What are fair questions to ask of premed students for interviews?

[drakkan2001]

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Hi, I'm an MS4 and will be interviewing a bunch of premed students in the near future. I just wanted to know what are fair questions to ask. It seems that my earlier interviewees had incredible grades/mcats/volunteer/research experiences and unfortunately, only 1/5 will get accepted. So the interviews are getting more important for my school. What questions would be fair? I was thinking of doing clinical cases and putting in a few ethical traps but then I don't want to stress them out, since I remembered experiencing a very relaxing interview for myself. Let me know what you guys think. What questions do you think are fair game? Thanks.🙂

 

[mjl1717]

Here are 2.

1) To find out how conscientious he or she is..
A simple question may do like.. "what good are you?" [do they start talking only about grades, beat themself on the chest or talk about care and compassion needed to be a decent M.D..

2) To hear of unique traits
"what can you offer the profession that someone else cant?"


**Although your interview may have been stressfree.. I definitely would not say its stress free field..🙂

 

[Depakote]

While traveling at a subsonic speed in the last one hour of hypersleep, which vector of the Rebulon Galaxy will suffer the wrath of the impenetrable quickening? And for bonus points, name the last gauge to the nearest voltron. Be specific, this is a real question.

 

[Mr hawkings]

I think a moral or ethical dilema question is a good way to go such as what would you do if you saw a classmate cheating on an exam.

I think these types of questions are the best in terms of assesing the enterviewee's problem solving skills etc. Plus theres no real right answer to most of these types of questions so it all depends on the thought process.

Bio-ethical questions based on clinical cases may be more stressful especially if the student does not have much clinical exposure but those are good too.

 

[Mr hawkings]

While traveling at a subsonic speed in the last one hour of hypersleep, which vector of the Rebulon Galaxy will suffer the wrath of the impenetrable quickening? And for bonus points, name the last gauge to the nearest voltron. Be specific, this is a real question.

I would have crapped my pants

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

Grill them on something esoteric, like WNBA trivia or Metallica B-sides. You could say something like, "What do you think Mr. Hetfield was trying to convey in his grand exposition 'Harvester of Sorrow'?

I agree with the problem-solving stuff though. You want to know how they think, not how well they've memorized some pre-rehearsed excuse for that 'C' in Physics lab. Or give them a life problem that might occur during their time in school (as often happens), see how well or maturely they might handle it.

 

[yeasterbunny]

Grill them on something esoteric, like WNBA trivia or Metallica B-sides. You could say something like, "What do you think Mr. Hetfield was trying to convey in his grand exposition 'Harvester of Sorrow'?

I agree with the problem-solving stuff though. You want to know how they think, not how well they've memorized some pre-rehearsed excuse for that 'C' in Physics lab. Or give them a life problem that might occur during their time in school (as often happens), see how well or maturely they might handle it.

Here's a set of questions I got on the residency interview trail by an eccentric physicist (in a radiation oncology department). He hands me a pad of paper and asks me for estimates of (1) how many piano tuners in NYC, (2) how many people die in the world every day, and (3) how far can you see to the horizon from an airplane at full cruising altitude. Again, not interested in the answers so much as the plan of attack for solving complex problems.

 

[Tiger26]

Two trains leave different cities heading toward each other at different speeds. When and where do they meet?

Train A, traveling 70 miles per hour (mph), leaves Westford heading toward Eastford, 260 miles away. At the same time Train B, traveling 60 mph, leaves Eastford heading toward Westford. When do the two trains meet? How far from each city do they meet?

 

[cpants]

Why are manhole covers round?

 

[bambi]

I say freak them out and see how they handle the stress.

Get weirder and weirder as you ask
"why did you come here?"
"who are you?"
"why are you staring at me?"
"who sent you?"

 

[pincheeric]

I always open the interview with something like "This is a closed file interview. I literally know nothing about you, so please tell me about yourself from the beginning." That alone can tell you if the applicant can communicate well, whether s/he is personable, and how s/he manages to convey a lot of information into a concise story.

If you were looking for some real questions these are a few I've asked interviewees in the past:

- If you couldn't do medicine, what would you do with your life?
- What are you favorite books/movies/bands?
- What do you think is one of the major ethical or moral dilemmas faced in hospitals today? What would you do about it?
- What do you like about this area?
- What sorts of things do you do outside of school?

