How long do answers have to be?

[Lady Tokimi]

Oka, can someone tell me if the length of your answer to general questions determine if it's a good answer, if it'll be enough for the committee???

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[Buckeye(OH)]

Its long enough when what you have written is sufficient to say what you need to say.


This isnt grade school where your answer has to be 12 lines or whatever.

 

[Nate]

Be careful and read questions on secondary thoroughly because many do state the required length of the answers.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Be careful and read questions on secondary thoroughly because many do state the required length of the answers.

Interesting. While given a max, I dont ever recall being given a min.

 

[mx_599]

Oka, can someone tell me if the length of your answer to general questions determine if it's a good answer, if it'll be enough for the committee???

put forth some good effort on quality essays. after you get maybe 3 schools or so done, the rest will be able to be manipulated as such. most likely if you are doing like 15 schools...they're not all going to have hugely unique essays. learn to cut, copy, and paste until you formulate taylored made essays

 

[Lady Tokimi]

I'm sorry, i didn't write my question correctly. What i meant to ask was, how long does the answers have to be during an interview.

 

[mx_599]

I'm sorry, i didn't write my question correctly. What i meant to ask was, how long does the answers have to be during an interview.

oops

well....its nice to plan that type of thing. i think most of us were pretty nervous/excited in interviews. your best bet is certainly go with the flow and hope your answers sound intelligent and not ******ed who cares about the length!!

 

[TheFish005]

All I can add is to answer the questions to best of your ability and until it is answered completely. Try not to ramble or add filler, they can sense that. Also, try not to repeat yourself too much, they can sense that too. Some questions require more time, others one or two sentences. Invariably, they will ask you something you know nothing about, and it's ok to admit that. If they ask you general questions about yourself, take as long as you need. Remember, you generally only have about 20-30 minutes with the interviewer, the longer you spend talking about something you like (ie, yourself) the less time they have to ask you wierd and off-the-wall questions. But again, I caution you not to ramble or repeat yourself. Finally, be ready for the 'big ones' like "why do you want to be a doctor" and if it's a DO school, "why an osteopathic physician." Also, everyone says, "because I want to help people," so it has to be a little more than that; give examples of what you've already done to that end and/or what inspired you to that end. Good Luck!

 

[Nate]

Interesting. While given a max, I dont ever recall being given a min.

I applied to 31 schools, I think I saw every sort of question and essay imaginable

 

[MHC]

Be succinct, confident, and knowledgable about the program. Also be excited and interested. Don't spend too much time on your negatives, but be honest- pick negatives that you can say you are working on. Try not to be nervous and don't repeat yourself. Don't mumble, stare at your shoes, or pick your nose. Other than that, no big deal. Have fun in the interviews!

 

[kaikai128]

I will throw in one more thing. Although it is probably good to have an idea of what you want to say to the big questions, I would not try to "learn" an answer. I heard several people after interviews say, "I had that answer memorized, but then couldn't remember what I was supposed to say and I messed it all up." From past experience, the most honest answers are the ones that aren't rehearsed...and honesty is what i suspect the interviewers are looking for.

Just remember, the interview is just like a sales pitch for yourself. You know they are interested, you just have to get them to invest.

 

[MHC]

Absolutely agreed. Don't over rehearse. I had typed out all my answers prior to my first interview and blew it. I had to pretend that I was thinking about the answer before giving it, for that "natural" feel. Well, I am no actor and they knew it. What a disaster!