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

[TeaKae]

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alwaysaangel and oceaner, you are my personality twins.

To this list I will add yet another flaw that I have: an unfounded sense of entitlement...I feel that I deserve to get into medical school this year. I think that my MCAT score is better than somebody who took a Kaplan or PR course and got the same score, because they "studied to the test" and took practice exams. I think that because I work out, I deserve to be skinny. Those girls who can eat whatever they want and binge drink on the weekends and don't gain a pound suck, and I hope they become fat housewives in a few years. etc.🙄

 

[alwaysaangel]

alwaysaangel and oceaner, you are my personality twins.

To this list I will add yet another flaw that I have: an unfounded sense of entitlement...I feel that I deserve to get into medical school this year. I think that my MCAT score is better than somebody who took a Kaplan or PR course and got the same score, because they "studied to the test" and took practice exams. I think that because I work out, I deserve to be skinny. Those girls who can eat whatever they want and binge drink on the weekends and don't gain a pound suck, and I hope they become fat housewives in a few years. etc.🙄

Haha. At least you acknowledge it. I know a lot of people with entitlement issues who don't even think they have entitlement issues.

Thats one I don't have, though. So we're almost twins.

 

[egysardoc]

I donno if anyone is working on Duke's secondary but..

I'm trying to decide what to write for the vulnerability question and every idea I have seems to be answering the wrong question. The question is "what is your biggest vulnerability" (or something like that) and I want to say that I am stubborn but that's answering the "what is your greatest weakness" question. Now, vulnerability in itself is a weakness and thus I'm having a hard time even deciphering this question. Any thoughts?? Can stubbornness cause a form of vulnerability? That is, can my stubbornness cause me to be naive about certain things and hence vulnerable? I can probably think of examples but I wanted to see how people are going about this question.

It seems that this is the only question I'm really and truly "stuck" on. 👎

 

[deleted36260]

"Where do I begin??? If I can only pick one of them...."

 

[CBG23]

"Me, have weaknesses?" (Laughs in interviewers face.)



I wonder if anybody has actually been arrogant enough to say that...

 

[alwaysaangel]

"Me, have weaknesses?" (Laughs in interviewers face.)



I wonder if anybody has actually been arrogant enough to say that...

I'm sure they have. Someone a few years ago apparently gave an interviewer a very annoyed look after being asked "what would you do if you didn't get into medical school this year" and replied exasperatedly that he had "already been accepted so that wasn't an issue." Then acted even more annoyed when the interviewer explained to him he would like to know what he would do hypothetically. Thats almost as bad.

Plenty of arrogant premeds out there.

 

[coralfangs]

cigarettes and women
cigarettes- it's one of those things that can clam me down
women- can't say no to women for a reason

 

[coralfangs]

alwaysaangel and oceaner, you are my personality twins.

To this list I will add yet another flaw that I have: an unfounded sense of entitlement...I feel that I deserve to get into medical school this year. I think that my MCAT score is better than somebody who took a Kaplan or PR course and got the same score, because they "studied to the test" and took practice exams. I think that because I work out, I deserve to be skinny. Those girls who can eat whatever they want and binge drink on the weekends and don't gain a pound suck, and I hope they become fat housewives in a few years. etc.🙄

what size are you?

 

[CubaLibre]

Honestly, my weakness is time management. For instance, in freshman year I had my Calculus II final exam and a US history course final exam on the same day. Instead of devoting ample time to both subjects, I became fixated with the history stuff and studied all night for it until the exam at 8 AM when I had already been studying for it a few days in advance anyways. Calc was at 10 AM and I went in tired and unprepared. I got an A in history and predictably got a C in Calc. I struggled with this for most of frosh and soph year, but have gotten much better. I try to map out my study time and stick to the schedule, but I always get the urge to screw it and just focus on the task that is due first.

I don't know if I feel comfortable offering an admissions committee a personal weakness that will clearly hinder a medical student. You obviously need to be able to juggle different tasks. What do ya think? Should I come up with a different one? I'm not a one flaw type of dude.

 

[Arc]

Being a slacker. I need to memorize my drug list for my Pharmacy tech. exam...before school and O-Chem starts.

 

[ADeadLois]

Honestly, my weakness is time management. For instance, in freshman year I had my Calculus II final exam and a US history course final exam on the same day. Instead of devoting ample time to both subjects, I became fixated with the history stuff and studied all night for it until the exam at 8 AM when I had already been studying for it a few days in advance anyways. Calc was at 10 AM and I went in tired and unprepared. I got an A in history and predictably got a C in Calc. I struggled with this for most of frosh and soph year, but have gotten much better. I try to map out my study time and stick to the schedule, but I always get the urge to screw it and just focus on the task that is due first.

