Questions to ask your interviewer????

[Arbor Vitae]

Sorry if this is a repost of something similar. Other similar threads were old and not many comments. I was wondering what type of questions should you ask the interviewer at the end of the interview? What exactly are they looking for here? Would it be wrong to ask how you did or what they thought of you?

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[von Matterhorn]

They're looking for legitimate questions you have about the school... c'mon

 

[Arbor Vitae]

They're looking for legitimate questions you have about the school... c'mon

what, I'm sure they're looking for more than the same boring stuff. Why wouldn't you want to go there if you're going to the interview?

 

[Ismet]

Would it be wrong to ask how you did or what they thought of you?

Noooo don't do that. That would be tacky and awkward.

My questions varied depending on who my interviewer was. If it's a med student, that's easy. Ask what they like about the school, what made them choose the school, pretty much ask anything you like while remaining positive and professional (treat them like you would treat an adcom or physician, but they would have more insight on student life than another interviewer). If you get someone who does research for the med school, talk to them about what they do. Ask a physician about their specialty, what made them choose it, what made them come to that school. You can ask about STEP performance, options available for remediation, residency match, the list goes on...

Just be sure not to ask blatantly obvious questions that can be answered with quick perusal of the website. You want to appear as though you have researched the school.

 

[loveoforganic]

"Is there anything about my application or this interview that would give you pause about having me as a student?"

 

[Ironmandoc]

Ask them why you should attend their school. Most interviewers love to talk about their school (assuming they are with the school since not all are).

I asked everyone that question and it really fosters good conversation from both sides.

 

[gettheleadout]

options available for remediation

I have to say that I feel like asking this could give the wrong impression...

 

[syoung]

Some people aren't willing to go there after the interview... and some aren't willing to go even before the interview, but are interviewing just for the sake of a backup? I dont know.

 

[Ismet]

I have to say that I feel like asking this could give the wrong impression...

It could, but it depends on how you ask it. You don't want to come off like you think you'll need remediation, but you never know what is going to come in the next year that will make you need more support. Probably a better question to ask a student panel when you're not being judged, but I usually asked my interviewers about mentorship or support systems in place in the med school, and the conversation would work to remediation options.

 

[hiyaman]

I always asked what they liked about the school/what made them choose to work there.

research the school a little and questions will arise. Usually I went with one specific question and the one above.

 

[H Y F R]

It could, but it depends on how you ask it. You don't want to come off like you think you'll need remediation, but you never know what is going to come in the next year that will make you need more support. Probably a better question to ask a student panel when you're not being judged, but I usually asked my interviewers about mentorship or support systems in place in the med school, and the conversation would work to remediation options.

Ummm, no, don't ever ask something like this.

I find it is nice to give the interviewer a platform to talk freely....

How did you know you wanted to pursue a career in medicine? How did you find yourself in your current specialty? How did you find yourself joining this institution?

Also, it's nice to talk about specific programs of the school that can't be found in a pamphlet...

Can you tell me about xyz organization? What opportunities are there for students to design, conduct, and publish research? I have a profound desire to be trained by a school that focuses on serving underrepresented communities; will that be possible here?

 

[boshtrich]

A question I generally asked is what they thought of academic medicine. In general, most physicians that interview you are affiliated with the school and by extension are academic physicians. I have always been curious to the differences between private practice and academic medicine, so I asked most of the MD interviewers I had about it.

 

[Arbor Vitae]

A question I generally asked is what they thought of academic medicine. In general, most physicians that interview you are affiliated with the school and by extension are academic physicians. I have always been curious to the differences between private practice and academic medicine, so I asked most of the MD interviewers I had about it.

That's funny you say that. My PI used to be on the adcom at his old job and that's what he told me to ask because most of the interviewers enjoy the academic side and teaching.

 

[unrealplayer]

Sorry if this is a repost of something similar. Other similar threads were old and not many comments. I was wondering what type of questions should you ask the interviewer at the end of the interview? What exactly are they looking for here? Would it be wrong to ask how you did or what they thought of you?

I would avoid asking them about your interview performance. You want to show them that you are truly interested in the school and that it's a good fit for you. Also, ask the interviewer questions about themselves. Some questions you can ask:

-What does your research involve? (Good to ask PhDs)
-What sets school X apart from other medical schools?
-What resources did school X have that helped you transition into medical school? (med student interviewer)

 

[ohioguy]

Yeah I always asked something like "what's your favorite thing about x school" ...always seemed to get a good response.

 

[FL1234]

I wouldn't ask if about your interview performance. I don't think this is going to help you much by asking this. Sometimes you never really know..

If the interview isn't the first part of the day, then you can think of questions as the day goes on-especially after the tour.

If you are being interviewed by a researcher, I would ask questions about what they study. Make sure to look interested and make sure to have a follow-up question or comment so it doesn't seem like you are asking just to ask.

What really worked for me in general was asking the interviewer what they thought the pros and cons were of the school. I had a couple of interviewers who really appreciated that question and the answers they gave were very valuable in my decision making process.

