Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

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Interview #1
So do you think this whole Obamacare thing is the answer?
I thought using Obamacare was pretty odd and somewhat unprofessional. I proceeded to give my ideas about the ACA and health care which are very liberal (ie. patient centered medical home and health care co-ops). He was clearly disinterested in my liberal bs, and he rolled his eyes jotted something on his paper and quickly jumped to another question.

Interview #2
Int: What are your hobbies?
Me: Sports, outdoorsy stuff... friendship.

I meant to say, "Just hanging out with friends" but I said my hobby was friendship. I realized immediately that this was a stupid response but instead of going back and restating it, I tried to defend why friendship was a hobby I was good at. Yikes!

Result: In limbo.
 
Interviewer: I'm not sure you care enough about underprivileged people
Me: *laughing* that's kind of harsh

result: waitlisted 🙂
 
I asked my brother for advice before my first interview:
Brother: At X school, they asked me how I balance my spare time. I said, "The body is a temple, but it's also your gym and your nightclub."
Me: ...
Brother: Yeah, don't say that. Say you like hiking or something.
 
Interviewer: Why would you want to come to our school?
Me: I really want to stay in Arizona, but (insert generic answer about their out of state school)

Result: rejected.

It was my first out of state interview, I did a bit better on the others.
 
I had to add this one. I was speaking to a faculty member at my school who interviewed a student this cycle. He teaches a few lectures in our Cardio/Pulmonary module.

This interviewer loves to ask scenario questions to test the depth of the student's scientific knowledge as well as their critical thinking skills.

Interviewer: What would you do if someone had an MI
Student: Call 911
Interviewer: Long Pause...Are you being serious?
Student: Yes, I'm CPR Certified, That's the correct protocol.
Interviewer: Ok, so do have any questions for me? -End of Interview-

You can guess what the decision was... :laugh:

I tried doing that when I was getting my EMT cert. The proctor gave me a weird look, laughed, and said "You are 911".
 
If it makes you feel any better, I probably would have given a similar answer. Although I do have experience with mice, it's solely in the context of feeding them to my snake. 😀

HAHA, wow!! That's intense. They're not alive though, right....? I know very little about snake feeding.. Wow. That'd be intense if you had to feed them live mice. I don't think I could do it. I am feeling guilty enough about my impending future of killing rats this summer!

But I'm glad you would have said something similar. Granted, your answer is cooler, but it makes me feel less alone about immediately mentioning my pets 😀
 
Interviewer: Give me an example of when you went out of your way to help a stranger and how you were impacted by it.

me.. at least 30 seconds ... um. .. um.. one time I helped my roommate propose to his fiance. (I then spend some time trying to make it sound legit)

an awkward pause

Interviewer: (VERY suspiciously) do you mind telling me how he proposed?

It was as if he thought I was completely making up the story!

I then spent like 5 minutes trying to make it sound like I really did a lot and it REALLY seemed like he thought I was lying.

Needless to say I still haven't been accepted. Though I am withdrawing the app anyway.

wow!!! Was that REALLY the best I could come up with?
 
Interviewer: Oh, I see you've volunteered at a refugee center, tell me about it...
Me: [told her about what we did there]
Inteviewer: so where are these refugees from?
Me: Burma, Thailand.... [pause]... oh yea, and Saudi Arrrrrrr [oh crap!] abbbbbiaaaa . [oh no no no no. I meant to say Sudan. Why the hell did I say Saudi Arabia? Should I correct myself? uhhh uhhh uhhh... NO!] yes, that's right Saudi Arabia. uh huh:nod::nod:
Interviewer: [probably wondering why I have a stupid unsure grin on my face] oh... ok.

I'm still thinking whether or not I should have corrected myself. My very-happy-I-said-nothing-wrong-smile probably didn't help... hope she doesn't check and find that the US has 6 times more refugees than Saudi Arabia.
 
