Tell me about a time when you taught or mentored a medical student.
ExperienceTeachingCore
Purpose
Residency isn't just about learning; it's also about teaching. This question checks if you can step into a mentor role, showing your mastery and communication skills. It also hints at your leadership potential and how you support your team.
Tips
- Share a specific story where you took the initiative to teach or mentor.
- Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
- Highlight how you understood the learner's needs and adapted your approach.
- Reflect on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow.
Common mistakes
- Don't say you haven't mentored anyone yet. Even informal examples count!
- Avoid sounding like teaching was a burden or being condescending.
- Don't forget to mention the outcome and what you learned from the experience.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences: -Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on? -Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation? -Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions. -Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful. -Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.