"What apprehensions do you have about attending this school" interview question

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Sheemu

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The state school I'm interviewing at has asked before, "discuss any apprehensions or concerns you have about this school."

This seems like a trap. I don't think I should say "Theres no problems at all its perfect and i love it" because it seems like im ignorant/unaware of reality. But I'm also afraid to bring up legitimate institutional problems like state budget cuts, lots of students not enough staff, administrative apathy, teachers aren't tenured and paid part time, budget used for infrastructure instead of towards staff/tuition assistance.
If I do bring up these issues I'd of course acknowledge that they are issues affecting almost every college in America and Canada, and that the pros of this school outweighs the cons etc

But should I bring this stuff up or is there a tactful way to answer this?

Thanks!
 
RunawayGrape said:
I was asked this question at a state school. I told them my only apprehension was that it was, in fact, a state school and not a top-20. I stated that it lacked the prestige and name recognition that many other med schools have, and that I was somewhat concerned if that would influence my ability to match if I wanted to pursue hyper-competitive residencies programs at Stanford or Johns Hopkins or something.

I then told them that that was okay with me, and that I was very much looking forward to saving money on tuition if I decided to go to this school. I also said that I believed that the school was obviously able to produce successful plastic surgeons and dermatologists, and it was mostly going to be up to my own abilities.

Accepted!
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I'm assuming this was a joke?
 
I think you should just tell the truth. Definitely don't bash the school while you're doing it - there are ways to tell the truth while being diplomatic about it. So if you're concerned that the faculty-to-student ratio/interactions are lacking, you might mention that and then ask the interviewer whether they feel that way about the school and if so, how the school is addressing the issue. Chances are, the school has heard these same issues before from their first-years and are doing something to address it.
 
aldol16 said:
I think you should just tell the truth. Definitely don't bash the school while you're doing it - there are ways to tell the truth while being diplomatic about it. So if you're concerned that the faculty-to-student ratio/interactions are lacking, you might mention that and then ask the interviewer whether they feel that way about the school and if so, how the school is addressing the issue. Chances are, the school has heard these same issues before from their first-years and are doing something to address it.
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Agreed. As @Goro said, no school is perfect for every candidate. They know this, and if you aren't honest about it, they'll know. And now you're lying and a suck up.
 
RunawayGrape said:
I was asked this question at a state school. I told them my only apprehension was that it was, in fact, a state school and not a top-20. I stated that it lacked the prestige and name recognition that many other med schools have, and that I was somewhat concerned if that would influence my ability to match if I wanted to pursue hyper-competitive residencies programs at Stanford or Johns Hopkins or something.

I then told them that that was okay with me, and that I was very much looking forward to saving money on tuition if I decided to go to this school. I also said that I believed that the school was obviously able to produce successful plastic surgeons and dermatologists, and it was mostly going to be up to my own abilities.

Accepted!
Click to expand...
I feel like unless you're good at reading your interviewer beforehand and phrase it correctly, something like this could be interpreted as a bit snotty. Clearly you pulled it off well in your interview though so delivery is a huge part of it.

I'd sooner bring up something more curriculum or location based, but maybe that's just me.
 
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doctorleospaceman said:
I feel like unless you're good at reading your interviewer beforehand and phrase it correctly, something like this could be interpreted as a bit snotty. I'd sooner bring up something more curriculum or location based, but maybe that's just me.
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i think location based is really risky for a school located in a big city (thinking new york schools specifically which need to make sure u can handle the city)
 
kb1900 said:
i think location based is really risky for a school located in a big city (thinking new york schools specifically which need to make sure u can handle the city)
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Well it's easy to spin location into a positive. I find New York too loud, dirty, expensive and boring (after living 45min away for years) for my preference. But obviously you'll see more interesting cases than you would in the middle of nowhere and have more research and other opportunities. While it is silly, I feel like you're sort of expected to spin the negative into some positive.
 
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gonnif said:
Oy Vey! Applicants should stop thinking about what answer should I be giving and instead give a truthful answer that you can defend, showing you actually can assess the question. Arrogance, feigning perfection, and similar to me are reasons for an immediate thumbs down on application. I would much rather hear an applicant say "I havent thought about that" and let them think for a moment.

The only trap that is set at an interview is the belief by the applicant that there is they must know the "right" answer to the question.
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There may not be a right answer but there are many wrong ones 😛
 
I think people overthink these things. I had a 88% A/II rate and I was just honest, explained my position, and had a conversation with them.

