Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

[Captain Sisko]

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A interview a few weeks ago:

Interviewer: <Something about why would you choose to go to an out of state school rather than your in-state school>

Me: Well I know I won't be going there at this point so...

Interviewer: What do you mean? Do you mean you won't be interviewing?

Me: <crap, how to say this in a tactful way> ...Yes, I won't be interviewing there. (Makes a vague comment how it's a research-intensive school and research is probably my weakest point of my experiences, then moves on).

Anyone know how a more comfortable way to address this type of question? I feel like I kind of fumbled through it, but am not sure of a more tactful, "no red flag" way to address the fact that I am happy to go out of state because I already got rejected from my in-state school...

This kind of happened to me, only i put it on myself entirely. The guy asked me about a time i failed and how i reacted.

I told him i got rejected from my top choice medical school but I figured out where i screwed up and I'm bouncing back, evidenced by my interview there.

The guy was kind of old and didn't understand that schools reject so early in the season, so we spent a couple minutes discussing how I'm pretty sure i got rejected from Mayo because of the rejection letter they sent me. He finally relents, closing the interview by telling me if I'm rejected i should move to that state (it's an oos public) and reapply. Fortunately i didn't tell him about my other interviews, i just said i hoped I'd get in off the bat.

Result: accepted!

 

[Irish Luck]

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

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

Main character is such a douchebag it will make you cringe.

Ughhh, now I'm watching a movie instead of studying for my organic exam. As if reading interview qoutes wasn't bad enough!

 

[TheShaker]

As I got into the elevator, a guy comes on the elevator dressed in a full suit ( immediately i know he is here for an interview), there was a lady running towards the elevator and he (standing in front of me) did NOT attempt to hold the door for her instead he just looked at her running towards the elevator.

I reached around him and pressed the elevator door button to hold it for her. She gets on the elevator and says "Good Morning" to both of us. ( i recognize the lady.. she is an interviewer and on the committee) the guy says NOTHING. I say "good morning, how are you doing today?" She says Im well thanks for asking.

The elevator door opens (the guy still has not said one word and is texting on his phone now) the guy gets off, The lady gets off and I get off the elevator (im on my way to study in my normal spot);

the guy goes to the interview room and its locked, he turns around and the lady is standing there with the keys to open the door and says "Hi, I will be interviewing you today" I giggle to myself as i knew she was going to be interviewing him because i see her all the time and he was a total jerk to her by ignoring her the entire time. His face turned bright red and i thought i literally saw poop fall out of his pants lol. Classic.

This happened to me in one of my interviews although not to that extent. I just got out of a 30 minute interview where the guy just grilled me on everything from my research to my reasons for entering the career. He did a good job too, I have never had such a terrible interview in my life and I left the room completely flustered. As I was waiting outside the room to my next interview (it was taken up by another interviewer), some dude around my age walks by next to me and smiles. I smile back and then completely ignore him for a few minutes in awkward silence while I reflect on the massive train wreck that I just sat through. After a while, he shakes my hand and introduces himself as my student interviewer. Le sigh. 🙁

 

[NorweiganFjord]

I know this is off topic but my cousin just got out of law school. Went to an interview.

Interviewer: Tell me what is your biggest weakness?
Stupid cousin: Well..... I'm bad at handling conflicts.

And believe it or not, he got the job!! Hahaha

 

[BundleofHis]

This gem happened this week:

Interviewer: "So what kind of research would you be interested in here at XYZ school?"

Me: "Well, I would be really interested in doing some form of patient study. I've been working in a wet lab for about a year now and I've had my fair share of research in the hood.. Wait, not that hood. A DNA amp hood. Anyway&#8230;"

 

[pyrrion89]

This gem happened this week:

Interviewer: "So what kind of research would you be interested in here at XYZ school?"

Me: "Well, I would be really interested in doing some form of patient study. I've been working in a wet lab for about a year now and I've had my fair share of research in the hood.. Wait, not that hood. A DNA amp hood. Anyway…"

Worst... or best? Only a super uptight interviewer would find that unfunny.

 

[NorthernMav]

Interviewer:"So what do you see yourself doing in five years?"

Me: "Hopefully getting a girlfriend..."

Are you serious?!

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Student Interviewer: How would you help the homeless who come to the hospital for help?

