Both my George Washington interviews went very badly. They were my first medical school interviews, as well as the first time I've ever had an in-person interview. I went in with a bunch of pre-prepared answers, and was prepared to recite them. There were 2 interviews, one student and one faculty, both closed file.
Student Interviewer: So, tell me about yourself.
Me: Pre-prepared answer. 15 seconds in, she cuts me off.
Student Interviewer: So, if you like science so much, why not be a PhD?
Me: Caught off guard, and didn't know what to say. Uhhh....Says something about wanting to be in charge, and not being passionate about research enough to devote my life to it.
Student Interviewer: Didn't like the answer, and proceeds to ask me more questions about being a PhD for 15 minutes.
The interview was supposed to last 25 min, but 15 minutes in,
Student Interviewer: I think we're done here.
Escorts me back to the room where the other interviewees are waiting.
Me: Thank you so much for your time. It was a pleasure to meet you. Reaches out to shake her hand.
Student Interviewer: Ignores my handshake, and calls for the next interviewee.
I loved the school, and the student interviewer was super nice. I'm disappointed that I made such a bad impression. I learned the hard way the pre-prepared answers are a horrible idea.
Now for the faculty interview...
The physician who was supposed to interview me became unavailable, so someone from the admissions office interviewed me. A secretary from the admissions office escorted me from the library to the Admissions office where I sat in the lobby for 25 min. The secretary then tells me to go to room ____. Enters room. It's completely dark. The lights are off, the blinds are drawn, and the only light comes from the computer screen/a very small desk lamp. My interviewer is staring at the computer as I walked in.
As soon as I walk in, before even having a chance to say hi or sit down.
Interviewer: Turns around in her chair, and says in a stern voice: We get a lot of applications, so why should we accept you?
Me: Did NOT prepare for this question/caught off guard/still standing awkwardly in the doorway. Thinking in my head "should I answer the question, or should I introduce myself first." Decides to introduce myself. Very enthusiastically. Hi ______!!!! My name is _____!!!! It's so nice to meet you!!!!! Pulls up a chair and sits down.
Interviewer: WE GET A LOT OF APPLICATIONS, SO WHY SHOULD WE ACCEPT YOU??
Me: Uh.....I think you uhhhh.....should uhhh.....accept me uhhhh......because I would make a good doctor because uhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........gives some very generic reasons.
Interviewer: So what are you doing now?
Me: I graduated in 2017, and am currently working for ______. Takes off suit jacket to reveal a shirt with the logo of the place I'm working, and proudly shows it off. Are you familiar with the organization? I assumed she would be since it's very prominent in DC.
Interviewer: No.....Put your jacket back on.
Me: Thinking: what did I just do??? I can't believe I thought that was a good idea?
The rest of the interview was a blur. She had trouble hearing me because I was sitting all the way across the room, and apparently mumbling. I said uhhhhh....a LOT. Cried on the metro ride back home.
Sends a Thank You letter explaining how nervous I was/apologizing for how badly I messed up.
Result: Alternate list. Which, honestly surprised me considering how bad the interview went.
It sucks that GW was the first interview I got since it was also my first choice. Really should have done more research about interviews/mock interviews. If it's not obvious, DON'T pre-prepare your answers.
A few months later, after some much better preparation, I interviewed at Drexel, and Dartmouth. Both of those interviews went MUCH better. Still waiting to hear back!
<-- Look that screamed, "So you want to go to Yale?"
(For reference, it's Hartford. I'm no good with CT geography 😛)
