Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

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chillaxbro said:
I hear interviewers want to hear an answer that's medically related.
However, I usually answer it honestly and say research or something with computers.
I hope it's not held too strongly against you
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I think it varies. I like to hear something outside of the medical field and why they want to do it. It tells me more about the person and what they enjoy to do.
 
chillaxbro said:
I hear interviewers want to hear an answer that's medically related.
However, I usually answer it honestly and say research or something with computers.
I hope it's not held too strongly against you
Click to expand...
This would on a per interviewer basis. I said I would apply for grad school in physics and research the universe, which dovetailed together when she brought up my physical science mcat score. I think as long as its obviously something you're passionate about it probably won't matter what you answer.
 
This was for my PhD program admission like 6 years ago. She was really nice and almost sweet up to this point.

Interviewer: So I noticed you worked your way through college. How'd you do that?
Me: We didn't qualify for aid so I worked odd jobs such as babysitting or working as a housekeeper. It wasn't easy but there is more that one way to skin a cat.
Interviewer: (looks bewildered) What did you say?
Me: What did I say when?
Interviewer: That last part about the cat.
Me: Oh there's more than one way to skin a cat.
Interviewer: (looks down at desk) Oh. Okay...... (writes in notebook for a second)

She was very sad and kind of disinterested the rest of the interview.
I looked down as I was leaving once the interview was over and saw a picture of her holding three cats. I told a friend who was in the program already and he said that she was known by everyone as the cat lady. I got accepted but I should've asked him about her first.
 
motz said:
"So what interested you about that field of research?"

"I like..." (30 second pause, completely blank, panicking because she is just sitting there smiling at me without moving) "cells can move."

She just nods.
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lol'd pretty hard at this. ahaha
 
This, I believe, actually wrecked my application last year.

I was fired from a scribe job for not focusing enough.

Interviewer: How do you like that scribe job?
Me: I loved it, but I had some pressing issues and had to take a leave, that was mutually agreed. (something along these lines)
Interviewer: I can see how sometimes you will have to choose a tough path.

At the end of the interview, after she closes her book. "I was a scribe at the same place when I was an undergrad" goes on talking about all the doctors there. I manage and continue talking about them. She actually works in the same hospital now, but in another department.

Result: Rejected, one of the main reasons being I wasn't professional with the outside-faculty interview.

Honestly, I think saying I was fired would have been worse!
 
Joojoobeans said:
Interviewer: "What is your pet peeve?"
Me: "Uhh....(Crap crap...I can't think of anything!)...wet socks?"
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Interviewer: Give me a pet peeve of yours?
WWWW: Hmm..
WWWW: Well, I hate feeling like I'm being misunderstood when I express my ideas devoid of what could be called proper emotional cues. (wtf did I just say??)
Interviewer: Nodding....uh huh...looks down at sheet
...
.......writing...
....breathing..

...looks up...
Interviewer: For me it's squeaky shoes.

:smack:
 
akaMondo said:
WOW. So. I was at an MMI, and the prompt was something about marijuana/alcohol abuse/etc. I get in the room, the doctor was friendly and joking around, we talked about legalizing marijuana, so on and so forth. After I said I'd probably vote to legalize marijuana and we started talking about the costs of alcoholism on society:

Me: "Yeah, I'd say alcoholism has a high cost on our society. You think about long-term physical and emotional care, cirrhosis, its ties to obesity, and yeah, the pricetag is really getting up there."
Him: *raises his arm up to signal high cost of alcohol*
Me: *goes for a high five*
Him: "Um... Mondo, did you just go for a high five?"
Me: "... no. Definitely not."
Him: "I think you were going for high five."
Me: "No, no, I was agreeing with you as to the high cost of alcoholism on our society."
Him: "Or you were going for a high five."

I was BEET RED. Why in the world did I do that? Why would he be high fiving me after I talked about alcoholism of all things? Oh my goodness! Mortified!
Click to expand...

