Can we ask both interviewers the same questions?

[GoPelicans]

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Most interviews wrap up with an "Any questions for me?" bit which is dumb since 99% of genuine questions can be answered on the school website or SDN...

ANYWAY, is it OK to ask both interviewers the same questions, or will they both write down the questions asked on their evaluations and it will look bad? Serious question.

 

[milkandcereal]

If it's a question that could have multiple answers, I don't see any reason why not. Asking, "How do you like living in ________?" to a student and then a faculty member will likely get you very different answers. It's good to get different perspectives.

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

Most interviews wrap up with an "Any questions for me?" bit which is dumb since 99% of genuine questions can be answered on the school website or SDN...

ANYWAY, is it OK to ask both interviewers the same questions, or will they both write down the questions asked on their evaluations and it will look bad? Serious question.

If I got an adequate answer from interviewer #1, I wouldn't ask the question again. I would say, "No, I do not have any questions at this time. The day has been thoroughly informative, and I received answers to everything I wanted to ask. Thank you for your time, and have a good day." The end.

 

[SN12357]

If I got an adequate answer from interviewer #1, I wouldn't ask the question again. I would say, "No, I do not have any questions at this time. The day has been thoroughly informative, and I received answers to everything I wanted to ask. Thank you for your time, and have a good day." The end.

This is horrible advice. Always have a question ready. It might not make sense, but the fact of it is that NOT having questions is something that will stick out in an interviewer's mind in a bad way.

 

[BlueLabel]

This is horrible advice. Always have a question ready. It might not make sense, but the fact of it is that NOT having questions is something that will stick out in an interviewer's mind in a bad way.

Agreed. There's something to be said for the fact that many of the "most legitimate" questions you might have - about step scores, match rates, location, curriculum, financial aid, are often answered during the interview day or available on the internet. Also, remember that if your interviewer is, for example, research faculty, or an alum who actually isn't affiliated with admissions or the school currently (both have happened to me), they might not even know the answers to some of these questions. Even so, I think it's important to have some questions: ask about what it's like managing family life in medicine, ask "what was one thing you wish you had known when you were applying to medical school", "what makes medicine a fulfilling career for you", and so on. These kinds of questions can get interesting, useful answers and of course can be asked to multiple people. Or better yet, ask questions related to topics you've previously discussed during the interview. If you are given a sheet with information about your interviewers at some point during the day, try to come up with something based off of that. Be resourceful.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

If I got an adequate answer from interviewer #1, I wouldn't ask the question again. I would say, "No, I do not have any questions at this time. The day has been thoroughly informative, and I received answers to everything I wanted to ask. Thank you for your time, and have a good day." The end.

Never a good idea. Not having questions makes you look like you don't care. I had 8 interviews over 2 days at my last interview, and I was staying with a student host during that time who, along with his friends in the program, filled me in on just about every question I had before I interviewed. I was still able to come up with 2-3 questions to ask all my interviewers.

I would recommend having a bank of questions you can reasonably ask over and over. For example, "how do you like living here?", "what do you like about the school?", etc. Also, since you'll often be interviewed by different types of interviewers (students, MDs, researchers) you can have questions tailored to them. Students are easy, just ask about student life at the school. You can ask your MD interviewers for their opinions on their jobs. Researchers are also easy; if you truly can't think of anything, just pick out something about their research to ask them to expand on.

 

[GoPelicans]

Even so, I think it's important to have some questions: ask about what it's like managing family life in medicine, ask "what was one thing you wish you had known when you were applying to medical school", "what makes medicine a fulfilling career for you", and so on. These kinds of questions can get interesting, useful answers and of course can be asked to multiple people. Or better yet, ask questions related to topics you've previously discussed during the interview. If you are given a sheet with information about your interviewers at some point during the day, try to come up with something based off of that. Be resourceful.

These are great ideas, but I always wondered does it come off as intrusive turning the tables like that, ie asking a doctor about his personal life during the interview? Because those are honestly the questions that would be most informative to me, but I am hesitant to ask them.

