Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

[Lya]

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Q: What do you do when you aren't studying or working?
A: Excuse me?
Q: What do you do for fun? Like hobbies? To relax?
A: ... uh.... uh... I like bubble baths

LOL just a week ago, I watched a microbiology lecture for fun right before bed - but I didn't want to sound like a nerd with no life.

By the way, if you let an E. Coli bacteria replicate once every 12 minutes for 24 hours... the volume the bacteria (0.6 cubic microns) would take up approximately 7.3 times the Earth's volume 😀

Are you a girl? That would have been an appropriate answer!


So what did the interviewer say afterwards?

"Do you enjoy some wine during your bubble baths?"

 

[Reckoner]

Someone help me.... I still don't get it...................................

Edit: That video about one pizza with everything also doesn't make any sense................ I seriously need to take joke 101.....

I watched it too and it didn't make any sense either. I got even more confuse.

It's a pun. "Make me one with everything" can mean "make me a hotdog with all of the toppings," or "connect me with everything in the universe."

 

[LabratABQ]

It's a pun. "Make me one with everything" can mean "make me a hotdog with all of the toppings," or "connect me with everything in the universe."

Thank you for that....I'm registering fundamental of jokes 095 now. Lol

 

[terp720]

I watched it too and it didn't make any sense either. I got even more confuse.

idioms like being at one with something don't always translate well in jokes...but it's like feeling at peace with something or a part of it. I most often hear the saying as "being at one with nature". So if you're meditating or spiritual like the Dalai Lama, you may want to be "at one with the world" or in this case - everything. Which is also how you order hotdogs and pizzas.

saw Reckoners post -- i agree!

 

[whifsanity]

At one interview, I mentioned that imposing mandatory vaccinations on healthcare workers presented a conflict between autonomy and public concern/safety. The interviewer followed up and asked, when else is that a conflict in the world? What can you not do in a public setting? And for who knows why the only thing that popped up in my head was "you can't go nude in public?"

 

[wiloghby]

It was one of those moments when my mouth was moving and my brain was screaming, "What are you doing? Stop!" I went off on a small tangent about how I always tell my dad I'm only 85% sure I want to be a doctor because the thought of committing myself to something forever scares me.

If someone told me they were only 85% sure they'd want to go to med school, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be recommending them.

I also asked a tour guide if I could "derail" her... Which sounded oddly sexual. I meant her chain of thought -- but whatever.

Spend less time on forums :]

 

[Staffsy77]

This is by far my worst response:

Interviewer: What would be the cons of a new law that requires HIV+ individuals to disclose their condition prior to engaging in sexual intercourse with a partner?
----(For some reason, I imagined having to tell a person right before sex 😱.. it went downhill from there)----
Me: Well, being so straightforward would be difficult becuase it might decrease their chances... (did I just say that?!)
Interviewer:
Me: *blushes* I mean, their chances of continuing the relationship, of course. If you tell them on a first date, they might hesitate to call you back.. (I need to stop talking!!)
Interviewer: *uncontrollable laughter that lasted more than a minute*

Did I mention it was an 8 minute MMI? That minute was valuable..

I can't stop laughing. Not at your expense, just a truly funny moment you had there. I feel like if I were your interviewer I'd laugh but also feel that you're very, very down to earth.. as opposed to autobot with a scripted answer for every situation. I say good for you 🙂

 

[Quizlet04]

I can't stop laughing. Not at your expense, just a truly funny moment you had there. I feel like if I were your interviewer I'd laugh but also feel that you're very, very down to earth.. as opposed to autobot with a scripted answer for every situation. I say good for you 🙂

Better than a decepticon with a scripted answer! I'll show myself out.

 

[deinbuhnee]

Not a huge debacle of an answer in hindsight, but definitely wanted it back in the moment

Interviewer: "Here's a good one. If you could be any type of cell which would it be and why?"

Me: (After chatting about our mutual love of fantasy authors and other nerdy pursuits/feeling confident in how the interview was going)
"Definitely a Leydig Cell, since I am your stereotypically macho kind of guy."

