7-8 interviews but no acceptance :(

[deleted390966]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Is the interview really the last determinant of this process? It was super strange to me, how I got 7-8 interviews last year but no acceptance at all. Some schools waitlisted me. I thought that if I made it to the interview, at least I looked good on paper? I emailed a few schools to ask why; some told me to talk to premed advisor instead; one or two said that it's because my grades in post-bacc were low. But if they had a problem with my grades to begin with then why did they even bother inviting me to interviews? I really don't understand. I spent so much money on travels 🙁

 

[Tri4thlete]

Did you assess how well your interviews went? If you had a bad or awkward interview, that can really be a death sentence. You thinking an interview went fine may be different than what the interviewers think, so really put yourself in their shoes. Getting an interview is 90% of the battle in my opinion, so the fact you had 8 interviews with no acceptance really points to a bad interview.

Also, what schools did you apply to? If you only applied to top tier schools, and didn't have any "backup" schools, that is another problem.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Schools give interviews to candidates that have slightly lower grades and MCAT if something else on their application stands out. However, if the interview doesn't go that well then they review the entire application and make sure you are the type of applicant they want for their class. If someone else seems better then they will offer him/her the seat. Not everyone at interviews gets an accpetance so I would recommend improving on your interview skills if that seems to be the common downfall

 

[j4pac]

You need to find one of your undergrad professors, or at least a professional who is objective to give you a mock interview. I am willing to bet that you have an underwhelming interview.

 

[user3]

Is the interview really the last determinant of this process? It was super strange to me, how I got 7-8 interviews last year but no acceptance at all. Some schools waitlisted me. I thought that if I made it to the interview, at least I looked good on paper? I emailed a few schools to ask why; some told me to talk to premed advisor instead; one or two said that it's because my grades in post-bacc were low. But if they had a problem with my grades to begin with then why did they even bother inviting me to interviews? I really don't understand. I spent so much money on travels 🙁

how about this year?

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

Is the interview really the last determinant of this process? It was super strange to me, how I got 7-8 interviews last year but no acceptance at all. Some schools waitlisted me. I thought that if I made it to the interview, at least I looked good on paper? I emailed a few schools to ask why; some told me to talk to premed advisor instead; one or two said that it's because my grades in post-bacc were low. But if they had a problem with my grades to begin with then why did they even bother inviting me to interviews? I really don't understand. I spent so much money on travels 🙁

Every adcom I have spoken to has told me once you get an interview, its on you to claim your spot. They generally won't offer interviews to students whose numbers will keep them out of the class (my opinion from my experience) so I am willing to bet it is something in your interview that keeps coming up and preventing you from sealing the deal.

 

[High_protein_diet]

I've gotten 4 interviews now and accepted at 3, waiting to hear for the 4th.

A lot of it is just being yourself, not being overconfident (I've noticed other students who do this), and generally be excited and thankful for the opportunity.

I never prepared for interviews, other than doing my best to meet my fellow students once there, ask a lot of questions, be candid about what you want, and also even ask tough questions, which I did during an interview with a school with pbl and still accepted.

It's your life and your choice and people both appreciate and understand your questions, provided you are honest about who you are and what you want.

If you had 8 interviews and no acceptance, it would seem to be a problem with your interviews. Have you done a mock interview? How do people perceive you who just meet you? Do you tend to be more quiet and understated? How's your eye contact?

Keep your chin up and Good luck as you go forward.

 

[Omppu27]

It definitely seems like there are serious issues with your interviewing skills. This doesn't mean you're a weirdo or anything like that, but you could just have a hard time in interview situations. Since you had 7-8 interviews and no one bit, I think you should go through multiple mock interviews and get some feedback (if you haven't already).

 

[DocWinter]

If you interview later in the cycle you're at greater odds of getting the WL.
HOWEVER - if you get 7 cracks at it and no bites, you need to get better at your skillz. Practice, practice with a mentor, with someone who can give you good feedback and knows this business. This is a part of wanting this to happen for yourself, you NEED to make this adjustment to get where you want to go.
Guess why interviewing matters so much to med schools? B/c you start "interviewing" patients right off the bat. Social skills are needed to be a good doctor, it's a part of the package. Work at it now and you can get where you need to.

 

[deleted436726]

Is the interview really the last determinant of this process? It was super strange to me, how I got 7-8 interviews last year but no acceptance at all. Some schools waitlisted me. I thought that if I made it to the interview, at least I looked good on paper? I emailed a few schools to ask why; some told me to talk to premed advisor instead; one or two said that it's because my grades in post-bacc were low. But if they had a problem with my grades to begin with then why did they even bother inviting me to interviews? I really don't understand. I spent so much money on travels 🙁

With 7-8 interviews (and assuming the interviews were at least average) odds of you getting at least one acceptance is basically 100%. I'm going to have to agree with everyone else and say that all of your interviews probably went poorly from the interviewer's perspective...time to work on your interview skills.

