Hey, successful applicants! What was your interview "feeling"?

[RaiderTXgirl]

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I just interviewed at K-State this weekend, and I'm really not sure how it went. I guess there were positives and negatives about it.

Anyway, I have heard people say before that they felt horrible about their interview, but they got into the school in the end. I have also heard people say they felt great after the interview, but then got rejected. These interviewers can sure be hard to read!

How many of ya'll that got accepted to your school felt like ya'll had a "bad" or "so-so" interview??

 

[EllieGirl89]

I just interviewed at K-State this weekend, and I'm really not sure how it went. I guess there were positives and negatives about it.

Anyway, I have heard people say before that they felt horrible about their interview, but they got into the school in the end. I have also heard people say they felt great after the interview, but then got rejected. These interviewers can sure be hard to read!

How many of ya'll that got accepted to your school felt like ya'll had a "bad" or "so-so" interview??

I felt my interview was very so-so and got accepted 6 days later. So it's not always a reliable feeling =)

 

[PendantWorld]

I thought my interview went really well at first... as time went on, I second-guessed *everything* I said and thought that I wouldn't get an acceptance. I did get accepted a few days later, but I could have made things easier on my end by not stressing so much!

 

[anjabryn]

Were your interview questions similar to what you expected?

 

[EllieGirl89]

Were your interview questions similar to what you expected?

The interview questions were almost exactly what I expected, actually. However, I had a chance to go to a workshop with one of the actual interviewers and he gave us a LOT of "hints." Through what he said we should be able to talk about I was able to deduce some of the questions, and he even outright told us a couple of them.

 

[Lissarae06]

I thought my interview at K-State was so-so. After I was done I kept thinking of "better answers" to the questions I was asked. I thought my Ok-State interview went really well. I got into both schools so I guess I did ok.

 

[anjabryn]

Besides the area that lists all of the schools with potential interview questions, is there a more recent thread on what some of you were asked at interviews?

 

[nyanko]

I felt not great the first time, and didn't get in. The second time I felt really, really good about it despite the fact that I answered a question objectively wrong, and I got in.

 

[primatevetjess]

I thought that my Ohio interview went really well. I felt that my UC Davis interview was a disaster, and was planning on going to Ohio (I had already been accepted to Ohio when I interview with Davis). I was already looking at apartments in Columbus!

However, I was accepted to both schools. So... who knows. I don't think you can really deduce anything from how you feel afterward.

 

[skittles12]

I only interviewed at UTK, and I felt pretty good about it afterward, even though there were a couple of questions I couldn't answer. I definitely felt better about it afterward than I did beforehand.

 

[idahoequestrian]

Besides the area that lists all of the schools with potential interview questions, is there a more recent thread on what some of you were asked at interviews?

anjabryn-make sure you check out the interview feedback section at the top of SDN; you can look up the vet schools and see the most recent feedback (including what questions were asked) for all of the student who've interviewed!

 

[Shadow23]

I thought my interview went well, but so did almost every other interviewee I spoke with that day. I can't imagine every interviewee got in, so I am starting to believe the general consensus of the vets I work with on the topic of interviews: they just want to make sure you aren't insane in real life, and once they confirm your sanity, it is a crapshoot from there.

But really, you will just drive yourself crazy if you overanalyze the interview so I would go buy yourself a cinnamon apple spice with whipped cream from Starbucks (seriously - they are amazing, it is apple pie in a cup, that's what I did post interview) and congratulate yourself on getting an interview which means you are doing something right!

 

[RaiderTXgirl]

Thanks for the input, guys! I was basically just trying to see if my stress about it was valid in any way, and I'm glad to hear that it is more than likely me just over analyzing (I DO tend to do that!).

Shadow23 - that sounds absolutely wonderful! I'll have to try that next time I'm at Starbucks. 🙂

 

[jl123]

Thanks for the input, guys! I was basically just trying to see if my stress about it was valid in any way, and I'm glad to hear that it is more than likely me just over analyzing (I DO tend to do that!).