Interviewer: Oh, I see you've volunteered at a refugee center, tell me about it...
Me: [told her about what we did there]
Inteviewer: so where are these refugees from?
Me: Burma, Thailand.... [pause]... oh yea, and Saudi Arrrrrrr [oh crap!] abbbbbiaaaa . [oh no no no no. I meant to say Sudan. Why the hell did I say Saudi Arabia? Should I correct myself? uhhh uhhh uhhh... NO!] yes, that's right Saudi Arabia. uh huh:nod::nod:
Interviewer: [probably wondering why I have a stupid unsure grin on my face] oh... ok.

I'm still thinking whether or not I should have corrected myself. My very-happy-I-said-nothing-wrong-smile probably didn't help... hope she doesn't check and find that the US has 6 times more refugees than Saudi Arabia.

Rick perry?
 
An interviewer noted my extensive work with youth and asked me why I "like working with children so much."

The first phrase that flopped out of mouth, almost involuntarily, was "Because they are so fresh and naive."
Now perhaps that's nothing fatal or even very atypical, but I feel like I have to walk on egg shells as a staturesque guy interested in peds, and I instantly thought of:

pedo_bear_magic.png


I'm sure my cheeks flushed. I was so flummoxed/embarrassed by what I'd just said that I couldn't decide whether to acknowledge the weirdness and backtrack or just play it cool... ended up gaping like a fish for a good 5 seconds, which probably didn't help matters. I tried to bury it under a long-winded spiel about "youthful wonderment," "preventable suffering," and "children are our future"- type propaganda, but it remains my single worst interview moment.

Result: Undetermined.
 
An interviewer noted my extensive work with youth and asked me why I "like working with children so much."

The first phrase that flopped out of mouth, almost involuntarily, was "Because they are so fresh and naive."
Now perhaps that's nothing fatal or even very atypical, but I feel like I have to walk on egg shells as a staturesque guy interested in peds, and I instantly thought of:

pedo_bear_magic.png


I'm sure my cheeks flushed. I was so flummoxed/embarrassed by what I'd just said that I couldn't decide whether to acknowledge the weirdness and backtrack or just play it cool... ended up gaping like a fish for a good 5 seconds, which probably didn't help matters. I tried to bury it under a long-winded spiel about "youthful wonderment," "preventable suffering," and "children are our future"- type propaganda, but it remains my single worst interview moment.

Result: Undetermined.

I JUST LAUGHED SO HARD I STARTED SOBBING. Not that pedophilia is funny, by any stretch.. Just the way you phrased it, and that picture of Pedobear.. I'm so, so, so sorry that happened. Oh my gosh. Oh man. Hopefully the interviewer didn't think anything of it :xf:
 
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interviewer: what is one thing your friends would say about you?
me: I would say awkward... I tend to let my guard down around my friends and tell all sorts of awkward jokes...

out of all the things I couldve said: dependable, honest blahah, I said awkward. Now whenever I think about it it gets worse every single time. I just feel like I implied that I am socially awkward... note to self, try not to think creative answers:bang:

I just interviewed yesterday btw lol
 
Most amusing thread so far. Definitely made me feel better about cycle so far 🙂
 
In one of my MMI interviews, the interviewer asked me a follow up question, and halfway through my answer, I completely forgot what the question was. :bang: Not a good time for my brain to blank out on me.
 
Yes! I'm so glad that this thread is picking back up!
 
Here's mine. First interview, and it was MMI. One station asked to identify three things I would change about myself and how those changes would help me be a better physician. I couldn't think of anything at all, except stupid superficial ones, so before time ran out I said I wouldn't change anything. I said if I was forced to change three things, I'd be very upset because I feel proud of the person I am now, or something ridiculously stupid. Needless to say, I came off as a dumb jerk, and got wait-listed =[
 
Interviewer: What do you see yourself doing outside of medicine, with your money, in the future?

"Well, I've always been a health nut and I think the major problem with buffets in America is their lack of healthful options. If I make everything relatively low in fat and calorie, then even if people got normal American gigantic portions they would think they were still eating a lot and end up losing weight. So I would open a healthy buffet with my money."

-Awkward silence-

Interviewer: "Oh yeah great! I like to eat healthy too."
 
