Interview Question!

[sunnyside]

I have heard that SGU really grills you on your file and your poor grades. I was wondering how you would explain your poor grades if the interviewer brought it up? I know some people have stories/legitimate reasons for a bad quarter but I'm not exactly on that boat. I have a few bad grades this quarter a few that quarter so what is a nicer way of saying, I kinda just sucked at undergrad. (I'm in grad school now and my gpa IS a lot better...phew...)

Thanks!!!

[sunnyside]

Also...how long do you wait for them to call you to schedule an interview after your "you have been granted an interview" letter. I'm in Southern California so I'm hoping it won't take too long for them to find someone

[jaywalk81]

no idea where you heard that from, but on the contrary, sgu interview is generally very relaxed and comfortable compared to US ones. however they still might ask some of those typical Qs, but on a more relaxed atmosphere. there are maybe a few interviewers who will be a bit more strict but still better than US ones. best advice is to be honest, admit faults where applicable and willing and capable to do better

[rayhans1282]

I have heard that SGU really grills you on your file and your poor grades. I was wondering how you would explain your poor grades if the interviewer brought it up? I know some people have stories/legitimate reasons for a bad quarter but I'm not exactly on that boat. I have a few bad grades this quarter a few that quarter so what is a nicer way of saying, I kinda just sucked at undergrad. (I'm in grad school now and my gpa IS a lot better...phew...)

Thanks!!!

They don't "grill" you but you will be asked about it. At my interview, the interviewer asked me what/how I would prevent/avoid what happened in the first few semesters at my undergrad.

Just make sure you are honest about your mistakes and don't make ** excuses for them. Take responsibility but say yes, I screwed up but I learned from it (elaborate what you learned) and I would do it differently at SGU.

The interview is really very conversation, although I hated writing that essay. And ask questions about things that you are curious about, i.e. I aked him that as a graduate from a foreign medical schools, was he subjected to feel stigmatized come residency time? He gave me a really honest answer and also sold the school in the process.

[Ishie1013]

From what I've read, most of them don't grill you. My interview was a little different than most, but on my "C"s, I just said yeah, I'm bad at chemistry, which also accounts for my relatively low PS score on my MCAT, and I'll work my butt off to not be bad at chemistry where I need it in med school, but said in a more professional manner.

[Artie]

I had pretty lousy grades but a good mcat score. After reviewing my numbers, my interviewer said, and I quote, "Look, I never ask prospective students to explain why they didn't do well in certain classes, I know everyone has their own situations and reasons for applying to SGU, but Artie, you gotta tell me what happened here!"

I forget what my response was but I remember laughing.

[hersheysyrup]

My interviewer didnt even ask me anything about academics. I also failed one class during my sophmore year and it wasnt brought up at my interview but it was brought up by other school interviews. My overall SGU interview experience was very relaxed, totally comfortable and short. I guess i got lucky:cool:

[doctorvp]

My interviewer didn't even look at my file.. he asked me like 6 questions.. half of them regarding ethics.. and the others consisting of:
How did you hear about SGU?,
How would you feel about being a FMG?
Do you think you could handle living on the island?

This took approximately 10 minutes.. then I asked questions for about 15 minutes.. Interview lasted about 30 mins

[fishingdoc]

sunnyside,

My interview was very laid back....he interviewed me for about 45 mins and then we shot the shit for anoher 45....Im in the same boat as you.....undergrad grades sucked and were very inconsistent...however my grad school grades were much better...It actually makes a very good impression to have so so, or even poor grades in undergrad and good grades in grad school...dont get me wrong im not saying poor grades look good but the fact that you can turn yourself around speaks volumes about you....Dont come up with excuses for yourself during the interview just be straight with the interviewer.

[sunnyside]

Thank You! You guys definitely calmed me down...

[1nicelady]

Also...how long do you wait for them to call you to schedule an interview after your "you have been granted an interview" letter. I'm in Southern California so I'm hoping it won't take too long for them to find someone


In the interview letter there is an alumni's contact number. You actually set up the interview with your interviewer. Mine did not respond to my emails quickly enought so I called St. Georges and let them know what was going on. Sure enough my interview got back to me that day. Oh and be flexible with your times. My interview was on a Sunday. It was within 3 days after I contacted the interviewer.

[sunnyside]

what??? I didn't get any contact information...Mine just said that my admissions counselor will contact me to schedule an interview. Should I just call her instead to try and speed things up?

