"So....Tell Me About Yourself"

[annabelle.]

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Ok, this question seems self-explanatory, but I was wondering whether the answer should include family life (i.e. oldest of x kids), or things that make you unique (i.e. living in lots of places). I am pretty sure I should include where I graduated from and a quick synopsis of my love for medicine.

Does anyone have any "expert" opinions?

 

[Wardens]

I usually did it chronologically, starting with a brief couple sentences about my family, which led into my motivation for medicine. If I got any more into my story than that without being interrupted, I'd start on college, study abroad, and whatever else I did in college I thought they might find useful/intersting. You'll start giving your history and they'll just jump in and ask for you to elaborate. I think it's just a trite way of sparking conversation. I guess it works though; it seems universal.

 

[BklynWill]

I agree that chronologically is the way to go... and it's been my experience that keeping it short and simple is preferable (Life in nutshell). Make sure you highlight experiences you wouldn't mind elaborating on. I think it's important to allow the interviewer enough time to stick to their agenda.

 

[ixitixl]

Originally posted by BklynWill
I agree that chronologically is the way to go... and it's been my experience that keeping it short and simple is preferable (Life in nutshell). Make sure you highlight experiences you wouldn't mind elaborating on. I think it's important to allow the interviewer enough time to stick to their agenda.

I think it's also key to end with how this all contributes to your wanting to be a doctor since that is also part of who you are.

 

[Brickhouse]

I usually say this:

"My childhood was rather inconsequential; my mother was a prostitue named Chloe who had webbed-feet, when I misbehaved I was put in a burlap sack and beaten with reeds, we spent summers in Rangoon where we made meat-helmets....."

etc.

 

[chameleonknight]

This is all good advice; personally, i think HOW you say it is also important. I tried to maintain a positive, friendly attitude no matter what the interviewer said. Of course, you don't want to seem over-talkative or an airhead, but the best advice is:

Be yourself, but be your BEST self. 😀

Brick, do you still have any of those meat helmets? Could be useful when I'm running the "Rottweiler Gauntlet"