Interviewer: Tell me about yourself
Me: I said the usual stuff I have prepared for this question (where I was born etc...)
Interviewer: Tell me something else
Me: ( was not prepared for this) Umm......I proceeded to tell him why I wanted to go into medicine because I panicked.
Interviewer: Well don't worry I'll ask you that later, you don't have to give me one of those scripted answers yet. So tell me something else.
-- I completely blanked out for about a minute of looking down at the floor trying to think of something. He gave up on me answering the question and asked me something else. --- Most awkward interview moment ever!!

Surprisingly I was accepted. I think it was because the rest of the interview after this super awkward beginning went much better. also, it's one of those schools in which the interviewer just writes an evaluation, he wasn't part of the adcom. and my other interview there went much better.Still.... it was pretty bad.
 
Interview: Tell me something about yourself?

Me: My name is --------

I had my name written on my name tag the entire time. >.<

It's not that bad, but it was just the start of an awkward interview.

Waitlisted.
 
The absolute worst, I felt like a total idiot.

Interviewer: So tell me about your shadowing experience.
Me: It was nice I got to have a lot of patient interaction and I saw the doctor perform a lot of...*brain fart*... you know when you like look into peoples ears with the thing...
Interviewer: *weird look* a physical exam?
Me: yes thats the word.....

I don't think it made a lasting impression but I felt really dumb about it lol
 
Inspired from reading several times on SDN that people like surgery because they get to legally cut people...

Interviewer: "So I see you shadowed some general surgeons, tell me about that."

Me: "Well I really enjoyed my time shadowing the surgeons, and I found it very interesting to see a team in teh OR work together seamlessly. It was also really interesting to see someone cutting someone else in a legal setting."

WTF DID YOU JUST SAY?! (in my head)

Interviewer didn't say a word, and to be honest, I'm not totally sure she even heard me because she was simultaneously writting notes. I had two interviews right before this third one of the day, and I was on my high horse because I felt like I had killed them, so I was trying to crack a joke but it came out the worst way possible on a topic I shouldn't have even been joking about.

I was accepted, anyways. Haha.
 
Interview: Tell me something about yourself?

Me: My name is --------

I had my name written on my name tag the entire time. >.<

It's not that bad, but it was just the start of an awkward interview.

Waitlisted.


Its ok. I did this also, at least twice.

At one of my interviews the interviewer asked me how my friends would describe me and I said: "Um...Hard Working...yup that's it."(/facepalm) And then later in the same interview she asked me how I was qualified for my current job and I said I wasn't qualified. 🙄

This was also the same school where the second interviewer remarked on how delivering a baby must have been such an amazing experience. Me: "Uh, Sir, I have never delivered a baby, you must have me confused with another applicant." Him: "Oh.....hmmmm." This was 30 minutes into our interview. 🙁

Result: Accepted. Maybe it was a mistake 😛
 
Not so much a horrible answer, but the weirdest question I had was about being confronted with female circumcision and what would I do.
 
Interviewer: "I really enjoyed reading your personal statement, so tell me about yourself."
Me: "Well....Blah blah blah (talk for 3 minutes)."
Interviewer: (looks directly into my eyes, says nothing)..............
Me: (scared to look away, mind goes blank, says nothing)..............
Interviewer: (still looking into my eyes, no words spoken. 1 minute passes now).............
Me: (thinking WTF is this, should I say something, S*** no words come out. Still looking in her eyes)..........
Interviewer: (Still looking directly into my eyes, 2 minutes pass, THEN).......... "I really enjoyed reading your personal statement"
Me:........... "Thanks" :scared:

Still waiting to here back 🙁
 
Interviewer: "So just a little about myself. I grew up on a farm and there were a lot of animals, cows, dogs, goat..."

Me: "Goats are my favorite animals!"

Interviewer: *strange look on face*

Me: *Why the hell did I just say that?"

Interviewer: "Yeah, so at the farm..."

Now I doubt my interviewer cared about this but it stands as a moment that my love of goats caught up to me in a bad way. At the end, interviewer pretty much said he'd see me in the fall.

Result: Wait-listed, although towards the top of it...maybe if it wasn't for that damn goat!
 
