So what IS your greatest weakness? How do you handle this question?

[Bartelby]

Maybe I should handle it by saying "my greatest weakness is the inability to realistically self-assess," because I am having a tough time with answering this one and I feel like that might be how I will come across. I am not really an arrogant person, and I know I am far from perfect, but it is hard to say what my greatest weakness is. I also feel like there is a fine line between BSing an answer that will leave adcoms yawning and getting yourself labelled "damaged goods" for being too honest.

For those of you who have given this question some thought, how do you plan to answer it? If you would feel comfortable sharing your answer or some pointers on answering this, I would appreciate it.

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[146233]

"...the inability to realistically self-assess..." would not be a good thing to write. It may show adcoms that you are not in touch with your strengths/weaknesses or worse, unwilling to discuss them. Find something reasonable but not cliché (i.e., don't say "Sometimes I study more than I need to,").

No one can tell you what your greatest weakness is, chief. Figure it out for yourself, and then find a way to describe it to admissions committees in an honest but non-deprecating way.

 

[drizzt3117]

Some to avoid:

Lack of Honesty
Lack of Intelligence
Laziness
Desire to sex up the Adcom's daughter

 

[MassTransport]

The "greatest" weakness question is bad, because if the person's even a little bit intelligent, he or she won't give up anything disqualifying. Pick a small, but not too small, and tangible problem and work from there.

 

[Vera18]

The "greatest" weakness question is bad, because if the person's even a little bit intelligent, he or she won't give up anything disqualifying. Pick a small, but not too small, and tangible problem and work from there.

Yeah, like saying you're fogetful of dates {or something}, but have now overcome said weakness by carrying a PDA.

 

[Arc]

I just discovered my biggest weakness. Allow me to explain:
Through this summer session, I discovered two things, that I an far from being a good judge of what my capabilities are. It affects me everywhere from schoolwork, to grunt-work at the gym. At the gym it may be trying to lift an seemingly impossible weight, but at school it may involve taking a impossible workload. Initially I will have a few bright spots, but in the end its just ends up being a huge disaster. I never like to turn in class labs until its near perfect, or homework until both the work and the answer are clearly visible, and tests until I'm dead sure every step it there.
To make it short, I'm a perfectionist, and at times I really don't know when enough is enough. I absolutely hate to give up on a situation until its screaming obvious that I wont succeed.


So like that just take something small about yourself and then elaborate about it. The weakness 'doesnt have to be a negative one, there's plenty of weaknesses out there that add to one's character. You have to asses yourself to see what you weakness is, but don't say that you don't have any.

Hope this helps.

 

[nick_carraway]

I agree with MassTransport. Pick a small problem that sometimes bothers you or gets in your way. Do you sleep too late sometimes? Do you always have to check your email? Do you think about work when you're out having fun? Are you picky about your food so it's hard to eat out with friends? Do you have trouble sitting still?

Stuff like that. Small, habitual problems that you don't like about yourself sometimes.

I don't agree with the previous poster though. If you're going to say you have a weakness, don't give them a strength in disguise. A weakness is something that you want to get rid of. Do you want to get rid of your strive for perfection?

 

[Arc]

I agree with MassTransport. Pick a small problem that sometimes bothers you or gets in your way. Do you sleep too late sometimes? Do you always have to check your email? Do you think about work when you're out having fun? Are you picky about your food so it's hard to eat out with friends? Do you have trouble sitting still?

Stuff like that. Small, habitual problems that you don't like about yourself sometimes.

I don't agree with the previous poster though. If you're going to say you have a weakness, don't give them a strength in disguise. A weakness is something that you want to get rid of. Do you want to get rid of your strive for perfection?

I sure as hell do. I like being precise, but at times its a bit of an obsession.

 

[ADeadLois]

I just discovered my biggest weakness. Allow me to explain:
Through this summer session, I discovered two things, that I an far from being a good judge of what my capabilities are. It affects me everywhere from schoolwork, to grunt-work at the gym. At the gym it may be trying to lift an seemingly impossible weight, but at school it may involve taking a impossible workload. Initially I will have a few bright spots, but in the end its just ends up being a huge disaster. I never like to turn in class labs until its near perfect, or homework until both the work and the answer are clearly visible, and tests until I'm dead sure every step it there.
To make it short, I'm a perfectionist, and at times I really don't know when enough is enough. I absolutely hate to give up on a situation until its screaming obvious that I wont succeed.