Interviewer: "HAHA..." choking on soda
"Definitely not the answer I was expecting, but I like the creativity"

Me: why would I say that outloud?!

 

[neurotroph]

I watched a documentary a few weeks ago on the connection between homelessness and heroin addiction. They seemed to assert that in modern society, people will tend towards drugs that take them away from reality until they are chemically/psychologically addicted to the substance. All the programs in the world won't help if after they leave they are still homeless and have nothing else to turn to. These people will do anything to get their fix. If it isn't using donated money for drugs, it would be stealing-- in the end there is no reason to give food instead of money. The solution is to support these people and get them a home and a job first, then focus on the drugs second.

I think you had a good answer and some people are naive to the actual situation.

This is so true. I've read a book about this but have never seen a documentary related to it. What was the name of the doc?

 

[HopefulReapp]

This is so true. I've read a book about this but have never seen a documentary related to it. What was the name of the doc?

Not so much of a documentary as it is a vlog project.

 

[mehc012]

I always figure that my donation is an opportunity. What they do with it is up to them, and it's my job neither to hold their hand through every step of helping themselves (can't do that with everyone in day-to-day life, it's too much) nor to judge them if they can't make it in that direction. I don't feel badly whether they choose to smoke it or eat it or drink it. Once I give it to them, it's their money.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Not a huge debacle of an answer in hindsight, but definitely wanted it back in the moment

Interviewer: "Here's a good one. If you could be any type of cell which would it be and why?"

Me: (After chatting about our mutual love of fantasy authors and other nerdy pursuits/feeling confident in how the interview was going)
"Definitely a Leydig Cell, since I am your stereotypically macho kind of guy."

Interviewer: "HAHA..." choking on soda
"Definitely not the answer I was expecting, but I like the creativity"

Me: why would I say that outloud?!

I would have seen the interaction as positive. Part of a good class is to have people who will make others feel good through laughter in the d stressing times.

 

[Oso]

just remembered blanking out during a question ... because I thought my student interviewer was really hot 🙄

And then feeling a strange sense of disappointment when I found out she was engaged 🙁

what an unnecessarily emotional interview.

 

[TheBossDoctor]

This was me during my first interview of the season:

Interviewer: So...suppose you're prescribing a lot of medications for a patient's various health disorders (like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.). However, the patient turns to you and says "hey doc...I can't really afford all this". What would you do?

Me: Hmm that's a tough situation. I'd probably just focus on treating the one or two most important conditions.

Interviewer: So what you're saying is that you'd treat his diabetes, but not his high blood pressure?

Me: Well...when you put it that way it sounds bad. Hmm...I'm not sure. I would want to treat all the conditions but if the patient can't afford it then there's nothing you can do.

Interviewer: You do realize that there are such things as public pharmacies, right? And many free clinics offer reduced price or free medication to those in need.

Me: Oh...I didn't really know about that. But I guess that sounds like a good plan in this scenario.



At least my later interviews (which were at schools I cared about more) went better.

 

[gregoryhouse]

I heard about this from one of the attendings who conducts interviews.

The interviewee walks in the room and the attending stands up to greet him. The interviewee was really nervous and accidentally sat in the attendings seat. Apparently he was too nervous too fix his mistake or too nervous to realize it, so the attending had to politely ask him to sit in the other seat.

I thought it was hilarious, I think I would have been so embarassed I would have left and called it a day lol

 

[LabratABQ]

I heard about this from one of the attendings who conducts interviews.

The interviewee walks in the room and the attending stands up to greet him. The interviewee was really nervous and accidentally sat in the attendings seat. Apparently he was too nervous too fix his mistake or too nervous to realize it, so the attending had to politely ask him to sit in the other seat.

I thought it was hilarious, I think I would have been so embarassed I would have left and called it a day lol

I would be like testing you there! Sharp sharp!

