How to Answer: When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Georgetown University Medical School interview.
2. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
From the tough semesters of coursework in the medical school curriculum at Georgetown University to the clinical rotations you will complete, you will suffer a setback or two. Your interviewers know that everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. In asking this question, they want to hear that you maintain a positive and stable approach when things don't go as planned and that you will use these setbacks as learning opportunities during medical school.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Discuss with the interviewers how you typically cope with setbacks. As you answer, stress that you use setbacks to stay focused on your work and that you would bring this same mentality to the Georgetown University medical school.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing and can be very disheartening, especially when involving a project that I have put a lot of time and effort into. I understand that setbacks happen to everyone, despite their level of expertise or years of experience. When I experience a major setback, I will take a few moments to debrief internally, get some fresh air if possible, or discuss what I could have done differently with a mentor or colleague. Then, I will move on and learn from the situation. Rather than dwell on my mistakes, I choose to learn from them and will bring this same approach to my studies at Georgetown University."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 1st, 2022