Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

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pinipig523 said:
Interviewer: Any more questions for me?
Me: No... but I think it's cool that you guys have a monorail by your school.

This was like 10 years ago.... the previous month I had just seen the Simpsons episode about the monorail... dammit!! That was a terrible response, I thought I was being funny but once it left my mouth, I realized that unless she watches the Simpsons, she probably thought I was a *****.

Waitlisted.
Click to expand...

Great episode.
 
The first few minutes of this movie has a good few horrible answers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8VL-LTva9w

The whole movie is hilarious in how bad it is and bad it is at representing anything like what med school is. Get caught cheating? Slap on the wrist, no one cares. Caught using the cadaver as a puppet to make jokes? It's fine, move along. Classes? Just gross anatomy, nothing else exists. Drop out of school then change your mind? No problem, just show up to classes a month later.

Main character is such a douchebag it will make you cringe.
 
***This wasn't me*** This was a conversation I overheard between two physicians talking about medical school interviews where I work, and I didn't think this was real.

Interviewer: Tell me a time where you showed commitment.
Girl: Well, I've been in a long distance relationship for the past year and I never even cheated on my boyfriend. I think that shows commitment.
 
Vans42 said:
***This wasn't me*** This was a conversation I overheard between two physicians talking about medical school interviews where I work, and I didn't think this was real.

Interviewer: Tell me a time where you showed commitment.
Girl: Well, I've been in a long distance relationship for the past year and I never even cheated on my boyfriend. I think that shows commitment.
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Obviously a terribly executed answer, but is mentioning a long-distance relationship absolutely never appropriate? My mom keeps telling me I should mention my three-year, long-distance relationship in interviews (as she once mentioned her boyfriend in a job interview to demonstrate how well-rounded she was...and subsequently got the job?), and though I've never agreed, it's never struck me as though it would be an automatic red flag. Long-distance relationships do take a ton of commitment and emotional maturity to work, so I'm wondering if it's possible to pull a similar answer off, or if it's something far too personal to mention in a med school interview.
 
Vans42 said:
***This wasn't me*** This was a conversation I overheard between two physicians talking about medical school interviews where I work, and I didn't think this was real.

Interviewer: Tell me a time where you showed commitment.
Girl: Well, I've been in a long distance relationship for the past year and I never even cheated on my boyfriend. I think that shows commitment.
Click to expand...

Well technically that is an example of commitment.
 
timelesss said:
This was from someone I know:

Him: Hi! Nice to meet you, how are you?
Interviewer: Good, how are you?
Him: Good, how are you?
Interviewer: Good....

:laugh: Not exactly an interview answer but sure fire way to start it off awkward.
Click to expand...

Oh gawd. Swallow me, earth.
I hate when this one happens.

HolyCow0333 said:
Obviously a terribly executed answer, but is mentioning a long-distance relationship absolutely never appropriate? My mom keeps telling me I should mention my three-year, long-distance relationship in interviews (as she once mentioned her boyfriend in a job interview to demonstrate how well-rounded she was...and subsequently got the job?), and though I've never agreed, it's never struck me as though it would be an automatic red flag. Long-distance relationships do take a ton of commitment and emotional maturity to work, so I'm wondering if it's possible to pull a similar answer off, or if it's something far too personal to mention in a med school interview.
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Leads me to believe you both met each other while playing online games or the usual chatroulette.
Not recommended.
 
timelesss said:
This was from someone I know:

Him: Hi! Nice to meet you, how are you?
Interviewer: Good, how are you?
Him: Good, how are you?
Interviewer: Good....

:laugh: Not exactly an interview answer but sure fire way to start it off awkward.
Click to expand...

Nervousness can get the best of some people.
 
timelesss said:
This was from someone I know:

Him: Hi! Nice to meet you, how are you?
Interviewer: Good, how are you?
Him: Good, how are you?
Interviewer: Good....

:laugh: Not exactly an interview answer but sure fire way to start it off awkward.
Click to expand...

Ohh! I see what he/she did there...
(8).jpg


In any case... well played.🙂
 
Mr Avante said:
Leads me to believe you both met each other while playing online games or the usual chatroulette.
Not recommended.
Click to expand...

That's how you meet the ladies, eh? :naughty:

But seriously, for the record, we've been dating since high school. That being said, I see your point. No way Adcoms are going to know that unless I only get more personal.
 
timelesss said:
This was from someone I know:

Him: Hi! Nice to meet you, how are you?
Interviewer: Good, how are you?
Him: Good, how are you?
Interviewer: Good....