 

[Bisonman80]

So I'm at interview day for a school pretty high on my list of schools. All of us interviewees are walking out of the morning introduction/presentation by the dean of admissions (who was a charming woman) and as I walk past her she stops me, looks me up and down and for a moment looked a little perplexed, then smiles and goes 'nah, you look good'. Because it's like a line of people walking I just keep moving; I am internally flabbergasted and so I just smile awkwardly and keep walking. This basically was tripping me out the whole day because I couldn't figure out why she did that.

The only thing I can think of is that I was wearing this sexy (or so I've been told) turquoise dress shirt underneath my suit. That's it though, it's not even really flashy. And she didn't seem to be focusing on the shirt. Aaaanyways.

Also my first interview that day was pretty much terrible the entire time. It was THE most typical, contrived interview questions you could come up with, all back to back. Brutal. I got asked the 'tell me about a time you failed at something, and what did you learn from it' not once, but twice, in different wording. I was like ... 'I'm pretty sure you already asked me that.' 'uhhhh yeah... but maybe there's something else?'

That said, the rest of the day was amazing and I hope I get in!

 

[eleventhdoc]

So I finished my first interview and I was going to my interview with the dean, whom I've met with multiple times before so he's all smiley and friendly and laid back with me.

Dean: How did your first interview go?
Me: Oh, I think it went pretty well.
Dean: Good to hear, who did you have?
Me: Dr. _______ (About a fifteen second pause where he just nods thoughtfully. I get really uncomfortable during silence so obviously I blabber) Yeah it was fine, it was kind of tough, not what I expected, but I think I did okay.
Dean: (No more smiles, stone-faced now) Well, did you come here to be interviewed for medical school or to be coddled and loved on?
Me: (Nervous laughter) To be interviewed for medical school, of course.
He went on to lecture me about the real world and how the medical field isn't what you expect and life isn't easy and I smiled and nodded and agreed with everything he said because he basically holds my future in the palm of his hands.

 

[Reckoner]

So I finished my first interview and I was going to my interview with the dean, whom I've met with multiple times before so he's all smiley and friendly and laid back with me.

Dean: How did your first interview go?
Me: Oh, I think it went pretty well.
Dean: Good to hear, who did you have?
Me: Dr. _______ (About a fifteen second pause where he just nods thoughtfully. I get really uncomfortable during silence so obviously I blabber) Yeah it was fine, it was kind of tough, not what I expected, but I think I did okay.
Dean: (No more smiles, stone-faced now) Well, did you come here to be interviewed for medical school or to be coddled and loved on?
Me: (Nervous laughter) To be interviewed for medical school, of course.
He went on to lecture me about the real world and how the medical field isn't what you expect and life isn't easy and I smiled and nodded and agreed with everything he said because he basically holds my future in the palm of his hands.

Sounds like the dean was having a bad day and took it out on a captive audience (you)

 

[TheShaker]

So I finished my first interview and I was going to my interview with the dean, whom I've met with multiple times before so he's all smiley and friendly and laid back with me.

Dean: How did your first interview go?
Me: Oh, I think it went pretty well.
Dean: Good to hear, who did you have?
Me: Dr. _______ (About a fifteen second pause where he just nods thoughtfully. I get really uncomfortable during silence so obviously I blabber) Yeah it was fine, it was kind of tough, not what I expected, but I think I did okay.
Dean: (No more smiles, stone-faced now) Well, did you come here to be interviewed for medical school or to be coddled and loved on?
Me: (Nervous laughter) To be interviewed for medical school, of course.
He went on to lecture me about the real world and how the medical field isn't what you expect and life isn't easy and I smiled and nodded and agreed with everything he said because he basically holds my future in the palm of his hands.

I really wonder what goes through these peoples' heads that makes them so confrontational.

 

[Oso]

Dean: (No more smiles, stone-faced now) Well, did you come here to be interviewed for medical school or to be coddled and loved on?
Me: (Nervous laughter) To be interviewed for medical school, of course.
He went on to lecture me about the real world and how the medical field isn't what you expect and life isn't easy and I smiled and nodded and agreed with everything he said because he basically holds my future in the palm of his hands.

should have said "both"

(but for real that sucks, you did well)

 

[masaraksh]

OMG I finally have one 🙁

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.
Me: Uhhhh, you mean like something political?
Interviewer: Not necessarily (repeats question)
** clearly I was using this to delay and continue brain storming **
Me:... Well I think the policy Putin has in Russia that is so against the LGBT community is wrong..... But I like have no ability to change that.
Interviewer: ...
Me: But, I'm still going to watch the games. I love winter sports.

