Interview Extras Question (UT-SW?)

[Dorian Gray]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Does anyone know if you're expected by a program, if you receive the option in the interview email, to be curious about them arranging to have faculty members (aside from their normal interview schedule) to come and speak with you during an interview from various subspecialties that you "may be interested in"? I didn't know if they were looking to see if you were motivated to some subspecialty or what, but I just don't want to look like I have no interest in Anesthesia if I don't ask to talk with at least one or two of these departmental people....
And also if I do, if I don't know much of anything about the subsp. and plan to learn about it more as a possible career option while in residency, (while I haven't rotated through during med school), if they will pimp me or think of me as insincere as asking to speak with a Peds attending, when I have never even done an elective in Peds?

I don't know whether that made sense or not, but I hope you get the jist of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Thanks

 

[UTSouthwestern]

DG, that isn't something that you have to be overly concerned about. If you have a sincere interest in a subspecialty of anesthesiology that you also have had some experience in, then it wouldn't hurt to talk about that on your interview. Most programs have a difficult enough time trying to arrange the interviews with faculty members between cases or on off days, much less having to find specific faculty from subspecialties to participate at a specific time.

It is probably better to just be inquisitive about the type of fellowships offered at the program you are interviewing at and to ask about the experience you will receive in each subspecialty should you choose that program.

It is unlikely that you will be pimped at all, much less on subspecialty topics. If you say you might be interested in peds, they may ask you why and give you the opportunity to ask intelligent questions about their pedi anesthesia program.

 

[Dorian Gray]

Thanks a lot UT. I appreciate the help. I guess I'm just a little too paranoid about the whole deal. I won't mention any extras to them as I haven't had any experience aside from general and some anesthesia simulation.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

DG, I think that it is perfectly fine to ask about the extras. I always think it is good to be/appear interested/inquisitive about as many aspects of a program and anesthesiology in general as you can be.

I know that you and most people applying now are anxious about the interview process, but I remember that almost all of my interviews were easier than any job interview I had been through before medical school. Most interviews are going to be a "get to know you in 30 minutes or less" stroll and once you get over the nerves, you will be able to find the flow of the conversation and swim with it, not against it. Remember they are looking for personal aspects that make them want to rank you (enthusiasm, attentiveness, background, personality, ability to speak clearly with < 10 "uh's" and "you know's" per sentence, etc.)

Get as relaxed as quickly as you can and give them the opportunity to pick out the strong points of your personality and character. Also, always pick blue if anyone asks you what your favorite color is.

 

[Dorian Gray]

DG, I think that it is perfectly fine to ask about the extras. I always think it is good to be/appear interested/inquisitive about as many aspects of a program and anesthesiology in general as you can be.

I know that you and most people applying now are anxious about the interview process, but I remember that almost all of my interviews were easier than any job interview I had been through before medical school. Most interviews are going to be a "get to know you in 30 minutes or less" stroll and once you get over the nerves, you will be able to find the flow of the conversation and swim with it, not against it. Remember they are looking for personal aspects that make them want to rank you (enthusiasm, attentiveness, background, personality, ability to speak clearly with < 10 "uh's" and "you know's" per sentence, etc.)

Get as relaxed as quickly as you can and give them the opportunity to pick out the strong points of your personality and character. Also, always pick blue if anyone asks you what your favorite color is.

Awesome. That's great advice. And you know what... blue IS my favorite color! ... that's one that I've never heard before in interview preps or in any of the books that I have read. Thanks.

 

[chicamedica]

Wow, blue's my fav color too!

Why is blue that important?

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Wow, blue's my fav color too!

Why is blue that important?

It is a question that some programs asked me which I later found out was part of a set of personality profile questions. Blue is a choice that apparently reflects inner calm, focus, blah blah blah. In any case, just be blue.