Are we allowed to take someone with us during the interview??

[FutureDoc6181]

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I just had a quick question. Can we take another person with us during the presentation etc. before an interview at LECOM?

 

[lynx]

Yep,
I've seen several people with either parents or significant others. They were allowed to go with us on the tour around the building, but they were sitting somewhere else during presentation.

 

[Baditude]

When are you interviewing? I will be there the 24th

 

[FutureDoc6181]

i pm'd you

 

[specialkay]

I went to LECOM's interview and wondered who those people were lingering about our tour. In my humble opinion, the day of your interview is not the time to show your parents the facilities. If you're from out of town the day before is fine, otherwise I feel you look baby-sat. You wouldn't bring someone to a job interview and have them sit in the lobby and the interview is essentially that.

If you're still going to bring someone, please have them dress professionally. There were two parents on our tour who were dressed very casually and again, its not the tram at disneyland, its a professional school interview.

Take it from someone whose mother has shown up to every job I've ever held unexpectedly and sat in the lobby until I would come out - we're old enough to be left alone for six hours and report back at the end.

Just my opinion. 😀

 

[(nicedream)]

You can bring an animal if it's medically necessary. I had my hedgehog with me.

 

[box29]

I agree with SpecialKay on this one...I don't think it is wise to bring anyone with you to the school on the day of your interview. However, if the school actually encourages it, like KCOM which has a special presentation for guests, then by all means.

Honestly though, this interview is for you and no one else. If you want and if you have time, you could perhaps bring your guests to the school after the interview day is finished. At my old school ( a professional school), the admissions officers and staff did not look too highly on the candidates that brought parents with them.

 

[anthoncr]

I would say only if you have a really compelling reason. Are you going to take someone with you when you interview patients? The whole doctor thing is supposed to mean you're strong enough to stand on your own. I wouldn't think it would a problem during the tour, but during the interview? I have interviewed people at my previous job and if someone wanted their spouse/friend/family present I can tell you there is no way I would have hired them.

 

[Amy B]

I agree, don't bring anyone to interview day. It just doesn't seem like the right thing to do.

 

[DireWolf]

As stated above by the shrewd and wise Amy B, don't do it. 👎

 

[Amy B]

Direwolf, You keep changing avatars I noticed, BUT I love the one you have now. It meets the Amy B seal of approval. 👍

 

[DireWolf]

Direwolf, You keep changing avatars I noticed, BUT I love the one you have now. It meets the Amy B seal of approval. 👍

Thanks. Do you think he looks "dire" enough though?

 

[WillowRose]

I wanted my husband to be able to travel with me to the schools where I interviewed. After all, he was going to have to live in those places too. However, I draw the line at taking him to a school on an interview day (too much room for embarassment there....egads!)

If you want to take someone along, then go a day ahead or stay a day later. Take them on a tour, if you want. But I'd say leave 'em to their own devices while you're interviewing. I wouldn't think it would look unprofessional if say, someone drops you off and goes out scouting around town, but I wouldn't have them hanging around the school.

The question I would have is: why do you want them there for the presentations? Do you need a second opinion on the school or are you afraid you won't remember/understand the financial info they give you? Those would probably be the top questions in the mind of any adcom member (or fellow interviewee)--and neither reflects favorably on you as a candidate. Though a spouse is at least preferable to parents!

I'm still dumbfounded as to why KCOM encourages the family interview day thing! Do you get to bring mommy & daddy to class with you too?

Willow

 

[simtech]

I don't see the problem with taking a spouse to your interview if the school invites them. My wife traveled with me to both of my interviews and was well accepted. The first thing that you must realize is that the interviewers never meet your guest. The interview is separate from tours, videos, lunch etc. Second, I don't see how bringing your spouse shows weakness. My wife will be part of my decision at to where I attend residency and where I practice, therefore I don't see why she should not be involved in deciding where I attend college. (I was accepted at both schools) Once you have a family, you are all in this together.

 

[CoverMe]

My wife will be part of my decision at to where I attend residency and where I practice, therefore I don't see why she should not be involved in deciding where I attend college. (I was accepted at both schools) Once you have a family, you are all in this together.

I love the fact that some schools involve the S.O. of the student. I think that just by inviting them, the school sends a much more welcoming message that seeks to include and create a "family" environment.

Because of the time committments, i think it would be really easy for the students' family to feel islated and excluded from something which should essentially be a family journey.

The more involved the family is, the more understanding they are of the pressures and time requirements... the more harmonious the family is, the less distracting it is for the student, ergo better performance and happier people all the way around.

When I visited UNSOM for the day, during the lunch break many of the 1st years' wives/husbands brought sack lunches to eat with their spouses. Some brought toddlers so they could see mommy/daddy and be played with. All the students and spouses seemed friendly and relaxed, most knew all of each others' names (including spouses and some of the kids!) and when lunch was over, everyone packed up and the students headed back to class.

This is the kind of attitude i'm looking for.

 

[Aaron Earles]

Thanks. Do you think he looks "dire" enough though?

Oh yeah, he looks dire enough. I like the new avatar too Dire.

I think it depend on the school you are interviewing. I only remember seeing one or two people with guests at interviews. Good luck to you.

Aaron

 

[specialkay]

I agree with Aaron and Willowrose (whose posts always make me laugh!) about interview day philosophy - it does depend on the school.

At LECOM the only people were parents, who made me uncomfortable actually. I didn't know who they were (older medical students? admissions committee?) or like the way they were mad-dogging me as I was the competition. 😱 Just kidding!

And, bringing your wife to the interview day doesn't show weakness. Saying "let me check with my wife about that" after every question posed to you does. 😛