 

[BlueLabel]

These are great ideas, but I always wondered does it come off as intrusive turning the tables like that, ie asking a doctor about his personal life during the interview? Because those are honestly the questions that would be most informative to me, but I am hesitant to ask them.

Personally I don't think so, because they always appear to have been well-received. After all, they did ask if you had questions. However, I definitely wouldn't mind hearing somebody a little further along in the process weigh in on this.

 

[pyrrion89]

The best questions come from learning something during the interview and expanding on that through your questions at the end.

 

[neekzg]

I feel like there's a lot you could ask an interviewer that you won't find on their school website or SDN... Whenever I interview for a program/volunteering/internship I'm always genuinely interested to know how their personal experience has been with the program, school, etc., why they've stuck around for so long, what they like best or dislike the most, etc. These are all valuable perspectives you won't necessarily be able to find online.

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

I always have questions because I genuinely have questions that are not answered elsewhere or by other people.

If you don't have questions, then don't ask any. That's my mantra--I like to be genuine, and I am not going to be some annoying pedantic pre-med with some obvious contrived questions that are transparently boring.

If you are such a person, then more power to you?

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

These are great ideas, but I always wondered does it come off as intrusive turning the tables like that, ie asking a doctor about his personal life during the interview? Because those are honestly the questions that would be most informative to me, but I am hesitant to ask them.

Are you specifically curious about personal issues for a medical doctor who is a faculty somewhere? I mean, it seems that the questions you want to ask can be easily answered by someone you encountered during your clinical experiences.

 

[GoPelicans]

I always have questions because I genuinely have questions that are not answered elsewhere or by other people.

Examples?

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

Examples?

I'll use my interview from yesterday.

I asked one interviewer about the summer research fellowships at their school. She is a PhD with an active lab on genetics research for neurodegenerative diseases. I gathered that there are approximately a dozen spots per summer from their website, and I know that there are some recommended electives for students who want to participate in research--another tidbit I found on their website. I asked the faculty what other criteria do they use to assess students for these fellowship spots and generally how competitive they are. I also asked about the application procedures and timeline for the fellowships. I did not find this information on their website, and my student tour guide wasn't sure as she has not participated in the summer research.

I also asked the medical doctor faculty to tell me more about one of their community outreach programs with elementary school children and their international healthcare agendas. These items were briefly mentioned on the website and/or during the introduction and tour. But I wanted more in-depth details. He told me about this new clinic that will soon be in operations, and I remarked that it is a very exciting development. He noted my enthusiasm, and he said, "'Exciting' is definitely the right word." I also wanted to know about alumni involvement in these domestic and global health endeavors.

I also want to add that you may want to take the advice from these forums with a grain of salt, with my advice included, just to be fair. Some of these people are extremely socially inept, anxiety-ridden people who come off as decidedly awkward, and it's probably not the best idea to follow their cookie-cutter style. Just be yourself and be natural. If you have questions, ask them. If not, thank the interviewer graciously and leave. Your questions or lack of questions at the end is not going to make a bad interview stellar, and neither will your decision regarding the questions derail a great interview. Good luck, and have a good time!

 

[BlueLabel]

I also want to add that you may want to take the advice from these forums with a grain of salt, with my advice included, just to be fair. Some of these people are extremely socially inept, anxiety-ridden people who come off as decidedly awkward, and it's probably not the best idea to follow their cookie-cutter style. Just be yourself and be natural. If you have questions, ask them. If not, thank the interviewer graciously and leave. Your questions or lack of questions at the end is not going to make a bad interview stellar, and neither will your decision regarding the questions derail a great interview. Good luck, and have a good time!

Oh it's so on...

Dare you to out yourself.

 

[Escape_Goat]

ANYWAY, is it OK to ask both interviewers the same questions, or will they both write down the questions asked on their evaluations and it will look bad? Serious question.

No, you may not.

Rule 34-B of subsection 11-IE of the Official Medical School Interview Policy and Procedure guidelines stipulates that you may only use each post-interview question once.

 

[Captain Sisko]

they asked me the same questions... why not?