Me: Euthanize them... (didnt really have the stones to risk saying it)


Thanks, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

 

[Cambover]

Student Interviewer: How would you help the homeless who come to the hospital for help?

Me: Euthanize them... (didnt really have the stones to risk saying it)


Thanks, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Just to clarify, this is what you thought?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Just to clarify, this is what you thought?

No... I was watching its always sunny in philadelphia the night before, and in one of the episodes the exact same situation was posited to Frank and Cricket to which Cricket responded, " i dont want to go to a hospital. They euthanize homeless people there"

It was a recall from the previous night, not an actual thought.

My actual belief and answer was to provide the standard of care that we do to all patients to the best of our abilities as allowed by hospital policies.

 

[Lya]

This happened a few hours ago and caught me completely off guard.

Interviewer: Tell me a joke

Me: (not knowing what to say and only having one joke in my pocket) So this is a "knock-knock" joke and it's about poop. Knock knock

Interviewer: Who's there?

Me: I eat mop

Interviewer: I eat mop who?

It took him a second to realize what he just said but he did get a good laugh out of it so I hope that helps with telling such an immature joke

I didn't get it for the first 5 seconds, but when I said it aloud, I lol'd literally as well.

 

[amweatherly]

At an MMI:

Interviewer: How would you raise awareness for elderly abuse in your community?
Me: I would post flyers...
Interviewer: Ok...(nods head and writes on his sheet)

WTF. I'm not recruiting for a flag football team or looking for people to join my bunco league. I'll let you know on Tuesday how that one worked out for me

 

[ChemEngMD]

I guess this isn't a 'worst interview answer' as much as it is a 'worst interview'

Interviewer: So you're American but your family is not?
Me: Yes
Interviewer: You know kids become like you in two ways. Their family either comes here just to have a child so that the child is American, or they're the children of illegal immigrants.
Me: (I was literally thinking 'what..the..heck?! 😕' at this point).....well my family was here because my dad worked at the NIH and I just happened to be born then.....

Wow. That's incredibly rude. You should report this to admissions...your MDApps says your East Asian...do you think this was a potentially racial-based comment?

I would have had a tough time keeping my cool with that kind of comment

 

[BlueLabel]

I guess this isn't a 'worst interview answer' as much as it is a 'worst interview'

Interviewer: So you're American but your family is not?
Me: Yes
Interviewer: You know kids become like you in two ways. Their family either comes here just to have a child so that the child is American, or they're the children of illegal immigrants.
Me: (I was literally thinking 'what..the..heck?! 😕' at this point).....well my family was here because my dad worked at the NIH and I just happened to be born then.....

That is extremely unprofessional. I think you should report it. How did the interview go after this?

 

[ChemEngMD]

I've been mulling over it for the past few days and I believe it may have been. A good chunk of the interview was fixated on my ethnicity and my cultural background, including being called illiterate in my family's native language (which is only partially true, I can speak it but can't read or write very well...I was just shocked he'd outright say that though)

It sucks because I thought this school would be a great fit for me and I tried to not let the interview ruin my perception of the school as everyone else was incredibly nice, but it was difficult.
My interviewer is also on the adcom...so I've been getting mixed advice about reporting such a thing. I don't know if I should just let it go.

Idunno...how bad do you want to go to this school? Or is it basically off the list now?

 

[BurberryDoc]

I guess this isn't a 'worst interview answer' as much as it is a 'worst interview'

Interviewer: So you're American but your family is not?
Me: Yes
Interviewer: You know kids become like you in two ways. Their family either comes here just to have a child so that the child is American, or they're the children of illegal immigrants.
Me: (I was literally thinking 'what..the..heck?! 😕' at this point).....well my family was here because my dad worked at the NIH and I just happened to be born then.....

