Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences

[umean2tellme]

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Last year

Interviewer: Are you ready to go to medical school?
ME: Uh... No (Paused when I realized what the frick I just said).... I don't know what medical school is like.

Needless to say I got on the alternate list then and didn't get off.

 

[shemarty]

Last year

Interviewer: Are you ready to go to medical school?
ME: Uh... No (Paused when I realized what the frick I just said).... I don't know what medical school is like.

Needless to say I got on the alternate list then and didn't get off.

😱

 

[GoSpursGo]

I don't enjoy reading (novels), which is why I only have read 1 book in the past 3 years or so. But, I'm going to start Lullaby tonight so I have something to talk about in the interview. I hate this process.


Also, I don't understand why they will "wonder why didn't read anything in the last 2-3 years." I'm not going to medical school to be a literature major.. And I wonder how many pre-meds actually read novels on a regular basis (as a percentage of all pre-meds). Who has the time? Maybe I relax in a different way...

I agree 100%. Too bad you might get an adcom who doesn't.

Like you said, it's a silly process full of arbitrary hoops that don't actually reflect what kind of physician you'll be at all. But as long as you have to play the game, you might as well play it as well as you can.

 

[Abaroth]

yea, gospursgo, I apologize for the way I said what I said. I realize now from looking at it, it might have seemed a little hostile. I meant it 100% as venting, not as an attack to you.

 

[GoSpursGo]

yea, gospursgo, I apologize for the way I said what I said. I realize now from looking at it, it might have seemed a little hostile. I meant it 100% as venting, not as an attack to you.

No worries 🙂 Not the first time emotions have been hard to tell over the internet, and it won't be the last 😳

 

[violet7]

im finishing up complications right now 😉
next on my list is better.

and i just finished the spirit catches you and you fall down by anne fadiman.

and ... from the sounds of it, I will forget all of these books as soon as I am asked about them in the interview, lol! 😳

You mean Complications by Atul Gawande? I loved that book!!!! Just finished reading it a few weeks ago... I wish I had more time to read books like this, mostly I'm reading scientific papers now...still have to read a book on US health policy "Second Opinion" with my first interview approaching in a week...

 

[violet7]

I've actually talked about Better/Complications in at least 3 interviews so far. They were the best books I've ever read. =)

So Better is another book by Gawande? I have to read it then, I absolutely loved Complications... 😳

 

[pianola]

Last year

Interviewer: Are you ready to go to medical school?
ME: Uh... No (Paused when I realized what the frick I just said).... I don't know what medical school is like.

Needless to say I got on the alternate list then and didn't get off.

Interviewer: What makes you think you're qualified to be a doctor?
Me: Well, nothing, I guess, I'm hoping medical school will qualify me....😳

Result: Accepted 😀.

I really should have come up with a better answer than that. I think I mumbled something about how I hoped that I had the qualities a doctor might possess and that I hoped that my experiences might prepare me a little bit. But the first part of my answer = not so great.

 

[iA-MD2013]

Interviewer: What makes you think you're qualified to be a doctor?
Me: Well, nothing, I guess, I'm hoping medical school will qualify me....😳

Result: Accepted 😀.

I really should have come up with a better answer than that. I think I mumbled something about how I hoped that I had the qualities a doctor might possess and that I hoped that my experiences might prepare me a little bit. But the first part of my answer = not so great.

Haha pianola...that's a good one.

I guess we all make stupid mistakes!

 

[MaryLennox]

So Better is another book by Gawande? I have to read it then, I absolutely loved Complications... 😳

I didn't like Complications all that much . . . I waste a lot of time reading medical narratives and I'd only give Complications a 5 or 6. On a scale of 1 to 10. I just thought it meandered all over the place and didn't really end up having a point. My favorite books along those same lines are Hot Lights, Cold Steel and Another Day in the Frontal Lobe.

I actually DO read for fun but I guess when it's interview time for me I ought to try and stick to more intellectual choices (the last two books I read were My Horizontal Life and Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. Hilarious, but probably not appropriate to discuss in an interview!)

 

[pianola]

I guess we all make stupid mistakes!

Yeah, I was totally taken off guard with that question for some reason.

