Take some time to tell us about yourself.
Cardiology Fellowship programs see a wide variety of applicants each matching season. In asking this question, your interviewers are looking for insight into your personality to ensure that you would be a great fit with the culture and staff at their institution.
"I grew up with six brothers and sisters, so patience was a necessary virtue. They shaped my experiences and exposures. For example, when my sister needed hip surgery, we spent a week in the hospital and learned how doctors and nurses cared for her, including operating on her and controlling her post-operative pain. In college, I was required to take a human anatomy course, which I loved. I started shadowing a surgeon and took more classes relating to the human body, eventually completing my premedical requirements and solidifying my interest in becoming a physician. In medical school, I was immediately drawn to cardiovascular medicine due to the intimacy of care provided to patients and the true differences made in extending and bettering lives."
This is a great chance to give your ultimate sales pitch and tell your interviewers what makes you one of the top candidates for their program. While there is no right or wrong answer to a question like this, there are a couple of directions that you can take to have the greatest impact on your interviewers. This isn't the time to discuss your future career plans; you'll have time to do that with other questions. It is much wiser to focus on the infectious personality, teamwork, and work ethic you will bring to this Cardiology Fellowship.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I was a humanities major in college in addition to being premed. I feel it is important to have a humanistic approach to medicine and to make clear, empathic communication with patients my primary goal. I thrive under pressure and from a young age pursued high-stakes hobbies - soccer goal, solo violinist. I also don't shy away from a challenge - as evidenced by my marathon running hobby. This mentality also extends to my professional life where I constantly excelled in my high acuity rotations - PICU, EM, and cards.
Jaymie's Feedback
It's always helpful to give an overview of your professional and/or academic career and then tie in some hobbies as you did from your childhood.
