Weirdest interview advice

[dweji16]

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I'm applying for the 2010-2011 cycle.. but...

One doctor gave me the strangest interview advice I'd ever heard of.

He told me to take my violin with me when I interview.


Huh?

I've played since I was 4, performed as a soloist with orchestras, entered college as a performance major (although I switched out) and have been teaching privately for a while now.

But still.. really? Take my violin?

Is it just me or does that sound like a way to get kicked out the door before an interview even starts....

 

[4X4MD]

I'm applying for the 2010-2011 cycle.. but...

One doctor gave me the strangest interview advice I'd ever heard of.

He told me to take my violin with me when I interview.


Huh?

I've played since I was 4, performed as a soloist with orchestras, entered college as a performance major (although I switched out) and have been teaching privately for a while now.

But still.. really? Take my violin?

Is it just me or does that sound like a way to get kicked out the door before an interview even starts....

i dont think i'd bring it with you...maybe keep it in your car, joke around abotu how you brought it, and if they want you to play...you can be like...BOW...and go get it

 

[PianoMajor]

Not a good idea at all in my opinion. You are going there to promote yourself as a future doctor, not as a musician. They will love the fact that you have multiple talents, but you're interviewing for medical school, not auditioning for it... (I assume by 'taking your violin with you', he implied the possibility of playing it.)

 

[Marcus Brody]

Do it. I'd love to be a fly on the wall of THAT waiting room. 🤣 🤣 🤣

Tell us more about that doctor though....does he dislike you?

 

[Moonglow]

That advice was a joke!

 

[dweji16]

Do it. I'd love to be a fly on the wall of THAT waiting room. 🤣 🤣 🤣

Tell us more about that doctor though....does he dislike you?

HHAHAHAHA no no. I know him well... but he was trying to emphasize that it's good to be unique, and that since the majority of people in medicine have little if no ties to the arts, they would like it... (then again, he is a very open-minded person so I'm sort of not surprised that he gave me such weird advice)

but yeah... i thought it was pretty weird...

 

[DrSmooth]

I'm applying for the 2010-2011 cycle.. but...

One doctor gave me the strangest interview advice I'd ever heard of.

He told me to take my violin with me when I interview.


Huh?

I've played since I was 4, performed as a soloist with orchestras, entered college as a performance major (although I switched out) and have been teaching privately for a while now.

But still.. really? Take my violin?

Is it just me or does that sound like a way to get kicked out the door before an interview even starts....

Seriously, I would have BRIEF video and/or audio "conveniently" on your phone for when they bring it up. It will leave an impression the way talking about it just won't, and it will feel spontaneous if you do it right. I did this every time an interviewer asked about my kids and it really made an impression and personalized the interview.

 

[J ROD]

make sure your lips arent chapped for all the kissing up....

 

[bannie22]

I dont think its too bad an idea tho.

 

[brooklynblunder]

dude thats awesome, you should sell mixtapes out the back of your car if they dig it. thumbs up

 

[mooshika]

I think that's awesome.

 

[Abby_Normal]

I wouldn't bring it, if only because you'll be stuck having to keep an eye on it/carry it around all day and things will probably be busy/stressful enough without having to worry about that. Further, having your instrument with you says 'musician' and you want the interviewer to be seeing 'future doctor,' (or actually, 'future doctor with a background in music that demonstrates a strong work ethic, long-term commitment, and diverse interests' but you dont' need the violin to show that).

DrSmooth's idea of the 'conveniently' having an audio/video clip on your phone seems like a good compromise. You can play it if it seems appropriate, but if not your interviewer doesn't even have to know it's there.

 

[thesauce]

You're right, that is the weird advice. Don't heed it.

 

[Cybii]

DANG IT I should have brought in my art portfolio for my interview! [/sarcasm]

Plenty of people get into medical school without having to play "show and tell". I wouldn't do it.

 

[morning]

Wonder what Criminology majors have to take to their interviews?

 

[plauto]

I am a violinist too and that is not a good idea. You want to show them you're med school-worthy by all of your accomplishments, not just music. You're not auditioning for an orchestra gig.

 

[OCizzle]

Sounds like that doctor hates you. Interviews are not a talent contest. Although bringing down a chess board and challenging the interviewers to a match would make for an interesting interview. Would be even better if I were a boxer.

 

[Muffinpuff]

there's a difference between weird and unique. weird is dragging a violin all day during tours, lunches, while you get strange looks from your fellow interviewees is so not worth whatever fraction of a pt you might gain in uniqueness.

 

[surftheiop]

I think dentistry application process puts more emphasis on dexterity than med school does, so I've heard some interesting stories related to that. Like applicant saying they play guitar, then the interviewer busting one out from behind their desk to make sure they can actually play

 

[ChiDO]

If you brought it to the interview and played it for me, I'd let you in...takes some courage to do that. Although, some of the older/traditional folk may not appreciate it....

 

[Mackey]

I had that I played fiddle for a hobby.

Every interviewer asked about it. Every. single. one. More than one question as well. Most would linger on the matter for a good 3-5 minutes.

In one schools interview, which was a panel format, all three of the interviewers had an open conversation with me about how I could help their schools faculty and student bluegrass band since their fiddler was graduating (I was accepted to that school)

and I put it as a -hobby-.

Take that for what it is worth. Nothing is stopping you from leaving it in the waiting room.

 

[red10]

If they want you to demonstrate your musical prowess at your MED SCHOOL interview, they will provide you with a violin (it's been done with piano players). Otherwise you can just talk about it without a show and tell.

Unless of course you want the adcoms to get together every year there after and say "remember that kid who brought a violin in "

 

[Morsetlis]

Eh, not so bad once you're accepted 😛