For me, the student interview is about figuring out of the applicant would fit into your school (basically would you want him/her as a classmate). The committee, by granting an interview, has already said s/he is qualified enough, so I don't really feel obligated to ask things about research/grades/problem solving skills/etc. That's just my strategy though.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

.

 

[sunnyskies]

I got asked a pretty good one that made me think... The interviewer asked what I thought about allowing patients to access their records, doctors notes and all, over the internet. (This is probably going to happen in the near future). I thought of it from the side of the patient and how it would be beneficial to maybe catch errors, but someone else in my interview talked about how it would be difficult for doctors because everything would be questioned.... anyways it brought up a good point and you really had to see both sides of the equation....

 

[FoundationsFan5]

"Why should we not accept you to this school?"

I doubt more than 10% of your premed interviewees will be able to give you an above average answer on this... but, that wouldn't really be the point of it. The question would serve as a great way to filter out the potential phony baloney bull****ters and people who are way too full of themselves.

 

[SugarDaddy]

1) What's your favorite vegetable?
2) Which character on Gray's Anatomy are you and why?
3) How many licks does it take to get to the middle of a tootsie pop?
4) And where is the beef?

 

[Colbert]

Why are manhole covers round?

To distribute the force placed on them equally on all sides of the supporting surface. Any engineers out there to confirm that my logic from physics prereqs holds up?

 

[darkraven]

I've heard of one that an interviewer really likes to ask, and i think its pretty great myself. its: "what's your most brilliant/ingenius idea you've ever had?" It tells you a little about how they think and what areas their interests are in and everyone should be able to come up with something. It can also generate a lot of conversation in different areas of someone's life fairly easily.

 

[bcat85]

"Would you please take off your pants?"

 

[87138]

To distribute the force placed on them equally on all sides of the supporting surface. Any engineers out there to confirm that my logic from physics prereqs holds up?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhole_cover

The question of why manhole covers are typically round, at least in the U.S., was made famous by Microsoft when they began asking it as a job-interview question.[6] Originally meant as a psychological assessment of how one approaches a question with more than one "right" answer, the problem has produced a number of alternate explanations, from the pragmatic ("Manhole covers are round because manholes are round.")[6] to the philosophical.

Reasons for the shape include:

* A round manhole cover cannot fall through its circular opening, whereas a square manhole cover may fall in if it were inserted diagonally in the aperture (A Reuleaux triangle or other curve of constant width would also serve this purpose, but round covers are much easier to manufacture.)
* Round tubes are the strongest and most material-efficient shape against the compression of the earth around them, and so it is natural that the cover of a round tube assume a circular shape.
* The bearing surfaces of manhole frames and covers are machined to assure flatness and prevent them from becoming dislodged by traffic. Round castings are much easier to machine using horizontal boring mills.
* Circular covers do not need to be rotated to align them when covering a circular manhole.
* Human beings have a roughly circular cross-section.
* A round manhole cover can be more easily moved by being rolled.
* If an automobile rolls over a dislodged manhole of another shape, the sharp corners could puncture the automobile's tire, whereas a circle doesn't have corners.
* It's easier to dig a circular hole.
* Tradition
* Aesthetics
* Supply. Most manhole covers are made by a few large companies. If you want a different shape, you will have to pay more to have them custom-made or you will have to make them yourself.

 

[StIGMA]

While traveling at a subsonic speed in the last one hour of hypersleep, which vector of the Rebulon Galaxy will suffer the wrath of the impenetrable quickening? And for bonus points, name the last gauge to the nearest voltron. Be specific, this is a real question.

I am pretty sure the answer is the Backstreet Boys.

Noone here watches Aqua Teen Hunger Force?

Anyways, studentdoctor.net has an interview database here: http://more.studentdoctor.net/schoollist.php?type=2

You can search through and lookup questions.

ie: What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses in healthcare today?

 

[ElZeekio]

What ethical considerations are there when delivering care to someone of diminished capacity? (rather than giving them something scenario-based, which is artificial anyway)

What do you think makes a good doctor, and how have you demonstrated those qualities?

