Save the canned "why do you want to become a doctor" answer for later, in case they ask it too (they probably have it from your essays anyhow). Having been involved in both sides of various types of interviewing in my professional life, I would say that when an interviewer asks you "tell them about yourself", it generally suggests they are not a particularly skilled or prepared interviewer, as this particular question shows little thought or preparation on their part. However, you need to regard this kind of question as a total "gift" -- a hanging breaking ball across the middle of the plate. I mean, they are asking you about the one subject you know intricately, and know better than anyone else --- yourself! It is effectively them asking you to give them a direction to take in the interview -- they just want to get you talking, so they are letting you steer the conversation. So the best way to handle this question is usually to generally describe some of your positive attributes and skillsets, and then segueway (sp?) into something interesting about you -- something you enjoy talking about and can expound upon and sound animated - be it a hobby like snowboarding that makes you unique, or some kind of genetic research project you are involved in that rocks your boat -- it really doesn't matter.
