Awkward interview situations and SOLUTIONS!

[minwoo123]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So, I thought it would be great to have a thread discussing awkward interview situations and wise solutions to resolving the awkward turtle (or awkward giraffe or whatever animal you prefer) moments.

One awkward situation that I could imagine is that like in an interview, you talk about your experiences but most of those experiences are at this top research university that is not where you are interviewing at. Wouldn't the interviewer be like "Hmmm...is this applicant really interested in our school." I ask because I have completed several research internships and volunteering all at my state university (I like being at home =)). Maybe this could possibly raise a red flag?

What do you think is the best way to resolve such an issue in an interview. Should I just confidently describe my experiences or should I be more mindful and not "institution name drop" as much?

Thanks !!😍

 

[DAPI]

So, I thought it would be great to have a thread discussing awkward interview situations and wise solutions to resolving the awkward turtle (or awkward giraffe or whatever animal you prefer) moments.

One awkward situation that I could imagine is that like in an interview, you talk about your experiences but most of those experiences are at this top research university that is not where you are interviewing at. Wouldn't the interviewer be like "Hmmm...is this applicant really interested in our school." I ask because I have completed several research internships and volunteering all at my state university (I like being at home =)). Maybe this could possibly raise a red flag?

What do you think is the best way to resolve such an issue in an interview. Should I just confidently describe my experiences or should I be more mindful and not "institution name drop" as much?

Thanks !!😍

I feel like interviewers are going to understand why your research is at your home institution. Like maybe just say the name one and then not mention it again.

 

[music2doc]

So, I thought it would be great to have a thread discussing awkward interview situations and wise solutions to resolving the awkward turtle (or awkward giraffe or whatever animal you prefer) moments.

One awkward situation that I could imagine is that like in an interview, you talk about your experiences but most of those experiences are at this top research university that is not where you are interviewing at. Wouldn't the interviewer be like "Hmmm...is this applicant really interested in our school." I ask because I have completed several research internships and volunteering all at my state university (I like being at home =)). Maybe this could possibly raise a red flag?

What do you think is the best way to resolve such an issue in an interview. Should I just confidently describe my experiences or should I be more mindful and not "institution name drop" as much?

Thanks !!😍

Umm... they're not going to care where you did those experiences. I am at a solid mid-range MD program and we have a TON of people in my class who did research, UG, masters programs, and even PhDs at Stanford, Yale, UCSF, UCLA, UCSD, NYU, and Harvard to name a few whom I know personally. Don't worry, there's basically NO way you will "intimidate" a school/interviewer, although thinking you're going to might make you come off as a pr*ck!

On a related note, CU (top-40 school every year) received multiple calls from several of the Ivy League pre-med advisors basically whining at them for not interviewing more of their applicants who were "perfect." CU may not be ranked as highly as Yale but that doesn't mean they put up with **** from Yale's pre-med program. I didn't get the impression Dimple was at all impressed with that phone call, for instance.

 

[MedPR]

Umm... they're not going to care where you did those experiences. I am at a solid mid-range MD program and we have a TON of people in my class who did research, UG, masters programs, and even PhDs at Stanford, Yale, UCSF, UCLA, UCSD, NYU, and Harvard to name a few whom I know personally. Don't worry, there's basically NO way you will "intimidate" a school/interviewer, although thinking you're going to might make you come off as a pr*ck!

On a related note, CU (top-40 school every year) received multiple calls from several of the Ivy League pre-med advisors basically whining at them for not interviewing more of their applicants who were "perfect." CU may not be ranked as highly as Yale but that doesn't mean they put up with **** from Yale's pre-med program. I didn't get the impression Dimple was at all impressed with that phone call, for instance.

Prob because CU knows top kids won't matriculate so they aren't going to waste time interviewing.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[music2doc]

Prob because CU knows top kids won't matriculate so they aren't going to waste time interviewing.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

LOL....