I don't know if I feel comfortable offering an admissions committee a personal weakness that will clearly hinder a medical student. You obviously need to be able to juggle different tasks. What do ya think? Should I come up with a different one? I'm not a one flaw type of dude.

You're human. The value in giving an honest answer to his question outweighs whatever weakness you give (unless, of course, it's something illegal).

 

[ladynice]

My "weakness" is that I get annoyed by stupid cliche questions like "what is your greatest weakness." If I was an interviewer I would feel like a ****** when asking this question.

 

[Lonelion87]

What about 'Jealousy'?

I can argue where jealousy has caused some self-destructive events, and the SDN forum sure doesn't help haha!

EDIT: grammar.

 

[Terna]

What about 'Jealousy'?

I can argue where jealousy has caused some self-destructive events, and the SDN forums sure doesn't help haha!

I am curious to know too!

Here's a question: Let's say someone was shy, or had some other weakness like that. What if the things that person was doing were not all obvious, in other words, instead of attending public speaking classes they were working at doing positive self-talk, or looking at situations differently?
Will things like that make any sort of difference, or will they not be seen as important because only the person talking about it knows that they are doing it??

 

[alwaysaangel]

I am curious to know too!

Here's a question: Let's say someone was shy, or had some other weakness like that. What if the things that person was doing were not all obvious, in other words, instead of attending public speaking classes they were working at doing positive self-talk, or looking at situations differently?
Will things like that make any sort of difference, or will they not be seen as important because only the person talking about it knows that they are doing it??

Working on it internally is fine. Most things people work on themselves - just tell them what you're doing. You don't have anything to prove.

 

[Lonelion87]

Working on it internally is fine. Most things people work on themselves - just tell them what you're doing. You don't have anything to prove.

So, laying out an example or two of my jealous tendencies and what I am doing to limit them would be okay?

 

[TeaKae]

what size are you?

haha...honestly, I'm b/t a size 0 and a 2, but I used to be this teeny tiny little 95 lb. gymnast until a couple years ago, so breaking 100 was rather shocking

 

[alwaysaangel]

So, laying out an example or two of my jealous tendencies and what I am doing to limit them would be okay?

I think so. I honestly think as long as you're honest and genuine - relate the weakness to how it has hurt you and how it could hurt you as a physician or in med school. Then address how you're working to fix it. You're gold.

 

[Lonelion87]

I think so. I honestly think as long as you're honest and genuine - relate the weakness to how it has hurt you and how it could hurt you as a physician or in med school. Then address how you're working to fix it. You're gold.

Yeah, I mean, I think I am reading a bit too much into the question. All we can do really is just be honest, sincere, and hope that they don't think you are a psychological liability.

 

[coralfangs]

haha...honestly, I'm b/t a size 0 and a 2, but I used to be this teeny tiny little 95 lb. gymnast until a couple years ago, so breaking 100 was rather shocking

and you are hating?
honey, i should be the one hating those high metabolic people,
i go home for one weekend (literally 2 days) i can gain 5-10 pounds from 3 full meals a day

 

[Vera18]

I'm too sexy for my shirt.

good one 😎

 

[TeaKae]

and you are hating?
honey, i should be the one hating those high metabolic people,
i go home for one weekend (literally 2 days) i can gain 5-10 pounds from 3 full meals a day

About a year and a half ago, I moved back in with my parents in central Wisconsin...and I swear, I gained about 15 lbs. in the blink of an eye. I've since gotten an apartment with my finace, and since neither of us like to cook, I'm getting back to normal now!

 

[NJDIF]

my failsafe answer is that im a terrible dancer. i look like a fish out of water or an epileptic with two left feet.

 

[Tarpley]

So mine is procrastination... everyone knows it.. my friends, parents etc.. i freak out all my friends on how I study for tests.. i freak myself out too..barely even got the AMCAS sent in on time.. lol (but that was b/c i was out of the country w/ no internet)

So wording it to the interviewers is where I have trouble>>>>DOes this sound ok?

So if they ask what my greatest weakness is and I reply:

I tend to procrastinate. I have realized it is a great weakness of mine because there have been many instances when I waited a week(actually like the day before in truth) before a deadline of project/test to get started because I thought I had plently of time. And although I was able to turn it in and meet the deadlines it put unnecessary stress on me and I felt I was not able to turn in my best work (SHOULD I SAY THIS). I have worked to improve this because now I set deadlines for myself in advance of the real deadlines. I have also realized that for me, if I just sit down with the project/test materials whenever I think about it, I get a lot done in advance since it is right in front of me...

how is that??

