How to respond to an aggressive interviewer? Especially when the school promises

[axlaxl1]

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It won't be a "stress" interview. I have been through many interviews this cycle and I have a question about what are the proper procedures for a person who is interviewing beyond the scope of the intended interview. Although my avatar would suggest I am a baby let me assure you this is not something I enjoy bringing up but rather would like to know what you all think about this situation. I believe it happens to people probably every interview day it is just that we are too scared to step up and say something in fear of obviously "GETTING REJECTED."

Case in point. And let me just say that this interview was not by a faculty member but rather a medical student. OK, long story short the interviewer seemed to have prejudged the interview into questioning my comitment into being a doctor and if I could handle the course work. My stats are fine GPA could be higher I guess but it is well on par for the school as well as the MCATS so stats weren't a problem. But rather, this person was actually questioning the undergraduate institution I attended, i.e. calling it "easy to get good grades there." And I mean we didn't get off the subject per se for about a good 20-30 minutes. The person had my file highlighted in big yellow highlighted marker. The other questions became rhetorical as hell, such as asking me if I had been published (NO), did I have a masters (NO), and what was I doing in school (graduating.) These were obvious DUH questions because the person had MY FILE HIGHLIGHTED. In context of an example, when the person was asking about getting a masters I had first thought he was saying I should have not been in the interview and that I should be working on a masters. I was about to lose it right there. I was thinking in my mind why did they call me for this interview? If you didn't like my application why call me to travel and spend time here. Alas, he (sorry lost the person he is shorter) was asking if I was working on a masters but just in a snide super rhetorical fashion. My jaw almost dropped it was such a duh question for no where in my application did it say I was working on a masters. At one point in the interview, because I do interview very well, I replied back with how to treat people and be empathetic to people's situations is a cornerstone of being a physician in the first place. It was sort of a throw back to him saying, wow buddy I see what you are doing and it is not going to work.

Yes, I held my composure and I believe interviewed very well albeit the circumstances. But my point is this, the person obviously had a bias what in the world should I do? I interviewed earlier in the day and it went AWESOME the person asked the same questions, tough questions, but just in a professional manner. Furthermore, this guy was pompous as they come. You could tell from the "that school was easy" comment that he just had the attitude I was inferior. Lastly, the true reason why felt betrayed by the process is because the person interviewing before me went to a much better school, as most kids did that day and interviewed with the exact same guy and said it went super well. "He asked me a few questions and then put my file away and just talked to me."

Wow!

At the end of the interviewer it was explained to us that if anything negative happened in the interview please please please let me know. This will not be held against you and blah blah blah. Yea right. Who is going to do that? My frustration is why did a medical student have my file in the first place? I mean if I was an adcom I guess all hot chicks would be admitted to my school. No, I am not being serious but in reality how is a person, overachiever or not, supposed to take that much responsibility of opinion and judgement to actually have a person's file and give a fair unbiased assessment. I walked out of that interview feeling violated. I wanted to go to the office and ask for my travel expenses and room & board back. I feel I should not have to complain about an interviewers conduct.

The funny thing is I understand it was an open file interview but I thought that was just for faculty, not a young adcom who was a med student. I understand that med students do interviews and I TOTALLY agree with this but not in any way shape or form should they have a persons file. There is too much responsibility and ambiguity that can take place with that type of privileged information.

My question is, and for the benefit of other people who have been put in situations like this, what do you do? Do you shut up and take it or do you actually do something about it? For those of you who have done something what did you do and what was the outcome and would you do it again? Lastly, some people might not like any pressure at all and think the tiniest question of pressure is a big deal what is and not appropriate to happen in an interview for our own protections and rights?

I might get flamed for this by people who think, Stop complaining but so be it. I know that in all the umpteen interviews I have had in my life, that was the most unprofessional and biased interview I have ever faced.

 

[Thewrongstuff]

Well, having read your understandably furious release of anger, the only thing I can say is that you have no other choice but to take it. Perhaps they were testing you, perhaps during the long cold winter hours they question their own choice for going into medicine and they saw themselves in you. There is simply too much perhaps to think about.

Let it go, hope for the best and continue on. And remember, life is based on learning to properly cope with such situations, for you will have many of these types of issues ahead of you. People have had much more problematic interviews, trust me.

 

[axlaxl1]

Well, having read your understandably furious release of anger, the only thing I can say is that you have no other choice but to take it. Perhaps they were testing you, perhaps during the long cold winter hours they question their own choice for going into medicine and they saw themselves in you. There is simply too much perhaps to think about.

Let it go, hope for the best and continue on. And remember, life is based on learning to properly cope with such situations, for you will have many of these types of issues ahead of you. People have had much more problematic interviews, trust me.

In my heart I know you are right, I let it go and actually thanked the guy. What bugs me most is that a great school, fine school let this person represent them in such a poor fashion.