 

[Sumtingwong]

OMG I finally have one 🙁

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.
Me: Uhhhh, you mean like something political?
Interviewer: Not necessarily (repeats question)
** clearly I was using this to delay and continue brain storming **
Me:... Well I think the policy Putin has in Russia that is so against the LGBT community is wrong..... But I like have no ability to change that.
Interviewer: ...
Me: But, I'm still going to watch the games. I love winter sports.

Great save 😛

But really, those questions are also really difficult for me.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

So I'm at interview day for a school pretty high on my list of schools. All of us interviewees are walking out of the morning introduction/presentation by the dean of admissions (who was a charming woman) and as I walk past her she stops me, looks me up and down and for a moment looked a little perplexed, then smiles and goes 'nah, you look good'. Because it's like a line of people walking I just keep moving; I am internally flabbergasted and so I just smile awkwardly and keep walking. This basically was tripping me out the whole day because I couldn't figure out why she did that.

The only thing I can think of is that I was wearing this sexy (or so I've been told) turquoise dress shirt underneath my suit. That's it though, it's not even really flashy. And she didn't seem to be focusing on the shirt. Aaaanyways.

Also my first interview that day was pretty much terrible the entire time. It was THE most typical, contrived interview questions you could come up with, all back to back. Brutal. I got asked the 'tell me about a time you failed at something, and what did you learn from it' not once, but twice, in different wording. I was like ... 'I'm pretty sure you already asked me that.' 'uhhhh yeah... but maybe there's something else?'

That said, the rest of the day was amazing and I hope I get in!

I've had both of those experiences! Kind of! At the same school during the same day too! I wanted to die.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I've had both of those experiences! Kind of! At the same school during the same day too! I wanted to die.

Can you explain? Was the comment suggestive that she was inappropriately dressed for her interview by being too...?

 

[DokterMom]

Can you explain? Was the comment suggestive that she was inappropriately dressed for her interview by being too...?

For a "she" - turquoise is in no way wrong. For a "he" it's not a traditional, conservative shirt color, but could work.

 

[Amba]

OMG I finally have one 🙁

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.
Me: Uhhhh, you mean like something political?
Interviewer: Not necessarily (repeats question)
** clearly I was using this to delay and continue brain storming **
Me:... Well I think the policy Putin has in Russia that is so against the LGBT community is wrong..... But I like have no ability to change that.
Interviewer: ...
Me: But, I'm still going to watch the games. I love winter sports.

Was this CCLCM? If so, I had a pretty terrible answer for this as well.

 

[masaraksh]

Was this CCLCM? If so, I had a pretty terrible answer for this as well.

yep

 

[Reckoner]

Was this CCLCM? If so, I had a pretty terrible answer for this as well.

Story time?

 

[Lya]

OMG I finally have one 🙁

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.
Me: Uhhhh, you mean like something political?
Interviewer: Not necessarily (repeats question)
** clearly I was using this to delay and continue brain storming **
Me:... Well I think the policy Putin has in Russia that is so against the LGBT community is wrong..... But I like have no ability to change that.
Interviewer: ...
Me: But, I'm still going to watch the games. I love winter sports.

That is a good save.

I am not sure how I would have answered that thoroughly..

 

[Amba]

Story time?

I knew I set myself up for that.

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.

Me: Uhhhh (*10 seconds of silence*). Well, back during senior year of high school, I took an advanced bio class. They had those small desks in there that are designed for elementary school students. Three taller friends (>6'2) and I would sit in the back on stools at the lab bench because it was much more comfortable. We got a new teacher halfway through the semester and she didn't like that we sat there. We initially resisted, but eventually I moved to the desks, because I realized the importance of respecting the teacher in that situation, regardless of whether or not I agreed with the policy.