It may be a "stress-question", to see how you operate under pressure. Did you write about your background for any "diversity" essays, perhaps at this school? If so, maybe they thought you played it up too much in the essay, and wanted to see how strongly you really identify with your heritage. (I'm merely playing devils advocate, not saying I think it's okay of them)

 

[jamiechan]

I've been mulling over it for the past few days and I believe it may have been. A good chunk of the interview was fixated on my ethnicity and my cultural background, including being called illiterate in my family's native language (which is only partially true, I can speak it but can't read or write very well...I was just shocked he'd outright say that though)

It sucks because I thought this school would be a great fit for me and I tried to not let the interview ruin my perception of the school as everyone else was incredibly nice, but it was difficult.
My interviewer is also on the adcom...so I've been getting mixed advice about reporting such a thing. I don't know if I should just let it go.

this is weird because I had a very similar interview experience......( i am asian as well)

 

[pyrrion89]

I wouldn't cross it off completely, but it definitely has gone down. The other schools I interviewed at were pretty damn amazing so this experience kind of ruined this school. I'd give the school a second chance if they gave me the option though.



I guess so, but I was getting a really negative vibe throughout the interview. He didn't seem interested in anything I had to say from the get go (i.e. he'd browse his computer while I was answering, make little eye contact with me...etc). I did mention my background in an essay, but it was literally 1 sentence out of a huge paragraph...so hardly the central focus!



I guess it's more common than people think 🙁

I'm really sorry this happened to you. What a terrible experience, and, honestly, a terrible luck of the draw.

The fact that the school would allow such an unprofessional (and possibly racist) interviewer should be a red flag that the school may not be worth attending. If it turns out they reject you, then maybe they did you a favor. I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't the first instance of his misbehavior, and perhaps even a complaint against him, and the fact that he continues to interview is a bad sign. (Yes, speculation)

 

[Pacna]

Similar to an above poster:

Interviewer: So you're from OOS, did you interview at your state school?

Me: Yep.

Him: <clearly expecting me to elaborate>

Me: <can't think of anything to say so just keep smiling like an arrogant dick>

Him: <moves on to next question>

If only I knew then what I know now... you know?! 😛

 

[Anathema]

Thanks for the kind words 🙂

Yeah, that's actually why it was difficult to see the school in a different light. It just made it harder to believe the students when they said the faculty were extremely kind and supportive :/.

I had a similar experience. Throughout the tour and previous interviewer I was really liking the school, but with my third interviewer I had a completely outlook on the school.

I got a negative vibe just for answering I'm a permanent resident. Also, I guess living with your parents during a gap year is also seen as a negative these days? After that inyerviewer I went from really liking the school to being pretty apathetic.

At another interview an interviewer would ask me a question, look around the room randomly with zero eye contact and would shuffle through my application right in front of me.

 

[Lya]

I had a similar experience. Throughout the tour and previous interviewer I was really liking the school, but with my third interviewer I had a completely outlook on the school.

I got a negative vibe just for answering I'm a permanent resident. Also, I guess living with your parents during a gap year is also seen as a negative these days? After that inyerviewer I went from really liking the school to being pretty apathetic.

At another interview an interviewer would ask me a question, look around the room randomly with zero eye contact and would shuffle through my application right in front of me.

I am not sure if that's still better than yawning in front of you or sitting back and looking at you like just another applicant with no facial expression.. =P

 

[Lya]

Similar to an above poster:

Interviewer: So you're from OOS, did you interview at your state school?

Me: Yep.

Him: <clearly expecting me to elaborate>

Me: <can't think of anything to say so just keep smiling like an arrogant dick>

Him: <moves on to next question>

If only I knew then what I know now... you know?! 😛

This happened to me too. I talked briefly about when that interview occurred and what not, but I changed it to "why this school is better and my top choice." And then the interviewer asked, "What else?" and oh well..

 

[Anathema]

Interviewer: So you mentioned you worked at a nursing home. Did you see any end of life situations?

Me: No, everyone there was there for long term stays or some slight therapy.

Interviewer: So no one passed away during your time there?

Me: Not that I knew of and I saw most of the people that were there.

Interviewer: Oh ok (continues with interview)

I mean seriously, does my experience there mean nothing since I didn't see anyone die?

Same interviewer:

Interviewer: What do you think government's role in healthcare should be.

Me: (listing reasons for why I support government role in healthcare) but alot of people are scared of gov taking control.

Interviewer: But what do you mean?

Me: Well, I know peo (interrupted)

Interviewer: What about medicare? That's government funded. I like medicare. The elderly people you see like Medicare. Don't you like medicare?

Me: Yes I do like medicare and I said I supported the government's role in healthcare. I meant to say that people are afraid of the government having too big of a role in people's affairs for whatever reason.

