Anyone get 4+ interviews with no acceptance?

[dillweed]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Pretty disappointed now. I had 4 interviews, 1 in October, 1 in November, and 2 in January. All became wait lists and none have become acceptances. Anyone else in a similar boat?

My stats are 3.59, 31 in case that matters.

I'm planning on retaking the MCAT in January and reapplying in 2014.

 

[Radon XP]

Pretty disappointed now. I had 4 interviews, 1 in October, 1 in November, and 2 in January. All became wait lists and none have become acceptances. Anyone else in a similar boat?

My stats are 3.59, 31 in case that matters.

I'm planning on retaking the MCAT in January and reapplying in 2014.

When were you complete? And where did you apply exactly?

This is kinda scary.

 

[TheShaker]

You are not alone, friend.

 

[serendipity007]

🙂

Pretty disappointed now. I had 4 interviews, 1 in October, 1 in November, and 2 in January. All became wait lists and none have become acceptances. Anyone else in a similar boat?

My stats are 3.59, 31 in case that matters.

I'm planning on retaking the MCAT in January and reapplying in 2014.

It happens. Don't lose hope! The fact that you were able to achieve 4 interviews with those stats is a huge achievement. I am not saying your stats are bad in any way at all. A 3.59 is a bit on the low side and your MCAT is just fine (although it can only help if you can improve it!).

I think that you shouldn't discount the fact that you got that many interviews. Sure, look into improvements in your application but the biggest thing would be your interview style. How are you interviewing? Are you dressing appropriately? What is your demeanor? Are you too serious? Or maybe too underconfident? Do you think you need to be more assertive or tone it down a little bit?

These are things you definitely need to practice with a good friend or colleague. You can do it! 🙂

 

[stkjhu]

Almost. 6 interviews and 1 acceptance.

 

[volcomx]

Applied with a 3.8/34. 4II, 4WL. Called all my interviewers, and they all said they would have thought I would have gotten in, either to their school, or to another.

This is what happens when people apply to 30 schools hoping to just get into one. The med schools play the game from the other side of the table. They have to try and guess which applicants are most likely to accept their program.

 

[volcomx]

I know several people who applied and interviewed at 8+ schools and got rejected/waitlisted at all but one school, and that school happened to be in the top 10. It's ridiculous...you'd think that if an applicant could get into a top 10 school, they'd be able to get into several mid tiered. But nope.

 

[SN12357]

I know several people who applied and interviewed at 8+ schools and got rejected/waitlisted at all but one school, and that school happened to be in the top 10. It's ridiculous...you'd think that if an applicant could get into a top 10 school, they'd be able to get into several mid tiered. But nope.

This TERRIFIES me. Everyone around me doesn't understand why I'm so freaked out about this process. No one believes that there's no such thing as a safety school.

I have good stats and good ECs and I should interview well (nontrad, work experience, hell I've BEEN a job interviewer) but still..... 🙁🙁🙁

 

[dillweed]

When were you complete? And where did you apply exactly?

This is kinda scary.

I applied all over - I sent secondaries to 30 schools or so. I submitted the primary on the first possible day. If I'm not in anywhere I'm going to get feedback from all 4 schools after they start.

 

[Radon XP]

I applied all over - I sent secondaries to 30 schools or so. I submitted the primary on the first possible day. If I'm not in anywhere I'm going to get feedback from all 4 schools after they start.

That's just insane. Are you sure there aren't red flags on your app? How were your recs/PS?

 

[The Kraken]

This is perhaps a testament to be a unique applicant, ie memorable than cookie cutter. Try to be different within the realms of normal, I guess?

 

[dillweed]

That's just insane. Are you sure there aren't red flags on your app? How were your recs/PS?

Well I got wait listed everywhere so I'm guessing there were no red flags. I think it's my stats that held me back. I'll find out more when I talk to the admissions after the schools start.

 

[Radon XP]

Well I got wait listed everywhere so I'm guessing there were no red flags. I think it's my stats that held me back. I'll find out more when I talk to the admissions after the schools start.

Your stats are pretty good. What was your MCAT breakdown? A 3.59/31 should get you in somewhere considering how many schools you applied to and how early you submitted.

 

[dillweed]

Your stats are pretty good. What was your MCAT breakdown? A 3.59/31 should get you in somewhere considering how many schools you applied to and how early you submitted.

11ps 8v 12b

 

[BecksTriad]

I am a reapplicant this year. Last year I got 7 interviews with no acceptances. 5 WL and 2 post interview rejections. My GPA was lower than yours but my MCAT score was higher. OP, I've heard ADCOMs say that if you interview at 3+ places w/o getting an acceptance then your interviews probably aren't going that well. And as others have said, I really don't think your stats were the problem. I think you need to work on your interviewing skills.

