Asking for help from an applicant last year

[kreno]

So, I had my first, and most important interview last friday (at UofMich). When I finished the day I thought everything went really well, but I started thinking about one of the interviews in particular. In retrospect, I'm almost positive my interviewer didn't believe something I was telling him because of the way he was asking my questions, and possible contradictions to my personal statement. Put it this way, the way I explained it, put in his shoes, I would have been skeptical also.

Then at the end of the interview he asked me "what would you do if you didn't get into medical school" - an obviously shaddy question.

I'm so scared now, and I realize there is nothing I can realistically do. However, I can't get this out of my head - i keep playing the interview over and over in my head and I feel like i'm going crazy here. I just wanna relax, but it's so hard. Advice? I know i know... just move on, don't think about it, etc. but that's easier said than done. this sucks.

jeez.
kreno

 

[hokiedoc]

Hi, I am applying this year and the interviewer asked me what I would do if I didn't get to medical school also. And he told me that they like to ask that question because they analyze your answer to gain insight into your personality. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you felt the interview went well it probably did. Just know you did your best and see how things turn out. Good luck.

 

[KyGrlDr2B]

Don't worry! This is a standard interview question. Although I don't think I was asked it last year, I had an answer prepared for it. You don't want to say something like "Oh well, I'm going to apply to dental school/work in business/other". Instead you say you will apply again next year. This lets them see you are serious about wanting to go to med school. Good luck!

 

[dvm n 06]

I am actually a vet student not a med student, but in both of my interviews last year they asked me what I would do if I didn't get into veterinary school. I was told that they asked this question 1)because they wanted to make sure you had researched other options since vet/med school is so competitive and 2) if you have thought about other career options it shows that you are more well-rounded and would not jump off a cliff if you don't get into vet/med school. They want to see if you have planned this out basically. It's not a sign that they don't want you. I told them that I was going to get a masters degree at a specific school in a specific program and reapply and if I never got in then I could pursue research as a career. Fortunately I didn't have to explore that avenue, but you have to realistically understand that many qualified applicants are rejected every year and are forced choose other career paths or at least choose something productive while they apply again.

 

[punkin2]

I would agree not to stress about the question. I was asked that often last year. At Michigan (where I ended upgoing) I was asked by 2 of the interviewers. I think it is on their sheet of suggested questions or something. (I'm not sure exactly how it works, but 2 of the interviewers asked me VERY similar questions.)

Good luck with Michigan. Such an early interview is definetely a good thing!

 

[NineSixteen]

Hi kreno-

You sound a lot like me at this time one year ago, I went to Michigan undergrad and got a really early interview there. I was all set to go to UMich - lots of reasons I felt it was the place for me...comfort, $$, I could continue my research, etc. etc. The interview was okay, I felt not bad coming out of it but not great either. I ended up on the waitlist a month later and I was absolutely devistated. It was a low point in my life...I was CERTAIN that I belonged at UMich, and I couldn't deal with being on the waitlist. I pulled myself out of that low, though and went on to other interviews and now I'm at Hopkins, and I think that I will be much better off here in the long run than UMich. I will find other research to do. I will be able to pay off my loans. And maybe the first few days weren't as comfortable as they may have been in Ann Arbor, but that quickly was replaced by the amazingness of the other 119 of my classmates.

So I think you need to ask yourself - AT THIS POINT - why was that interview so important? Why is UMich FOR SURE where you think you belong. I just think it's important not to be so certain this early in the process, because somewhere along the line something isn't going to go exactly as planned and the result is that you can get really bummed out.

That said, I'm pretty sure UMich asks the question of everyone, what happens if you don't get in? It's a standard question for them...it means nothing

Good Luck and keep an open mind until you have to make a decision in the Spring!

 

[S.c. Cdc28p]

Don't bother analyzing interviews. Last year I had some really bad post-interview feelings at some schools but got in, and some schools whose interviews I thought were pretty nice and easy waitlisted me. I know that it's hard to not think about your U Mich interview, but be hopeful that a "bad" interview might well lead to an acceptance.

Good luck!

 

[USeF]

it's like coming out of the MCAT and wondering if you should've picked C instead of A for that one discrete- what the hell you gonna accomplish by thinking about that?

listen to the wise words of the Hopkins and Harvard kiddos above, focus on the interviews to come and keep a checklist of why you liked the school- so if you too are waitlisted and STILL want to go there for sure, send an update letter with that list.

my experience: i felt everywhere from devastated to elated after my 5 interviews last year. result: waitlisted at every one. Fortunately, my update letters and phone follow-up allowed my desire to attend my top choice to shine through and here I am... but that's advice for the spring

 

[kreno]

Jeez everyone. Thanks. I wasn't expecting such good advice and support. There seem to be so many people on here with such ridiculous questions and ideas, but the few of you above, thanks a lot. It really makes me feel better. I'm just going to focus the things I've learned to my Pitt interview next week, and hopefully everything will work out. And even if I'm waitlisted, I know it will work out in the end. Kinda like fate, i guess, if you wanna think about it that way.

Thanks again!