Interview experience: Did I shoot myself in the leg?

[moto_za]

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So I had an interview at a school that interviews residents with about a 22 or above mcat score. During the closed file interview, I brought up my mcat score and told the interviewer that I would like to discuss a weakness in my application and told him that I understand that my mcat score is lower than the average and I would like you to tell the committee that I was scoring much higher on my practice tests and not sure what happened on test day.

I also said that while I was working over the summer, I did put in my best effort to prepare for the exam. In addition, I mentioned that I would like the committee to place more weight on my gpa as I feel it is much more indicative of my score. Did I shoot myself in the leg saying all this without him even asking? I honestly wanted to address the only weakness in my application so it would not be a question mark for the committee. What do you guys think?

 

[stooges287]

You probably didn't do yourself a favor, in my opinion. The fact alone that your gpa is "better" than your MCAT is sort of indicative that you have more ability than the test showed, especially if you went to a well-known undergrad. When you try to address a low MCAT score without being prompted, it may sound like an excuse, especially if you mention that you scored better on practice tests. That being said, I wouldn't worry about it too much, since there isn't anything you can do about it now. I would just avoid mentioning this in any further interviews.

 

[135892]

Your mistake wasn't necessarily in attempting to explain your weakness... It was in using that bogus excuse

 

[pianola]

Yeah, many closed file interviews are specifically supposed to avoid your scores...(that's why the interviewers don't know your stats).

I guess just move on and hope for the best. It's probably not the end of the world that you said what you did. It's not going to help you, but hopefully it won't disqualify you.

 

[sirius08]

Yes, I'd focus on showcasing your strengths in future interviews, and only talk about the weaknesses if asked.

 

[Retsage]

Don't ever bring up a weakness unless asked. If asked, be humble.

 

[RySerr21]

Your mistake wasn't necessarily in attempting to explain your weakness... It was in using that bogus excuse

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Theres really no point in worry about it now, but if it ever is brought up in an interview.......do not tell them to ignore your MCAT score and look at your grades and do not tell them that you did really well on your practice tests, cuz quite frankly those don't matter, and if I was the interviewer I would have asked why you didnt take it again. What you should have done was explain how you make up for it in other areas (and not just your GPA) of your application and convinced them that despite your poor score you are still an ideal candidate. That is WAY better than making excuses.

 

[Jolie South]

yea, avoid making excuses at all costs. everyone makes mistakes but it's how you react to them that is important.

in the future, don't talk about your weaknesses unless specifically asked. when you are asked about them, be upfront.

 

[202781]

it is stupid to bring up MCAT in an interview unless the interviewer specifically asks you about it. They are interviewing you for a reason.
when you beg them to look past the MCAT you sound needy and weak.
nobody wants a weak doctor.

Please everyone just don't bring up your MCAT it either sounds like boasting or begging.

 

[EpiPEN]

Your mistake wasn't necessarily in attempting to explain your weakness... It was in using that bogus excuse

QFT


What's done is done. No point worrying over spilled Bacardi. Just make sure you don't tip over the Grey Goose next time.

 

[sirius08]

What's done is done. No point worrying over spilled Bacardi. Just make sure you don't tip over the Grey Goose next time.

Spoken like a true professional. If we go to the same med school, I'm coming to your place for cocktails. 😀

 

[mbe36]

WHOA what state schools are these?

 

[moto_za]

thanks all for the feedback...it is interesting because the ONLY reason why I explained and brought it up was because an admissions committee member at that school who reviewed my application before I interviewed told me that I should explain it in my interview so the committee knows that I did not just ignore the issue and did actually take the test seriously. She also said that since she has seen my application that she would not be able to vote on my application. I understand that it does show that I am just making an EXCUSE, but the only reason why I did bring it up was because of the advice I was given.

 

[135892]

thanks all for the feedback...it is interesting because the ONLY reason why I explained and brought it up was because an admissions committee member at that school who reviewed my application before I interviewed told me that I should explain it in my interview so the committee knows that I did not just ignore the issue and did actually take the test seriously. She also said that since she has seen my application that she would not be able to vote on my application. I understand that it does show that I am just making an EXCUSE, but the only reason why I did bring it up was because of the advice I was given.

Well, if an adcom member at the school told you to mention it, then maybe it was the right move. But I don't think that the way you explained the situation helped you out in any way. But anyways, what's done is done. Hopefully it all works out for you 🙂

 

[GoSpursGo]

thanks all for the feedback...it is interesting because the ONLY reason why I explained and brought it up was because an admissions committee member at that school who reviewed my application before I interviewed told me that I should explain it in my interview so the committee knows that I did not just ignore the issue and did actually take the test seriously. She also said that since she has seen my application that she would not be able to vote on my application. I understand that it does show that I am just making an EXCUSE, but the only reason why I did bring it up was because of the advice I was given.

