Stories to tell at Interviews

[krogers21]

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Hey guys.

I've been a bit busy these past few weeks particularly because I've been studying for the MCAT and doing 40 hr weeks of p-chem research. This past weekend (Saturday), my home town was flooded. As a result, my house was nearly flooded and my car was lost. The reason I bring this up isn't for any kind of sympathy whatsoever, but it made me start thinking. Should these stories be brought up in interviews to explain the struggles that we have went through to get to the place we are? Should we show hardships and build ourselves up to be characters in a plot-twisting story to med school interviewers? Or would it seem more of a ploy and act of sympathy? I'm sort of bad at distinguishing between these lines.

If this thing actually kicks off, what stories will you be bringing to the interviewing panel?

 

[dudeliness]

I would say that purposely bringing up stories like that is a bit of a poor choice IMO. Now if the conversation naturally steers in that direction...sure! In that case feel free to shine a little and let your interviewers see a little more of who you are.
Bottom line is it's cool to talk about if you can be humble and open about it and not "set yourself up" by it. Hopefully that actually makes some sense. Ha ha!

 

[random1234]

Well it's not that hard to bring it up. I've noticed in interviews questions tend to be blunt, such as "Tell us about a time that you managed a hardship." *cue silence*...so that is a perfect time to bring it up.

 

[dudeliness]

Well it's not that hard to bring it up. I've noticed in interviews questions tend to be blunt, such as "Tell us about a time that you managed a hardship." *cue silence*...so that is a perfect time to bring it up.

That WOULD be a good time to bring up a story like that. It might be good practicing telling that story to a few friends. Not so you can memorize exactly what to say, but more to figure out a good way of making the sort flow and parsing out extraneous or distracting bits.

 

[LizzyM]

Remember, too, that tragedy plus time equals comedy so if you can keep it upbeat and show that you can roll with the punches and not get knocked down you'll do well with that portion of the interview.

 

[Mr Avante]

Remember, too, that tragedy plus time equals comedy

Is that bad, Lizzy?

 

[LizzyM]

Is that bad, Lizzy?

Of course not. You want people to feel upbeat after having talked with you, not dripping with tears.

That's not to say that you need to be a stand-up comic but the ability to laugh at yourself a bit is a good thing.

 

[Mr Avante]

Of course not. You want people to feel upbeat after having talked with you, not dripping with tears.

That's not to say that you need to be a stand-up comic but the ability to laugh at yourself a bit is a good thing.

🙂 Perfect

 

[PreMedRookie]

Remember, too, that tragedy plus time equals comedy so if you can keep it upbeat and show that you can roll with the punches and not get knocked down you'll do well with that portion of the interview.

A story I will be bringing to my interview:

I got hurt while tutoring at my school. At the start of my session, something bizarre happened (not going to say because it is very identifiable). I finished tutoring and then drove myself to the ER. Had a concussion and a few other injuries.

I plan to use this if asked for an embarrassing moment or something.

 

[Goro]

Interviewer: Give me an example of how you overcame adversity.

You: Flood story here.

So, the gist of what I'm saying is you don't bring it up, but wait for the correct moment.

Hey guys.

I've been a bit busy these past few weeks particularly because I've been studying for the MCAT and doing 40 hr weeks of p-chem research. This past weekend (Saturday), my home town was flooded. As a result, my house was nearly flooded and my car was lost. The reason I bring this up isn't for any kind of sympathy whatsoever, but it made me start thinking. Should these stories be brought up in interviews to explain the struggles that we have went through to get to the place we are? Should we show hardships and build ourselves up to be characters in a plot-twisting story to med school interviewers? Or would it seem more of a ploy and act of sympathy? I'm sort of bad at distinguishing between these lines.

If this thing actually kicks off, what stories will you be bringing to the interviewing panel?

 

[SilverCat]

Classic SDN premed issue:

Tragic situation occurs.


Thinks about how it fits in with med school app. 🙄