Interviewer: Why do you think she did that?

Me: She was a younger teacher, in a new classroom, in a new school. She was trying to express her control and authority over the classroom.

Interviewer: Um. Maybe she just preferred all the students sitting together?

Me: Uh.... Yeah... I guess that could be it too.

 

[masaraksh]

I knew I set myself up for that.

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.

Me: Uhhhh (*10 seconds of silence*). Well, back during senior year of high school, I took an advanced bio class. They had those small desks in there that are designed for elementary school students. Three taller friends (>6'2) and I would sit in the back on stools at the lab bench because it was much more comfortable. We got a new teacher halfway through the semester and she didn't like that we sat there. We initially resisted, but eventually I moved to the desks, because I realized the importance of respecting the teacher in that situation, regardless of whether or not I agreed with the policy.

Interviewer: Why do you think she did that?

Me: She was a younger teacher, in a new classroom, in a new school. She was trying to express her control and authority over the classroom.

Interviewer: Um. Maybe she just preferred all the students sitting together?

Me: Uh.... Yeah... I guess that could be it too.

LOL! If we're going back to high school, I know what I should have answered.

Our high school implemented a policy and removed all carbonated and fizzy soft-drinks. I was enraged about the policy and my inability to change it. What I learned from this experience was how much I love chocolate milk.

 

[Zelda840]

I think questions like that give nontrads a real advantage. I can think of tons of examples for that question. Working in payroll/HR/accounting gives you lots of experience with stupid policies. 😀

 

[LabratABQ]

I think questions like that give nontrads a real advantage. I can think of tons of examples for that question. Working in payroll/HR/accounting gives you lots of experience with stupid policies. 😀

totes agree. working in the hospital gives you plentiful of experiences with stupid policies, too. lol

My answer would had been hmmmm everything? 😆 i want a reset button this game is no longer fun JK hahaha

 

[Grady]

Interviewer: "tell me about a time when you've demonstrated honesty and integrity"
Me: Inner voice: wtf, I'm honest every day...think deeper you idiot...okay got one...
"When I was quarterback in HS my running back was smoking weed. I pulled him aside one day and suggested that he should quit because it is bad for his health, and by smoking weed he is not playing at his maximum ability, it is illegal, and he was breaking the athletic code. 3 weeks later, he got caught and was suspended form the team. Unfortunately now (4 years later), he is in jail for selling narcotics.
Interviewer: "If you could do over, would you tell the AD or Coach first"
me: "No, he was my friend and an 18 year old adult who should make a responsible decision...If I would have told the coach, the outcome would not have changed because he got caught anyway, and is currently in jail"
Interviewer: jotting notes down...."mmhhmmm" "yeah, that's a tough one"....
me: "I hope I answered your question"
Interviewer: Yeah Kind of....
me thinking in my head: my answer had nothing to do with honesty and integrity. %$#@!

1 week later: waitlisted. Me: "why did I make such a simple question into a complicated answer" WOW lol still laughing about it. I can't believe I brought this situation up; I'm usually good thinking on my feet.

 

[Lya]

Interviewer: "tell me about a time when you've demonstrated honesty and integrity"
Me: Inner voice: wtf, I'm honest every day...think deeper you idiot...okay got one...
"When I was quarterback in HS my running back was smoking weed. I pulled him aside one day and suggested that he should quit because it is bad for his health, and by smoking weed he is not playing at his maximum ability, it is illegal, and he was breaking the athletic code. 3 weeks later, he got caught and was suspended form the team. Unfortunately now (4 years later), he is in jail for selling narcotics.
Interviewer: "If you could do over, would you tell the AD or Coach first"
me: "No, he was my friend and an 18 year old adult who should make a responsible decision...If I would have told the coach, the outcome would not have changed because he got caught anyway, and is currently in jail"
Interviewer: jotting notes down...."mmhhmmm" "yeah, that's a tough one"....
me: "I hope I answered your question"
Interviewer: Yeah Kind of....
me thinking in my head: my answer had nothing to do with honesty and integrity. %$#@!

