Stress interview advice?

[jd989898]

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I believe I was lucky enough to have my first "stress interview" on Friday for an MD/PhD program.

My main question is: What is the best course of action in this situation? Do you simply remain firm on all of your points and calmly deliver your answers even if you have to disagree with basically everything the interviewer says? I felt like the interviewer wanted to convince me that I was a poor applicant and that MD/PhD is an unwise career choice. Every time I tried to stand up for myself or disagree he got more aggressive.

 

[dentopix]

I don't think the interviewer for the program was trying to convince you of that - I think they're testing you, to examine your resolve for the career. Hopefully you backed yourself even in the face of his adversarial approach - that likely was part of the evaluation

 

[jd989898]

I don't think the interviewer for the program was trying to convince you of that - I think they're testing you, to examine your resolve for the career. Hopefully you backed yourself even in the face of his adversarial approach - that likely was part of the evaluation

Yeah it was definitely a difficult situation, but I tried to stand my ground. He essentially told me that there is no point in anyone getting an MD/PhD degree, and that I would just be signing off extra years of my life because you can't incorporate both into a career. I kept trying to explain how I thought the degrees would complement each other, and he seemed to think what I said was BS. When I told him the specific program I was interested in, he immediately attacked the idea and said it would be impossible to do research on that subject given my interests. Finally, when I thanked him for his time he said "no need to kiss my a**". 😀

 

[Glazedonutlove]

Wow. Especially the ending

 

[breezy16]

Was it a stress interview or just a severely jaded MD/ MDPhd / PhD??

I am not certain...

 

[DokterMom]

Yeah it was definitely a difficult situation, but I tried to stand my ground. He essentially told me that there is no point in anyone getting an MD/PhD degree, and that I would just be signing off extra years of my life because you can't incorporate both into a career. I kept trying to explain how I thought the degrees would complement each other, and he seemed to think what I said was BS. When I told him the specific program I was interested in, he immediately attacked the idea and said it would be impossible to do research on that subject given my interests. Finally, when I thanked him for his time he said "no need to kiss my a**". 😀

I'd have had a hard time not asking him how he could be part of such a program since he seemed so certain it had no merit...

And to the last comment: "Likewise" 😳😉
(But then, I'm a smart-mouth and such "witty" things tend to fall out of my mouth before filters can be applied)

 

[Goro]

Teaching moment! !!! If any of you encounter an interviewer who says something like this, immediately complain to the Admissions dean.

This was very unprofessional behavior and the only way the system can cleanse itself of such louts is to NOT be silent about it.

Finally, when I thanked him for his time he said "no need to kiss my a**". 😀[/QUOTE]

 

[gyngyn]

Given how often I have heard these opinions (regarding the MD/PhD degree), I am inclined to think this was not a stress interview. He really was trying to talk you out of it.

 

[Angel252]

Yeah it was definitely a difficult situation, but I tried to stand my ground. He essentially told me that there is no point in anyone getting an MD/PhD degree, and that I would just be signing off extra years of my life because you can't incorporate both into a career. I kept trying to explain how I thought the degrees would complement each other, and he seemed to think what I said was BS. When I told him the specific program I was interested in, he immediately attacked the idea and said it would be impossible to do research on that subject given my interests. Finally, when I thanked him for his time he said "no need to kiss my a**". 😀

Wow! My stress interview was similar in that he/she was telling me I would not make it in med school (in search of wanting me to back it up and stand up for myself), at least I thought of it like that. In the end he/she went on to asking me about my hobbies and conversation went great after those tough questions. But that ending was just...wtf? hahaha idk how I would have reacted!

 

[tyrsa]

Whats the recommended response if an interviewer hints at, or tells you something along the lines of "I don't think you will be a good fit for our medical school/medical school in general"?

After reading some of the "stressful interview" treads, I want to be prepared for a situation like that..

 

[Angel252]

Whats the recommended response if an interviewer hints at, or tells you something along the lines of "I don't think you will be a good fit for our medical school/medical school in general"?

After reading some of the "stressful interview" treads, I want to be prepared for a situation like that..

Well on the school I interviewed at, their curriculum is pretty much set so you have to teach yourself (not that much time in class). So I talked about examples of courses I took that were similar, my research experiences (how I had to read different journals to find my answers), and overall my time management skills (living by myself and working throughout undergrad).

Do more research about the school and try to pin-point information that matches your background and examples from experience that you can tie it in and talk about.

 

[IlDestriero]

Whats the recommended response if an interviewer hints at, or tells you something along the lines of "I don't think you will be a good fit for our medical school/medical school in general"?

After reading some of the "stressful interview" treads, I want to be prepared for a situation like that..

If you take some time to see what makes the school unique you can explain why you would be a good fit. If that doesn't work, press for why they say that, then counter point for point.
As for the OP, sounds more like a douche than a stress interview. I had a couple jackasses interview me, I didn't think that was s stress interview either. Just keep plugging along. Hold fast.

 

[HelpMe212]

Teaching moment! !!! If any of you encounter an interviewer who says something like this, immediately complain to the Admissions dean.

This was very unprofessional behavior and the only way the system can cleanse itself of such louts is to NOT be silent about it.

Finally, when I thanked him for his time he said "no need to kiss my a**". 😀

[/QUOTE]

At one of my interviews, the interviewer gave me his own personal opinion that based on my life goals I shouldn't go to his medical school. He felt I should go somewhere better. This was my state school...

Thoughts?

 

[Goro]

This sounds more like brutal honesty.


At one of my interviews, the interviewer gave me his own personal opinion that based on my life goals I shouldn't go to his medical school. He felt I should go somewhere better. This was my state school...

Thoughts?[/QUOTE]

 

[IlDestriero]

At one of my interviews, the interviewer gave me his own personal opinion that based on my life goals I shouldn't go to his medical school. He felt I should go somewhere better. This was my state school...

Thoughts?

I think lots of interviewers think these things, but don't actually share them with you, they just pass it along to the admission committee in their summary.

 

[HelpMe212]

Thanks

 

[jl lin]

Yeah it was definitely a difficult situation, but I tried to stand my ground. He essentially told me that there is no point in anyone getting an MD/PhD degree, and that I would just be signing off extra years of my life because you can't incorporate both into a career. I kept trying to explain how I thought the degrees would complement each other, and he seemed to think what I said was BS. When I told him the specific program I was interested in, he immediately attacked the idea and said it would be impossible to do research on that subject given my interests. Finally, when I thanked him for his time he said "no need to kiss my a**". 😀

LOL Yes, button-pushing. Since when is being polite kissing a**? LOL

 

[NorthOfBroad]

Wow! My stress interview was similar in that he/she was telling me I would not make it in med school (in search of wanting me to back it up and stand up for myself), at least I thought of it like that. In the end he/she went on to asking me about my hobbies and conversation went great after those tough questions. But that ending was just...wtf? hahaha idk how I would have reacted!

I had a very similar interview experience, totally ripped my motivation for medicine then we moved onto hobbies and interests and had a good conversation. It went from very tense to very lighthearted.