Need help with how to answer this interview question

[The Hound]

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I recently interviewed at a school where I was asked if there were any deficiencies/red flags in my application. This interview was closed file and solely focused on the academic portion of my application. My initial reaction was to not bring up the less flattering things on my app (low freshman/sophomore GPA and a few W's). I figured that if I had secured an interview, that I was considered academically competent. I answered with a pretty vague "I started off as a weaker student and got better as I went along." I was waitlisted shortly after my interview and believe that this station was probably my downfall. I'm curious if this is more of an exercise in humility or if the interviewer is digging to be able to argue on my behalf to the admission committee? Either way, should I try not to shy away from these blemishes during interviews? I want to be prepared in case this happens again on my next few stops on the interview trail. Any thoughts on how to tactfully approach this question? @Goro

 

[Cornfed101]

The interview is closed file, the review of your application is not. The admissions committee will have access to your grades and MCAT so it is fine to say that is a red flag if it is a red flag. Also, it is not possible to know if this station was your downfall.

 

[samosamosa]

I feel like the best approach would be to own up to whatever it was right away, ie. "I got a few bad grades early on in college," and then spend more time talking about how you dealt with it, what you changed to overcome the problem, etc. in a positive light. How exactly did you "get better as you went along?" Did you change study strategies, seek help from professors or peers, join a tutoring program, TA for the class? Talking directly (but briefly) about the deficiency shows self awareness and maturity, and talking about your specific solutions shows perseverance and resourcefulness.

 

[Goro]

I recently interviewed at a school where I was asked if there were any deficiencies/red flags in my application. This interview was closed file and solely focused on the academic portion of my application. My initial reaction was to not bring up the less flattering things on my app (low freshman/sophomore GPA and a few W's). I figured that if I had secured an interview, that I was considered academically competent. I answered with a pretty vague "I started off as a weaker student and got better as I went along." I was waitlisted shortly after my interview and believe that this station was probably my downfall. I'm curious if this is more of an exercise in humility or if the interviewer is digging to be able to argue on my behalf to the admission committee? Either way, should I try not to shy away from these blemishes during interviews? I want to be prepared in case this happens again on my next few stops on the interview trail. Any thoughts on how to tactfully approach this question? @Goro

1) You tell the truth
2) This one station was probably not the cause of the wait list
3) Does this school normally wait list everyone?
4) Suggest working on your interview skills.

 

[humblebii]

1) You tell the truth
2) This one station was probably not the cause of the wait list
3) Does this school normally wait list everyone?
4) Suggest working on your interview skills.

Would a " C " in one of my science prereqs in 1st year be considered a red flag in the application?

 

[Goro]

Would a " C " in one of my science prereqs in 1st year be considered a red flag in the application?

Nope

 

[humblebii]

Nope

Thank you Goro!

 

[Hopeful101]

I almost feel like getting accepted at the interview stage might as well be a random coin flip. They say at the interview part, half the people get accepted at each of the schools I interviewed at. I did 4 interviews and got accepted to exactly 2. I Said the exact thing each time. It's just a numbers game

 

[Ho0v-man]

talk about it being due to immaturity and when you decided to do something as important as being a doctor, you decided you needed to grow up and get serious. Promise I had more Ws than you lol.

Alternative answer: “Yea fam, like, my girlfriend in college wasn’t the only one with 36 Ds, nam sayin?”

 

[Kardio]

Alternative answer: “Yea fam, like, my girlfriend in college wasn’t the only one with 36 Ds, nam sayin?”

Everyone on SDN who says “be yourself in interviews” doesn’t realize that this would have been my natural response 🤣