Can anything make up for a bad interview from the prospective of ADCOMs?

[LSD-25]

---

Members do not see this ad.

*perspective of adcoms

Or is the game basically over if you have a bad interview? Interviews are worth so much but they're very subjective, and can be very inconsistent from person to person. I really hope there's some sort of factor that can compensate for a bad interview considering all the costs that go into even attending an interview. Also, are there any schools that value interviews less than other aspects of the application? I never thought I'd be wanting emphasis of test scores/gpa/the rest of the application over interviews, but here I am today.

 

[Goro]

Best to just treat this like a bad exam and look forward tot he next. And no, a bad interview will sink, period.

Keep in mind that interviewees are TERRIBLE judges of how they did at interview.

Or is the game basically over if you have a bad interview? Interviews are worth so much but they're so insanely subjective, and can be very inconsistent from person to person. I really hope there's some sort of factor that can compensate for a bad interview considering all the costs that go into even attending an interview. Also, are there any schools that value interviews less than other aspects of the application? I never thought I'd be wanting emphasis of test scores/gpa/the rest of the application over interviews, but here I am today.

 

[BillrothI]

I would imagine that it depends on who you interviewed with (to some degree). If you have a lukewarm interview with a student but hit it off with the Dean, then all hope is not lost. If the situation is reversed, however, it's probably "game over."

-Bill

 

[LSD-25]

Best to just treat this like a bad exam and look forward tot he next. And no, a bad interview will sink, period.

Keep in mind that interviewees are TERRIBLE judges of how they did at interview.

Thank you for your response. I have a question for you, what are some ways an interviewee can better show empathy?In some of the interviews I've been they really look for empathetic students, but it's really hard to show empathy in a quick interview. Also, would an interviewee be at a disadvantage for just answering the questions? (less small talk)

 

[tiedyeddog]

nope, you are SOL. Just forget about it and move on to the next one.

 

[Goro]

MMIs are supposed to be good at selecting for empathic people. Alas, I have no experience with them.

Empathy can be demonstrated by your ECs.

Small talk isn't relevant for interviews, your ability to think on your feet and display grace under pressure is.

Thank you for your response. I have a question for you, what are some ways an interviewee can better show empathy?In some of the interviews I've been they really look for empathetic students, but it's really hard to show empathy in a quick interview. Also, would an interviewee be at a disadvantage for just answering the questions? (less small talk)

Not once in 12 years of my service on the Adcom has either the wily old Admissions Dean, or the Dean himself, asked us to consider or reconsider someone just because they got a good vibe from a candidate.


I would imagine that it depends on who you interviewed with (to some degree). If you have a lukewarm interview with a student but hit it off with the Dean, then all hope is not lost. If the situation is reversed, however, it's probably "game over."

 

[sharkbyte]

Best to just treat this like a bad exam and look forward tot he next. And no, a bad interview will sink, period.

Keep in mind that interviewees are TERRIBLE judges of how they did at interview.

Hmm I've actually noticed this quite a bit from MDApps and my friends who have applied, in that quite a few instances the students get accepted to schools at which they thought they "bombed" the interview but then got waitlisted or rejected at schools at which they thought they absolutely nailed the interview.

What do you think is the main reason for this? Is it because applicants will perceive politeness from interviewers as a sign that they're doing really well in the interview?

 

[Goro]

Exactly. Many interviewees also don't understand that one interviewer's view isn't the entire committee's. Each member will have their own agenda, up to and including the Dean(s). And, some people are just plain clueless, even if highly intelligent.

What do you think is the main reason for this? Is it because applicants will perceive politeness from interviewers as a sign that they're doing really well in the interview.

My observation from what has gone on at my school, hence my skepticism.
Is that your official prospective?