3 weakness/strenghts

[newdude]

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since interviews are coming up, i'm hoping you guys will help answer this one:

What are your 3 strenghts and weaknesses? Explain?

so guys just help me come up with some things to say in an interview and how you have worked to improve the weakness.

Thanks

 

[beastly115]

For your weaknesses tell them you're indecisive.

Then stop talking.

 

[HessExpress]

My biggest weakness is I can be stubborn at times.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

For your weaknesses tell them you're indecisive.

Then stop talking.

ROFL

don't forget to add, "I can't answer my own (personal) questions and annoy SDN'ers by asking them what my weaknesses and strengths are."

 

[BooMed]

Well, what are YOUR weaknesses and strengths? Why would you want to use other peoples'?

I'm not trying to be mean, I just really believe in honesty with the whole application thing. Anything you copy from one of us and memorize is going to sound fake, and I think that's the worst impression you can give in an interview.

 

[Beau Geste]

LOL I kid you not, I was voted the biggest procrastinator of my senior class in high school. It's pretty true - I guess I work best under pressure. I've also been accused of expecting too much from people - a "have a nice day" or a smile at the drive through, a "thank you" for holding a door, etc, etc. The third thing I've been accused of is having to do everything the hard way... A speeding ticket to slow me down, staying with a jerk boyfriend too long, not measuring twice, cutting once.

I'll have to find my own way to spin these for the adcoms in a year or two. But at least I know what I am 😳

 

[riceman04]

since interviews are coming up, i'm hoping you guys will help answer this one:

What are your 3 strenghts and weaknesses? Explain?

so guys just help me come up with some things to say in an interview and how you have worked to improve the weakness.

Thanks

Tell them that one of your weaknesses is your dependency on others to think for you.....that's a definite weakness tha will surely stand out to them.....but at the same time you could tweak it to make it seem like a strength (would be difficult to do but it could be done)......

Here is one of your strengths: willing to ask for help...not many people are b/c most of us (especially at this level....hell take docs for instance) are extremely stubborn and WANABEE know it alls......hey look at Shredder!

 

[waterlily]

question for y'all, are you planning to say weaknesses that you can spin it into positives? One of my blatant weaknesses is that I'm reserved..soft-spoken and such, but I'm not passive. But some people told me that I shouldn't use that as an answer coz that's a HUGE weakness and I wouldn't be able to turn it into a positive. what do you guys think?

 

[anystream]

question for y'all, are you planning to say weaknesses that you can spin it into positives? One of my blatant weaknesses is that I'm reserved..soft-spoken and such, but I'm not passive. But some people told me that I shouldn't use that as an answer coz that's a HUGE weakness and I wouldn't be able to turn it into a positive. what do you guys think?

good question. i have the same problem, as far as I *used to be* painfully shy, to the point that my teachers would call my parents to talk to them about this. i might mention it as a weakness, but then talk about the steps I have taken to overcome this weakness, i.e. taking a public speaking class, joining the debate team and then being a TA for a class. I think showing that you are working to overcome weaknesses shows maturity

well, that's what I hope. Anyway, they can probably tell in an interview if you are too soft-spoken, so I figure you may as well point out that you are aware of this and have taken steps to overcome it.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

question for y'all, are you planning to say weaknesses that you can spin it into positives? One of my blatant weaknesses is that I'm reserved..soft-spoken and such, but I'm not passive. But some people told me that I shouldn't use that as an answer coz that's a HUGE weakness and I wouldn't be able to turn it into a positive. what do you guys think?

that's a terrible weakness. after all, we all enjoy the company of the boorishly loud who says every little thing that comes to mind without so much as a second thought.

no but seriously, that "weakness" can be a strength. reserved = quiet reflection, soft-spoken = polite and unobtrusive. you can speak softly, but carry a big stick, so to say.

 

[nena]

question for y'all, are you planning to say weaknesses that you can spin it into positives? One of my blatant weaknesses is that I'm reserved..soft-spoken and such, but I'm not passive. But some people told me that I shouldn't use that as an answer coz that's a HUGE weakness and I wouldn't be able to turn it into a positive. what do you guys think?

I was told by this committe member to always use something thats not necessarily a bad thing as a weakness. For example, you can say that you are too nice. Being nice isn't a bad thing but its a weakness for some b/c sometimes you compromise yourself to do a million things at once b/c you don't want to say no and even though you get them all done, you're stressed out afterwards..get what i mean?? i don't think being reserved is a HUGE weakness..just be sure to effectively explain why its not.