I agree with the above posts regarding asking questions to student and physician interviewers.

Ask if you can send them a thank-you letter (unless thank-you letter protocol has already been indicated). Make sure to ask for their contact information as well for thank you cards or further questions that you may have.

 

[MT Headed]

Whle most people are asking what the interviewer likes abou the school, I asked what they didn't like about the school, or what they would change. Since the first answer is usually 'lower the tuition' I settled on "besides tuition, what is the one thing you would change about this school?"

 

[H Y F R]

Whle most people are asking what the interviewer likes abou the school, I asked what they didn't like about the school, or what they would change. Since the first answer is usually 'lower the tuition' I settled on "besides tuition, what is the one thing you would change about this school?"

faux pas

 

[RedSox10]

One question I always asked was:

Are there any changes to the curriculum that haven't been listed/aren't listed online? It implies you've done your research online and are just asking in case there is anything you should know about in the woodwork.

 

[Ismet]

faux pas

No, it's not a faux pas. They're interviewing you, but you're also interviewing them as a potential fit for you.

 

[H Y F R]

No, it's not a faux pas. They're interviewing you, but you're also interviewing them as a potential fit for you.

I agree, you are interviewing them as well. It's just a line of questioning that can come off the wrong way depending on the person you are asking. As a pre-med, it is always best to be humble, not entitled.

 

[gettheleadout]

I agree, you are interviewing them as well. It's just a line of questioning that can come off the wrong way depending on the person you are asking. As a pre-med, it is always best to be humble, not entitled.

What is one seemingly entitled to when asking if there is anything the interviewer would change about the school?

 

[H Y F R]

What is one seemingly entitled to when asking if there is anything the interviewer would change about the school?

There are scores of questions one can ask. Asking the interviewer to highlight the negatives of their institution isn't the best way to stand out from the other students.

 

[gettheleadout]

There are scores of questions one can ask. Asking the interviewer to highlight the negatives of their institution isn't the best way to stand out from the other students.

As being realistic? There are student complaints at every school, so is it not prudent to be concerned about their significance?

 

[H Y F R]

As being realistic? There are student complaints at every school, so is it not prudent to be concerned about their significance?

I agree, this is important. But I would think it is better to perhaps ask one of the student tour guides. You have a very limited time to make the best possible impression on your interviewer. I would think it is best for the final impression you make on the interviewer to be one of grace and humility.

 

[mimelim]

There are scores of questions one can ask. Asking the interviewer to highlight the negatives of their institution isn't the best way to stand out from the other students.

I interviewed at 8 med schools and 18 residencies (about 85 interviews total). I asked at almost every single one of those interviews about the weaknesses of schools/programs were and what they were doing to improve. I had very candid and substantive conversations probably about 90% of the time. It was most likely the single best conversation piece. This was three fold.

First, schools/programs love to talk about things they are building/improving. If they don't have some pet project to tout, they will talk about the structure that they have in place to field student concerns and address them. I remember one ad com member for medical school said, "Honestly, I don't think there are any weaknesses/problems right now, but in the last 5 years we dealt with X, Y, Z and countered them with A, B, C."

Second, assuming you are a decent/good applicant, you are picking your school/program as much as you are being picked. You can ask this question without coming across as entitled, it isn't terribly difficult. It is the most direct way to get good information on what people think of the place that they are at. From chairmen of departments to professors to current med students/residents, they will be able to offer you a window into their world which is invaluable.

Third, the goal of any interview should be to show off your ability to have a reasonable, substantive conversation. Asking about someone's research when you have no connection to it and no real interest in it is brown nosing at best and much harder to pull off than having a conversation about something that is of interest to both you and the person interviewing you.

 

[H Y F R]

I interviewed at 8 med schools and 18 residencies (about 85 interviews total). I asked at almost every single one of those interviews about the weaknesses of schools/programs were and what they were doing to improve. I had very candid and substantive conversations probably about 90% of the time. It was most likely the single best conversation piece. This was three fold.

First, schools/programs love to talk about things they are building/improving. If they don't have some pet project to tout, they will talk about the structure that they have in place to field student concerns and address them. I remember one ad com member for medical school said, "Honestly, I don't think there are any weaknesses/problems right now, but in the last 5 years we dealt with X, Y, Z and countered them with A, B, C."

Second, assuming you are a decent/good applicant, you are picking your school/program as much as you are being picked. You can ask this question without coming across as entitled, it isn't terribly difficult. It is the most direct way to get good information on what people think of the place that they are at. From chairmen of departments to professors to current med students/residents, they will be able to offer you a window into their world which is invaluable.

Third, the goal of any interview should be to show off your ability to have a reasonable, substantive conversation. Asking about someone's research when you have no connection to it and no real interest in it is brown nosing at best and much harder to pull off than having a conversation about something that is of interest to both you and the person interviewing you.

I disagree to an extent, but you present your views and experiences very well.