Shadow23 - that sounds absolutely wonderful! I'll have to try that next time I'm at Starbucks. 🙂

i was really unsure of how i did during my interview. first of all when i walked into the room and met the interviewers i kind of panicked and forgot to introduce myself while shaking hands haha. and apparently tufts interviews are known for being very conversational, so i was asked one question during the entire 40 minutes. but i felt like more of the time was spent listening to the interviewers talking about themselves or their research rather than me being more proactive and asking questions and getting more involved in the convo. i wasn't sure if i had actually said enough during my interview so i was worried they thought i wasn't capable of holding conversations. but i'm assuming a lot of it was in my own head since i ended up getting in, so the point is...like everyone else said... you can't always go by the feeling you get from it! especially the feeling you have after analyzing everything that happened post interview, wondering why you didn't mention this about your work or ask this question etc.

this is my 3:30am rambling, so i hope i made sense.

and oh, i hope you get in!!!! 🙂

 

[elefante7]

When I applied I interviewed at three places. I felt bad about my first one (Tufts), good about my second one (Purdue), and so-so about my third (Illinois). I got into all three.

 

[rosyreef]

I felt "so-so" after my interview at Ohio State, but I was actually somewhat comfortable talking to my interviewers. My advisor told me a good way to approach it is to consider it as a conversation, which was helpful looking back.. I think your interview can go well without you realizing it because you're more nervous about finding out the overall decision of your application. At least at OSU, your interview only counts for so many points so you won't be accepted or rejected solely based on how well (or poorly) your interview went.

 

[168135]

My advisor told me a good way to approach it is to consider it as a conversation, which was helpful looking back.

That seems like a good approach. I'll keep that in mind when my time comes! Thanks!

 

[RaiderTXgirl]

I didn't mention this before, but one reason I felt sort of bad about the interview was because of one particular question....

They asked me if I had compared the programs of K-State vs. Texas A&M (my IS, where I also applied). I answered "Not very much, because I feel that any school I attend will prepare me for a career in veterinary medicine and allow me to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a veterinarian."

I know....I should have compared the schools, but the blunt and honest truth is that I will be happy anywhere I am, and make the most out of my education. I don't feel that I have room to be picky, because many of us don't get into multiple schools.

Did anyone else have this type of question, and answer it this way?? I know that many of us just want to get in SOMEWHERE, and that any school will give you your DVM. Other than tuition/cost of living, what will vary about the actual programs/curriculums?? I should also mention that I am fairly undecided about where I want my career to go (as far as possible specialities, and large vs. small animal), and I know that this changes for many people throughout vet school. I am also not interested in going into research, so I am just not sure what aspects of the programs I should be comparing. I will likely become a general practitioner.

Please, be bluntly honest if the answer I gave to K-State was awful, because I have a chance to redeem myself on Friday at Texas A&M!! You won't hurt my feelings! 😀

 

[AuRevoirFinance]

I don't think it's a horrible answer. I would think the worst thing to do, if you didn't have a factual basis to distinguish one from another, would be to start trying to make something up and then get caught up in your own bulloney.

I do think a question like that is a good opportunity to try to show that you know their program inside and out and you can state specifically what you like about it. So worst case, you may have missed a selling opportunity. But then again, every interview question you'll ever get asked is a selling opportunity. 🙂 I wouldn't stress about it, although I know the natural inclination is to overanalyze every nuance. Against the overall backdrop of the interview as a whole, and your application as a whole, this is nada in my view.

 

[Vet Engineer]

tufts interviews are known for being very conversational, so i was asked one question during the entire 40 minutes. but i felt like more of the time was spent listening to the interviewers talking about themselves or their research rather than me being more proactive and asking questions and getting more involved in the convo.

^This! The two interviewers spent more time talking to each other about one of the interviewer's kids that was having an MRI later that day than talking to me. There was no way I could even interject something w/ that type of conversation. I assumed they had already decided I wasn't going to get in, but that was unfounded because I got in anyways.

To be honest, it kinda turned me off of Tufts (in addition to a few other things). I suppose that makes me sound conceited, but isn't that the point of an interview, to talk to the interviewee?