 

[Goro]

I've seen many posts about this happening. You might have aimed too high with a <avg MCAT of 30. try for the low tier schools, and add some DO programs.

Work on your interview skills.

Do you have any red flags in your packet?

Call the Admissions Deans at the schools and get some feedback ASAP.

Pretty disappointed now. I had 4 interviews, 1 in October, 1 in November, and 2 in January. All became wait lists and none have become acceptances. Anyone else in a similar boat?

My stats are 3.59, 31 in case that matters.

I'm planning on retaking the MCAT in January and reapplying in 2014.

 

[rb121]

I have lower stats 3.4 gpa and 31 MCAT, got 3 interviews, waitlisted at all three. I applied as early as possible Everyone says "work on your interview skills" but how? I practiced with my family, but clearly that didn't help.

 

[Goro]

Aim lower, or try DO programs. The avg GPA for an MD matriculant is 3.6, and MCAT is 32.

I have lower stats 3.4 gpa and 31 MCAT, got 3 interviews, waitlisted at all three. I applied as early as possible Everyone says "work on your interview skills" but how? I practiced with my family, but clearly that didn't help.

 

[yehhhboiii]

I have lower stats 3.4 gpa and 31 MCAT, got 3 interviews, waitlisted at all three. I applied as early as possible Everyone says "work on your interview skills" but how? I practiced with my family, but clearly that didn't help.

Your school probably has a career office that can help you do mock interviews and give you feedback on how to improve

 

[BecksTriad]

I have lower stats 3.4 gpa and 31 MCAT, got 3 interviews, waitlisted at all three. I applied as early as possible Everyone says "work on your interview skills" but how? I practiced with my family, but clearly that didn't help.

I am practicing now by going over questions and rehearsing answers. By rehearsing I don't mean memorizing bc then you'll sound like a robot. But just get a general idea as to where you want to go with each question. Also I've begun recording and watching myself answer. It's painful to watch but you honestly gain so much insight on little things you might be doing. For example, I used a lot of "uhs" and "ums" and I didn't even notice. Also I can notice things like I'm not smiling or conveying myself well. Some people might think this type of prep is excessive but after what I've been through I'll try anything. From the feedback I've gotten and what I've read I'm convinced that if I can be a better interviewer, I can get an acceptance next cycle.

 

[wanderer]

Try to get adcom feedback. Anything else is just speculation.

 

[Dral]

Back in my day, 7 interviews, 1 acceptance ( top 25 school at least).

3.8 and 37. This is not an easy game. 🙂

 

[Radon XP]

Back in my day, 7 interviews, 1 acceptance ( top 25 school at least).

3.8 and 37. This is not an easy game. 🙂

I might as well go find a cliff now...

 

[Dral]

I might as well go find a cliff now...

Tbh, I sorta shot for the stars. I interviewed places like Penn, Cornell, Mich, UVA, UPMC.

I shoulda applied more mid tiers. Luckily one of the schools banked on me.

 

[csx]

I might as well go find a cliff now...

take it easy there. I have a rope right here 😉 jk jk

 

[richuam]

The med schools play the game from the other side of the table.

 

[Omppu27]

I've seen many posts about this happening. You might have aimed too high with a <avg MCAT of 30. try for the low tier schools, and add some DO programs.

Work on your interview skills.

Do you have any red flags in your packet?

Call the Admissions Deans at the schools and get some feedback ASAP.

He got 4 interviews... I don't think he "aimed too high." Funny coming from the person who always tells people there is nothing wrong with aiming high...

 

[chillaxbro]

Good stats, 5 interviews, 0 acceptances
😎

 

[LizzyM]

Four or more interviews with some waitlists and no offers means you were good enough on paper but not among the best to be interviewed. Better stats or better interviews might have resulted in an offer. Fix whichever is easier to fix. (Retake MCAT, polish interviewing skills)

Four or more interviews with no waitlists and no offers means you are not interviewing well and need remediation in that regard.

If you have friends who have parents in any sort of professional position that involves hiring or supervising people, ask if your friend will set you up to be interviewed by their parent. It is better if the parent is not someone you know and who doesn't know you well. It doesn't matter that the parent isn't a doctor or with a med school. Just let them interview you (interview feedback has some sample questions asked at some school) and, if possible, video record the session and then view it together and let them give you tips on how to improve.

 

[Spinach Dip]

I know several people who applied and interviewed at 8+ schools and got rejected/waitlisted at all but one school, and that school happened to be in the top 10. It's ridiculous...you'd think that if an applicant could get into a top 10 school, they'd be able to get into several mid tiered. But nope.

I know a girl who had above-average stats. Started interviewing all over the place. Rejected everywhere--including her IS school. She got onto a waitlist or two. Finally, she receives an acceptance call...... from Johns Hopkins.

Moral of the story: admissions doesn't make sense.



OP: I'd think about retaking the MCAT. Specifically, see if you can get your VR score over 10. And work on your interview skills. Try to become a more rounded applicant.

