
Like NanBD mentioned, they'll let us know the results by the end of April.
Good luck everyone!

Hi Mish,
I bet you have more knowledge on information systems than you think! Are you currently working? What type of pharmacy system do you use? My background is in nursing and I've used omnicells quite a bit. I find them useful for organization, safety, narcotic count, obtaining missing doses etc. I'm sure you are currently using some type of system/database to assist with medication orders, recalls and a whole bunch of other things! You could maybe talk about the current process and where you see things heading in the future. And how would this affect patient safety, $$$ spent and efficiency. I'm nervous for my interview too, I haven't picked a topic either. But I wanted to wish you and everyone else good luck and that I bet you know much more than you think

Hey! I left feeling pretty good. I see what you guys mean about a few of the questions. They are all behavioural, requiring you to think of past experiences. There were 5 questions and most of them had multiple components to answer. They also give you time at the end to ask a few questions too, make sure you have a few prepared! I did get tripped up on one something to the effect of what ehealth trend have you been following, why is it interesting and what would you do to follow up on it. There was no written component. Mine took an entire 25 mins.. super quick. For those that had a skype interview were their multiple people interviewing you? There was a gentleman there who works with students to assist in finding internships. I feel like the interview is really to see if the candidate would represent McMaster Uni. appropriately in that type of setting.
For those that haven't heard about an interview offer, keep holding on! I did ask how long it would take for them to make their final decisions and was told 3-4 weeks. I bet they'll have at least two more weeks of interviews. It seems like people are notified on Fridays? Good luck everyone

Hey! I left feeling pretty good. I see what you guys mean about a few of the questions. They are all behavioural, requiring you to think of past experiences. There were 5 questions and most of them had multiple components to answer. They also give you time at the end to ask a few questions too, make sure you have a few prepared! I did get tripped up on one something to the effect of what ehealth trend have you been following, why is it interesting and what would you do to follow up on it. There was no written component. Mine took an entire 25 mins.. super quick. For those that had a skype interview were their multiple people interviewing you? There was a gentleman there who works with students to assist in finding internships. I feel like the interview is really to see if the candidate would represent McMaster Uni. appropriately in that type of setting.
For those that haven't heard about an interview offer, keep holding on! I did ask how long it would take for them to make their final decisions and was told 3-4 weeks. I bet they'll have at least two more weeks of interviews. It seems like people are notified on Fridays? Good luck everyone

Hey! I left feeling pretty good. I see what you guys mean about a few of the questions. They are all behavioural, requiring you to think of past experiences. There were 5 questions and most of them had multiple components to answer. They also give you time at the end to ask a few questions too, make sure you have a few prepared! I did get tripped up on one something to the effect of what ehealth trend have you been following, why is it interesting and what would you do to follow up on it. There was no written component. Mine took an entire 25 mins.. super quick. For those that had a skype interview were their multiple people interviewing you? There was a gentleman there who works with students to assist in finding internships. I feel like the interview is really to see if the candidate would represent McMaster Uni. appropriately in that type of setting.
For those that haven't heard about an interview offer, keep holding on! I did ask how long it would take for them to make their final decisions and was told 3-4 weeks. I bet they'll have at least two more weeks of interviews. It seems like people are notified on Fridays? Good luck everyone

Hey! I left feeling pretty good. I see what you guys mean about a few of the questions. They are all behavioural, requiring you to think of past experiences. There were 5 questions and most of them had multiple components to answer. They also give you time at the end to ask a few questions too, make sure you have a few prepared! I did get tripped up on one something to the effect of what ehealth trend have you been following, why is it interesting and what would you do to follow up on it. There was no written component. Mine took an entire 25 mins.. super quick. For those that had a skype interview were their multiple people interviewing you? There was a gentleman there who works with students to assist in finding internships. I feel like the interview is really to see if the candidate would represent McMaster Uni. appropriately in that type of setting.
For those that haven't heard about an interview offer, keep holding on! I did ask how long it would take for them to make their final decisions and was told 3-4 weeks. I bet they'll have at least two more weeks of interviews. It seems like people are notified on Fridays? Good luck everyone

Wow just checked out your site, you seem to be a perfect fit for this masters. I really hope you get an interview! From what the trend is, it seems they send out offers on Fridays. Are you an international student? 

Wow just checked out your site, you seem to be a perfect fit for this masters. I really hope you get an interview! From what the trend is, it seems they send out offers on Fridays. Are you an international student? 

Hi All,
 
I received an offer for an interview at McMaster for next Tuesday. Just wanted to post, go check your emails! If you still haven't heard I wouldn't worry just yet. I am betting they'll do a few more rounds of emailing 
 
Take care and keep your heads up! 

Hey Guys,
I know everyone is really anxious I have been too. I just wanted to pass on that I received an interview offer via email for April 4 for the Masters in Health Informatics at U of T. It looks like a bit a prep work might be involved. It's a 40 min interview process, with a preparation of a five minute presentation on an informatics topic of your choice. There is also a writing component that you cannot prep for, it takes approx 20 mins. I am wishing you all good luck!