 

[Goro]

Yes.
Is the interview really the last determinant of this process?

Correct.
I thought that if I made it to the interview, at least I looked good on paper?

Sadly, there are a number of schools that don't pre-screen. The mandate for Admissions deans is to fill the class; the mandate for Adcoms is to fill the class with people who will be good students and good doctors. Going 0/8 suggests that your interview skills are lacking, and/or the Adcom felt that your post-bac grades were a rick for poor performance in med school. You may have a red flag in your app as well, like a poor LOR, or IA(s).

What was your post-bac GPA???
I emailed a few schools to ask why; some told me to talk to premed advisor instead; one or two said that it's because my grades in post-bacc were low.
But if they had a problem with my grades to begin with then why did they even bother inviting me to interviews?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

You likely are simply underwhelming as an interviewer. If you don't leave a real or strong impression then it's not good unless you've got like a 30 or higher on your mcat.

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

Yes.
Is the interview really the last determinant of this process?

Correct.
I thought that if I made it to the interview, at least I looked good on paper?

Sadly, there are a number of schools that don't pre-screen. The mandate for Admissions deans is to fill the class; the mandate for Adcoms is to fill the class with people who will be good students and good doctors. Going 0/8 suggests that your interview skills are lacking, and/or the Adcom felt that your post-bac grades were a rick for poor performance in med school. You may have a red flag in your app as well, like a poor LOR, or IA(s).

What was your post-bac GPA???
I emailed a few schools to ask why; some told me to talk to premed advisor instead; one or two said that it's because my grades in post-bacc were low.
But if they had a problem with my grades to begin with then why did they even bother inviting me to interviews?

I was thinking that a bad LOR or two might be in there too. If I was OP I would be thinking about how you the writers of your LOR's viewed you as well

 

[asdf123g]

@PhoenixFire : Objectively speaking, how do you feel you performed at your interviews? Be honest with yourself. Im curious if it was actually your LOR's that did you in as @Eppur Si Muove said and not the interview itself. You may be worried about the wrong thing here (potentially)..

 

[AM508]

As others have said, it sounds like an interview problem if you made it to 8 interviews. I would have a hard time believing that you would make it to 8 interviews with a serious application flaw. I would agree with those in this thread that suggest you meet with an objective person who understands the interview process and can take you through a mock interview. As far as interview preparation, that varies based each individual. How did you prepare for the interviews? In my opinion, some people may over-prepare. I remember people at my interviews sitting there with cheat sheets and sweating while waiting to be called for their turn. For my interviews, I reviewed my primary application and secondary essays the night before and then just went to the interview and treated them like a professional conversation. I had no issues at any of them. It is important to prepare but also important not to sound scripted and rehearsed or worse psyche yourself out before you get to the interview. However, as with everything, it depends on what works for you. Just my $0.02

 

[asdf123g]

@AM508 : just to play the devils advocate, I have a hard time believing someone can go through 8 interviews and not get better. After every interview, I'm sure everybody thinks about what they did wrong, what they could've done better, etc. 8 high pressure interviews is a lot of practice for both interview practice and dealing with the interview jitters.

 

[AM508]

@asdf123g That is a valid point. However, it is not outside the realm of possibility that he/she is doing something/saying something that is hurting them and they are not aware as you do not get any real feedback from an official interview. Hard to say, I suppose.

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

Consider hiring an interview coach. He or she might be able to offer you some candid feedback. If that many schools want you, you must be a very appealing candidate otherwise! 🙂

 

[Derivations]

I feel you OP. I had 7 interviews over 2 years with 6 rejections. All it took was one acceptance. I am a poor interviewer and I know that about myself. I get nervous, I'm a horrendous public speaker, and I'm socially awkward to some extent. Does that mean we will be horrible doctors? Of course not. It just means that speed bump is a little bigger for us than for most people. Since you have so many interviews that means your application is very strong in other areas, so keep pushing on.

 

[j4pac]

Word of advice to pre-meds in regards to LORs. Never ask for a LOR...ask for a STRONG LOR. If the professor/attending can't look you in the eye and say yes...then don't take their LOR.

 

[costales]

You didn't screw up too badly or commit any serious faux pas, seeing that multiple schools waitlisted you. You were simply outranked by other applicants.

 

[deleted390966]

I have a 31 MCAT with nice distribution (11/10/10). It's true that I was a mediocre interviewee. I got nervous and forgot what I wanted to say when the time came...

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[MetricSystem]

 

[baxt1412]

Word of advice to pre-meds in regards to LORs. Never ask for a LOR...ask for a STRONG LOR. If the professor/attending can't look you in the eye and say yes...then don't take their LOR.

i was very careful in my wording when i asked.... "would you have any reservations about providing a strong and positive letter of rec on my behalf to x?" is typically how I worded it.