 

[Moses MD]

So mine is procrastination... everyone knows it.. my friends, parents etc.. i freak out all my friends on how I study for tests.. i freak myself out too..barely even got the AMCAS sent in on time.. lol (but that was b/c i was out of the country w/ no internet)

So wording it to the interviewers is where I have trouble>>>>DOes this sound ok?

So if they ask what my greatest weakness is and I reply:

I tend to procrastinate. I have realized it is a great weakness of mine because there have been many instances when I waited a week(actually like the day before in truth) before a deadline of project/test to get started because I thought I had plently of time. And although I was able to turn it in and meet the deadlines it put unnecessary stress on me and I felt I was not able to turn in my best work (SHOULD I SAY THIS). I have worked to improve this because now I set deadlines for myself in advance of the real deadlines. I have also realized that for me, if I just sit down with the project/test materials whenever I think about it, I get a lot done in advance since it is right in front of me...

how is that??

So here is a strength of what you wrote. It is honest, very honest. That's good, and you've come to realize it as a weakness and took the necessary steps to begin changing your habits. The drawback of bringing this forth, however, stems from your admission that from your procrastination you give sub-par work. Also, being a procrastinator begs the question as to whether setting a pre-deadline deadline would actually work. If you procrastinate about meeting one deadline, wouldn't you procrastinate about setting another deadline? That may be reading to much into it, but nonetheless, I would be weary to bring forth so much detail about your procrastination habits, and focus more on your ability to recognize that you slack-off and the precautions you take to curtail that behavior.

 

[Tarpley]

How does this sound:

I tend to sometimes procrastinate. I have realized however, that whenever I think about a task I need complete, if I just sit down and work on it I get a lot done in advance and do not have the added unnecessary stress that procrastination carries. Since I have seen the benefits of getting work done earlier, I now set deadlines for myself in advance of the real deadlines and this has allowed me to improve this weakness.


How's that??

 

[littlealex]

My greatest weakness is my inability to stay away from SDN.

 

[Beau Geste]

So mine is procrastination... everyone knows it.. my friends, parents etc.. i freak out all my friends on how I study for tests.. i freak myself out too..barely even got the AMCAS sent in on time.. lol (but that was b/c i was out of the country w/ no internet)

So wording it to the interviewers is where I have trouble>>>>DOes this sound ok?

So if they ask what my greatest weakness is and I reply:

I tend to procrastinate. I have realized it is a great weakness of mine because there have been many instances when I waited a week(actually like the day before in truth) before a deadline of project/test to get started because I thought I had plently of time. And although I was able to turn it in and meet the deadlines it put unnecessary stress on me and I felt I was not able to turn in my best work (SHOULD I SAY THIS). I have worked to improve this because now I set deadlines for myself in advance of the real deadlines. I have also realized that for me, if I just sit down with the project/test materials whenever I think about it, I get a lot done in advance since it is right in front of me...

how is that??

Oh dear God never say you are a procrastinator! Spin it to sound like you work on the most impending projects first but sometimes lesser-important tasks get pushed to the side and you have developed a system for yourself to make sure all your tasks are addressed.

 

[futuredrcrawfor]

My greatest weakness is planning to much ahead. I started researching colleges when I was in 10th grade and medical schools spring of my senior year of HS...while planning ahead can be good it can also have negative impacts- like being worried your plans won't go though and getting additional stress. I think I have been working to overcome that though by trying to roll with the punches more and just let stuff happen.

 

[blasterx]

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?

Can you seriously use these ones in an interview? Some of those are my real weaknesses (spending too much time online, picky eater, etc.).

 

[Beau Geste]

Can you seriously use these ones in an interview? Some of those are my real weaknesses (spending too much time online, picky eater, etc.).

Ultimately, you don't want to give a weakness that the adcom can turn around into something that could keep you from being a good doctor.

Picky eater is a good one because that has no bearing on your capability to be a good doc.

Procrastination is bad for obvious reasons related to med school deadlines, etc.

 

[ADeadLois]

Ultimately, you don't want to give a weakness that the adcom can turn around into something that could keep you from being a good doctor.

Picky eater is a good one because that has no bearing on your capability to be a good doc.

Procrastination is bad for obvious reasons related to med school deadlines, etc.

