Spilling the beans during an interview

[Curlyfriez12]

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I have this thing that happened to me where I copied a wiki defenition but did not cite the source. so the TA gave me -15 points and made me sign this institutional action form.

When I am asked during an interview, "what is one thing you are ashamed of in your application?"... and I was asked this in my last interview.... I did tell the interview about it.

But my question is: Should I explain what had happened at the end of the interview even if the interviewer did not ask me anything about this incident? or should I hope that it passes under the radar?


Thanks a lot

 

[BlueElmo]

I would explain the situation when he asks me about it, not at the end.

 

[Curlyfriez12]

I would explain the situation when he asks me about it, not at the end.

So your saying, I should not talk about it unless they ask me about it?

 

[BlueElmo]

So your saying, I should not talk about it unless they ask me about it?

Others may differ, but personally, I wouldn't.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I wouldn't talk about it. Not a chance in hell.

 

[Curlyfriez12]

But if I dont talk about it, then I am risking that the admissions committee will see it and judge me for it.

Explaining it to the interviewer means they can put in a good word for me and explain to the ad com that even though he has had institutional action done against him, this applicant has learned from his mistake.

Dont you think this would be a good way to go about the situation?

 

[MilkmanAl]

They're going to see and judge you on everything. Don't bring up the negatives if you don't have to. You want to sell yourself as the best applicant in the history of the world (without being arrogant about it). I don't see why that is a difficult concept.

 

[Curlyfriez12]

They're going to see and judge you on everything. Don't bring up the negatives if you don't have to. You want to sell yourself as the best applicant in the history of the world (without being arrogant about it). I don't see why that is a difficult concept.

Understood. Thank you for your advice

 

[Rogue Synapse]

They're going to see and judge you on everything. Don't bring up the negatives if you don't have to. You want to sell yourself as the best applicant in the history of the world (without being arrogant about it). I don't see why that is a difficult concept.

I concur. Don't get too paranoid about it, but realize that they are judging you on whatever you give them, and focusing unnecessarily on this in an interview can't really help you. They are not going to ask you this question to try to trick you. If they want to know more about this institutional action thing, they'll ask you. I had an institutional action against me that was actually a laughable misunderstanding and really didn't make me look bad. Even though I wouldn't have minded talking about it in the interviews, I still didn't bring it up because I had better things to talk about, better strengths to sell myself on. It eventually came up once when somebody asked me about it, but it was no big deal at all.

 

[armybound]

they said on your application. do you have a perfect GPA and MCAT? are you really experienced in a clinical setting or volunteering? is there ANYTHING you wish you had done more of or differently?

I wouldn't talk about failing to cite a source as the one thing I wish was different about my application.

 

[Food]

That TA sounds like a hard-ass. Did the professor have any say in the matter?

 

[Substance P]

So your saying, I should not talk about it unless they ask me about it?

Exactly. If they ask you about it, then discuss it. If not, don't even think about bringing it up.

 

[LizzyM]

As I like to say, "Don't mention the zit on your chin. Everyone can see it and they may judge you for it but spend your time letting them get to know your positive attributes."

 

[Sammich117]

I think I'm going to agree that you should only mention if it they ask. I would imagine if they felt like it was that bad, they would bring it up anyway. There doesn't seem to be much sense in pointing out flaws unless asked about them.

 

[Disinence2]

Your TA is just being difficult. I wouldn't have signed any forms they gave me over something as trivial as that. I'd keep this out of your app if possible.

 

[Food]

Your TA is just being difficult. I wouldn't have signed any forms they gave me over something as trivial as that. I'd keep this out of your app if possible.

Yeah, I agree that this is absolutely ridiculous. You should get institutional action if you copied an entire lab report from someone / somewhere, cheated on an exam or quiz, or genuinely plagiarized an assignment. Making a small oversight in using a Wikipedia article doesn't really qualify IMO. There were classes in my undergrad institution where people would openly cheat on exams - that is upsetting. Not this crap.

 

[dingyibvs]

If it's something fairly small(i.e. zit on the chin), don't mention it. If it's something glaring (i.e. you're missing a leg), then try to find an opportunity to explain it because some interviews are closed-file and you might not be asked about it.

 

[Moonglow]

Don't mention it.

Frankly, the only institutional action that matters is one that results in a student being suspended or expelled from a class or school, all else is minor, and should be treated as such.