 

[SN12357]

I also want to add that you may want to take the advice from these forums with a grain of salt, with my advice included, just to be fair. Some of these people are extremely socially inept, anxiety-ridden people who come off as decidedly awkward, and it's probably not the best idea to follow their cookie-cutter style. Just be yourself and be natural. If you have questions, ask them. If not, thank the interviewer graciously and leave. Your questions or lack of questions at the end is not going to make a bad interview stellar, and neither will your decision regarding the questions derail a great interview. Good luck, and have a good time!

Or, you know, some of us have several years in the workforce and experience on hiring committees. But clearly, disregard our advice! We're just neurotic and socially inept!

Not asking questions sticks out in the interviewers mind as the last impression they have of you, and it's negative. You want to leave an interview with the interviewer wanting to advocate for you, not having a negative impression.

This doesn't just go for medical school interviews. It's true for ALL interviews, as interest in the job/position/school whatever is a major factor in hiring/acceptance decisions. Interviewers aren't mind readers. You have to show interest.

 

[mcloaf]

"No, I do not have any questions at this time. The day has been thoroughly informative, and I received answers to everything I wanted to ask. Thank you for your time, and have a good day."

I'm sure all your interviewers like picturing the doctor you could someday become:

Asking questions is a courtesy that shows you're interested, whether you want to do it or not.

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

Or, you know, some of us have several years in the workforce and experience on hiring committees. But clearly, disregard our advice! We're just neurotic and socially inept!

Not asking questions sticks out in the interviewers mind as the last impression they have of you, and it's negative. You want to leave an interview with the interviewer wanting to advocate for you, not having a negative impression.

This doesn't just go for medical school interviews. It's true for ALL interviews, as interest in the job/position/school whatever is a major factor in hiring/acceptance decisions. Interviewers aren't mind readers. You have to show interest.

I didn't call out anyone specifically. So I don't know why you feel the need to defend you and your experiences.

With that said, there are plenty of opportunities to demonstrate your interest in the school. Sure, the interview itself is framed by the questions the interviewers ask, but you have some control of where the interview goes with your answers and examples. You have ample opportunities to convey why you think the metaphoric courtship will lead to beautiful matrimony. Do I ask questions? Yes. Would I ask questions if I didn't have any real questions? No. I guess I would rather lose arbitrary interest points than to be trite. I honestly just don't think a couple of questions at the end are as monumental as you think. We may just have to agree to disagree. I am definitely not one to carry on any type of Internet crusade so....

I'm sure all your interviewers like picturing the doctor you could someday become:

Asking questions is a courtesy that shows you're interested, whether you want to do it or not.

I may have many negative qualities, but being robotic is definitely not one of them. I don't think a gracious thank you at the end of the interview will be viewed as robotic, especially in the context of a generally conversational exchange for the actual interview. Since when did courteousness and politeness become robotic?

 

[KnuxNole]

Yes.

You might get different perspectives on the same questions.

 

[KnuxNole]

I'll use my interview from yesterday.

I asked one interviewer about the summer research fellowships at their school. She is a PhD with an active lab on genetics research for neurodegenerative diseases. I gathered that there are approximately a dozen spots per summer from their website, and I know that there are some recommended electives for students who want to participate in research--another tidbit I found on their website. I asked the faculty what other criteria do they use to assess students for these fellowship spots and generally how competitive they are. I also asked about the application procedures and timeline for the fellowships. I did not find this information on their website, and my student tour guide wasn't sure as she has not participated in the summer research.

I also asked the medical doctor faculty to tell me more about one of their community outreach programs with elementary school children and their international healthcare agendas. These items were briefly mentioned on the website and/or during the introduction and tour. But I wanted more in-depth details. He told me about this new clinic that will soon be in operations, and I remarked that it is a very exciting development. He noted my enthusiasm, and he said, "'Exciting' is definitely the right word." I also wanted to know about alumni involvement in these domestic and global health endeavors.

I also want to add that you may want to take the advice from these forums with a grain of salt, with my advice included, just to be fair. Some of these people are extremely socially inept, anxiety-ridden people who come off as decidedly awkward, and it's probably not the best idea to follow their cookie-cutter style. Just be yourself and be natural. If you have questions, ask them. If not, thank the interviewer graciously and leave. Your questions or lack of questions at the end is not going to make a bad interview stellar, and neither will your decision regarding the questions derail a great interview. Good luck, and have a good time!

