Order of Augusta

Today, I had my Order of Augusta interview. I have been a little worried about this and praying a lot so I didn't get much sleep last night. I woke up around 8:30 to prepare myself for some of the questions that Laurel and I thought of last night. I did my usual morning thing of taking a shower, drinking some coffee and eating a piece of bread and butter, and talking with my mom about whatever I can convey easily in Portuguese. Today, I talked extra long with my mom because it was kinda relaxing before I had to prepare for my interview.

I ironed my shirt last night and debated whether I would even wear pants since they would only see my face. I decided it best to wear pants but not necessary to iron them. It will become apparent why this was a good decision on my part. Before the interview I just kept going over the questions and praying. Soon enough, it was 11:30 and they called. The interview had 4 professors (Dr Atkins- Speech Path, Dr. Klandorff- Animal Science, Dr. Conner- English, and Dr. Stewart- VP of Student Affairs). They started the interview with introductions and then Dr. Stewart asked me about what the Brazilians think about the World Cup being in Brazil and what are their impressions of the coach. From talking with people and especially with my host dad, I knew that everyone was ecstatic about the World Cup, but I also knew my dad didn't like the coach. I thought that this was because he made them play a European style of soccer, so I went with that and Stewart completely agreed- dodged my first bullet. I believe Klandorff spoke next and mentioned that he had talked to "Doc" Blemmings about me. Doc wrote one of my medical school letters of reference because we really connected over common interests in hunting and camping, especially out West. Klandorff asked me about BBB and why I thought it was "genuine" as if other organizations were not. I answered this question by saying that BBB invests in its members (connecting them with research opportunities, etc) and invests in the WVU/Morgantown Community (Stewart St Adopt a Road, Bartlett House, other community service). He liked this answer and replied "good answer." Next was Dr. Aktins. She made the comment that she liked my tie and the colors of my tie (its the same blue and gold tie that I've worn since the beginning of college for all of my important WVU functions). I remember she asked what are my two favorite and most beneficial community service activities. I replied that both of my study abroad trips are my favorite (I wanted to bring them up sometime in the interview and this seemed like a good plug-in). I talked about how these trips have been very difficult but more rewarding than any service I have done while in the states. I talked a lot about this and she replied "good answer." Her next question was a request to see me salsa dance. This is where I was very happy that I decided to wear pants. Without hesitation, I stood up and gave my best acapella salsa dance. I apologized that it wasn't that great and that I needed my girlfriend to keep time for me. When I glanced up, they were all crowded around the screen loving my failed attempt. I don't actually think that Dr. Atkins thought that I would do it. Next was Klandorff again and he asked me about my Portuguese. I think I was a bit too modest here and they might think that I still do not speak much Portuguese (which isn't far from the truth). I was thinking about rattling off something in Portuguese but I wanted them to feel as relaxed as possible with me, and I know personally how hearing something that you don't understand can make you feel very insecure. Next, was Stewart again but I can't remember what he asked me. I know we talked about WVU being in the Sweet Sixteen and he informed me that Bryant had broken his foot. Afterward, I looked on Sportsline and sure enough Bryant broke it in practice and is out for the season. After that Dr. Conner asked me about the recent health care bill. I was very happy that I studied up on this. This was possibly the only current event in America that I was somewhat familiar with and I think I did an alright job fielding his question about how this will effect my future occupation. I tried to sound as bi-partisan as possible, but I used my recent overnight stay in a public hospital here as a reason to believe that this could lead to hospital overpopulation. Also, I threw in that since I am so young, this will be great for me because I will be able to stay on my parents insurance while in Med School until I am 26 click here. I tried to ride the fence as much as possible because I thought in this mixed company establishing a strong argument or opinion could lead to unfamiliar territory and get me in trouble. He also asked me about why I might want to become a orthopedic surgeon and I said because it is the most useful specialization in developing countries when it comes to correcting club foot, cleft palate (I guess this is more plastic surgeon though- glad they didn't pick up on that). He also replied "good answer" at the end. Next, was Klandorff again. I think he felt that he needed to lead the interview with me since we both come from similar disciplines in the sciences. He asked me about the hybridization of Populus tremuloides and Populus grandidentata and I was very happy that he brought my research up. I think I really sounded confident when answering this question (I guess I should be- I studied them for 3 years). He even asked me a theoretical question about what are the implications of hybridization for future populations. Again, I think I did pretty well thanks to Dr. DiFazio's Quantitative and Population Genetics class and from my independent study. I brought up that there was also a third invasive species of Popular present (Populus alba or European Popular) and I said how these hybrids could lead to increased assexual reproduction with more vegetative vigor which would in turn decrease the effective population size and sexually diversity (Sorry to bore you with the details but this was a good 7 minutes of the interview). After that they asked if I had any questions for them and I turn this opportunity to brown-nose. I talked about how I had researched each of their respective publications and how I knew many people who spoke highly of both Atkins, and Stewart (thanks lindsey and tiff!) Also, I commented how I used Klandorff's Animal Phys book with Dr. Vona Davis and I think I might have had him blushing in front of his colleagues ( I think this was a good move- guess we'll wait and see). After that I thanked them and hung up the phone. In total it took about 45 minutes and I felt pretty calm about the whole interview.

Immediately after the interview I started to worry that it possible went to well because they didn't grill me very much. I thought this could be a bad thing because it could mean that they weren't that interested in me and they had already made up their mind. Of course this could also mean that they had already made their mind up in a good way and that they just wanted to confirm their decision with feeling that they had to put me through the wringer. I know, I over analyze things, but this is how my mind works. I mean I guess its not really that big of a deal. Only possibly means a 50k+ scholarship to med school. Who cares, right?

I didn't really worry about the interview as much as I thought I would. I did feel pretty worn out so I talked with my mom and ate lunch to calm myself down. By the time I was ready to leave it was already about 1:30 and I decided to skip CADEC ( I justified this in my mind by the fact that I already volunteered ~9 additional hours at the hospital on Monday night). I went for my first run without taking any shoes of sandals and I ran very fast on the sand because the tide was low and I was able to run in the packed sand. I made it to my normal spot (~3.2 miles I think) in my normal time of 25minutes and returned in only 24 minutes while running on sand! I guess I was feeling pretty stress-free. After returning I swam in the ocean (just about took my iPod in with me) and then did a few leg exercises on the beach. I returned a lot of emails the rest of the day and read more of the Snow Leopard. At about 7:30 I went on another run to my normal spot and ran it in record time. I keep getting faster at this distance and I think I am running ~7 minute miles. I returned home and ate and talked with my host mom. Nicole used my comp to talk to her mom and we all Skyped together. Then I called my parents and again all talked together. I feel kinda bad because I was supposed to talk to both Caleb and to Joe tonight, but I'm glad that Nicole got to speak to her family. I think they are arriving here this Sunday.