Do interview questions often get repeated?

[710118]

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For example, if you have 2 interviews for the same school, is it common for both interviewers to ask why medicine and why our school? Also, what sort of answers really impress an interviewer for these types of questions? I assume specific rather than general answers are best? Are there any particular questions that impress you if a student asks at the end of an interview?

 

[Dr panda]

With your stats you should ask what neighborhood in Boston is the nicest to reside while attending Harvard med school. Just tell the truth and you will be fine.

 

[907914]

For example, if you have 2 interviews for the same school, is it common for both interviewers to ask why medicine and why our school? Also, what sort of answers really impress an interviewer for these types of questions? I assume specific rather than general answers are best? Are there any particular questions that impress you if a student asks at the end of an interview?

I have only been to one interview thus far, but two of the three asked “Tell me about your research?” All three asked “Why us?” And two of the three asked a question about teamwork.

So, anecdotally, yes.

 

[u_raptor]

I had 2 of 3 interviewers ask me why their school and a other common question. So it shouldnt be surprising if they ask a repeat question I think. So I agree with @MemeLord. I tried to be as specific as possible

 

[907914]

I had 2 of 3 interviewers ask me why their school and a other common question. So it shouldnt be surprising if they ask a repeat question I think. So I agree with @MemeLord. I tried to be as specific as possible

These two data points are coincidentally from the same school, so take it with a grain of salt. Will follow up in...4 weeks after my next non-MMI interview...

 

[710118]

Do you give the same answer to the question to each person who asks it or do you give different answers? My why medicine answer is pretty structured and if I repeat it the same way and two interviewers compare notes, they might note that my answer was exactly the same. Maybe this dosent matter? I guess for something like teamwork you could give two different answers if you wanted to?

 

[907914]

Do you give the same answer to the question to each person who asks it or do you give different answers? My why medicine answer is pretty structured and if I repeat it the same way and two interviewers compare notes, they might note that my answer was exactly the same. Maybe this dosent matter? I guess for something like teamwork you could give two different answers if you wanted to?

It kinda depends who the interviewer is. I went in to more detail with the faculty member than the MS4 and I went in to more detail with the ADCOM than the Faculty member.

 

[907914]

It kinda depends who the interviewer is. I went in to more detail with the faculty member than the MS4 and I went in to more detail with the ADCOM than the Faculty member.

Same general story each time, though.

 

[Catalystik]

Are there any particular questions that impress you if a student asks at the end of an interview?

I enjoy being asked what I feel are positives about my campus. I haven't been asked this often enough, but it gives me a chance to reveal "hidden wonders" of the area that make it a great place to live.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Do you give the same answer to the question to each person who asks it or do you give different answers? My why medicine answer is pretty structured and if I repeat it the same way and two interviewers compare notes, they might note that my answer was exactly the same. Maybe this dosent matter? I guess for something like teamwork you could give two different answers if you wanted to?

Structure is fine but avoid having an actual script. I just knew what points I wanted to hit, so when I answer that question I always hit the same points but it sounds a little different each time.

For something like teamwork you could use different examples for different interviewers if you want to.

 

[907914]

I enjoy being asked what I feel are positives about my campus. I haven't been asked this often enough, but it gives me a chance to reveal "hidden wonders" of the area that make it a great place to live.

That is weird that it isn’t often - I asked this of every interviewer?

 

[Schwifty]

For example, if you have 2 interviews for the same school, is it common for both interviewers to ask why medicine and why our school? Also, what sort of answers really impress an interviewer for these types of questions? I assume specific rather than general answers are best? Are there any particular questions that impress you if a student asks at the end of an interview?

I interviewed at a school with 3 30min one on one interviews, they all pretty much asked the same questions.

 

[Cornfed101]

I enjoy being asked what I feel are positives about my campus. I haven't been asked this often enough, but it gives me a chance to reveal "hidden wonders" of the area that make it a great place to live.

From reading the interview stickies, Goro’s guides, and other sources, it seems like the best questions do two things:

1. They answer questions that you actually have, not some BS that you think will make you “look good”
2. They can’t be answered by looking at the website. ie they are opinion questions like, “would you want your child to attend this school?” “What is your favorite/least favorite thing about the school?”

 

[Goro]

Are there any particular questions that impress you if a student asks at the end of an interview?

I get impressed when candidates show that they've done their research about our school.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I like it when I am asked about what I feel might be negative aspects about our school. It sort of puts the shoe on the other foot. No school is flawless.

 

[710118]

I like it when I am asked about what I feel might be negative aspects about our school. It sort of puts the shoe on the other foot. No school is flawless.

I love that question. Its my go-to. I like to ask "what do students really dislike about the school and would change if they could"

 

[710118]

I get impressed when candidates show that they've done their research about our school.

But this can be very broad. I can come in talking about the curriculum which most people probably know about or I can mention an obscure program thats relevant to me that isn't necessarily published on the website.