 

[RayhanS1282]

no but seriously, that "weakness" can be a strength. reserved = quiet reflection, soft-spoken = polite and unobtrusive. you can speak softly, but carry a big stick, so to say.

Great advice 👍

 

[DrJen]

Do you think perfectionism is overused as a weakness? I am still going to use it, since being too hard on myself is absolutely my biggest weakness. I just hate that so many people use it because they think it makes them look good. If I were an interviewer, I'd probably be sick of hearing this answer!

 

[Overeducated]

Do you think perfectionism is overused as a weakness? I am still going to use it, since being too hard on myself is absolutely my biggest weakness. I just hate that so many people use it because they think it makes them look good. If I were an interviewer, I'd probably be sick of hearing this answer!

striving for perfection is a strength
obsessing about being perfect is a weakness
...in my opinion anyway.

However, I don't think I'd actually use "perfectionism" for either category in an interview or if I did then I wouldn't use that exact word.

Ugh, I really hate this strength/weakness nonsense. It seems so phony to me. It's all like some ridiculous game. What does an applicant's carefully calculated response have to do with whether they'll make a good doctor... unless their weakness is that they can't stand helping people and hate hospitals. 👎 👎

 

[DrJen]

Ugh, I really hate this strength/weakness nonsense. It seems so phony to me. It's all like some ridiculous game. What does an applicant's carefully calculated response have to do with whether they'll make a good doctor... unless their weakness is that they can't stand helping people and hate hospitals. 👎 👎

I second that! Who is really going to give a completely honest response? "Uhh... Well, I binge drink when I'm stressed out." "I'm a drama queen and everyone I know hates me." Give me a break! Everyone is going to give off some crap they can spin. Like how they are too driven and take on too much, or like I said earlier, they are obsessively perfectionistic. Now if they gave out some sodium pentathol before the interviews began... that would be fun!

 

[C.P. Jones]

last year i was wondering what my answer would be to this question...i really had no idea going into my one interview

after the interview and speaking w/ the dean later on after the wait-list, i learned what my weaknesses were

i have taken steps to overcome these and hope to show how i have changed from my last application...showing that you can admit to a weakness AND that you have done something to stop the problem is what they want to hear....i hope 🙂

 

[kalenakai]

to the interviewer that poses this question, i would respond, "INTERVIEWS!" just kidding... well, maybe.

 

[tank you]

how would you spin insecurity/self-conscious into a positive weakness?

 

[evade]

question for y'all, are you planning to say weaknesses that you can spin it into positives? One of my blatant weaknesses is that I'm reserved..soft-spoken and such, but I'm not passive. But some people told me that I shouldn't use that as an answer coz that's a HUGE weakness and I wouldn't be able to turn it into a positive. what do you guys think?

This is kind of what you have to do. The weaknesses I used were as follows: firstly, I am a very aggressive person. This is bad, in that I sometimes butt heads with people. It's good, however, in that I don't get cowed into doing things I think are wrong, and someday I will be a very powerful advocate for my patients. Another weakness I mentioned is that I am a worrier. This is bad for obvious reasons: sometimes I just can't let things go, and that stresses me out. On the other hand, the things that worry me are often unresolved issues, and my worrying often lets me sort out what's wrong, and what I should do about it. Some of my biggest problems have been solved in moments of worried thought.

Your weakness, too, is a strength. Sometimes, all patients want (or anyone, for that matter!) is someone who will attentively listen to them and pay attention to their needs. So many of us medical types are serious type A personalities (I sure am!), and we need to be balanced out.

 

[Teufelhunden]

since interviews are coming up, i'm hoping you guys will help answer this one:

What are your 3 strenghts and weaknesses? Explain?

so guys just help me come up with some things to say in an interview and how you have worked to improve the weakness.

Thanks

Considering your mis-spelling in the title, you could tell them you're a poor speller. That's one down....

 

[kalenakai]

Considering your mis-spelling in the title, you could tell them you're a poor speller. That's one down....

hahaha, that's kind of mean and kind of true at the same time.

