I am unfortunately in the same boat. I received my interview invite a few weeks ago, and the earliest interview I could get is late February. That was really surprising to me, as I have received interview invites at other schools for interviews within a week of notification.
I emailed the admissions office letting them know that AZCOM was one of my top choices, but that I am planning to travel out of the country from early/mid February onwards (for several weeks) and was hoping to see if I could get an earlier interview. I wrote that I have already interviewed at some schools, and was really hoping to finalize my med school decision before I departed the U.S. in February. I said that if it wasn't possible to give me an earlier interview, would they at least add me to an email notification list telling me if someone drops an earlier interview slot sometime in Nov/Dec/Jan? Since D.O. school deposits are so expensive, if I put down a deposit for a school who gives me an acceptance in Dec/Jan, then I may be more motivated to stay there - which is frustrating for me, since AZCOM is a top choice for me, as I grew up in AZ and have all my family here. I mean, I may still choose AZCOM, but that would mean me forfeiting a $2,000 deposit at other school and having to cancel my trip abroad (which I have been looking forward to all year, especially as I may not get this chance again during med school).
Instead of getting a helpful reply or trying to accommodate me, I was stunned when someone in the admissions office wrote back saying that if I wanted to drop my February interview slot, then I could be rescheduled for April or May. 😕 That was truly unhelpful and almost patronizing. (I mean, is there really a good chance of being accepted if you interview THAT late?) I called up the admissions office to see if someone else was more willing to accommodate me, but the woman I talked to said that they wouldn't add me to an email list letting me know of interview openings. The only way I could be added to the email notification list is if I drop my February interview slot entirely and just go 'standby' without scheduling anything- but that is a huge risk, as there is no guarantee that I would get an interview for several months. I don't understand why they are so rigid about not adding me to the email notification list, since it does exist. I have been checking their online scheduling every day to see of any new openings (nothing so far), but having to check daily is frustrating.
The unhelpfulness of admissions office has really given me a negative feeling towards the school (as other school admissions offices have been sooooo nice, wonderful and helpful to me). I was talking to my father about this the other day, and he told me not to let it get to me, as once I am accepted to a school, it's not like I will have to be dealing with admissions. But still, it doesn't give me a good feeling about the school. 🙁 I know other people who have graduated from the school, and thought it was a nice place - so I'm trying to stay positive. Sorry to rant - I am just really surprised that an admissions office could be so callous and uncaring with prospective students.
If anyone is planning to cancel or reschedule their Dec/Jan/early-Feb interview and could PM me to see if I could get your slot or switch with you (for my February 24th slot), I would be MOST grateful, as it would help me enormously. Thanks!! 😍