:laugh: Not exactly an interview answer but sure fire way to start it off awkward.
Click to expand...


I thought I was the only one who did that before.. I really hope I don't do that in interviews lol
 
physician interviewer: *forgot the next questions and looks for her list of questions*
me: oh, so you are looking for the cheat sheet, aren't you?
physician interviewer: *laugh*
 
Interviewer: Would you rather be a hammer or a nail?

Uhhh...
 
Not really an interview answer, but a conversation.

My friend was rejected from optometry school. I asked her how the interview went, to see if that was a factor. She retold me an uncomfortable moment:

Interviewer: So tell us about your leadership experiences.

Friend: **she apparently panicked and failed to bring up her past leadership roles

Interviewer: Okay... so do you have any questions for us about anything?

Friend: Yes, I would like to know what your school looks for in an applicant.

Interviewer: Um.... leadership.

Friend: :smack:
Click to expand...

The good thing is she reapplied and got in. Haha.
 
Last edited:
There's been some interviews completed already, so bump.
 
I just remembered one from last cycle...

At St. Louis University:

Interviewer: So, why SLU? (Pronounced as the acronym, "sloo")

Me: Well, I want to go to Saint...wait is it pronounced Saint Loo-is or Saint Loo-ee??

Interviewer: *Awkward look* Loo-is...ಠ_ಠ

Me: As I was saying... (Instant regret)

Thinking back, I would have waitlisted me as well. 😳
 
Cabbage said:
interviewer 1: take a seat
me: pick on seat, decide not to sit on that one and pick another (pretty much jooked out the interviewer)
interviewer 1: So you got a C in this biochem class and blah blah. Do you think you can handle a medical school education?
me: well, biochemistry is really really hard at my school... one of the top programs in the country (sounded like a fuquing tour guide)
interviewer: what do you do in ur spare time
me: choke people out....
interviewer 1: immediately*are u serious?
interviwer 2 just laughs hysterically
me: i meant, choke people out in my ju jitsu and mma bouts.

i was mentally so nervous that i clarified my answer like after 30 seconds of a cold stare and one interviewer laughing. yeah, i'll find out in a week or two. i figure that was horrible
Click to expand...
omfg this is so hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
had an interview recently

interviewer: tell me about a time when you had to give someone bad news
me: well. the girl i was dating before i met my wife, i decided i didn't want to continue the relationship but she had no idea. i danced around the issue for a while and when she didn't pick up on it i just told her and left. it was kind of like shooting a puppy in the face. i guess i didn't handle that too well.
interviewer: I'd say so!

let you know October 15!
 
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Captain Sisko said:
had an interview recently

interviewer: tell me about a time when you had to give someone bad news
me: well. the girl i was dating before i met my wife, i decided i didn't want to continue the relationship but she had no idea. i danced around the issue for a while and when she didn't pick up on it i just told her and left. it was kind of like shooting a puppy in the face. i guess i didn't handle that too well.
interviewer: I'd say so!

let you know October 15!
Click to expand...

I think that's a very good response to the question. Makes you look much more personable and its something the interviewers can probably relate to.
 
Interviewer: What kind of people don't you get along with?

Me: People that don't let me into their medical school.

*him writing*
 
Rik1111 said:
Interviewer: What kind of people don't you get along with?

Me: People that don't let me into their medical school.

*him writing*
Click to expand...

These kind of questions are so stupid. Everyone has types of people that they don't get along with, including the interviewer, but any answer that states that will probably be viewed poorly.
 
Omppu27 said:
These kind of questions are so stupid. Everyone has types of people that they don't get along with, including the interviewer, but any answer that states that will probably be viewed poorly.
Click to expand...

Kind of, but I think with these questions all you can do is spin. Offer an example: "in the past I had some difficulty dealing with x in a project group" or something, and then parlay it into a synopsis of how you overcame the difficulty and commenting that you do your best to work well with others towards a goal, regardless of personality. I think the specific answer you give is less important than the way you answer - at least I hope so.
 
TheShaker said:
I just remembered one from last cycle...

At St. Louis University:

Interviewer: So, why SLU? (Pronounced as the acronym, "sloo")

Me: Well, I want to go to Saint...wait is it pronounced Saint Loo-is or Saint Loo-ee??

Interviewer: *Awkward look* Loo-is..._

Me: As I was saying... (Instant regret)

Thinking back, I would have waitlisted me as well. 😳
Click to expand...

In your defense, you could have just come from Loo-iss-ville KY. Loo-vull?
 
