Worst/Funniest Interview Experiences
- Thread starter monkily_stealth
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Interviewer: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Me: Drink.
It was like a reflex. I couldn't stop myself. I started talking about craft beer/brewing, though, so I seemed slightly less of an alcoholic. I still feel like the interview went well.
Me: Drink.
It was like a reflex. I couldn't stop myself. I started talking about craft beer/brewing, though, so I seemed slightly less of an alcoholic. I still feel like the interview went well.
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griffin...
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My interviewer was the serious type. There was nothing for laughs-and-giggles about this lady.
Interviewer: Do you think you have what it takes to keep up with Gross anatomy and biochem?
Me: Yes absolutely. I'm dedicated.. (blah blah, all that nice stuff.)
Interviewer:That's good, because if you become a student of **, we own your butt for the next four years!
Me:...heehee, well since you'll own our butts, it's nice to know that you at least offer a lot of student support services. 😎
Interviewer: Do you think you have what it takes to keep up with Gross anatomy and biochem?
Me: Yes absolutely. I'm dedicated.. (blah blah, all that nice stuff.)
Interviewer:That's good, because if you become a student of **, we own your butt for the next four years!
Me:...heehee, well since you'll own our butts, it's nice to know that you at least offer a lot of student support services. 😎
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Interviewer: How did your faculty interview go?
Me: Pretty well I think, he's a really easy guy to talk to.
Interviewer: Alright good, basically you're a lock to get in as long as you don't punch me in the face during this interview.
Me: Well, you never know how things will go.
Me: Pretty well I think, he's a really easy guy to talk to.
Interviewer: Alright good, basically you're a lock to get in as long as you don't punch me in the face during this interview.
Me: Well, you never know how things will go.
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Haha...that sucks. Hopefully not too bad though
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Haha nah, he laughed, thankfully. I've read enough of this thread and the "bizarre interview moments" to know that sometimes jokes don't go over too well, but hopefully my interviewers continue to be chill people.
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This is what happens when you get too comfortable on interview day...
Interviewer: How would your friends describe you?
Me: (w/o pause) A clown. wtf? who said that?!? 😏
Interviewer: stops writing and looks up curiously
Me: Quick, quick, be witty. Fix this!! I mean, like a class clown. FAIL. But not in a disruptive way...more like I add value to the class by being able to make people laugh and not take things too seriously, blah blah blah Seriously, why can't I stop my mouth from moving right now??
Interview: Yeahhhh, making people laugh is good...
Interviewer, if you so happen to browse through SDN just know there were a plethora of other positive adjectives becoming of a doctor that my friends would use to describe me. I have no idea why my brain didn't kick out one of those
The jury's still out on how things will go from here...
Interviewer: How would your friends describe you?
Me: (w/o pause) A clown. wtf? who said that?!? 😏
Interviewer: stops writing and looks up curiously
Me: Quick, quick, be witty. Fix this!! I mean, like a class clown. FAIL. But not in a disruptive way...more like I add value to the class by being able to make people laugh and not take things too seriously, blah blah blah Seriously, why can't I stop my mouth from moving right now??
Interview: Yeahhhh, making people laugh is good...
Interviewer, if you so happen to browse through SDN just know there were a plethora of other positive adjectives becoming of a doctor that my friends would use to describe me. I have no idea why my brain didn't kick out one of those
The jury's still out on how things will go from here...
This is what happens when you get too comfortable on interview day...
Interviewer: How would your friends describe you?
Me: (w/o pause) A clown. wtf? who said that?!? 😏
Interviewer: stops writing and looks up curiously
Me: Quick, quick, be witty. Fix this!! I mean, like a class clown. FAIL. But not in a disruptive way...more like I add value to the class by being able to make people laugh and not take things too seriously, blah blah blah Seriously, why can't I stop my mouth from moving right now??
Interview: Yeahhhh, making people laugh is good...
Interviewer, if you so happen to browse through SDN just know there were a plethora of other positive adjectives becoming of a doctor that my friends would use to describe me. I have no idea why my brain didn't kick out one of those
The jury's still out on how things will go from here...
haha; i had a moment like this recently! except instead of "clown" i said "goofy."
i find this to be a tough question. i actually asked one of my friends afterwards and she was like, psssh i don't know how to describe you. you're a weirdo.
