It's just a little alcohol before the interview to calm the nerves right?

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sindadel said:
This is like a bad joke, only I'm afraid it isn't.

If you're not trolling, then here's my serious response. Throwing back three shots with breakfast is a fairly high level of impairment. Interviewing like that is stupid.

I also think taking beta blockers is horrible. Will you take beta blockers before a big car accident trauma case comes in? And if you're more nervous over a dinky little med school interview than over having some child's life in your hands, you need to re-evaluate your priorities.

Take a few years off. Deal with some real-life stress. And then your medical school interviews will be more like chatting with people to get a feel for what they're like than some kind of serious situation.
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You do know that more people fear public speaking/interviews than death? It's a common SITUATIONAL psychological problem that affects a large percentage of our society and it is not representative of how each individual reacts in other situations.

Those of us that are worried about interviews are so not because we can't handle stress but because we lack the experience/practice. You seem to be implying that someone who isn't nervous for an interview will not be nervous when they deal with their first incoming trauma. But I can guarantee you that you will jumping out of your skin just like the rest of us. But that stress will subside over time as you gain experience, just as it will for us in regards to interviews - unfortunately interviewing isn't something one can practice (well) very often and therefore taking a beta-blocker is a quick fix.
 
I'd be lying if I said that the thought hasn't crossed my mind.

Several times.


The way I see it though, its not worth the risk. If you know your limits then theres probably nothing wrong with having a shot or two in and of itself before an interview. Having a small amount (for asians a VERY small amount) would help you relax a little more, and maybe you'd be less likely to have a panic attack on the adcom's floor.

I'd just be scared ****less about someone being able to smell it on my breath. No matter how hard you brush your teeth and use mouthwash that smell doesn't really go away until the alcohol is actually out of your sysyem.
 
THX said:
You do know that more people fear public speaking/interviews than death? It's a common SITUATIONAL psychological problem that affects a large percentage of our society and it is not representative of how each individual reacts in other situations.

Those of us that are worried about interviews are so not because we can't handle stress but because we lack the experience/practice. You seem to be implying that someone who isn't nervous for an interview will not be nervous when they deal with their first incoming trauma. But I can guarantee you that you will jumping out of your skin just like the rest of us. But that stress will subside over time as you gain experience, just as it will for us in regards to interviews - unfortunately interviewing isn't something one can practice (well) very often and therefore taking a beta-blocker is a quick fix.
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If you think that taking any kind of drug is a "quick fix" for an underlying psychological problem, I suggest you take a good look at whether medicine is the right field for you.

Being nervous before an interview and in the first few minutes is absolutely normal. It is even expected. That's why interviews are usually structured with that in mind. They try put you at your ease at the beginning before moving into questions/harder-hitting topics.

If you have a genuine psychological disorder, you need counselling, and possibly appropriate anti-anxiety meds, NOT beta-blockers taken off-label for their calming effects.

If experience is what you lack in order to feel comfortable interviewing, then GET EXPERIENCE! Take a couple of years off and interview for employment positions, join Toastmasters, travel around the country giving talks on whatever you're passionate about, take a job selling something door-to-door, join someone's political campaign etc. There are many organic ways to gain experience interviewing. Probably the best way is to interview people yourself. Once you've been on the other side of the interviewing table, the process begins to look less intimidating.

A plus side to addressing your fear this way is that when your interviewer asks you: "What's your greatest weakness and how have you addressed it?" you can say: "Fear of public speaking and interviews. I have addressed this by travelling across the company speaking on college campuses about HIV/Aids." Or you could tell them you took beta-blockers for a "quick fix" to minimize the symptoms of fear.

Your call.
 
sindadel said:
If you think that taking any kind of drug is a "quick fix" for an underlying psychological problem, I suggest you take a good look at whether medicine is the right field for you.

Being nervous before an interview and in the first few minutes is absolutely normal. It is even expected. That's why interviews are usually structured with that in mind. They try put you at your ease at the beginning before moving into questions/harder-hitting topics.