 

[anystream]

last year i was wondering what my answer would be to this question...i really had no idea going into my one interview

after the interview and speaking w/ the dean later on after the wait-list, i learned what my weaknesses were

i have taken steps to overcome these and hope to show how i have changed from my last application...showing that you can admit to a weakness AND that you have done something to stop the problem is what they want to hear....i hope 🙂

would you care to elaborate?
anyway, good for you. good luck this cycle. : )

 

[Sartre]

how would you spin insecurity/self-conscious into a positive weakness?

I have the same weakness. But in many ways, being self-conscious is really being "others-conscious" -- being very concerned with what other people think of you, how you are being perceived by others, closely monitoring your behavior according to social signals you receive from others, etc. In some ways, this conveys an acute perceptive sense (ability to read other people), and an increased intuition for what others want/need/think. I think it's better than being overly self-confident or egotistical -- it's a degree of humility.

Of course, extreme insecurity/self-consciousness is a strong negative for a would-be doctor, who needs to be able to make confident decisions and gain the trust/confidence of patients. I would say something like, "I have a tendency to be a bit self-conscious...I tend to worry a great deal about others' perceptions of me..." -- leave 'insecurity' out of it. And it would be great if you could describe some experiences that have improved your self-confidence (to show you've grown and are working to overcome it, etc.)

Hope this helps!

 

[ShyRem]

you can also spin insecurity by turning it into "I doubt myself internally, and so I think everything through and ask for teammates opinions - I make decisions after very careful deliberation to make absolutely sure it's the right one".

 

[Retinaldehyde]

Weakness: I am a more quiet type of person and get VERY nervous if I have to speak because my native language is not English

Strength: very independent and adjust quickly to new environments because I have moved 11 times and lived in five countries


=> This might actually fit nicely in an essay

 

[45408]

I'm gonna list some real weaknesses, because I bet they get tired of hearing everything spun with huge silver linings. Not that you should tell them that you have a huge anger management problem, but don't go the other way either. I'm rather impulsive, for one. I'm pretty well-organized though, but that also means I overthink lots of stuff.

 

[tank you]

I have the same weakness. But in many ways, being self-conscious is really being "others-conscious" -- being very concerned with what other people think of you, how you are being perceived by others, closely monitoring your behavior according to social signals you receive from others, etc. In some ways, this conveys an acute perceptive sense (ability to read other people), and an increased intuition for what others want/need/think. I think it's better than being overly self-confident or egotistical -- it's a degree of humility.

Of course, extreme insecurity/self-consciousness is a strong negative for a would-be doctor, who needs to be able to make confident decisions and gain the trust/confidence of patients. I would say something like, "I have a tendency to be a bit self-conscious...I tend to worry a great deal about others' perceptions of me..." -- leave 'insecurity' out of it. And it would be great if you could describe some experiences that have improved your self-confidence (to show you've grown and are working to overcome it, etc.)

Hope this helps!

very much, thank you. 🙂

 

[RayhanS1282]

My weakness: Kryptonite.

 

[AxlxA]

I'm struggling with every interview question they can ask except "why do you want to be a doctor?"

This weakness question is going to be the end of me!!!!

Wow there you go, i am also a worrier.


Oooo i just thought of another one. I'm a stingy asian. Pay only 10% tips if the service was decent, and i never buy name brand stuff if i can help it.

 

[dbhvt]

I'm gonna list some real weaknesses, because I bet they get tired of hearing everything spun with huge silver linings.

I hear you on that Prowler, and I was all for being as real as possible... untill I sat down and talked with a few adcom members. It took a lot of work, but they finally drilled it into my head that the process is about selling yourself one time and one time only. I'm a realist, and it is irritating and feels dirty to spin everything with that silver lining, but I'm going to have to just suck it up and do it.

Take my personal statement, for example. I wanted to write about how the structure of our health care system is crazy and ridiculous, and often seems designed to make you pull your hair out. But how even though I know that, it doesn't matter because at the end of the day, through all these obstacles, you are still making a positive difference in your patients lives.

I thought it was a pretty damn good idea. It showed that I knew what I was getting into, and still wasn't disuaded. But, the closer my readers were to the inside, the more they hated this idea, and the harder they pushed for me to stay %100 positive.

I did a lot of kicking and screaming, but after talking to enough people in the know, they dragged me over from the dark side.

 

[drmota]

my weakness is women. that's the answer they're getting, if they wanna get all personal and ****.
-mota