1 week later: waitlisted. Me: "why did I make such a simple question into a complicated answer" WOW lol still laughing about it. I can't believe I brought this situation up; I'm usually good thinking on my feet.

Inner voice like this happened to me so many times, and I am glad I am not the only one--thinking that I have a good example, but at the end it wasn't articulated enough! Ugh!

Maybe you should said, "This was a good friend of mine so I approached and discussed with him honestly without judging him as a person or his decision. I was genuine that I cared about his health and his athletic career, and I respected him as a human being despite his unsafe, unhealthful decision."


But even then, it might not be what the interviewer was looking for...

 

[basketcase0a0]

I knew I set myself up for that.

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with something or a policy that you had no ability to change.

Me: Uhhhh (*10 seconds of silence*). Well, back during senior year of high school, I took an advanced bio class. They had those small desks in there that are designed for elementary school students. Three taller friends (>6'2) and I would sit in the back on stools at the lab bench because it was much more comfortable. We got a new teacher halfway through the semester and she didn't like that we sat there. We initially resisted, but eventually I moved to the desks, because I realized the importance of respecting the teacher in that situation, regardless of whether or not I agreed with the policy.

Interviewer: Why do you think she did that?

Me: She was a younger teacher, in a new classroom, in a new school. She was trying to express her control and authority over the classroom.

Interviewer: Um. Maybe she just preferred all the students sitting together?

Me: Uh.... Yeah... I guess that could be it too.

Botched this one myself, I'm pretty sure everybody I have talked to had a terrible answer to this question, which mitigates it somewhat, I guess?

 

[Grady]

Inner voice like this happened to me so many times, and I am glad I am not the only one--thinking that I have a good example, but at the end it wasn't articulated enough! Ugh!

Maybe you should said, "This was a good friend of mine so I approached and discussed with him honestly without judging him as a person or his decision. I was genuine that I cared about his health and his athletic career, and I respected him as a human being despite his unsafe, unhealthful decision."


But even then, it might not be what the interviewer was looking for...

haha yes I agree. Oh well! it was a dumb question anyway.

 

[blixxex]

Q: so if you did not get an acceptance letter from us by March, what would you do?
A: I'd go to a school that has accepted me.
Q: What if none of them accepted you?
A: I've already been accepted to somewhere.
Q: But what IF you were not accepted anywhere.
A: Uh... apply again next year?

 

[chillaxbro]

Q: What is something your friends would want to change about you?
A: I'm too quiet in groups. I listen more than I speak.

School's whole philosophy is team based learning and working in teams

I've been kicking myself for being so honest

 

[type b pharmD]

I got one.. recently finished up the post graduation job interview trail. .. not entirely the same I know but I love the spirit of this post and ill never forget my first job interview. (Following paraphrased)

Interviewer: would you say you are punctual and dependable ?

Me: yes, I always show up for *work* on time and reliably (slight emphasis - major mistake) , I am never late, etc.

Interviewer: what about classwork?

Me: yes, I attended all class sessions that were required.

Interviewer: what do you mean required?

Me: well our campus did not have mandatory attendance, so I showed up on time reliably for my required labs, etc.

Interviewer: you mean you skipped ALL of your non required classes?

Me (stumbling at this point): no , no , they are broadcast online, I watched them all daily, i am better at learning from books and cases better than from lecture, oh btw I do consider myself to have the essential practitioner knowledge, I just learn better on my own.

Interviewer: somewhat blank stare .. silence.

Interviewer: well I guess that pretty much concludes our interview .

LOL @ self.

Ended up with a casual verbal offer, followed by the recruiter disappearing and never taking my calls ever again.

My lesson: im glad I interviewed with a less desirable place first.

 

[Ncognito13]

This was a couple weeks ago:

Interviewer: tell me something that you sacrificed during your undergrad

Me: Dating (I blurted it out immediately)

Interviewer: umm, can you please explain?

