Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

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When I was working *somewhere* and also going to school there, I was on a student interview panel/committee (they had us meet with the interviewees, then the interviewees would go in the next room and meet with the adcom guys)

anywho, this one person had switched majors from Biology "pre med" focus to Animal Science "pre vet" option. One of my panel partners asks why the switch.

The interviewee actually goes "Well, I figured out that I don't really like people, so I'd rather be a vet so I can still do medicine but I don't have to deal with people". erm, WTF? We manage not to laugh/choke/gasp/make faces and complete the interview-barely. But jeez. We all thought that it was just a rumour, that no one really asked that question, it was just one of those practice interview things.

Nope, people really do answer that way.

why is that weird. the guy wants to go to vet school not med school right? its still sort of bizarre, but at least its honest.
 
I personally wish numbers counted for more... I think the trend is though that they're counting for less (for applicants with average/good numbers to those with awesome numbers).

Gawd I hope you're right





why is that weird. the guy wants to go to vet school not med school right? its still sort of bizarre, but at least its honest.

As a previous animal science major *adjusts shirt*, let me tell you the people you deal with as a vet are crazy animal people. Way, way worse than any parents a pediatrician has ever delt with.
We're talking about crazy Poodle lovers and such.
 
I interviewed at my one of my top schools and I totally blew it.
Interviewer 1: Can I pour you some water?
me : No, thank you (regretted this after I said it but i really didn't want water)
Interviewer 1: Okay, let's start
Interviewer 1: Why medicine?
Me : medicine is .... (looking to them for some type of feedback)
Interviewer 1 and 2: (they were just staring at me)
Interviewer 2: (asked another question)
me: started stammering, they were still staring
After about four questions
interview 1: Your (sport) team is really amazing this season
me: I don't like that (sport), I prefer this other type of sport.....
Interview 2: What did you get out of you undergraduate university
me: diversity - stammered to explain it, amazing faculty, stammered thru that and a bunch of nonsense
interview 1: Tell me about the health care system
me: mumbled HMO and some stuff
Don't let me bore you, that continued further with me stammering thru the whole question
Interviewer 2: so you write poems, tell me about some poets you've read about or try to mimick
me: none
Interviewer 2: just tell me about someone
me: dumbfounded for like 1 min and then said a name that he doesn't know (weird look- I could tell he taught I made it up)
It was devastating to watch my self in such a condition, I blew it big time and I did not bother sending thank you cards to my interviewers. I loved the school and it kinda fit my style but I blew it big time
 
I interviewed at my one of my top schools and I totally blew it.
Interviewer 1: Can I pour you some water?
me : No, thank you (regretted this after I said it but i really didn't want water)
Interviewer 1: Okay, let's start
Interviewer 1: Why medicine?
Me : medicine is .... (looking to them for some type of feedback)
Interviewer 1 and 2: (they were just staring at me)
Interviewer 2: (asked another question)
me: started stammering, they were still staring
After about four questions
interview 1: Your (sport) team is really amazing this season
me: I don't like that (sport), I prefer this other type of sport.....
Interview 2: What did you get out of you undergraduate university
me: diversity - stammered to explain it, amazing faculty, stammered thru that and a bunch of nonsense
interview 1: Tell me about the health care system
me: mumbled HMO and some stuff
Don't let me bore you, that continued further with me stammering thru the whole question
Interviewer 2: so you write poems, tell me about some poetry writers you've read about or try to mimick
me: none
Interviewer 2: just tell me about someone
me: dumbfounded for like 1 min and then said a name that he doesn't know (weird look- I could tell he taught I made it up)
It was devastating to watch my self in such a condition, I blew it big time and I did not bother sending thank you cards to my interviewers. I loved the school and it kinda fit my style but I blew it big time

Hey docbest did your bad interview experience happen at Carver Scool of Medicine? Sounds very familiar..like they ask you 4 questions and just stare at you and say absolutely nothing! LoL..please share!!!
 
why is that weird. the guy wants to go to vet school not med school right? its still sort of bizarre, but at least its honest.
Let me put it this way.