If you have a genuine psychological disorder, you need counselling, and possibly appropriate anti-anxiety meds, NOT beta-blockers taken off-label for their calming effects.

If experience is what you lack in order to feel comfortable interviewing, then GET EXPERIENCE! Take a couple of years off and interview for employment positions, join Toastmasters, travel around the country giving talks on whatever you're passionate about, take a job selling something door-to-door, join someone's political campaign etc. There are many organic ways to gain experience interviewing. Probably the best way is to interview people yourself. Once you've been on the other side of the interviewing table, the process begins to look less intimidating.

A plus side to addressing your fear this way is that when your interviewer asks you: "What's your greatest weakness and how have you addressed it?" you can say: "Fear of public speaking and interviews. I have addressed this by travelling across the company speaking on college campuses about HIV/Aids." Or you could tell them you took beta-blockers for a "quick fix" to minimize the symptoms of fear.

Your call.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right. It's much better to be a door-to-door knife salesman for two years than to just have one cocktail before an interview.
 
sindadel said:
If you think that taking any kind of drug is a "quick fix" for an underlying psychological problem, I suggest you take a good look at whether medicine is the right field for you.

Being nervous before an interview and in the first few minutes is absolutely normal. It is even expected. That's why interviews are usually structured with that in mind. They try put you at your ease at the beginning before moving into questions/harder-hitting topics.

If you have a genuine psychological disorder, you need counselling, and possibly appropriate anti-anxiety meds, NOT beta-blockers taken off-label for their calming effects.

If experience is what you lack in order to feel comfortable interviewing, then GET EXPERIENCE! Take a couple of years off and interview for employment positions, join Toastmasters, travel around the country giving talks on whatever you're passionate about, take a job selling something door-to-door, join someone's political campaign etc. There are many organic ways to gain experience interviewing. Probably the best way is to interview people yourself. Once you've been on the other side of the interviewing table, the process begins to look less intimidating.

A plus side to addressing your fear this way is that when your interviewer asks you: "What's your greatest weakness and how have you addressed it?" you can say: "Fear of public speaking and interviews. I have addressed this by travelling across the company speaking on college campuses about HIV/Aids." Or you could tell them you took beta-blockers for a "quick fix" to minimize the symptoms of fear.

Your call.
Click to expand...
Well, considering that I have worked as an EMT for two years and handle high-stress real life situations without any difficulty, I'm perfectly comfortable taking a beta-blocker to calm my nerves for an interview. If you somehow think how one reacts to an interview trumps how one reacts in more meaningful (but less artificial) situations then it is you who needs re-evaluate if a career in medicine, a profession based upon pragmatism and judgment, is right for you.

In the end, no one is perfect. Some of us hate heights, others are afraid of spiders and many just dislike interviews. It's not a big deal. You are blowing this out of proportion.
 
where would it end? med school will be one stressor after another, and the actual practice of Medicine a new ballgame of intensity. i totally understand the desire to have alcohol to calm the nerves, for me it was post big exam. but it just got to be a habit which started to interfere with work ie. hang-over anyone?
 
El Elegante said:
Yeah, you're right. It's much better to be a door-to-door knife salesman for two years than to just have one cocktail before an interview.
Click to expand...

"My time spent as a door-to-door knife salesman inspired me to pursue medicine as a career and hopefully specialize in neurosurgery. This experience has given me the comfort around knifes that I will need to slice brains."
 
Hahaha. You think these docs were born yesterday?

Showing up AOB is freakin' dumb.
 
I have another good cure that works even better than alcohol: having interpersonal skills and not being a social misfit.

















I kid (sort of), I know a lot of people have situational anxiety. But seriously, if you need alcohol to loosen up for a medical school interview....well, I'll let someone else fill in the blanks. And I by no means condemn drinking. Hell, if you want go for it, but bragging about using alcohol before an interview is like bragging to your friends that you wear diapers because you were never potty trained.
 
dienekes88 said:
Hahaha. You think these docs were born yesterday?

Showing up AOB is freakin' dumb.
Click to expand...

