Interviewer asking "What would you do if you did not get in this year?"

[excited_alumni]

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Probably a stupid question but I've been asked during an interview what I would do if I did not get into medical school this year. I have already been accepted to one school so would it be okay for me to be honest and say something along the lines of "Thankfully, I have already been accepted to one medical school this year but I am still interviewing in the hopes of finding a school that I would fit better at" or should I just stick to something like "I will address any deficiencies blah blah blah reapply next year and so on"?

 

[22031 Alum]

I said, "I already have an acceptance, but going into the process my plan was..."

 

[aztlannation]

I think they are asking this question as a hypothetical. I'm not sure though. I haven't been asked this question. I would go with the latter explanation though

 

[Spector1]

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again"

 

[mehc012]

The only interviewer I've had ask this question was nice enough to do it in a no-grey-area way: "If, for some magical, inexplicable reason, there was no way you could work in any healthcare or science-related field..."
No wondering whether I was supposed to show persistence, no defaulting to 'research', no awkward "but I've already been accepted" moments. It was great...group interview and the responses ranged from priesthood to mechanic.

 

[clippers50fan]

Porn is an excellent back up.

 

[clippers50fan]

The only interviewer I've had ask this question was nice enough to do it in a no-grey-area way: "If, for some magical, inexplicable reason, there was no way you could work in any healthcare or science-related field..."
No wondering whether I was supposed to show persistence, no defaulting to 'research', no awkward "but I've already been accepted" moments. It was great...group interview and the responses ranged from priesthood to mechanic.

I'd ****ing lift all day everyday and just eat endless amounts of food and get ****ing jacked as **** and then win every powerlifting competition around me. TOO MUCH PREWORKOUT

 

[mehc012]

I'd ****ing lift all day everyday and just eat endless amounts of food and get ****ing jacked as **** and then win every powerlifting competition around me. TOO MUCH PREWORKOUT

Cool story bro.

 

[Planes2Doc]

"I'd continue doing the things I'm very passionate about, address my current weaknesses, and apply again next year."

 

[22031 Alum]

The only interviewer I've had ask this question was nice enough to do it in a no-grey-area way: "If, for some magical, inexplicable reason, there was no way you could work in any healthcare or science-related field..."
No wondering whether I was supposed to show persistence, no defaulting to 'research', no awkward "but I've already been accepted" moments. It was great...group interview and the responses ranged from priesthood to mechanic.

I see those as two separate questions, though. What OP describes is a way to see if an applicant has given any thought to a backup plan in the case of a temporary setback on the path to becoming a physician. What you describe is a way to see if an applicant has considered any other path in the first place. You could theoretically ask both questions in the same interview.

 

[clippers50fan]

Cool story bro.

You sound like a blast to be around.

 

[Cookie04]

.

 

[gyngyn]

This question is to assess adaptability, problem solving and understanding of personal strengths and goals.
Saying that you are already accepted is dodging the hypothetical in a way that can only be seen as annoying.

 

[LizzyM]

The only interviewer I've had ask this question was nice enough to do it in a no-grey-area way: "If, for some magical, inexplicable reason, there was no way you could work in any healthcare or science-related field..."
No wondering whether I was supposed to show persistence, no defaulting to 'research', no awkward "but I've already been accepted" moments. It was great...group interview and the responses ranged from priesthood to mechanic.

This is an other way of asking, "what attracts you to medicine? What other careers might be a second choice but would meet some of those same desires? What other interests do you have that might become a career if medicine were not an option?"

 

[banthapug]

This question is to assess adaptability, problem solving and understanding of personal strengths and goals.
Saying that you are already accepted is dodging the hypothetical in a way that can only be seen as annoying.

Is someone saying they might not apply again a red flag for you? I'm a re-applicant and if I don't get in this time, I am really going to have to seriously consider if I will apply again. I'm not ruling out re-applying, but it would be a difficult decision based on many factors (which I can discuss, if asked about it).

 

[gyngyn]

Is someone saying they might not apply again a red flag for you? I'm a re-applicant and if I don't get in this time, I am really going to have to seriously consider if I will apply again. I'm not ruling out re-applying, but it would be a difficult decision based on many factors (which I can discuss, if asked about it).

It depends on how the question is phrased. If you are told that medicine was not an option and you insist on applying anyway...

 

[clippers50fan]

Is someone saying they might not apply again a red flag for you? I'm a re-applicant and if I don't get in this time, I am really going to have to seriously consider if I will apply again. I'm not ruling out re-applying, but it would be a difficult decision based on many factors (which I can discuss, if asked about it).

Lie.

 

[Goro]

If someone is on the first try, then giving up after one shot shows a either a lack of commitment or is too easily discouraged. But one should be practical and realize that maybe after three unsuccessful cycles, it's time to do something else.

Is someone saying they might not apply again a red flag for you? I'm a re-applicant and if I don't get in this time, I am really going to have to seriously consider if I will apply again. I'm not ruling out re-applying, but it would be a difficult decision based on many factors (which I can discuss, if asked about it).

 

[Hospitalized]

I said, "I already have an acceptance, but going into the process my plan was..."

Someone without an acceptance should say this. Savage.

 

[md-2020]

So hypothetically what would the reaction be if I said "Impossible, I'm applying to the Caribbean this cycle too?"

