Any comments on this common interviewer statement

I've heard, "oh, you don't have to worry...you'll get into plenty of schools." I just wanna say right back, "so how about this one?"

 

Yes. That's exactly what it is.


But don't worry, I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

 

Oh, I'm so tempted now to say that if I hear it at my next interview.

 

Not trying to defend the evil admissions committees or interviewers, but I got the "You'll get in somewhere" statement at my first interview(Temple). Needless to say I did get into Temple two weeks later.


Must have done something right, eh?

I think you are just reading too much into what they(interviewers) are saying. Realize they are in the position of interviewing hundreds of people half of which don't want to really go to the school the interviewer represents.

Cheers

 

At my last interview, my interviewer said that I had pretty impressive GPA and MCAT scores (even though they are really not) and said that I probably have alot of interviews already and that I would probably get in somewhere. But, I didn't have ALOT of interviews (3), so I told him and he asked me where I had interviews already. I had gone to only one other interview so I had to mention the school by name. (In my mind..please accept me).

 

Put yourself in the interviewers shoes. Maybe 800 people will be interviewed. Every one of them (well, there may be a few rare exceptions) looks GREAT on paper. They are the top 12-20% of all the applicants to that institution that year. Now imagine that the interviewer knows that there isn't space for more than a fraction of that 800. Granted, many of those chosen by the med school will turn down the offer and go elsewhere. Still, there will be hundreds who will be placed in waitlist hell just because there is no way that all of the very qualified, very personable applicants are going to get admitted. What the interviewer is trying to say is "you're nice, you're smart and I hope you realize your dream. I can recommend you but it might not be enough. I can then comfort myself with the knowledge that you've cast a wide net and you are likely to get in somewhere."

 

i heard this comment multiple times, at Vandy got waitlisted, and at Ohio State (got accepted), i wouldnt read into it too much, (of course i analyzed it over and over again while i waited for a decision), in the end i think its a compliment

 

This seems to be true in my experience, too. I've had interviewers say that they will advocate for me, but they can't predict how the whole committee will vote.

 

i agree, its a very unsettling statement

 

I guess it's better than, "Only 15 schools? Man, I feel for ya. Try applying to 30 next cycle. You are a bad person."

Damn you, UMiami.

 

I know, I know. I keep obsessing and scrutinizing everything about my interview-- one of them said, "I hope we can help you out" or something to that effect, and now I have no idea whether or not I have a decent shot. I interviewed on the first day, so I guess that's good, but I'm not from Harvard or anything nor do I have amazing stats, and so now I'm sitting here second guessing myself and wondering if I'm good enough for my dream school. They meet in 6 days, the other school I interviewed at meets tomorrow. I am freaking out; I think that I need a sedative.

 

Having talked to interviewers for fire jobs (even more competitive than medical school) and done a little interviewing myself, here's my take:

Most of the people who interview are visably, painfully nervous. It doesn't count against you; it's the rule.

They do just fine with the questions, but they're tearing themselves up inside right in front of you. In that situation, the temptation to say something soothing has got to be overwhelming. You're not rooting for people to fail. You want everyone to put their best foot forward. Discomfort is discomforting to watch.

So interviewers say friendly things like "don't worry, you'll get in somewhere." It doesn't mean anything -- good or bad -- except that they are trying to put you at your ease.

 

I am just curious where people have heard these comments. The remark was made to me at USC, anyone else hear it from them?