oh, i should clarify, they won't be making any kind of contact with the school itself. they're just coming along for the trip and to check out Philly. if i get an interview. i would never subject a med school to my 2 year old, or vice versa
I heard over on pre-allo a lot of schools have programs on interview day for the spouses though. but not the kids
Sorry to crash your thread!
🙂 Maybe I applied to the "wrong" schools, but there weren't any activities for spouses on interview day at any of my interviews last year!
😳 There were things for SOs during some Second Looks, though.
I didn't bring my spouse to any interviews--there wouldn't have been much of interest to him, anyway. Most of them consisted of a short introduction to the interview day, 1-3 interviews with faculty/admissions staff/students, a hospital/med school tour, maybe a short presentation on financial aid/housing, maybe a quick overview of the admissions process, and maybe a quick curriculum overview. At some interviews, there was a lot of down time, but it was a good chance to chat with other prospective students and the current med students that often came by to say hi. At other interviews, I literally barely found time for a bathroom break!
😱
Just my opinion, but I wouldn't bring SOs to any part of the actual interview day--of course your family is a big part of your decision, but their presence might leave the adcom with a weird impression. (You might be tempted to say, "Well, if they don't appreciate my family, it's not somewhere I want to be, anyway!" However, with the competitiveness of gaining admission, until you have at least one acceptance in hand, I wouldn't risk it.) Having the family check out the area/city while you're at the interview or after the interview and generally being there for moral support during your interview stay can be a good thing (or could be more distracting, depending on the type of person you are). FWIW, I never saw anyone bring their SO to any interview days (though I did see a parent or two
😱 which elicited dismayed and condescending looks from the adcom staff).
Just keep in mind that you probably won't get in everywhere you interview (so the SO attending could add unnecessary expense if you don't get in), and you'll probably want to go back to Second Looks (if available) for a more in-depth assessment of the school and area if you get in. If you can afford to go again, the SOs can go with you then (and it's even heavily encouraged at some schools). (A few schools will even subsidize your transportation to Second Looks, and many will find you free accomodations with a student if you want it.) Good luck!