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

One thing I like to do is, if I'm not in a group interview is say, "Okay, off the record...what's something you're into that you wouldn't normally tell an admission committee" and suggest TV shows, movies, videogames, etc.

I think it breaks the ice and it gives you a sense of the real person. All I want to see is that they're not some robot pre-med, I like to see that they have passion for stuff that doesn't appear on paper.

 

[bambi]

Why are manhole covers round?

Because the holes are round!

 

[Depakote]

I am pretty sure the answer is the Backstreet Boys.

I would admit you on the spot.

 

[felipe5]

i always ask prospective medstudents why they are interested in coming to the school in question. I want to know that they have done their research regarding the school and don't just blurt out 'location'. Sure its an important factor but c'mon

 

[Flaxmoore]

How many Stanley Cups do the Detroit Red Wings have, and when were they?

A few possible answers. You could have someone like me who rattles it off (11- '36, '37, '43, '50, '52, '54, '55, '97, '98, '02, '08) and you can go into sports. Good non-medical topic. You could have someone who likes hockey but not the Wings. Just as good.

If they don't like hockey, reject them. 😉

Just kidding. If they say they don't follow hockey, see what they do follow. Sports, hobbies, music, books, something. Give a chance for them to show themselves as human.

 

[87138]

How many Stanley Cups do the Detroit Red Wings have, and when were they?

A few possible answers. You could have someone like me who rattles it off (11- '36, '37, '43, '50, '52, '54, '55, '97, '98, '02, '08) and you can go into sports. Good non-medical topic. You could have someone who likes hockey but not the Wings. Just as good.

If they don't like hockey, reject them. 😉

Just kidding. If they say they don't follow hockey, see what they do follow. Sports, hobbies, music, books, something. Give a chance for them to show themselves as human.

One of my classmates was originally "rejected" by her interviewer because during her interview it came out that she was a fan of an NFL team whose main rival was the interviewer's favorite team. Everything else (application, interview, etc) were great. The rest of the committee vetoed his decision and admitted her anyway, fortunately.

 

[mjl1717]

I say freak them out and see how they handle the stress.

Get weirder and weirder as you ask
"why did you come here?"
"who are you?"
"why are you staring at me?"
"who sent you?"

Funny--Agree it just "ain't" (in street terms) a stress free field..Anyone who says it is is delusional..

 

[bambi]

Don't know what it's like over there but in the UK it's not uncommon for 1 person on the interview panel to be actively nasty to the applicant to see how they handle it.

My med school make you pretty much have a discussion with yourself about an ethical dilemma- like should fat people be given treatment? If you mention the whole well it is sort of their fault thing they would ask something like "what about someone who breaks their leg skiing? They chose to ski, should they be denied treatment?"

 

[lildave2586]

#1) Are there pictures on your facebook account you wouldn't want me to see?

#2) What was the name of the doctor who interviewed you before this one?

 

[Depakote]

#2) What was the name of the doctor who interviewed you before this one?

ohh, good question!

 

[Carlin]

How many Stanley Cups do the Detroit Red Wings have, and when were they?

A few possible answers. You could have someone like me who rattles it off (11- '36, '37, '43, '50, '52, '54, '55, '97, '98, '02, '08) and you can go into sports. Good non-medical topic. You could have someone who likes hockey but not the Wings. Just as good.

If they don't like hockey, reject them. 😉

Just kidding. If they say they don't follow hockey, see what they do follow. Sports, hobbies, music, books, something. Give a chance for them to show themselves as human.

Haha, love this! Go Wings!

 

[Depakote]

If an equal number of ninjas and pirates were to engage in a battle to the death on territory that allows both to make use of their respective strengths to the fullest, who would be victorious? Please explain your response.

 

[78222]

Paper, rock, or scissors? Explain.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

1) What's your favorite vegetable?
2) Which character on Gray's Anatomy are you and why?
3) How many licks does it take to get to the middle of a tootsie pop?
4) And where is the beef?

In the Cow.

 

[bambi]

#2) What was the name of the doctor who interviewed you before this one?

I would never be able to answer that!

