Baylor Interview Next Weekend, advice? Also, General Interview Question.

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I am interviewing at Baylor next weekend. Can anyone who has interviewed there share some feedback? How were the friday and saturday interviews? What about the interviewers? Were there any "tricky" questions asked?

I also have a general question about interviews. All, with the exception of one, of my 5 interviews were in January or February. Why was this the case? I considered myself an attractive applicant (3.96 GPA, MCAT near 40). As it is, I did not get an interview at Duke, Johns Hopkins, and will probably not get one at Washington. The Duke situation was particularily humorous, as all 4 of my letters of evaluation were submitted online (I can view the webpage so I know this to be true). I emailed Duke asking about the status of my application and was told only ONE evaluation had been recieved. I promptly replied that ALL were submitted electronically. Since then they have not returned my emails.

But anyway, can anyone who has interviewed at Baylor shed any light on the process as well as PARKING? Also, I felt somewhat dissappointed about invites to interview. Is this normal? Thoughts?

Thanks
Jason

 

[vyc]

i don't know what to tell you except that this whole process is VERY random. we always try to apply some sort of pattern or trend and they're just not there.

your numbers are strong.
what else was part of your application?

 

[[email protected]]

Well, I had done over a year of research in organic chemistry which is in the process of being published. I also had a respectable list of accademic awards and organizations I'm involved in. The only things I can figure are: 1. I attend a small state school in Louisiana and 2. I am currently enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program (Phram. D.)

I chose the school I attend now for many reasons; one of them is that it has nearly, if not the best pharmacy school in the south and one of the best in the nation. The Pharm. D. is a 6 year program, and I am currently in my 4th year. I never planned on finishing pharmacy school, just pharmacy was by FAR the best preparation I could have for medical school in this area. All I can figure is I was in some way "penalized" for not attending a prestigious university and/or am enrolled in a professional program. I assumed that my MCAT score would erase any questions about my accademic ability and it not matter that I did not attend a prestigous university. As it is now, I shudder to think what my prospects would be had I NOT studied so hard for the MCAT.

(As an aside, I feel that the MCAT a test that can CERTAINLY be prepared for. I had MANY people tell me that "You don't really need to study for the MCAT; you just need to be able to read and interpret passages." I want to say how STRONGLY I disagree with that statement. Incidentally, many of the people offering me that advice in the spring of 01 were retaking it in August when I took the test for the first and only time. If anyone has any questions about preparing for the test, I would be happy to offer any advice. Sorry for the rant, but I have strong feelings on the matter.)

Jason

 

[mma]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by [email protected]:
•I am interviewing at Baylor next weekend. Can anyone who has interviewed there share some feedback? How were the friday and saturday interviews? What about the interviewers? Were there any "tricky" questions asked?•••••Hey Jason,

Congrats on your Baylor interview! It is an AMAZING school (not that I am biased or anything :wink: ). You will have 3 interviews--two on one day and one on the other (you will know which is the double day when you get there). Interviews are scheduled to last 30 minutes--some last more time, some less. My interviews were laid back and conversational. Personally, I had no tricky questions--I guess my hardest question was am I a silent learner or a talkative learner. I had two faculty members (one a prof and one a dean) and one student interviewer. They were all very, very welcoming people who were just interested in seeing what I was all about. No stress. In between interviews there are tours, student presentations, and cookies (do not miss these cookies. I am totally serious.). The interview days are long--1-7 or 8 on Friday (although you can opt to go hang out with students afterwards--most people don't) and 7:30 to 11 on Saturday (which does not seem long, but you will feel it).

Parking...well, I parked in a big garage that is to the left of the school is you are looking right at it. I think I paid $9 per day, but it may have been $18--I was tired on the first day and way too excited to remember on the next, but it was pricey.

The parking is bad. The school is amazing. The applicants are great. The med students are friendly and smart. The medical center is without equal. Have an excellent time and best of luck.

By the way, your #s and research seem very impressive--very random process...

mma

 

[Original]

Jason,

Congrats on your Baylor interview. What I've heard is that med schools wouldn't touch you if you're in between a doctorate program. A friend of mine got a 41 MCAT but was in-between a physics PhD program, and had to reapply 2ce. It really throws the doctorate programs off when they lose a student. They can't replace that student. What I tell people is to only go into the program if they're sure they want to finish. Also, non-thesis masters programs are better options since one can put a definite timeline on graduation. In anycase, I think that was what might have affected your otherwise outstanding application. I still think you've done great considering the experience of others, and general med school admissions' view on the issue.

PS: I'm also assuming that the 3.96 is your undergraduate GPA. Grad GPA typically means very little in the process. But in anycase, the Pharm.D thing was the "poison" (I think).

Congrats!!!

 

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Thanks for the advice. I assumed that it was the whole Pharm.D. thing. I also thank those for the advice about the Baylor interview.

Jason