If asked this question I'd tell them my qualms about the school whether it's cost, reputation, geography, social atmosphere, research opportunities etc. albeit in a tactful way (duh).

Then I'd follow that up with telling them that if any of concerns had been a dealbreaker for me, I wouldn't have applied. But I did. And if any of those concerns were alleviated by my day touring their school and meeting students/faculty, I'd round it out with that.
 
Good question.
 
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Incis0r said:
I had this question on an interview (albeit a dental school one).

Specifically, they worded it as "What red flags do you see with our program??"

Now, one thing you need to know about me is that I want to spend my career serving our military and our veterans.
The school I was interviewing at made a really big deal about how their faculty spent part of their time at the V.A., and how students rotated there.

So, on my interview day, I asked the student panel to talk about their experiences rotating at a local V.A. NOBODY had any clue what I was talking about. They gave me blank stares.

So when the faculty interviewers sat down with me one lunch and asked me the red flag question, this is the first thing I brought up.
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And...?
 
I told a school I was disappointed in the number number of URM students that matriculated in their class in the past few years. This school was distinct in its location and patient population but the number of URM was pretty disappointing. I told my interviewer how shocked I was because I knew the community they serve well and if you closed your eyes and throw a stone in their affiliated hospital it would hit a patient that looked nothing like the student body. I also talked about the huge immigrant culture they serve and only had one student in the past few years that identified as that culture. My interviewer looked shocked at first then chuckled in amazement and said he knows thats an issue and one of the reasons he is pleased that I sent a application to his school.
 
doctorleospaceman said:
Well it's easy to spin location into a positive. I find New York too loud, dirty, expensive and boring (after living 45min away for years) for my preference. But obviously you'll see more interesting cases than you would in the middle of nowhere and have more research and other opportunities. While it is silly, I feel like you're sort of expected to spin the negative into some positive.
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If I was a interviewer I would not only reject you but body slam you for talking smack about new york!!! :punch::punch::punch::rage::rage::rage:
 
HA HA HA start the New York hate... You hate because you know we the best .... There is NEw York and then there is everywhere else ... (Boston is pretty cool)


7s2dfdt.jpg
 
Incis0r said:
You just said that New Yorkers don't have manners....you insulted your own city. Get wrecked. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Not having Manners isnt a insult for a new yorker, thats what makes us so endearing. And thats why they are kick ass Americans. But again sorry for the derail. Pm me if you want me to tell you how much NY is better than any hole you lived in America .
 
Chelsea FC said:
Not having Manners isnt a insult for a new yorker, thats what makes us so endearing. And thats why they are kick ass Americans. But again sorry for the derail. Pm me if you want me to tell you how much NY is better than any hole you lived in America .
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I live in San Diego and just moved from Hawaii, bruddah.
 
You are completely missing the point of the question. The idea is to see if you can think critically, and also pay attention to what you were asked. The question was NOT "what's positive about our school?"

doctorleospaceman said:
Well it's easy to spin location into a positive. I find New York too loud, dirty, expensive and boring (after living 45min away for years) for my preference. But obviously you'll see more interesting cases than you would in the middle of nowhere and have more research and other opportunities. While it is silly, I feel like you're sort of expected to spin the negative into some positive.
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
You are completely missing the point of the question. The idea is to see if you can think critically, and also pay attention to what you were asked. The question was NOT "what's positive about our school?"
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Perhaps not necessarily a positive, but a different way to look at it or preferably a plan as to how to go about handling it. It's a common interview question not limited to medical schools, and from my experiences as both an interviewee and interviewer, you can't just drop a criticism (or school specific apprehension) and leave it hanging.
 
Med schools aren't job interviews. And we're also wise to the turn a negative into a positive trick technique, we really don't get impressed by it.

doctorleospaceman said:
Perhaps not necessarily a positive, but a different way to look at it or preferably a plan as to how to go about handling it. It's a common interview question not limited to medical schools, and from my experiences as both an interviewee and interviewer, you can't just drop a criticism (or school specific apprehension) and leave it hanging.
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
Med schools aren't job interviews. And we're also wise to the turn a negative into a positive trick technique, we really don't get impressed by it.
Click to expand...

It's not a trick to try and impress you. I like to think that it is common sense and common courtesy, though apparently it isn't. Some people dont offer a handshake either.
And differentiating job and med school interviews is a fools errand, in my opinion.
 
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