OK, I'll play.

Me (to interviewee): So tell me about your interest in X?
Interviewee: Well, I like X because...(sound of brain seizing up)...uhh, what was the question?
Me (thinking) Reject!

Here's another:

Lucy (an MD colleague of mine): So Joe, do you ave any questions for us?
Joe: yes, Lucy, why did join the faculty here?

Lucy and me (thinking) Reject!Note: Do not, ever, address an interviewer by their first name.
 
Goro said:
OK, I'll play.

Me (to interviewee): So tell me about your interest in X?
Interviewee: Well, I like X because...(sound of brain seizing up)...uhh, what was the question?
Me (thinking) Reject!

Here's another:

Lucy (an MD colleague of mine): So Joe, do you ave any questions for us?
Joe: yes, Lucy, why did join the faculty here?

Lucy and me (thinking) Reject!Note: Do not, ever, address an interviewer by their first name.
Click to expand...

Goro any pointers on medical ethics questions? I am guessing that my interviewer will see my 2+years of hospice pt volunteerism and ask about euthanasia or end of life scenarios. As long as you come across as coherent/understand the issue then you should be fine, right?
 
I'm in:
Interviewer: So do you have any questions?
Me: Yes (ask a question)...
Interviewer: Hmm, well what do you think?
Me: I don't know that's why I asked you.
 
Goro said:
OK, I'll play.

Me (to interviewee): So tell me about your interest in X?
Interviewee: Well, I like X because...(sound of brain seizing up)...uhh, what was the question?
Me (thinking) Reject!

Here's another:

Lucy (an MD colleague of mine): So Joe, do you ave any questions for us?
Joe: yes, Lucy, why did join the faculty here?

Lucy and me (thinking) Reject!Note: Do not, ever, address an interviewer by their first name.
Click to expand...
Woah woah woah it's that easy to get rejected?
 
Goro said:
OK, I'll play.

Me (to interviewee): So tell me about your interest in X?
Interviewee: Well, I like X because...(sound of brain seizing up)...uhh, what was the question?
Me (thinking) Reject!

Here's another:

Lucy (an MD colleague of mine): So Joe, do you ave any questions for us?
Joe: yes, Lucy, why did join the faculty here?

Lucy and me (thinking) Reject!Note: Do not, ever, address an interviewer by their first name.
Click to expand...

Wow, that seems rather harsh.
 
Cambover said:
Wow, that seems rather harsh.
Click to expand...

pyrrion89 said:
Yeah, tbh I am hoping I don't get an interviewer as quick-to-judge as Goro.
Click to expand...

I say bring it on :meanie:

It's going to be dependent upon the interviewer. I've had job interviews where I knew I messed a question up and I was like "boom, it's done." That's their right and duty, I guess.
 
Faculty interviewer introduces himself: "Hi im Dr. ____, nice to meet you"

Interviewee: "What is your specialty?"

Faculty interviewer: "Oh im not a medical doctor, Im a research professor, PhD, but i guess you can say my specialty is botany"

Student: Walks out...

lol
 
ChemEngMD said:
I say bring it on :meanie:

It's going to be dependent upon the interviewer. I've had job interviews where I knew I messed a question up and I was like "boom, it's done." That's their right and duty, I guess.
Click to expand...

I don't think Goro makes rejection decisions very lightly, and I am sure he or she makes a more holistic evaluation of the interview. I am sure he or she is a great interviewer and cares about doing his or her job well. That being said, I know if I were an interviewer, I'd never reject someone just because they were thrown off by a question and needed re-prompting to gain time to gather their thoughts.

I would be very surprised if more than a quarter of interviewees make it out of an interview without giving an "uh..." type response to at least one question before gathering their thoughts and offering their response. And of that "75%" that would get the auto-reject, I bet a great many candidates would be great but were nonetheless summarily rejected because of an isolated behavior.
 
pyrrion89 said:
I don't think Goro makes rejection decisions very lightly, and I am sure he or she makes a more holistic evaluation of the interview. I am sure he or she is a great interviewer and cares about doing his or her job well. That being said, I know if I were an interviewer, I'd never reject someone just because they were thrown off by a question and needed re-prompting to gain time to gather their thoughts.

I would be very surprised if more than a quarter of interviewees make it out of an interview without giving an "uh..." type response to at least one question before gathering their thoughts and offering their response. And of that "75%" that would get the auto-reject, I bet a great many candidates would be great but were nonetheless summarily rejected because of an isolated behavior.
Click to expand...