Well, I ended up ACCEPTED here yesterday. Probably matriculating. I guess the high-five for alcoholism didn't keep me out after all.
 
My worst of the season:

Interviewer: So, you look like you have your act together overall, solid grades and interesting experiences, but I wonder if you could tell me one of your weaknesses?
Me: Well, I can be a little irrational. ... (Blank stare and nervous fidgeting when I realized what I said...)

I managed to stammer a little longer about how that was something I was working on, and that it's a rare problem that doesn't affect me professionally, but the rest of the interview (this was the last question) was a little rough...

Result: Rejected

Recommendation: Pause and think carefully about that question... even if you (hopefully) have an answer prepared for 'your weaknesses' [I had an answer prepared, but I unintentionally went a different direction.]
 
At an interview a couple years ago, we were talking about whether or not morality is relative.

Interviewer: "Do you think it's ok to steal if it's stealing food to feed your starving family?"

Me: "I don't think it's morally wrong to steal if that's the only option to feed kids that are totally dependent on you."

Interviewer: "So you think morals are relative. There are situations that make it ok to do things like steal."

Me: "Sure, almost everything can become ok if you push the situation far enough."

Interviewer: "You said almost everything. Can you give an example of something that's always wrong?"

Me: "Well... (after about a 10 second pause) rape. That's never ok"

Interviewer: "....you're right about that."



That was the last part of the interview. That comment is probably how he remembered me. Probably remembered me as "that rape guy". Ugh.

Result: Waitlisted with eventual rejection.
 
Impurple said:
At an interview a couple years ago, we were talking about whether or not morality is relative.

Interviewer: "Do you think it's ok to steal if it's stealing food to feed your starving family?"

Me: "I don't think it's morally wrong to steal if that's the only option to feed kids that are totally dependent on you."

Interviewer: "So you think morals are relative. There are situations that make it ok to do things like steal."

Me: "Sure, almost everything can become ok if you push the situation far enough."

Interviewer: "You said almost everything. Can you give an example of something that's always wrong?"

Me: "Well... (after about a 10 second pause) rape. That's never ok"

Interviewer: "....you're right about that."



That was the last part of the interview. That comment is probably how he remembered me. Probably remembered me as "that rape guy". Ugh.

Result: Waitlisted with eventual rejection.
Click to expand...
That's...probably the best possible answer to that question. Awkward, sure, but in terms of actual truth?
 
Impurple said:
At an interview a couple years ago, we were talking about whether or not morality is relative.

Interviewer: "Do you think it's ok to steal if it's stealing food to feed your starving family?"

Me: "I don't think it's morally wrong to steal if that's the only option to feed kids that are totally dependent on you."

Interviewer: "So you think morals are relative. There are situations that make it ok to do things like steal."

Me: "Sure, almost everything can become ok if you push the situation far enough."

Interviewer: "You said almost everything. Can you give an example of something that's always wrong?"

Me: "Well... (after about a 10 second pause) rape. That's never ok"

Interviewer: "....you're right about that."



That was the last part of the interview. That comment is probably how he remembered me. Probably remembered me as "that rape guy". Ugh.

Result: Waitlisted with eventual rejection.
Click to expand...

no way he remembers you as "that rape guy"! you were saying that rape is always wrong, so in no way should he associate you with rape. i think you had a good answer.
 
Impurple said:
At an interview a couple years ago, we were talking about whether or not morality is relative.

Interviewer: "Do you think it's ok to steal if it's stealing food to feed your starving family?"

Me: "I don't think it's morally wrong to steal if that's the only option to feed kids that are totally dependent on you."

Interviewer: "So you think morals are relative. There are situations that make it ok to do things like steal."

Me: "Sure, almost everything can become ok if you push the situation far enough."

Interviewer: "You said almost everything. Can you give an example of something that's always wrong?"

Me: "Well... (after about a 10 second pause) rape. That's never ok"

Interviewer: "....you're right about that."



That was the last part of the interview. That comment is probably how he remembered me. Probably remembered me as "that rape guy". Ugh.

