Anyone getting this question from PDs?

[handburgerler]

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Several program directors have asked me how many interviews I've had and then write the number down on the "applicant sheet" they all use. Seems like it's not just out of curiosity since most of them ask very straight-forwardly and even circle or underline the number. I can't help thinking that this must factor into their rank list decision-making somehow, which makes me feel kind of awkward every time they ask it. Anyone know their reason for asking?

 

[volcoff]

So I guess even though programs can't ask where we've interviewed, they're allowed to ask how many interviews we have? Seems like that creates the same uncomfortable atmosphere/pressure on applicants, and that information clearly is not needed to select the individuals that would best fit at a given institution.

 

[smiley737]

Yep, I've gotten the same question. Don't know exactly what they're trying to get out of it

 

[vicinihil]

maybe it's pity?

Well..if this kid only has 1 interview so far, maybe we should take him...hmmm

vs.

30 interviews?! well then....good luck.

 

[Reluctant7]

They're not allowed to ask where? I didn't know that. At my last interview, 2 different interviewers asked me where I'd interviewed. One of them wrote down a list of them on my file! Who knows if it hurt me or helped me.

 

[swman]

I have had interviewers at 3 separate programs demand that I list off every single program I'm interviewing at.

The last one explained that it was "to see what I was looking for in a program" and asked if there were one or two that really wowed me and why (in order to see if they also could offer that).

A decent explanation but why not simply ask what my ideal program would have? I suspect part of it is seeing whether you are geographically open.

 

[Dral]

I have had interviewers at 3 separate programs demand that I list off every single program I'm interviewing at.

The last one explained that it was "to see what I was looking for in a program" and asked if there were one or two that really wowed me and why (in order to see if they also could offer that).

A decent explanation but why not simply ask what my ideal program would have? I suspect part of it is seeing whether you are geographically open.

That response seems odd to me since I would think it's generally known that we pretty much apply broadly. I mean, as applicants, we have the 'take what I can get attitude'. I'd love the luxury of being able to target 10 or so programs based on program qualities, location, etc, but that's just not how it is for us.

"Will this applicant rank us highly?" seems to be the basis of the question. If applicant A interviews at a 'mid tier', they may want to know if that person also interviewed at a top program. 'mid tier' thinks...well, that person will probably be ranking top program higher just because...it's a top program. Applicant B didn't interview at a top program, so they may be more likely to rank mid tier number one or at least high on their list.

Well, it's just a bad thing to ask imo. It elicits little to nothing about the personality of the applicant which I feel is the most important part of an actual interview. Maybe I'm missing something, but yeah.

 

[volcoff]

They're not allowed to ask where? I didn't know that. At my last interview, 2 different interviewers asked me where I'd interviewed. One of them wrote down a list of them on my file! Who knows if it hurt me or helped me.

http://www.nrmp.org/policy.pdf , see last bullet point

 

[DadMD]

Maybe they just want to see how you handle this awkward situation? Might say more about your personality than anything else...