Bad interview response? (this was a BS/MD interview)

[freneticFil]

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In a med school interview, the interviewer asked me about a time when under a lot of pressure and difficulty, I had to make a decision. I answered more personally, telling an anecdote about how I had a family illness at the time I was taking a lot of AP courses, working, and had to care for someone in my family. But I also had to apply to college at the time, after working 3 years for grades, activities, and my life goals. So should I sacrifice opportunities and my 3 years of work or to help someone in my family. Obviously, I stuck close to my family and applied to less places (foregoing many opportunities for myself). I talked about how that instance allowed me to realize I love to learn and didn't need to apply to a lot of schools or the ivy leagues which I had been shooting for to get a fulfilling education and how the experience made me more sensitive to undersatnding others (such as patients) for the future. I'm not sure how believable it would have sounded though. It came from the heart.

 

[Jdp00921]

Sounds like a mighty fine response to me! You're probably just overthinking now because the interview was important to you.... everyone overthinks their answers post-interview. Don't stress until there's a reason to stress!

 

[Welshman]

I agree, I think the opposite response would have looked bad. Putting family and loved ones behind yourself doesn’t show a lot of empathy...

 

[Redpancreas]

I think it’s fine. Sometimes, you have to weather the questions, not hit them out of the park.