The only other answer that ran through my mind when he asked me the question was "Well, I like helping people" and I figured that would result in an automatic rejection. 😉

 

[MilkmanAl]

I dunno, I think that's a pretty honest response. It's certainly better than your alternative.

 

[woodgate1234]

INT: What do you think is the ugliest thing you've ever seen?

ME: (without thinking) Your mom

INT: I just got burned...

this is great...thanks for sharing guys!

I have a story of my own. Not a med school interview, but one for the advisor committee in summer of '06:

Interviewer: What do you think is the ugliest thing you've ever seen?
Me: (completely unprepared for this question...::think quick think quick:: trash (TRASH?? DID I HONESTLY JUST SAY THAT??!!!)😱
Interviewer: (Raises eyebrow...surprise) trash?
Me: I mean to say I just had the chance to visit New Orleans post-Katrina, and I've seen the devastation that still remains. Trash and rubbles are left piled up in front of porches and streets, and are constant reminders of people's sufferings and in some part, the lost of hope for recovery.

I have no idea what prompted me to say so, but I did visit New Orleans the month before. lol thank goodness it wasn't the REAL med school interview

 

[susearzt]

So, can I just say that when I stumbled on this thread this morning, I (rather unconsciously) chose to read it instead of going to work... which in all fairness isn't that big of a deal because I go in whenever I want and just have to make up the hours later.
While I have no real interview stories of my own yet, I promise to review the taping of my pre-med mock interview (2 years old) to get you some good bad answers.

 

[themachine312]

Interviewer: So what's the biggest problem with healthcare/health insurance?
Me: Oh you know, there isn't enough competition and innovation in the field. blah, blah...like on a managerial level. but more competition would definitely lower costs...blah blah blah
Interviewer: Well that's exactly what our current system is set up to do now but that doesn't work at all.
Me: Oh. 😳
(awkward silence)
Interviewer: What about the 46 million uninsured?
Me: Well that's not something that can be solved quickly. It will take time to solve that problem....do things... (no idea what im talking about)

Decision: haven't heard anything as of yet.

But from now on if anyone asks about health insurance/healthcare costs in a future interview im just going to say there are 50 million uninsured and thats unacceptable. leave it at that. learn from your mistakes.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Interviewer: So what's the biggest problem with healthcare/health insurance?
Me: Oh you know, there isn't enough competition and innovation in the field. blah, blah...like on a managerial level. but more competition would definitely lower costs...blah blah blah
Interviewer: Well that's exactly what our current system is set up to do now but that doesn't work at all.
Me: Oh. 😳
(awkward silence)
Interviewer: What about the 46 million uninsured?
Me: Well that's not something that can be solved quickly. It will take time to solve that problem....do things... (no idea what im talking about)

Decision: haven't heard anything as of yet.

But from now on if anyone asks about health insurance/healthcare costs in a future interview im just going to say there are 50 million uninsured and thats unacceptable. leave it at that. learn from your mistakes.

My personal experience is that this will not work. The follow up question is almost always "so what would you do to fix the problem?"

 

[pianola]

^I'd go with 47 million personally. Just because it's the big number that's being thrown around these days.

 

[DrJD]

^I'd go with 47 million personally. Just because it's the big number that's being thrown around these days.

This trick is learning how many of those 47 million could perfectly well buy health insurance and choose not to. I saw a number somewhere but I can't find it right now, because then there is an additional talking point.

 

[seven87]

This trick is learning how many of those 47 million could perfectly well buy health insurance and choose not to. I saw a number somewhere but I can't find it right now, because then there is an additional talking point.

I believe the number is around 11 million. Do a google search to be sure, though.

 

[linguini]

I believe the number is around 11 million. Do a google search to be sure, though.

11 million is way too low. I've heard 45-47 million as well.

 

[cetona]

11 million is way too low. I've heard 45-47 million as well.

I think seven87 was referring to the number that could buy insurance but don't, not the total number of uninsured.

 

[LossForWords]

I think seven87 was referring to the number that could buy insurance but don't, not the total number of uninsured.

That's probably a bit more ambiguous to nail down. Some people say half the 47 mil could afford it. Plenty others say it's more than that.