Uhh...this forum is one of the BEST places to get advice. I'm not sure where you managed to find that stereotype from.

 

[Captain Sisko]

Uhh...this forum is one of the BEST places to get advice. I'm not sure where you managed to find that stereotype from.

it is, but you have to know to whom you should listen. Not everyone has the best advice, and oftentimes there are folks on here who just spout off based on who knows what.

 

[mvenus929]

If I got an adequate answer from interviewer #1, I wouldn't ask the question again. I would say, "No, I do not have any questions at this time. The day has been thoroughly informative, and I received answers to everything I wanted to ask. Thank you for your time, and have a good day." The end.

I'll echo what others have said above, you should always be able to ask at least one question to the interviewers. If nothing else, you can ask about living in the area, recommendations for places to eat, favorite things to do in the area, etc. I almost always ask the 'if there's one thing you could change, what would it be and why', as well as the favorite thing about the school/program. It gives you insight into what people value and what the weaknesses of the program are--and allows you to think about whether or not you could deal with them.

 

[BlueLabel]

I may have many negative qualities, but being robotic is definitely not one of them.

Bold claim. Out yourself to confirm

 

[Ismet]

My perspective as an interviewer (n=1):

Yes, ask questions. Even if all your questions have generally been answered, you can always get an individual's perspective. Especially for student interviews. You have no idea of the student body or what goes on outside of academics from just the website and hearing what the admissions people have to say in their talks during the day. It shows interest and that you're engaged in learning more about the school. Remember that the school is not just interviewing you, you're interviewing the school.

If you don't ask any questions, it's not a dealbreaker or anything, but it is the last impression the interviewer gets of you. The interviewer isn't going to write down "omg applicant did not ask me questions!!!" but asking questions gives more of a sense of "hey this person seems really interested in the school."

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

Bold claim. Out yourself to confirm

Do you require a blood sample? I don't know if I can squeeze some out!

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

My perspective as an interviewer (n=1):

Yes, ask questions. Even if all your questions have generally been answered, you can always get an individual's perspective. Especially for student interviews. You have no idea of the student body or what goes on outside of academics from just the website and hearing what the admissions people have to say in their talks during the day. It shows interest and that you're engaged in learning more about the school. Remember that the school is not just interviewing you, you're interviewing the school.

If you don't ask any questions, it's not a dealbreaker or anything, but it is the last impression the interviewer gets of you. The interviewer isn't going to write down "omg applicant did not ask me questions!!!" but asking questions gives more of a sense of "hey this person seems really interested in the school."

The student q&a are always so helpful. It's such a wonderful contribution that medical students take time out of their busy schedules for the tours and the questions. When the student ambassadors are enthusiastic, I give the school extra points.

 

[Samir Desai]

The best questions come from learning something during the interview and expanding on that through your questions at the end.

This is great advice. In advising students over the years, I've found that it's easier for some to do this than others. Some applicants just need to go into an interview with a questioning plan. These are the questions I am going to ask...

My perspective as an interviewer (n=1):

Yes, ask questions. Even if all your questions have generally been answered, you can always get an individual's perspective. Especially for student interviews. You have no idea of the student body or what goes on outside of academics from just the website and hearing what the admissions people have to say in their talks during the day. It shows interest and that you're engaged in learning more about the school. Remember that the school is not just interviewing you, you're interviewing the school.

If you don't ask any questions, it's not a dealbreaker or anything, but it is the last impression the interviewer gets of you. The interviewer isn't going to write down "omg applicant did not ask me questions!!!" but asking questions gives more of a sense of "hey this person seems really interested in the school."

I agree with the comments of my interviewing colleague above. Asking the same question can give you multiple perspectives.

As for asking questions, I recommend doing so if you're invited to ask questions. Most interviewers will leave some time for questions.

There are some interviewers who would rather not answer questions or may be running short on time. In the closing phase of the interview, it's important to follow the lead of your interviewer. If there isn't an opportunity to ask your questions, that's okay.