So like that just take something small about yourself and then elaborate about it. The weakness 'doesnt have to be a negative one, there's plenty of weaknesses out there that add to one's character. You have to asses yourself to see what you weakness is, but don't say that you don't have any.

Hope this helps.

Strongle disagree with this. Being a perfectionist is not a weakness, and is very thinly veiled as a means to avoid saying anything bad about yourself. Interviewers see right through this, trust me. You have to pick an actual weakness. The most common one people use is being a procrastinator. Shyness, impatience, etc. are all other common ones. Adcoms do not expect you to be perfect. Everyone has actual weakness. If you can't come up with one, then you are not being honest with yourself and interviewers will take note of this.

 

[mvenus929]

I'm naive. I tend to think the best in people, and then they do something that makes me question their entire character (so perhaps I'm too trusting as well). I'm shy. I don't like being in big groups of people, but I'm very good one-on-one. I like to observe extensively, and then act. I'm stubborn. I don't like giving up ideas that I've had about certain things, especially in an argument with someone. I eventually will, it just takes some time for me to admit defeat.

How're those for weaknesses.

 

[neurochic]

far from being a good judge of what my capabilities are.

I understand what you're saying, and I think this is an actual weakness. Not being able to accurately figure out how much you can handle is definitely something you need to work on. This may be a red flag for adcoms, though, 'cause you definitely WILL need to be able to assess yourself in the rigorous and demanding medical training process.

 

[MassTransport]

Read the INTJ profile and pick something from there. 😉

 

[ADeadLois]

I'm naive. I tend to think the best in people, and then they do something that makes me question their entire character (so perhaps I'm too trusting as well). I'm shy. I don't like being in big groups of people, but I'm very good one-on-one. I like to observe extensively, and then act. I'm stubborn. I don't like giving up ideas that I've had about certain things, especially in an argument with someone. I eventually will, it just takes some time for me to admit defeat.

How're those for weaknesses.

Those are all positives veiled as weaknesses. Being "shy" or "stubborn" are certainly weaknesses in of themselves , but the way you explained them rationalizes them as positives or blames others.

For these questions, you have to pick something that is bad about yourself that can't be easily turned into a positive. Then, explain how you're working on improving it. Don't attempt to rationalize it. Just pick something bad, say what you're trying to do about it, and move one. Honesty and humble introspection are HUGE assets in an interview setting.

 

[nick_carraway]

I understand what you're saying, and I think this is an actual weakness. Not being able to accurately figure out how much you can handle is definately something you need to work on. This may be a red flag for adcoms, though, 'cause you definitely WILL need to be able to assess yourself in the rigorous and demanding medical training process.

Well I agree that Arc's weakness can be misinterpreting the workload but that is different from saying that a weakness is perfectionism.

As you say, however, it can even be a red flag since you may be misinterpreting the workload you'll have in med school and beyond.

I'm not trying to attack anyone--just offering suggestions.

 

[Aynsl156]

I give up on people too easily, which is really bad when it comes time for me to assume a leadership position. As I see it, a leader needs to accurately rate and utilize the strengths of each person on their team. Good leaders lead by making people work together, by believing in each person's ability to follow-through and contribute to the long-term goal. And I think I lack that, because I stop believing in people once they disappoint me. I don't actually know how to fix this either. Maybe by assuming more leadership positions?

 

[mvenus929]

Ayns... I just wanted to say that I love your av.

 

[Oceaner]

ADeadLois, bloody fantastic icon.

To the perfectionism people, how about framing it as "unable to see the big picture, get stuck with little details" Therefore as a solution you don't have to lose your meticulousness, but try to see the bigger the picture etc. etc.

ps. when I have to write this part of the application I am screwed. I am perfect. 🙁




...well... except for that anger management problem. If the interviewers bring that up... 😡

 

[Arc]

I understand what you're saying, and I think this is an actual weakness. Not being able to accurately figure out how much you can handle is definately something you need to work on. This may be a red flag for adcoms, though, 'cause you definitely WILL need to be able to assess yourself in the rigorous and demanding medical training process.

