My Unfortunate interview experience

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Phen0l

Phen0l

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
May 21, 2013
Messages
7
Reaction score
21
Members do not see this ad.
Hello Everyone,

I thought I'd share with you guy what happened at my interview yesterday and hope to receive any feedback.

I was prepped and ready for the big day. The culmination of all my hours spent studying, shadowing, researching, a$$-kissing, and worrying has finally led me to this interview. I was ready. On the day of the interview. I went to the campus and had the routine school presentation, a little talk from the dean, and a financial aid workshop. We were given a 10 minute break before we all went into the assigned rooms for our interview. I was ready. During this break, I went to the restroom to take a dump, just like I always did before a big event. That's when I decided to check my phone and saw a text from my brother...

"Grandma just passed away"

I couldn't believe it. I was just with her the day before. My grandma and I were extremely close, and she practically raised me. Still in shock, I went into the interview and tried my best to maintain my composure and demonstrate my professionalism. My eyes were tearing up a little, but I refused to break down. I think my interviewers could tell something was wrong. Anyway, I got asked a question about end of life care, and that's when I lost it. I wasn't ready. I started sobbing and explained to the panel about the events that just unfolded 10 minutes prior. I felt extremely embarrassed and I'm sure I made some people feel uncomfortable (it was a group interview). After collecting myself, I answered a few more questions and the interview was over. I stayed in the room after everyone left and started sobbing again. I'm so afraid that I ruined this huge opportunity to get into medical school (my only interview I've recieved). I felt as though one or two or my answers to their questions were not very good. I just couldn't focus. I'm afraid they may think I was pulling the "sympathy card" or perhaps even faking it (even though my friends would consider me a pretty tough guy). Can anyone share their thoughts on this and whether I may have damaged my opportunity to get admitted? No need to sugar coat things, just want an honest opinion.
 
i think youre fine. sorry about your grandma.
 
I ended going to each of the interviewer's offices after the interview day was over and personally apologized for what happened. We talked about death and how docs handle dealing with it on a daily basis. We talked for a little while, in a truly candid manner. I feel as if my true character was revealed to them during these post-interview conversation (but Im not sure it makes a difference since it wasn't technically the interview anymore). I'm just kind of bummed about this series of unfortunate events.
 
There is nothing you could have done differently in this situation. Everything that happened was perfectly normal. You got one interview based on merit. There will be others in your future.
 
My condolences. I am really pulling for you. Having a loved one pass on interview day is truly a terrible circumstance, and I don't think anyone should be expected to handle such an traumatic event with much grace. Doctors are people not robots. There is a reason why doctors should not treat there loved ones. I think it is wonderful that you spoke with your interviewers post interview, and do not see a reason why those conversations should not count towards your admissions decision (though I honestly do not know if this is the case). From my understanding, events during the entire interview day can count towards an admissions decision. The interview is just the part where most focus is on you as an individual. Good luck!
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
Wow, I can't believe someone's death is announced by text message. Sorry to hear what happened to you. Going to the offices was a good move. I think only a ****ty person would use it as an excuse to reject you.
Click to expand...
My brother knew that I had my interview so he felt texting was more appropriate. But thank you for you response, I appreciate your input.
 
ERK123 said:
My condolences. I am really pulling for you. Having a loved one pass on interview day is truly a terrible circumstance, and I don't think anyone should be expected to handle such an traumatic event with much grace. Doctors are people not robots. There is a reason why doctors should not treat there loved ones. I think it is wonderful that you spoke with your interviewers post interview, and do not see a reason why those conversations should not count towards your admissions decision (though I honestly do not know if this is the case). From my understanding, events during the entire interview day can count towards an admissions decision. The interview is just the part where most focus is on you as an individual. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you so much! This means a lot to me and I feel much better about the whole experience.
 
Very sorry to hear of your sad news. If I were your interviewer, I'd ask the Admissions to to reschedule you another interview (and hopefully you wouldn't be from travelling from far away).

I sugest that the rest of you try to do without your cell phones for the entire day.

Phen0l said:
Hello Everyone,

I thought I'd share with you guy what happened at my interview yesterday and hope to receive any feedback.

I was prepped and ready for the big day. The culmination of all my hours spent studying, shadowing, researching, a$$-kissing, and worrying has finally led me to this interview. I was ready. On the day of the interview. I went to the campus and had the routine school presentation, a little talk from the dean, and a financial aid workshop. We were given a 10 minute break before we all went into the assigned rooms for our interview. I was ready. During this break, I went to the restroom to take a dump, just like I always did before a big event. That's when I decided to check my phone and saw a text from my brother...

