Closed file interview and "tell me about yourself" tips

[aalamruad]

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I have a closed file interview (two, actually) coming up next week at my top choice school, so I'd like to see what tips you might have about how to successfully direct the conversation in the direction I want it to go and how to crush the "tell me about yourself" question. I know there are previous threads on this, but I'd like some fresh perspectives. Any and all advice is very much appreciated!

 

[slippydubloons]

whenever this comes up i always start with a brief one liner about growing up w/x siblings and how much fun that was (bc I have a ton of siblings) and they smile and then I delve almost exclusively into the unique aspects of my growth. this works very well bc interviewers love talking about things that are "different" so presenting them with a lot of unique jumping off points ("oh no way, that sounds awesome! tell me about it") makes it really easy. then I talk about unique things i'm in to today. essentially stress unique things. it's worked well so far!

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good luck 😀

 

[aalamruad]

whenever this comes up i always start with a brief one liner about growing up w/x siblings and how much fun that was (bc I have a ton of siblings) and they smile and then delve almost exclusively into the unique aspects of my growth. works very well bc interviewers love talking about different things so presenting them with a lot of unique jumping off points ("oh no way, that sounds awesome! tell me about it") makes it really easy. then talk about unique things i'm in to today. essentially stress unique things. it's worked well so far!

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good luck 😀

That's a great tip, I've never heard that before, thank you!

 

[Fancy_Feast]

whenever this comes up i always start with a brief one liner about growing up w/x siblings and how much fun that was (bc I have a ton of siblings) and they smile and then delve almost exclusively into the unique aspects of my growth. works very well bc interviewers love talking about different things so presenting them with a lot of unique jumping off points ("oh no way, that sounds awesome! tell me about it") makes it really easy. then talk about unique things i'm in to today. essentially stress unique things. it's worked well so far!

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good luck 😀

I agree! They will have time to ask you about why you want to be a doctor later, so use this as an opprotunity to allow for all sorts of jumping off points for conversation! I usually mention where I currently live, my dog, where I grew up, some hobbies/current interests, and hint at my journey to medicine without turning it into a soapbox speech. Keep it short and sweet.

 

[greenturtle22]

whenever this comes up i always start with a brief one liner about growing up w/x siblings and how much fun that was (bc I have a ton of siblings) and they smile and then delve almost exclusively into the unique aspects of my growth. works very well bc interviewers love talking about different things so presenting them with a lot of unique jumping off points ("oh no way, that sounds awesome! tell me about it") makes it really easy. then talk about unique things i'm in to today. essentially stress unique things. it's worked well so far!

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good luck 😀

This was exactly my strategy - worked really well! 🙂

 

[Doggeronie]

I have a closed file interview (two, actually) coming up next week at my top choice school, so I'd like to see what tips you might have about how to successfully direct the conversation in the direction I want it to go and how to crush the "tell me about yourself" question. I know there are previous threads on this, but I'd like some fresh perspectives. Any and all advice is very much appreciated!

1) name, major, school
2) where you're from
3) 2-3 ec's
4) 2-3 hobbies
5) quirky fact

 

[OchemOficionado]

whenever this comes up i always start with a brief one liner about growing up w/x siblings and how much fun that was (bc I have a ton of siblings) and they smile and then delve almost exclusively into the unique aspects of my growth. works very well bc interviewers love talking about different things so presenting them with a lot of unique jumping off points ("oh no way, that sounds awesome! tell me about it") makes it really easy. then talk about unique things i'm in to today. essentially stress unique things. it's worked well so far!

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good luck 😀

I love this approach. How many siblings?

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Im wondering how long the response should be as well, anyone care to chime in?

 

[Chelsea FC]

Im wondering how long the response should be as well, anyone care to chime in?

there isnt a set time just be natural and use cues when to stop.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

there isnt a set time just be natural and use cues when to stop.

Gotcha, thanks for the feedback! I guess I just want to make sure I dont intentionally drone on too long, while also not being too curt haha.

Here is a link to a good SDN article that I found for anyone who is interested:

https://www.studentdoctor.net/2008/02/trick-question/?reload=1&r=1432491487465

 

[Doggeronie]

Im wondering how long the response should be as well, anyone care to chime in?

just follow my guide
keep it less than a minute

 

[md-2020]

just follow my guide
keep it less than a minute

Agreed. Most of the time your interviewer is just using this to open up the conversation and really doesn't care what you're about to say, unless it's "I'm a current Nobel laureate" or conversely something insanely idiotic.

 

[wizzed101]

My aunt used to live in Vienna. I remember, she used to come home and tell us these stories about being abroad and I remember she told us that she jumped into the river once, barefoot. She smiled...Leapt, without looking and tumbled into the Danube. The water was freezing. She spent a month sneezing. But said she would do it again. She captured a feeling, sky with no ceiling, the sunset inside a frame. She lived in her liquor and died with a flicker. I'll always remember the flame.

She told me: "A bit of madness is key. To give us new colors to see. Who knows where it will lead us? And that's why they need us." I trace it all back to then. Her, and the snow, and the Danube. Smiling through it. She said she'd do it again.

And that's why I decided to become a doctor.

 

[Fancy_Feast]

My aunt used to live in Vienna. I remember, she used to come home and tell us these stories about being abroad and I remember she told us that she jumped into the river once, barefoot. She smiled...Leapt, without looking and tumbled into the Danube. The water was freezing. She spent a month sneezing. But said she would do it again. She captured a feeling, sky with no ceiling, the sunset inside a frame. She lived in her liquor and died with a flicker. I'll always remember the flame.

She told me: "A bit of madness is key. To give us new colors to see. Who knows where it will lead us? And that's why they need us." I trace it all back to then. Her, and the snow, and the Danube. Smiling through it. She said she'd do it again.

And that's why I decided to become a doctor.

 

[Gibbward]

My aunt used to live in Vienna. I remember, she used to come home and tell us these stories about being abroad and I remember she told us that she jumped into the river once, barefoot. She smiled...Leapt, without looking and tumbled into the Danube. The water was freezing. She spent a month sneezing. But said she would do it again. She captured a feeling, sky with no ceiling, the sunset inside a frame. She lived in her liquor and died with a flicker. I'll always remember the flame.

She told me: "A bit of madness is key. To give us new colors to see. Who knows where it will lead us? And that's why they need us." I trace it all back to then. Her, and the snow, and the Danube. Smiling through it. She said she'd do it again.

And that's why I decided to become a doctor.

I bet Emma Stone would make a great doctor.... She'll be able to cure anything with those big blue eyes of hers...

 

[flip_08]

Im wondering how long the response should be as well, anyone care to chime in?

I've heard to keep all interview answers less than 2 minutes. Any longer than that and you'll risk losing the attention of the interviewer.

 

[Malkin.12]

I bet Emma Stone would make a great doctor.... She'll be able to cure anything with those big blue eyes of hers...

She is so fricking gorgeous!

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Please don't bump 2 year old threads.