I disagree. EVERYONE has a weakness that could, under a rational explanation, could prevent you being a good doctor. This is unavoidable, and adcoms know you are not going to be perfect. They are also very good at sniffing out BS answers to this question.

Should you confess to a felony in front of an adcom? No. But giving answers like being a picky eater strikes me as a dodging the question. It reveals very little about you and doesn't show you can honestly look at yourself (which is the intent of the question).

As I've said at least a dozen times on this thread, the best answers are the thoughtful, reflective and show you have the ability to honestly assess yourself. The reason this is asked so often at interviews (and not just med school, I should add) is that for a simply worded question, it is extremely telling.

My Dad does a lot of interviewing for his job, and he tells me uses this question for EVERY interview he does. He actually uses it as a weed-out question; if someone can't give an honest, reflective answer (and not resort to cop-outs like "I care too much" or "I eat too much chocolate"), then he rarely gives them a second look. Granted this is an n=1 situation, but it begs the question: Why would you want to give a job to someone who can't honestly realize when they are not performing up to par, and will take steps to correct themselves?

 

[foreverLaur]

i always stated a weakness i have had in the past and state how i have been working to overcome that weakness and show how i have improved. i haven't been turned down for a job yet with that answer 🙂

 

[Beau Geste]

This isn't a job interview.

I'm just stating how I've gone about it, and I've had several successful job interviews as well as been through grad school (M.S. and PhD) admissions with this question.

In the end, it's up to your own brain to think of answers, and this question won't make or break you.

 

[foreverLaur]

but the interviews are quite similar. 1500 people from my school applied for my internship and 5 were chosen. i obviously had to pull myself away from the rest of the pack in ways besides just our grades. i see the interview parts of job interviews and med school interviews being quite similar.

 

[ADeadLois]

This isn't a job interview.

I'm just stating how I've gone about it, and I've had several successful job interviews as well as been through grad school (M.S. and PhD) admissions with this question.

In the end, it's up to your own brain to think of answers, and this question won't make or break you.

You're right. I apologize if I overstated the significance of the question. However, I do think people tend to overthink this question (that is, try to spin the answer into a positive), which obviously has negative ramifications during an interview.

I think people tend to assume that this is a trick question, that they're trying to get you to reveal some dirty secret that will prohibit you from being a doctor. However, the psychology behind the question is the same whether it's for a job or for med school admissions. They want to be able to see if you can honestly assess yourself.

 

[foreverLaur]

You're right. I apologize if I overstated the significance of the question. However, I do think people tend to overthink this question (that is, try to spin the answer into a positive), which obviously has negative ramifications during an interview.

I think people tend to assume that this is a trick question, that they're trying to get you to reveal some dirty secret that will prohibit you from being a doctor. However, the psychology behind the question is the same whether it's for a job or for med school admissions. They want to be able to see if you can honestly assess yourself.

Which is why I think it is a good idea to point out a weakness and how it has affected you in the past. I also think it is a good idea to point out that you recognize this weakness and are working towards fixing it.

I think it would look bad to state a weakness without an attempt to fix it or change it or overcome it.

 

[Beau Geste]

I think it would look bad to state a weakness without an attempt to fix it or change it or overcome it.

Absolutely.

 

[ADeadLois]

Which is why I think it is a good idea to point out a weakness and how it has affected you in the past. I also think it is a good idea to point out that you recognize this weakness and are working towards fixing it.

I think it would look bad to state a weakness without an attempt to fix it or change it or overcome it.

Yes, I agree.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Ultimately, you don't want to give a weakness that the adcom can turn around into something that could keep you from being a good doctor.

Picky eater is a good one because that has no bearing on your capability to be a good doc.

Procrastination is bad for obvious reasons related to med school deadlines, etc.

Yeah, I have to completely disagree and if you prep an answer like that you may find yourself very stuck as some schools specifically ask..."what weakness do you have that would affect your ability to succeed as a physician." Being a picky eater ain't going to cut it.

I would STRONGLY recommend (as I've said several times in this thread) that everyone prepare an honest, well thought out response of a weakness that would actually affect their abilities as a physician or med student. Then explain how you've been working to fix it.

Ultimately what you choose to answer is your choice but you may find yourself flabbergasted if an interviewer asks a more specific weakness question (which I think it what most are looking for anyway) and you don't have one prepared. Or worse, they only ask you your weakness...you say picky eater, they call you on the BS answer and push you for a real one. Then you're not only searching desperately for an answer but your stressed that an interviewer basically told you your answer wasn't good enough. There are stories about it happening to people on here - I would take measures to avoid it.