Well I agree that Arc's weakness can be misinterpreting the workload but that is different from saying that a weakness is perfectionism.

As you say, however, it can even be a red flag since you may be misinterpreting the workload you'll have in med school and beyond.

I'm not trying to attack anyone--just offering suggestions.

I'm still just getting into my sophomore year, so I've have plenty of time to asses my weak points. And thanks for the advice...

 

[Bartelby]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, there have been some good ideas thrown around here.

Here is one brief synopsis of a weakness that I am considering writing about (let me know if you think this would be too much information or a good response):

I have a hard time trusting people; in other words, I have become somewhat cynical over the years. This cynicism stems from life experiences. When was young my parents always avoided fighting in front of my brother and me, and it appeared that they had a wonderful and loving relationship. Then they divorced, and used me as a weapon to attack one another by telling me stories, etc. about the other. Also, one of my best friends in my neighborhood as a child was this old man. He seemed like one of those goofy old guys who sits around on the porch telling jokes, and he was a really likeable person. Then one day he disappeared from the neighborhood: apparently he had coerced my nine year old female neighbor into his house and forced her to touch his genetalia. I also watched neighbors who abused their wives (and still the wives stayed), male and female friends who severely emotionally abused those they were in relationships with, tons of hypocritical people who preach love and live hate, and people who I loved and respected that turned out to be bitterly racist or anti-homosexual. All of this has understandably made me a bit cynical about trusting in people. I can then talk about how I am working on being more trusting.

So... there it is. That is the gist of what I think would be my most honest answer, and maybe it is a bit too honest. What do you guys think, especially those who have been through the process or know what adcoms are looking for?

 

[ADeadLois]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, there have been some good ideas thrown around here.

Here is one brief synopsis of a weakness that I am considering writing about (let me know if you think this would be too much information or a good response):

I have a hard time trusting people; in other words, I have become somewhat cynical over the years. This cynicism stems from life experiences. When was young my parents always avoided fighting in front of my brother and me, and it appeared that they had a wonderful and loving relationship. Then they divorced, and used me as a weapon to attack one another by telling me stories, etc. about the other. Also, one of my best friends in my neighborhood as a child was this old man. He seemed like one of those goofy old guys who sits around on the porch telling jokes, and he was a really likeable person. Then one day he disappeared from the neighborhood: apparently he had coerced my nine year old female neighbor into his house and forced her to touch his genetalia. I also watched neighbors who abused their wives (and still the wives stayed), male and female friends who severely emotionally abused those they were in relationships with, tons of hypocritical people who preach love and live hate, and people who I loved and respected that turned out to be bitterly racist or anti-homosexual. All of this has understandably made me a bit cynical about trusting in people. I can then talk about how I am working on being more trusting.

This doesn't answer the question. You don't describe your weaknesses, but the weaknesses of your parents and your sexually deviant neighbor.

Don't attempt to justify your weaknesses, or blame others as the cause. Everyone has at least one weakness that can't be justified or blamed on others. Nobody is perfect. Procrastination is the best example.

 

[nick_carraway]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, there have been some good ideas thrown around here.

Here is one brief synopsis of a weakness that I am considering writing about (let me know if you think this would be too much information or a good response):

I have a hard time trusting people; in other words, I have become somewhat cynical over the years. This cynicism stems from life experiences. When was young my parents always avoided fighting in front of my brother and me, and it appeared that they had a wonderful and loving relationship. Then they divorced, and used me as a weapon to attack one another by telling me stories, etc. about the other. Also, one of my best friends in my neighborhood as a child was this old man. He seemed like one of those goofy old guys who sits around on the porch telling jokes, and he was a really likeable person. Then one day he disappeared from the neighborhood: apparently he had coerced my nine year old female neighbor into his house and forced her to touch his genetalia. I also watched neighbors who abused their wives (and still the wives stayed), male and female friends who severely emotionally abused those they were in relationships with, tons of hypocritical people who preach love and live hate, and people who I loved and respected that turned out to be bitterly racist or anti-homosexual. All of this has understandably made me a bit cynical about trusting in people. I can then talk about how I am working on being more trusting.