I've never had a horse trot into the clinic with a credit card attached to his halter and a note that says "I have severe abdominal pain, I think I have a nephro-splenic entrapment/torsion" and had him sign the consent for surgery form with no complaints or quibbling about the surgical estimate. 🙂



And (sorry, I forgot your name) the poor poster with the 4 question stammering interview? That's funny sad, just not funnyha ha. 🙁 been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

It seems like if you start off the interview that way, it's like an out-of-body train wreck experience-you're just watching yourself murder your chances, but you can't do anything to stop it.
 
Only had 1 interview so far, and had the luck to be paired with an obscure analogist -- a PhD who uses really weird, complex but valid analogy to explain stuff. There were a few awkward moments when I had to tell him that he lost me.

For the stammering poster, you can try taking a time-out: tell the interviewer that you need to compose yourself (crack a joke about being nervous or something), take a deep breath, then start over again.
 
Hey docbest did your bad interview experience happen at Carver Scool of Medicine? Sounds very familiar..like they ask you 4 questions and just stare at you and say absolutely nothing! LoL..please share!!!

yes, it is and I totally bombed it
 
You guys aren't going to beleive this but............. I have a buddy who applied to a six-year medical program right out of highschool. In his interview, he was asked about a scenario where a female patient repeatedly came to his clinic with different STD's. After treatment, she continued to have unprotected sex and contracted new ones. He was asked what he would do in that situation. He replied, "Well, as a physician my first priority would be to treat her disease. Then I would probably tell her to stop being a *****." The interviewer actually chuckled and said he wasn't sure if that wasn't in order. I couldn't beleive it. And he got in. Crazy huh?
 
At the end of a very good interview with an M4 I asked her what residency programs she was applying to. She said anesthesiology. I stupidly told her I am scared of that field because an anesthesiologist friend of the family lost a patient after disregarding the dr's orders and eating an apple before surgery (she started vomiting while under and aspirated). She looked at me with wide eyes and said, "Well damn now I am scared too."

Now I'm on hold 🙁
 
ok i dont think i can beat hopefuldocs post.. but during one of my interviews i was asked what scares me the most about medicine...

me: Um, Um well I'm afraid i might accidently kill someone..
Interviewer: so your planning on killing someone?
me: wait what? No i mean, its just that..
interviewer: so your prone to accidents then?
me: Well not really..no not at all..i mean i guess i can be clumsy sometimes.
interviewer: you realize thats not a great trait for a doctor to have.
me: silence (thinking god i really need to start thinking before i open my mouth.) so i see your an astros fan...(i dont remember exactly what i said here but i def changed the topic asap)

another guy asked me something along the lines of whats the one thing doctors should be least afraid to admit. I go " um I dont know" instantly realizing that the one thing your not supposed to say. To my surprise he goes "Yes! thats exactly it." I was totally confused for a sec before i realized what just happened. the rest the interview went really well and i got in.
 
Texas School that shall remain unnamed:

Interviewer: So, tell me about a weakness you have?
Me: Well, I am very shy and always have been.
Interviewer: Uh-hu.
Me: Of course, I try very hard to overcome it. For instance, I've participated in my school's choral poetry group, where we actually had to perform in front of an audience, I was in the debate team in high school, and I have taken several leadership positions at my college.
Interviewer: I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WERE SHY!!!
Me: **oh crap, now she thinks I'm lying...quick, mumble something intelligent** Well, I said I was shy, not asocial. Besides, I explained how those things help me overcome my shyness.

Then, with the next interviewer:

Interviewer: Hi Baylormed...take a seat.
Me: **proceeds to take a seat at a couch that is almost like sitting on the floor, therefore having to spend the rest of the interview literally looking up at my interviewer behind his desk**
Interviewer: Okay, so tell me about yourself. However, I don't want to hear anything about extracurriculars, volunteering, or school. Go on.
Me: **Well, that doesn't leave much, does it??**

I then proceeded to explain my life since the day I was born. It was weird given that he expected me to talk for 1/2 hour, which is a LOOOOONG time to talk about yourself without running out of things to say at intervals.
 
another guy asked me something along the lines of whats the one thing doctors should be least afraid to admit. I go " um I dont know" instantly realizing that the one thing your not supposed to say. To my surprise he goes "Yes! thats exactly it." I was totally confused for a sec before i realized what just happened. the rest the interview went really well and i got in.

