Application Red Flags... What to answer?

[67192]

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Hey guys, just wondering what interviewers mean when they ask if you have any "red flags" on your application. When asked this Q, I just replied, "no." But, walking out I realized that I do have a "hardship withdrawl" on my application from a quarter that I was in a bad car accident and had to have surgery. And this wasn't explained anywhere on my application, so I'm wondering if this would have been a proper response to the "red flag" question.

 

[MrDreamWeaver]

Isn't a reg flag normally a bad thing? Ie: DUI

 

[Telemachus]

In general, when asked about red flags or other obvious defects, answer simply, directly, and honestly. No long-winded explanations, and if they want more details make them ask for it.

 

[Overlap12]

Those all would have been excellent and appropriate red flag question responses. I saw my transferring from UCLA to my current school after my freshman year as a red flag and talked about that, as well as my seemingly average grades (I work 3 jobs to support myself so sometimes, studying has to take a back seat though I've never gotten lower than a B-).

I really think "red flag" means "anything you would like a chance to explain so we really know everything about you and your application". My transferring wasn't a bad thing at all (it was the best decision I've made yet!) but I could see the committee talking over my application and saying "why did she transfer?". I wanted to give my side of the story so they wouldn't have to imagine up reasons.

If you get a chance to interview again, make sure you address these things so that way, you get a chance to get your WHOLE story out and on the table for discussion.

Good luck! And don't worry, just because you didn't talk about these things in your first interview, it doesn't mean you won't get in! 🙂

 

[67192]

Okay, thanks!

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Okay, thanks!

I think you did just fine. If they were concerned about your hardship withdrawl, they would have asked about that specifically - and the only answer to a specific question is the absolute truth. A totally open-ended question about unspecified "red flags" doesn't need a specific answer - just a poised one.

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Those all would have been excellent and appropriate red flag question responses. I saw my transferring from UCLA to my current school after my freshman year as a red flag and talked about that, as well as my seemingly average grades (I work 3 jobs to support myself so sometimes, studying has to take a back seat though I've never gotten lower than a B-).

I really think "red flag" means "anything you would like a chance to explain so we really know everything about you and your application". My transferring wasn't a bad thing at all (it was the best decision I've made yet!) but I could see the committee talking over my application and saying "why did she transfer?". I wanted to give my side of the story so they wouldn't have to imagine up reasons.

If you get a chance to interview again, make sure you address these things so that way, you get a chance to get your WHOLE story out and on the table for discussion.

Good luck! And don't worry, just because you didn't talk about these things in your first interview, it doesn't mean you won't get in! 🙂

What's your gpa? If you don't mind me asking that it.

 

[lmn]

What's your gpa? If you don't mind me asking that it.

You bumped a 9 year old thread, asking a question to a member that hasn't posted in 8 years, and hasn't even been on for over a year.