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Wayne State University Medical School Mock Interview

Question 3 of 39 for our Wayne State University Medical School Mock Interview

Wayne State University was updated by on October 25th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 3 of 39

How do you respond to feedback and criticism? Describe a situation where your work was criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

"As a student, I've always taken a positive and learning approach when I've received constructive criticism on my work. It's how I learn and improve in anything that I do. I received feedback on a paper early in my undergraduate program that said I wasn't detailed enough in my work. Rather than get upset by this, I thanked my professor and told her I would improve the next time. Here at Wayne State University, I'd look forward to working with and learning from your world-class faculty to help me become the best MD I can be."

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How to Answer: How do you respond to feedback and criticism? Describe a situation where your work was criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Wayne State University Medical School interview.

  • 3. How do you respond to feedback and criticism? Describe a situation where your work was criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      As a medical student at Wayne State University, your work will be scrutinized and critiqued daily. That includes your class work, lab work, and clinical rotations. With this question, your interviewers want to hear that you are confident and mature enough to accept feedback and criticism positively, even when it is unsolicited, in their program.

      Written by Ryan Brunner on October 25th, 2022

      How to Answer

      Not all feedback will be delivered to you in a friendly, easy-to-absorb manner as a medical student. Think of a time you received feedback or criticism that was a bit hurtful or surprising. Discuss how you reacted productively. Tell a story that shows the interviewers how you could take the criticism and learn from it. Talk about how you successfully implemented changes in response to the feedback.

      Written by Ryan Brunner on October 25th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "As a student, I've always taken a positive and learning approach when I've received constructive criticism on my work. It's how I learn and improve in anything that I do. I received feedback on a paper early in my undergraduate program that said I wasn't detailed enough in my work. Rather than get upset by this, I thanked my professor and told her I would improve the next time. Here at Wayne State University, I'd look forward to working with and learning from your world-class faculty to help me become the best MD I can be."

      Written by Ryan Brunner on October 25th, 2022

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "While it is easy to feel defensive when confronted with feedback and criticism, I believe this is a great opportunity to gain an alternate perspective, and grow immensely.



      I deliver full-spectrum reproductive and sexual health care for a diverse number of patients. During one visit, I had a difficult time counseling a female patient who was seeking pregnancy due to my implicit biases about her young age. I inquired heavily about her understanding of pregnancy and family planning and started to unconsciously tailor my counseling towards family planning. However, she confronted my bias and disclosed that she was seeking pregnancy at a young age due to a history of infertility in her family. I then realized that she was extremely well informed about pregnancy and birth. This caused me to reflect on my perspective and change my counseling so I could provide her with nonjudgemental, holistic, and safe care. I now push myself to constantly evaluate and mitigate my implicit biases so I can ensure to deliver high quality, patient-centered care."

      Stephanie's Feedback

      Your response is thoughtful and clearly highlights a specific instance when you received feedback. While this is meaningful, not all feedback centers around bias and not all feedback would be from a patient, so it would be helpful to deepen your response by adding that you're receptive to feedback no matter where it comes from (supervisor, colleague, patient) and that you seek to actively listen.

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