Result: Waitlisted with eventual rejection.
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Oh that sounds so stressful! FWIW, I totally agree with your reasoning and answers. I mean, what is the "right" answer?
 
sunflower18 said:
no way he remembers you as "that rape guy"! you were saying that rape is always wrong, so in no way should he associate you with rape. i think you had a good answer.
Click to expand...
The bolded is not necessarily true; just because you disagree with something doesn't mean that it won't be associated with you. It's a super-charged subject, so the memory of the discussion could stick out regardless of his views on the matter. Now, I agree that he had a good answer and I don't think it would hurt him (because he was clearly against it), but it is something that could be memorable. That's one of the (many) reasons why many people who have seen or experienced such things don't discuss them - they don't want to be associated with it even in the 'against it' sense, as it's just not something people like to be linked to in any way.

@Impurple I think you gave a good answer and I don't see it hurting you, but I can totally understand why that would not want to be the final impression you left in an interview!
 
Interviewer: "What do you think of the US healthcare system"
Me: *Starts discussing the plight of the uninsured* "... Even under the Affordable Care Act, 23,000 people.... Uhh.. Or is it 23 million? I just remember the number 23. It could be 23,000 or 23 million. But that many people will be uninsured!"

Note: I'm really, really bad with numbers. There's not one bit of common sense there.

Interviewer: "Why do you want to go to medical school in Texas"
Me: "It's cheaper..." *Then tried to save my answer by naming BS reasons*

Interviewer: (First question) "So, why are you here today?"
Me: "Uhhh.... I want to be a doctor?"
 
Reckoner said:
Finally getting around to posting this. The night before my first interview I was browsing a reddit thread on great one-liners. The next day, I'm wrapping things up with my last interviewer - a professor emeritus who is 80+ years old.

Him: Before you go, what's a good joke you've heard recently?
Reckoner: (Immediately starting the first joke I could remember from the thread): What do you get when you mix human DNA and goat DNA?
Him: ???
Reckoner: (WHY WHY WHY DID I PICK THIS JOKE) Kicked out of the petting zoo...
Him: :lame:..... (30 seconds pass)..... Well, good luck!

Result: won't know until early spring
Click to expand...

I can't stop laughing at this. I'm quoting it so more people can enjoy it since it's buried.
 
At a scribe interview for an ophthalmologists' office:

Interviewer: "One thing about this job is, you really need to be able to type quickly and be a good speller. Are you a good speller?"
Me: "Oh of course!"
Interviewer: "Really? Because you misspelled "ophthalmologist" on your application..."

:whoa:
 
So that was you, eh? I've heard that answer, but when I was interviewing someone very, very late in the season. I get leery of people who apply super late. Sorry, it's a goro thing. i was expecting something like "I applied late"

Interviewer: (First question) "So, why are you here today?"
Me: "Uhhh.... I want to be a doctor?"
 
Goro said:
So that was you, eh? I've heard that answer, but when I was interviewing someone very, very late in the season. I get leery of people who apply super late. Sorry, it's a goro thing. i was expecting something like "I applied late"

Interviewer: (First question) "So, why are you here today?"
Me: "Uhhh.... I want to be a doctor?"
Click to expand...

Goro, is "why are you here today" code for "why do you want to be a doctor" ?
 
Fathead56 said:
At a scribe interview for an ophthalmologists' office:

Interviewer: "One thing about this job is, you really need to be able to type quickly and be a good speller. Are you a good speller?"
Me: "Oh of course!"
Interviewer: "Really? Because you misspelled "ophthalmologist" on your application..."

:whoa:
Click to expand...
star_wars_its_a_trap.jpg


AlphaKY1 said:
I'd probably answer with why I choose the certain school. I'm not an AdCOM though.
Click to expand...
I think I'd still answer with "Uh... I want to be a doctor?"
 