What is kinda funny I guess is the best part about this person is that they were honest about their method. Most people could just be smiling in your face and thinking exactly what this guy felt get you the same way. But think about this for a moment. As a dean of a school I would want to know of this nonsense. You know why? Because I know that the person leaving that interview may some way shape or form come back to me; I might need that person. See, a person who gave the hard interview but fair and professional is in good light at the end of the day. But a person that was just ugly in an interview gave me a horrible and sour impression of the school in whole. Now, I have witnessed students getting rejected from institutions flat out right and still loving them all the same. Why? It was done with class and professionalism. All I do is talk poorly of this institution, and I know it is so much better than that. I guess what I am trying to say is be careful of what bridge you burn and as a Dean I would not want such inadequacies under my watch. What if someone found fault to sue or seek actual recourse? All these things would suddenly just come up out of know where and everyone surrounding the situation would be surprised by what was taking place. Just playing devil's advocate.

LOL, in the end you're probably right that is why I let it go but it sure eats at me.

 

[justme456]

Sounds JUST like a school I interviewed @ in Texas... because they had students interview us.... and I remember they marked ALL OVER my file.... all I saw was red and yellow marks.. haha

I think it would be okay to call.

At my interview @ that Texas school, the associate dean told us that they had some people that felt they were not given a fair chance during their interview. So they called him and he would actually check to see what kind of review was written. He said he also gave some people additional phone interviews. And the dean also said that some people felt they were treated horribly... but he checked the reviews and their interviewer ended up giving them excellent marks.

But at the same time you never know..... because a similar thing happened to my friend... and she ended up getting accepted.

 

[axlaxl1]

Sounds JUST like a school I interviewed @ in Texas... because they had students interview us.... and I remember they marked ALL OVER my file.... all I saw was red and yellow marks.. haha

I think it would be okay to call.

At my interview @ that Texas school, the associate dean told us that they had some people that felt they were not given a fair chance during their interview. So they called him and he would actually check to see what kind of review was written. He said he also gave some people additional phone interviews. And the dean also said that some people felt they were treated horribly... but he checked the reviews and their interviewer ended up giving them excellent marks.

But at the same time you never know..... because a similar thing happened to my friend... and she ended up getting accepted.

So what happened to your friend and what exactly did she do? I kind of feel I bitched out and just started blowing smoke to not hurt my chances. I dunno. See what I mean? This shouldn't be what happens. You reviewed my file, you brought me here why do something as such?

 

[1956Goldtop]

I feel like you did the right thing by taking it in stride. Plus you never actually know what kind of review the person wrote for you. Either way, his behavior sounds highly inappropriate.

 

[justme456]

So what happened to your friend and what exactly did she do? I kind of feel I bitched out and just started blowing smoke to not hurt my chances. I dunno. See what I mean? This shouldn't be what happens. You reviewed my file, you brought me here why do something as such?

Her interviewer gave her a hard time about the school she went to.. but she didn't do anything to fight it.

 

[Doc11Hopeful]

So what happened to your friend and what exactly did she do? I kind of feel I bitched out and just started blowing smoke to not hurt my chances. I dunno. See what I mean? This shouldn't be what happens. You reviewed my file, you brought me here why do something as such?

I think you did the right thing by letting it go for now but I would say something to them once you hear a decision. If you are rejected then make sure they know it is not out of any kind of bitterness related to the decision but you wanted to bring something to their attention. I think you are right in that the dean would want to know something like this. It isn't a huge deal like the interviewer was insulting your religion but I'm sure they would like to know if someone was being rude. Or if you accepted, you can be on the admissions committee and provide your insight. Either way it's not going to hurt and it would make you feel better about the situation.

 

[beachblonde]

I had a similar experience with a med student interviewer. She was beyond rude to me, rolled her eyes at my responses, and said some very derogatory things about my school. But what can you do? I've tried my best to let it go, write off that school, and focus on my upcoming interviews.

 

[axlaxl1]

I think you did the right thing by letting it go for now but I would say something to them once you hear a decision. If you are rejected then make sure they know it is not out of any kind of bitterness related to the decision but you wanted to bring something to their attention. I think you are right in that the dean would want to know something like this. It isn't a huge deal like the interviewer was insulting your religion but I'm sure they would like to know if someone was being rude. Or if you accepted, you can be on the admissions committee and provide your insight. Either way it's not going to hurt and it would make you feel better about the situation.

Thanks. I plan to do just that. In fact everything you say is correct. As far as I am concerned the school is bottom on my list. Although I do not have a list yet, LOL. So, when I hear back I am going to ask to speak with the dean about the matter. For me it will be the only way to save face for that school in my opinion. I plan on being a great doc one day hopefully they'll see that.

 

[Fishsticks]

Hey I too have had a similar experience at an interview. I'm a collegiate athlete(football) and a Health/Exercise Physiology Major. My interviewer right from the get go said "wow your major sounds like something they just throw the dumb jocks into to get a degree" I just answered him honestly and told him why I chose it as my major. He told me afterwards that he tries to "ruffle peoples feathers" from the onset to see how they respond to pressure/criticism because our career, starting promptly in medical school is going to be filled with lots of both. A few weeks later I found out I was accepted. He was probably just doing the same thing, as bad as it is I think it is pretty common.