 

[squibby]

^This! The two interviewers spent more time talking to each other about one of the interviewer's kids that was having an MRI later that day than talking to me.

That's really weird, and I bet awkward.

 

[RaiderTXgirl]

That's really weird, and I bet awkward.

I would agree. I'm not too sure what to do in that situation! 😕

 

[bonaparte]

^This! The two interviewers spent more time talking to each other about one of the interviewer's kids that was having an MRI later that day than talking to me. There was no way I could even interject something w/ that type of conversation. I assumed they had already decided I wasn't going to get in, but that was unfounded because I got in anyways.

To be honest, it kinda turned me off of Tufts (in addition to a few other things). I suppose that makes me sound conceited, but isn't that the point of an interview, to talk to the interviewee?

Yes... I feel like after you have flown across the country for just 30-45 minutes, those 30-45 minutes should be focused on you conveying important information about yourself as an applicant as much as possible. Especially in the case when it could make/break your acceptance into that school. :/ Meh.

 

[PeanutGallery]

^This! The two interviewers spent more time talking to each other about one of the interviewer's kids that was having an MRI later that day than talking to me. There was no way I could even interject something w/ that type of conversation. I assumed they had already decided I wasn't going to get in, but that was unfounded because I got in anyways.

To be honest, it kinda turned me off of Tufts (in addition to a few other things). I suppose that makes me sound conceited, but isn't that the point of an interview, to talk to the interviewee?

I saw this happen during my interview with Tufts as well, but I still managed to butt in every once in a while without being rude and managed to have a good conversation. I think they are given very loose instructions if any and the pressure's on you to give a speech about whatever you find interesting. I wasn't sure how I felt going out, as it was basically a conversation, but they ended up accepting me. That being said, it sounds like you had bad interviewers 🙁 sorry. I'm interviewing at A&M on Friday and expect something completely different - I'll make sure to post here as I'm sure plenty others will about how we felt 🙂

 

[Goatherd]

I thought my interview at Ohio State went really well---I was neither accepted nor rejected so it can't have gone as well as I thought.
I thought I completely blew my interview at Kansas State. There was one question in particular that I could barely answer (I think they wondered if I had ever taken high school English or if English was even my native language) and then proceeded to contradict my answer when asked a follow-up question about Prop 2 (which anyone will tell you is a big no-no!). I was so mad at myself and drowned my sorrows in many bottles of beer and then got in.
It's a completely random process--I think the interviews are so subjective it's really impossible to know what they're looking for when they ask you questions.
Don't stress, don't drink (or do!) but really just don't worry about it because it's still early days in the application process and it's so hard to guess the outcome! my fingers are crossed for exciting news for you soon!

 

[squibby]

I said some really stupid things in my Ohio interview. I didn't know the name of the agent in mad cow disease, or how it is transmitted to animals that aren't being fed feed made from infected animals.

I was confused when in one of their questions they referenced my "list of schools," thinking they were referring to the fact that I have attended seven schools (some just one class), when in retrospect I realized they were talking about the 10 schools I applied to.

I was drawing a nervous blank on a seventh current even topic related to vet med, so one of my interviewers gave me a hint and I was able to answer.

They drilled me and pushed me, questioning every answer that I gave to their behavioral questions.

I thought I kinda screwed up, but was told that they push you like that when they like you. I got in.

 

[AuRevoirFinance]

I said some really stupid things in my Ohio interview. I didn't know the name of the agent in mad cow disease, or how it is transmitted to animals that aren't being fed feed made from infected animals.

Err, this is a common interview question? Or was it custom-tailored to you, Squibby?

My answer: "No Freaking Clue."

 

[Alhazred]

I said some really stupid things in my Ohio interview. I didn't know the name of the agent in mad cow disease, or how it is transmitted to animals that aren't being fed feed made from infected animals.

I know it's a prion disease, but I was under the impression that it was only ever spread that way.

 

[welelu]

"I said some really stupid things in my Ohio interview. I didn't know the name of the agent in mad cow disease, or how it is transmitted to animals that aren't being fed feed made from infected animals."

er.. I hope they don't ask me things like that during my interview.

