"Blinded" interview

[chrissyxf]

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So I have a blind interview next week (my interviewers will only see my picture and my name beforehand). I know know know they'll ask "tell me about yourself" and "why medicine." I can do why medicine but I'm struggling with the tell me about yourself. I read alot of articles and know what i should/shouldn't include but i have a specific question regarding my story/nontrad status.

1) Would you mention early on what you're current career is? (I'm a PA so it's also my clinical experience?)

2) Specific to me: I was in a BA--> MD program which is plastered on my application. Should I mention this in the interview? If I don't say anything, I fear the interviewer will think I was purposely deceitful (they'll find out when they meet in committee). If I do say something, I'm not sure what to say. The honest reason why I didn't go at 21 (I'm 26 now)? I was intimidated and afraid of the time, financial, and emotional commitments. I thought that I could get all the benefits of being a doc without the sacrifice (talk about an immature thought process). Later, I discovered that I really did need a greater scope of practice and opportunity to do research to feel fulfilled. I never thought I could be the decision maker- but now I know I can (self-esteem/confidence now that I didn't have before). Now, I'm nervous that if I say I was a 21 year old "baby," they'll think of everything negatively. So I'm not quite sure what to do- help please? 🙂

 

[theseeker4]

So I have a blind interview next week (my interviewers will only see my picture and my name beforehand). I know know know they'll ask "tell me about yourself" and "why medicine." I can do why medicine but I'm struggling with the tell me about yourself. I read alot of articles and know what i should/shouldn't include but i have a specific question regarding my story/nontrad status.

1) Would you mention early on what you're current career is? (I'm a PA so it's also my clinical experience?)

2) Specific to me: I was in a BA--> MD program which is plastered on my application. Should I mention this in the interview? If I don't say anything, I fear the interviewer will think I was purposely deceitful (they'll find out when they meet in committee). If I do say something, I'm not sure what to say. The honest reason why I didn't go at 21 (I'm 26 now)? I was intimidated and afraid of the time, financial, and emotional commitments. I thought that I could get all the benefits of being a doc without the sacrifice (talk about an immature thought process). Later, I discovered that I really did need a greater scope of practice and opportunity to do research to feel fulfilled. I never thought I could be the decision maker- but now I know I can (self-esteem/confidence now that I didn't have before). Now, I'm nervous that if I say I was a 21 year old "baby," they'll think of everything negatively. So I'm not quite sure what to do- help please? 🙂

If I were you, I would not bring up the BA to MD program. The opportunity to "tell them about yourself" should be your focusing on the positive aspects of yourself. This is your chance to sell yourself, so you shouldn't bring up anything that is negative without specifically being prompted by them. If they ask for specifics about your education career, you will obviously have to discuss it, but there is no need at all to bring it up with the simple "tell me about yourself" prompt.

If you are prompted to discuss it, I would be open and honest but avoid referring negatively to an age, etc. You can say "I was not personally mature enough, at the time, to make the commitment to medical school, but my experiences and growth since then have reaffirmed my desire to become a doctor" without saying you were a "21 year old baby." Discuss your thought process without seeming to cast a negative judgment on any group. You can also discuss your mistaken impressions of the role a PA plays without highlighting how immature you were. Remember you want your interview to cast yourself in the most positive light possible, while remaining honest.

 

[stsa84]

I have to disagree. You have one, and only one, chance to tell your story in person and explain any red flags present on your application. To leave something as big as your BA to MD story out, knowing it will come up when the adcoms view your app and that they'll have questions about it but no answers, is like playing Russian Roulette with 5 chamber loaded. You might not die, but you're taking an extraordinary risk.

Talk about every red flag area that is in your app. Mention it in the "tell me about yourself prompt" to allow adequate time to explain yourself when the interviewer asks you for more info. You want your interviewer to know your whole story and to go to bat for you with the admissions committee. They will absolutely have questions about this, and your interviewer better have some answers for them.

How realistic does this sound:

Adcoms to your interviewer: "So, tell us why in the world this applicant didn't follow through in her BA to MD program? "
Interviewer: "Wow...I don't know, she didn't tell me about this."
Adcoms: "Oh. Well let's accept her."

Tell the truth, be as honest as you can while putting a positive spin on things, and be humble. Figure out a few concrete examples of what the experience has taught you and how you've grown since then. Don't talk about it as if you're embarrassed by it, but rather as it being a positive for you because it has resulted in so much personal growth that has brought you to the person you are today (or something like that).

Regarding your being a PA...mention that as well, for the same reasons listed above.

 

[chrissyxf]

I have to disagree. You have one, and only one, chance to tell your story in person and explain any red flags present on your application. To leave something as big as your BA to MD story out, knowing it will come up when the adcoms view your app and that they'll have questions about it but no answers, is like playing Russian Roulette with 5 chamber loaded. You might not die, but you're taking an extraordinary risk.

Talk about every red flag area that is in your app. Mention it in the "tell me about yourself prompt" to allow adequate time to explain yourself when the interviewer asks you for more info. You want your interviewer to know your whole story and to go to bat for you with the admissions committee. They will absolutely have questions about this, and your interviewer better have some answers for them.

How realistic does this sound:

Adcoms to your interviewer: "So, tell us why in the world this applicant didn't follow through in her BA to MD program? "
Interviewer: "Wow...I don't know, she didn't tell me about this."
Adcoms: "Oh. Well let's accept her."

Tell the truth, be as honest as you can while putting a positive spin on things, and be humble. Figure out a few concrete examples of what the experience has taught you and how you've grown since then. Don't talk about it as if you're embarrassed by it, but rather as it being a positive for you because it has resulted in so much personal growth that has brought you to the person you are today (or something like that).

Regarding your being a PA...mention that as well, for the same reasons listed above.

I think I'm going to go with this because it addresses exactly what I was concerned about- I want them to ask me what they think needs to be asked while I have the chance to answer! I can definitely put it in a good light and come up with solid examples of how I've grown and can focus more on where things are going then where they've been. Thanks for the help 🙂

 

[stsa84]

You're welcome 🙂

I had an open interview, but I was advised by an adcom to make explaining my first few semesters of grades my #1 priority. You want the interviewer to know every bit of your story so they can answer questions/defend you when the committee meets. Good luck!

 

[theseeker4]

You're welcome 🙂

I had an open interview, but I was advised by an adcom to make explaining my first few semesters of grades my #1 priority. You want the interviewer to know every bit of your story so they can answer questions/defend you when the committee meets. Good luck!

Your posts do make sense. I was looking at the situation from the "never highlight your weaknesses" POV, but not at all addressing something those who will have reviewed your application will wonder about could definitely negatively impact you. Ignore my advice to not bring it up 😳. Just stay positive about it and avoid negative comments about age groups/etc. (such as "baby 21-year-old").