Something to write on?

[Mountain Cow]

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Is it helpful to bring something to write on for interviews (for the purpose of explaining your research) maybe a blank piece of paper in your pocket? It just seems that drawing a simple graph or pathway might make explaining a research project easier.

Or is it better to just stick with unaided oral conversation?

I know it is trivial and might have been discussed in the pre-allo forum, but since our interviews are much different and research focused I would like to get your input. Thanks.

 

[pkr]

i actually ended up drawing during one of my interviews, but i used a blackboard in the room. it's probably better not to have the notebook to worry about during the interview...

 

[Picklesali]

Is it helpful to bring something to write on for interviews (for the purpose of explaining your research) maybe a blank piece of paper in your pocket? It just seems that drawing a simple graph or pathway might make explaining a research project easier.

Or is it better to just stick with unaided oral conversation?

I know it is trivial and might have been discussed in the pre-allo forum, but since our interviews are much different and research focused I would like to get your input. Thanks.

At my NYU interview, I pulled out a piece of paper to draw a mechanism on, and then referred to it and added to it as I talked. I only did this with one of my interviewers (that's 1 out of 5.) I guess it just seemed appropriate with that interviewer and the way he worded his question. He later used my sheet of paper to draw on when he was explaining his research - so I think it was okay.

My advice, have some on hand, and if it feels right to illustrate your thoughts, go ahead and do it. I think many scientists are visual people.

(Note - I did NOT have one of those leather portfolio things, but ended up using the back of my interview schedule. I think I might actually buy one of those now, just so I am more prepared next time, if I find I need some paper.)

 

[solitude]

At my NYU interview, I pulled out a piece of paper to draw a mechanism on, and then referred to it and added to it as I talked. I only did this with one of my interviewers (that's 1 out of 5.) I guess it just seemed appropriate with that interviewer and the way he worded his question. He later used my sheet of paper to draw on when he was explaining his research - so I think it was okay.

My advice, have some on hand, and if it feels right to illustrate your thoughts, go ahead and do it. I think many scientists are visual people.

(Note - I did NOT have one of those leather portfolio things, but ended up using the back of my interview schedule. I think I might actually buy one of those now, just so I am more prepared next time, if I find I need some paper.)

At my first interview they provided me with a number of myriad papers, and also a notepad with the school logo (sweet!). Everybody else had a leather portfolio, but I personally feel that they are superfluous and look a bit too corporate.

 

[Picklesali]

At my first interview they provided me with a number of myriad papers, and also a notepad with the school logo (sweet!). Everybody else had a leather portfolio, but I personally feel that they are superfluous and look a bit too corporate.

That is the opinion I had originally, which is why I decided not to get one. So, all I had was this little Happy Bunny notebook that says "Alright I'm perfect, now stop staring"

hahahah - I don't feel this way at all, btw (which you may have gathered by my frequent "Agggggh! I suck!" posts) but that is just one funny bunny. I thought it would not be prudent to bring it into the interview, though, explaining why I just had the folder with random NYU-related papers in it. Is there anything else that I could bring that isn't as tacky as a regular notebook, but not as ostentatious as one of those leather portfolios? I don't actually want to be a sheep 🙂 just needed some paper.

 

[solitude]

That is the opinion I had originally, which is why I decided not to get one. So, all I had was this little Happy Bunny notebook that says "Alright I'm perfect, now stop staring"

hahahah - I don't feel this way at all, btw (which you may have gathered by my frequent "Agggggh! I suck!" posts) but that is just one funny bunny. I thought it would not be prudent to bring it into the interview, though, explaining why I just had the folder with random NYU-related papers in it. Is there anything else that I could bring that isn't as tacky as a regular notebook, but not as ostentatious as one of those leather portfolios? I don't actually want to be a sheep 🙂 just needed some paper.

Yeah I didn't mean to accuse you of being a follower! My opinion is that writing on random papers is fine, if that sort of situation comes up. Otherwise the interviewer will have a blackboard or random papers around in his/her office that you can use.

 

[Hard24Get]

At my first interview they provided me with a number of myriad papers, and also a notepad with the school logo (sweet!). Everybody else had a leather portfolio, but I personally feel that they are superfluous and look a bit too corporate.

I brought a portfolio to my interviews and used it not so much for explaining research as to take notes on the school, the research opportunities, etc, and to collect research papers and business cards that were offered to me. There wasn't a feature I didn't use, and I am ready to head out with one again for my residency interviews. The portfolio is professional and neat IMHO, but to each his/her own.

 

[QofQuimica]

Is it helpful to bring something to write on for interviews (for the purpose of explaining your research) maybe a blank piece of paper in your pocket? It just seems that drawing a simple graph or pathway might make explaining a research project easier.

Or is it better to just stick with unaided oral conversation?

I know it is trivial and might have been discussed in the pre-allo forum, but since our interviews are much different and research focused I would like to get your input. Thanks.

