Questions to Ask?

[mike2281]

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From another thread

"When your interview is about finished they will often ask you, 'Now we've asked a lot of questions of you, before we finish do you have anything you would like to ask us?' DON'T ASK ANYTHING. There is nothing you can say that will impress them. By this point they have already mentally finished the interview. If you have a really important question that you simply cannot find an answer to anywhere else, then I suppose it's alright. But most of you will not be in this situation, and will likely be thinking to yourself 'Oh I just must come up with a good question or they will think I am uninterested or unintelligent!' By this time they will already know if you are interested and intelligent. Trying to impress them with a superficial question will not change their opinion of you. If you talk to much it may even begin to irritate them. The best thing you can do if you want to impress your interviewer is to politely respond, 'No thank you, I do not have any questions. I read a lot about this school before I even applied and I was able to have any remaining questions answered during the tour today. I know that I would very much like to attend medical school here.' Stand up, shake their hand, thank them again for their time, and then leave."


What is your stance on asking questions at the end? Also give some examples of questions to ask if you do.

Thanks

 

[ppfizenm]

From another thread

"When your interview is about finished they will often ask you, 'Now we've asked a lot of questions of you, before we finish do you have anything you would like to ask us?' DON'T ASK ANYTHING. There is nothing you can say that will impress them. By this point they have already mentally finished the interview. If you have a really important question that you simply cannot find an answer to anywhere else, then I suppose it's alright. But most of you will not be in this situation, and will likely be thinking to yourself 'Oh I just must come up with a good question or they will think I am uninterested or unintelligent!' By this time they will already know if you are interested and intelligent. Trying to impress them with a superficial question will not change their opinion of you. If you talk to much it may even begin to irritate them. The best thing you can do if you want to impress your interviewer is to politely respond, 'No thank you, I do not have any questions. I read a lot about this school before I even applied and I was able to have any remaining questions answered during the tour today. I know that I would very much like to attend medical school here.' Stand up, shake their hand, thank them again for their time, and then leave."


What is your stance on asking questions at the end? Also give some examples of questions to ask if you do.

Thanks

Unless it's a stupid question it can't hurt you to ask. I think it shows interest in the program and prep if you do.

One of my interviewers was a PhD and couldn't answer any of my questions about the school one time so in that case it didn't really matter but usually they will try to and want to sell the school to you. Its not that hard to find a question thatit shows intellectual curiosity.

 

[LizzyM]

I've seen some interviewers respond very negatively to applicants who do not have a question. It shows curiosity and an interest in the school.

Do your homework in advance but think of a few things you'd like to know more about. Even if the introductory remarks at the start of the day and/or the tour have provided a lot of information, you can ask the interviewer his or her opinion of x or y at that school, or what kind of student they think is a good fit with the school. You can always say, "tell me more about the work going on in the Department of [interviewer's department here]."

 

[obgyny]

From another thread

"When your interview is about finished they will often ask you, 'Now we've asked a lot of questions of you, before we finish do you have anything you would like to ask us?' DON'T ASK ANYTHING. There is nothing you can say that will impress them. By this point they have already mentally finished the interview. If you have a really important question that you simply cannot find an answer to anywhere else, then I suppose it's alright. But most of you will not be in this situation, and will likely be thinking to yourself 'Oh I just must come up with a good question or they will think I am uninterested or unintelligent!' By this time they will already know if you are interested and intelligent. Trying to impress them with a superficial question will not change their opinion of you. If you talk to much it may even begin to irritate them. The best thing you can do if you want to impress your interviewer is to politely respond, 'No thank you, I do not have any questions. I read a lot about this school before I even applied and I was able to have any remaining questions answered during the tour today. I know that I would very much like to attend medical school here.' Stand up, shake their hand, thank them again for their time, and then leave."


What is your stance on asking questions at the end? Also give some examples of questions to ask if you do.

Thanks

I've only heard the opposite... And when I actually conducted interviews (though it was for a research lab, not for med school), I could understand why it was important to ask questions. The applicants who asked nothing really didn't seem that interested. And there's no way you can find out everything about the school your interviewing at on their website...

At least my interviews were more like conversations, so I would ask questions throughout the interview. If it was a student interviewer, I'd ask them why they picked the school and what would they change (you can ask these types of questions to everyone because everyone will give you a different perspective), what ECs they were involved in (so I could learn more about what activities/clubs were available), if they did any research, what the faculty were like, if they had any advice for med school, what the city is like, etc. It's not everyday you get to talk to a med student (at least for me).

For MD interviewers, I would also ask why they came to the school/city, questions I had about the school, about their field (it's an opportunity to learn more about their specialty!), etc. For PhDs, I'd ask what brought them to the school, what their research was about, about research programs, if they taught a class, etc. The interviewers are interesting people, so it's not too hard to think of a question once you're there.

GL!

 

[Morsetlis]

"Can I park in that parking lot outside the window?"

 

[RockyMTdreamer]

would asking 'why did you decide to come work/teach/research here?' come off the wrong way?

 

[Morsetlis]

would asking 'why did you decide to come work/teach/research here?' come off the wrong way?

Yes, and "Is the research support and community what motivated you to come here to work" would be better: If they don't feel like answering it, they have a way out without getting pissed off at you. If they do have specific answers, it lets them answer it.

Likewise, the "Is there anything specific about this university or its programs that you think needs improvements or that applicants should consider before deciding" also does the same thing, but is more forward.

Finally, note that interviewers are smart and know what you mean by your questions. What's important is the way in which you ask it, and whether you ask it at all.

 

[obgyny]

would asking 'why did you decide to come work/teach/research here?' come off the wrong way?

😕 I see nothing wrong with asking that...

And the "what would you change" question I asked my student interviewer at one of my interviews. He wasn't offended or anything and said it was a good question.

 

[Disinence2]

If its the last interview of the day, and you have truthfully had all of your questions answered you still should ask at least 1 thing if you have some spare time.

Its easy to ask about something you heard another interviewer say, for example.

Dr. X was very excited about the upcoming expansion of X, How do you think that will impact medical training here at X

 

[ManBroDude]

"Can I park in that parking lot outside the window?"