Interviewer: "I really enjoyed reading your personal statement, so tell me about yourself."
Me: "Well....Blah blah blah (talk for 3 minutes)."
Interviewer: (looks directly into my eyes, says nothing)..............
Me: (scared to look away, mind goes blank, says nothing)..............
Interviewer: (still looking into my eyes, no words spoken. 1 minute passes now).............
Me: (thinking WTF is this, should I say something, S*** no words come out. Still looking in her eyes)..........
Interviewer: (Still looking directly into my eyes, 2 minutes pass, THEN).......... "I really enjoyed reading your personal statement"
Me:........... "Thanks" :scared:

Still waiting to here back 🙁

:laugh: He's trying to mess with you!
 
At one interview, i kept repeatedly talking about how children were our future, so eventually I murmurred, "Wow, I really sound like Miss South Carolina."

There was an awkward pause as we both tried to determine whether or not I had really just compared myself to her in an interview. Still waiting to hear back...
 
I: Do you have any faults?

Me: Of course, a ton! (Said with way too much enthusiasm on my part)

I: Such as . . . ?

Me: Well, my husband is always telling me I'm too anal. (Oh no, Oh no, don't take it that way. Did I really just say that ?!?!)

I: (Laughs a little and avoids eye contact with me) Well, I don't know if that really could be considered a fault.

Me: (face turns bright red)
 
Meeting a faculty member with other interviewers. He went around asking students what field they were interested in medicine. He asked follow up question of why that one. I was last to speak and every second that passed as I waited to speak was killing me! Finally my turn to talk....

Dean: Now tell me about yourself

Me: Well my name is........
(go on talking for almost 8 minutes, kinda notice the dean wanting to ask a question but so nervous I just keep talking...)

After I'm done, he moves on talking about the school. Later on he mentions how doctors today interrupt patients without letting them speak. Felt like he was referring to me. Or maybe I'm just crazy.

I'll find out in a few weeks I guess...
 
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Meeting the dean with other interviewers. He went around asking students what field they were interested in medicine. He asked follow up question of why that one. I was last to speak and every second that passed as I waited to speak was killing me! Finally my turn to talk....

Dean: Now tell me about yourself

Me: Well my name is........
(go on talking for almost 8 minutes, kinda notice the dean wanting to ask a question but so nervous I just keep talking...)

After I'm done, he moves on talking about the school. Later on he mentions how doctors today interrupt patients without letting them speak. Felt like he was referring to me. Or maybe I'm just crazy.

I'll find out in a few weeks I guess...
Ha was this by any chance, UC Davis?
 
Interviewer: "Why do you want to be a doctor?"
Me: Awesome answer that included wanting to help people.
Interviewer: "How do you know you want to help people?"
Me: "Uh...It's the right thing to do..."

Fail.

Result: Most likely rejected or wait listed.
 
I was interviewed by a female faculty member

"Oh so tell me what you're writing your medical ethics paper on"
*proceeds to explain the prompt referencing a paper that gives examples
concerning abortion and rape*
"...but I don't necessarily agree with her argument that permits abortions even in the case of rape, so yeah basically that's it."
"So you think that a woman can't have an abortion even when she is raped"
Me: THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID AT ALL :scared:

I said I didn't agree with her argument, not that the conclusion was false :scared:
 
During the "do you have any questions for me?" part of the interview, I asked my interviewer, a Ph.D. in oncology, the following question:

Me: "How did you decide on your field of research?"

I: "I'm from India, and I didn't get to choose my field of research."

Me: *awkward laugh* "Well that's an easy answer!" *awkward silence*😳

Still waiting to hear :luck::xf::laugh:
 
Interviewer: Any questions?

Me: Yes, actually, I've composed a list of questions. (Take out composition notebook and start flipping to the page)

I look back up at the interviewer. He is giving me this look:

4045.jpg


I proceed to ask. I wait 4 weeks. Rejected.
 
Not as bad as some of these but was definitely embarrassing..

As a preface, I had received my first acceptance email in between my two interviews at this school, so when I went into my second interview I was very giddy and not really focused on the interview. Anyway,

I: So tell me your opinion on how we can fix the health care system?
Me: blah blah scripted answer about increasing education and health insurance so there is more preventative care etc
I: The problem with more preventative care is you are just going to allow people to get old and put more of a burden on society. Eventually the system is going to be overrun with baby boomers like me getting older and older.
Me: Well that's why I want to go into pediatrics! OMG did I really just tell her I want to go into pediatrics so I don't have to take care of people like her omg omg backpedal quickly haha just joking but I really do want to go into pediatrics because of xyz...
I: Bursts out laughing (THANK GOD)

Still waiting on a decision! Ugh.
 
