Pharmacy interview questions: Telling them you game?

[XxAlbertoxX]

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Do you guys think it would be a negative? One of my hobbies, despite working out, or reading about sciences, is gaming.

I built my own computer from scratch ( self-taught) and actually built a website and was a leader of a gaming team for Battlefield 3, where I manage the website, purchased the voice communication server + gaming server, and even recorded/dissected our videos uploaded to youtube?

I'm still not sure if it shows some versatility on my part, and shows some leader qualities, or if it makes me look anti-social/weird/nerdy.

I need some opinions....

 

[Corpseman]

Not really sure how it benefits you. Mention it in your hobbies, but thats it.

 

[Notecard]

I'd leave it out unless somehow your technology skills come up. It's not really relevant.

I did all that same stuff back in high school but grew out of it when it ended. When I was a gamer I thought similarly to you but having not touched it in about 4 years I can say it's all mostly just a waste of time. You run a risk of being seen as lazy, socially challenged, or just out of touch with reality.

 

[jerbearox]

Do you guys think it would be a negative? One of my hobbies, despite working out, or reading about sciences, is gaming.

I built my own computer from scratch ( self-taught) and actually built a website and was a leader of a gaming team for Battlefield 3, where I manage the website, purchased the voice communication server + gaming server, and even recorded/dissected our videos uploaded to youtube?

I'm still not sure if it shows some versatility on my part, and shows some leader qualities, or if it makes me look anti-social/weird/nerdy.

I need some opinions....

if I was interviewing you, I would not be able to take you seriously from that point on.

 

[p0lo]

if I was interviewing you, I would not be able to take you seriously from that point on.

I agree

 

[AlPacino]

I would leave that out period. Cannot see how playing videogames increases your chances of getting in pharm school. If then ask you about hobbies, then just mention you enjoy exercising/playing sports.

 

[Member 559246]

This reminds me of a friend who a was applying to med school like 10 years ago. His personal statement mentioned lord of the rings and how his experiences in life tied in to this story. He got interviews and got into medical school but some of the interviewers didn't get it and looked at him
like he was crazy. Lord of the rings is at least a novel. Everyone's gonna think your crazy with video
games.

 

[JonPrePharmD]

Not sure how it could be beneficial. I'm a gamer and have done everything you have as well (played Counter-Strike 1.6 competitively for years), but I'd never say that in an interview. Society deems gamers as lazy and misunderstand them, so I wouldn't take my chances. If you mention computers say you love technology and building computers, setting up servers, and web design but do not mention gaming at all.

I'd stick to strengths that can make you a better pharmacist and try not to hint on something that can be perceived as childish or lazy. Computer skills beyond what the average individual knows (Word, excel, etc) is a huge plus, so making up a lie saying you play sports is pretty ridiculous. DO NOT LIE in interviews. Can't believe someone actually gave that as advice.

 

[Golden Bear]

Yeah, I was a community leader and beta tester for a fairly popular game and didn't even think to include that. Now I'm playing an update of that game, which is forcing me to cram for a test desperately at this hour. 🙁

One thing that apparently did help me stand out was coaching an academic quiz bowl-type team, which I did after competing in high school. I was asked follow-up questions during my interview, and I subsequently got in.

 

[amox]

I spoke about how I love to solve math problems. Dorky right? LAMN (look at me now)

It helped that I took calcIII and above so my transcripts backed it up.

Be honest, say that it took problem solving skills, critical thinking, understanding the anatomy (i may be pushing it here...).

GL

 

[xtsukiyox]

I concur with the folks who suggest building computers, etc. is a good hobby to mention (I did) but leading a team/guild in a game is not (I didn't), even though it does take a time commitment. I would argue organizing gaming folks (kiddies?) is much harder than organizing coworkers, but as it's a topic people generally have a hard time taking seriously, I would not mention it in my interview. You want to be seen as a hard-working professional who is well-rounded, and I don't think a game team fits that image you want to present.

