Should interviews be more formal than they are?

[dopaminesurge]

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Reposted from the "unexpected questions" thread:

It's somewhat ironic, but at this point, the least expected questions for me are "why medicine?" and "why will you make a good doctor?" I swear, out of 10 interview, Wash U was the first time I was actually asked that. Makes me wonder if interviews are too conversational these days. Like, yes, I realize they've heard it all before and want to get to know us as holistic creatures, but I remember leaving a few interviews after discussing my favorite books and nightlife in the middle east (their questions) wondering if the interviewer's impression of me is what I would ideally have had.

 

[undrcovrgunner]

Yeah, I found some of the 'unexpected questions' quite interesting.

A few of the schools here in Canada follow a multiple mini interview (MMI) format which standardizes questions (probably because we don't have rolling admissions up here). Generally, the gist of MMI is that you go through 10 different stations with different interviewers and are given a few minutes to answer the interview question.

 

[DrZeke]

Reposted from the "unexpected questions" thread:

It's somewhat ironic, but at this point, the least expected questions for me are "why medicine?" and "why will you make a good doctor?" I swear, out of 10 interview, Wash U was the first time I was actually asked that. Makes me wonder if interviews are too conversational these days. Like, yes, I realize they've heard it all before and want to get to know us as holistic creatures, but I remember leaving a few interviews after discussing my favorite books and nightlife in the middle east (their questions) wondering if the interviewer's impression of me is what I would ideally have had.

I know what you mean. I read somewhere that applicants should be happy when asked difficult (but relevant) questions, because it gives the interviewer an opportunity to really make your case for the adcoms when they meet. Granted, some questions are ridiculously difficult and just mean, but questions asking about "why medicine" or "how do you handle a challenge/failure" or "tell me about x medically related or leadership activity" gives us a chance to shine and show our potential for success in medical school.

What do others think?

 

[Doctor~Detroit]

well, do you really want them to bring to the committee trite statements probably covered in the personal statement anyway? i'd rather it be bits of my life and attitudes not directly related to medicine that make me stand out from other applicants.

i'm extremely thankful whenever i'm spared of questions that require unoriginal answers already covered in my personal statement anyway.

 

[DrZeke]

Reposted from the "unexpected questions" thread:

It's somewhat ironic, but at this point, the least expected questions for me are "why medicine?" and "why will you make a good doctor?" I swear, out of 10 interview, Wash U was the first time I was actually asked that. Makes me wonder if interviews are too conversational these days. Like, yes, I realize they've heard it all before and want to get to know us as holistic creatures, but I remember leaving a few interviews after discussing my favorite books and nightlife in the middle east (their questions) wondering if the interviewer's impression of me is what I would ideally have had.

oh btw, I forgot to add in my previous post...the reason they might not ask you that many challenging questions is because your application sort of speaks for itself 😉. You are very competitive. I guess, it's still worth it to ask questions like why medicine or about your clinical activities so they can see if you are for real. But honestly, I think you probably just come off super genuine from your app and on meeting you. That's my guess.

 

[Doctor~Detroit]

Granted, some questions are ridiculously difficult and just mean, but questions asking about "why medicine" or "how do you handle a challenge/failure" or "tell me about x medically related or leadership activity" gives us a chance to shine and show our potential for success in medical school.

What do others think?

the problem with these sorts of questions is that the applicant will naturally be biased toward interpreting the facts of situations in a way that they think the interviewer would like to hear from a future physician. besides the facts of the case, motivations will be re-framed to reflect what the prototypical doctor should think in those situations. i.e., i think the answers will often end up being b.s. and unoriginal when it comes to attitudes and thoughts, and however original the facts of the activities/events may be can be reflected in the written application. i suspect random fact or thought queries that have no "good doctor" answers will provide more honest feedback from applicants and can make the applicant look unique.

