Asking for Second Interview Due to Pneumonia

[FaithSaves]

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I recently interviewed at a top choice school where I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the school.

However, I had severe coughing, running nose, and high fever during the day. I had taken Tylenol and cough drops to lessen the effect. The following week, I found out I had Pneumonia. I felt it negatively affected my performance during my interview with the dean of admissions (which was even more intimidating.)

I still had a fever despite the Tylenol. My body felt dead and I found myself fighting back those coughs during my responses. My voice was monotone and I felt I gave too elaborate responses that were not succinct enough. I did feel my answers had great depth and maturity, even though I may have had a serious tone.

Unfortunately, the dean of admissions even commented if I could be more concise so he could get through all the questions. I felt I would have done better and shown more of my personality if I had been at full strength. This school only has one more interview date remaining.

Is it worth asking them for a second interview? Or does that come off as whiny or obsessive?

 

[FaithSaves]

Would telling them I had pneumonia (even if I did not know it at that time) be held against me since they could say I should have used better judgement and not show up especially if it may have been contagious?

 

[DokterMom]

If I were 'the decider' on that, I'd be disinclined to give you a second interview. You had one. You did how you did. Interviewing you again (just so you could 'sparkle' this time) would deprive another deserving student of their single chance, just so you could have two chances. Whiny or obsessive? Eh... Maybe a bit entitled?

Had you discovered you had pneumonia the day before your interview and called to reschedule, it would have been a different story.

Tough break, I'm sorry to say, and I hope you did well in spite of your illness.

 

[Ismet]

You probably had the flu, which led to the pneumonia. Hindsight is 20/20, but you should have realized your illness, especially with the high fever, and contacted the school to ask about rescheduling the interview. Don't bother asking for a second interview, it's not going to happen. On the other hand, you probably did better than you think. Let it go and focus on any upcoming interviews.

 

[Goro]

Unfortunately, you had your chance. Let this one go and better luck on the next one.

I recently interviewed at a top choice school where I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the school.

However, I had severe coughing, running nose, and high fever during the day. I had taken Tylenol and cough drops to lessen the effect. The following week, I found out I had Pneumonia. I felt it negatively affected my performance during my interview with the dean of admissions (which was even more intimidating.)

I still had a fever despite the Tylenol. My body felt dead and I found myself fighting back those coughs during my responses. My voice was monotone and I felt I gave too elaborate responses that were not succinct enough. I did feel my answers had great depth and maturity, even though I may have had a serious tone.

Unfortunately, the dean of admissions even commented if I could be more concise so he could get through all the questions. I felt I would have done better and shown more of my personality if I had been at full strength. This school only has one more interview date remaining.

Is it worth asking them for a second interview? Or does that come off as whiny or obsessive?

 

[Great White Buffalo]

Send a nice followup letter/thank you, explaining your less than 100% health. That is about the best you can do!! Good luck with your other options.

 

[Sophocles]

Definitely worth a shot. I know when I was on the interview trail, there were many schools that stated they would be inclined to offer you a second interview if you felt that the first one didn't go was well as you had hoped.

 

[Jabbed]

Definitely worth a shot. I know when I was on the interview trail, there were many schools that stated they would be inclined to offer you a second interview if you felt that the first one didn't go was well as you had hoped.

The caveat is that they ask you to inform them the day of the interview. My understanding is that this is meant as a backup in the event of a hostile interviewer or if you get crippling stage fright. The second interview, if allowed, would take place that same day.

OP really should've thought about rescheduling or making his circumstances known prior to the interview. Smooth move in my opinion would be sending a thank you letter that apologizes for any gaffes that he might have made as he clearly wasn't feeling well.

 

[swamprat]

Why didn't you just preface the interview by stating you were under the weather? I feel that would have allowed for some understanding and also showed dedication and interest in their program? Thereis no way a school will give you a second interview best thing I could suggest is in your thank you note make note and apologize that you were sick and found out you had pneumonia a couple days later.

 

[kyamh]

This school only has one more interview date remaining.

This is the key part of OP's story...while it doesn't hurt to ask, I seriously doubt that they are going to give you a spot in their last interview day. Consider this lesson learned, OP. Just as it's a poor decision to not void an MCAT score when you know you didn't perform up to your potential, it is a poor decision to attend an interview when you aren't at your best. In both cases you have to move on and accept the consequences (potential rejection).

 

[Spica]

I recently interviewed at a top choice school where I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the school.

However, I had severe coughing, running nose, and high fever during the day. I had taken Tylenol and cough drops to lessen the effect. The following week, I found out I had Pneumonia. I felt it negatively affected my performance during my interview with the dean of admissions (which was even more intimidating.)

I still had a fever despite the Tylenol. My body felt dead and I found myself fighting back those coughs during my responses. My voice was monotone and I felt I gave too elaborate responses that were not succinct enough. I did feel my answers had great depth and maturity, even though I may have had a serious tone.

Unfortunately, the dean of admissions even commented if I could be more concise so he could get through all the questions. I felt I would have done better and shown more of my personality if I had been at full strength. This school only has one more interview date remaining.

Is it worth asking them for a second interview? Or does that come off as whiny or obsessive?

You could explain your situation again in an LOI in case you get waitlisted. Obviously, do not make your whole letter about how you were sick, but mention that along with expressing your interest in the school and making an argument for how you are a great fit for their program.

At any rate, you may actually get accepted and then you do not have to worry about that at all. Of course, you could also get rejected, but then it's just fate, man. Good luck!

 

[Omppu27]

I as well think you should send an update letter/LOI and in that somehow mention your illness. No point in asking for another interview. Good luck!

PS: don't let this get to you too much. Try to have peace in mind knowing that you did the best you could do under the circumstances you were in.

 

[Sophocles]

The caveat is that they ask you to inform them the day of the interview. My understanding is that this is meant as a backup in the event of a hostile interviewer or if you get crippling stage fright. The second interview, if allowed, would take place that same day.

OP really should've thought about rescheduling or making his circumstances known prior to the interview. Smooth move in my opinion would be sending a thank you letter that apologizes for any gaffes that he might have made as he clearly wasn't feeling well.

This wasn't my experience at all. They made it clear that you could request it quite a bit after your interview and that they would accommodate you if possible. They said that more than likely they would be able to but they the only one that pretty much guaranteed another interview was Einstein. I will say that some did have stipulations and stated that you needed to have a good reason, rather than you just didn't like how the interview went.

 

[Sophocles]

This isn't to say that some schools aren't set up the way you described; perhaps most are. I'm just stating what my experiences have been.

 

[CyberMaxx]

OP , it's likely that your interviewer could tell you were sick if you were feeling so bad, so I wouldn't stress about it too much.