Pros and Cons of "Humility" in Application Process?

[Tropicana100]

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I'd like to hear SDNers' thougts on the pros and cons of humility in this application process. For example: How do I not seem cocky when stating my qualifications? Can one maintain humility but also exude confidence at an interview? Does God reward humility?

 

[lilnoelle]

I'd like to hear SDNers' thougts on the pros and cons of humility in this application process. For example: How do I not seem cocky when stating my qualifications? Can one maintain humility but also exude confidence at an interview? Does God reward humility?

I would say humility is definitely a virtue. Many individuals confuse humility with low self esteem and they are not the same thing. Therefore an individual can be both confident and humble at the same time. To me, the difference is in not how you view your own accomplishments but rather in how you view the value of human beings in general. Does ones accomplishments make one more valuable/important than the individual who has accomplished nothing? If you think yes - then it might be a good idea to put one's pride in check. If you think no - you are probably a humble person.
I try to keep in mind that nothing I do is due to my own greatness, but rather my talents were given to me (I will say from God, but you could also think of genetics if you don't believe in God) and therefore I can't claim my own greatness due to them. We all are presented with certain gifts and circumstances and it is important to realize that other's are also presented with gifts and circumstances and that we are all equal in the eyes of God (or whatever you choose to believe in).

Concerning the last question.... the Bible says God blesses the poor of spirit.

 

[notdeadyet]

How do I not seem cocky when stating my qualifications?

You've answered your own question: state your qualifications. Avoid bragging or ego boosting. Don't put others' accomlishments down to make yours seem greater. Just let 'em know what you've done.

The best time you can spend in this process (and that few folks do) is to do mock interviews. Not with friends or family but with uninvolved 3rd parties. Pro's are great, campus services will do.

Everyone thinks they interview well, but very few people do. And if you're a student who hasn't gone on many professional interviews, you can use the practice. It's money in the bank.

Can one maintain humility but also exude confidence at an interview?

Absolutely. The best kind of confidence is not the "woo-hoo!" chest thumping kind, but the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you're the right person for the task at hand. It wins out every time.

Does God reward humility?

Adcoms do.

 

[OncoCaP]

I'd like to hear SDNers' thougts on the pros and cons of humility in this application process. For example: How do I not seem cocky when stating my qualifications? Can one maintain humility but also exude confidence at an interview? Does God reward humility?

You are going into a field that requires an ability to lead and take charge. Patients don't want a physician who is too humble to help them ("I'm not worthy..."). A person who is so humble that they are not able to lead or explain to others "yes, I can do this because ..." is going to encounter extra problems on this journey. Thus, while you shouldn't mislead anyone about your accomplishments or overstate your case, you need to establish that you are truly well qualified to become a medical student and eventually will become an excellent physician. Think of this as your job right now. It's your responsibility to explain and present your qualifications in the best possible way and to fail to do so would be to fail to be a good steward of the abilities and accomplishments you have been given. Yes, it means you need to "sell" yourself. I'm sure you have a lot to offer as a physician and it's sensible that you would clearly and confidently explain your qualifications.

 

[Tropicana100]

I think humility might help you prepare mentally for failure. If you're really overzealous and cocky about your accomplishments, any failure will just fuel anger and frustration. On the other hand, if you're humble, failure will encourage you to do better and reflect on your mistakes. I think humble people will happier in the long run. 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

I'd like to hear SDNers' thougts on the pros and cons of humility in this application process. For example: How do I not seem cocky when stating my qualifications? Can one maintain humility but also exude confidence at an interview? Does God reward humility?

I think the key to being both confident and humble is to come up with a very honest assessment of both your strengths and your weaknesses. Sometimes people have the mistaken idea that it's bad to admit their faults, or conversely, that it's bad to emphasize their strengths. But if you are introspective enough to be able to evaluate yourself in a fair and balanced way, you will not seem cocky, nor will you seem insecure. You will seem thoughtful. And as someone else already said, definitely don't put down other people.

 

[sirus_virus]

I'd like to hear SDNers' thougts on the pros and cons of humility in this application process. For example: How do I not seem cocky when stating my qualifications? Can one maintain humility but also exude confidence at an interview? Does God reward humility?

I dont know where you are going with this last statement.

 

[Depakote]

All I'm going to say is if you aren't humble going into this process, you will be by the time it is through with you...

 

[Bartelby]

All I'm going to say is if you aren't humble going into this process, you will be by the time it is through with you...

Well put!

 

[Tropicana100]

I dont know where you are going with this last statement.

More of a religious theory question for any religious scholars out there. Sermon on the Mount: blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heavon. Rewards of humility are probably spiritual, rather than physical manifestations like getting into medical school.

 

[2008orbust]

Humility is fine and good. Cocky should be avoided. That being said, IF you can't make strong statements about yourself (which of course you can back up with facts), the adcoms will have a hard time forming strong feelings about your application. Isn't the whole idea to get them to feel so strongly about you that they really want you at their school?