[UWSeattleHuskies]

what??? I didn't get any contact information...Mine just said that my admissions counselor will contact me to schedule an interview. Should I just call her instead to try and speed things up?

relax-- they will send you the necessary information by email. it will usually be an interviewer in your area (they do the best they can to accomodate your location) which is sometimes why it takes so long to get that information to you. and the interviewers are alumni. depending on when you got your notification for interview, i would give it a week or so before calling.:)

[seagoddess]

generally, SGU interviews are relaxed... i agree with the above posters. be truthful about why you have bad grades but also turn it into something positive about what you learned from that experience and explain why that will not happen again. furthermore, the fact you did great in grad school is really working in your favor.

best of luck and keep us posted!!!

[grayeyes043]

generally, SGU interviews are relaxed... i agree with the above posters. be truthful about why you have bad grades but also turn it into something positive about what you learned from that experience and explain why that will not happen again. furthermore, the fact you did great in grad school is really working in your favor.

best of luck and keep us posted!!!

Is it bad news that my interviewer never discussed my grades or my mcat scores?

[lsmith55uf]

Hey guys, all your information is great, and I am now less nervous about my interview! Quick question, I am in the military at Ft Bragg in NC, which is about an hour south of Raleigh. Anyone know if they conduct interviews around this area? (I couldn't find this on the forum). I have reas on here that they try to accommadate you are best they can, jsut wondering if there is anyone with experience from the area. Thanks!

[seagoddess]

Is it bad news that my interviewer never discussed my grades or my mcat scores?

not at all. it depends on the interviewer... i had excellent grades so there was nothing to explain there. i had a lower mcat and my interviewer didn't ask me about it. anyway, what was i supposed to say, hmmm well the thing is that... hmmm i am not a good test taker...

[sunnyside]

Thank you guys for all the info! I know it's getting pretty late in the game but I am hoping and crossing my fingers that there are going to be some spots left for the January class...1 of which I'll fill :)
I will keep you posted seagoddess

[MDlove]

do they ask questions about the healthcare system? HMO? I always have a problem with the question that asks you to tell them your worst asset. suggestions on what a good answer is?

[FlatlandMe]

Hey sunnyside, good luck with your interview! I just interviewed last week, and I am still waiting for a decision. Its really informal, don't worry just a conversation nothing else. You will do fine, just be your self...And FYI if even there isnt room in Jan, they should put you on a waitlist or carry you over to Aug....

[Athena773]

Hey guys, all your information is great, and I am now less nervous about my interview! Quick question, I am in the military at Ft Bragg in NC, which is about an hour south of Raleigh. Anyone know if they conduct interviews around this area? (I couldn't find this on the forum). I have reas on here that they try to accommadate you are best they can, jsut wondering if there is anyone with experience from the area. Thanks!


Hey I'm from NC and they found me an interview at Duke University Medical Hospital...so I only had to travel for 2 hours...maybe they'll do the same for you. The person I interviewed with said that there are about 4 SGU grads there doing their residency.
GOOD LUCK!

[whatupdoc???]

hey y'all just got my interview for aug 2008... I was wondering if you guys remember what the essay questions were like. More or less concerned about what that's going to be like, thanks!

[whatupdoc???]

hey y'all just got my interview for aug 2008... I was wondering if you guys remember what the essay questions were like. More or less concerned about what that's going to be like, thanks!

[Britimg]

hey y'all just got my interview for aug 2008... I was wondering if you guys remember what the essay questions were like. More or less concerned about what that's going to be like, thanks!

hey check this out SDN Interview Feedback: Select School (http://share.studentdoctor.net/interview/process_read.asp?school=176)

[MDlove]

just had my interview today. I was prepping hard core for an ethic question--and got asked none!! In regards to my interview--he asked some basic questions:

1. was there one moment that you wanted to be a doctor?
2. where have you been around the world?
3. what was your GPA and mcat score (plus...what went wrong with your mcat score).
4. how will u pay?
5. what other schools are you applying for?

He asked what research I have done...and when i was responding...he snaped--"have you been published." I responded "no, but my PI said it is publishable."

I don't know what to make of the interview. I don't feel completely confident that I got in.

[sunnyside]

wow, thanks for posting MDlove and I'm sure your interview went well and will be hearing good news soon!!! :)