"Tell me about yourself"-how do you answer that?!

[DZT]

I have an interview at GWU soon and I heard that "Tell me about yourself" is one of the most frequently asked questions. How do you go about answering that?

Also, I hate the "tell us something which is not in your AMCAS" question. Any ideas?

Thanks,
DZT

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[dpark74]

I don't know if there's anyone at SDN who knows you better than yourself...correct me if I'm wrong.

Definitely tell them who you are in a way that isn't boring..."I was born in..." Make sure that it's interesting to both you and the interviewer, include an anecdote or two that will make you memorable.

Good luck as I too am preparing for all sorts of questions for my interview next week.

 

[SolidGold]

I don't think that there is any real "correct" answer to this question. If you really think about it, this should really be the easiest question that an interviewer could ever ask a prospective student.

Like dpark74 said, there is nobody who knows the answer to this other than yourself. I think that people tend to be insecure with this question because they feel that the interviewer might perceive you to be unfit to enter medical school, yet all this question is asking is to describe yourself. Your grades, MCAT scores, and LOR's determine whether or not you will be able to handle medical school, not this question.

As long as you don't answer by saying "I am a serial killer and I'm wanted in 20 countries," I'm sure that whatever you say to answer this question will only help you. If anything, this question just serves to see if you are secure with the person that you are. If you are fumbling and stumbling when you answer, it might me a sign that you really don't know yourself or are too insecure with yourself that you are afraid to be truthful. Let's face it, if you get far enough to be invited for an interview, they already like something about you.

I simply suggest that you write down a list of things that you think others see you as and you think you are, and put it into words that would adequately answer this quite simple question.

 

[Spidey]

Answer like so:

When I was born the doctor spanked my bottom. Most babies would cry but I found myself turned on. It was then that I realized I wanted to be a doctor so I too could spank children's bottoms.



you'll get in for sure

 

[FutureM.D.]

You tell them how sweet and beautiful you are inside and out Actually, I don;t know how to go about doing something like this.....just wing it I guess?

^ Great idea Spidey

 

[SolidGold]

Despite what I said earlier, I suppose that I should not tell them I'm a porn star.

 

[Random Access]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a ruthless self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year old French prostitue named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that the genius posses and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap sack and beaten with reeds- pretty standard, really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I suggest you try it.

 

[Wahoo07]

Originally posted by Random Access
At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I suggest you try it.

It's such a great movie.

 

[LadyLuck]

throw me a fricken bone

 

[athena21]

Originally posted by Spidey
Answer like so:

When I was born the doctor spanked my bottom. Most babies would cry but I found myself turned on. It was then that I realized I wanted to be a doctor so I too could spank children's bottoms.

 

[DarkChild]

Originally posted by Wahoo07
It's such a great movie.

is that from somewhere?

 

[DW]

Originally posted by DarkChild
is that from somewhere?

austin powers, the first. you been living in a cave or something darkchild? just messing wit ya, how goes the application process for ya?

"DOCTOR Evil. I didn't spend 6 years in evil medical school to be called mister.........."

 

[Tweetie_bird]

ok guys, let's bring this back to topic--

do you suggest I tell them something like "I am getting married in this application cycle" . . . could it potentially work against me? I have tons of stuff to say aside from the marriage plans, but, won't they be happy for me and say.....give me an acceptance as a wedding gift? I am partly joking, but in all seriousness, should this be something that I can bring up during an interview to make the person remember me more?

 

[DarkChild]

only if you mention its in india!
seriously though, I would focus more on things that relate directly to your application.
no need for gimicks - your app stands strong.
and when I think about it, all this talk about remembering who the candidate is...
(not just Tweeties comment, but a pervasive applicant opinion)
correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt it their JOB to remember candidates - or at least record their impressions succintly for review by the adcom?
so who cares if you were a lime green suit.
say what you need - they'll do what they have to...
and everything works out.
right?
or am I being naive?

Originally posted by Tweetie_bird
ok guys, let's bring this back to topic--

do you suggest I tell them something like "I am getting married in this application cycle" . . . could it potentially work against me? I have tons of stuff to say aside from the marriage plans, but, won't they be happy for me and say.....give me an acceptance as a wedding gift? I am partly joking, but in all seriousness, should this be something that I can bring up during an interview to make the person remember me more?

 

[Samoa]

You people and your freakin' movie lines!!! Even if the quote's from a movie I've seen a billion times, I'm like, "Whaaaa??" I feel like a culturally illiterate dork.

 

[Samoa]

Three words for you, Tweetie: Can of worms.