I don't think this is as big of a deal as people are making it out to be. If the interviewer smelled alcohol on your breath it would probably go something like this:

Interviewer: Is that alcohol I smell on your breath?
Student: Why, yes, I was sampling a '48 cognac while perusing the JAMA this morning.
Interviewer: Oh. That's incredibly sophisticated. I am impressed.
 
Will you need alcohol to calm your nerves while performing surgery? Seriously, it's just an interview. Why would you even want to get into a school that will only like the drunk you? Get therapy.
 
adamMD said:
Will you need alcohol to calm your nerves while performing surgery? Seriously, it's just an interview. Why would you even want to get into a school that will only like the drunk you? Get therapy.
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Well, interviewing and surgery rely on entirely different skill sets, so it's not a good predictor of ability.
 
adamMD said:
Will you need alcohol to calm your nerves while performing surgery? Seriously, it's just an interview. Why would you even want to get into a school that will only like the drunk you? Get therapy.
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Would this be an invocation of Burnett's Law?

I think it could be.
 
mterp45 said:
What's wrong with drinking a little alcohol to get rid of the jitters before the interview? I did it and everything worked out fine. I wasn't nevous at all. In fact, I recommend it.
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I don't recommend it myself. However you have a very cool avatar.
 
Raryn said:
What is Burnett's Law?

I know its a reference to Lee Burnett, the founder of SDN, but I don't know what the law actually is.
Click to expand...

Burnett's Law is the SDN equivalent of Goodwin's Law, wherein:

As an argument on SDN proceeds, the probability that a user's capabilities as a future physician or empathy for the woeful plight of their future patients will be invoked grows exponentially.


Typically manifested as some variation of:

If honestly believe that, I feel sorry for your patients.

or

If you honestly believe that, you're going to be a horrible doctor.
 
Bit of advice: taper off the steroids for a week before your interview.

In retrospect, it was probably a bad idea to challenge the entire committee to a brawl.
 
Depakote said:
Burnett's Law is the SDN equivalent of Goodwin's Law, wherein:

As an argument on SDN proceeds, the probability that a user's capabilities as a future physician or empathy for the woeful plight of their future patients will be invoked grows exponentially.


Typically manifested as some variation of:

If honestly believe that, I feel sorry for your patients.

or

If you honestly believe that, you're going to be a horrible doctor.
Click to expand...
Oh, I know what Godwin's law is, I just didn't know what Burnett's was.

Thanks for the info! 🙂
 
Sounds like an ok idea, but I think it would make me really tired by the end of the day.
 
You know "House" is just a show, right?
 
Check this out. I know this great applicant, 4.0 student, 35 MCAT, and 6 interviews to medical schools. The only thing is that he gets too nervous in interviews and never has anything to say. Bombs the first 5 and on his final chance, he says F it and decides to take SOCO with him to the interview. It's all or nothing at this point. He has 2 of those airport sized mouth wash containers which are 3 ounces each and fills both with southern comfort. He's at the school for the interview and is given his interview time like 11:30. so at 11:00 AM, he goes to the bathroom (luckily it was a private bathroom) with his backpack and takes out the bottles of SOCO. He chugs one bottle and then feels like he's gonna vomit, but he forces himself to chug the second bottle. He then takes out his toothbrush and Crest mouth paste and brushes his teeth. Then he takes out a piece of gum and chews it. I guess if he knew of hennigans, that woulda worked easier, but he liked southern comfort. Now he's starting to feel good. He goes into the interview and he's able to talk nonstop with no restrictions and no awkward silences like every other interview. He paid attention to things that he normally would have missed like the facial expression of the interviewer and responded accordingly. He made great eye contact even though he usually ends up getting nervous and looking away from the interviewer when he talks or staring at the interviewers chest. He wasn't nervous or sweating like every other interview. His problem is that when he's sober, he is trapped in his mind and can't express himself because he overthinks everything and hesitates to talk. So guess what, he got in. You see, his problem only arises when he's talking to someone deciding his fate because now while he is in medical school, he is great with patients. The interview process is not representative of how well someone interacts with people. My friend interacts great with people in his class but some people just can't handle the pressure of an interview. It's too nerve wrecking.
 