That being said, you could pimp your ability to catch attention - creative title.

 

[The Recoverer]

Awful idea

 

[kcha90]

Awful idea

^^lol

 

[klaurent02]

I played counter strike source competitively for arguably the best team in na for 3 years and made over 100k.

My case is a little different since i received a salary from it and I'm also wondering if I should mention this as more than just a hobby.

 

[Corpseman]

I played counter strike source competitively for arguably the best team in na for 3 years and made over 100k.

My case is a little different since i received a salary from it and I'm also wondering if I should mention this as more than just a hobby.

Was it taxed?

 

[klaurent02]

Yes

 

[The Recoverer]

I wouldn't mention anything involving gaming. Esp FPS gaming. You're going to be a pharmacist who cares about people and their health, why bring up your passion for playing games involving gun violence? ridiculous.

 

[klaurent02]

I don't really play or have passion (or time) for gaming anymore. I'm was just considering bringing it up because I was exceptional at it, and the experience was unique.

I do understand how it could be a bad idea thought. What I'm curious about is wether the people interviewing get to see your stats and transcripts before hand or not. There was a year where my gpa was affected because of it and I would have to bring it up to explain it.

 

[The Recoverer]

I don't really play or have passion (or time) for gaming anymore. I'm was just considering bringing it up because I was exceptional at it, and the experience was unique.

I do understand how it could be a bad idea thought. What I'm curious about is wether the people interviewing get to see your stats and transcripts before hand or not. There was a year where my gpa was affected because of it and I would have to bring it up to explain it.

It depends. some interviews are open filed and some are closed file. depends on the school really and they usually let you know if you call them ahead of time prior to your interview. I prefer open file interviews. Closed file interviews are hard because since the interviewers know nothing about you, their questions become more vague.

Good luck!

 

[Corpseman]

Yes

I would list it as a job then

 

[dancingallday]

I don't really play or have passion (or time) for gaming anymore. I'm was just considering bringing it up because I was exceptional at it, and the experience was unique.

I do understand how it could be a bad idea thought. What I'm curious about is wether the people interviewing get to see your stats and transcripts before hand or not. There was a year where my gpa was affected because of it and I would have to bring it up to explain it.

Just because an experience is unique or something you were exceptional at, doesn't mean you should necessarily put it on an application or mention it in an interview. Include it only if you can somehow tie in strengths/qualities to the experience that relate at least somewhat to what admissions is looking for in a pharmacy student.

As far as the open file/closed file, each school is different. Definitely prepare yourself with a good response to the "what happened to your GPA that year" question, just in case. You'll have to be honest, but if you can somehow spin it positively (what did I learn from that experience, how did I get back on track, etc.), so much the better.

 

[Twentytwelve2]

Well, since most of the professors interviewing you will be from the older, more conserved generation, I think bringing up gaming will make you look immature and unprofessional in their eyes. Don't do it.

 

[frabu04]

Don't bring up gaming. It has such a bad connotation. Doesn't matter if you are good at it, made money out of it, etc.

 

[BenJammin]

Where the hell did this "gamers equal lazy poor students" garbage come from? They asked me in my interview what I do to unwind and since I was 19 and not legally allowed to drink, I said I played video games with friends. Nobody said no to me so I must have been doing something right.

 

[Aestatis]

I think it all depends on how the interview went. I was the leader of a competitive team for about a year so I did mention that- mainly in reference to about how it helped me deal with different personalities.

I haven't gotten results back from my school interview, but I did bring up the same story for the interview to an internship because it was a casual enough interview. I got the job, and in that case I was told that at the company something that makes you stand out is helpful unless it's an obvious negative.

So, overall, I'm going against the grain and saying to do it as long as you're interviewing someone that seems they might be receptive- and attitudes are indeed changing. I'd say to also refrain from mentioning the genre or the name of the game unless prompted, but if you feel comfortable definitely mention all of the hard work you did as a leader!