GOOD LUCK!

 

[MossPoh]

I think the key to being both confident and humble is to come up with a very honest assessment of both your strengths and your weaknesses. Sometimes people have the mistaken idea that it's bad to admit their faults, or conversely, that it's bad to emphasize their strengths. But if you are introspective enough to be able to evaluate yourself in a fair and balanced way, you will not seem cocky, nor will you seem insecure. You will seem thoughtful. And as someone else already said, definitely don't put down other people.

It is def. good to acknowledge weaknesses, but for the sake of interviews make sure you do more than just says "Oh, I'm not very good at _______". Say what you do to improve that fault, or spin it to become a bit of a positive. A company that is little won't pitch themselves as being tiny and lacking the resources of a big company. They are nimble, efficient companies, which can adapt quickly to change. 😉 That is a bit extreme, but kind of gets the point. Humility is good, but don't just say your fault and leave it at that...if it is a fault of yours, and you acknowledge it, then why don't you correct it or at least attempt to. 😛

 

[Law2Doc]

Humility is fine and good. Cocky should be avoided. That being said, IF you can't make strong statements about yourself (which of course you can back up with facts), the adcoms will have a hard time forming strong feelings about your application. Isn't the whole idea to get them to feel so strongly about you that they really want you at their school?

GOOD LUCK!

You always walk a fine line. You absolutely need to sell yourself effectively as the best person for the school. However arrogance can kill you faster than anything in this process. So if you act like acceptance is a foregone conclusion, or that you belong in a certain calliber med school etc., adcoms will take it as a mission to prove you wrong. So you emphasize your positives, but don't act like you think you are in the driver's seat.

 

[Tropicana100]

You always walk a fine line. You absolutely need to sell yourself effectively as the best person for the school. However arrogance can kill you faster than anything in this process. So if you act like acceptance is a foregone conclusion, or that you belong in a certain calliber med school etc., adcoms will take it as a mission to prove you wrong. So you emphasize your positives, but don't act like you think you are in the driver's seat.

Very important point to consider. Last cycle, I was intervied at a lower tier school than my previous ones and was asked by both interviewers where I had intervied. Once I named two top 10 schools, the interview began revolve around it entirely. I was asked uncomfortable questions like, "Where would you go if you got accepted to all of them." That put me in a bad spot because I was almost forced to sound arrogant. I ended up getting rejected at that school. I was waitlisted at one of the top 10's and rejected by the other. Here I am reapplying. How do I avoid this again?

 

[Tropicana100]

It is def. good to acknowledge weaknesses, but for the sake of interviews make sure you do more than just says "Oh, I'm not very good at _______". Say what you do to improve that fault, or spin it to become a bit of a positive. A company that is little won't pitch themselves as being tiny and lacking the resources of a big company. They are nimble, efficient companies, which can adapt quickly to change. 😉 That is a bit extreme, but kind of gets the point. Humility is good, but don't just say your fault and leave it at that...if it is a fault of yours, and you acknowledge it, then why don't you correct it or at least attempt to. 😛

Spinning weakness into positives will appear BS in some cases b/c it's over done. I was asked at an interview, "What is your weakness, not one of those fake weaknesses that is also a strength?"

 

[TheRealMD]

Very important point to consider. Last cycle, I was intervied at a lower tier school than my previous ones and was asked by both interviewers where I had intervied. Once I named two top 10 schools, the interview began revolve around it entirely. I was asked uncomfortable questions like, "Where would you go if you got accepted to all of them." That put me in a bad spot because I was almost forced to sound arrogant. I ended up getting rejected at that school. I was waitlisted at one of the top 10's and rejected by the other. Here I am reapplying. How do I avoid this again?

This is where researching each independent school really helps. You need to start spitting out the reasons why you would want to go to each school and then say that it's not a simple decision that you would want to make in such a short period of time. Only a few interviewers are going to actually demand that you name a school, and then you can honestly say which school you like the most. But do be weary about this, you'd rather not let it get to the 2nd point because it might end up similar to last year.

 

[Tropicana100]

This is where researching each independent school really helps. You need to start spitting out the reasons why you would want to go to each school and then say that it's not a simple decision that you would want to make in such a short period of time. Only a few interviewers are going to actually demand that you name a school, and then you can honestly say which school you like the most. But do be weary about this, you'd rather not let it get to the 2nd point because it might end up similar to last year.

Hmm, I guess I didn't have the proper reasons completely. That "lower tier" school was my state school. I pretty had to apply there. Unfortunately "lower tier" is meaningless because I'm a CA resident and CA schools are ridiculously competitive anyway. I never saw it as a lower tier school, but after naming top 10 schools I interviewed at, I seemed to give the message that I was knocking the school down. Is it possible to avoid the topic? "I interviewed at a couple places in the east coast. I very glad to be interviewing here. I hope I have an opportunity to join the medical school class at X school."