That was a groundbreaking story and absolutely worth digging up a 3 yr old thread.

Thank goodness "your friend" used Crest toothpaste.

Nerve wrecking.
 
himas123 said:
Check this out. I know this great applicant, 4.0 student, 35 MCAT, and 6 interviews to medical schools. The only thing is that he gets too nervous in interviews and never has anything to say. Bombs the first 5 and on his final chance, he says F it and decides to take SOCO with him to the interview. It's all or nothing at this point. He has 2 of those airport sized mouth wash containers which are 3 ounces each and fills both with southern comfort. He's at the school for the interview and is given his interview time like 11:30. so at 11:00 AM, he goes to the bathroom (luckily it was a private bathroom) with his backpack and takes out the bottles of SOCO. He chugs one bottle and then feels like he's gonna vomit, but he forces himself to chug the second bottle. He then takes out his toothbrush and Crest mouth paste and brushes his teeth. Then he takes out a piece of gum and chews it. I guess if he knew of hennigans, that woulda worked easier, but he liked southern comfort. Now he's starting to feel good. He goes into the interview and he's able to talk nonstop with no restrictions and no awkward silences like every other interview. He paid attention to things that he normally would have missed like the facial expression of the interviewer and responded accordingly. He made great eye contact even though he usually ends up getting nervous and looking away from the interviewer when he talks or staring at the interviewers chest. He wasn't nervous or sweating like every other interview. His problem is that when he's sober, he is trapped in his mind and can't express himself because he overthinks everything and hesitates to talk. So guess what, he got in. You see, his problem only arises when he's talking to someone deciding his fate because now while he is in medical school, he is great with patients. The interview process is not representative of how well someone interacts with people. My friend interacts great with people in his class but some people just can't handle the pressure of an interview. It's too nerve wrecking.
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TL;DR

wut
 
Well I'm screwed either way. I never get nervous but I say stupid ****. Alcohol ain't gonna help me with that.
 
LRAccord624 said:
That was a groundbreaking story and absolutely worth digging up a 3 yr old thread.

Thank goodness "your friend" used Crest toothpaste.

Nerve wrecking.
Click to expand...

hahaha :laugh:

not only groundbreaking, but miraculous as well.
 
My friend drank wine before his MCAT and got a 36. Just saying....


True story, but you probably shouldn't do it stupid...
 
Anyone else get the Sober College ad for this page? :laugh:


And I would worry that people who can't handle an interview without alcohol won't be able to handle their first patient interaction as a med student/resident/attending without alcohol either...though I guess they're different enough scenarios that maybe it wouldn't be a problem.
 
I don't know why, but I've always wanted to go to an interview drunk:

Interviewer: So what's one aspect of our curriculum that you like?
Me: Your PBR...um...PBL? Problem based leeeearning
Interviewer: I see...
 
i plan to go to my interviews on lsd, should make the adcom see me as an interesting person
 
kwantiko said:
i plan to go to my interviews on lsd, should make the adcom see me as an interesting person
Click to expand...

"I like that your school is pretty coloooooorssss....why are there six of you? And why are you dressed in drag doing the macarena??"
 
liverfingers said:
"Say you got a big job interview, and you're a little nervous. Well throw back a couple shots of Hennigans and you'll be as loose as a goose and ready to roll in no time. And because it's odorless, why, it will be our little secret." -Kramer :laugh:
Click to expand...

Seinfeld is always the right answer 👍
 
I would actually nail my interview with a few drinks in me. Something about being buzzed that turns me into a very good speaker. I have good ideas, get a little more charismatic, and put together very good arguments!
 
AZFutureDoc said:
I would actually nail my interview with a few drinks in me. Something about being buzzed that turns me into a very good speaker. I have good ideas, get a little more charismatic, and put together very good arguments!
Click to expand...


u only think you do...

i think im a great dancer when ive had some to drink.... but its all in my head 😳
 
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