As far as M1/M2 interviewers I think that it is a great opportunity to talk to them rather than a faculty member. They truly know what the school is like as a student and not a teacher, 2 very different view points. I really tried to take that opportunity as a blessing to get a feel for each school, and for a student who will be a future classmate to have a feel for me.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Here's the thing. At most schools where medical students interview, you get two types of people volunteers.

A) True Altruists, who really want to make sure the best candidates are accepted to the school.

B) People with inferiority complexes who want nothing more to tear down some pre meds to build themselves up.

Guess which one you got? If you've written off the school already, go ahead and call them up and tell them about the student interviewer being a jerk. What's it going to hurt?

 

[Creightonite]

it could be a just a test for patience. If some people snap at such silly things, imagine how they would behave when there is a more serious conflict with a patient.

 

[efex101]

Admissions committee members are made up a variety of individuals ranging from medical school faculty, physicians, medical students, prior alumni, etc. Depending on "how" the medical school goes about interviewing your file may be "open" or not. If the interview is open file than ALL admissions committee member have FULL access to all the information that you presented to AMCAS. There is some talk that medical students that interview candidates are NOT full members of the admission committee and have no voting rights, although this may be true for "some" schools at the majority the medical students are part of and hence voting members of the admissions committee. IF you had a bad experience with any member of the adcom regardles of whom they are, you should notifiy the school and explain in detail what happened. Now this said, remember that some folks on adcoms take the "hardcore" approach and others do not. Some adcoms will ask ethical/difficult/make no sense to you questions but there IS usually a purpose. So make sure you are not confusing a more stressful interview due to that particular adcom with downright rude behavior. Good luck!

 

[axlaxl1]

Admissions committee members are made up a variety of individuals ranging from medical school faculty, physicians, medical students, prior alumni, etc. Depending on "how" the medical school goes about interviewing your file may be "open" or not. If the interview is open file than ALL admissions committee member have FULL access to all the information that you presented to AMCAS. There is some talk that medical students that interview candidates are NOT full members of the admission committee and have no voting rights, although this may be true for "some" schools at the majority the medical students are part of and hence voting members of the admissions committee. IF you had a bad experience with any member of the adcom regardles of whom they are, you should notifiy the school and explain in detail what happened. Now this said, remember that some folks on adcoms take the "hardcore" approach and others do not. Some adcoms will ask ethical/difficult/make no sense to you questions but there IS usually a purpose. So make sure you are not confusing a more stressful interview due to that particular adcom with downright rude behavior. Good luck!

believe me when I tell you this wasn't a test. As per one of the previous posters this was not a one and done "shock comment." This was I don't feel you're on my level and let me go at it for a good 30 minutes with you. I have had stress questions and hard questions and the nine. In no way shape or form was this appropriate.

 

[efex101]

Then you should contact the school and let them know. This is completely inappropriate behavior and the school needs to be notified so they can take action. Most admission committee members volunteer to do this and should conduct themselves in a professional manner at ALL times. I am sorry to hear about your unprofessional interview.

 

[axlaxl1]

Then you should contact the school and let them know. This is completely inappropriate behavior and the school needs to be notified so they can take action. Most admission committee members volunteer to do this and should conduct themselves in a professional manner at ALL times. I am sorry to hear about your unprofessional interview.

Thanks, from everyone I have spoken to about the situation everyone has agreed the guy was over the top rediculous and I should have taken action immediately. I guess it is easier said when it is not you. But for now I am biting my tongue depressor.

 

[167649]

Here's the thing. At most schools where medical students interview, you get two types of people volunteers.

A) True Altruists, who really want to make sure the best candidates are accepted to the school.

B) People with inferiority complexes who want nothing more to tear down some pre meds to build themselves up.

Guess which one you got? If you've written off the school already, go ahead and call them up and tell them about the student interviewer being a jerk. What's it going to hurt?

Yeah I second this. Interviewers are real people and unfortunately there are just some a-holes out there. You'll find the same thing everywhere else, a lot of people just don't give a crap about anything. It's low class to represent your school like that and it's too bad but it's life. I agree with most everyone else that you have done the right thing so far. When you hear back on your status than maybe you could politely inform the office in a letter that you feel the guy was a prick. Don't let the guy get away with it, report it. That will help you move on from the incident. Good luck with it.

 

[notdeadyet]

Thanks, from everyone I have spoken to about the situation everyone has agreed the guy was over the top rediculous and I should have taken action immediately. I guess it is easier said when it is not you. But for now I am biting my tongue depressor.

If you're here to blow off steam, that's totally fine. And SDN gets used for that a lot.

But if it bothers you that much, I really don't know why you don't contact the administration. The reason that most schools explicitly tell you, "please give us feedback; we won't judge" is because they want your feedback and won't judge. You can do it the right way (tone down the indignation and just state the facts that your interviewer seemed very biased) and it won't reflect poorly on you.

Know this: if you wait until after you decision, you can vent all you want to the administration and they'll take it for what it's worth: sour grapes. This is why you're asked to comment immediately. It's hard to take very seriously a "bad experience" communicated by a premed who just got shot down.

Sorry the interview didn't go well. There will be others.