Fathead56 said:
At a scribe interview for an ophthalmologists' office:

Interviewer: "One thing about this job is, you really need to be able to type quickly and be a good speller. Are you a good speller?"
Me: "Oh of course!"
Interviewer: "Really? Because you misspelled "ophthalmologist" on your application..."

:whoa:
Click to expand...


Was this in TX because I feel like I interviewed someone and had a similar encounter with them.
 
akaMondo said:
WOW. So. I was at an MMI, and the prompt was something about marijuana/alcohol abuse/etc. I get in the room, the doctor was friendly and joking around, we talked about legalizing marijuana, so on and so forth. After I said I'd probably vote to legalize marijuana and we started talking about the costs of alcoholism on society:

Me: "Yeah, I'd say alcoholism has a high cost on our society. You think about long-term physical and emotional care, cirrhosis, its ties to obesity, and yeah, the pricetag is really getting up there."
Him: *raises his arm up to signal high cost of alcohol*
Me: *goes for a high five*
Him: "Um... Mondo, did you just go for a high five?"
Me: "... no. Definitely not."
Him: "I think you were going for high five."
Me: "No, no, I was agreeing with you as to the high cost of alcoholism on our society."
Him: "Or you were going for a high five."

I was BEET RED. Why in the world did I do that? Why would he be high fiving me after I talked about alcoholism of all things? Oh my goodness! Mortified!
Click to expand...

I cracked up at this at my desk.
 
Goro said:
So that was you, eh? I've heard that answer, but when I was interviewing someone very, very late in the season. I get leery of people who apply super late. Sorry, it's a goro thing. i was expecting something like "I applied late"

Interviewer: (First question) "So, why are you here today?"
Me: "Uhhh.... I want to be a doctor?"
Click to expand...

This was during an early interview this cycle, so hopefully my interviewer chalked it up to nerves. We both laughed when I said it so it wasn't awkward (at least I didn't think it was). I never know whether to go into my background or my desire to be a doc when I get that question :/ I guess the latter makes more sense.
 
I'm sure I'll have an embarrassing med school interview story soon, but I'm a non-trad ex-software developer, and I had this exchange with one of the partners of a company (my 7th and final interviewer for that company) I was interviewing for. Background: my dad was the village president of the suburb I grew up in for 12 years.

(Immediately after handshakes when he entered the room)
Partner: "I see you're from (suburb) and your last name is (last name). Are you related to (my dad's name)?"
Me: (used to the question, but surprised in this situation) "Yes, I'm his daughter."
Partner: "I moved to (suburb) about 10 years ago; I remember when he was the president. But don't worry, I don't really have that much of an opinion on him, or at least... not... one that I'm willing to share."
*very awkward pause*

That said, within a few hours I had an offer in my email inbox with a salary like 8-13k more than I was hoping for. I accepted. 🙂 Still just horribly awkward... the funny part is that I don't even get along with my dad that well and have a different political alignment, so I probably would have agreed with the partner's private opinion 😛
 
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Stagg737 said:
I was talking to one of the other interviewees about this thread and your post reminded me of a
Interviewer: So where do you see yourself as a physician 10 years from now?

Student: On the back nine working on my short game.

Interviewer looks confused for a few seconds then chuckles: Oh, you're joking...that was pretty good. So where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Student: Actually I was serious. I only want to see patients 3 or maybe 4 days a week and spend my days off golfing. I think golf is my real passion, but I don't think I could make a career out of golf and I think medicine is a good alternative for me.
Click to expand...

Generally applicable rule: if your interviewer at any point says "oh, you're joking...," the correct response is "yes, yes I am joking."
 
idm6 said:
Generally applicable rule: if your interviewer at any point says "oh, you're joking...," the correct response is "yes, yes I am joking."
Click to expand...

What if they ask if you're a god?
 
I'll bite.

Having a great conversation about today's biggest issues in the American healthcare system. When the interviewer starts contrasting the American system with the Bangladesh (where he is from) health care system and then...

