Extroverted Vs. Introverted applicants

[jmejia1]

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In one of the current threads on "sheding light on the admission process", the presumed ad comm member implies that they seek out those that are vibrant, enthusiastic, and extroverted in the interview. The author implies that an African-American applicant was rejected primarily because he was "shy" and his activities were mostly in "solitude".

Obviously there is nothing wrong with people "filled" with energy, but who's to say that someone who is percieved as "quiet" won't make an excellent clinician? Introverts can have excellent communication skills and work well in teams, but in general are not as "talkative" as others.

We're always told to be ourselves during interviews, therefore, an extrovert will have an advantage versus someone who may be equally qualified and compassionate yet is simply soft spoken.

What do you guys think?

 

[Scooby Doo]

Extroverts will in general succeed better than introverts when they are interviewed. Why? b/c they come across as having something to say...as standing for something...and as being more involved. If you sit slouched in your interview and act really quiet...the IMPRESSION will not be as strong.

 

[sacrament]

They don't come much more introverted than me, but I can manage to hide that fact for the 30 minutes it takes to get through an interview... because Yes Indeed, I'm sure that interviewers want to see an outgoing person. Personally, I think that it takes all kinds.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Extroverts will always succeed in life more than introverts, because people who are aggresive (especially in medicine) can get what they want more easily.

In person I am very shy, but as soon as I begin my interviews I talk like the energizer bunny. I think of it like a test, where I put my nervousness aside and attack! Also, you are there to show them your personality, and if you don't have one (or cannot show that you do) they will obviously pick a friendlier, more enthusiastic applicant, and they should. Otherwise why would they even bother with interviews?

mis dos centavos

disclaimer: i'm sorry I used the word "always", since there are ALWAYS exceptions <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[Medical123]

A certain school did reject someone about 3 years ago because he was "too quiet" during his interview and he was that University's top male student of the year when he applied! He was told this by an admissions advisor! He did get in to a couple of other schools and is doing really well.

 

[LizardKing]

I see what you're saying Doctora Foxy, but I don't wholly agree with you. When it comes down to certain specialties, be it neurosurgery or radiology, for example, one's ability to perform--to make the right decisions under intense pressure, to apply one's physical and mental skills to unpredictable situations--is more important in determining one's ultimate success in those particular fields. No matter how gregarious some doctors might be, if they don't know their stuff, they don't know their stuff, and their colleagues will know this sooner or later. Personally, I'd pick the doc who can make the right diagnosis 80% of the time than the doc who is a bit more extroverted but makes it only 60% of the time. I'm rambling, sorry.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
[QB]Extroverts will always succeed in life more than introverts, because people who are aggresive (especially in medicine) can get what they want.QB]••••

 

[jasmine]

I think the issue is not so much that a person is introverted - in terms of working style, a person who is introverted is the type who likes to think about problems themselves before taking them to other people. Extroverts like talking to people as a way of working out problems.

I think the shyness or apparent inability to work with other people would be the bigger problem - I know plenty of people who are introverts who are not shy, are not pushovers, and who work well in teams. Being an introvert is too often a stigma in the American workplace, where aggressiveness is seen incorrectly as a good thing.

 

[LizardKing]

I agree with Jasmine. One thing I'd like to add is that I think med students/premeds/residents can be a bit too aggressive as it is (e.g. gunning for chief residency taking precedence over the quality care of patients). So yea, if anything, I think there should be less aggression in medicine. I'm confused, though, how did we equate aggression to extrovertedness?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

OK sorry I think I have confused myself. I though introverted meant shy. I did not equate extroverted with being aggresive, I just used those words as if they go hand in hand. Dictionary.com's Definitions:

introvert

adj : characterized by introversion [syn: introverted, introvertive] n : a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts [ant: extrovert] v 1: fold inwards, of certain animals' organs [syn: invaginate] 2: turn inside; "He introverted his feelings"

extrovert

adj : characterized by extroversion [syn: extravert, extroverted, extraverted, extrovertive, extravertive] n : a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings [syn: extravert] [ant: introvert]

So it seems these words actually have to do with selfishness, not what I was thinking at all.

Anyway, LizardKing and Jasmine, point taken and well put. Like I said there are always exceptions. I don't think extrovert=better doctor, but I bet more often than not it means better interviewer. I also agree that it is much more important to be a good decision maker (esp on the spot) than to talk a lot <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[Papa Smurf]

As with all things in life, I think you have to strike a healthy balance. Like, I'm a smartass in real life and laugh a lot as well, so I'm always joking around with interviewers, tour guides, other applicants, etc. But you also have to show them that you can be mature as well, which isn't that hard to do, especially when you have an hour long interview. I think the key is communication ability as opposed to extrovert vs introvert. Your ability to effectively communicate your ideas is what they're looking for. As long as you don't do anything egregious during the interview day, like get caught masticating with your mouth open, then you'll be ok. :wink:

 

[souljah1]

I have to agree with the big Papa. If you can make your interviewer(s) laugh while at the same time provide them with ample evidence that you are mature and ready to rock..they won't forget you and they will think favorably of you.

As far as extroversion and introversion...both types of people can do well in an interview, but the shy/passive types usually don't fare well. Shyness can sometimes be mistaken for ill-preparedness and immaturity. If you are to show your interviewers anything, show them that you are strong minded and gentle hearted.

remember introversion or extroversion is better than perversion. that wouldn't go over very well with your interviews. (if it has for anyone, that would be an interesting thread). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by souljah1:
•Shyness can sometimes be mistaken for ill-preparedness and immaturity. •••••Add snobby and stuck up to that as well

My sweet cute shy little sister is often mistaken for a stuck up snob...ok don't mean to get off topic, but shy people can also project a better-than-everyone attitude just for being quiet! So speak up people 😀

I agree with all the good points Papi and souljah said as well. lol @ perversion <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

ok nap time

 

[liesie59]

I attended a session on Myers-Briggs personality types this fall. There is not one type (introvert vs. extrovert) that is "better" than the other. Each has its benefits and its problems. It's generally accepted that extroverts "thrive" better. Because of this, many introverts develop extrovert qualities to use in situations like medical school interviews 🙂 If I remember correctly, these were some of the pros/cons of the two types:
Extrovert: PROS--fun to be around, tend to make others feel comfortable in their presence, "people" people. CONS--tend to have difficulty with making a plan and sticking to it, tend to dominate situations and leave others out.
Introvert: PROS--tends to stick with decisions that they make, tends to think things through before jumping to conclusions CONS--usually reserved and doesn't speak his/her mind, does not always work well in a group.

So, whatever your type is, certain aspects are going to strengthen you as a doctor and certain aspects you'll need to work on--just my thoughts 🙂