The 47 million uninsured comes from some survey done that people seem to reference the most. It's the number I'd use if I were trying to sound informed during an interview (though even that probably won't help).

 

[utahjazz]

At the end of an interview, the interviewer asked if I had any questions. I asked a question about the curriculum and he said he couldn't answer it because he wasn't currently affiliated with the school, they just asked him to interview because they were a little short on interviewers. I tried again with a question about residencies and got the same answer. He then asked if I had any more questions and I said something like "none that you can answer I guess." In hindsight, it sounds totally rude but that was definitely not my intention at all. I then got a lecture about how I should want to know more about the school, etc., etc. and he told me that I should stay an extra day to find out more about the school.

 

[violet7]

11 million is way too low. I've heard 45-47 million as well.

I'm reading a book about US healthcare policy right now and just recently came across this number, it's 45 million according to the book.

 

[213965]

I'm reading a book about US healthcare policy right now and just recently came across this number, it's 45 million according to the book.

Do you mind sharing which book this is and if it has been helpful/useful at all in helping prepare for the interview process?

 

[violet7]

Do you mind sharing which book this is and if it has been helpful/useful at all in helping prepare for the interview process?

It's called "A Second Opinion: Rescuing America's Health Care" by Arnold Relman, MD. I think it's quite useful (although I just started reading it like a few days ago and haven't had my first interview yet), and it's thin....not like 400 pages 🙂

 

[seven87]

I think seven87 was referring to the number that could buy insurance but don't, not the total number of uninsured.

Yep that is what I was referring to!! Sorry for the confusion.

 

[zigzager]

Has anyone said "I dont know" or "im not sure"...i seem to do that quite often, like atleast once an interview.

haha yeah have sooo done that. I was asked a really ethical question and I responded I don't know, I would have to think about it and seek the advice of a more experienced doctor... on that note what would you do?"

he answered

accepted

 

[zigzager]

First interview😕

Interviewer: What are 5 careers you might do if you could never ever be a doctor, NP or PA.

Me: 1:research (after much thought)
2: orthodontist (after much thought)
3: Soccer All Star (blurted out)

Interviewer:
Can you say your lastname for me

Me: "zigzagger"

Interviewer: That doesnt have a ring to it

Me: Yes it does I start rambling

Interviewer: hands me her business card😱 and do you have any questions

Thank you card:
I never finished with 4 and 5
4: Next iron chef
5: winner of Survivor
(I didnt get the hint until my friend explained it to me)

Waitlisted...go figure

 

[funkydrmonkey]

Apparently saying that healthcare should be a right rather than a privilege is a horrible answer... I got grilled about this...

 

[chessodoc]

Apparently saying that healthcare should be a right rather than a privilege is a horrible answer... I got grilled about this...

Said something of the sort...have not heard from school (waitlisted? - no idea)

 

[dkb86]

My bad interview at a group learning/PBL school (no "lectures") (CCLCM):

Interviewer: So how do you think you would do in a no lecture type of learning environment?
Me: Im sure it would take some getting used to, having had lectures all throughout college, but I have always been good at teaching concepts to myself. I mostly studying alone and teach myself from my textbooks.
Interviewer: So, you took a really hard graduate seminar and got an A.. what did you do when you were stuck on a problem and couldnt figure it out?
Me: Well, I was the only undergraduate in the class. On top of that, I was a very young senior at 20 and everyone else was a graduate student. So I did not have the background of most of the other sutdents in the class. I would re-read the question several times and made sure I understood what it was asking for. Then I would read my textbook to find out some more about the topic.
Interviewer: What if the answer wasn't in the textbook, and you still couldnt figure it out?
Me: I would try to look it up in other books or on the internet. If I still had a really hard time, I would go see my professor during his office hours. No one else ever went, so I usually had the full hour to myself. He would usually help steer me in the correct direction.
Interviewer: So, you wouldnt try to figure it out for yourself?
Me: Of course I would, but if I was really stuck, he was helpful.
Interviewer: I see.