Interviewer: Do you know where Bangladesh is located?
Me: *Deer stuck in the headlights* Uhhhhhhhhh... Somewhere near India? near the Middle East? *Said with confidence comparable to a squirrel trying to cross a street*
*Dreaded Silence*

I was then informed of Bangladesh's true location on the eastern Indian border.

I'm terrible with world maps 🙁
 
HingleMcCringleberry said:
I'll bite.

Having a great conversation about today's biggest issues in the American healthcare system. When the interviewer starts contrasting the American system with the Bangladesh (where he is from) health care system and then...

Interviewer: Do you know where Bangladesh is located?
Me: *Deer stuck in the headlights* Uhhhhhhhhh... Somewhere near India? near the Middle East? *Said with confidence comparable to a squirrel trying to cross a street*
*Dreaded Silence*

I was then informed of Bangladesh's true location on the eastern Indian border.

I'm terrible with world maps 🙁
Click to expand...


But didn't you say "near India"? Bangladesh is pretty small, and unless your major has anything to do with geography or environmental science, then you'll be fine!!! 🙂

My first interview was recently. It went really badly, unfortunately. I was so nervous. It was also one of my top choice schools. I was stuttering so much through answers I'd perfected weeks ago. It's weird because I'm not a nervous person at all, and I've never had any sort of performance anxiety. But when I stepped into the interview, knowing that this was it, I just felt like a deer in the headlights. I really hope it wasn't as bad as I remember it.
 
Had a group interview.
The interviewee was a clearly young girl, possibly still in college, and like most of us in an interview, visibly nervous.

Interviewer: So, what did you do or read on your flight or drive down here today?
Student: I read this book called "blahblahblah" (Cant remember the name). It's about vampires, but its not like twilight!!! They don't sparkle or anything like that in the sun, its not like twilight!!! hahaha I promise it's not twilight!! It's more realistic, like, about the real world, except there's vampires in it, but I swear it's not like twilight!!

Proceeded to say "it's not like twilight," uprovoked, a couple more times. No one stopped her (myself included), and the interviewers (there were 2 of them) gave each other hilarious glances. She was very nice otherwise so hope it doesn't deter her chances, but really funny to watch.
 
This was with a student interviewer (M4 I think).

Interviewer: So after a long week, what do you do to unwind? Like, what are you really looking forward to being able to do once your week is over?
Me: Um... Honestly, sleep.
Interviewer: Haha, okay. What's your ideal Saturday like?
Me: Uhhh well I would sleep in. Because I really like sleep.

I have no idea what was wrong with me.... I think I was particularly exhausted that day or something. Oops.
 
G_Marker said:
But didn't you say "near India"? Bangladesh is pretty small, and unless your major has anything to do with geography or environmental science, then you'll be fine!!! 🙂

My first interview was recently. It went really badly, unfortunately. I was so nervous. It was also one of my top choice schools. I was stuttering so much through answers I'd perfected weeks ago. It's weird because I'm not a nervous person at all, and I've never had any sort of performance anxiety. But when I stepped into the interview, knowing that this was it, I just felt like a deer in the headlights. I really hope it wasn't as bad as I remember it.
Click to expand...

As a fellow stutterer you just have to go into the interview with a lot of confidence! I was expecting to be a train wreck on my first one last week (since like most people I stutter more frequently under stress) but I told myself you know what I got this and surprised myself by only stuttering perhaps twice throughout my two interviews that day.


sunflower18 said:
This was with a student interviewer (M4 I think).

Interviewer: So after a long week, what do you do to unwind? Like, what are you really looking forward to being able to do once your week is over?
Me: Um... Honestly, sleep.
Interviewer: Haha, okay. What's your ideal Saturday like?
Me: Uhhh well I would sleep in. Because I really like sleep.

I have no idea what was wrong with me.... I think I was particularly exhausted that day or something. Oops.
Click to expand...

Well what did they expect, you are the master of naps 😛.
 
HingleMcCringleberry said:
I'll bite.

Having a great conversation about today's biggest issues in the American healthcare system. When the interviewer starts contrasting the American system with the Bangladesh (where he is from) health care system and then...

