Interview Question Help

[cs5910]

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Does anyone have any advice/ideas regarding for interviews if they ask "What would you do if you never got into vet school/What is your plan B", if you have already been accepted somewhere? How would you answer that without sounding like your bragging or that their interview is not as important anymore because you're already in somewhere?

 

[Emiloo4]

Does anyone have any advice/ideas regarding for interviews if they ask "What would you do if you never got into vet school/What is your plan B", if you have already been accepted somewhere? How would you answer that without sounding like your bragging or that their interview is not as important anymore because you're already in somewhere?

I would just answer the question anyway. You getting in somewhere else doesn't really have to do with what they're asking. Or if you want to you can say "Thankfully I don't need to worry about that, but my plan was..." Or say "I am thankful to have been accepted and now I am focusing my energy on deciding which school is the right fit for me".
But personally I would answer the question. They want to see you're rational and have goals.

 

[wildcatj]

Does anyone have any advice/ideas regarding for interviews if they ask "What would you do if you never got into vet school/What is your plan B", if you have already been accepted somewhere? How would you answer that without sounding like your bragging or that their interview is not as important anymore because you're already in somewhere?

I think I would probably give them a plan b. They aren't asking you what if you never got into their school, they are asking you what would you do if you didn't go to vet school anywhere. I think the point of that question is to make sure you've made yourself a backup plan and that you're realistic (even if now it's a moot point for you).

 

[wildcatj]

I would just answer the question anyway. You getting in somewhere else doesn't really have to do with what they're asking. Or if you want to you can say "Thankfully I don't need to worry about that, but my plan was..." Or say "I am thankful to have been accepted and now I am focusing my energy on deciding which school is the right fit for me".
But personally I would answer the question. They want to see you're rational and have goals.

Great minds think alike! 😀

 

[cs5910]

Thanks guys! That had been my original answer (just to answer with plan B) but they vet I work with was against that for some reason... I think you guys are right.. Better to show that I have a back-up! Thanks everyone!!

 

[Emiloo4]

Great minds think alike! 😀

😀 👍

CS!!! You'll do great!

 

[cs5910]

😀 👍

CS!!! You'll do great!

Thanks Em!!!

 

[LetItSnow]

FWIW, I'm on the 'tell them the truth' bus. There are definitely times to be evasive, but in this case I think you can actually turn the truth into a win with some thoughtful reply along the lines of "Fortunately, I've been accepted to another school. But, I'd really like to be accepted here because I am absolutely thrilled with LIS's Vet School. Had I not been admitted anywhere, my plan was to aggressively improve my application and apply again."

You a) let them know you *really* want to go there, and b) show them that you had a plan of attack even though you don't need it.

 

[equineconstant]

I never got the plan B question, but I was asked what I would do if I could NEVER go into vet med (after I'd gotten into Cornell). Unlike the plan B question, I really don't think a previous acceptance is at all relevant to that.

If I had gotten the plan B question, I would have said what my plan had been, but I would have mentioned the acceptance--there's no need for them to think they can just reject me and I'll apply again next year!

Edit: I also agree with what LIS said about emphasizing that you want to be accepted at THAT school.

 

[parula]

I got asked that before I had gotten in anywhere. I don't know if it was a good answer but I said that if I NEVER was able to get into vet school I would try to get into a graduate program in disease ecology, medical entomology, or parasitology so I could still do veterinary related research, just with less "power"...I ended up getting it there. I don't know if I wasn't interested in research what I would have said though...

 

[Emiloo4]

FWIW, I'm on the 'tell them the truth' bus. There are definitely times to be evasive, but in this case I think you can actually turn the truth into a win with some thoughtful reply along the lines of "Fortunately, I've been accepted to another school. But, I'd really like to be accepted here because I am absolutely thrilled with LIS's Vet School. Had I not been admitted anywhere, my plan was to aggressively improve my application and apply again."

You a) let them know you *really* want to go there, and b) show them that you had a plan of attack even though you don't need it.

I definitely wasn't trying to imply to withhold information, just that you should still continue to answer their question even if you choose to tell them you've been accepted.

 

[kakurubird]

I got asked that before I had gotten in anywhere. I don't know if it was a good answer but I said that if I NEVER was able to get into vet school I would try to get into a graduate program in disease ecology, medical entomology, or parasitology so I could still do veterinary related research, just with less "power"...I ended up getting it there. I don't know if I wasn't interested in research what I would have said though...

No one should have to feel like there is some correct answer to this question. I imagine it's partly to make sure applicants realize that they may not get in for a few tries, but also to suss out other interests. Completely honestly, I said I would do something food-related, whether food-sciency (esp. microbio-like with cheese/bread/beer/wine) or just straight up cooking/baking/writing about it/taking pictures of it. We then talked about my baking problem and how my coworkers love it.

If you (in the general sense of you) are not interested in research, then say whatever it is you are interested in.

 

[Kpowell14]

I never got the plan B question, but I was asked what I would do if I could NEVER go into vet med (after I'd gotten into Cornell). Unlike the plan B question, I really don't think a previous acceptance is at all relevant to that.

If I had gotten the plan B question, I would have said what my plan had been, but I would have mentioned the acceptance--there's no need for them to think they can just reject me and I'll apply again next year!