Then somehow I'm relating the government intervention in the auto industry and tying it to healthcare reform.

Literally, the whole ordeal felt like an interview from hell from start to finish.

 

[TreadLightly]

He finally relents, closing the interview by telling me if I'm rejected i should move to that state (it's an oos public) and reapply. Fortunately i didn't tell him about my other interviews, i just said i hoped I'd get in off the bat.

I lol'd at this. Didn't get into a med school? Better uproot your life and move to that state to try again.

 

[Daniel0703]

Funny Thread...

 

[redshadow]

I had a interview station where someone gave me 7 or 8 cards with qualities on them, and told me to arrange them from most important to least important.



The usual suspects were there. Ethics. Teamwork. Knowledge. etc.


And then there was the last one. "Knowledge of the Healthcare System." I took it and pushed it off the table.


Interviewer looks at me and says "What are you doing with that one?"

I looked at him and said "These seven qualities here...These are things that I can't simply learn. That one on the floor? Anyone can pick that up through experience."

No, I didn't get in to that school...but he definitely gave me a "Wow. No one has ever answered the question like that before." look.

 

[Escape_Goat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJlbAUYE-ls

 

[TheShaker]

I had a interview station where someone gave me 7 or 8 cards with qualities on them, and told me to arrange them from most important to least important.



The usual suspects were there. Ethics. Teamwork. Knowledge. etc.


And then there was the last one. "Knowledge of the Healthcare System." I took it and pushed it off the table.


Interviewer looks at me and says "What are you doing with that one?"

I looked at him and said "These seven qualities here...These are things that I can't simply learn. That one on the floor? Anyone can pick that up through experience."

No, I didn't get in to that school...but he definitely gave me a "Wow. No one has ever answered the question like that before." look.

3edgy5me. But seriously you have balls. 😀

 

[BundleofHis]

Interviewer: So you mentioned you worked at a nursing home. Did you see any end of life situations?

Me: No, everyone there was there for long term stays or some slight therapy.

Interviewer: So no one passed away during your time there?

Me: Not that I knew of and I saw most of the people that were there.

Interviewer: Oh ok (continues with interview)

I mean seriously, does my experience there mean nothing since I didn't see anyone die?

Same interviewer:

Interviewer: What do you think government's role in healthcare should be.

Me: (listing reasons for why I support government role in healthcare) but alot of people are scared of gov taking control.

Interviewer: But what do you mean?

Me: Well, I know peo (interrupted)

Interviewer: What about medicare? That's government funded. I like medicare. The elderly people you see like Medicare. Don't you like medicare?

Me: Yes I do like medicare and I said I supported the government's role in healthcare. I meant to say that people are afraid of the government having too big of a role in people's affairs for whatever reason.

Then somehow I'm relating the government intervention in the auto industry and tying it to healthcare reform.

Literally, the whole ordeal felt like an interview from hell from start to finish.

I got asked these exact questions back to back at Rosalind Franklin.

 

[jakernewt]

I: Who would you want to spend a day with if I could choose from anyone alive or dead and assume language would not be a barrier?

Me: (Pause for 20 seconds) Gives a somewhat cliche (yet true) answer about Gandhi's influence transcending even cultural or religious boundaries

I: Responds with a quote he knew from Gandhi having something to do with religious pluralism

Me: Along those lines I recently heard someone say in passing that "Whatever god you believe in we come from the same one"

In the middle of saying this I realized I was quoting a rap song by Macklemore... I'm not sure whether I should be proud or ashamed. Nonetheless, the interviewer told me it was an excellent answer. I don't know how I haven't prepared for that question in my quarter century of life

 

[BlueLabel]

I: Who would you want to spend a day with if I could choose from anyone alive or dead and assume language would not be a barrier?

Me: (Pause for 20 seconds) Gives a somewhat cliche (yet true) answer about Gandhi's influence transcending even cultural or religious boundaries

I: Responds with a quote he knew from Gandhi having something to do with religious pluralism

Me: Along those lines I recently heard someone say in passing that "Whatever god you believe in we come from the same one"

In the middle of saying this I realized I was quoting a rap song by Macklemore... I'm not sure whether I should be proud or ashamed. Nonetheless, the interviewer told me it was an excellent answer. I don't know how I haven't prepared for that question in my quarter century of life

You inadvertently quoted a rapper? Haha that is gold. However, it's not really beyond the pale (mostly because of how you said it) particularly since Tufts is now asking kids what #YOLO means to them for admission

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2013/07/write-about-yolo-get-tufts/67113/

 

[spankydog]

I just had a terrible interview at an unnamed school. Interviewer was a surgeon who basically hated humans.