Me: Well, I did date during this time but not as much as I wanted. Like if I had a big midterm coming up, I would blow off a date to study instead. (what sucks is that "blowing off" can be interpreted as cancelling without letting the person know. What I meant to say was that school was my priority during this time.)

Interviewer: Ok... Any more questions for me?

Me: .....No


In hindsight I would have simply said that I missed out on hanging out with friends back home (my campus is 40 minutes away). That would have been a lot less awkward :/

Result: Accepted

 

[Joojoobeans]

Interviewer: "What is your pet peeve?"
Me: "Uhh....(Crap crap...I can't think of anything!)...wet socks?"

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Student interviewer: "Medical school is pretty hard. Do you think you'll be able to succeed in med school?"
Me: "Well I wouldn't have applied if I didn't think I could."
Me: "..."
Me: "What I meant was that I think I'll do well because..."

I'm really curious if it was that answer that got me rejected from that school, or the fact that I unknowingly had my pants unzipped for half the day.

 

[DrBirdFriend]

Ok, after reading this thread forever, I finally have one to add.

At my first interview this year the adcom asked "so tell me something that you like about yourself." Without even missing a beat I blurted out "well, I like A LOT of things about myself!!!" *facepalm* Adcom says "well.... I guess try to pick just one thing."

Don't think I've ever quite put my foot in my mouth like that before.

The good news is that I got an acceptance letter a few weeks later. The only thing I can think of is maybe they thought "at least this kid didn't prepare for this interview unto death/spoke from the heart."

 

[TheShaker]

Student interviewer: "Medical school is pretty hard. Do you think you'll be able to succeed in med school?"
Me: "Well I wouldn't have applied if I didn't think I could."
Me: "..."
Me: "What I meant was that I think I'll do well because..."

I'm really curious if it was that answer that got me rejected from that school, or the fact that I unknowingly had my pants unzipped for half the day.

Were you...hanging out?

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Were you...hanging out?

Nah, they would have only been able to see that the barn door was open, not inside the barn. It's entirely possible that no one noticed too seeing as how no one ever said anything; I only found out when I had to go outside to reach my next interview and thought to myself "it seems a bit breezier than usual".

 

[plumhill]

Interviewer: "What is your pet peeve?"
Me: "Uhh....(Crap crap...I can't think of anything!)...wet socks?"

Good to know I am not the only one who cannot stand wet socks. I'm known for carrying extra pairs in my backpack on rainy days. Fwiw if I was interviewing you that response would have been beyond amazing 🙂

 

[Roxas]

I had a couple of moments in my last interview worthy of mentioning.

Interviewer: "So what makes you think you'll be able to handle the rigors of medical school?"
Me: "Well I took organic chemistry 1 and 2+labs over the summer in 8 weeks and got used to spending 10-12 hours a day studying, so I think if I can handle that then I'll be fine."
Interviewer (a very stern-faced researcher who showed zero expression the entire interview: Looks at my application, looks up at me. Looks back down at my app then up at me again) "I see here that while you got a B in o-chem 1, you received a D+ in o-chem 2..."
Me: (Why did I even bring 0-chem up?!) "Yes, but I was still in the top quartile of the class even with that grade. That professor is notorious for a low pass rate. Plus when I retook I received a B+ and did well on the ACS and the MCAT... blah blah"
Interviewer: (expressionless stare)

Later on in the interview after being asked about my research and explaining it,

Interviewer: (goes on into some long drawn-out hypothetical situation regarding my research).

Bearing in mind that I didn't sleep well the night before, and my interview was well into the afternoon for whatever reason my brain shut off for a moment and I stopped listening to the question. Next thing I know, he is staring at me expecting an answer and I have no idea what the question was. The hypothetical situation and question was way too long for me to just ask him to repeat it, so I just decided to wing it and hope it covered what he asked.

Me: "In that case I think ....blah blah blah"
Interviewer: (looks at me awkwardly) ".....that doesn't really answer my question." (He proceeds to add on to his original hypothetical question, and for the life of me I still didn't know what he was asking even after paying attention this time)
Me: (gives some desperate BS answer)
Interviewer: "Lets just move on"


Result: Accepted! 😀