They actually get quite a few who get into CU and a top 5 school and choose CU -- usually because it's home (or closer to home) and they want to go there instead. I've met several such students where I actually know for a fact that they got into one of the top 5 medical schools and chose CU over it. Once you're in that top 40 bracket, there is really very little difference between applicants. Honestly, even across MD programs, the margin is so narrow as to be laughable. A mentor of mine who served on several adcoms including one at a top 10 school stated that the difference post-interview is essentially 100% chance because everyone is so overqualified. His description was literally like this video (emphasizing the random pulling of the names):

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9KEf9l_DFsg#![/YOUTUBE]

For reference, the average for the last few years for interviewed students there has been 3.8+/34-35 with accepted students being at 3.8+/33 and matriculants at 3.8+/32. Not too shabby for a state school tied with the lowly Brown for research (and top 5 for primary, whatever that means)....

 

[typicalindian]

LOL....

They actually get quite a few who get into CU and a top 5 school and choose CU -- usually because it's home (or closer to home) and they want to go there instead. I've met several such students where I actually know for a fact that they got into one of the top 5 medical schools and chose CU over it. Once you're in that top 40 bracket, there is really very little difference between applicants. Honestly, even across MD programs, the margin is so narrow as to be laughable. A mentor of mine who served on several adcoms including one at a top 10 school stated that the difference post-interview is essentially 100% chance because everyone is so overqualified. His description was literally like this video (emphasizing the random pulling of the names):

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9KEf9l_DFsg#![/YOUTUBE]

For reference, the average for the last few years for interviewed students there has been 3.8+/34-35 with accepted students being at 3.8+/33 and matriculants at 3.8+/32. Not too shabby for a state school tied with the lowly Brown for research (and top 5 for primary, whatever that means)....

Sorry what is CU?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Sorry what is CU?

I believe it's the University of Colorado - Denver, since it's ranked at 35 w/Brown as mentioned above.

Anybody wanna verify?

 

[music2doc]

I believe it's the University of Colorado - Denver, since it's ranked at 35 w/Brown as mentioned above.

Anybody wanna verify?

Yes, I have most commonly seen CU refer to CUSOM (i.e., Colorado), which was what I was referring to. I guess technically it could be Creighton (never seen it called CU outside its own walls, though) or Columbia.... And yes, they are tied for #35 with Brown. I guess the other clue was the director of admissions' name in that post. If anyone is applying there, she is a very nice lady whom you should get to know well (and be very professional with; it's a bit of a pet peeve of hers).

 

[cheechootrain]

Alright, lets keep this thread on track.

Awkward situation #2: You fart or have a nose bleed during your interview, what do you do?

Awkward situation #3: You fall down as you leave.

Alright, what should a person do in order to keep the train rolling?

 

[music2doc]

Alright, lets keep this thread on track.

Awkward situation #2: You fart or have a nose bleed during your interview, what do you do?

Awkward situation #3: You fall down as you leave.

Alright, what should a person do in order to keep the train rolling?

#2... just walk out, it's over. Also, take some cyanide on the way home.

#3...

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFFnQyG0TbY[/YOUTUBE]

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Alright, lets keep this thread on track.

Awkward situation #2: You fart or have a nose bleed during your interview, what do you do?

Awkward situation #3: You fall down as you leave.

Alright, what should a person do in order to keep the train rolling?

For #2, a simultaneous cough might work...

 

[QuesoAndFromage]

I had an interview with the admissions dean (this was one of two interviews for this school) and the interview was perfect but when I left, I somehow chose the wrong door which led into a closet. I just said its early and Im stupid, she laughed-- and I got accepted

 

[Charles Darwin]

I had an interview with the admissions dean (this was one of two interviews for this school) and the interview was perfect but when I left, I somehow chose the wrong door which led into a closet. I just said its early and Im stupid, she laughed-- and I got accepted

The most awkward part about that is you coming out of the closet to the dean of admissions.

 

[carramrod06]

I had an interview with the admissions dean (this was one of two interviews for this school) and the interview was perfect but when I left, I somehow chose the wrong door which led into a closet. I just said its early and Im stupid, she laughed-- and I got accepted

Instantly reminded me of the movie "The American President" in the scene where Sydney Ellen Wade tries to walk confidently out of the oval office but accidentally picks the door to the president's private office.

 

[cheechootrain]

I had an interview with the admissions dean (this was one of two interviews for this school) and the interview was perfect but when I left, I somehow chose the wrong door which led into a closet. I just said its early and Im stupid, she laughed-- and I got accepted

That's actually funny! lol

 

[SaintJude]

Here's an awkward situation from my last actual interview:

The interviewer asked me at least 5 times:

"Do some people die from not having health insurance?"

