Bringing spouses or parents to an interview...yay or nay.

[squints02]

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So last year at one of my interviews a few people had a parent with them. I thought this was a little strange but wasn't sure how the admissions committee looked at it. My wife wants to go with me this year but I am a little hesitant about it.

Does anyone have experiences with bringing someone to an interview with you, and do you think it helps or hurts your chances of getting in?

 

[mddang]

So last year at one of my interviews a few people had a parent with them. I thought this was a little strange but wasn't sure how the admissions committee looked at it. My wife wants to go with me this year but I am a little hesitant about it.

Does anyone have experiences with bringing someone to an interview with you, and do you think it helps or hurts your chances of getting in?

The interview invite letter from UTSA says that we cannot bring parents, spouses, kids, etc. to any of the interview events, which includes lunch, tour etc.


It probably depends on the school.. Try calling and asking them.

 

[HarvardBioGrad]

You have got to kidding me. How could you possibly think it would increase your chances? I mean talk about unprofessional. This questions reminds me of a scene from one of the greatest American films ever - The 40 Year Old Virgin.
"Is it true if you don't use it, you lose it?"
"Was that a serious question?"
"No, it wasn't."

 

[squints02]

The invite is from Buffalo and when I called they asked if anyone would be accompanying me.

I totally agree that when I was people walking in with their parents I thought it was unprofessional. But they give you the option so I dont know...maybe it's normal at buffalo...

 

[teddybear]

You mean they actually go into the room to be with the interviewee and interviewers, listen to the whole thing??? I can't see that. If I was an interviewer, I would be like, no way. I'd want to get to know the applicant, not their parents or spouse.

But that made me think of something, why would a college senior still need Mommy and Daddy tagging along???

 

[MattEvers]

Most DS have a tour and stuff prior to/after interviews; I think any person going with applicants would get to go on the tour, but not be in the room during interviews.

 

[musl85]

ive seen it at my interviews at Buffalo and NYU. Of course they dont go into the interview with you, but they go on the tour, and ask questions about the school. I found it to be annoying, as some parents wouldnt give others a chance to ask questions.

i guess for some people its their first time away from home, and they take their parents with them, or the parent is paying part of the bill, and they want to have a say in where the kid goes.

 

[shoombol tallah]

I think it looks really unprofessional. If they really insist on seeing the school I would tell them to hang out at the hotel or on campus somewhere and then ask for a private tour or something after your interview is done. Think of it as like a job interview, would you bring your spouse or parent to a job interview?

 

[SugarNaCl]

I would advise against bringing a parent or spouse with you. I haven't seen anyone to date bring anyone on their interview (though I'm certain some have).

I think it is best to look independent and go alone. I travelled from NY to VA for my interview alone, without my husband... and never thought of any other possibility. Bringing someone didn't even ENTER my mind. I just don't think it looks good.

 

[squints02]

I totally agree...its just weird that they would even offer. And yes some of those parents at last years interviews were really annoying. This one guy kept asking all the students where a good local pub was...haha he could have cared less about the tour.
And yes the parents were asked to leave the room when they started calling the applicants out for the interviews.
Sorry wifey im going alone again this year!

 

[klpennin]

At Baylor they said that Parent/Spouses were invited for the tour, but I'm just going alone. I don't want to bring my parents, or my husband... I'd rather just go off by myself, but I'm independent anyways so I dunno. If you would feel more comfortable with them there, then maybe you could consider bringing them.

 

[mep771]

for sure nay to parents. undergrad is over, time to show some independence.

 

[dayfu17]

My suggestion - bring the spouse on the trip so that she/he can get a feel for the city, but don't bring them to the interview. My wife came with me on three interview trips, but hung out with friends while I was in my interview, and then we hung out for the weekend to see if we liked the city. It can get a little expensive, but I thought that it was worth it.

 

[efficient]

.

 

[somethinpositiv]

The invite is from Buffalo and when I called they asked if anyone would be accompanying me.

I totally agree that when I was people walking in with their parents I thought it was unprofessional. But they give you the option so I dont know...maybe it's normal at buffalo...

I think that it's ok for Buffalo, based on the invite. Prob not cool for other places. Also, it's my personal opinion that a spouse is ok but not parents; do you really need mommy to hold your hand? I think you bringing your spouse to Buffalo is perfectly fine.

 

[dentcouple]

i brought my wife with me to every one of my interviews.......But she was also applying to dental school and was there for an interview as well, so that doesn't really apply to the original question. I went to quite a few interviews where someone had brought a spouse or parent and nobody seemed to mind at all. Except for my interview at marquette where a guy brought his wife and she wouldn't stop asking superfluous questions during the entire tour. It was evident that the tour guide was very annoyed by the end of the tour. So don't let that happen and i think you should be fine bringing your spouse.

 

[partyflavor]

I think it would be completely appropriate to bring a spouse along and it shouldn't be too bad to bring a parent if they know the boundaries. If an applicant is married, then dental school is going to be affecting the life of their spouse almost as much as it will affect their own. If a school specifically says do not bring family, then don't, but otherwise, we are all grown-ups and can make our own decisions.

 

[webdog54]

Agreed.

 

[1992Corolla]

Nay.

 

[doc toothache]

Does the independence extend to financial or will mom, dad or spouse continue to write the checks? Some schools invite parents/spouse because they understand that they represent the biggest moral/financial support a dental student could possibly have.

 

[Rubber Dam Man]

I completely agree, parents are definitely the greatest support systems in our lives and especially for me considering I have been interviewed and waitlisted at my number 1 school two years in a row. My parents have supported me through this long and arduous journey that has lasted more than just the past 3 years. So I can definitely see where you are coming from, but to take parents to an interview comes off very unprofessional. If I was on the admissions committee and I saw this, I would think to myself... is this person not capable or mature enough to handle the difficult world on his/her own? It is like shaving a scruffy beard or goatee before your interview in order to look clean and professional - parents tagging along hinders any attempt at professionalism. If parents want to see the school, I am sure there are several ways to allow them to come in for a tour on a seperate day as someone else stated.

 

[old-school]

Hmmm, I brought my wife to the Baylor interview last year and she toured with me. Of course she was not in the actual interview but I didn't think it was weird. There were a couple parents there too. I did not get in (wait listed) but one of the admissions staff said it was "neat that my wife came along". I am an older applicant though so It may have been looked at differently. I didn't think it looked bad but I may be wrong...

 

[sirwilly]

I would say that if the school allows it, go ahead and invite your spouse. I wouldn't bring a parent, but that's just me. I took my wife on my first interview last week, and I was glad I did. I even had a couple of others tell me that they wish they had their wives with them to see the campus and surrounding area. If you have the cash flow, I would say bring your spouse along to make sure she likes the place to, besides, school is always easier when your wife is happy.

 

[klutzy1987]

Certain schools allow a=someone to accompany you. if you feel your wife will be an "ASS"ET to you then do or do not bring her. If she is really hot bring her, cuz well you know lol.

 

[Orgodox]

I would say brining a parent is way over the top. Common you gotta be at least 21 at this point and show some independence!! I understand that they may want to see the campus but I agree with what someone else mentioned that it should NOT be on the day you interview. About a spouse... I'm not sure why seeing the dental campus makes such a difference. I see why a spouse would want to come and see the city etc. but what difference does the campus make? Would you go visit your spouses office before he/she took a job?