Bringing Spouse on Interview Day

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I know there are threads on bringing parents on interview days, but what about spouses? Is it acceptable to bring your wife or husband to hang out with you while you wait for your interview, to join in the tour and luncheon? Has anyone seen this happen and what was the overall impression of it?

Thanks!

 

[mountainhare]

I know there are threads on bringing parents on interview days, but what about spouses? Is it acceptable to bring your wife or husband to hang out with you while you wait for your interview, to join in the tour and luncheon? Has anyone seen this happen and what was the overall impression of it?

Thanks!

I've seen it happen a few times. I don't think it's viewed as a negative thing at all.

 

[Writer1985]

It hasn't happened at any of the interviews I've been on. I think that having non-applicants (whether they be parents or spouses) hanging around is likely to make everyone nervous. Definitely bring a spouse along to the city -- you guys might be living there for four years -- but the interview should be you and you alone.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Don't do it. I've never seen it happen.

One guy brought his parents though. Sheesh.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

I know there are threads on bringing parents on interview days, but what about spouses? Is it acceptable to bring your wife or husband to hang out with you while you wait for your interview, to join in the tour and luncheon? Has anyone seen this happen and what was the overall impression of it?

Thanks!

It depends which school you're applying to. I've seen it done before. You should call ahead though because some schools do not let the spouse attend many of the activities if at all.

 

[WestTexasRambler]

Depends on the school. If they mention something about it in the interview letter then by all means, if not, don't do it. FWIW, My wife has accompanied me on one interview (invited in interview letter) and it was a great experience for her as well. School is a family decision or at least it is for me cuz if momma ain't happy nobody's happy....you know.

Good luck and remember that school is only 4 years marriage is hopefully for the rest of your life.

'Rambler

 

[somemaybedoc]

Most of my interview schools mentioned that you could, if they do, go for it.

 

[jstuds_66]

Most of my interview schools mentioned that you could, if they do, go for it.

I've been told DON'T DO IT!!!!

If you get accepted, you should take your spouse so you can talk about it and make a decision. However, you are still trying to get in. You should be independent enough and strong enough to make it through the day by yourself. I think it can be viewed as a negative thing by some people, so avoid it altogether.

 

[Depakote]

They have preview weekends that are great for spouses and family... take them then. Don't bring anybody when the decision is still on the line.

 

[dopaminesurge]

I'd take my spouse to get to know the city and the surroundings and to see if s/he would like to live there, but not to the medical school. You want to use your time best to talk to the students, not to your wife/husband, and it's not their opinion of the school that matters, ultimately. I don't know if it reflects poorly on anyone, but I think it would distract you from making an opinion.

 

[Haemulon]

They have preview weekends that are great for spouses and family... take them then. Don't bring anybody when the decision is still on the line.

Exactly. A strong second to this opinion. To the city ... OK. To the school with you on interview day ... NO WAY.

 

[bodhisattva]

I would vote nay. I don't know why but I have a sneaking suspicion when schools say it's okay to bring someone along to the interview that they don't really mean it. But then again, I'm suspicious about pretty much everything. At one interview, a guy brought not only his wife, but his two month old kid. I suppose he wanted to take the wife but she had to nurse. But it made things a bit awkward between him and the rest of the interviewees. However what's amazing is that I didn't hear a peep from the kid all day, and it was a long day. Maybe they crushed some Benadryl and slipped it into the formula.

If you want to bring your spouse or SO along, then bring that person along to see the area. Once you're in a position to choose amongst schools that have accepted you, then bring your SO to second look to see the school if the both of you feel it's necessary. But I don't see how anyone's SO has to see anything besides the city the school is in. It's not as if he/she is going to be going to classes with you.

 

[Haemulon]

Which bring up the next question that will probably come up: Its not OK to bring your spouse/SO/Parents to classes with you once you matriculate. Even if they are a big help in your studying. 😉

 

[WestTexasRambler]

I would vote nay. I don't know why but I have a sneaking suspicion when schools say it's okay to bring someone along to the interview that they don't really mean it. But then again, I'm suspicious about pretty much everything. At one interview, a guy brought not only his wife, but his two month old kid. I suppose he wanted to take the wife but she had to nurse. But it made things a bit awkward between him and the rest of the interviewees. However what's amazing is that I didn't hear a peep from the kid all day, and it was a long day. Maybe they crushed some Benadryl and slipped it into the formula.