After arguing over health care for like 20 minutes (I tried to stay neutral but it turned into a disaster and everything I said he would yell back "no" "wrong"... I swear)

Interviewer: So why do you want to come to [school]?

Me: Well the two different types of curriculum, the blah the blah the blah (insert pre interview heavily researched interesting things about the school)

Interviewer: That's not unique to [school], every medical school has that.

*silence*
(interviewer-furiously jots down notes on a piece of paper)
(me- internal screams/cries)
*more silence*

interviewer: so do you have any questions for me?

me: okay what do you think is unique about [school]?

interviewer: terrible parking.

*more silence*

interviewer: any more questions

me: HOW DO I GET THE F*** OUT OF HERE (not really)

 

[Lya]

I just had a terrible interview at an unnamed school. Interviewer was a surgeon who basically hated humans.

After arguing over health care for like 20 minutes (I tried to stay neutral but it turned into a disaster and everything I said he would yell back "no" "wrong"... I swear)

Interviewer: So why do you want to come to [school]?

Me: Well the two different types of curriculum, the blah the blah the blah (insert pre interview heavily researched interesting things about the school)

Interviewer: That's not unique to [school], every medical school has that.

*silence*
(interviewer-furiously jots down notes on a piece of paper)
(me- internal screams/cries)
*more silence*

interviewer: so do you have any questions for me?

me: okay what do you think is unique about [school]?

interviewer: terrible parking.

*more silence*

interviewer: any more questions

me: HOW DO I GET THE F*** OUT OF HERE (not really)

Whaaaa

There are many schools with horrible parkings, let alone what the definition of "terrible" means.

 

[Lya]

I got asked these exact questions back to back at Rosalind Franklin.

Fortunately, I didn't have that interviewer(s). Phew.

I had a interview station where someone gave me 7 or 8 cards with qualities on them, and told me to arrange them from most important to least important.



The usual suspects were there. Ethics. Teamwork. Knowledge. etc.


And then there was the last one. "Knowledge of the Healthcare System." I took it and pushed it off the table.


Interviewer looks at me and says "What are you doing with that one?"

I looked at him and said "These seven qualities here...These are things that I can't simply learn. That one on the floor? Anyone can pick that up through experience."

No, I didn't get in to that school...but he definitely gave me a "Wow. No one has ever answered the question like that before." look.

Wait, so what is wrong with this?

I probably would have said anyone can pick that up by experiences as well as being updated with news articles and literatures, but even then, I am not sure why the interviewer got surprised.

 

[Captain Sisko]

I just had a terrible interview at an unnamed school. Interviewer was a surgeon who basically hated humans.

After arguing over health care for like 20 minutes (I tried to stay neutral but it turned into a disaster and everything I said he would yell back "no" "wrong"... I swear)

Interviewer: So why do you want to come to [school]?

Me: Well the two different types of curriculum, the blah the blah the blah (insert pre interview heavily researched interesting things about the school)

Interviewer: That's not unique to [school], every medical school has that.

*silence*
(interviewer-furiously jots down notes on a piece of paper)
(me- internal screams/cries)
*more silence*

interviewer: so do you have any questions for me?

me: okay what do you think is unique about [school]?

interviewer: terrible parking.

*more silence*

interviewer: any more questions

me: HOW DO I GET THE F*** OUT OF HERE (not really)

If that happened to me, I'd walk out, and let the admissions office know that I was withdrawing my application because of that interviewer. Even if they called your bluff, you wouldn't want to go there because of that interview (huge red flag in my eyes) and he probably would have rated you poorly anyway. Benefit to having already been accepted i guess, is that you get your balls back.

 

[CyberMaxx]

Why do you think that you're so young yet so mature? Are you really being yourself or are you faking? Is there someone pushing you to make the decision to go into medicine...sometimes I see something like a glimpse of a father-like influence (She didn't know my father and also I'm 21)...
QUOTE]

Holy crap! I don't think you had a worst interview answer here, you just had to deal with a very aggressive interviewer 😱 Jeez bullying an interviewee to give you a different answer is not ok.