"Would you pay more takes if you had to?" Would you really pay more taxes?


40 minutes on asking me to defend my willingness to pay more taxes and if people die from not having health insurance.....

All I could think inside of me was

I was too stupid and should have said something like, "Yes these are just some of my opinions and I would actually also love to speak about why learning healthcare specifics from this school is great. For example, I love that this school [SWITCH The f-ing topic]..."

lesson learned. I hope she wasn't Republican?! 'cause she pushed me to admit I was pro-Obama.....ugh, it was a trap! lol

 

[selttiks288]

Here's an awkward situation from my last actual interview:

The interviewer asked me at least 5 times:

"Do some people die from not having health insurance?"

"Would you pay more takes if you had to?" Would you really pay more taxes?


40 minutes on asking me to defend my willingness to pay more taxes and if people die from not having health insurance.....

All I could think inside of me was

I was too stupid and should have said something like, "Yes these are just some of my opinions and I would actually also love to speak about why learning healthcare specifics from this school is great. For example, I love that this school [SWITCH The f-ing topic]..."

lesson learned. I hope she wasn't Republican?! 'cause she pushed me to admit I was pro-Obama.....ugh, it was a trap! lol

Something like that happened to me. I stuck to my guns and luckily the interviewer caved and said something like.. "well I could argue about this all day but we only have 20 minutes". It wasn't in a bad way, I'm hoping he just wanted to see if I would change my stance or not.

I think the "what are you going to do if you don't get into medical school" question when you already have an acceptance would be awkward.

 

[cinamin]

Something like that happened to me. I stuck to my guns and luckily the interviewer caved and said something like.. "well I could argue about this all day but we only have 20 minutes". It wasn't in a bad way, I'm hoping he just wanted to see if I would change my stance or not.

I think the "what are you going to do if you don't get into medical school" question when you already have an acceptance would be awkward.

me too!! the interviewer turned out to be very opinionated about health care reform and against it!! I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I think it's important sometimes to say that like obviously it's your own opinion and you could still learn a lot more about both sides.. because sometimes with political questions..people can get huffy. especially this year with the re-election

 

[ShenanigansMD]

me too!! the interviewer turned out to be very opinionated about health care reform and against it!! I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I think it's important sometimes to say that like obviously it's your own opinion and you could still learn a lot more about both sides.. because sometimes with political questions..people can get huffy. especially this year with the re-election

I have a feeling that the interviewer is testing your beliefs; first they ask your opinion (what do you think of PPACA), and then they choose the opposite stance (Oh so you really want to increase taxes?!?!?! or So you don't think everybody deserves medical care?!?!?!).

They're just trying to throw you off and see how you respond.

 

[selttiks288]

me too!! the interviewer turned out to be very opinionated about health care reform and against it!! I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I think it's important sometimes to say that like obviously it's your own opinion and you could still learn a lot more about both sides.. because sometimes with political questions..people can get huffy. especially this year with the re-election

I think that they definitely understand that everyone has a different opinion I think what they care most about is if your stance is an educated one.

 

[music2doc]

Something like that happened to me. I stuck to my guns and luckily the interviewer caved and said something like.. "well I could argue about this all day but we only have 20 minutes". It wasn't in a bad way, I'm hoping he just wanted to see if I would change my stance or not.

I think the "what are you going to do if you don't get into medical school" question when you already have an acceptance would be awkward.

I never had them ask that question after Oct. 15. Sometimes they would ask related questions and I was okay with letting them know where I had acceptances already. I simply told them that I was there because I felt I might want to attend there instead. The fact that you still came to the interview (esp. if you had to travel) pretty much guarantees you have at least some interest in the program still. I usually just continued my answer in a way that answered their underlying question (i.e., "how committed are you really to medicine?").

 

[TxResident]

I started talking about PPACA and my interviewer asked what it was. I was afraid she was testing me to see if I even knew what it meant and told her and said its also known as Obamacare to some people. Feels like I felt into a trap somewhat... But I managed to get myself out by saying I didn't know whether or not to call it that name as some people frown upon that name. @_@

 

[Guero]

Awkward situation #3: What do you do when your interviewer accuses you of having a psychiatric disorder?

THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED!

One of the schools to which I applied MD/PhD last year gave its interviewers ALL of the information I submitted on both fronts, so all three PSs, plus my CV. I didn't realize they'd receive everything. So the psychiatrist that was interviewing me kept asking why I repeated a bunch of stuff. I explained that I wasn't aware that he'd receive everything, but thought a special MD/PhD committee would receive my MD/PhD materials. He was like, "Are you sure you're not suffering from OCD?" Thankfully, psych is one of my three majors, so I replied very clinically, "Well, my quality of life isn't suffering as an effect of my intent to be thorough, though I may have OCPD [the personality variant] if it's affecting those around me; but no one has ever said anything."

Ugh, I felt so attacked after that interview.

 

[dance13021]

Awkward situation #3: What do you do when your interviewer accuses you of having a psychiatric disorder?

THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED!

One of the schools to which I applied MD/PhD last year gave its interviewers ALL of the information I submitted on both fronts, so all three PSs, plus my CV. I didn't realize they'd receive everything. So the psychiatrist that was interviewing me kept asking why I repeated a bunch of stuff. I explained that I wasn't aware that he'd receive everything, but thought a special MD/PhD committee would receive my MD/PhD materials. He was like, "Are you sure you're not suffering from OCD?" Thankfully, psych is one of my three majors, so I replied very clinically, "Well, my quality of life isn't suffering as an effect of my intent to be thorough, though I may have OCPD [the personality variant] if it's affecting those around me; but no one has ever said anything."

Ugh, I felt so attacked after that interview.

This is... not appropriate. However, we'll all come across some very un-PC doctors and patients in the future, I'm sure. I think you handled it pretty well, just sort of brush it off, except I probably wouldn't offer up an alternative diagnosis, especially axis II.

 

[Guero]

This is... not appropriate. However, we'll all come across some very un-PC doctors and patients in the future, I'm sure. I think you handled it pretty well, just sort of brush it off, except I probably wouldn't offer up an alternative diagnosis, especially axis II.

Hahaha, good point. I was so taken aback that I just let my left-brain take over. Go figure I'd proffer a differential.

 

[ikillmcatz]

.

 

[dance13021]

Interviewer: So I see here that you had severe health problems. What's to say you don't get bogged down by them again in medical school? Why should we accept you when we have multiple other well qualified students who have always been healthy?

I actually think this is a pretty legit question. I would totally be worried about this issue were I evaluating an applicant with a history of severe health problems.

I think what they're also getting at here is to see what you learned from your past problems and how it'll benefit you in the future, rather than them just seeming antagonistic in the way they've phrased the question. I mean, you've already gotten an interview at this point, so it's not like they've already ruled you out completely.

If I were you, I'd definitely expect this question (in one form or another) at every one of my interviews.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Awkward situation #3: What do you do when your interviewer accuses you of having a psychiatric disorder?

THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED!

One of the schools to which I applied MD/PhD last year gave its interviewers ALL of the information I submitted on both fronts, so all three PSs, plus my CV. I didn't realize they'd receive everything. So the psychiatrist that was interviewing me kept asking why I repeated a bunch of stuff. I explained that I wasn't aware that he'd receive everything, but thought a special MD/PhD committee would receive my MD/PhD materials. He was like, "Are you sure you're not suffering from OCD?" Thankfully, psych is one of my three majors, so I replied very clinically, "Well, my quality of life isn't suffering as an effect of my intent to be thorough, though I may have OCPD [the personality variant] if it's affecting those around me; but no one has ever said anything."

Ugh, I felt so attacked after that interview.

Sorry, the correct response was:

"[hearty laughter] No, no, I'm pretty sure I don't have OCD haha".

The response you gave was:

"Yes! Here let me show you".

 

[Guero]

Sorry, the correct response was:

"[hearty laughter] No, no, I'm pretty sure I don't have OCD haha".

The response you gave was:

"Yes! Here let me show you".

LoL, I'm pretty sure I did laught it off immediately, but then went into that after he said, "Are you sure?" I honestly can't remember for sure, but have a pretty vivid memory of laughing about either way.