So... there it is. That is the gist of what I think would be my most honest answer, and maybe it is a bit too honest. What do you guys think, especially those who have been through the process or know what adcoms are looking for?

Y'know, if that's your weakness then that's fine. I agree with ADeadLois that it may sound like you're blaming others and I agree with you in that it may be too personal and you may sound too bitter. Just cut yourself off at the fact that you're too cynical sometimes and have a hard time trusting people. You don't need to give the reason why (and with this example, it's better not to).

Just tell them your weakness, tell them if you've found a way to improve it, and leave it at that. Interviewers will probe deeper if they want more details but they typically don't for those kinds of questions.

 

[nick_carraway]

I'm still just getting into my sophomore year, so I've have plenty of time to asses my weak points. And thanks for the advice...

Yeah, Arc, you really do have time. Don't worry about it for now!

I didn't start thinking about this quesiton until the summer before apps and I'm lucky that I waited cuz I didn't realize my problem until Winter quarter of Senior year.

 

[Bartelby]

This doesn't answer the question. You don't describe your weaknesses, but the weaknesses of your parents and your sexually deviant neighbor.

Don't attempt to justify your weaknesses, or blame others as the cause. Everyone has at least one weakness that can't be justified or blamed on others. Nobody is perfect. Procrastination is the best example.

Yeah, I agree. I am going back to the drawing board on this question, and I might end up just using something general and vague like sometimes I am shy meeting new people or sometimes I procrastinate. Of all the questions I have seen so far, though, this one has required the most thought for me.

 

[Phoenix.]

Yeah, I agree. I am going back to the drawing board on this question, and I might end up just using something general and vague like sometimes I am shy meeting new people or sometimes I procrastinate. Of all the questions I have seen so far, though, this one has required the most thought for me.

Not to sound harsh, but I think that's a good idea. I'd definitely scrap that attempt above. You did sound bitter and it did get a bit too personal.

If/when I'm asked that question at an interview I'll either go with procrastination (I'm a master at it so I have different methods of controlling that habit) or perfectionism (which leads me to constantly feel like I haven't done my best or done enough). I guess I could also talk about my fear of public speaking. I detest getting up in front of a large audience. Of course, I overcame it when I had to go to court (as an attorney), but I still get a horrible case of nerves and avoid it when possible. Anyone have any suggestion as to which of the three weaknesses I should go with in an interview?

 

[ADeadLois]

Not to sound harsh, but I think that's a good idea. I'd definitely scrap that attempt above. You did sound bitter and it did get a bit too personal.

If/when I'm asked that question at an interview I'll either go with procrastination (I'm a master at it so I have different methods of controlling that habit) or perfectionism (which leads me to constantly feel like I haven't done my best or done enough). I guess I could also talk about my fear of public speaking. I detest getting up in front of a large audience. Of course, I overcame it when I had to go to court (as an attorney), but I still get a horrible case of nerves and avoid it when possible. Anyone have any suggestion as to which of the three weaknesses I should go with in an interview?

Don't mention perfectionism. You may consider it a weakness, but too many pre-meds use it as a thinly veiled attempt to avoid saying anything bad about themselves. Adcoms see right through it. Procrastination and fear of public speaking are good ones to talk about.

 

[Bartelby]

If/when I'm asked that question at an interview I'll either go with procrastination (I'm a master at it so I have different methods of controlling that habit) or perfectionism (which leads me to constantly feel like I haven't done my best or done enough). I guess I could also talk about my fear of public speaking. I detest getting up in front of a large audience. Of course, I overcame it when I had to go to court (as an attorney), but I still get a horrible case of nerves and avoid it when possible. Anyone have any suggestion as to which of the three weaknesses I should go with in an interview?

If I were you I would go with the public speaking one. We all procrastinate, and perfectionism is a cliched answer (as others have noted-- although interestingly enough, I am not a perfectionist and I feel like being one would seriously drag me down). The public speaking fear, although many people face it, is an actual specific problem that could come up over the course of a medical education. You could talk about how that could interfere with your education or practice, and then talk about how you got over it as an attorney. Although if the question is "what is your greatest weakness," you have to wonder if that is really your greatest weakness or just a minor confidence issue.

 

[Phoenix.]