 

[pyrrion89]

So I already knew I was walking on thin water here because this school that normally does two interviews called me in for a third interview after we were all done:


I was asked:

Why do you think that you're so young yet so mature? Are you really being yourself or are you faking? Is there someone pushing you to make the decision to go into medicine...sometimes I see something like a glimpse of a father-like influence (She didn't know my father and also I'm 21)...


I just answered...

Absolutely not. My dad's an engineer and medicine was something I picked up on my own but just stared at her after that because I was flustered that I would be asked such a question.



She then asked me:

There are times where you don't seem so genuine, what are your real reasons for going into medicine (after I already gave my original answer).

I simply repeated myself and said those were my genuine reasons with some more enthusiasm on what I felt were the better points...but then I asked her what her genuine reason for going into medicine was...hey it was a bit arrogant maybe but she was really frustrating me and hurting my feelings (she never answered anyways)...maybe it was a stress interview and I would have done better to keep my composure...I was still polite though.


She then concluded the interview by telling me that I should take her advice and do something that I'd find myself happy doing...(implying that I was not going to be happy being a physician).
I then asked her if this meant that I was being considered differently from other applicants and she said, no nothing like that....


🙁
I was devastated...Also, I got rejected right away on Oct 15. Not even a WL...been accepted to a couple of other places but still in the process of rubbing this one off.

Honestly I think Asians are viewed more skeptically about their motivations and are picked on. It's really unfair. I'm not stating race was a factor here, but that it does happen...

 

[Juan Solo]

So I already knew I was walking on thin water here because this school that normally does two interviews called me in for a third interview after we were all done:


I was asked:

Why do you think that you're so young yet so mature? Are you really being yourself or are you faking? Is there someone pushing you to make the decision to go into medicine...sometimes I see something like a glimpse of a father-like influence (She didn't know my father and also I'm 21)...


I just answered...

Absolutely not. My dad's an engineer and medicine was something I picked up on my own but just stared at her after that because I was flustered that I would be asked such a question.



She then asked me:

There are times where you don't seem so genuine, what are your real reasons for going into medicine (after I already gave my original answer).

I simply repeated myself and said those were my genuine reasons with some more enthusiasm on what I felt were the better points...but then I asked her what her genuine reason for going into medicine was...hey it was a bit arrogant maybe but she was really frustrating me and hurting my feelings (she never answered anyways)...maybe it was a stress interview and I would have done better to keep my composure...I was still polite though.


She then concluded the interview by telling me that I should take her advice and do something that I'd find myself happy doing...(implying that I was not going to be happy being a physician).
I then asked her if this meant that I was being considered differently from other applicants and she said, no nothing like that....


🙁
I was devastated...Also, I got rejected right away on Oct 15. Not even a WL...been accepted to a couple of other places but still in the process of rubbing this one off.

I might be missing something here but what is your complaint? That an interviewer questioned your motives?

 

[akaMondo]

Interviewer (PhD in microbiology): "What do you enjoy most about your research in microbiology?"
Me: "Well, I absolutely LOVE antibiotic-resistance."
Interviewer: *weird look*
Me: "No! I don't love antibiotic-resistance! I love studying it and trying to find ways to combat it!"

Luckily, he laughed after I clarified.

 

[Juan Solo]

sounds like the interviewer was really badgering this applicant, moreso than just "askign questions" about his/her motives. she should have saved her "suspcions" for her notes and brought them up to the adcom. not to the interviewee.... though i guess she might have thought she was giving the interviewee a chance to "redeem" him/herself....

still... VERY UNPROFESSIONAL

ok

 

[Ruskithin]

Let me preface this by saying I am a Russian living in the US (a permanent resident).

Interviewing at a Northeast MD school:


Interviewer: If you could write a book about a subject, what would it be?

Me: I would write about the conflict of cultural identity the children of immigrants experience. It can be very challenging balancing distinctly different cultures and ideologies.

Interviewer: (blank stare...then) How has this affected you?

Me: My parents immigrated to this country out of necessity (my father needed medical treatment etc etc) so although my parents came willingly, they would not have come to the US if my father had been healthy (thinking: oh my gosh, do I sound anti-american? I totally sound anti-american!) (I slow down a little and make the point I want to make, thinking ok, that sounds good)

Interviewer: (blank stare...seriously nothing) Ok.... and this book would be useful, you think?

