I'm an idiot because I'm not sure how to answer "tell me about yourself"

[jentto]

---

Members do not see this ad.

For some reason, I can never really figure out what adcoms are looking for when they say "tell me about yourself." Like what?? Personality traits, age height major, the cheezy old 'why i want to be a doctor' which is the 400 million dollar question that they're going to ask again later on in the interview, what i'm good at, what i'm bad at, what kind of people make me happy, mad, my theory of the world, what I like and dislike about Ayn Rand, blah blah. Anyone know the standard response they're looking for? I've botched this stupid question one too many times (after I answered and gave some personality traits, the interviewers just looked at me blankly...duhhhhh).

 

[sunUCB]

i personally don't answer it like "why do you want to be a doctor?" because they always ask that anyways. people keep posting for help on how to answer this question - yet this is the easiest question, because you can tell them ANYTHING YOU WANT about yourself. I choose to start from college and go onwards, telling them about my major, what i like to do for fun, some extracurriculars that i'm involved in that really define what kind of a person i am...

but this isn't a question that you should prepare and script from home - answer it on the spot, don't make it sound prepared.

For some reason, I can never really figure out what adcoms are looking for when they say "tell me about yourself." Like what?? Personality traits, age height major, the cheezy old 'why i want to be a doctor' which is the 400 million dollar question that they're going to ask again later on in the interview, what i'm good at, what i'm bad at, what kind of people make me happy, mad, my theory of the world, what I like and dislike about Ayn Rand, blah blah. Anyone know the standard response they're looking for? I've botched this stupid question one too many times (after I answered and gave some personality traits, the interviewers just looked at me blankly...duhhhhh).

 

[RaistlinMajere]

I would start with college and what you've been up too during that time. You could even throw in where you are from? Do you have brothers or sisters or a dog? You could mention that.

The interviewer probably will bring the discussion around to "why medicine?" eventually, even if you don't answer it with the "tell me about yourself question"

 

[DrTex?]

That is when you have the chance to tell them about your IV drug problem, and how you worked so hard to get over it.
Just explain that when you see needles you no longer lose yourself in fantasy, nor get any urge to steal them. So, this shouldn't pose a problem.

Or you can tell them that your hobby is eating different foods to see how different combinations produce different odors of intestinal gas. Then fart and explain what you had the night before.

Or you can tell them that you enjoy seeing others in pain, that is what first attracted you to medicine. Then ask the interviewer if he or she would mind having a nail stuck under their fingernail.

 

[sunUCB]

Or you can tell them that you enjoy seeing others in pain, that is what first attracted you to medicine. Then ask the interviewer if he or she would mind having a nail stuck under their fingernail.

lol

 

[Agent Splat]

Just tell them you're a welder by day and a dancer by night.


But seriously, when I was asked this by a student interviewer, I just said something along the lines of "I'll be graduating with my bachelors in Human bio in May, blah blah, on the side I work as an EMT, etc etc." I also used that to sort of glide into how I got interested in medicine.

But as others have said, it's really just a place for you to say whatever you think is important about yourself. You can mention personality traits that you dont' think would otherwise come up...(you love to make people laugh, you enjoy meeting new people, you're fascinated with Sesame Street)...that sort of thing. Stuff you think might not come up but you feel is important. I had an interview where something I thought was significant was only briefly mentioned by the interviewer because he had a set of questions he asks everybody without much adaptibility to the applicant.

Of course, as always, Just be yourself! (unless you're an axe murderer, then withold being yourself for the remainder of the interview).

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I hate any general questions. Ask me something specific and I'll answer it; just don't amke me talk randomly about myself. 👎

 

[DianaLynne]

Yeah, I use this opportunity to do the condensed life story. It includes acting, working, going back to school, dinking around through different majors. It usually prompts a lot of other questions. But I would like to say, "Here's an idea, pal. Read my AMCAS!"

 

[Agent Splat]

Yeah, I use this opportunity to do the condensed life story. It includes acting, working, going back to school, dinking around through different majors. It usually prompts a lot of other questions. But I would like to say, "Here's an idea, pal. Read my AMCAS!"

I read that as "DRINKING around through different majors. Thought to myself..."is drinking heavily something to admit to an interviewer?" Must be my bedtime.