*CRAP! Their curriculum is all self directed studying and I just told them I would pester my professors to tell me the answers...*

Oh and same interviewer..
Interviewer: So why don't your parents want you to go into medicine?
Me: Well, my parents are very traditional.. My father thinks I should go into pharmacy so I can get done with my degree quickly and make money faster. My mom keeps saying that no man will ever want to marry a woman doctor b/c he knows she will neglect their family.. She cries for the future of her neglected grandchildren and says I am going to be a bad mother if I become a doctor.. *laughing at silly traditional parents*
Interviewer: Well, they are right. It is hard to raise a family, and my wife isn't even a doctor.

Open mouth, insert foot. Waitlisted/hold list or whatever they call it.

I had a very similar experience to yours KaraKiz...

Interviewer (I): "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?"

Me: "Well, I see myself as a doctor, of course, but I am not sure which kind of doctor yet, I hope to find out during medical school."

I: Stares at me as if he is expecting more...

Me: I glance over his shoulder at the pictures of his family all over the walls... "And I see myself having a family, as well..." (a true statement)

I: "Ohhh I see, and how do you plan on raising children and being a doctor?"

Me: "I will do my best to make sure that I am able to leave by 5 pm most nights, my parents both worked and I was fine, I just had a babysitter from 3-5pm. Plus I have had a boyfriend for over 4 1/2 years and he knows that I'm going to be a doctor, and he (or whoever I end up marrying) will be responsible for half of the work."

I: "Oh, so you have a long term boyfriend. Your significant other can be your biggest child. Lets see how that works out during your training, hope he's not needy"

(and it just moves on from here...)

....About 20 minutes of torture later....

I: "So do you have any questions for me?"

Me: "Yeah, I do...Those are some beautiful pictures on your walls of you with your family...how EVER do you manage being a doctor and raising a family???" (oh no, why did I have to be a smartass....)

I: "My wife raised my kids."

--- On hold. 😡

 

[Shriken]

Int: Why Medicine?

Me: I went on a medical mission when at the beginning of my junior year of college... actually sir, would you mind if I start over? I'm a little nervous and I think I just went on a tangent rather than get to the reason I wanted to get into medicine.

Int: *Laughs* sure go ahead.


Well I think I answered the question well the second go around, and he even told me I was a good fit for the school, so we'll see =o

 

[iA-MD2013]

Int: Why Medicine?

Me: I went on a medical mission when at the beginning of my junior year of college... actually sir, would you mind if I start over? I'm a little nervous and I think I just went on a tangent rather than get to the reason I wanted to get into medicine.

Int: *Laughs* sure go ahead.


Well I think I answered the question well the second go around, and he even told me I was a good fit for the school, so we'll see =o

Ohh wow. That reminds me of what I did...

I: Why medicine?
Berken: Well...(blanks out)...ummm...I always like working with people and I really love science. I think medicine is a perfect fit.
I'm sorry...I just gave you a bad answer. But I promise you...I'm sure I want to go into medicine!
I: there's no such thing as a bad answer!

Result: accepted.

Ohh and that was one of 3 questions he asked. I botched it up!

 

[EMH]

This thread is absolutely out of control. I can't keep up reading it you're posting so quickly.

 

[pianola]

Int: Why Medicine?

Me: I went on a medical mission when at the beginning of my junior year of college... actually sir, would you mind if I start over? I'm a little nervous and I think I just went on a tangent rather than get to the reason I wanted to get into medicine.

Int: *Laughs* sure go ahead.


Well I think I answered the question well the second go around, and he even told me I was a good fit for the school, so we'll see =o

I think half of my "Why medicine" answers started out approximately like this.

 

[ButImLETired]

I had two afternoon interviews at one school, with one hour in between. This was my 3rd interview in 4 days, I was jet-lagged and exhausted and it was after I'd had lunch and some hot cocoa. The first interview went fine, but when I went back to the waiting room to wait for my second interview (which was an hour later), I was almost deliriously tired, and my brain just stopped working. I was also my interviewer's last person too, and I could tell he was exhausted, too.
So basically, my second interview went something like this:

"So what do you do for fun?"
"Uhm...I sing...wait...oh yeah, and I read a lot, lately i've been reading this book, i forget what its called but it's really good...uhmm...wait, what was the question?"
"Uh....I forget...uhmmm....how about what you like about this school?"
"Well, everyone is really friendly, and..."
"ok ok no worries, you're fine...uhmmmm..."

and on and on. We just didn't make any sense. I doubt if he even remembers what I look like- I barely even remember that interview HAPPENED.