Me: Absolutely. American immigrants bring great value to the literary world and we love American culture.

Interviewer: (raises eyebrow...first indication of any higher limbic function) Really?

Me: (thinking: this is a chance to really bring it home and erase any potential false anti-American sentiments I might have generated 🙂) Yes! Take me for example, I love America! In fact, the Star Spangled Banner is my favorite song, well one of my favorite songs (marginally true). The first English words I learned were part of the pledge of allegiance (blatantly false, the first words any immigrant child learns is some version of "**** your mother") and Thanksgiving is a holiday we do not have in Russia (true).....

Interviewer: Wow. Alright. (I should have stopped here, but my adrenaline was going so I blurted out...

Me: Yes, America is really beautiful. You know, Dr. ____, just like the song says (attempting to engage the interviewer)? Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. It really is beautiful, from sea to shining sea.

Interviewer: (polite small/cringe) Well, moving on....



I was probably/for sure their most patriotic interviewee ever! But after inadvertently hitting all the cultural cliches and quoting America the Beautiful (I think that's what that song is called), I did get an acceptance here...😱

 

[rellak]

Interviewer (PhD in microbiology): "What do you enjoy most about your research in microbiology?"
Me: "Well, I absolutely LOVE antibiotic-resistance."
Interviewer: *weird look*
Me: "No! I don't love antibiotic-resistance! I love studying it and trying to find ways to combat it!"

Luckily, he laughed after I clarified.

I had a similar experience with a Microbiology misstep.
Interviewer: Tell me about what you've been learning about in graduate school.
Me: Well I've been focusing a lot on resistant microbes for my thesis, so I've concentrated my curriculum with pathological classes.
Interviewer:...pathological classes? *starts laughing* I think I understand but that's an odd thing to say to someone you want to convince to let you be a doctor!
Me: Haha yes of course, I'm taking classes in sociopathy.
Interviewer: 😵
Me: I'm joking I'm joking! Pathological microbes!

Sigh...if only I had just agreed and dropped it. Instead I just had to make a joke about being a sociopath.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Let me preface this by saying I am a Russian living in the US (a permanent resident).

Interviewing at a Northeast MD school:


Interviewer: If you could write a book about a subject, what would it be?

Me: I would write about the conflict of cultural identity the children of immigrants experience. It can be very challenging balancing distinctly different cultures and ideologies.

Interviewer: (blank stare...then) How has this affected you?

Me: My parents immigrated to this country out of necessity (my father needed medical treatment etc etc) so although my parents came willingly, they would not have come to the US if my father had been healthy (thinking: oh my gosh, do I sound anti-american? I totally sound anti-american!) (I slow down a little and make the point I want to make, thinking ok, that sounds good)

Interviewer: (blank stare...seriously nothing) Ok.... and this book would be useful, you think?

Me: Absolutely. American immigrants bring great value to the literary world and we love American culture.

Interviewer: (raises eyebrow...first indication of any higher limbic function) Really?

Me: (thinking: this is a chance to really bring it home and erase any potential false anti-American sentiments I might have generated 🙂) Yes! Take me for example, I love America! In fact, the Star Spangled Banner is my favorite song, well one of my favorite songs (marginally true). The first English words I learned were part of the pledge of allegiance (blatantly false, the first words any immigrant child learns is some version of "**** your mother") and Thanksgiving is a holiday we do not have in Russia (true).....

Interviewer: Wow. Alright. (I should have stopped here, but my adrenaline was going so I blurted out...

Me: Yes, America is really beautiful. You know, Dr. ____, just like the song says (attempting to engage the interviewer)? Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. It really is beautiful, from sea to shining sea.

Interviewer: (polite small/cringe) Well, moving on....



I was probably/for sure their most patriotic interviewee ever! But after inadvertently hitting all the cultural cliches and quoting America the Beautiful (I think that's what that song is called), I did get an acceptance here...😱

I would have just been all like "Ya Tebya Zareyazhu" and been done with it.

 

[Reckoner]

Let me preface this by saying I am a Russian living in the US (a permanent resident).

