"Tell me about yourself"

[Penguin94]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this website and was wondering if anyone could offer any insight on how to approach the "tell me about yourself" question. I've searched online and other threads but am still unclear if I should jump right into why I chose medicine after introducing myself and where I'm from/live.

Any other advice on what general stuff to include or not include to create an effective answer?

Thank you!

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[mistafab]

I'd highly suggest that you just tell the interviewer about yourself when you answer this question.

 

[GCS-15]

Tell them about something interesting - maybe a fun fact. Do you like to travel? Any hobbies? Pretend it's a date with someone. Don't immediately jump into "my name is blah blah and I volunteer at X and Y". Start off with something that peaks the other person's interest.


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[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I think this question is to see if you are a box-checking premed robot or a human being capable of normal social interactions. Be the latter.

 

[stickgirl390]

Tell them something that isn't already in your application.

 

[james11]

My approach is to condense my application down into a handful of "buckets"/ key storylines. Idea is that all of my activities, schoolwork, interests etc fit into one of these larger threads. Each is about a sentence for me to describe, e.g. "outside of the classroom, my EC work revolves around X". So my spiel is basically typical introduction stuff, three sentences summarizing my work, with some personal interests as well. Then the interviewer can do a deeper dive on whichever piece interests them the most.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

"No."

 

[bannie22]

It is a very simple question that many interviewees, including me, failed to recognize

It means tell me why we should pick you. And the answer is always I am ABC that is why I am ideal for DEF, in addition, I have these GHI interests which are especially in tune with your institution's XXYZ

 

[mhagerman]

It is a very simple question that many interviewees, including me, failed to recognize

It means tell me why we should pick you. And the answer is always I am ABC that is why I am ideal for DEF, in addition, I have these GHI interests which are especially in tune with your institution's XXYZ

I don't agree with this. If the interviewer wanted to know why you think you're a good fit, they'd ask. This isn't some secret puzzle you're supposed to unravel, it's a conversation starter.

Please, OP. If you launch right into why you think you're a qualified candidate and all your relevant medical experience, I think it shows that you have absolutely no interests outside of being a premed student. I usually tell people I teach high school, which seems to be interesting to some interviewers.

 

[Penguin94]

Thank you all so much! Would this type format be okay?
Name, school, geography, etc. Then random hobbies, sports I enjoy, and current work/volunteer positions. Then talk about a cool experience that led me to medicine and how.


Thanks again! This thread has been super helpful!

 

[GCS-15]

Thank you all so much! Would this type format be okay?
Name, school, geography, etc. Then random hobbies, sports I enjoy, and current work/volunteer positions. Then talk about a cool experience that led me to medicine and how.


Thanks again! This thread has been super helpful!

I think that could work. You need to give them something to branch off of so they can ask more questions if needed. Keep it surface level, and don't make it so long that it's boring and sounds like an autobiography.


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[LizzyM]

The point is to give the interviewer a few tidbits that they can use to ask you further questions. The ball is in your court and you can mention things that you want to talk about. If you want to talk about research, mention that. If you would like to talk about your interest in a specific non-profit, mention that. If you are a non-trad who is employed or was previously been employed before doing a post-bac, mention it. If there is something unusual in your background such as having lived in an unusual setting for more than a year, coming from a very large or blended family, or having lived in more than 6 locations over the course of your life (e.g. your parents moved often as part of a job) mention it - it will help the interviewer to remember you as distinctive among the cookie cutter applicants they see that day.

This is often the question of a person who did not have the time or the access to your application and so is asking you to introduce yourself. The interviewer through your responses to further questions will be assessing how well you communicate, how well you can communicate complex information in a simple way, your demeanor and body language, if you can think on your feet, if you flip flop on questions requiring a moral compass, if you are mature and can deal with frustration. None of that requires reading your application.