 

[pianola]

OK, so against my better judgment, I'll be posting again in this thread:

Interviewer: Suppose that you're a doctor and you have just told one of your patients (a woman) that she has [insert terminal illness here]. She has a daughter who has been in prison for seven months and the patient begs you to guarantee her that she will be alive to see her daughter's baby born.

Me: Wow that's a complicated scenario. I would promise to do everything in my power to help her, but I probably couldn't guarantee anything...[blabs for a little bit]...maybe I could ask about prison visits?

Interviewer: 😕😕😕 Gives me a look that says "Are-you-all-right-in-the-head?"

Me: [embarassed] Well, how long did you say she was in prison for?

Interviewer:...I didn't.

Me: I mean, the daughter. How long is she in prison for?

Interviewer:...no one's in prison.

Me: Oh. Ok. [Long, deafening pause] Wonder where I got "in prison" from.

Interviewer:...Thinking, "no idea, sport" Maybe I should read the scenario over again...

Me: Oh no! no! I think I understand now...

***I must have heard "in prison" instead of "pregnant" in the initial scenario. Whoops!

Result: No verdict as of yet.

 

[violet7]

OK, so against my better judgment, I'll be posting again in this thread:

Interviewer: Suppose that you're a doctor and you have just told one of your patients (a woman) that she has [insert terminal illness here]. She has a daughter who has been in prison for seven months and she begs you to guarantee her that she will be alive to see her daughter's baby born.

Me: Wow that's a complicated scenario. I would promise to do everything in my power to help her, but I probably couldn't guarantee anything...[blabs for a little bit]...maybe I could ask about prison visits?

Interviewer: 😕😕😕 Gives me a look that says "Are-you-all-right-in-the-head?"

Me: [embarassed] Well, how long did you say she was in prison for?

Interviewer:...I didn't.

Me: I mean, the daughter. How long is she in prison for?

Interviewer:...no one's in prison.

Me: Oh. Ok. [Long, deafening pause] Wonder where I got "in prison" from.

Interviewer:...Thinking, "no idea, sport" Maybe I should read the scenario over again...

Me: Oh no! no! I think I understand now...

***I must have heard "in prison" instead of "pregnant" in the initial scenario. Whoops!

Result: No verdict as of yet.

This is hilarious!!! I love this thread

 

[nellia]

OK, so against my better judgment, I'll be posting again in this thread:

Interviewer: Suppose that you're a doctor and you have just told one of your patients (a woman) that she has [insert terminal illness here]. She has a daughter who has been in prison for seven months and she begs you to guarantee her that she will be alive to see her daughter's baby born.

Me: Wow that's a complicated scenario. I would promise to do everything in my power to help her, but I probably couldn't guarantee anything...[blabs for a little bit]...maybe I could ask about prison visits?

Interviewer: 😕😕😕 Gives me a look that says "Are-you-all-right-in-the-head?"

Me: [embarassed] Well, how long did you say she was in prison for?

Interviewer:...I didn't.

Me: I mean, the daughter. How long is she in prison for?

Interviewer:...no one's in prison.

Me: Oh. Ok. [Long, deafening pause] Wonder where I got "in prison" from.

Interviewer:...Thinking, "no idea, sport" Maybe I should read the scenario over again...

Me: Oh no! no! I think I understand now...

***I must have heard "in prison" instead of "pregnant" in the initial scenario. Whoops!

Result: No verdict as of yet.

this is the funniest thing i have ever read. seriously. i am still laughing, really really hard. i actually read it twice, and each time it gets funnier. totally reminds me of something i would do.

 

[azuldelcielo]

this is great stuff

during my midterm tomorrow, i'm really gonna regret spending all of my time on here 😳

 

[pianola]

this is the funniest thing i have ever read. seriously. i am still laughing, really really hard. i actually read it twice, and each time it gets funnier. totally reminds me of something i would do.