If an adcom told you to do it... then you probably did the right thing in bringing it up. However, I don't think making an excuse helped you, I think rather you probably should've owned up to your score, said you didn't prepare well enough and that if you didn't get in this year, then you'd study harder to retake the exam next year to become more qualified. THEN I would point to your GPA as evidence that you can do better than that score indicated.

But oh well... the past is the past; if you get another chance to explain your MCAT score, I wouldn't outright make an excuse.

 

[umean2tellme]

It's ok to discuss weaknesses but don't make it sound like it wasn't your fault. That answer, in my opinion, sounds like a cop out. I would have said that I didn't prepare adequately and talk about how i learned a valuable lesson or something like that. It also sounds like your telling the adcom how to look at your application, which doesn't sound too cool. Usually, telling someone how to do their job doesn't fair well when you don't have the same qualifications as they do. But, you may still get in anyway lol you never know.

 

[EpiPEN]

Spoken like a true professional. If we go to the same med school, I'm coming to your place for cocktails. 😀

sounds good, i'll send out invitations to all the people that decide to come to UCSD this year 😉

 

[moto_za]

Thanks a bunch for all the responses.

 

[ImNotBritish]

For what it's worth, I brought my MCAT score up in a closed file interview also. I didn't give specific numbers, but the interviewer asked about a recent disappointment in my life. I tried to keep it fairly general and without excuses, but I definitely understand wanting to address it a bit. There wasn't really anywhere else in my app where I could acknowledge it. I think it went over okay. Good luck!

 

[AZFutureDoc]

I've wondered about this. I have a book on med school interviews, and the author says it may be in your best interest to tell your interviewer if you have a weak MCAT score. That way, when it comes time for your interviewer to make your case, they're not shocked at your low MCAT after an excellent interview. Sort of like when you're young and you tell your parents you did something bad instead of them finding out on their own. The consequences are less harsh.

There are definitely two sides to be taken, and both make a lot of sense.

 

[Dr Lyss]

I've wondered about this. I have a book on med school interviews, and the author says it may be in your best interest to tell your interviewer if you have a weak MCAT score. That way, when it comes time for your interviewer to make your case, they're not shocked at your low MCAT after an excellent interview. Sort of like when you're young and you tell your parents you did something bad instead of them finding out on their own. The consequences are less harsh.

There are definitely two sides to be taken, and both make a lot of sense.

That makes some sense. I think it's completely dependent on the situation. I wouldn't say "I want to mention a weakness" or anything like that. If the interview takes a turn towards disappointments or strengths/weaknesses I would weave a comment or so into your answer - but if you are going to bring the focus there you better have a good explanation ready. I have never directly been asked about my MCAT but I have been asked how I have studied for it and things like that. It's all about how you frame it & you can make it work in your favor.

Use your head. Interviewers don't really want to know the bad things about you. They want to see how you sell yourself. If an ADCOM asks what is your greatest weakness they don't expect the truth. "Well actually I have a tendency to drink and drive..." could be true but not what they are looking to hear

 

[AZFutureDoc]

You would have to really know your interviewer and the school's ideology on the interview. There are so many things that an interview can be used for, and nobody but an adcom really knows this. You would never know it, but one interviewer might applaud you for this (being honest, understanding weaknesses, and painting a complete picture) while another would really count it against you (just bringing it up when it wasn't necessary, they don't want to discuss MCATs or grades, it does not belong in an interview). There's really just no way to know....

 

[MilkmanAl]

If I were an interviewer, I'd count it against you because it shows you don't really know how to present yourself.

 

[mezmerized7]

I had a closed file interview and was grateful as I didn't have to talk about my MCAT, which is not great, or bad grades on my transcript. I would not have brought up ANY weakness unless the question was asked. I had to turn in a pre-interview essay and realized there was a mistake in it afterwards. I debated if I should apologize for the error without my interviewers asking, and my mom said "he## no", so I didn't. And I'm kinda glad cuz I got in, and am still not sure if my interviewers saw that mistake😉

 

[AspiringOne]

Here's a question for you all though- what if your MCAT really WAS a fluke? what if you did study hard for it, took practice tests, etc. and just got real nervous on test day and froze up?

I'm sure this has happened to SOME people. Everyone would say it SOUNDS like it's an excuse, but what if it's the truth? I guess thats just the harsh reality of the MCAT huh....committees can only go by the numbers they see.

Regardless, it's interesting to think about...it's almost like you would have to lie and say you weren't adequately prepared to actually keep from looking bad.

 

[moto_za]

Thinking back, when I mentioned the story, the interviewer didn't take any notes until I actually said I believe my gpa is more indicative of my abilities and would like the committee to place more emphasis on my academic record. When I explained my story, the interviewer just responded by saying it happens and asked if I could retake it and I said not for this cycle.

 

[moto_za]

One more thing, up until the interview day, I was pretty doubtful as to whether I should bring it up because the people (admissions committee members, doctors, and advisors) I talked to about it gave me different answers. Some said just talk about it if asked about it or if they ask about a weakness and others said it would be mature and wise of you to address it and not leave it hanging as if you just ignored the issue.