Interview question

[TheGloaming]

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I'm not sure if this has been asked before but if you already have an acceptance and are asked: "What will you do if the whole medical school thing doesn't work out?" at an interview, do you say have an acceptance or talk about a back-up career? (I was actually asked this at one interview pre-acceptance)

 

[DrBowtie]

Year of strengthening your app with re-applying is the only correct answer.

 

[Barcu]

While I think that you can talk about having acceptances and other interviews if asked specifically, I wouldn't answer this question saying that.

This question certainly is asked because many people don't get into med school. They want to see if people are realistic and have thought about other options.

More than that, I think it is a time to explore other interests and an additional chance to emphasize what you like about being a physician. You can say that you would do another job for reasons x, y, z. If those can also apply to medicine, I think that is a good thing and you can make that connection.

Just saying, "I already have an acceptance" is kind of a cop out imo, and I don't really think it addresses the intention of the question.

 

[TheGloaming]

While I think that you can talk about having acceptances and other interviews if asked specifically, I wouldn't answer this question saying that.

This question certainly is asked because many people don't get into med school. They want to see if people are realistic and have thought about other options.

More than that, I think it is a time to explore other interests and an additional chance to emphasize what you like about being a physician. You can say that you would do another job for reasons x, y, z. If those can also apply to medicine, I think that is a good thing and you can make that connection.

Just saying, "I already have an acceptance" is kind of a cop out imo, and I don't really think it addresses the intention of the question.

What if you said "I would beef up my app with yada yada yada and reapply as needed" and then continue to explain if I needed to choose a different career I would choose career x, y, z because reason a, b, c.... And add at the end that luckily I have an acceptance so I can pursue my career of choice. Or would it be best to completely leave out the acceptance?

 

[PMPMD]

I was asked this, and said I would reapply. Then they asked what if that didn't work, basically forcing me to pick another career. So have an answer ready. They're just trying to see what else interests you. I was an engineering major so that was a gimmie.

 

[Snuke]

I've had this variant a few times: 'what if there was no need for medicine/a miracle drug is discovered that makes medicine obsolete, what would you do?'

 

[Barcu]

What if you said "I would beef up my app with yada yada yada and reapply as needed" and then continue to explain if I needed to choose a different career I would choose career x, y, z because reason a, b, c.... And add at the end that luckily I have an acceptance so I can pursue my career of choice. Or would it be best to completely leave out the acceptance?

I would leave out the acceptance part unless specifically asked. Again, that's not really the intention of the question.