Yeah, in my defense I was sick and my head was all congested from 6 other visits to medical schools. But I have to say, I was pretty horribly embarassed at the time 😳. I tried to play it off like confusing "in prison" with "pregnant" was no big deal.

 

[kac714]

OK, so against my better judgment, I'll be posting again in this thread:

Interviewer: Suppose that you're a doctor and you have just told one of your patients (a woman) that she has [insert terminal illness here]. She has a daughter who has been in prison for seven months and the patient begs you to guarantee her that she will be alive to see her daughter's baby born.

Me: Wow that's a complicated scenario. I would promise to do everything in my power to help her, but I probably couldn't guarantee anything...[blabs for a little bit]...maybe I could ask about prison visits?

Interviewer: 😕😕😕 Gives me a look that says "Are-you-all-right-in-the-head?"

Me: [embarassed] Well, how long did you say she was in prison for?

Interviewer:...I didn't.

Me: I mean, the daughter. How long is she in prison for?

Interviewer:...no one's in prison.

Me: Oh. Ok. [Long, deafening pause] Wonder where I got "in prison" from.

Interviewer:...Thinking, "no idea, sport" Maybe I should read the scenario over again...

Me: Oh no! no! I think I understand now...

***I must have heard "in prison" instead of "pregnant" in the initial scenario. Whoops!

Result: No verdict as of yet.

this seriously just made me laugh hysterically in my office... i got a lot of weird looks.

 

[DL611954]

First thing he says when I walk through the door:

"WOW! You look so much FATTER in the picture you sent with you application!"

Yea....strange.

 

[iA-MD2013]

First thing he says when I walk through the door:

"WOW! You look so much FATTER in the picture you sent with you application!"

Yea....strange.

Wow. That belongs in the bizarre interview thread!

 

[nellia]

um can people please upload more stories ? i want entertainment ! i would post. but unfortunately i am lame and have 👎 interviews.

 

[Lacheln]

OK, so against my better judgment, I'll be posting again in this thread:

Interviewer: Suppose that you're a doctor and you have just told one of your patients (a woman) that she has [insert terminal illness here]. She has a daughter who has been in prison for seven months and the patient begs you to guarantee her that she will be alive to see her daughter's baby born.

Me: Wow that's a complicated scenario. I would promise to do everything in my power to help her, but I probably couldn't guarantee anything...[blabs for a little bit]...maybe I could ask about prison visits?

Interviewer: 😕😕😕 Gives me a look that says "Are-you-all-right-in-the-head?"

Me: [embarassed] Well, how long did you say she was in prison for?

Interviewer:...I didn't.

Me: I mean, the daughter. How long is she in prison for?

Interviewer:...no one's in prison.

Me: Oh. Ok. [Long, deafening pause] Wonder where I got "in prison" from.

Interviewer:...Thinking, "no idea, sport" Maybe I should read the scenario over again...

Me: Oh no! no! I think I understand now...

***I must have heard "in prison" instead of "pregnant" in the initial scenario. Whoops!

Result: No verdict as of yet.

Priceless. Maybe you subconsciously associate pregnancy with being imprisoned. 😉

 

[Dr Lyss]

Interviewer: what do you think of students that wear pearl earrings to interviews?

Me: . . . (pulls hair behind ears to show pearl earrings) Uh I don't think anything is wrong with it. If they can get them and it makes them feel good about it than why not.

Interviewer: Oh I didn't even see those

***Later in the same interview***

Interviewer:So tell me about your roommates.

Me: My roommates? Uh... they are good. We get along great.

Definitely an interesting first interview. He said that I would get his "vote" & most likely get an acceptance towards the end but who knows.

 

[Carlin]

Interviewer: what do you think of students that wear pearl earrings to interviews?

Me: . . . (pulls hair behind ears to show pearl earrings) Uh I don't think anything is wrong with it. If they can get them and it makes them feel good about it than why not.

Interviewer: Oh I didn't even see those

Is it considered wrong to wear pearl earrings to interviews? I always considered them to be very classy and professional...

 

[Dr Lyss]

Is it considered wrong to wear pearl earrings to interviews? I always considered them to be very classy and professional...

No there is nothing wrong with pearls. I think they are very classy. I have no clue what that question was about