2nd wave?

[Nuriko]

We are about halfway through the interview process. About half the programs I applied to have given some form of definitive response, of which half have given interviews and the other half have rejected me. The other half have put me 'on hold', and I have no idea when they are getting back to me.

Ive been hearing rumors about a 2nd wave of interviews, which usually happens around december, when cancellations start to occur in larger numbers. For an avg applicant, such as myself, this could open many doors. As of yet, I havent seen a flow of invites, but that hasnt stopped me from calling programs OCD style every week (which, as of now, granted me 3 more interviews).

Does anybody know if these rumors are substantiated? Has anyone seen it happening this season?

 

[SaintFrances]

I think the 2nd wave is more of a slow trickle which is unpredictable and has no definite start or stop - and probably has already begun to some extent. December would seem the most probable time for the last-minute cancellation-type interview invites since applicants have already been on a few interviews and are getting jet-lag burn out. My question is how seriously should we view these invites considering that the given program obviously doesn't really view you, the applicant, as its most desirable candidate anyway? -especially since these invites are likely to come at the last-minute, necessitating an expensive airfare purchase as well?

 

[firefly333]

My second wave was 4 rejections and 1 interview

 

[Nuriko]

I think the 2nd wave is more of a slow trickle which is unpredictable and has no definite start or stop - and probably has already begun to some extent. December would seem the most probable time for the last-minute cancellation-type interview invites since applicants have already been on a few interviews and are getting jet-lag burn out. My question is how seriously should we view these invites considering that the given program obviously doesn't really view you, the applicant, as its most desirable candidate anyway? -especially since these invites are likely to come at the last-minute, necessitating an expensive airfare purchase as well?

Interviews = intangibles

Thats one thing i realized. I went from 4 invites to 7 by virtue of phone calls, emails, etc. 3 programs that would have otherwise placed me 'on hold'. And thats where you get to show them a side of them that they wouldnt otherwise see. Thats where you get them to actually read your application and get another chance to catch their eye that you may otherwise not have. And that could lead you places you never thought possible...

In all honesty, up until about 10-12 interviews, most candidates want as many chances as they can. If youre an avg candidate, chances are you need it, and if one more interview can improve your odds of matching that much more, why not take it? You never know what they might think.

 

[Nuriko]

*bump*

Only one more month to get those last minute interviews. Here's to keeping the dream alive!