how much do they ask u to explain ur research at interviews?

[Tibor]

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What do they usually do, just ask u to give an overview (i.e. what ur initial questions were, what ur results were, how u went about doing the research, etc.)?

Or do they go way deeper than that?

I got an interview at pitt this week and, well, i don't know **** other than the basics about my research.

 

[MassTransport]

It's gonna vary. Some interviewers didn't ask me about my research, some did at a superficial level, two went in-depth (as in, did you consider this other possible explanation based on your results or what dosage of medication did you give). If you want to leave a positive impression, it's important that you can speak competently about what you spent your time on.

 

[drizzt3117]

It depends. I got into a pretty in depth discussion of my research with one of my interviewers, who was a practitioner in my specific area of research. We were even talking about specific pathways and speculating about effects. I would definitely study up on what you're doing to make sure you can discuss it at a high level.

 

[TheRealMD]

What do they usually do, just ask u to give an overview (i.e. what ur initial questions were, what ur results were, how u went about doing the research, etc.)?

Or do they go way deeper than that?

I got an interview at pitt this week and, well, i don't know **** other than the basics about my research.

1) Sets up some possible red flags. Why did you do research if you don't know really what you are doing?

2) Why are you still on SDN? Get to reading and prepare for that Pitt interview!!! 👍

 

[Tropicana100]

I wasn't really asked to go into detail so far (even though I am well-prepared for it). if they ask you "tell me about your research, it's a good idea to be able to describe your research in 1-2 concise sentences, but I think you should leave it at that. Then wait for their follow up questions so that you get a sense of how much detail they want.

 

[jochi1543]

Is it a major issue if you can only discuss it superficially, but it's been a while? One of my projects was in 2004, and I also threw out the final paper during one of my many moves, so I can only remember the bare basics.

 

[IHeartNerds]

Is it a major issue if you can only discuss it superficially, but it's been a while? One of my projects was in 2004, and I also threw out the final paper during one of my many moves, so I can only remember the bare basics.

The chances your interviewer knows more about the subject than you is low. If you BS it you'll probably be ok as their eyes will glaze after 10 seconds.

 

[drizzt3117]

The chances your interviewer knows more about the subject than you is low. If you BS it you'll probably be ok as their eyes will glaze after 10 seconds.

Hehe just hope your research isn't in something really popular like CML and your interviewer isn't a PhD that is doing research in that area 🙂

 

[jochi1543]

Hehe just hope your research isn't in something really popular like CML and your interviewer isn't a PhD that is doing research in that area 🙂

Mortgage-backed securities here, lol.😳

 

[Picklesali]

I've heard that they expect you to know you **** at Pitt...it is a huge research school. You probably don't need to know the nitty gritty for MD, but make sure you can explain any aspect that you may have talked about on your application. I would make sure you know how to answer the questions What, why, how, your results, what you might have done different, etc. The worst thing would be to say on paper how important the experience was, and then end up answering a question with "ummmmm..." And if they give you a question from left field you could always say something like "That's a good question, but a little bit outside the problem I was addressing" and steer it back to what you do know...

 

[ryandote]

Seriously, dude. If you spend some time boning up on something to talk about at your interview it probably should be YOUR OWN RESEARCH.

 

[Dave501]

I literally did research in the 90's so hoping that its not discussed in detail during an interview.

 

[neuro1617]

Is it a major issue if you can only discuss it superficially, but it's been a while? One of my projects was in 2004, and I also threw out the final paper during one of my many moves, so I can only remember the bare basics.

Jochi, I thought I read before that you hate research?? Or just bench/lab research? Lol maybe I'm confusing you w/ someone else...

 

[2008orbust]

I was asked about my research and publications. Since there were more than one author listed, they wanted to know exactly what my part was. Did I actually touch patients or did I just type up findings for someone.

They just want to make sure that you are not padding your AMCAS with stuff that you were only marginally part of.

 

[etf]

Mortgage-backed securities here, lol.😳

better start looking for a new career, particularly if you work for bear.

 

[bluesTank]

I have never gotten asked to go over more then just the basics of my experiment. Some of my interviewers were actually well educated on my research topics, but they still didn't ask too specific questions because I made it pretty clear I knew what I was talking about.

If you sound uncertain about what you've done, they may pry more to make sure you do.

 

[Concordia]

It depends on the school and your interviewer. If the school is heavy into research, you should consider your research experience as a major attraction for them. Once you know who will interview you, google them. If they are conducting research or have an MD/PhD, they will ask you about your research and you should definitely sound intelligent when you are discussing the things you have done since they can probably guess when you bs.
Good luck

 

[Mister Pie]

I've only had one interview so far but at this one they didn't ask me a single question.

Makes me a little nervous actually.

 

[Lshapley]

I was asked about the research that I did for credit. My interviewer actually knew my PI since they had the same specialty.

 

[Jolie South]

9 interviews, and I was only asked about it once.

All I mentioned was the topic "viral vectors for invertebrate transgenesis" and we moved on.

 

[Mobius1985]

At an interview at a non-research oriented school, my interviewer was picked specifically because he had a background in my area of research. We hashed over three of my projects in extreme detail, including my exact technique in some procedures. He told me why he thought one of the projects failed. He also told me I could work in his lab anytime. I felt like I'd interviewed for a job instead of spot in medical school.

 

[LikeClockWork]

One of my two interviewers didn't ask me anything about any of my research. The other only asked the most basic questions out of mere curiosity (I do THC trials in humans). No one asked even 1/10 of what I read up on to be prepared.

 

[DoctaJay]

What do they usually do, just ask u to give an overview (i.e. what ur initial questions were, what ur results were, how u went about doing the research, etc.)?

Or do they go way deeper than that?

I got an interview at pitt this week and, well, i don't know **** other than the basics about my research.

There's really only so much you can know when you did summer research. What I did was that I just reread my poster, so that I could have a gist of what it as about, by none of my interviewers really grilled me on my research. They listened to my summary and nodded their head. Now if you are unlucky and are interviewed by an PhD who happens to be doing research in the same field as your research project you could be up for some questions, but the chances of that is low. You might also get pummelled a little more at schools that require research like CCLM.

 

[Blade28]

I would be prepared to answer any and all questions about your research - of course, only as far as your role entailed. This is another reason why you shouldn't fudge and embelish your involvement on your AMCAS.