 

[DrZeke]

the problem with these sorts of questions is that the applicant will naturally be biased toward interpreting the facts of situations in a way that they think the interviewer would like to hear from a future physician. besides the facts of the case, motivations will be re-framed to reflect what the prototypical doctor should think in those situations. i.e., i think the answers will often end up being b.s. and unoriginal when it comes to attitudes and thoughts, and however original the facts of the activities/events may be can be reflected in the written application. i suspect random fact or thought queries that have no "good doctor" answers will provide more honest feedback from applicants and can make the applicant look unique.

yeah, I guess I can see your point, but it also depends on the applicant as I mentioned to dopaminesurge. For example, I have points in my pre-med career where I...er...well...f-d up...so I don't mind being asked certain questions where I can show why I want medicine and all this stuff, and so they can get to know that I'm genuine and for real and have the ability to do well in med school...

 

[photo_girl07]

I have had interviews on spectrums (conversational to...prove why we should pick you rather than the other 1000 applicants)) and I can't help but see the benefit of having a balanced interview-- one that lets you be yourself (talk about things not on your apps) with questions that give an opportunity to elaborate....just my 2 cents....🙂

 

[dopaminesurge]

oh btw, I forgot to add in my previous post...the reason they might not ask you that many challenging questions is because your application sort of speaks for itself 😉. You are very competitive. I guess, it's still worth it to ask questions like why medicine or about your clinical activities so they can see if you are for real. But honestly, I think you probably just come off super genuine from your app and on meeting you. That's my guess.

Thank you, Sweets...

That quote in your signature, what song is that from?

 

[Doctor~Detroit]

yeah, I guess I can see your point, but it also depends on the applicant as I mentioned to dopaminesurge. For example, I have points in my pre-med career where I...er...well...f-d up...so I don't mind being asked certain questions where I can show why I want medicine and all this stuff, and so they can get to know that I'm genuine and for real and have the ability to do well in med school...

good point. in practice, though, i think they're also used for non-potential red flag issues.

detecting b.s. is another useful function, but only if the interviewer can really detect b.s. i personally fear that interviewers will read b.s. into my "why medicine?" answers when really i'm self-conscious about how painfully trite my attitudes are and can't bring myself to introduce them with excitement. my awareness of my motivation's triteness makes it no less genuine, but leaves room for misinterpretation by the interviewer.

 

[DrZeke]

Thank you, Sweets...

That quote in your signature, what song is that from?

hmmm...I think originally by Eurythmics, but the version I'm thinking of is "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" by Morcheeba. Heard it for the first time on a promo commercial for Telus when I was living in Montreal 😉

 

[dopaminesurge]

hmmm...I think originally by Eurythmics, but the version I'm thinking of is "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" by Morcheeba. Heard it for the first time on a promo commercial for Telus when I was living in Montreal 😉

Morcheeba. That's it.

Thanks.

 

[Senor Fish]

Really I think the style should be up to the individual interviewer. If he/she thinks they can get better information by being a jackass or asking tough questions, then I think they have the right to take that track. If they think that they can get a better picture through a relaxed conversation, that works too.

 

[HumbleMD]

I'm with you O.P.
The worst is when there's a school I'm really excited about and really want to go to (U.Penn was my example), and the interviwers never ask you why you want to come to their school. I feel as though leaving an interview with the thought of "that's it" worries me, because I wonder what the heck the interviewer is thinking of me.

 

[dopaminesurge]

I'm with you O.P.
The worst is when there's a school I'm really excited about and really want to go to (U.Penn was my example), and the interviwers never ask you why you want to come to their school. I feel as though leaving an interview with the thought of "that's it" worries me, because I wonder what the heck the interviewer is thinking of me.

Yep. Happened to me at UCLA, actually. I never know if it's because she's already made up her mind about my file that I'm a good fit for the school and just wants to make sure I'm a pleasant person, or because she was sort of not into the file she was assigned, and unless I said something remarkable of my own volition, it's over. You know?

 

[Anastasis]

hmmm...I think originally by Eurythmics, but the version I'm thinking of is "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" by Morcheeba. Heard it for the first time on a promo commercial for Telus when I was living in Montreal 😉

Funny story: First time I heard that song, I was praying not to die while riding in a taxi in Rome.