Another interview at Finch

[johne]

As luck would have it I've been invited for another interview. I will be at Finch May 30th. I called the Ad office and asked them if I had a realistic chance of being accepted at this point and they said that it is very realistic since they interview till June 30th. I have also not been accepted anywhere else and they know this (7 waitlists.)
This could be my chance to turn it all around.
So, instead of looking back at old posts can anyone tell me what worked for them to get into Finch this year and what should I expect.
Unfortunately I cannot stay with students because classes fill be finished.

Thanks,
John

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[Maple]

Hey Johne,

Finch has no waitlists..so if you interivew..you either get in or get rejected. I think you probably have a pretty good chance of getting in.If you have a good GPA and decent MCATs..you will be ok.

Good luck

 

[none]

The hotels around Finch are super cheap and some offer shuttles to the campus. Check around. Actually EVERYTHING around Finch is super cheap. Too bad Finch itself is a bit on the pricey side.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by johne:
•So, instead of looking back at old posts can anyone tell me what worked for them to get into Finch this year and what should I expect.
•••••Why not look at old posts? I have been pretty prolific regarding Finch and its interview. Here are some links to other threads about this:

<a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011074" target="_blank">uno</a>

<a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=010098&p=" target="_blank">dos</a>

<a href="http://forums.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=010650&p=" target="_blank">tres</a>

You definitely have a good shot at getting in. Both of my student hosts were accepted in June (I think one was in July! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> )

To get in, I recommend you telling them how much you love Finch during the interview. I asked my hosts "what's unique about this school?" They mentioned how there are many affiliated hospitals so you get a wide range of patient populations and cases. North Chicago also has a diverse population, as it sits between a very wealthy and a pretty poor neighborhood (from what I've heard).

I got in with a 27/3.66. I did a lot of ECs working with underpriveleged patients from diverse backgrounds. During my interviews, I emphasized how well the area of Chicago fits into what I want in a medical school based on my past experiences volunteering. I mentioned that I like how Finch is far from the city (and its distractions) and how its nice that it is safe enough to walk around late at night. Then you get to live in Chicago for the last 2 years, so you get the best of both worlds. I also mentioned that it's nice that they have an Emergency Medicine rotation, since all schools don't have one. Finch actually <a href="http://www.finchcms.edu/osa/Resources/2002mr.htm" target="_blank">matches</a> a lot of students into EM programs.

My second interviewer was a recent grad from Finch and an ER doc who minored in Spanish (I'm a major) so we had that in common. He even mentioned that our personal statements were similar, so I think I got lucky with that. My first interviewer was a recently retired pediatrician, and we ended up talking about Latin American Studies (my other major) and the Cuban health care system the whole time. Be prepared to talk about your major(s) and anything you think they'll find interesting.

I think if you tell them how much you love them you'll have a better chance of admission. It worked for me!

I wish you luck and please post or PM me with any questions. I'll do all I can to get my SDNers in!

 

[johne]

Wow, now that's quite a reply. Thanks Foxy.
Now I HAVE to get into Finch so I can personally thank you for all the info.

John

 

[maitai]

i didn't interview at finch, but i think i learned a lot about interviewing along the way and definitely got much better at it as time went on (5 interviews: rejected at #1, waitlisted at #2-4, accepted at #5). once you've got the answers to the questions pretty much down, i think what you really need to do is EXUDE 3 things: sincerity, enthusiasm about THEIR school (not just medicine), and confidence. i kept repeating this to myself all day (sincerity, enthusiasm, confidence), and i could tell that i was just exuding them - it was by far my best interview, and i got in! oh, i also wrote a letter to the committee (in addition to interviewer thank-yous) BEFORE they met, to thank them for granting me an interview, tell them how great i thought their school was AND WHY, and to update them on my activities (really i didn't have anything new, so i just told them what i was learning at my job in relation to medicine etc.). i hadn't done this at the previous schools either, but i was desperate and it worked! i hope this helps! good luck!

 

[johne]

To girl99,

I did receive the pre-interview hold letter. When I sent it back I included an update letter. I think that's what clinched it.

To leila,

I am definately planning on leaving the school a thank you/interest letter after the interview.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Another thing---when you get there, they will give you the interviewers' evaluation sheets so you know exactly what they're looking for. They are looking for outgoing people who express themselves well. They will rate you 1-4, and there's another section called "Star Applicant" and if they check that, you should get in really fast. So when you get this eval sheet, look it over carefully and try to cover all the listed attributes in your interview and get yourself pumped for the Star Applicant rating.

Another weird thing I remembered is that my second interviewer asked me "If you are accepted, will you come here?" or something like that and I think I misunderstood what he was asking, but I said of course! He may have been asking me for an "intent" f some sorts but I'm not sure. If you are sure you would go there if accepted, tell them so. Tell them you would withdraw all other applications if accepted (if it's true :wink: )

One last thing, are you flying there? If so, I recommend Metropalitan Limosuine Services. I rode out in style for $40 each way. The shared shuttle van is like $36, so the limo is worth it. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> The number was on the sheet they sent w/ the invite, but if you need it, please let me know and I'll look it up for you.

I also think I filled out the SDN questionarre after my interview, so check that out as well.

Good luck!

Foxy