What's a good way to tackle this question? Did you mention most of the things on your AACOMAS, or just talk about your personal life? Should you bring it up if you've got a somewhat low MCAT score or had a few bad semesters, or let them bring up any negative topics? Any advice is appreciated, as this question has got me stumped! Thanks!
"Tell me about yourself" interview question
- Thread starter icer0ller
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They've already seen your application and your stats so I don't see a reason to bring any of that up directly. I just spoke about my journey from my childhood to where I am today and how it led to medicine. This is about as open ended as you get, so just let them know what makes you tick. There's really no right or wrong way to do it.
Talk about what makes you get up in the morning. Talk about what you dream when you sleep. Let them know you are a human and not a robot. Mention some of the highlights that brought you to medicine but don't restate your personal statement. They want to get to know the person behind the paper.
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This 100%. If you can eloquently restate this, then you'll golden because it personalizes your journey there. I mentioned majoring in Economics and trying business and then mentioned the fork in the road that served as my turning point to medicine....know what their next question was? Why Economics?
See how nicely that flowed...
Thanks for all the replies. I have a kind of follow-up question. If they ask a question, such as what challenge have you overcome, is it a good idea to tie this in to how it'd make you a better physician, or is it a better idea to answer their question directly and stop?
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You are over thinking it. There is such thing as being too prepared for an interview. The tell me about yourself question is supposed to be an easy way for them to make you feel comfortable. Just be yourself, not every question needs to be answered with something that ties back to medicine. Talk about your family, what you do in your free time... literally anything. Don't freak yourself out
Thanks for the reply, and I like the username 😀 What questions should be related back to medicine then, if any?
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This is the adcoms attempt at tossing you a "meatball." You can completely set the tone of the interview with your reply. They are asking you to gush for a couple minutes about who you are, what your passions are etc.
This is the best and easiest question to be faced with at an interview. Count your lucky stars.
This is the best and easiest question to be faced with at an interview. Count your lucky stars.
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Most likely they will ask you 1) why do you want to be a physician, and 2) why osteopathic medicine. Depending on the type of interview (open or closed) they might ask you specific things about your application. Like... About your research or volunteering. I only did a few interviews and I ended up getting in to my top choice thank god, but the interviews were very laid back. I had a couple low grades in undergrad that they asked me about and I was able to talk about what I changed in my life to have an upward grade trend. Beyond that they didn't really talk much about medicine.
One of the adcoms explained that the interview was really used to determine if you are a good match for the school. You won't be put on trial. They know you want to be a doctor. Have a clear, concise answer and you will do great. Don't sweat it at all
This was really helpful, thank you!
Do you know if it's OK to re-state things that are on your personal statement? If they ask ask for your best quality and it's in my PS, can I say it again or should I switch it up? Thanks again
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You're over analyzing it. You'll run into trouble when you are trying so hard to answer according to what you think you need to say rather than just answering how you normally would if someone off the street asked you.
Just be yourself. An interview is mostly about getting to know you.
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I know this question sounds awkward and a little scary, but it is actually a huge plus to be asked it at the beginning of an interview. It is your opportunity to bring up what you might like to talk about over the next 30 minutes or so and lay the foundations for an excellent and productive interview.
So, begin with... I'm Will/Wilma/Whatever, I grew up in rural Nebraska/ Brooklyn, NY/ Springfield, USA, and then proceed to cherry pick 3 or 4 great things about you that you would like to discuss with your interviewer. Could be volunteer experiences, could be academic strengths or research opportunities, could be your general motivations for medicine... it doesn't really matter just be sure they are engaging conversation topics that showcase your best healthcare career bound aspects. Gloss over the highlights of these 3 or 4 experiences (in a logical order) with a sentence or two about each. After you've concluded this summary of yourself, the interviewer will likely pick one of those topics you presented and go deeper with it.
In doing this you are sort of presenting a sampler platter of things they could choose to talk about. It is a great way to start.
Don't rehearse this too much, though. You want to seem genuine and natural, not canned.
So, begin with... I'm Will/Wilma/Whatever, I grew up in rural Nebraska/ Brooklyn, NY/ Springfield, USA, and then proceed to cherry pick 3 or 4 great things about you that you would like to discuss with your interviewer. Could be volunteer experiences, could be academic strengths or research opportunities, could be your general motivations for medicine... it doesn't really matter just be sure they are engaging conversation topics that showcase your best healthcare career bound aspects. Gloss over the highlights of these 3 or 4 experiences (in a logical order) with a sentence or two about each. After you've concluded this summary of yourself, the interviewer will likely pick one of those topics you presented and go deeper with it.
In doing this you are sort of presenting a sampler platter of things they could choose to talk about. It is a great way to start.
Don't rehearse this too much, though. You want to seem genuine and natural, not canned.