ISo, what are you're reading?
me Well, the book I'm currently in the middle of is a sort of biography about Al Pacino. It's interesting because it attempts to justify the events in his latter life, and his violent nature - and I like literature that empathizes with the bad guy.
i(Kinda confused) well what exactly does the Author believe?
me Well I'm only a hundred pages into it, but the author argues that not only were Pacino's initial intentions designed at the greater good, blah blah blah blah. And apparently, he contracted syphilis as a kid, so the author also tries to blame his often irrational and violent behavior on neurosyphilis, and blah blah blah.
i (Still giving me a sorta weird look) So what do you think?
me Well, I think it's impossible to judge another person based only on their alleged actions, and there will always be a legitimate argument based on the "good" of one's intentions, but on the flip side, he DID kill lots of people blah blah blah.

Right after the interview, I realized Al Pacino is an actor. I was talking about Al Capone.
 
iso, what are you're reading?
me well, the book i'm currently in the middle of is a sort of biography about al pacino. It's interesting because it attempts to justify the events in his latter life, and his violent nature - and i like literature that empathizes with the bad guy.
i(kinda confused) well what exactly does the author believe?
me well i'm only a hundred pages into it, but the author argues that not only were pacino's initial intentions designed at the greater good, blah blah blah blah. And apparently, he contracted syphilis as a kid, so the author also tries to blame his often irrational and violent behavior on neurosyphilis, and blah blah blah.
i (still giving me a sorta weird look) so what do you think?
me well, i think it's impossible to judge another person based only on their alleged actions, and there will always be a legitimate argument based on the "good" of one's intentions, but on the flip side, he did kill lots of people blah blah blah.

Right after the interview, i realized al pacino is an actor. I was talking about al capone.


lol
 
ISo, what are you're reading?
me Well, the book I'm currently in the middle of is a sort of biography about Al Pacino. It's interesting because it attempts to justify the events in his latter life, and his violent nature - and I like literature that empathizes with the bad guy.
i(Kinda confused) well what exactly does the Author believe?
me Well I'm only a hundred pages into it, but the author argues that not only were Pacino's initial intentions designed at the greater good, blah blah blah blah. And apparently, he contracted syphilis as a kid, so the author also tries to blame his often irrational and violent behavior on neurosyphilis, and blah blah blah.
i (Still giving me a sorta weird look) So what do you think?
me Well, I think it's impossible to judge another person based only on their alleged actions, and there will always be a legitimate argument based on the "good" of one's intentions, but on the flip side, he DID kill lots of people blah blah blah.

Right after the interview, I realized Al Pacino is an actor. I was talking about Al Capone.

did you get in there? :laugh:
 
ISo, what are you're reading?
me Well, the book I'm currently in the middle of is a sort of biography about Al Pacino. It's interesting because it attempts to justify the events in his latter life, and his violent nature - and I like literature that empathizes with the bad guy.
i(Kinda confused) well what exactly does the Author believe?
me Well I'm only a hundred pages into it, but the author argues that not only were Pacino's initial intentions designed at the greater good, blah blah blah blah. And apparently, he contracted syphilis as a kid, so the author also tries to blame his often irrational and violent behavior on neurosyphilis, and blah blah blah.
i (Still giving me a sorta weird look) So what do you think?
me Well, I think it's impossible to judge another person based only on their alleged actions, and there will always be a legitimate argument based on the "good" of one's intentions, but on the flip side, he DID kill lots of people blah blah blah.

Right after the interview, I realized Al Pacino is an actor. I was talking about Al Capone.

lol if i was the interview i would have laughed so hard after you said al pacino killed lots of people. Too funny.
 
did you get in there? :laugh:

Interview was pretty recent, so I haven't heard yet. Hopefully not a deal breaker, but I even had to laugh at myself after that one. Can't believe the interviewer kept a straight face on that one.
 