That is awesome!
 
You guys aren't going to beleive this but............. I have a buddy who applied to a six-year medical program right out of highschool. In his interview, he was asked about a scenario where a female patient repeatedly came to his clinic with different STD's. After treatment, she continued to have unprotected sex and contracted new ones. He was asked what he would do in that situation. He replied, "Well, as a physician my first priority would be to treat her disease. Then I would probably tell her to stop being a *****." The interviewer actually chuckled and said he wasn't sure if that wasn't in order. I couldn't beleive it. And he got in. Crazy huh?

I dont know if thats ever in order, but hey, it sounds like its what the interviewer wanted to hear. self-selecting process. hah. (i bet he asked the same question to many applicants and he thought their answers werent aggressive enough)
 
Interviewer: What type of books do you like to read?

Me: To be honest, I don't read a lot of books.

I could have put my foot in my mouth. I read journals and text books, but not books from B&N which is what I thought that he meant. The interviewer just chuckled and said that it didn't look like I have much time to read anyway. I was accepted so I think that they give some leeway for stupid answers. 🙂

Gave that exact same answer and got in. Dont tell people what you think they want to hear. I hate when people answer I would go to dentistry school of get my PhD if I couldnt get an MD. That is the worst answer in the world. Come up with something cool. Join the FBI, fish for crab, something much less BLAH!
 
yes, it is and I totally bombed it

LOL. That sounds exactly like my interview there last year. Needless to say, I got the rejection letter two weeks later. :laugh:
 
My interviewer came to pick me up and as we were going to the class where we were supposed to have the real talk, we started talking about random stuff and almost suddenly:
interviewer: So tell me about yourself in your own word
me: I went to high school (mentioned sch), I did my industrial training in this program, I volunteered here ( I was rather oblivious of the stupid list I was giving until he gave me the weirdest look in the world.) After the look, I became aware of the sound of my own voice and continued
me: Let me start again, my individuality started ...
The rest of the interview went okay.

I was placed on waitlist
 
interview generally didn't go well and this is how it ended

interviewer: do you have any questions for me?
me: nope (i was tired because it was my 5th interview that day and the interviewer tried her best to dissuade me from that school. and i can assure you i have no desire of going to that school)
interviewer: :smile: k well bye
me: bye
 
interview generally didn't go well and this is how it ended

interviewer: do you have any questions for me?
me: nope (i was tired because it was my 5th interview that day and the interviewer tried her best to dissuade me from that school. and i can assure you i have no desire of going to that school)
interviewer: :smile: k well bye
me: bye

Good lord, woman, did you interview at three schools that day?
 
Interviewer: So what are your hot buttons, the ones that just a little push have you getting angry?

Me: We have those who do not pull their own weight in groups (followed by a ten minute response of how we successfuly corrected a problem like this in my premed honor society that I was vp in), any form of biggotry (followed by reasoning), and any mention of my ex gf whatsoever.

Interviewer: (laughing for a few seconds then looking worried because I have this habit of looking entirely serious when Im joking)...I apologize for laughing... Did something happen to her?

Me: Oh no, sir, just making a joke as I am incredibly nervous right now.

I was accepted a week or two later.
 
Last question in a string of questions about what people close to me would tell my interviewer about me.

Interviewer: What would your mother tell me about you?
Me: Your mother would tell you--- wait, I mean, My mother would tell you (we both start laughing at this point)
😀
 
Interviewer: So, now that I've heard your strengths, what are your weaknesses?
Me: (oh crap, brain fart) After about a minute of trying to remember what I wanted to say: "I'm indecisive"
Interviewer: Cracks up
Waitlisted 🙁
 
Interviewer: So what are your hot buttons, the ones that just a little push have you getting angry?

Me: We have those who do not pull their own weight in groups (followed by a ten minute response of how we successfuly corrected a problem like this in my premed honor society that I was vp in), any form of biggotry (followed by reasoning), and any mention of my ex gf whatsoever.