 

[45408]

I think I'll give them a clinical scenario and ask them to reason through it. Obviously, I don't expect them to know it, but I just want to see them think on their feet. Also, I like the idea of asking them questions like "Should we give liver transplants to chronic alcoholics?" As long as they support their argument well, I don't particularly care what they say.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

If Train A is going to Chicago at 80 miles per hour, and train B is headed towards San Francisco at 75 miles per hour, if the conductor on Train A shouts "Hello" to the conductor on Train B, taking into account wind resistance and Doppler Effect, what is the time lag between the initial shout of conductor of Train A to when the conductor of Train B hears the message?

If they think about it and beads of sweat start to form on the brow, don't admit them.

If they laugh and tell you to **** off, that's a keeper.

 

[FutureInternist]

If an equal number of ninjas and pirates were to engage in a battle to the death on territory that allows both to make use of their respective strengths to the fullest, who would be victorious? Please explain your response.

Are these actual pirates or "ghost" pirates from Pirate of the Caribbean, 'cos if it's actual pirates then NINJAs all the way, since everyone knows ninjas can make themselves invisible.

If it's ghost pirates then the answer is complicated by the relative transparency of each & the fact that the pirates would just let the ninja stars, nunchucks?, staffs etc just flow thru them. If the ninjas can get Johnny Depp on their side then they might have a fighting chance but otherwise I would have to give it to the pirates.

 

[87138]

Are these actual pirates or "ghost" pirates from Pirate of the Caribbean, 'cos if it's actual pirates then NINJAs all the way, since everyone knows ninjas can make themselves invisible.

If it's ghost pirates then the answer is complicated by the relative transparency of each & the fact that the pirates would just let the ninja stars, nunchucks?, staffs etc just flow thru them. If the ninjas can get Johnny Depp on their side then they might have a fighting chance but otherwise I would have to give it to the pirates.

Sorry, the correct answer was "Steven Segal."

 

[geogil]

Sorry, the correct answer was "Steven Segal."

I'm sorry, but the Medical College of Wherever appreciates your interest in applying this year. Due to a large number of applicants, we were not able to admit you to this year's freshman class. In case you were wondering, the correct answer to the interviewer's question re: pirates and ninjas, was, of course, Chuck Norris.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Personally, I would stay as far away from ethical questions as humanly possible. I'd would probably be that nightmare eccentric interviewer that asks all sorts of seemingly innocuous questions aimed at probing how the applicant thinks on his feet and responds to unusual situations. I like the questions above that make people open up a little.

"Why should we not accept you to this school?" is particularly excellent because you get to learn how the people sweat out a terrible situation, how well they spin themselves, and what they perceive themselves worst at. The latter is best for balanced applicants, but you could still get a useful answer from someone with a glaring deficiency if he's crafty.

 

[MassTransport]

I really hate the "tell me about yourself." More of a suggestion for a question not to ask.

 

[87138]

I'm sorry, but the Medical College of Wherever appreciates your interest in applying this year. Due to a large number of applicants, we were not able to admit you to this year's freshman class. In case you were wondering, the correct answer to the interviewer's question re: pirates and ninjas, was, of course, Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris hasn't been the correct answer for anything for the last two or three years.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[moe_4eva]

If you really want to make it easy for them (and for you), do what the 4th year that interviewed me did: grab your questions from previous years interview questions on SDN. Definitely takes away the stress of the interview when you've been rehearsing the answers to questions for days. 🙂

 

[Charles English]

While traveling at a subsonic speed in the last one hour of hypersleep, which vector of the Rebulon Galaxy will suffer the wrath of the impenetrable quickening? And for bonus points, name the last gauge to the nearest voltron. Be specific, this is a real question.

ATHF FTW!!!

 

[MassTransport]

Ask the applicant what type of classmates they envision hanging out with @ X med school.

Get an insight into the types of groups said individual likes to socialize with.

I like this one.

 

[45408]

Ask the applicant what type of classmates they envision hanging out with @ X med school.

Get an insight into the types of groups said individual likes to socialize with.

That's not a bad question. Also lets you see if they plan to be friendly or cut off everyone at the knees.

 

[drakkan2001]

Thanks everyone for the good ideas, I like the rebulon galaxy question though I doubt I'm going to ask that for a premed interview.

Instead, my primary question will be "if you could be a tree, what type of tree would you be and why?". For the second question, it I will replace "tree" with rock and last would be tree with animal.

😉