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Ha. It's nice to know that I'm not alone 🙂 I talked to one of my friends about it and she said since it was such a laid back interview/school, I'll probably stand out. I sure hope that's in a positive way...
How long did it take you to realize what you had just said?
haha, almost immediately. I was hoping to say that the program offers a lot of academic support, but i don't think it came out right.. haha
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Interviewee: ...yeah, my mentor and you kind of resemble.
Interviewer: Really, is he that ugly?
Interviewee: Yeah, when I first saw you I immediately thought of him.
Interviewee: But no, you're not bad looking or anything...
[Awkward moment for about 5 seconds, then he laughs]
Interviewer: Really, is he that ugly?
Interviewee: Yeah, when I first saw you I immediately thought of him.
Interviewee: But no, you're not bad looking or anything...
[Awkward moment for about 5 seconds, then he laughs]
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Love this thread, have an interview coming up so I went through it all to calm some nerves.
Really nervous last year. Sat outside the room for like 10 minutes before they called me in. Get a weird handshake from one dude, he grips my hand and I grip his but when I let go, he was still holding on.
Anyways, I sit down across from the three people, let out a deep breath to relax myself and get ready to start.
Man: So have you been waiting very long? (as in, sitting in that chair outside)
Me (without thinking): Yeah, about four years.
They all laughed. I didn't end up getting in though. Think it was actually a nice start looking back...
Really nervous last year. Sat outside the room for like 10 minutes before they called me in. Get a weird handshake from one dude, he grips my hand and I grip his but when I let go, he was still holding on.
Anyways, I sit down across from the three people, let out a deep breath to relax myself and get ready to start.
Man: So have you been waiting very long? (as in, sitting in that chair outside)
Me (without thinking): Yeah, about four years.
They all laughed. I didn't end up getting in though. Think it was actually a nice start looking back...
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hahahaa
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First interview for this entire process:
Interviewer: So why not the phd?
Me: Well blah blah blah...I would rather just get the MD and not the phd (not realizing I was at a DO not an MD school)
Me: (catching myself one second later) I mean DO
Interviewer: (eyebrow raise) I think that is all the questions I have for you.
(I had only been in the interview for 10 mins....it is suppose to last for 30 mins)
Result: Accepted
Interviewer: So why not the phd?
Me: Well blah blah blah...I would rather just get the MD and not the phd (not realizing I was at a DO not an MD school)
Me: (catching myself one second later) I mean DO
Interviewer: (eyebrow raise) I think that is all the questions I have for you.
(I had only been in the interview for 10 mins....it is suppose to last for 30 mins)
Result: Accepted
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At Podunk state school:
Interviewer: "So based on your numbers I'm wondering if you applied to Harvard, Columbia, etc.?"
Me: "Yea, but I'm not too sure about them because I don't know if I'd feel comfortable with the Bigshots."
Interview goes on, becomes more friendly/conversational at the end. At some point I ask her:
"So where did you go for med school?"
Interviewer: "Haaaahvaaaahd."
😱😱
Interviewer: "So based on your numbers I'm wondering if you applied to Harvard, Columbia, etc.?"
Me: "Yea, but I'm not too sure about them because I don't know if I'd feel comfortable with the Bigshots."
Interview goes on, becomes more friendly/conversational at the end. At some point I ask her:
"So where did you go for med school?"
Interviewer: "Haaaahvaaaahd."
😱😱
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Interviewer:" with you families history what do you do to try and fight heart disease?"
Me: "i exercise"
Interviewer:" Looks like you could use a little more..."
Me: " are you calling me fat????"
Interviewer:"whats your greatest strength"
dunno if that counts as bad interview answer but more like ridiculous moment
Me: "i exercise"
Interviewer:" Looks like you could use a little more..."
Me: " are you calling me fat????"
Interviewer:"whats your greatest strength"
dunno if that counts as bad interview answer but more like ridiculous moment
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Why is your personal/family medical history coming up in the interview?
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Is this serious? What an ass.
This is 100% true. He was a psychiatrist though
personal statement
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My anxiety definitely got the best of me during my second interview with a PhD at a school. . . .
Interviewer: So what qualities do you think a doctor should possess?
Me: Well, I think a doctor should unconditionally love all people blah blah blah. . .oh, and I think a doctor should smile lots. Too many times I see doctors at the hospital with angry or uncaring expressions on their faces.
