Trends concerning a common medical school interview question, revisited

Figures & data

Figure 1. Number of students certain of future direction-Vs- number of students uncertain of future direction.

Figure 2. Number of students certain of future direction who were completely truthful, not completely truthful, or not asked about their planned future direction.

Table 1.  Responses from students certain of future direction who stated they were not completely forthcoming and truthful during their interview process

Number of responses	Reasons
11	My desire goes against the goal of the college of medicine, such as trying to develop physicians who will practice medicine in rural areas.
8	Heard from sources that revealing true desire could possibly hinder my interview.
8	Interviewed by a MD outside of the aspect of medicine I am interested in.
7	Was not sure how the interviewer would react.
2	Felt uncomfortable during the interview.
3	Others:
	Psychiatry is viewed negatively by many.
	I want to be a dermatologist/allergist.
	I did not want to say I do not know.

Table 2a.  Comparison of gender, average age, composite MCAT, and average GPA between students uncertain of future direction as compared to those certain of future direction

	Uncertain of future direction	Certain of future direction
Gender	19♀, 13♂	29♀, 21♂
Average age	24	24
Composite MCAT	29.63	28.87
Average GPA	3.80	3.70

Table 2b.  Comparison of gender, average age, composite MCAT, and average GPA of those certain of their future direction who were completely truthful, not completely truthful, or were not asked about their planned future direction

	Certain of future direction	Certain of future direction	Certain of future direction
	Completely truthful	Not completely truthful	Not asked
Gender	18♀, 11♂	9♀, 8♂	2♀, 2♂
Average age	23	24	24
Composite MCAT	28.25	30.12	28.25
Average GPA	3.69	3.72	3.69