Don't MD/PhD programs give you a folder with papers in it when you arrive for your interview? When I was applying for med school, they would always give us a folder when we got there, and it was usually chock full of single-sided papers with info about the interview day, the school, etc. I would use the backs of those to take notes, though I didn't ever take any notes during the interviews because I think that's kind of rude. I'd wait until I got back to my hotel in the evening to make my notes. Anyway, if they do give you folders, why not use those to draw on if you need to draw? I don't have anything against portfolios, but I don't happen to own one, and I didn't see any reason not to use the folders they gave me. 🙂

 

[Mountain Cow]

Don't MD/PhD programs give you a folder with papers in it when you arrive for your interview? When I was applying for med school, they would always give us a folder when we got there, and it was usually chock full of single-sided papers with info about the interview day, the school, etc. I would use the backs of those to take notes, though I didn't ever take any notes during the interviews because I think that's kind of rude. I'd wait until I got back to my hotel in the evening to make my notes. Anyway, if they do give you folders, why not use those to draw on if you need to draw? I don't have anything against portfolios, but I don't happen to own one, and I didn't see any reason not to use the folders they gave me. 🙂

That would be perfect. I haven't had my first interview yet, but glad to hear that giving a folder is common. Thanks Q.

 

[RxnMan]

I brought a portfolio to my interviews and used it not so much for explaining research as to take notes on the school, the research opportunities, etc, and to collect research papers and business cards that were offered to me. There wasn't a feature I didn't use, and I am ready to head out with one again for my residency interviews. The portfolio is professional and neat IMHO, but to each his/her own.

I did something similar on my med school interviews. I had a few copies of my CV, some paper to draw on/write notes and copies of my posters and abstracts (papers are too long, wouldn't be read in the interview).

I had one person tell me at the start of the interview that he had, over many years of working in admissions, had perfected a "split brain" technique, by which he was able to listen to my replies to his questions, and at the same time, review my file and make notes. He said that it may not look like he's not paying attention. He asked me if that was OK.

I looked up from the notes I was writing and said yes.

- In short, it's probably not that bad to write notes in an interview

 

[Hard24Get]

I looked up from the notes I was writing and said yes.

- In short, it's probably not that bad to write notes in an interview

I always take notes in all my meetings, including interviews. 👍 You are gathering critical information! It is probably rude to do it on dates, however

 

[Neuronix]

It is probably rude to do it on dates, however

On the first dates I've been on lately I've learned that it's a common practice to take cell phone calls from your friends on first dates. These calls should last on the order of several minutes and apparently don't involve "Sorry, I can't talk now, I'm on a date.". You get bonus points if you then tell your date about that conversation and its details/history for the next hour.

Still, I wouldn't recommend doing this during your interviews.

 

[Picklesali]

Neuronix, your avatar is really cute


slash disturbing...

 

[Neuronix]

Awww, I just thought it was cute/silly. I better change it if it's going to make even more SDNers think I'm a weirdo 🙂

 

[RxnMan]

I always take notes in all my meetings, including interviews. You are gathering critical information! It is probably rude to do it on dates, however.

I always thought date = interview...

On the first dates I've been on lately I've learned that it's a common practice to take cell phone calls from your friends on first dates...You get bonus points if you then tell your date about that conversation and its details/history for the next hour.

Another significant finding is when your date flirts with others while you're buying them dinner. If you get all three, you get RxnMan's Triad, which has a sensitivity = 0.9 of detecting infections of Totalicus Disintericus. The recommended treatment is immediate date cessation and going dutch.

Awww, I just thought it was cute/silly. I better change it if it's going to make even more SDNers think I'm a weirdo 🙂

It does make one wonder if you're training an army of them...

 

[Neuronix]

It does make one wonder if you're training an army of them...

I think this guy is.

 

[QofQuimica]

Awww, I just thought it was cute/silly. I better change it if it's going to make even more SDNers think I'm a weirdo 🙂

Too late. 😉

Actually, Neuro, lately it does seem like you've been down on your girl luck....or is it all the same girl? Either way, you should write a book about your dating saga one of these days. 😉

P.S. If any guy took notes in his portfolio (or non-emergency phone calls) while on a first date with me, there would be no question whatsoever of him getting a second date.

 

[j-weezy]

Awww, I just thought it was cute/silly. I better change it if it's going to make even more SDNers think I'm a weirdo 🙂

New avatar is sooo cute! Is that your dog or just some random picture?

 

[Neuronix]

New avatar is sooo cute! Is that your dog or just some random picture?

Not my dog, but my family has had dogs that have looked just like that over the years. It's a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy and they are the cutest things ever. I have pics of ours, but I'd have to scan them in...

 

[Hard24Get]

Not my dog, but my family has had dogs that have looked just like that over the years. It's a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy and they are the cutest things ever. I have pics of ours, but I'd have to scan them in...

 

[Neuronix]

Sure beats invoking Godwin's Law 🙂

It's like the inverse. We're going to corgi puppies

 

[RxnMan]

Not my dog, but my family has had dogs that have looked just like that over the years. It's a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy and they are the cutest things ever. I have pics of ours, but I'd have to scan them in...

The previous corgi pic was from Cowboy Bebop, right?

 

[Neuronix]

I think so. I haven't actually seen that episode, so I can't say with certainty, but Ein is the only animated corgi I'm aware of.

 

[meowkat444]

tiny short puppy legs that waddle. yay.

 

[QofQuimica]

Sure beats invoking Godwin's Law 🙂

It's like the inverse. We're going to corgi puppies

I was trying to remember what Godwin's law was called a couple of days ago during a discussion with one of my classmates. Thanks for the brain boost. 🙂

 

[meowkat444]

I think it is possible the MD/PhD forum might transcend Godwin's Law. I'm always impressed with the civility here.