Discussing Illness during Interview?

[that redhead]

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As I prepare for my interview, I've come across a sample question (given in the interview bank for the school) that I'm having trouble with. It asks to describe a personal struggle that has affected you. While my intial reaction was to discuss my grades/academic struggle, that really fits another question better.

The one truly personal thing that comes to mind is a medical issue I've had since high school. It was never exactly diagnosed and there really isn't any treatment for it - I just kind of go about my life and it hits me once a year or so, which is a vast improvement from before but still not eliminated. Is this something I can safely discuss in my interview? I don't want to sound like an invalid or incapable but because there is so little to go off of I worry about being convincing. My gut reaction is to stay away from discussing it and focus on something lighter. What do you guys think?

 

[NStarz]

As I prepare for my interview, I've come across a sample question (given in the interview bank for the school) that I'm having trouble with. It asks to describe a personal struggle that has affected you. While my intial reaction was to discuss my grades/academic struggle, that really fits another question better.

The one truly personal thing that comes to mind is a medical issue I've had since high school. It was never exactly diagnosed and there really isn't any treatment for it - I just kind of go about my life and it hits me once a year or so, which is a vast improvement from before but still not eliminated. Is this something I can safely discuss in my interview? I don't want to sound like an invalid or incapable but because there is so little to go off of I worry about being convincing. My gut reaction is to stay away from discussing it and focus on something lighter. What do you guys think?

I am really struggling with the same thing (whether to mention personal illness or not during the interview). Thankfully, mine, while still present, is mostly resolved so I can probably safely say with conviction that my illness will not be a hindrance to me in vet school. I'm not sure how I would feel talking about it if it were not resolved. You really don't want to give the adcoms any kind of doubt about your suitability for a professional school, and this may (albeit very unfairly) do exactly that. You're also opening yourself up to more probing questions about the situation since you've opened the can of worms. I'm honestly not sure what I would do in your situation. As a person who also has a chronic illness that used to be debilitating and is now bearable 95% of the time, I empathize with you and with this awful decision you need to make.

I feel like my illness shaped me as a person and allowed me to truly examine what's important in my life. It's a powerful event that happened to me, but I'm not sure if I would give adcoms ammunition to use against me (my explanation statement will say something to the effect of "I had this illness, requiring me to withdraw from X amount of classes. The issue is now resolved and I learned XXX from having to deal with it"). Good luck with your decision, and make sure you commit to it 110%. If you go in doubting yourself and your answers, they will, too.

 

[No Imagination]

I think discussing an illness is OK, once the door has been opened (via a question that applies). However, using an illness (regardless of how relevant it may be) to make up for a perceived short coming in your app (be it grades, experience, lack of full time course load...) is a tinderbox which I would avoid.

I've seen a few students use such excuses in school (sometimes they work!) for various special treatment - and I think it pisses off the administration (not saying it should, but I think it does).

Probably best not to start on that foot if it can be helped.

 

[UFCVMhopeful]

How does one go about finding these interview banks for schools? I'd be pretty interested in seeing those questions, even though I've still got a bit to go before that. Never to soon to start thinking about it.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I would not bring up anything personal that you are not 100% comfortable talking about (which is sounds like you aren't).I think confidence is a huuuuuge thing during your interview, and I just don't think it's worth it to voluntarily say anything that will rattle you and give you a cold sweat during your interview.

If your illness was something that you can own and say "f*ck yeah, I had this illness and sucked but I'm damn proud of myself for dealing with it!" that's fine, but if you're going to be a wet noodle saying it it's probably not a good idea.

Why not come up with another personal struggle that affected you? Like 30 min - an hour is a pretty short time to make a great impression, so why spend 5-10 min looking uncomfortable?

 

[Minnerbelle]

How does one go about finding these interview banks for schools? I'd be pretty interested in seeing those questions, even though I've still got a bit to go before that. Never to soon to start thinking about it.

Look at the interview feedback on SDN! It's pretty sweet!!! Just make sure you don't go so far back in years for some of the schools that have changed their interview format/don't have interviews anymore...

 

[sumstorm]

Remember that if YOU bring up an illness, it means they can consider it in determining whether to admit you.

So ask yourself; will anyone think this could impact my ability to satisfactorily complete vet school on time? Will anyone think this could potentially impact my ability to perform the duties necessary of a vet? Will anyone think this could affect my mental/emotional ability to do either of the above?

Now, I know someone is going to say that isn't fair, or its mean, or its inappropriate. But it is legal. If you have any doubt, you can use more generalized terms.

IE, 'I had to deal with an illness in X (highschool), that caused Y (describe the consequences like fell behind in school, struggled to keep up, couldn't work as many hours, etc), which meant I had to do Z (describe the strategies you developed to cope) to thrive. I have learned to manage issues like this when they arise.'

 

[that redhead]

Thanks for your input, everyone! I think I'll go with my instinct (and follow your advice) and just stay away from it all together. It isn't really a problem for me at this point in my life and while I don't expect it to cause any problems in vet school, it isn't something I want questioned. Maybe I'll use my struggle (and success!) with grades for this particular question and figure out something else to put in the other question.

 

[moosenanny]

Maybe I'll use my struggle (and success!) with grades for this particular question and figure out something else to put in the other question.

