How much confidence to display in a medical school interview?

[radioactive15]

To be invited to an interview is no small feat, and you have to have done something very well to get to that point. With this in mind, how much confidence do you recommend displaying in an interview? Obviously, not to the point of arrogance, but where do you draw the line?

Example:
If the interviewer remarks"Wow, your grades are very good", is it better to respond in a humble tone ("Thank you for the kind words, etc") or a more proud tone ("I attribute this to my work ethic", etc). Arrogance in this case would be something like "Yes, I know"

An interviewer may interpret some confidence as arrogance, since it's all subjective, but what do you think is a good way to respond to your accomplishments in an interview?

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[little2000sister]

thank you. That's it. No need to expound upon it unless asked

 

[takeurmeds02]

You need to confront them face to face and ask them why you hadn't been accepted yet.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

Respond honestly, unless you're a maniac then whatever your instincts tell you to say is probably better than making a transparent effort to sound more/less [adjective] because you think that's what they want.

 

[jd989898]

Just act as you normally would in a more formal conversation with an adult. If you're complimented, just say thank you. Doing otherwise would probably just sound awkward or rehearsed. Take the opportunity to sell yourself when asked an actual question.

 

[darkjedi]

You can be confident while being humble. Confidence comes from being comfortable with yourself, in my only what you say but also in your body language and the way you speak. Your achievements will ideally speak for themselves. Don't be afraid to be proud of what you accomplished, but humility is a critical trait to have in medicine.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

To be invited to an interview is no small feat, and you have to have done something very well to get to that point. With this in mind, how much confidence do you recommend displaying in an interview? Obviously, not to the point of arrogance, but where do you draw the line?

Example:
If the interviewer remarks"Wow, your grades are very good", is it better to respond in a humble tone ("Thank you for the kind words, etc") or a more proud tone ("I attribute this to my work ethic", etc). Arrogance in this case would be something like "Yes, I know"

An interviewer may interpret some confidence as arrogance, since it's all subjective, but what do you think is a good way to respond to your accomplishments in an interview?

You can be confident without sounding rude, you can lack confidence while being polite.

Try to be comfortable with your own stats, and be curteous always.

 

[El-Rami]

I would sit up straight and make good eye contact while also relaxing a bit. Be sure to give a firm handshake before and after when appropriate. Also, I find it helpful to walk with confidence before and after you enter your interview room. This means walking with your back straight and your chest slightly out while looking straight ahead. I personally feel that this is enhanced by wearing leather soles because they make a distinctive clunk when they hit the floor -- something I have heard described as the "sound of authority."

As far as your responses, just keep them simple. It's just a conversation.

 

[7331poas]

use some charisma. The red flag is we need a forum to engage in proper social encounters

 

[radioactive15]

I'm realizing how dumb this question was. It looks like I have a bit too much time now that finals are over, and the wait for AMCAS to open up has made me a little neurotic. Thank you to anyone who commented above, and anyone else reading this can ignore this thread.

 

[Goro]

Here's a radical idea to try: just be yourself.

To be invited to an interview is no small feat, and you have to have done something very well to get to that point. With this in mind, how much confidence do you recommend displaying in an interview? Obviously, not to the point of arrogance, but where do you draw the line?

Example:
If the interviewer remarks"Wow, your grades are very good", is it better to respond in a humble tone ("Thank you for the kind words, etc") or a more proud tone ("I attribute this to my work ethic", etc). Arrogance in this case would be something like "Yes, I know"

An interviewer may interpret some confidence as arrogance, since it's all subjective, but what do you think is a good way to respond to your accomplishments in an interview?

 

[tantacles]

Here's a radical idea to try: just be yourself.

Worst advice ever! I would have farted everywhere if I were being myself.

Your job is to be the best version of yourself that you can imagine.


Large dogs

 

[osckey]

You should confront them face to face and ask them why you hadn't been accepted yet.

I always found it helpful to get really close to their face, look them straight in the eye, and then start making out. 60% of the time, it works every time.

 

[Dr.Sticks]

copy kumar

 

[memory tcells]

Here's a radical idea to try: just be yourself.

Just be.. myself? nah, sounds too radical.

 

[7331poas]

Be who admissions want you to be