"Grandma just passed away"

I couldn't believe it. I was just with her the day before. My grandma and I were extremely close, and she practically raised me. Still in shock, I went into the interview and tried my best to maintain my composure and demonstrate my professionalism. My eyes were tearing up a little, but I refused to break down. I think my interviewers could tell something was wrong. Anyway, I got asked a question about end of life care, and that's when I lost it. I wasn't ready. I started sobbing and explained to the panel about the events that just unfolded 10 minutes prior. I felt extremely embarrassed and I'm sure I made some people feel uncomfortable (it was a group interview). After collecting myself, I answered a few more questions and the interview was over. I stayed in the room after everyone left and started sobbing again. I'm so afraid that I ruined this huge opportunity to get into medical school (my only interview I've recieved). I felt as though one or two or my answers to their questions were not very good. I just couldn't focus. I'm afraid they may think I was pulling the "sympathy card" or perhaps even faking it (even though my friends would consider me a pretty tough guy). Can anyone share their thoughts on this and whether I may have damaged my opportunity to get admitted? No need to sugar coat things, just want an honest opinion.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry for your loss.

You know, even if you don't get in, keep trying. Even though this event was unfortunate, you were able to show that you're human. What's more is that you actually went to speak with the professors after the fact. I think that's huge. At least to me, that shows a lot about your character.

I wish you the best.
 
Phen0l said:
Hello Everyone,

I thought I'd share with you guy what happened at my interview yesterday and hope to receive any feedback.

I was prepped and ready for the big day. The culmination of all my hours spent studying, shadowing, researching, a$$-kissing, and worrying has finally led me to this interview. I was ready. On the day of the interview. I went to the campus and had the routine school presentation, a little talk from the dean, and a financial aid workshop. We were given a 10 minute break before we all went into the assigned rooms for our interview. I was ready. During this break, I went to the restroom to take a dump, just like I always did before a big event. That's when I decided to check my phone and saw a text from my brother...

"Grandma just passed away"

I couldn't believe it. I was just with her the day before. My grandma and I were extremely close, and she practically raised me. Still in shock, I went into the interview and tried my best to maintain my composure and demonstrate my professionalism. My eyes were tearing up a little, but I refused to break down. I think my interviewers could tell something was wrong. Anyway, I got asked a question about end of life care, and that's when I lost it. I wasn't ready. I started sobbing and explained to the panel about the events that just unfolded 10 minutes prior. I felt extremely embarrassed and I'm sure I made some people feel uncomfortable (it was a group interview). After collecting myself, I answered a few more questions and the interview was over. I stayed in the room after everyone left and started sobbing again. I'm so afraid that I ruined this huge opportunity to get into medical school (my only interview I've recieved). I felt as though one or two or my answers to their questions were not very good. I just couldn't focus. I'm afraid they may think I was pulling the "sympathy card" or perhaps even faking it (even though my friends would consider me a pretty tough guy). Can anyone share their thoughts on this and whether I may have damaged my opportunity to get admitted? No need to sugar coat things, just want an honest opinion.
Click to expand...
There is zero chance that hurt you. Doctors are people too, they know what its like and empathize. Sorry about your grandma.

Now the dump before the interveiw on the other hand can only be bad luck. Seriously, taking a dump right before an interview is just weird if you dont have to go Real bad.
 
OP, I am very sorry for your loss, and ecstatic for you that you got in.

Goro said:
I sugest that the rest of you try to do without your cell phones for the entire day.
Click to expand...

Is there any way you could make a thread about this and get it stickied? I swear. It seems like common sense to me, but when I was interviewing applicants there was more than a few times that their phone would start vibrating in the middle of the interview. Not only was I offended by it, but people these days are so addicted to the things that they couldn't concentrate and were unable to give me even halfway decent answers for the entire rest of the interview.
 
NeuroSpeed said:
OP, I am very sorry for your loss, and ecstatic for you that you got in.



Is there any way you could make a thread about this and get it stickied? I swear. It seems like common sense to me, but when I was interviewing applicants there was more than a few times that their phone would start vibrating in the middle of the interview. Not only was I offended by it, but people these days are so addicted to the things that they couldn't concentrate and were unable to give me even halfway decent answers for the entire rest of the interview.
Click to expand...


My mother has some mental issues, and if I don't contact her fairly regularly, she freaks out. When I first started my undergrad, I didn't answer her calls because I was in class. She called campus police (Idk how she found the number). She lied to them and told them it's an emergency, and they pulled me out of class. Her emergency was "When you coming home?" A few months ago, I had an interview for an adjunct professor position at a nearby university. She insisted on going to that with me. Thankfully, she waited in the car. She goes almost everywhere with me, and when she doesn't, she calls or texts me repeatedly to make sure I'm ok and still alive. </rant>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lt0808
  • Question Question
gap year experience
Replies
1
Views
711
chilly_md
chilly_md
L
  • Question Question
How to get hours in clinical setting without experience
Replies
4
Views
790
EEqualsRx2
EEqualsRx2
M
  • Locked
Is it a red flag that my LORs include my AAMC ID?
Replies
5
Views
957
minst
M
S
Interview
Replies
2
Views
1K
Pile O' Nephritis
Pile O' Nephritis
W
Interview Timing
Replies
2
Views
1K
Goro
Goro
Top