Interviewer: (laughing for a few seconds then looking worried because I have this habit of looking entirely serious when Im joking)...I apologize for laughing... Did something happen to her?

Me: Oh no, sir, just making a joke as I am incredibly nervous right now.

I was accepted a week or two later.


That is awesome.
 
Interviewer: So, now that I've heard your strengths, what are your weaknesses?
Me: (oh crap, brain fart) After about a minute of trying to remember what I wanted to say: "I'm indecisive"
Interviewer: Cracks up
Waitlisted 🙁
Sorry about the waitlist but that was hilarious.

I'm not quick on my feet and I think I will lack the most on my interviews.
 
Interviewer: So, now that I've heard your strengths, what are your weaknesses?
Me: (oh crap, brain fart) After about a minute of trying to remember what I wanted to say: "I'm indecisive"
Interviewer: Cracks up

Awesome, awesome stuff :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

But I'm sorry about the WL 🙁
 
Gave that exact same answer and got in. Dont tell people what you think they want to hear. I hate when people answer I would go to dentistry school of get my PhD if I couldnt get an MD. That is the worst answer in the world. Come up with something cool. Join the FBI, fish for crab, something much less BLAH!

I had one of those...

Interview panel: So, you've applied before to medical school unsuccessfully.
Me: Yes, but then I communicated with the schools admissions directors to get recommendations on improving my application, and I did XYZ (this list goes on for awhile). I truly feel like a stronger, more well-rounded candidate for those experiences, and I'm grateful for them all.
Interview panel: What happens if you don't get in this time?
Me: I'll become a chef.
Interview panel: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Me: No, seriously, I like food.

** awkward thirty second pause**
Oldest member of the panel (quite old, like 20 years past retirement): Well I like food too. (this is the most reassuring thing this man has said the whole time- I truly thought he hated me or was going to fall asleep for the first part of the interview).

And I'm supposed to hear from that school soon....
 
My interviewer looks at my picture on my secondary app :
When did you took this photo?

Me: About three months ago.

He: I can definitly say that in the real life you look much better, or maybe its just your suit. Do you know that you look good in that suit?

Me: Hmmmm Hmmm Thank you thats a great compliment.
 
My interviewer looks at my picture on my secondary app :
When did you took this photo?

Me: About three months ago.

He: I can definitly say that in the real life you look much better, or maybe its just your suit. Do you know that you look good in that suit?

Me: Hmmmm Hmmm Thank you thats a great compliment.

Haha :laugh: , did you get in?
 
My interviewer looks at my picture on my secondary app :
When did you took this photo?

Me: About three months ago.

He: I can definitly say that in the real life you look much better, or maybe its just your suit. Do you know that you look good in that suit?

Me: Hmmmm Hmmm Thank you thats a great compliment.

TTIWWP!!! 😉
 
TTIWWP: This thread is worthless without pictures!

Thank you.

It's just very annoying when people assume you know what they're saying.

I see this unknown acronym on the screen...then I have to go to google, type in the acronym, and then search through the results to find the meaning...okay, now I know the meaning, I can understand the post. Great. Now, reading that post took me from 1 to 5 minutes longer than it would have otherwise, because I have wireless and sometimes my connection decides to be crappy and the signal is slow or nonexistent.
 
in keep with the original thread meaning, my worst q/a was...

q: why do you want to go to this medical school?
a: i was sleeping with dean and he told me i have a rock hard chance. i assumed he meant at the medical school he presided over.
 
in keep with the original thread meaning, my worst q/a was...

q: why do you want to go to this medical school?
a: i was sleeping with dean and he told me i have a rock hard chance. i assumed he meant at the medical school he presided over.

Troll.
 
q: name two apparently dissimilar nouns, and describe how they are similar
a: a cheap hotel and panties.... no ballroom.
 
oh comon its funny.

Sure...I'm laughing so hard I'm out of breath and my stomach hurts.

**Please read the above with a load of sarcasm.**

Okay, okay, I'll lay off you people. It's been a long day today.
 
Sure...I'm laughing so hard I'm out of breath and my stomach hurts.

**Please read the above with a load of sarcasm.**

Okay, okay, I'll lay off you people. It's been a long day today.

a load? that was just one post.
 
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