Are they looking for 'Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis' and 'transmitted through contaminated sx equipment due to the fact that high temperature autoclaves do not denature prions who are already in their lowest energy conformation'? That is what I would have answered, in theory, but I feel a question that specific would leave me stumbling and nervous in an interview..

 

[squibby]

Err, this is a common interview question? Or was it custom-tailored to you, Squibby?

No, it wasn't tailored to me. I was expecting questions like that but didn't prepare enough. Oops.

I know it's a prion disease, but I was under the impression that it was only ever spread that way.

Are they looking for 'Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis' and 'transmitted through contaminated sx equipment due to the fact that high temperature autoclaves do not denature prions who are already in their lowest energy conformation'? That is what I would have answered, in theory, but I feel a question that specific would leave me stumbling and nervous in an interview..

I won't pretend to know much, but I read this article about it being spread via aerosols (of bodily fluids): http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14767193,00.html

 

[HopefulAg]

Are they looking for 'Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis' and 'transmitted through contaminated sx equipment due to the fact that high temperature autoclaves do not denature prions who are already in their lowest energy conformation'? That is what I would have answered, in theory, but I feel a question that specific would leave me stumbling and nervous in an interview..

You should definitely know Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or at the least, BSE, but as for transmission, no, that's way too in-depth. Just say it can be transmitted iatrogenically or, IIRC, it can also be transmitted through contact with infected tissues as well (like aborted fetuses, or ground up in foods or what have you) as well.

I'd also definitely know that it's zoonotic, but I don't think it has any clinic symptoms in the human. Humans get it from eating meat/tissue from an infected critter (don't know if cooking is enough to denature the proteins), generally something like the family cow I'd reckon or in areas with less stringent meat inspection guidelines. But cultures/people that eat the less desirable parts (to Americans, at the least) such as the brain, would have a higher risk.

Might also want to know where it's found. It was a pretty big deal in the UK (might still be?), and can be found in North America as well, but wasn't near as big of a problem here.

 

[squibby]

You should definitely know Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or at the least, BSE, but as for transmission, no, that's way too in-depth.

Asking about its transmission is too in-depth?

After I offered up what I knew about the transmission of BSE, they asked me if they then should cook their meat all the way through. The answer is yes, because unlike contaminants introduced during the slaughter process, the prions are ubiquitous in the meat. But I didn't know that at the time, so I told them I didn't know and explained what I did know about why you can safely eat a steak rare, but not ground beef.

 

[HopefulAg]

Asking about its transmission is too in-depth?

No, this is too in-depth of an answer:

'transmitted through contaminated sx equipment due to the fact that high temperature autoclaves do not denature prions who are already in their lowest energy conformation'

I doubt they're looking for nor expect you to have that answer off the top of your head. But you should definitely know the basics of transmission.

 

[eventualeventer]

I'd also definitely know that it's zoonotic, but I don't think it has any clinic symptoms in the human. Humans get it from eating meat/tissue from an infected critter (don't know if cooking is enough to denature the proteins), generally something like the family cow I'd reckon or in areas with less stringent meat inspection guidelines. But cultures/people that eat the less desirable parts (to Americans, at the least) such as the brain, would have a higher risk.

What about vCJD? It is definitely not denatured by cooking; even the heat and pressure of an autoclave may not be enough.

 

[Lissarae06]

I didn't mention this before, but one reason I felt sort of bad about the interview was because of one particular question....

They asked me if I had compared the programs of K-State vs. Texas A&M (my IS, where I also applied). I answered "Not very much, because I feel that any school I attend will prepare me for a career in veterinary medicine and allow me to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a veterinarian."

I know....I should have compared the schools, but the blunt and honest truth is that I will be happy anywhere I am, and make the most out of my education. I don't feel that I have room to be picky, because many of us don't get into multiple schools.

Did anyone else have this type of question, and answer it this way?? I know that many of us just want to get in SOMEWHERE, and that any school will give you your DVM. Other than tuition/cost of living, what will vary about the actual programs/curriculums?? I should also mention that I am fairly undecided about where I want my career to go (as far as possible specialities, and large vs. small animal), and I know that this changes for many people throughout vet school. I am also not interested in going into research, so I am just not sure what aspects of the programs I should be comparing. I will likely become a general practitioner.