If you want to bring your spouse or SO along, then bring that person along to see the area. Once you're in a position to choose amongst schools that have accepted you, then bring your SO to second look to see the school if the both of you feel it's necessary. But I don't see how anyone's SO has to see anything besides the city the school is in. It's not as if he/she is going to be going to classes with you.

Warning!! Subjective argument........

I can see how you might think this but in my case there is no person in the world that knows me better than my wife so I value her input on the school, usually the "soft" factors that I might not consider as important at the time but that can end up determining if you are comfortable with the school or not. As I stated, it is subjective and unless you are married then you probably don't have a grasp of the dynamics of applying to school/being married at the same time etc. Of course this does not invalidate many of the good points about not taking a spouse but you probably don't understand the "other side" of being married if you will.

For me, my wife knows what pisses me off/what she will have to hear about for the next four years, she was just another set of eyes out there looking for gunners/bull****ting adcom members/"soft" factors ala 'Rambler disguised as a female.

In the end, if you are asking this question then you probably shouldn't. I agree that there is the potential for adcoms to look down on it but guess I am too old to give a $hit.

'Rambler

 

[bodhisattva]

Warning!! Subjective argument........

I can see how you might think this but in my case there is no person in the world that knows me better than my wife so I value her input on the school, usually the "soft" factors that I might not consider as important at the time but that can end up determining if you are comfortable with the school or not. As I stated, it is subjective and unless you are married then you probably don't have a grasp of the dynamics of applying to school/being married at the same time etc. Of course this does not invalidate many of the good points about not taking a spouse but you probably don't understand the "other side" of being married if you will.

For me, my wife knows what pisses me off/what she will have to hear about for the next four years, she was just another set of eyes out there looking for gunners/bull****ting adcom members/"soft" factors ala 'Rambler disguised as a female.

In the end, if you are asking this question then you probably shouldn't. I agree that there is the potential for adcoms to look down on it but guess I am too old to give a $hit.

'Rambler

I see your point, but wouldn't it be better to take your SO to second look? Because that's when the school is really trying to sell itself. As much as schools say the interview is a time when the school is trying to sell itself as much as you are, I think on interview day the school still has the upper hand. Until you get an acceptance letter, the ball is in their court. Second look is really when they're trying to schmooze you and that's when you need a second pair of eyes and ears on the lookout for BS.

Plus, there are gunners at every school. Everybody comes into medical school with a bit of a competitive edge because of the nature of the field. Even two of my eight interviewers made that comment and said if you don't see gunners when you're at your interview, it's because they're holed up in the corner of the library surrounded by their books and notes. I already considered this, but I thought their honesty was refreshing.

 

[63768]

no, there is no reason to bring your spouse on interview day. you'd stick out like a sore thumb and people will think that you're antisocial or not open. if you want them to see the med school, do the interview day, stay an extra day and walk around then. or bring them on a second look weekend or something.

 

[WestTexasRambler]

.

Plus, there are gunners at every school. Everybody comes into medical school with a bit of a competitive edge because of the nature of the field. Even two of my eight interviewers made that comment and said if you don't see gunners when you're at your interview, it's because they're holed up in the corner of the library surrounded by their books and notes. I already considered this, but I thought their honesty was refreshing.

I'll keep all that in mind.

'Rambler

 

[Mac11]

I, personally, would not do it. Like... why? What's wrong with just walking around with your spouse on your own time? And I think it might isolate you from the rest of the people that are getting interviewed or whatever. The whole concept brings up disturbing images of spousal abuse, but that's most likely just me.

And I have no idea if schools view this as a negative.

 

[GujuMD]

Go alone. your spouse might have an input on what schools you choose and that's totally up to you and him/her. but don't bring them along. once you have been accepted you can always take him/her to the campus and show around. but go alone at the interview.