Tell me about yourself?

[MCATISEZ]

Very common, open-ended interview question. I talk about where I am from and why I chose my undergraduate major. Depending on the interviewer’s body language I may or may not tie it into my decision to pursue a career in medicine... I am even tempted to tie in my hobby here if it seems appropriate.

I was hoping for some critiques on my answer and for others to share!

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ReapPremed]

You're going to get ridiculed mercilessly for asking. Its a hard question though most people get offended with the notion of answering it in any other way than "being yourself!" I was coached to give them something BEYOND "why medicine" because they will ask it anyway. I tried a brief overview of my family and formative years, general course of my life, and hobbies. For what its worth I got into the school where I used this pitch.

"I was born in Anytown USA. My mother was a butcher, my father was a baker, and my little brother is a candlestick maker. As a kid I really loved to draw and I still doodle in photoshop sometimes. I first got interested in medicine because I had to take care of my sick mom. I went to State University and studied neuroscience because I find the interaction between cellular processes and behavior to be cool. For the past 2 years I have been researching Alzheimer's at a prestigious lab and volunteering at my local hospital. In my spare time I draw and run marathons."

Stuff on my education background is still in there but its a bit more personal. Maybe you might both connect over your parents' professions? The town you grew up? A shared hobby? Tried not to go heavy-handed in making everything about why medicine

 

[MCATISEZ]

I approached this question slightly differently. I was coached to use it to tell my interviewer who I was beyond my academics and interest in medicine. You've written extensively on the topic and will likely be asked about it anyway. I gave them a brief overview of the rest of me, with a few hooks to sink into. For what its worth I got into the school where I used this pitch.

"I was born in Anytown USA. My mother was a butcher, my father was a baker, and my little brother is a candlestick maker. As a kid I really loved to draw and I still doodle in photoshop sometimes. I first got interested in medicine because I had to take care of my sick mom. I went to State University and studied neuroscience because I find the interaction between cellular processes and behavior to be cool. For the past 2 years I have been researching Alzheimer's at a prestigious lab and volunteering at my local hospital. In my spare time I draw and run marathons."

Stuff on my education background is still in there but its a bit more personal. I don't think you're going to be able to adjust your answer based on body language. If they want more about any of that they can ask.

Thanks! I usually talk until I can tell my Interviewer is ready to ask a follow up question. Your answer is very broad, but I feel like I couldn’t say something like you do while sounding natural. I feel like my interviewer has (at least once) asked questions to probe more into me after this question, which allows me to more naturally share more. Sharing your families history stuck out to me though. I’m thinking about doing the same. It seems relevant and something I haven’t immediately shared.




Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Jdp00921]

Whenever I got this question, I spoke about myself without regard to academics. Basically, anything that could of been answered by my primary/secondary, I didn't really mention. I talked a little about my personal life and some of my hobbies. Anyone who asked seemed to be content with my answer as well!

 

[calivianya]

I use it as a "how did you get here?" question. Start off with what my initial interests were, why I pursued my first degree... why I went back to get my second (first didn't get me a job), then how the job I got with my second degree showed me that I truly wanted to pursue medicine... etc.

 

[pewpew95]

Agree with using this question to talk about who I am non-academically! I talked about the tight-knit religious community I grew up in, how that led to me being involved in the community and in volunteer work before college, how that in turn got me involved in medical volunteer work in college, and eventually wanted to be a doctor. This wasn't what I wrote about in my PS, but now I kind of wish I had haha

 

[chemdoctor]

Whenever I got this question, I spoke about myself without regard to academics. Basically, anything that could of been answered by my primary/secondary, I didn't really mention. I talked a little about my personal life and some of my hobbies. Anyone who asked seemed to be content with my answer as well!

That sounds really smart. Why restate personal statement stuff? They have it and have read it already.

 

[Jdp00921]

All of my interviews have been closed file.

Two of mine were open and one was experiences/secondary but no academic information. Overall, closed file may warrant mentioning some academic related information but I still think I'd focus primarily on non-academic details about myself. Chances are you would be asked some questions which refer to academics directly so with the very general "tell me about yourself," even given a closed file, I think I'd still stick with mostly details not easily answered by my application materials. Obviously, just an opinion though. I don't think there is really a correct way to answer the question.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

You'll get asked this same question in residency interviews. Goal is the same. As much as a program is interested in your academics and intelligence, they are also building a class based on the personality of the applicants. This is why, as the a previous poster mentioned, many will say, "be yourself". Don't be afraid to show your passions in or out of the classroom.

 

[787593]

Very common, open-ended interview question. I talk about where I am from and why I chose my undergraduate major. Depending on the interviewer’s body language I may or may not tie it into my decision to pursue a career in medicine... I am even tempted to tie in my hobby here if it seems appropriate.

I was hoping for some critiques on my answer and for others to share!

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

At first I was afraid, I was petrified,
Kept thinking I could never live without MED SCHOOL by my side
But then I spent so many nights IN THE LIBRARY thinking how you did me wrong,
And I grew strong, and I learned how to get along.
.......
It took all the strength I had not to fall apart.
Kept trying hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart.
And I spent, oh, so many nights just feeling sorry for myself.
I used to cry but now I hold my head up high.

 

[Jdp00921]

I don't think you should talk about academics. I was responding to not bringing up things in your personal statement or primary app (activities)

My mistake, kind sir.

 

[Goro]

Very common, open-ended interview question. I talk about where I am from and why I chose my undergraduate major. Depending on the interviewer’s body language I may or may not tie it into my decision to pursue a career in medicine... I am even tempted to tie in my hobby here if it seems appropriate.

I was hoping for some critiques on my answer and for others to share!

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Not every answer needs to be tied to Medicine.

What would you tell a distant relative who met you if they asked "So, MCATISEZ, tell me about yourself?"

SDNers overthink this question way too much.

 

[boogiecousins94]

If they ask "why medicine?" the "tell me about yourself" question should not really relate to it at all as you'd essentially be answering the same thing twice. I would just talk about who you are as a person, what your non-academic interests are, your background/upbringing, hobbies, sports etc.