Interview Question: What will you do if you don't get in this cycle?

[md_cheme]

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In a few weeks, I have an interview at a school where I will be asked "If you don't get accepted to our medical school this year, what will you do to improve your application?" Since I have already received an acceptance, my non-tactful answer would be "Well I already have an acceptance at another school, so if I get rejected from your school I will just attend the other school?"

I have seen discussion in other threads that you shouldn't bring up your other acceptances in interviews. Does that apply in this case when I am asked such a direct question? If so, could someone please assist me in crafting a more polite answer. If not, should I just say some BS along the lines of "I would improve X by doing Y. I would meet with counselors to identified deficiencies in my application. etc."

 

[TheDataKing]

I personally would use it as a hypothetical and tell them what I would do if I didn't get in (knowing I already had an A) but this obviously isn't the most truthful thing to do, so I feel conflicted. I am interested to hear what the adcoms would say - @Moko @gyngyn @LizzyM @Goro

 

[KnightDoc]

In a few weeks, I have an interview at a school where I will be asked "If you don't get accepted to our medical school this year, what will you do to improve your application?" Since I have already received an acceptance, my non-tactful answer would be "Well I already have an acceptance at another school, so if I get rejected from your school I will just attend the other school?"

I have seen discussion in other threads that you shouldn't bring up your other acceptances in interviews. Does that apply in this case when I am asked such a direct question? If so, could someone please assist me in crafting a more polite answer. If not, should I just say some BS along the lines of "I would improve X by doing Y. I would meet with counselors to identified deficiencies in my application. etc."

I'd be honest, although, for full disclosure, this hasn't always served me well! 🙂

I'd say that while I would really love the opportunity to attend XYZ SOM (otherwise I wouldn't be wasting time on this interview), I already have other acceptance(s), so I do not anticipate submitting any applications in the future. I'd also say something along the lines of being happy with my application, although there is always room for improvement!

 

[Goro]

In a few weeks, I have an interview at a school where I will be asked "If you don't get accepted to our medical school this year, what will you do to improve your application?" Since I have already received an acceptance, my non-tactful answer would be "Well I already have an acceptance at another school, so if I get rejected from your school I will just attend the other school?"

I have seen discussion in other threads that you shouldn't bring up your other acceptances in interviews. Does that apply in this case when I am asked such a direct question? If so, could someone please assist me in crafting a more polite answer. If not, should I just say some BS along the lines of "I would improve X by doing Y. I would meet with counselors to identified deficiencies in my application. etc."

I would spin it this way (and it's a BAD question because it ignores the possibility that people have an accept):

Well, I already have an accept, but I'd really prefer to go here. But if you're really asking what would I do if I got shut out this cycle, I would ask for feedback on my deficiencies, and then do A, B, and C and then reapply."

 

[TheDataKing]

I would spin it this way (and it's a BAD question because it ignores the possibility that people have an accept):

Well, I already have an accept, but I'd really prefer to go here. But if you're really asking what would I do if I got shut out this cycle, I would ask for feedback on my deficiencies, and then do A, B, and C and then reapply."

 

[LizzyM]

I would spin it this way (and it's a BAD question because it ignores the possibility that people have an accept):

Well, I already have an accept, but I'd really prefer to go here. But if you're really asking what would I do if I got shut out this cycle, I would ask for feedback on my deficiencies, and then do A, B, and C and then reapply."

Great answer.... I'd change "what would I do if I got" to "what I would have done if I had been" but that's a small point. And you should be reflective enough to know what portion of your application is most in need of improvement.

 

[DrWhom]

This blog post is about what to do if you are rejected, but it does also mention how to approach when AdComs ask you this question!

the post says it better but essentially they want to see your ability to self-reflect, learn, grow. So your answer should demonstrate that.

 

[KnightDoc]

This blog post is about what to do if you are rejected, but it does also mention how to approach when AdComs ask you this question!

the post says it better but essentially they want to see your ability to self-reflect, learn, grow. So your answer should demonstrate that.

And I do appreciate that they want to see the ability to self reflect. But another way to look at it is as an obnoxious flexing of muscles because, as was pointed out previously, it assumes failure this cycle on the part of a candidate desperate for acceptance, as though the candidate couldn't possibly have other IIs or receive other As. Personally, I think there's more value to showing pride and confidence by pointing out that at least one other institution did not think the application needed improvement to be acceptable as opposed to playing the game to show the ability to self reflect. Of course, disregard this riff if you REALLY want to go to this school! 🙂

Wouldn't it be great to turn it around and ask the interviewer "If I don't choose to attend your school this cycle, what will you do to improve your questions to not assume failure on the part of your interviewees?"? 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

[deleted1001426]

My go to was “take some time off to figure out what my weaknesses were but most likely spend my next gap year as a rock climbing guide” although I believe goros advice was to “tell them you’ve already been admitted and watch them squirm”

 

[KnightDoc]

My go to was “take some time off to figure out what my weaknesses were but most likely spend my next gap year as a rock climbing guide” although I believe goros advice was to “tell them you’ve already been admitted and watch them squirm”

🙂 ... but, @Goro gave a straight response above!

 

[deleted1001426]

🙂 ... but, @Goro gave a straight response above!

Ah didn’t read the other responses. I just remember him telling me something along those lines when I asked a similar question a few months ago.

And for anyone wondering, the one time I took that approach I got my only waitlist of the cycle. So do with that what you will lol

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Every school has a different mission. The first time I applied I got waitlisted at more than 3 programs and each adcom had different things I “should improve” - recent non clinical volunteering, number of science credits (I was nontrad), etc.

If you really like the program, think about their mission and what they might perceive as your weaknesses. Obviously don’t shoot your self in the foot and be too honest, but enough to be self-reflective.