Interviewer: >awkward look<
--------A little later on in the interview,----------
Interviewer: Yes, I am actually from Moscow.
Me: Oh Russia huh? I've always wanted to travel to the Siberian desert because I love nature type things, and I think it would be cool to see one of the driest places on Earth.
Interviewer: Yeah, I have never been there >with another awkward look<
I am still waiting for a verdict here. . .hopefully it is not bad cause it is my top school!
Interviewer: So what qualities do you think a doctor should possess?
Me: Well, I think a doctor should unconditionally love all people blah blah blah. . .oh, and I think a doctor should smile lots. Too many times I see doctors at the hospital with angry or uncaring expressions on their faces.
Interviewer: >awkward look<
--------A little later on in the interview,----------
Interviewer: Yes, I am actually from Moscow.
Me: Oh Russia huh? I've always wanted to travel to the Siberian desert because I love nature type things, and I think it would be cool to see one of the driest places on Earth.
Interviewer: Yeah, I have never been there >with another awkward look<
I am still waiting for a verdict here. . .hopefully it is not bad cause it is my top school!
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The irony abounds; aren't they supposed to be skilled in talking to people?
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Just out of curiosity, so why are doctors least afraid to admit "I don't know." I would think that they would be most afraid to admit "I don't know." Can someone explain?
he was saying doctors SHOULD be least afraid to admit they don't know something. In reality most probably are most afraid of admitting that.
In theory you should be easily able to admit you don't know so you don't try to fake your way through stuff and screw up really bad
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Interviewer (female): What is your view on the increasing role of women in medicine?
Me(male): i think its great that women are entering fields once dominated by men. its adds the the diversity.....blah blah. (it was all good until I decided to talk about OBGYN)....I think the growing influence of women in obstetrics is great for women patients, it provides choice for female patients....pause......women know their vaginas really well. (I then tried to recover by saying) Well,....Men dont really know whats its like to be pregnant.
Me(male): i think its great that women are entering fields once dominated by men. its adds the the diversity.....blah blah. (it was all good until I decided to talk about OBGYN)....I think the growing influence of women in obstetrics is great for women patients, it provides choice for female patients....pause......women know their vaginas really well. (I then tried to recover by saying) Well,....Men dont really know whats its like to be pregnant.
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Kind of an awkward comment, but I suppose it's true. 😛
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Sitting in a interview:
First question,
Interviewer: So, what else can you tell me about you that isn't on your app?
Me: Well, EVERYTHING... blah blah blah and how it is difficult to gauge someone from a piece of paper.
Interviewer looks at me for a full 5 secs. Then goes: Well thats why we have interviews...
Then he goes on to lecture me about qualities of a good physician for 90% of the interview from that point on.
Result. Accepted lol.
First question,
Interviewer: So, what else can you tell me about you that isn't on your app?
Me: Well, EVERYTHING... blah blah blah and how it is difficult to gauge someone from a piece of paper.
Interviewer looks at me for a full 5 secs. Then goes: Well thats why we have interviews...
Then he goes on to lecture me about qualities of a good physician for 90% of the interview from that point on.
Result. Accepted lol.
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Interviewer 1: "Ok, now we're going to do a bit of roll playing, imagine that I'm a 40 year old African American drug-seeking female" (actually a 50-60 year old white male)
Interviewer 2 (cutting in): "Hard to imagine, I know! But humor us."
Me (almost instinctively): "Oh, it's not that hard" (WTF??!!)
..Interviewers 1 & 2 cock their heads and exchange concerned looks..
Interviewer 1: "Heh. Yeahhhhh.... Alright, so, let's begin"
Result: Accepted..
Interviewer 2 (cutting in): "Hard to imagine, I know! But humor us."
Me (almost instinctively): "Oh, it's not that hard" (WTF??!!)
..Interviewers 1 & 2 cock their heads and exchange concerned looks..
Interviewer 1: "Heh. Yeahhhhh.... Alright, so, let's begin"
Result: Accepted..
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interviewer: So, tell me about how we should solve the global poverty issues
me: well, you know, its really about respecting the ability of local populations to work hard, with some international investment through secure bonds, etc.
interviewer: well, there is something to be said for the people...and genetics... in africa.....trails of....
me: 😱
me: well, you know, its really about respecting the ability of local populations to work hard, with some international investment through secure bonds, etc.
interviewer: well, there is something to be said for the people...and genetics... in africa.....trails of....
me: 😱
Haha, I could never imagine speaking of vagina or penis in my interviews.