Edit: I also agree with what LIS said about emphasizing that you want to be accepted at THAT school.

Was this at Mizzou ?? Bc they asked me the same thing lol

 

[Jinglemuffin]

I was asked this question, but it was phrased a little differently ... They didn't say "what would you do if you never got in", but "what will you do now if you don't get in anywhere?"

To me there is a bit of a distinction? I think it was appropriate to answer the latter by politely saying that you actually have been lucky enough to get an acceptance elsewhere, but are highly interested in this school's program, etc. etc. You could definitely also say what your original plan B was too. Just thought I'd add that, because I have heard people getting asked this in different ways, and I think it would affect how you'd answer.

 

[SurgeryDawg25]

I also have a question about the interview, and I didn't want to start a new thread and wasn't sure where to put it, so...

For job interviews, I would normally bring copies of my resume to give to the interviewers if they asked/needed them. Should I take copies of my resume or VMCA, or has anyone done this? Do they even ask for a resume? Thanks!!

 

[parula]

Was this at Mizzou ?? Bc they asked me the same thing lol

You betchhha!

 

[Kpowell14]

You betchhha!

Yaaay Mizzou lol.. For real though, that question caught me off guard.

 

[parula]

Yaaay Mizzou lol.. For real though, that question caught me off guard.

Yeah it's hard to answer cause like....I just want to be a vet. 🙂 I hope we're classmates next year! I'm looking forward to checking out UTK though!

 

[equineconstant]

Was this at Mizzou ?? Bc they asked me the same thing lol

That's the one!

 

[Kpowell14]

Yeah it's hard to answer cause like....I just want to be a vet. 🙂 I hope we're classmates next year! I'm looking forward to checking out UTK though!

Ahhh y'all should be hearing from UTK later this month!! Very exciting!! I wish you the best of .. But I'd rather you come to Miz lol

That's the one!

👍

 

[KCgophervet]

I also have a question about the interview, and I didn't want to start a new thread and wasn't sure where to put it, so...

For job interviews, I would normally bring copies of my resume to give to the interviewers if they asked/needed them. Should I take copies of my resume or VMCA, or has anyone done this? Do they even ask for a resume? Thanks!!

I asked this in another thread and the overwhelming response I received was "no." I think the interview is more about interpersonal skills etc, since they already have your paperwork.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile

 

[AnneofGrnGables]

I'm so glad I found this thread b/c I've been agonizing over the answer I gave to this very question and wondering if a bad answer to this is a total deal breaker! The interviewer was asking "what would you do if you didn't get in anywhere"... so, I don't *think* he phrased it as "never" and thus left it open ended.

I completely forgot/didn't think to say that I would be re-applying and making sure to improve, etc, and instead said that I'd be interested in considering a research position w/animals. Does that come across badly in this context, like a major lack of commitment/desire on my part to become a veterinarian? Somehow, in my nervous brain at the time, I was thinking that that sorta goes without saying so I didn't go as far as to state what I thought was the obvious. Gosh, I hope I didn't sink my interview with that one question. I really think other than that, the interview went pretty well. I'd be so grateful for any thoughts?? Did I miss the "critical" element to a correct response they're wanting to hear?

 

[Goknights55]

I'm so glad I found this thread b/c I've been agonizing over the answer I gave to this very question and wondering if a bad answer to this is a total deal breaker! The interviewer was asking "what would you do if you didn't get in anywhere"... so, I don't *think* he phrased it as "never" and thus left it open ended.

I completely forgot/didn't think to say that I would be re-applying and making sure to improve, etc, and instead said that I'd be interested in considering a research position w/animals. Does that come across badly in this context, like a major lack of commitment/desire on my part to become a veterinarian? Somehow, in my nervous brain at the time, I was thinking that that sorta goes without saying so I didn't go as far as to state what I thought was the obvious. Gosh, I hope I didn't sink my interview with that one question. I really think other than that, the interview went pretty well. I'd be so grateful for any thoughts?? Did I miss the "critical" element to a correct response they're wanting to hear?

While I dont think there is technically a correct answer I do believe (provided its honest) that the best answer to the question you were asked would be to improve your application and reapply. There is actually an article I saw on the SDN just two days ago about this question but for medical school students and the doctor explains that the answer is all about showing commitment which is why the best answer is probably that you will improve and reapply.

 

[wildcatj]

When I got asked if I couldn't EVER go to vet school at Mizzou I just honestly gave them my career back up plan. I told them I wasn't sure if I would continue with my wildlife biology path or go back to school for biomedical engineering and work in prosthetics. I don't think I even prefaced it by saying I would improve my app and reapply, I just told them what my back up was.

 

[Goknights55]

When I got asked if I couldn't EVER go to vet school at Mizzou I just honestly gave them my career back up plan. I told them I wasn't sure if I would continue with my wildlife biology path or go back to school for biomedical engineering and work in prosthetics. I don't think I even prefaced it by saying I would improve my app and reapply, I just told them what my back up was.

From looking at the interview feedbacks there seems to be two variants of the question
1) If you dont get into vet school what will you do? (I was asked this type at UF)
2) What if you never got into vet school?