Please, be bluntly honest if the answer I gave to K-State was awful, because I have a chance to redeem myself on Friday at Texas A&M!! You won't hurt my feelings! 😀

The first question I was asked at K-State was something like this, "You are from Oklahoma so I am assuming you applied there as well. How will you weigh an acceptance from here against an acceptance from there?"

It really caught me off-guard because it was the opening question. I stammered out something like, "if that happens, I will have a very tough decision to make. I have liked what I have seen here so far. My visit here has definitely impressed me, etc. etc." I kinda skirted the question by rambling on for a little while. Talk about intimidating! I did get into both schools and ultimately went to Ok-State.

 

[Evie1923]

You should definitely know Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or at the least, BSE, but as for transmission, no, that's way too in-depth. Just say it can be transmitted iatrogenically or, IIRC, it can also be transmitted through contact with infected tissues as well (like aborted fetuses, or ground up in foods or what have you) as well.

I'd also definitely know that it's zoonotic, but I don't think it has any clinic symptoms in the human. Humans get it from eating meat/tissue from an infected critter (don't know if cooking is enough to denature the proteins), generally something like the family cow I'd reckon or in areas with less stringent meat inspection guidelines. But cultures/people that eat the less desirable parts (to Americans, at the least) such as the brain, would have a higher risk.

Might also want to know where it's found. It was a pretty big deal in the UK (might still be?), and can be found in North America as well, but wasn't near as big of a problem here.

I had a zoonotic disease class and we actually got pretty in-depth on BSE. BSE or Mad Cow disease is a prion disease. Because it is caused by a misfolded protein, there is no antibody response and it is usually impossible to detect without a necropsy. One of the main issues is how indestructable the disease is. There was one study that still found prions in ash that was subjected to 600*F. So far only an alkyline hydrolysis machine has been shown to thoroughly and consistently kill prions.

It is suspected that BSE can cause vCJD in humans but the mechanism for this type of transmission has not been proven yet. It has been shown that vCJD has been transferred between humans through blood tranfusions and it is believed that the connection between BSE and vCJD occurs when a human eat contaminated CNS tissue or other parts from an animal. That's why the US has banned certain tissues from entering the food chain and the rendering process and why some parts of cattle cannot be introduced into the food chain until 30 months of age because the disease cannot be detected until then.

The first case of BSE was found in the US in 2003 (the cow that ruined Christmas for all USDA employees) and the US has taken dramatic steps, such as the regulations listed above and not allowing any downer cattle into the food chain. Right now, I believe the US has been declared BSE-free again. Since they had the first case, only two other cattle have tested positive for BSE and they were born before the new rendering and food chain procedures were implemented in 2004.

 

[elefante7]

Err, this is a common interview question? Or was it custom-tailored to you, Squibby?

My answer: "No Freaking Clue."

I've heard of other schools asking this question too. One of my friends who interviewed at Purdue a few years ago was asked this.

 

[elefante7]

Ooooh, and in case anyone gets asked about BSE transmission in the future. This article just came out:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...cow-disease-spread-air.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

 

[Savethewhales]

I have to say....after feeling like I completely botched my interview this thread has really helped me see that it is all totally a crapshoot! Thank you all for sharing your stories. I would love to say I wont stress for the next moth or so, but, well....we all know that's impossible

 

[RdLessTraveled]

I was convinced I completely blew my interview. I prepared for general and ethical questions pertaining to my previous experiences, but I was completely thrown off when I was asked an ethical question about something I have absolutely no experience with. I stammered through my entire answer, and wasn't very articulate. I stressed for days, but ended up getting in anyway. It seems you can't really trust your gut sometimes.

 

[RdLessTraveled]

I was convinced I completely blew my interview. I prepared for general and ethical questions pertaining to my previous experiences, but I was completely thrown off when I was asked an ethical question about something I have absolutely no experience with. I stammered through my entire answer, and wasn't very articulate. I stressed for days, but ended up getting in anyway. It seems you can't really trust your gut sometimes.

