Question about ortho. interviews

[sdog]

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Here is a question that has stumped me through many interviews. I would like to see what others think:
Where do you want to practice?
What do they want to hear? 1) that you are going to stay in the area and keep contributing to their program in some way 2) that you are going to practice somewhere else so that the market is left unsaturated or 3) they don't really care they are just making conversation
I still don't know how to answer this question. Truth is, I don't really know where I want to practice....... but I think a definite answer is better than "I don't know" so.... what's the best thing to say?

 

[delicious]

....... but I think a definite answer is better than "I don't know" so...

I don't think that's true. If you don't know, then you don't know. It's really best to be honest I feel. But I don't think there is a correct answer anways: unless you're interviewing at Harvard, where you'll have to say "I plan on settling down in the city where I end up teaching and doing research."

 

[gryffindor]

It's really best to be honest I feel. But I don't think there is a correct answer anways: unless you're interviewing at Harvard, where you'll have to say "I plan on settling down in the city where I end up teaching and doing research."

If there was room for honesty in ortho interviews, then sdog and I would already be in a residency. Even at Harvard, I don't know how far honesty will take you - most (not all) of their residents are headed straight for private practice. I wonder how honest they were in their interviews if they all said "I want to do research for the rest of my career."

Any help from Jediwendell, texas_dds, and others?

 

[Jone]

interesting point, Griffin.

when the dude who wants to be a rich private practicing ortho gets into a residency because he tells the school he wants to go into teaching and research...

and you get rejected because you're honest about your future ambitions...

are you being honest, or are you being the fool?

If there was room for honesty in ortho interviews, then sdog and I would already be in a residency. Even at Harvard, I don't know how far honesty will take you - most (not all) of their residents are headed straight for private practice. I wonder how honest they were in their interviews if they all said "I want to do research for the rest of my career."

Any help from Jediwendell, texas_dds, and others?

 

[texas_dds]

you really should be honest, but in a smart way. 99% of ortho grads are in private practice, and they know that. i actually wanna do some research later on, so that part was no lie for me.
as far as location, i ended up with 2 categories of schools that i interviewed at: 1) schools in the region where i already lived, so i would be like "well I think staying in the area would let me be close to my family" and 2) schools where i wanted to live, so i would say "well I have always wanted to live in this part of the country, but haven't settled on an exact location yet."
neither of my statements were lies, but you do sorta shape your answers to the school out of neccessity. hope this helps

 

[gryffindor]

interesting point, Griffin.

when the dude who wants to be a rich private practicing ortho gets into a residency because he tells the school he wants to go into teaching and research...

and you get rejected because you're honest about your future ambitions...

are you being honest, or are you being the fool?

After two cycles of the "admissions game" and "interview circuit" (that phrase makes me cringe), I'm sure as heck convinced that honesty ain't the best policy anymore if you want to be holding an acceptance.

Thanks texas_dds.

 

[Jediwendell]

You know, it can go either way. I honestly told people on my interviews that I was thinking about teaching when I got done, and got blasted at a couple of schools. Both Rochester and U Conn really ate me up about it. I think they look for people to lie and tell them that they are interested in teaching at some of the residencies. I think that honesty is best, although bending the truth a little may be okay. They are looking for some BS type answers: I love research, I love academics, I hate OEC, etc.

 

[River13]

Tell them what they want to hear. Just research your schools and the background of your interviewers IN DETAIL so you know what that is. I'm sure its the same for our specialties.

 

[tooth_sleuth]

If there was room for honesty in ortho interviews, then sdog and I would already be in a residency. Even at Harvard, I don't know how far honesty will take you - most (not all) of their residents are headed straight for private practice. I wonder how honest they were in their interviews if they all said "I want to do research for the rest of my career."

Any help from Jediwendell, texas_dds, and others?

will you try again? If so, what would you do differently next time around?