TMI for an interview??

[crafty14]

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Hey everyone! I've been away for this site for a while, but I was looking to get some quick advice for an interview coming up this week...it's kind of personal, but here's my dilemma...

The interview I have is at a school close to my hometown and one of the reasons that it would mean a lot for me to attend is that my mother has advanced cancer and I'd really like to be nearby to a) help her when she is in need and b) spend more time with her than I might if I were to be in another city.

Don't get me wrong, the school at which I am interviewing is amazing and has what I would want from any school no matter the city. Also, even before learning my mother was ill, I have wanted to return to the area I grew up for med school and eventually settle there as a physician. Obviously I will mention those aspects first and foremost, but I'm wondering if you all think it's too much information to bring up my mother's situation as another motivation for me to want to be in area.

On one hand, I don't want my interviewer to think I'm begging for sympathy, but it obviously is something very important to me at this point in time (for whatever it's worth, she was recently diagnosed AFTER I completed my applications). I would ONLY consider bringing it up if it seemed pertinent to the conversation and definitely not get into any of the gory details or be emotional. Still, I'm debating whether it's too personal of a topic and was hoping for some outside opinions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[plumhill]

Hey everyone! I've been away for this site for a while, but I was looking to get some quick advice for an interview coming up this week...it's kind of personal, but here's my dilemma...

The interview I have is at a school close to my hometown and one of the reasons that it would mean a lot for me to attend is that my mother has advanced cancer and I'd really like to be nearby to a) help her when she is in need and b) spend more time with her than I might if I were to be in another city.

Don't get me wrong, the school at which I am interviewing is amazing and has what I would want from any school no matter the city. Also, even before learning my mother was ill, I have wanted to return to the area I grew up for med school and eventually settle there as a physician. Obviously I will mention those aspects first and foremost, but I'm wondering if you all think it's too much information to bring up my mother's situation as another motivation for me to want to be in area.

On one hand, I don't want my interviewer to think I'm begging for sympathy, but it obviously is something very important to me at this point in time (for whatever it's worth, she was recently diagnosed AFTER I completed my applications). I would ONLY consider bringing it up if it seemed pertinent to the conversation and definitely not get into any of the gory details or be emotional. Still, I'm debating whether it's too personal of a topic and was hoping for some outside opinions.

Thanks in advance!

First and foremost, I wish you and your family the best regardless of what decision you make and the outcome of your interview.

Second, I personally wouldn't go into too much detail regarding your mother's condition. If asked, I would simply say something like "family obligations" or "preferring to be close to family," or something more neutral. You're correct in that you don't want to come across as begging for sympathy, but you also shouldn't feel obligated to explain your decision to stay close to home...the details of your mother's condition are your business and your family's business, and an interviewer really doesn't need to know and shouldn't press you for such personal and sensitive information.

 

[MilMD01]

I think that's a perfectly reasonable reason for wanting to go to that school.

If asked, I would let them know. I would also explain the other reasons you want to go there, but I think that explaining your Mother's health issues and your desire to be near her to help her & to spend time with her is something that they should/would like to know.

 

[LizzyM]

You want to give the school the idea that you will matriculate there if given the opportunity (particularly if you might be expected to have multiple offers). Sometimes schools want to know if you have a support network and having family nearby is considered a plus for students who are under stress. On the other hand, being nearby is also less stressful if it is a family member who needs help and you are close enough to pop in without having to spend 10 hours going back & forth.

It might be enough to say what you love about the school and add as an extra that "my parents (or "my mother") would be very happy to have me close by. This area will always be 'home' and I'd like to practice medicine here someday."