kiwi Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Hi there, for questions asked in behavioural interviews (such as the one in the thread title), how would one approach them if we have actually never been placed in the situation the question refers to? For instance, I don't think I have ever actually made a decision that went against the wishes of everyone else in the group...we have always been able to come up with some sort of compromise (perhaps my leadership experiences have been limited..but at this point, there isn't much I can do to change it), so I am wondering how I could answer the question in the thread title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinHP Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 I tried thinking of an answer when I saw your thread and for the life of me couldn't come up with one either. I eventually decided I would have define an "unpopular decision" as any decision that someone didn't agree with. It didn't need to occur in a group setting, just something you decided that at least one person disagreed with. You might also define unpopular as maybe something you decided and then later regretted. When I finally came up with my unpopular decision, I settled on defining it as something at least one other person disagreed with. And for me, quitting football after 7 years was unpopular in the opinion of my family because they thought I should pursue the sport further (even to the point of becoming a professional). By the end of my 7 year involvement I started to realize I wasn't playing for myself anymore, even though I had once immensely enjoyed playing. Quitting was the right decision for me at the time, despite it being unpopular in the view of my family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbene085 Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Like lostinHP pointed out, this doesn't have to be a leadership scenario or anything. You've *never* made a decision other people were unhappy with/disagreed with? Did you choose a different university than most of your friends? Did you befriend a kid in highschool who was hated by your friends? Have you gone against your family's wishes in pursuing a medical education? Have you ever gotten a fluorescent green mohawk to your family's dismay? Any of those would suffice, and many many more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madz25 Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 I answered a similar question in an earlier thread...hopefully this helps you: see post #2 http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25964 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcater2006 Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Sorry to offend you Arandil. But I think your boyfriend is a very selfish person and it might serve you well to break up with him. Think about this: you get all rejections, you think you can have your "happily ever afters" with him just like the fairy tale says. And then he meets a new girl and dumps you. What do you do then? Would you not regret your decision not to pursue med? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi Posted March 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Thanks for all your suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Stark Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Difficult situation, aranndil. It doesn't strike me that love is the problem, but rather fear... I think, in the end, you should do what you need for your future career and aspirations; managing each person's dreams and goals is difficult in any relationship, and it's not really over until it's over. Best of luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
its_a_conspiracy Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Gah...I had fun (*not*) with a question similar to this one during my MMI. It was one of those..."describe a time when you've been..." questions. I stood outside the room for what seemed like a minute and 50 seconds drawing an absolute blank. Last minute I recalled a situation in which I was 9, travelling alone from China back to Vancouver, and had lost my airline hostess escort who was supposed to take me from the check-in gate onto the plane. Somehow I managed to lose her (or she, I) and ended up wandering around aimlessly. Luckily I had the presence of mind to locate another hostess who was able to get me to where I needed to go. I freaked out for days about this question cuz I was like...WTF was I thinking talking about this sort of drivel?! It's somewhat comforting to know that we don't exactly have to give the 'perfect answer; ei. in army training/as an executive manager/while saving the president of the united states, etc. lol even if that would be a better answer. =) 'Pologize for the rant...just had to get it out~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Sorry about your tough situation aranndil.. I think that love is wanting the best for the other person, even if it involves some personal sacrifice, but that is my personal viewpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostintime Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 aranndil, your life sounds so interesting/dramatic. I don't mean that in an offensive way, but it seems like something I usually see on dramas. Now my life on the other hand, SO boring. Best of luck w/ things though, hopefully you do have a happy ending =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky222 Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Follow up: My bf and I had a huge fight the NIGHT before my interview (today). I'm still a little mad at him for chosing that night of all nights to make trouble. *grumbles* At least MMI was fun. The fact that your boyfriend was willing to have a fight with you the night before arguably one of the most important days of your life says a lot about his desire to sabotage your pursuit of medicine. I know that love can be blinding (I know I can surely attest to that), and it's totally not in my place to say this (but I'll say it anyway), but consider kicking him to the curb and focusing on fulfilling your own personal dreams and goals first and then worry about the relationship stuff down the road. If he's not willing to support you now, will he be willing to support you when times get tougher and much more stressful (ie. clerkship, residency, etc.)? Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Cave Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 You (hopefully soon to be X) BF sounds like a complete *******! He should apply to meds too; he'd make a good surgeon:p I agree with previous poster - he was trying to sabotage your interview. Leave him in the dust. Obviously you must be thinking that or you wouldn't post such unflattering stories about him. Don't feel guilty about dumping him whether you get in or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock* Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 You (hopefully soon to be X) BF sounds like a complete *******! He should apply to meds too; he'd make a good surgeon:p I agree with previous poster - he was trying to sabotage your interview. Leave him in the dust. Obviously you must be thinking that or you wouldn't post such unflattering stories about him. Don't feel guilty about dumping him whether you get in or not. So you're choosing surgery too huh? I'll see you both in residency . Aranndil: as for your bf, it sounds like he isn't prepared for your future status change if you make it in. A lot of guys can't deal with things if their partner suddenly gets a more prestigious job that pays much better. It's kind of like a threat to their manly ability to support their family (personally, I'd rather be a househusband and make sure the LCD tv isn't stolen by watching it all day). I agree with everyone else in getting rid of him. If he's not supportive of your calling in life, he's just in the way. Clear him like any other obstacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostintime Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Clear him like any other obstacle. LOL that cracked me up.... Well, I guess we don't have enough context about aranndil's relationship based on the few posts she describes him, so he probably has positive qualities for her to hang on. Sounds so complicated..ahhh.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Possibly try to think of something that you withdrew from because in the end it wasn't right for you and the only thing keeping you there were other peoples opinions. For example, I quit a job serving at a restaurant because the owners started giving student servers a tough time about working around a schedule when initially that had been fine, but when they lost a few of their employees they turned on their policy. I was liked by the owners and other servers so not only was it unpopular to leave, but leaving meant that it may get even worse for some of my co-workers... but in the end it was the decision I had to make, it was hurting my grades and attendance. So I decided I needed to quit which made people unhappy but needed to be done... I don't know, that's the best I can come up with lol... I haven't dismantled any bombs lately though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcater2006 Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 thank you. Follow up: My bf and I had a huge fight the NIGHT before my interview (today). I'm still a little mad at him for chosing that night of all nights to make trouble. *grumbles* At least MMI was fun. I agree with rocky222. This fight will be the first one of many fights, each with increasing severity, that you'll be having with your bf in the future. I know this because my parents (my dad in particular ) are EXACTLY like that ever since they first start dating each other. My mom moves 5 miles, and my dad accommodates her by moving 5 inches. And to make matters much much worse, their fights affected the way I view relationships and marriage. So now I'm determined to let my dad arrange a spouse for me so that in case my marriage fails (i.e. divorce) he will bear full responsibility. Therefore if you don't want your future kids to develop these skewed notion of marriage and family life, you should find a more caring, understanding and supportive partner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpanishFly Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 lol this thread is like a soap, very entertaining when your stressed out i hate to sound like a broken record and echo everyones sentiments, but as far as I'm concerned, any man who's going to ask me why i'm not present and accounted for so he can golf and i can stay home and wash the dishes is going to get booted asap (but then again I'm an aspiring surgeon and i guess we're *****es lol)...i mean what if I wanted to golf too? as for the question, I have a similar example as supafield, its really the only situation I could come up with too...I hate these types of questions, I just know this will screw me up in the interview Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Cave Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 When I had this question (think it was UBC last year) I talked about rejecting people from my cave tours because i didn;t think they were physically fit enough. Tough thing to do but there were real safety issues. It very unpopular to say "Sorry ma'am, but there is no well in hell I'm dragging your fat ass through the cave!" Of course i was a wee but more PC but the message was the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbene085 Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 When I had this question (think it was UBC last year) I talked about rejecting people from my cave tours because i didn;t think they were physically fit enough. Tough thing to do but there were real safety issues. It very unpopular to say "Sorry ma'am, but there is no well in hell I'm dragging your fat ass through the cave!" Of course i was a wee but more PC but the message was the same. Was it an underwater cave tour? Because what they lack in endurance they'll make up for in buoyancy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky222 Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Nice to know that care of client comes before profit. I'm sure when they deny tours to these people they think about the consequences of having to get some emergency team to rescue them and any liability issues that may arise. At the end of the day, profit still reigns supreme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogopogo Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I'm sure when they deny tours to these people they think about the consequences of having to get some emergency team to rescue them and any liability issues that may arise. At the end of the day, profit still reigns supreme Completely agree For the same reasons that some people aren't allowed to skydive. Some folks have more risk than it's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
its_a_conspiracy Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 Cave tours...good times. I don't suppose you guys are talking about the same types (limestone) that are in Oregon? There were some challenging stretches in those ones for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogopogo Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 The ones I went on are the Rushmore Caves under... (guess) Mt. Rushmore I've been to some near Mt. Rushmore. The Wind Cave or the Crystal Caves, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky222 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 I'm sure everything will work out for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Happy Hippo Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 heya dudes...i got a very unpopular decision...so i was in quebec city chillin with friends at lunch...they serve us some nachos with beans and i have a beer...then a couple hours later we head to the car to drive-up to montreal - this was a cross country tour- and i gotta let some air out...can't help it, it just had to be let out...so i start crackin some and my friends are sittin there choking! it was the beans i tell ya, never had beans on a road trip again...jeez stop laughin at me man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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