At what point can I start being picky about II attendance?

[Icebird]

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Common response is “until you get an acceptance” but usually this applies to the average applicant receiving around 3 IIs in their cycle


I am fortunate to have 9 IIs so far and my most of my state schools haven’t sent out IIs yet and I’m confident I’ll get at least those too among other OOS options that send IIs in late August; can I start being picky about II attendance or is it still too early?

The flight and lodging costs are really starting to pick up. Budget is a bit tight as the only reason I was even able to apply this cycle is FAP so I’d like to save as much as possible without shooting myself in the foot.

 

[deleted972488]

Common response is “until you get an acceptance” but usually this applies to the average applicant receiving around 3 IIs in their cycle


I am fortunate to have 9 IIs so far and my most of my state schools haven’t sent out IIs yet and I’m confident I’ll get at least those too among other OOS options that send IIs in late August; can I start being picky about II attendance or is it still too early?

The flight and lodging costs are really starting to pick up. Budget is a bit tight as the only reason I was even able to apply this cycle is FAP so I’d like to save as much as possible without shooting myself in the foot.

Yes, you can afford to be picky. Look up the matriculating student questionnaire data. Very few people go on more than 10 interviews.

Edit: https://www.aamc.org/download/494044/data/msq2018report.pdf

 

[Schwifty]

I mean, ya, once you get an acceptance is when you can get really picky. But with 9 II’s you will (depending on your interview skills) probably get accepted to more than one school. I would try to schedule a few of them as far out as possible and then cancel them later if you get accepted to another school. But again, until you get that first acceptance, anything can happen.

 

[Icebird]

Yes, you can afford to be picky. Look up the matriculating student questionnaire data. Very few people go on more than 10 interviews.

Edit: https://www.aamc.org/download/494044/data/msq2018report.pdf

Oh wow thanks for the link!

 

[Icebird]

I mean, ya, once you get an acceptance is when you can get really picky. But with 9 II’s you will (depending on your interview skills) probably get accepted to more than one school. I would try to schedule a few of them as far out as possible and then cancel them later if you get accepted to another school. But again, until you get that first acceptance, anything can happen.

Yeah I think I might just schedule interviews for later in the cycle at less attractive choices I get; hopefully this doesn’t look like I’m purposefully pushing them off until last second

 

[Moko]

Consider scheduling some in December / January, and put off making arrangements until closer to those dates (if you have no acceptances by then). You can always cancel, but best to have options.

 

[deleted972488]

Yeah I think I might just schedule interviews for later in the cycle at less attractive choices I get; hopefully this doesn’t look like I’m purposefully pushing them off until last second

Some schools don’t allow you to schedule very far in advance on the application portal. They’ll only give you a few dates to choose from. But when I’ve called the admissions offices to ask for more options they’ve been really nice about it.

 

[Icebird]

Ok great thanks for the help everyone!

 

[710118]

I will go to every interview I get. You never know which schools will offer merit aid and how that merit aid can be leveraged against your other choices. Also, its good practice for residency interviews