You're making it sound like you're filling out a questionnaire. Unless I'm misunderstanding, aren't you practicing potential interview answers??? Remember, it's great to have answers at the ready, but you need to be flexible! Have a rough idea of topics you want to bring up, but remember that adcoms may not ask you every question you're anticipating - so don't "save material" -- bring things up while you have the chance because the interview will be over faster than you know it, and you don't want to kick yourself for saving something important to answer a question they never ended up asking you!

 

[kaydubs]

You're making it sound like you're filling out a questionnaire. Unless I'm misunderstanding, aren't you practicing potential interview answers??? Remember, it's great to have answers at the ready, but you need to be flexible!

👍Very good points, moosenanny!👍 I totally agree!

Maybe I'll use my struggle (and success!) with grades for this particular question and figure out something else to put in the other question.

I was honest about my hard times. I included that in my PS because it changed my life and motivated me to become who I am today. If you're uncomfortable with talking about it, don't bring it up. If it comes up, then you respond to it. But really, don't stress too much!!😀 You'll be great!!

 

[pennyonthefloor]

I would agree with the "only discuss things you're comfortable with" train of thought.

Though it's not an illness, I had a very violent, life-changing experience happen to me mid-way through my undergrad. It left me traumatized (which, I still have minor issues from to this day). I've always felt comfortable and confident about talking about it. I brought it up in my first interview three years ago and also brought it up this year when I interviewed-- from my perspective, it is a HUGE part of who I am and is an excellent example of personal character It is extremely important to address the "yes, x happened to me" but is equally important (if not moreso) to discuss what you have done to cope and overcome that obstacle.

Also, one other thing-- don't be afraid to show emotion. When discussing my incident, in both interviews I was nearly in tears after a bit of probing by the interviewers. I'm not saying bawl hysterically in front of them, but showing that you are a real person and you do have emotions isn't a death sentence. Just be able to control yourself.

Hope that helps. I know my experience is not exactly the same as an illness, but it's comparable...

 

[sumstorm]

I do agree with Penny, while I suggest using broader terms (ie not going into specifics of your illness, particularly if it is chronic or progressive), there is nothing wrong with using it to illustrate how you coped.

I have ADD and dyslexia. I don't discuss ADD because a lot of people still don't believe it is an accurate diagnosis, but very few people doubt dyslexia, so I can use that to illustrate how I have adjusted.

Now that I am learning to manage my ADD (generally involving endurance sports) I might be more willing to discuss it...but it's still a really risky topic.

With medical issues, though, it is completly reasonable to say 'during my first year of college I was really sick. the visits to doctors/time in the hospital/all the testing/etc was incredibly frustrating, and I couldn't perform up to par. I adjusted by X, Y, Z and found doing A, B, C improved my ability to cope with unexpected illness. Since recovering, I have used these skills to ensure that stress and challenging times don't impact my core priorities.'

You can do all that and NEVER mention what the illness is. Now, legally they can't actually ask (not all interviewers are good about that.) And you've already answered how you will deal with that if anything occurs during school/work (which is really what this question is about.)

 

[that redhead]

You're making it sound like you're filling out a questionnaire. Unless I'm misunderstanding, aren't you practicing potential interview answers??? Remember, it's great to have answers at the ready, but you need to be flexible! Have a rough idea of topics you want to bring up, but remember that adcoms may not ask you every question you're anticipating - so don't "save material" -- bring things up while you have the chance because the interview will be over faster than you know it, and you don't want to kick yourself for saving something important to answer a question they never ended up asking you!

No, I'm just trying to brainstorm a couple of possible answers to questions I know can come up. I don't plan to save anything big because I want to have the chance to discuss the most important things no matter the question.

 

[kaydubs]

I dealt with clinical depression and it changed who I am and how I see the world (for the better). But, it is a struggle and I have seriously considered 'relapses' (if that's the appropriate term) when thinking of vet school. But, I am a firm believer in what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. After struggling with depression and sometimes other more unpleasant things, you learn to know what's important in life.

Though it's not an illness, I had a very violent, life-changing experience happen to me mid-way through my undergrad. It left me traumatized (which, I still have minor issues from to this day). I've always felt comfortable and confident about talking about it. I brought it up in my first interview three years ago and also brought it up this year when I interviewed-- from my perspective, it is a HUGE part of who I am and is an excellent example of personal character It is extremely important to address the "yes, x happened to me" but is equally important (if not moreso) to discuss what you have done to cope and overcome that obstacle.

Also, one other thing-- don't be afraid to show emotion. When discussing my incident, in both interviews I was nearly in tears after a bit of probing by the interviewers. I'm not saying bawl hysterically in front of them, but showing that you are a real person and you do have emotions isn't a death sentence. Just be able to control yourself.

Agreed! Penny, if you ever want to share your story, I'd love to hear it via PM or wherever you want to share it. 🙂

I do agree with Penny, while I suggest using broader terms (ie not going into specifics of your illness, particularly if it is chronic or progressive), there is nothing wrong with using it to illustrate how you coped.

I have ADD and dyslexia. I don't discuss ADD because a lot of people still don't believe it is an accurate diagnosis, but very few people doubt dyslexia, so I can use that to illustrate how I have adjusted.

You can do all that and NEVER mention what the illness is. Now, legally they can't actually ask (not all interviewers are good about that.) And you've already answered how you will deal with that if anything occurs during school/work (which is really what this question is about.)

Nice advice, sumstorm! Definitely support the "something not so great happened to me, but I used it to turn my life around" & "my struggles and success with coping and living my life illustrates my determination for this challenging field we all want to pursue careers in 😀