A pity acceptance, perhaps? 😛

 

[gyngyn]

So hypothetically what would the reaction be if I said "Impossible, I'm applying to the Caribbean this cycle too?"

A pity acceptance, perhaps? 😛

Bad judgement points.

 

[banthapug]

It depends on how the question is phrased. If you are told that medicine was not an option and you insist on applying anyway...

Yes - obviously if medicine is not an option, I can't be a physician 😛

Lie.

I disagree with this because if an adcom sees someone who has applied 3 times with very little change in their application each time, saying they will try again doesn't tell much about the applicant except that they are delusional and isn't adaptable. That being said, this is my second try so I think I will take your advice and say I will apply again,which isn't completely untrue. I'll just have to do a lot of thinking and sorting situations out.

If someone is on the first try, then giving up after one shot shows a either a lack of commitment or is too easily discouraged. But one should be practical and realize that maybe after three unsuccessful cycles, it's time to do something else.

I think this is the most applicable advice for me... This cycle is my second try so I'm not opposed to applying again if I have no luck this year. Just gotta iron out the logistics/make sure they can be ironed out at all.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Someone without an acceptance should say this. Savage.

I'm sure somebody has tried this, only to have that school actually strongly consider taking them off their waitlist late in the cycle then taking a look at where all that person got accepted to, and finding out nowhere and remembering what they told them at the interview.

 

[gyngyn]

I'm sure somebody has tried this, only to have that school actually strongly consider taking them off their waitlist late in the cycle then taking a look at where all that person got accepted to, and finding out nowhere and remembering what they told them at the interview.

You bet.
We actually called them on it and found out it was SGU, though.

 

[LizzyM]

When I ask this question, and I usually don't, I go with some magical realism where your attendance at medical school has been restricted due to a crazy new law (one creative thinker said he'd go into public policy and work to change the law) that would prohibit anyone from attending med school for the next 10 years. No fault of your own, no recourse to change the decision, what alternate career would you consider? My purpose is not to see how committed one is but some insights into the motivation.

 

[mehc012]

This is an other way of asking, "what attracts you to medicine? What other careers might be a second choice but would meet some of those same desires? What other interests do you have that might become a career if medicine were not an option?"

Haha, I figured. I went last, however, and as a group we seemed to be avoiding re-treading each other's answers (which made each "why our school" response begin as 'what they said, of course, but also...') which is probably why it ended up so diverse. That being said, the group interview was great, it really made me learn about and respect my fellow interviewees. We ended up catching an Uber together after the interview day and headed to the airport bar to wait out our flights together.

 

[GrapesofRath]

You bet.
We actually called them on it and found out it was SGU, though.

So if you were strongly considering taking them off the WL was that SGU nonsense a deal breaker?

 

[gyngyn]

So if you were strongly considering taking them off the WL was that SGU nonsense a deal breaker?

It had no effect. It was just interesting that they used this to dodge the question. Technically, she wasn't lying, at least.
Edit: Actually, I can't confirm Caribbean acceptances, so maybe she was...

 

[GrapesofRath]

It had no effect. It was just interesting that they used this to dodge the question.

Worth perhaps noting there are people so ill-informed about the Caribbean the applicant may not have thought they were dodging the question with that. Interesting nonetheless though.

 

[gyngyn]

Worth perhaps noting there are people so ill-informed about the Caribbean the applicant may not have thought they were dodging the question with that.

Exactly. Judgement.

 

[Goro]

I do a variation of this!

When I ask this question, and I usually don't, I go with some magical realism where your attendance at medical school has been restricted due to a crazy new law (one creative thinker said he'd go into public policy and work to change the law) that would prohibit anyone from attending med school for the next 10 years. No fault of your own, no recourse to change the decision, what alternate career would you consider? My purpose is not to see how committed one is but some insights into the motivation.

 

[clippers50fan]

I disagree with this because if an adcom sees someone who has applied 3 times with very little change in their application each time, saying they will try again doesn't tell much about the applicant except that they are delusional and isn't adaptable. That being said, this is my second try so I think I will take your advice and say I will apply again,which isn't completely untrue. I'll just have to do a lot of thinking and sorting situations out.

If you're even talking to an interviewer, you've obviously received an II, meaning you're almost there. I wouldn't re-apply if I hadn't gotten a single II after 3 cycles, but if I were getting IIs I would... But at that point I would seriously re-consider my people skills lol

 

[pathhermit]

This is an other way of asking, "what attracts you to medicine? What other careers might be a second choice but would meet some of those same desires? What other interests do you have that might become a career if medicine were not an option?"

Would it put you off if I answered something that isn't technically healthcare? I currently work in higher education fundraising (at an Endowment for a state university and its medical school), and if not medicine, I wouldn't mind going back to fundraising for a medical school. If I can link it back to my desire for service, do you think this would be okay?

 

[LizzyM]

Would it put you off if I answered something that isn't technically healthcare? I currently work in higher education fundraising (at an Endowment for a state university and its medical school), and if not medicine, I wouldn't mind going back to fundraising for a medical school. If I can link it back to my desire for service, do you think this would be okay?

The important thing is being honest. If your reason for medicine is "service" and if cut off from medicine you'd think about your skills and experiences and come up with higher ed "development" as a way of being of service, then you have a cogent argument for why that would be a good alternative for you. Not everyone has to have an alternative in health care delivery.

 

[hopeS.O.]

So, general consensus is to answer it as you would have before you got an acceptance?