Interviewer: Tell me about yourself
Me: I said the usual stuff I have prepared for this question (where I was born etc...)
Interviewer: Tell me something else
Me: ( was not prepared for this) Umm......I proceeded to tell him why I wanted to go into medicine because I panicked.
Interviewer: Well don't worry I'll ask you that later, you don't have to give me one of those scripted answers yet. So tell me something else.
-- I completely blanked out for about a minute of looking down at the floor trying to think of something. He gave up on me answering the question and asked me something else. --- Most awkward interview moment ever!!
.

Pretty much exactly why scripted answers get you in trouble 😛 it's funny how half of these are people with scripted answers getting called out on it.

Its ok. I did this also, at least twice.

At one of my interviews the interviewer asked me how my friends would describe me and I said: "Um...Hard Working...yup that's it."(/facepalm) And then later in the same interview she asked me how I was qualified for my current job and I said I wasn't qualified. 🙄

This was also the same school where the second interviewer remarked on how delivering a baby must have been such an amazing experience. Me: "Uh, Sir, I have never delivered a baby, you must have me confused with another applicant." Him: "Oh.....hmmmm." This was 30 minutes into our interview. 🙁

Result: Accepted. Maybe it was a mistake 😛

Might have been trying to see if you'd lie about your accomplishments. Or maybe someone with exactly the same name as you is getting a ton of rejections 🙁


I was interviewed by a female faculty member

"Oh so tell me what you're writing your medical ethics paper on"
*proceeds to explain the prompt referencing a paper that gives examples
concerning abortion and rape*
"...but I don't necessarily agree with her argument that permits abortions even in the case of rape, so yeah basically that's it."
"So you think that a woman can't have an abortion even when she is raped"
Me: THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID AT ALL :scared:

I said I didn't agree with her argument, not that the conclusion was false :scared:

I would've reached the same conclusion as your interviewer...
 
Interview was pretty recent, so I haven't heard yet. Hopefully not a deal breaker, but I even had to laugh at myself after that one. Can't believe the interviewer kept a straight face on that one.

I doubt it affected much.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile
 
I: Do you have any faults?

Me: Of course, a ton! (Said with way too much enthusiasm on my part)

I: Such as . . . ?

Me: Well, my husband is always telling me I'm too anal. (Oh no, Oh no, don't take it that way. Did I really just say that ?!?!)

I: (Laughs a little and avoids eye contact with me) Well, I don't know if that really could be considered a fault.

Me: (face turns bright red)

Just got accepted to this school! Just goes to show it's not always as bad as you think.
 
I generally succeed at putting my foot in my mouth once every interview.

Gems from last cycle:

A.) British interviewer at one school, noting that I visited London:

I: So what did you think of London?
M: I liked the pubs a lot. (What? I don't even drink! I just liked how picturesque they looked on the outside!)
I: Puzzled look, then moves on

B.) At another school

I: What would you do if you don't get into med school?
M: I'd be pretty disappointed, but I'd probably get a PhD.
I: Frowns
Result: Expedited rejection letter

C: Last one- my favorite- the stress interview- five minutes into interview:
I: Why do you want to be a doctor?
M: *Lists reasons*
I: I'm sorry, but those aren't very good reasons to be a doctor.
M (thinking): Should I just get up and leave now?
 
I went to an interview last week at a school that offers PBL as the curriculum. The interview was done in group interviews, so there were 5 other interviewees with me, and two interviewers. We went around the room stating why we thought PBL was a good way to learn.

Me: *Gives random answers as to why PBL is great* and it's also good because it helps for group interviews! ....wait a minute, uh, I mean group study sessions!

The room cracked up after that. I still got in!

And a word of advice I learned along the trail when I interviewed at various jobs: Steer clear from talking negative about anything! Whether it's your undergrad institution, a particular field, or whatever. Try to always be upbeat and positive. It'll go a long way! Clearly by reading this thread, whenever interviewees speak negatively, it comes flying back in their face because the interviewer doesn't appreciate it! I never had an interviewer question my motives or anything because everything is happy and full of sunshine and unicorns! Unless of course the interviewer talks bad about something first. Then full steam ahead! 😀
 
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