If I were you I would go with the public speaking one. We all procrastinate, and perfectionism is a cliched answer (as others have noted-- although interestingly enough, I am not a perfectionist and I feel like being one would seriously drag me down). The public speaking fear, although many people face it, is an actual specific problem that could come up over the course of a medical education. You could talk about how that could interfere with your education or practice, and then talk about how you got over it as an attorney. Although if the question is "what is your greatest weakness," you have to wonder if that is really your greatest weakness or just a minor confidence issue.

In all honesty, it's MATH. But I'm not going to touch that one at an interview. My greatest FEAR would be that they would offer me an acceptance conditioned on taking a year of calculus. Argh! So, I'm not going to point out for them that I never took math in college. I got As in chem and physics, so I learned what I had to for application to the sciences. And I'll learn what math I have to while in med school. I think I'll stick with my fear of public speaking and how I work to overcome it when I need to. Thanks for the input!

 

[inaminute]

I find it difficult to slow down and relax. I'm trying to remind myself that my brain finds elusive answers when it has some idle time, which I don't allow myself frequently enough. Hell, I shouldn't be worrying about finding elusive answers, either.

 

[Zippership]

My greatest weakness is SDN. Seriously, I can't quit this thing.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

I'm too sexy for my shirt.

 

[monkeymeg2]

during my interviews I honestly said that I get stressed really easily (I may have actually called myself neurotic in one). this is my legitimate weakness and anyone who is close to me will tell you that it drives them crazy (I actually asked some of my close friends and bf what my greatest weakness was and it was unanimous...and I knew it would be). Sure, it sounds really terrible and I guess someone could've been thinking "wow, maybe she's not cut out for medical school." Just talk about it in a way that doesn't make you sound like an idiot or completely nuts and you'll be fine. I think the admissions committees will appreciate your ability to portray an honest weakness rahter than some bs. Just reflect a little bit on it, ask some people who know you well for some input, and don't overthink it--you probably already know what your greatest weakness is.

 

[misterex]

How about shyness? You can definately put that into a positive light.

 

[ADeadLois]

How about shyness? You can definately put that into a positive light.

Shyness is a good one, but keep in mind that you shouldn't justify your weakness. Leave it alone, and say what you're doing to improve it.

"I'm shy, but I'm taking public speaking classes" is a better response than "I'm shy because the people around me are jerks"

 

[Jaded03]

Not to freak anyone out. All great suggestions. To sum up, focus on improvement or focus on giving it some quality of strength. What I mean by the last one is that having weaknesses during your growth allows you to gain other abilities; if you can search yourself for strength that comes out of weaknesses, go for it.

Anyways, about the freak out. I would say you need at least 3. You should aim for this. A question asked for three. It couldn't hurt. Aim for simple as ecking and adeadlois have suggested. They are pretty solid suggestions. The only reason to ask this question is to see who will do the avoidance and who will provide honesty to an interviewer. I believe your goal is to answer fully and move on to another question quickly.

 

[ADeadLois]

Not to freak anyone out. All great suggestions. To sum up, focus on improvement or focus on giving it some quality of strength. What I mean by the last one is that having weaknesses during your growth allows you to gain other abilities; if you can search yourself for strength that comes out of weaknesses, go for it.

Anyways, about the freak out. I would say you need at least 3. You should aim for this. A question asked for three. It couldn't hurt. Aim for simple as ecking and adeadlois have suggested. They are pretty solid suggestions. The only reason to ask this question is to see who will do the avoidance and who will provide honesty to an interviewer. I believe your goal is to answer fully and move on to another question quickly.

Exactly. It's probably one of the more psychologically revealing questions they could ask.

 

[nick_carraway]

Not to freak anyone out. All great suggestions. To sum up, focus on improvement or focus on giving it some quality of strength. What I mean by the last one is that having weaknesses during your growth allows you to gain other abilities; if you can search yourself for strength that comes out of weaknesses, go for it.

Anyways, about the freak out. I would say you need at least 3. You should aim for this. A question asked for three. It couldn't hurt. Aim for simple as ecking and adeadlois have suggested. They are pretty solid suggestions. The only reason to ask this question is to see who will do the avoidance and who will provide honesty to an interviewer. I believe your goal is to answer fully and move on to another question quickly.