 

[LetItSnow]

How many of ya'll that got accepted to your school felt like ya'll had a "bad" or "so-so" interview??

If someone told me I had aced it, I would have believed them. If they told me I bombed it, I would have believed that. I felt totally mystified as to how I did.

A friend of mine interviewed and came out of it feeling awesome. She got wait-listed.

I think it's just plain hard to tell.

 

[l2vet]

I spent all day at OSU (first choice school) being chill and enjoying the information sessions and student panel, and then about 30 min before the interview that all went to hell and I got really nervous.

I forgot to inhale while describing my participation in a foot-abcess-turned-osteomyelitis surgery (approximately 1.5 min of explaining time) and accidentally called the coffin bone the cannon bone (and didn't realize it till I was out of my interview)--I attributed that little screw up to lack of oxygen. Then I didn't know how to inhale gracefully so I think I laughed at an at-best semi-appropriate time. At the end of the interview we were talking about how I have a real problem confronting people and I am pretty sure I said something like "sometimes I just get terrified" and I think my eyes must have been as big as saucers, and I was venting about how effing scared I was right then (because at that point I already felt like I failed miserably).

I was the gold-standard of screw-up.

Conversely at KSU I felt like I did wonderfully, I got to talk about topics that meant a lot to me and they gave me a lot of freedom to talk about my interests and experiences. At OSU I got the "conceptual" interview that spent a lot of time on how I work in teams, what are my weaknesses, etc... not something I wanted to talk about because I felt it was very hard to set myself apart with answers like that (which I'm sure stressed me out more).

But I got into both. So it's really hard to say--just do your best. The interviewers know you're really nervous and that you will make mistakes--they have seen that quite a bit.

 

[bunnity]

I felt pretty bad about my interview and I was accepted. Ya never know.

 

[Must Love Dogs]

Just wanted to bump up this thread for people like me who are stressing about how their interviews went. I'm finding it very helpful, and plan on adding to it IF I end up getting accepted :-/

 

[hygebeorht]

I was so exhausted I felt DRUNK when I was at Ohio for my interview, and was literally having to search for words, but I was accepted anyway.

When I interviewed at Missouri, I had just gotten the acceptance call from Cornell on the drive there and I felt like a rock star. Because I felt so confident and I was well-rested, my interview went great (or at least that is how I felt!). I haven't heard back from MO yet...they are just beginning to send mail out right now. We will see!

EDIT: Accepted to Mizzou as well!

 

[hopefulinva]

I came out of my Illinois interview feeling very pleased with myself. I thought it had gone quite well - and it did; I got in. 😉

I came out of my VMRCVM with no earthly idea how I'd done. I didn't feel as though I had bombed it entirely, but there was no way to know if I had done particularly well. I guess I did alright, though! (Although in that case, statistics was probably on my side; I only had to do better than 1/3 of the other applicants to land a seat)

 

[Foxhunter]

I thought I nailed my NCSU dual program interview- got in.
Thought my TAMU one went ok- got in.
Thought my Cornell one was rough/awful- got into DVM, waitlisted and ultimately rejected from Dual PhD (they interviewed 8, ended up taking 1), but strongly urged to come and reapply the next year and when I turned them down they gave me the names of two clinicians/professors there who really wanted me and to contact them when it came time for residency/post-doc stuff.
CSU dual interview- I got some terribly hard questions (design an experiment, how would you write this grant, etc) and thought I did on the lower end of ok (like i didn't bomb it, but not good). I got rejected from that program.

 

[NJjess]

I thought I did pretty awful at my Ohio State interview and I got a fever the night before which didn't help but it must have gone better than I thought because they called me today to say that I got in! You never know I guess 🙂

 

[Must Love Dogs]

I thought I did pretty awful at my Ohio State interview and I got a fever the night before which didn't help but it must have gone better than I thought because they called me today to say that I got in! You never know I guess 🙂

Out of curiosity, when did you interview NJjess?