 

[syoung]

Four or more interviews with some waitlists and no offers means you were good enough on paper but not among the best to be interviewed. Better stats or better interviews might have resulted in an offer. Fix whichever is easier to fix. (Retake MCAT, polish interviewing skills)

Four or more interviews with no waitlists and no offers means you are not interviewing well and need remediation in that regard.

If you have friends who have parents in any sort of professional position that involves hiring or supervising people, ask if your friend will set you up to be interviewed by their parent. It is better if the parent is not someone you know and who doesn't know you well. It doesn't matter that the parent isn't a doctor or with a med school. Just let them interview you (interview feedback has some sample questions asked at some school) and, if possible, video record the session and then view it together and let them give you tips on how to improve.

She knows what she's talking about!

Talk with the adcom, examine your application (to see what you can improve), brush up your interviewing techniques, and then re-apply!

Good luck OP

 

[Goro]

In aiming high, one has to be able to actually have a reasonable chance to achieve the goal.

He got 4 interviews... I don't think he "aimed too high." Funny coming from the person who always tells people there is nothing wrong with aiming high...

Sometimes it's a crapshoot. Occasionally I will take a chance on someone who's marginal because I sense something in the person. My collagues do this too. This not anything you can quantify. I suspect that's what happened att he JHU interview you speak of.

I know a girl who had above-average stats. Started interviewing all over the place. Rejected everywhere--including her IS school. She got onto a waitlist or two. Finally, she receives an acceptance call...... from Johns Hopkins.

Moral of the story: admissions doesn't make sense.

 

[Sephiroth]

I know a girl who had above-average stats. Started interviewing all over the place. Rejected everywhere--including her IS school. She got onto a waitlist or two. Finally, she receives an acceptance call...... from Johns Hopkins.

Moral of the story: admissions doesn't make sense.



OP: I'd think about retaking the MCAT. Specifically, see if you can get your VR score over 10. And work on your interview skills. Try to become a more rounded applicant.

^I agree with this.
OP, I got 8 interviews last cycle with above-average numbers and rode out a bunch of waitlists into oblivion. This year, I was limited in where I could apply as I took my MCAT really early and so it was kinda old, but ended up getting into the highest-ranked med school I interviewed at. Things often don't make sense, so I'd echo the well-roundedness as you never know what will resonate with who.

 

[Dral]

Get ready ppl. Residency interview offers make even less sense.

 

[IslandStyle808]

In aiming high, one has to be able to actually have a reasonable chance to achieve the goal.





Sometimes it's a crapshoot. Occasionally I will take a chance on someone who's marginal because I sense something in the person. My collagues do this too. This not anything you can quantify. I suspect that's what happened att he JHU interview you speak of.

I know a girl who had above-average stats. Started interviewing all over the place. Rejected everywhere--including her IS school. She got onto a waitlist or two. Finally, she receives an acceptance call...... from Johns Hopkins.

Moral of the story: admissions doesn't make sense.

Thanks for the honest input Goro!

 

[Sephiroth]

Get ready ppl. Residency interview offers make even less sense.

Is it more the interview offers or their actual rankings offers? I've heard a lot of places engage in a form of "yield-protection" - is there any truth to that? And if so, what motive do residency programs have to do that given the way match works (and the absence of any reported acceptance rate of rankings or anything like that)?

 

[Samir Desai]

Based on my experience as a medical school admissions committee member, here are some recommendations to make the most of your interviews:

1) Prepare for the first few minutes of the interview. Having interviewed many applicants, I can tell you that the first impression you make is incredibly important. There was an interesting study done not too long ago by University of Kentucky researchers. They made note of their overall impression of residency interviewees within 30 seconds of meeting them. What they found was that these impressions correlated reasonably well with the applicants' overall faculty score and position on the program's rank list.

In interviewing applicants and conducting mock interviews, my personal experience has been that applicants spend a great deal of time preparing for commonly asked interview questions but give little thought to how they come across verbally and nonverbally within the first few minutes of the interview (introduction, small talk, etc.).

2) The content of your responses to interview answers is obviously important. As you think about and prepare your answers, ask yourself a very important question. Can another applicant answer the question the same exact way? If the answer is "Yes," then you need to improve your response. As we can see from this thread, receiving an interview brings you closer to your professional goals but your work is not done. You really need to find ways to stand out from the sea of other interviewees. Applicants that I advise have heard me say, "If you can imagine another applicant saying the same thing, then your answer is not good enough."

3) Nonverbal communication is just as important. We often don't realize what our body language is saying. Is it congruent with the content of your responses? Is it taking away from the strength of your answers? Are you doing something that's distracting the interviewer. Feedback from your mock interviews will definitely help you identify any problems.

I will try to post more thoughts about interview success in the near future. Good luck.