Yep. Every time I've been asked for a strength or weakness, they just want me to list a few. They don't actually probe for an explanation and the interview moves on.

 

[silverlining1]

during my interviews I honestly said that I get stressed really easily (I may have actually called myself neurotic in one). this is my legitimate weakness and anyone who is close to me will tell you that it drives them crazy (I actually asked some of my close friends and bf what my greatest weakness was and it was unanimous...and I knew it would be). Sure, it sounds really terrible and I guess someone could've been thinking "wow, maybe she's not cut out for medical school." Just talk about it in a way that doesn't make you sound like an idiot or completely nuts and you'll be fine. I think the admissions committees will appreciate your ability to portray an honest weakness rahter than some bs. Just reflect a little bit on it, ask some people who know you well for some input, and don't overthink it--you probably already know what your greatest weakness is.

I'm with you here. I'm a very Type-A, high blood pressure, going-to-die-early kind of person. I get all worked up when people cut in front of me in a line, drive poorly, or something like that. I tend to hold grudges. However, I think this weakness impacts my personal well-being than it does other people. I say this because I recognize that I have this problem, and I try very hard to calm down. I don't take out my frustration on others or let it impact what I am doing. Even when I am feeling this stress, I am able to continue my work as planned; it doesn't incapacitate me or anything like that. I realize that this stress may slightly and subconsciously affect my focus or judgment, but I am aware of the problem and make a strong effort to combat it.

 

[LaCasta]

What about being honest and just saying procrastination, and that you are working on it but is always a struggle

 

[BlackSails]

This is the only right way to answer the question in interview:

Interviewer: So what do you consider your greatest weakness?

You: Look into their eyes..."I was going to make something up about procrastination, but now I realize it is you."

😍



Then of course you tell her that your weakness is actually making jokes at inappropriate times.

 

[Jaded03]

This is the only right way to answer the question in interview:

Interviewer: So what do you consider your greatest weakness?

You: Look into their eyes..."I was going to make something up about procrastination, but now I realize it is you."

😍



Then of course you tell her that your weakness is actually making jokes at inappropriate times.

Nice. The best kind of jokes. 😛

 

[RPedigo]

I have the obvious solution: CHOCOLATE

[YOUTUBE]http://youtube.com/watch?v=7fFww_3eXwA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[RPedigo]

All kinds of chocolate.
All kinds of chocolate.

 

[masterMood]

All of youse problems pail in comparison to my own.







Porn.

 

[riceman04]

I just discovered my biggest weakness. Allow me to explain:
Through this summer session, I discovered two things, that I an far from being a good judge of what my capabilities are. It affects me everywhere from schoolwork, to grunt-work at the gym. At the gym it may be trying to lift an seemingly impossible weight, but at school it may involve taking a impossible workload. Initially I will have a few bright spots, but in the end its just ends up being a huge disaster. I never like to turn in class labs until its near perfect, or homework until both the work and the answer are clearly visible, and tests until I'm dead sure every step it there.
To make it short, I'm a perfectionist, and at times I really don't know when enough is enough. I absolutely hate to give up on a situation until its screaming obvious that I wont succeed.


So like that just take something small about yourself and then elaborate about it. The weakness 'doesnt have to be a negative one, there's plenty of weaknesses out there that add to one's character. You have to asses yourself to see what you weakness is, but don't say that you don't have any.

Hope this helps.

Yeah...so about lifting...I hope you have learned to be careful...or else there is trouble ahead for you....good luck with that one.

About your perfectionism: Does it show in your application (i.e. sentence structure, grammar, correct punctuation...etc...)?

 

[apnea]

When i have a problem that i can't do anything about right now, and i can't stop stressing over it...i eat way too much junk food.

If i'm not paying attention, sometimes i scrape my fork on my teeth.

i hate oatmeal, i hate raisins, and i love oatmeal raisin cookies.

i am inexplicably afraid of cutting my hand on the dental floss dispenser thing, so i have to buy the kind on the plastic handle.

i cannot be exposed to substandard grammar for too long. i hate to admit it, but i once spent all of 60 seconds correcting graffiti written on a bathroom wall before i realized how pathetic it was.

