Going back for a 2nd interview, have a couple questions

[stephentyler20]

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Hi all,

I interviewed at ****** a couple weeks ago (I'm not crazy about spilling specific details until I'm totally done with the process). There were some scheduling errors on their behalf during the interview day, and after deliberating for a few days, I decided I should ask for another interview. Partially, this was because the comedy of errors that transpired made me really uneasy and nervous for my interview, which didn't help me think clearly or answer questions well (the other half of the story, which I did not get into with the school, is that I thought the interviewer asked at least one borderline inappropriate question, and also set me up pretty badly for a fall with another question - it was the interview day from hell).

So I have another interview scheduled in a couple days, and being that this is a bit unusual, I was wondering, should I do anything differently from a regular interview? One of my biggest troubles, especially with faculty interviews, is coming up with questions to ask THEM. I can answer almost anything pretty easily, and I've had a bunch of interviews now to practice that, but when it comes down to it, I can't think of much to inquire about from the faculty. Mostly, I think this is because at this point in my life, I'd gladly take an acceptance at ANY school I'm interviewing at, so details seem irrelevant. I have plenty of questions for the student interviews regarding the lifestyle at the particular school, but I never know what to ask the faculty members.

And in this case, it would seem even more difficult since I've already had two interviews there, the tour, information session, etc... I'm not sure what else I could possibly learn! So when it comes down to this point in the interview ("so, do you have any questions for me about the school?") what do I say?

 

[RoadRunner17]

Ask them why they came to that school. What would be the one thing they would change, if they could, about the school? Were they surprised about anything when they first came to that school? That kind of thing.

 

[stephentyler20]

Ask them why they came to that school. What would be the one thing they would change, if they could, about the school? Were they surprised about anything when they first came to that school? That kind of thing.

Oh those are good, thanks.

 

[mbe36]

Ask them why they came to that school. What would be the one thing they would change, if they could, about the school? Were they surprised about anything when they first came to that school? That kind of thing.

Though harmless, I may not ask this question.

When asking them questions I normally ask about things that went unanswered during the tour or presentations. Ask about a certain class or program that may interest you.

 

[efitzpat]

I always ask what they think of the students - how happy they are, prepared, etc. Or what advantage I will have if I go to their school and not somewhere else. If I'm interviewing with a practicing physician, I ask if he works with M3/M4s and whether or not he notices a difference between people from institution X and those who rotate in from outside.

I've gotten a lot of really honest answers that have really helped me make a decision about their school.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

my last interview felt like I was asking them just as many questions as they were asking me.
That is to say...sure this interview is all about you--but just for a second--pretend it's not. Become genuinely interested in the person across from you asking you all those questions. When they respond with a comment, inquire further about their comment.
What I'm getting at, is don't sit passively as a mere recipient of interview questions. Engage the interviewer the entire time.
I find that it just sounds a bit forced to ask scripted questions. Keep it real and 'pretend' you're just talking to another person on the street.👍

 

[stixx]

I find that it just sounds a bit forced to ask scripted questions. Keep it real and 'pretend' you're just talking to another person on the street.👍

I totally agree with this.

I never had a list of questions before the interview begins. Sometimes the admissions office will give you a bio of your interviewer, but if not, they will likely start with a little bit of introduction about their work. That little snippet was usually more than enough for me to come up with 4 or 5 genuine questions, not just about the medical school, but about their role in it. They will definitely appreciate the more personalized approach.

 

[stephentyler20]

Thank you for the tips! I have been jotting down some questions that I would genuinely like to know the answers to, just in case nothing else naturally comes up. I'm usually good at engaging the interviewer, but on a couple of interviewers I've gotten to the point where they want to know if I have any questions, and when I ask some I get one word answers and blank stares, which makes e insanely uncomfortable. So partially its about the interviewer. Hopefully this one will be conversational.