One of my interviews was a urologist, and for some reason I kept thinking he was saying neurologist. So I asked him if he knew this neurologist I knew and if he ever worked with him, and he was like "sure, spinal cord injury patients often have erectile disfunction issues". I'm sure my puzzled expression would have been priceless, I had no clue how erectile disfunction suddenly came into the equation. It wasn't until after the interview I realized he had been saying urologist all along
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Depending upon which side of the curve you're on... yes.
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kerplunk: that's an awesome twist to the story 🙂 I think your "I don't know" was probably the best answer anyone could have given to that interviewer for that particular question!!
wierd interview moment + acceptance stories are especially awesome.
wierd interview moment + acceptance stories are especially awesome.
so much win for you.
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We were wrapping up the interview...
Interviewer: So who else did you interview with earlier?
Me (trying desperately to remember her name...): I..uh...let me think...
I think it was O'hare (some random name i thought of and blurted out)...
Interviewer: Oh? I don't know who that is (They are both part of the same department)
Me: Wait, let me look it up...shh...don't tell her I forgot her name. (smiles a cheesy smile and takes out card with interviewers' names on it)
Ahh...here it is. It was Dr. (her real name also started with an O at least)
Interviewer: Ah yes. Of course I know her.
Luckily he was extremely laid back.
I am not sure why I did the whole "shh...don't tell her" and continued with the shh finger gesture...
Result: Accepted😀
Interviewer: So who else did you interview with earlier?
Me (trying desperately to remember her name...): I..uh...let me think...
I think it was O'hare (some random name i thought of and blurted out)...
Interviewer: Oh? I don't know who that is (They are both part of the same department)
Me: Wait, let me look it up...shh...don't tell her I forgot her name. (smiles a cheesy smile and takes out card with interviewers' names on it)
Ahh...here it is. It was Dr. (her real name also started with an O at least)
Interviewer: Ah yes. Of course I know her.
Luckily he was extremely laid back.
I am not sure why I did the whole "shh...don't tell her" and continued with the shh finger gesture...
Result: Accepted😀
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After 10 minutes of being grilled for ten minutes about healthcare reform and whether medical school should implement an honor code the interviewer hits me with
Interviewer: "What would you rather be the baseball or the glove?"
Me: *wtf?!* Umm The ball.
Interviewer: "Why."
Me: "The game is called baseBALL?"
Later....
Interviewer: "If you could bring some people from the past, dead or alive, to dinner, who would you bring?"
Me: *trying to break the ice* "I'd bring jesus, I hear he's a hit at dinners." bada bing.
Interviewer: *Glares*
Waitlist FML
Interviewer: "What would you rather be the baseball or the glove?"
Me: *wtf?!* Umm The ball.
Interviewer: "Why."
Me: "The game is called baseBALL?"
Later....
Interviewer: "If you could bring some people from the past, dead or alive, to dinner, who would you bring?"
Me: *trying to break the ice* "I'd bring jesus, I hear he's a hit at dinners." bada bing.
Interviewer: *Glares*
Waitlist FML
epic
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Never make jokes about Jesus. Ditto "Elijah, because we've been saving him a seat at the table."
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That baseball question sounds like it might have some sexual implications to it. Also, someday when I'm on an admissions committee, Jesus jokes will get instant acceptances...if they're funny I mean.
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this is incredible-love it
Nice. I would like to have a dinner with Jesus if I could.
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I would imagine Mohammed is right out as well. Just too risky.
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Wow. Just wow.
The advice here is sound. Avoid sounding flipant about things that ANYONE considers "sacred."
Now a contribution:
After discussing my research experience, and how I had recently, after two years of volunteering for about 20 hours/week, started working full time as a research technician.
interviewer: "so, Bamtuba, if you had applied for a position in my lab as a former musician, I would have NEVER allowed you to step foot in the door."
me: "..."
me: (after a few seconds of dead silence) "well, Dr. X gave me a chance, and here I am."
Later in the interview the guy, a PhD only at a well-known school, admitted that he "wanted to be a musician in college," but that "he wasn't good enough." 🙄
Maybe he was just testing me?
I was finally accepted, but man, what a scarey interview moment. Turns out we had a LOT in common, but you just never know what you're stepping into.