If you can't drive it off of a 6 story building and then drive it away, it's not a humvee. i get way too worked up about that.

etc.

 

[inaminute]

I'm sarcastic

my greatest strength?

I'm sarcastic

 

[alwaysaangel]

Ok so good rule of thumb. Your weakness shouldn't be anything where if you can take off "too" and suddenly its a strength. For example, bad weakness: too perfect (perfectionist), take on too much, too hardworking, too caring, etc. etc. etc. If you take off the extreme and suddenly its a strength DON"T USE IT - that is the biggest BS stuff premeds come up with - adcomm will see it as BS. (Arc - be very careful yours was pretty much a combination of the first two on my list - way over used and not a good idea)

No one can tell you what your weakness is, but honestly it should really be something that if not corrected would actually inhibit your ability to be a great physician. Then discuss how you are trying to correct it. I honestly think this is the best way to answer the question - especially because it simplifies your work as some essays/interviews ask "your greatest weakness" and others ask something along the lines of "your biggest personality flaw you need to overcome to become a physician." I've written essays for both and answered both in interviews - if they're the same thing you have a 2 for 1!! A good example would be shyness, which someone already suggested maybe using: explain why its been a problem and how you're seeking to correct it.

Mine: I am as stubborn as a mule. Aside from it just being an annoying character flaw that my friends have to deal with - it makes parts of my academics hard. I really am stuck in my ways and it leads to kind of a one track mind. More than once in classes, especially math, its held me back. Because my mind jumps to the first answer it thinks of and its hard for me to step back and accept that it could be something else. This would also be a huge problem as a doctor when doing differentials. But I've been working on it through all my classes, I've had to or I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have. I try very hard to consider all possibilities before jumping to one, and if I'm stuck I've learned to take a step back and reconsider instead of continuing trying to force my solution to work. I will have to keep working on it in med school and I hope eventually it will be natural and won't be something I even have to think about.

Others I used in essays/lists of 3 weakneses:
I have a very all or nothing personality (frankly its an addictive personality but I would never use the work addict when trying to get into medical school). When I work out - I do it everyday twice a day, or I don't do it at all. If I let myself have soda, I drink it constantly or I don't have any at all. When I was trying to decrease my salt intake I had to cut myself off completey, because I have a very hard time with moderation. Actually I don't understand it at all. It makes certain things in my life interesting, and keeps me from doing a lot of things - but I don't think thats necessarily unhealthy or bad. But I've been working to learn to do things in moderation - but it actually takes a huge amount of forethought and effort on my part - but I'm doing it. I just started working out 3 times a week and am very proud of myself that I'm limiting it to that and haven't quit yet.

I grew up very judgmental to be honest. I grew up in a little bubble town where everyone was pretty much the same, thought the same, acted the same. I was quick to categorize people as I had been taught and that was a huge problem for me in college. But as soon as I was thrown in with a bunch of very different people I couldn't do that anymore, and I quickly learned tolerance and to be far more open-minded (went to Berkeley). Certain things that I really don't expect or am not used to still at times take me by surprise and I mentally jump to conclusions, but I always remind myself to take a step back and look at the situation/person as a whole. Not only that but I've had to accept that there are a lot of views that differ from my own (not really true where I grew up) and while I'm stubborn and its hard to change my views for myself, I quickly learned in Berkeley that none of those apply to others and I have ot respct that.

I realize not everyone is going to agree with my advice, but it worked for me. Yes my weaknesses sound pretty bad, and they would be if I weren't working on them - thats the whole point. And it got me into every school I interviewed at so I couldn't have made myself too much of damaged goods.

 

[Oceaner]

Ok so good rule of thumb...