What is this wall of pronouns
 
Goro said:
Here's another:

Lucy (an MD colleague of mine): So Joe, do you ave any questions for us?
Joe: yes, Lucy, why did join the faculty here?

Lucy and me (thinking) Reject!Note: Do not, ever, address an interviewer by their first name.
Click to expand...

This is a very important point. I've seen it happen at my school, too.

It is in no way a decision we make lightly or as a snap decision but it will be reported and the group will make a decision that will not be in the applicant's favor.
 
Yup; just answer to the best of your ability. Most of those questions have no right or wrong answer.

Goro any pointers on medical ethics questions? I am guessing that my interviewer will see my 2+years of hospice pt volunteerism and ask about euthanasia or end of life scenarios. As long as you come across as coherent/understand the issue then you should be fine, right?


Hmmm, I see I touched a lot of raw nerves. First, all of you take a deep breath. It takes a lot of incompetence in any interviewee to get a rejection. I may be more of a hardass than some of my colleagues, but my rejections are very few out of the people I see.

It wasn't just a snap judgement by me on the guy who didn't know interview protocol...he had other deficits as it turned out, and my colleagues picked up on it as well.

Woah woah woah it's that easy to get rejected?
 
Last edited:
Goro said:
Yup; just answer to the best of your ability. Most of those questions have no right or wrong answer.

Goro any pointers on medical ethics questions? I am guessing that my interviewer will see my 2+years of hospice pt volunteerism and ask about euthanasia or end of life scenarios. As long as you come across as coherent/understand the issue then you should be fine, right?
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I see I touched a lot of raw nerves. First, all of you take a deep breath. It takes a lot of incompetence in any interviewee to get a rejection. I may be more of a hardass than some of my colleagues, but my rejections are very few out of the people I see.

It wasn't just a snap judgement by me on the guy who didn't know interview protocol...he had other deficits as it turned out, and my colleagues picked up on it as well.

Woah woah woah it's that easy to get rejected?[/QUOTE]

Goro, I'd like to point out that even interviewers get tripped up. Although they're not in the hot seat 😉
 
LizzyM said:
This is a very important point. I've seen it happen at my school, too.

It is in no way a decision we make lightly or as a snap decision but it will be reported and the group will make a decision that will not be in the applicant's favor.
Click to expand...

What if the interviewer only introduces herself by her first name?! :scared:
 
roundza said:
What if the interviewer only introduces herself by her first name?! :scared:
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure most places give you some kind of handout ahead of time with the names printed on it. If not, you can always just avoid using the person's name when speaking to them, it isn't difficult.
 
BlueLabel said:
I'm pretty sure most places give you some kind of handout ahead of time with the names printed on it. If not, you can always just avoid using the person's name when speaking to them, it isn't difficult.
Click to expand...

yeah except that would have been totally awkward.... she was a 4th year med student and kept calling me by my name and i didn't say her's until we were shaking hands and leaving. she seemed very happy after the interview- we got along great and the conversation was really easy going so the familiarity sort of got away from me a little. oh well! that's that. can't change it now can i!
 
roundza said:
yeah except that would have been totally awkward.... she was a 4th year med student and kept calling me by my name and i didn't say her's until we were shaking hands and leaving. she seemed very happy after the interview- we got along great and the conversation was really easy going so the familiarity sort of got away from me a little. oh well! that's that. can't change it now can i!
Click to expand...

Oh, well I'm not exactly in the know but I'd bet that the "no first name rule" doesn't really apply to student interviewers. I mean, they don't even have a special salutation yet, in most cases. "Mr." or "Ms. Blank" just seems a bit unnecessary. Especially if they're addressing you by your first name.
 
roundza said:
What if the interviewer only introduces herself by her first name?! :scared:
Click to expand...

this pertains to faculty interviewers:

You: Hi my name is Joe
Interviewer: Hi I'm Mike
......[you should still continue to call him by his last name and title]
You: So Dr. Awesome question question question
Interviewer: Call me Mike
.....[now you can call him by his first name]
 
skinMD said:
this pertains to faculty interviewers:

You: Hi my name is Joe
Interviewer: Hi I'm Mike
......[you should still continue to call him by his last name and title]
You: So Dr. Awesome question question question
Interviewer: Call me Mike
.....[now you can call him by his first name]
Click to expand...

^ This.

In particular, the adcom tends to be harsh on applicants who call middle aged and elderly faculty by their first names. And more so if the person has introduced themselves as Dean Bigdeal. It is not as awful to call a med student by his first name.
 
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