• Home
  • PA Trek Academy
  • Services
    • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • Coaches
  • Free Phone Consultation
  • Login for returning clients

PA Trek Coaching

Stay up to date with all our latest posts and services!

The Breakdown: How do you Respond to Criticism

in essays, Interview, pre-pa on 06/27/17

The path of getting into PA school is lined with questions. From the personal statement, to the supplemental essays and then finally…

…The Interview. And not easy questions, either! Admissions committees are trying to get to know you and determine if you will not only be a good fit for their program, but if you will be good for the PA profession.

We will spend the next few weeks going over common questions that you may receive from your top programs and how to navigate your response.

 

Question: Describe a time when you received criticism from a supervisor or a college professor and how did you respond?

 

What they want:

This is a loaded question. Admissions committees are evaluating your character, your maturity, and your professionalism. They want to see that you can handle criticism, because when you are learning medicine this is a given. You will be wrong. You will be wrong so many times. And you will be wrong in front of people that you respect. When you are standing in that hospital during rounds and the intensivist asks you a pathophysiology question (in front of 10 other people), how do you respond when you get corrected? When a faculty member gives you tough feedback on your masters project are you going to get belligerent or are you going to be open?

 

What they don’t want:

Humble brag. Please don’t use this as an opportunity to disclose how awesome you are. There are other chances when this is totally appropriate! Be succinct and stick to answering the question.

 

A good example:

As a recent graduate from college, I obtained a position as a manager of a food program.Every night we would cook a meal, serve, and clean up. The meal was for the homeless community in my neighborhood and I found the job rewarding. I spent most of my time organizing volunteers and making sure they had what they needed for the meal. When I first started I was very judgemental about what foods the groups were bringing in. I criticized one group on their reliance on canned goods, rather than fresh fruits and vegetables. During my training my supervisor took me aside and explained that many people volunteering were impoverished themselves and that they received the food from a food shelf. She discussed with me the need to be more sensitive with the improvements that I wanted to make, because often times the volunteers that came in were also recipients of the services. That was a lesson in humility for me. I understood that I needed to be more aware of the people around me and their perspectives. Going forward, I asked for people’s input before giving my opinion and made sure I understood the situation fully prior to making any changes to the program.

A bad example:

As a top biology student in my major, I found it difficult to do group projects. The material came very easy to me and was often difficult for my teammates. My professor assigned a project that I found particularly challenging because of the group aspect. He came to me after announcing the assignment and advised me that I needed to allow other students to participate fully in my group. I was able to restrain from completing the project myself and worked at allowing all of my team members to contribute. This experience taught me that it is good to allow others to learn at their own pace and there is value in group work.

 

I hope you can appreciate the difference! Whether these questions happen in written form or in an interview, make sure to think through before giving an answer. Admissions committees want sincere answers that show you have insight into your own shortcomings and will learn from your superiors. That is a character trait that will serve you for your entire career. What other questions have you come across that you need help with? Let us know and we will break it down!

 

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Add a Comment

Stay up to date with all our latest posts and services!

« Putting it in perspective: Getting into PA school is not your whole Life
The Breakdown: Tell Me About Yourself »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Start Here!

  • Services
  • Schedule
  • Shop
  • Common Questions

New on the Blog

  • Patient Care Hours: what they are and why they matter
  • Control what you can and trust the rest
  • Organization for the Win: Get organized now and stay on top of the PA school application process
  • How to Say “Nay” to the Naysayers
  • Failure as a DREAMER

Stay up to date with all our latest posts and services!

What people are saying about PA Trek Coaching

I would like to share some excited news with you. I recently was accepted to 2 PA schools and still have another interview coming.

I was accepted to Marshall B. Ketchum in Fullerton, CA, and Touro University- California.  and another interview at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Ca.

I wanted to thank you for giving me the best coach ever. He is super supportive and always check if I was ok during the process. I am so happy and proud of myself that I even got in the first year. I know how competitive PA schools are, so I am just so thankful that I found you all.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Betty, accepted at Marshall B. Ketchum and Touro University, California Coaching Package

I took your advice and went into my interview with confidence. I just want to thank you so much for all your help!!! I am truly grateful for what you’ve done for me. 🙂 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Robin Coaching Package

I don’t even know how to thank you for all your help!! I was accepted to my first choice program at the Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Class of 2019! Not only that, but I was one of those they called right after the interview. I am absolutely excited (and scared)!

Thank you again for all your through assistance! I don’t think I could have done this without you!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Angela, accepted at Yale School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program Coaching Package

I just got their acceptance email. Beyond excited and grateful. Thank you so much for everything. I would not have come this far without your help!

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Aleena, accepted at UTGRV Mock Interview/Personal Statement Critique

My experience with PA Trek Coaching was great. The team really provided me with the guidance I was looking for, plus tons of extra information that really came in handy. Initially, I was struggling with my personal statement but my PA Trek coach encouraged me to look inside myself and dig deep. Without their help, I’m not sure if I would have been able to articulate my story in such a professional way. Additionally, the mock interview with my coach gave me a new perspective and insight on the entire process. I know the mock interview helped me gain confidence with my interviewing skills, which really paid off. Thank you, PA Trek Coaching! 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Liza Chapman, accepted at Emory University Coaching Package

I used personal statement review and interview bootcamp. These resources were INVALUABLE to me. I felt my confidence grow, and when it was time for my last interview at my top choice school, I killed it!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Lindsay Hickman, accepted at St. Catherine University, MPAS Personal Statment Critique/ Interview Bootcamp Personal Statement Critique and Interview Bootcamp

I just wanted to share that after my ONLY interview this cycle (aaand my first cycle applying), I was just accepted to Carroll University’s PA Program and will be starting this coming May!!!!!
I will be forever glad that I took advantage of  PA Trek! My coach gave me great advice and suggestions which I definitely took to heart and worked on the week following our mock, and knowing what I needed to work on gave me the confidence that I needed. I felt I truly rocked that interview and clearly I did something right. 🙂

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Mary, accepted at Carroll University Mock Interview

We took an hour for a mock interview at the end of September and I just wanted to give you an update on my interviews! So far, I have gone to four. I was accepted at South University (Savannah, GA) and Western Michigan University! Your mock interview helped me so much. At WMU, I had an impromptu essay about the state of health care in America / pros and cons of the current health system and I felt completely prepared – I wouldn’t have had too much to say if you hadn’t recommended I look into it further! Just wanted to let you know! Thanks so much for your time. It was well worth it.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Laura, accepted at South University and Western Michigan University Used our Mock Interview

Copyright © 2023 · glam theme by Restored 316 customized by MakeMediaOver

Copyright © 2023 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop

Login

Lost your password?

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

Log In