 

[Beau Geste]

Yeah, I have to completely disagree and if you prep an answer like that you may find yourself very stuck as some schools specifically ask..."what weakness do you have that would affect your ability to succeed as a physician." Being a picky eater ain't going to cut it.

I would STRONGLY recommend (as I've said several times in this thread) that everyone prepare an honest, well thought out response of a weakness that would actually affect their abilities as a physician or med student. Then explain how you've been working to fix it.

Ultimately what you choose to answer is your choice but you may find yourself flabbergasted if an interviewer asks a more specific weakness question (which I think it what most are looking for anyway) and you don't have one prepared. Or worse, they only ask you your weakness...you say picky eater, they call you on the BS answer and push you for a real one. Then you're not only searching desperately for an answer but your stressed that an interviewer basically told you your answer wasn't good enough. There are stories about it happening to people on here - I would take measures to avoid it.

Yeah, I'm going to go with my own strategy. It's worked for me till now. I might be better at interviewing than some though.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah, I'm going to go with my own strategy. It's worked for me till now. I might be better at interviewing than some though.

You can do whatever you wish - my post wasn't really directed at you it was at people reading this thread in general. Sorry if it seemed directed at or attacking you. I was just advising those reading of problems with the strategy you laid out. Adeadlois had already discussed the tactic with you and you disagreed - which is fine, but I wasn't really trying to continue the discussion.

But it doesn't matter how good you are at interviewing - if they specifically ask you for a weakness that would inhibit your ability to be a good physician (sometimes worded.."whats something about yourself that you will need to improve in order to be a good physician") and you don't have an answer - you're going to have a problem. I got asked the question that way in 2 of the 4 interviews I went to. I'm good at interviewing as well but if you can't answer the question they ask they don't care how personable you are.

 

[Beau Geste]

Seemed like you were continuing the argument by quoting me directly. At any rate, with THAT particular question, I'm confident I'll be fine. As will most people who interview.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Seemed like you were continuing the argument by quoting me directly.

Sorry about that. I quoted you directly to help others reading the thread follow what I was talking about better - if they didn't know which strategy I was addressing my post would have been pretty wasted.

At any rate, with THAT particular question, I'm confident I'll be fine. As will most people who interview.

If that were true...this thread wouldn't exist.

Most pre-meds have a really hard time coming up with weaknesses, this type of thread pops up over and over again on this forum throughout the year and the premeds I counsel in person are always having a hell of a time with it. I mean its good that you have no problem coming up with an answer - but don't berate those who have a hard time with it by assuming that most people will be fine with it.

 

[Beau Geste]

Sorry about that. I quoted you directly to help others reading the thread follow what I was talking about better - if they didn't know which strategy I was addressing my post would have been pretty wasted.


If that were true...this thread wouldn't exist.

Most pre-meds have a really hard time coming up with weaknesses, this type of thread pops up over and over again on this forum throughout the year and the premeds I counsel in person are always having a hell of a time with it. I mean its good that you have no problem coming up with an answer - but don't berate those who have a hard time with it by assuming that most people will be fine with it.

Who did I berate? I thought I was giving people the benefit of the doubt with this one.

What's your problem?

 

[Oceaner]

so this begs the question for people who've done the interviews--- do you just state the weakness period, or do you continue to state how you've addressed it. e.g. I'm not a patient person..., but I've been doing meditation, and working with small children which has helped me become more patient and I'm improving everyday as I come in touch with my inner Buddha. 😉

 

[foreverLaur]

if you don't show how you have addressed the issue and how you are working to fix it, you don't really recognize it as a weakness or you are BSing... or maybe you just don't care. Probably what the adcoms think. You definitely want to recognize that you have a weakness, but you also want to show what you are doing to overcome that weakness and show how you have improved and what you plan to do to continue to improve.

 

[alwaysaangel]

so this begs the question for people who've done the interviews--- do you just state the weakness period, or do you continue to state how you've addressed it. e.g. I'm not a patient person..., but I've been doing meditation, and working with small children which has helped me become more patient and I'm improving everyday as I come in touch with my inner Buddha. 😉

I would say how you've addressed it. Just acknowledging a weakness isn't enough. They want to know that you know you're not perfect and that you know how to work on your imperfections.

 

[Oceaner]

so would they mind if I bring some incense to the room? to ease the tension... and demonstrate my problem/solution.

 

[Picklesali]

I don't like shoelaces....I prefer shoes with elastic bands

What does that say about my character?