Interviewer: Do you know where Bangladesh is located?
Me: *Deer stuck in the headlights* Uhhhhhhhhh... Somewhere near India? near the Middle East? *Said with confidence comparable to a squirrel trying to cross a street*
*Dreaded Silence*

I was then informed of Bangladesh's true location on the eastern Indian border.

I'm terrible with world maps 🙁
Click to expand...

@HingleMcCringleberry your story is funny but what did me in was your name :hilarious:

upload_2014-10-5_17-6-52.jpeg
 
sunflower18 said:
This was with a student interviewer (M4 I think).

Interviewer: So after a long week, what do you do to unwind? Like, what are you really looking forward to being able to do once your week is over?
Me: Um... Honestly, sleep.
Interviewer: Haha, okay. What's your ideal Saturday like?
Me: Uhhh well I would sleep in. Because I really like sleep.

I have no idea what was wrong with me.... I think I was particularly exhausted that day or something. Oops.
Click to expand...

That sounds like the answer 90% of med students would give. I really don't think you've got anything to worry about. Unless your interviewer was a gunner. Then you're screwed 😉
 
Interview was 2nd year med student.

Interviewer: why did you do this particular volunteering activity?
Me: I liked that it was pretty close to where I was living whereas hospitals were quite far. I also liked that I was able to interact with patients who were mentally ill whereas I only saw patients with physical ailments in hospital.

Kicking myself right now for saying that the place was close to where I live.. and she started yawning after.
 
ftp902 said:
Interview was 2nd year med student.

Interviewer: why did you do this particular volunteering activity?
Me: I liked that it was pretty close to where I was living whereas hospitals were quite far. I also liked that I was able to interact with patients who were mentally ill whereas I only saw patients with physical ailments in hospital.

Kicking myself right now for saying that the place was close to where I live.. and she started yawning after.
Click to expand...

Nothing about that answer seems bad. In fact, it seems downright standard. There's nothing wrong with volunteering at a place because it's convenient, and seeing different kinds of patients seems admirable.

As for the yawning... Isn't it possible she was just tired?
 
ftp902 said:
Interview was 2nd year med student.

Interviewer: why did you do this particular volunteering activity?
Me: I liked that it was pretty close to where I was living whereas hospitals were quite far. I also liked that I was able to interact with patients who were mentally ill whereas I only saw patients with physical ailments in hospital.

Kicking myself right now for saying that the place was close to where I live.. and she started yawning after.
Click to expand...

Yawning is a sign of social empathy.
 
I remembered another one of mine...

Interviewer: Do you have any hobbies?
Me: Yeah, I write poetry! (I elaborated a bit on my art and literary background)
Interviewer: Let's hear it!
Me: Uhhhh well I don't really have any memorised but um...
Interviewer: -expectant stare-
Me: Ok um here's the first stanza to one of them.. (I recited it)
Interviewer: ..... Let's move on.

It was quite nerve wracking and embarrassing haha but I was accepted yesterday so I guess it couldn't have been too awful 🙂
 
During my interview I was discussing an approach to treating a defiant patient and wanted to say "cut your losses" but I couldn't remember the phrase so I said "throw it all away". My interviewers eyes got huge and asked, "What exactly do you mean?" I tried explaining and failed. Turns out what I was getting at was the "wrong" answer anyway.
Result: Accepted.
 
I was a senior in high school, and I was called in for an interview at a 7-year accelerated medical program.

Interviewer: So, tell me why you want to be a doctor.
Me: Man, well it's a long story but I've wanted to be a doctor since I was five.
Interviewer: Oh really? What happened when you were five?
Me: Oh...um nothing in particular.....it's just something I've always wanted... (after a full one-minute pause)

I went in there like some hippie child thinking I could wing it, without knowing the answer to the most basic question of why I wanted to be a doctor.

Now I am sitting here about 4 years later, waiting for IIs from 4-year institutions.

GAWD.
 
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