Interesting advice alwaysaangel (great nick btw, very appropriate haha)

I am sure I am very flawed, but these are some of the flaws I came with with the parameters mentioned above

- All or nothing personality: same as above.
- Addictive personality: I get addicted to things very quickly, it is a characteritic that has both propelled me and hindered me. This can range from silent films to gambling.
- Sarcasm: ...
- My-way-or-the-highway personality: It's not quick-temperedness per se, I don't get angry with people, but I try every effort to pursuade everyone to do things my way, and if they don't I get very upset, even though their way might be better.
- Impatience: goes with the above, I'm not patient with people or events. The positive aspect of it is that I get things done, the negative, sometimes you just need to wait things out.
- Give up too easily when something doesn't work
- Chewing more than I can handle: Taking 39 credits in two semesters taught me this flaw of mine...
- Not trusting the team to do the work properly (a part of being a neurotic/perfectionist on my part)
- Self-internalization: I don't know if this is the right word... but for whatever reason whenever something goes wrong, someone looks at me in the wrong way etc. etc. I have an emotional breakdown and begin to question myself and create scenarios as to how I could've prevented that etc. etc. Sure it sounds like a good characteristic, until you begin to blame yourself for everything that goes wrong. Sometimes I've just had to take a good step back and say, jeez, maybe there is another rational explanation other than my existence for this problem.

So many flaws.

edit: obviously I wouldn't tell these to an interviewer (hey I'm a neurotic obsessive angry SOB) I am just wondering which ones would qualify for this kind of a question...

 

[alwaysaangel]

Interesting advice alwaysaangel (great nick btw, very appropriate haha)

I am sure I am very flawed, but these are some of the flaws I came with with the parameters mentioned above

- All or nothing personality: same as above.
- Addictive personality: I get addicted to things very quickly, it is a characteritic that has both propelled me and hindered me. This can range from silent films to gambling.
- Sarcasm: ...
- My-way-or-the-highway personality: It's not quick-temperedness per se, I don't get angry with people, but I try every effort to pursuade everyone to do things my way, and if they don't I get very upset, even though their way might be better.
- Impatience: goes with the above, I'm not patient with people or events. The positive aspect of it is that I get things done, the negative, sometimes you just need to wait things out.
- Give up too easily when something doesn't work
- Chewing more than I can handle: Taking 39 credits in two semesters taught me this flaw of mine...
- Not trusting the team to do the work properly (a part of being a neurotic/perfectionist on my part)
- Self-internalization: I don't know if this is the right word... but for whatever reason whenever something goes wrong, someone looks at me in the wrong way etc. etc. I have an emotional breakdown and begin to question myself and create scenarios as to how I could've prevented that etc. etc. Sure it sounds like a good characteristic, until you begin to blame yourself for everything that goes wrong. Sometimes I've just had to take a good step back and say, jeez, maybe there is another rational explanation other than my existence for this problem.

So many flaws.

edit: obviously I wouldn't tell these to an interviewer (hey I'm a neurotic obsessive angry SOB) I am just wondering which ones would qualify for this kind of a question...

Haha - you sound exactly like me. A lot of those are things I do too that I just didn't use/ think of a way to explain. Most of them actually. It terrifies me that more than one person like me may exist in the world.

Anyway, a lot of those could work for you if you are open, genuine, and discuss how you're working to fix them. You don't have to tell them all your flaws - just give a couple 🙂

I'd say the ones that look best to me are the all-or-nothing personality (which if you ask me is related to the addictive personality - but please don't say addictive bad bad bad); the my-way or the highway personality could work too - I wouldn't say it upsets you though, say it frustrates you - discuss what you've done/are doing to fix it (really important); impatience is really good as long as you talk about how you're trying to fix it; and I really like your last one.

I would skip the can't trust group to do work one (too close to cliche), or the take off more than you can chew (again overused by premeds), and the give up too easily one would be kind of hard to turn around and make sound like you're fixing it.

Just remember - honest, genuine, and really convince them you're working on it. We all have a lot of growing to do in med school - they know that. They want to know that you know that too.

 

[mmcnam]

I've been noticing this because I have nothing to do after the mcat and graduation, but I define self-worth through tangible success alone. I could be the loving and loyal to my family, committed to the pursuit of medical knowledge and have the best intentions at heart when seeking an MD (all of this is true of me), but I take mistakes and slow points in my life hard. For a single week, I've been applying voraciously to jobs for my gap year. It's been seven days, I've heard nothing and I feel like a huge failure. From a logical standpoint, this makes no sense. I'll hear back soon from a few places I tried, it'll probably all work out and then I'm set for a year. But I view this, like a low mcat practice score or a single low midterm, as an indication that I have nothing to offer this world. I know this isn't true, it's just a nasty feeling.