Interviewing at a Northeast MD school:


Interviewer: If you could write a book about a subject, what would it be?

Me: I would write about the conflict of cultural identity the children of immigrants experience. It can be very challenging balancing distinctly different cultures and ideologies.

Interviewer: (blank stare...then) How has this affected you?

Me: My parents immigrated to this country out of necessity (my father needed medical treatment etc etc) so although my parents came willingly, they would not have come to the US if my father had been healthy (thinking: oh my gosh, do I sound anti-american? I totally sound anti-american!) (I slow down a little and make the point I want to make, thinking ok, that sounds good)

Interviewer: (blank stare...seriously nothing) Ok.... and this book would be useful, you think?

Me: Absolutely. American immigrants bring great value to the literary world and we love American culture.

Interviewer: (raises eyebrow...first indication of any higher limbic function) Really?

Me: (thinking: this is a chance to really bring it home and erase any potential false anti-American sentiments I might have generated 🙂) Yes! Take me for example, I love America! In fact, the Star Spangled Banner is my favorite song, well one of my favorite songs (marginally true). The first English words I learned were part of the pledge of allegiance (blatantly false, the first words any immigrant child learns is some version of "**** your mother") and Thanksgiving is a holiday we do not have in Russia (true).....

Interviewer: Wow. Alright. (I should have stopped here, but my adrenaline was going so I blurted out...

Me: Yes, America is really beautiful. You know, Dr. ____, just like the song says (attempting to engage the interviewer)? Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. It really is beautiful, from sea to shining sea.

Interviewer: (polite small/cringe) Well, moving on....



I was probably/for sure their most patriotic interviewee ever! But after inadvertently hitting all the cultural cliches and quoting America the Beautiful (I think that's what that song is called), I did get an acceptance here...😱

In Soviet Russia, patriotism demonstrates you. I don't know if you have an accent, but I read all of your parts like a character from Eastern Promises.

 

[kyamh]

I would have just been all like "Ya Tebya Zareyazhu" and been done with it.

I'm always terrified that one of these days I meet a Russian person who may hear me say something sarcastic/inappropriate under my breath and judge away

 

[Ruskithin]

I would have just been all like "Ya Tebya Zareyazhu" and been done with it.

Rule #1 of combat: never underestimate your opponent! How do I know Dr. X's hobby isn't electric tree saw juggling or something?

In Soviet Russia, patriotism demonstrates you. I don't know if you have an accent, but I read all of your parts like a character from Eastern Promises.

Hahaa, I actually do have a thick accent. To be honest, I think this is the only reason why my answer didn't immediately disqualify me. The accent + foreign name/status = diversity. Other students told me he specifically asked them, "how would you improve the diversity of your medical class." I never got this question..

I'm always terrified that one of these days I meet a Russian person who may hear me say something sarcastic/inappropriate under my breath and judge away

Zero judgement. I would actually actively attempt to befriend you. 🙂

 

[pyrrion89]

The first English words I learned were part of the pledge of allegiance (blatantly false, the first words any immigrant child learns is some version of "**** your mother")

Funniest thing I've read on SDN.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

My interviewer and I had been talking about interprofessionalism, and then he asked why I chose MD over PA, NP, etc.

Me: Well, I like the idea of being the leader of the healthcare team.

Interviewer: But you're the one who is on the line when something goes wrong. If someone else screws up, your name is on the chart. That leadership comes with a pretty significant drawback, don't you think?

Me: You know what they say: Every rose has its thorn. [Oh my God! What did I just say?!]

Interviewer: [pause] That ... is what they say.

Result: Accepted!

 

[Shjanzey]

My interviewer and I had been talking about interprofessionalism, and then he asked why I chose MD over PA, NP, etc.

Me: Well, I like the idea of being the leader of the healthcare team.

Interviewer: But you're the one who is on the line when something goes wrong. If someone else screws up, your name is on the chart. That leadership comes with a pretty significant drawback, don't you think?

Me: You know what they say: Every rose has its thorn. [Oh my God! What did I just say?!]

Interviewer: [pause] That ... is what they say.

Result: Accepted!

Wow, you quoted Guns N' Roses seamlessly. Well played

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Wow, you quoted Poison seamlessly. Well played

FTFY. 😛

But yeah, after walking out of the interview, I thought I'd regret those few words for the rest of my life.