Title. I was lucky enough to chat with two current med students about the school and their experiences, and was able to gain some pretty valuable insight from them. Some of the things they said that stood out to me I was hoping to discuss in my interview (during a "why us" type question), but they're things that you wouldn't find really online. Is it okay to mention that I've talked to current students, and if so how should I go about it? The interview is traditional and supposedly pretty relaxed and conversational, but I'm still stressing LOL.
-
Scholarship Access: Becoming a Student Doctor course
Free access to comprehensive medical school prep. Eligible students include AAMC FAP recipients and HS graduates from underserved areas. Apply today.
Can/should I mention that I've talked to current med students during my interview?
- Thread starter FastBlah
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2025
- Messages
- 597
- Reaction score
- 630
- Points
- 41
- Pre-Medical
which program is this?
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2010
- Messages
- 75,429
- Solutions
- 2
- Reaction score
- 121,248
- Points
- 13,076
- Location
- Somewhere west of St. Louis
- Non-Student
It fine to mention that. Shows you've done due diligence.
polymerization
MD '30 ⚕
- Joined
- May 9, 2024
- Messages
- 567
- Reaction score
- 1,004
- Points
- 76
From a strategic (student) perspective, no.
If you have current students whispering in your ear about the school's "secret sauce," you don't go shouting the recipe from the rooftops. You weave it in with (rhetorical) winks and nudges. If they were really interested in having you join their school, they could signal from their end and it would give less groupie energy.
My goal throughout the interview is to get the interviewer to think "wow, this person really fits here and knows our program shockingly well" in a way that doesn't feel forced. It's got to be effortless, because interviewers are also evaluating your sincerity and authenticity.
Aside from all of that, a lot of schools will host student panels or information sessions before or during the cycle (and may host invite-only sessions immediately before interview), so it's not necessarily signaling that you went out of your way, per se.
If you have current students whispering in your ear about the school's "secret sauce," you don't go shouting the recipe from the rooftops. You weave it in with (rhetorical) winks and nudges. If they were really interested in having you join their school, they could signal from their end and it would give less groupie energy.
My goal throughout the interview is to get the interviewer to think "wow, this person really fits here and knows our program shockingly well" in a way that doesn't feel forced. It's got to be effortless, because interviewers are also evaluating your sincerity and authenticity.
Aside from all of that, a lot of schools will host student panels or information sessions before or during the cycle (and may host invite-only sessions immediately before interview), so it's not necessarily signaling that you went out of your way, per se.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2012
- Messages
- 2,424
- Reaction score
- 3,714
- Points
- 5,756
- Attending Physician
An undergrad colleague of mine was an M2 at my first choice med school (maybe a "top 80-100" school lol) at the time I interviewed. I certainly mentioned to my interviewer what I'd learned from my colleague and why I felt I was a good fit.
I agree with the above you don't want to come across too strong, but interviewers are expecting you to be interested in/excited for their program.
It does help to read the room (I'm not great at that admittedly). Thankfully my interviewer was a good fit for me--he was subbed in last minute because my original interviewer didn't show up. The one who was subbed in (he happened to just be around) really appreciated my interest/energy and told me a couple times "I think I was meant to be here today to meet you RangerBob." Stupid me didn't realize that was a really good sign, but perhaps that's for the best as one shouldn't be too full of themself in an interview. Thankfully I was accepted.
I only had one other interview. It was at a more competitive program but lower on my list. While I wasn't as excited for that program, I still think my energy was a bit of a mismatch for the interviewer. I think it would have helped if I'd met my interviewer's energy partway for that interview. It helps to know if the interviewer is looking for a more emotional connection/argument (that was certainly the case with the interviewer above), or a more logical/fact-based argument (as was the case with this latter interviewer).
I was waitlisted for the second program, but it was moot anyway since I got into my top choice.
I agree with the above you don't want to come across too strong, but interviewers are expecting you to be interested in/excited for their program.
It does help to read the room (I'm not great at that admittedly). Thankfully my interviewer was a good fit for me--he was subbed in last minute because my original interviewer didn't show up. The one who was subbed in (he happened to just be around) really appreciated my interest/energy and told me a couple times "I think I was meant to be here today to meet you RangerBob." Stupid me didn't realize that was a really good sign, but perhaps that's for the best as one shouldn't be too full of themself in an interview. Thankfully I was accepted.
I only had one other interview. It was at a more competitive program but lower on my list. While I wasn't as excited for that program, I still think my energy was a bit of a mismatch for the interviewer. I think it would have helped if I'd met my interviewer's energy partway for that interview. It helps to know if the interviewer is looking for a more emotional connection/argument (that was certainly the case with the interviewer above), or a more logical/fact-based argument (as was the case with this latter interviewer).
I was waitlisted for the second program, but it was moot anyway since I got into my top choice.
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2011
- Messages
- 29,302
- Solutions
- 1
- Reaction score
- 21,065
- Points
- 10,281
- Academic Administration
For every school/program where you interview, you should have at least 4 things to mention about what impresses you about the school, why you would be excited to go there, or what activities you want to do before residency (whether for the residency application or not). It's your responsibility to read the context and share either a "well known" marketing item (curriculum, clinic, community) or something less public but well-known. Whatever it is, you should prioritize things that are directly related to your purpose as a doctor. I am happy when a stem cell project gets an NIH multiyear grant, but that's not a card to play if you don't care about doing that type of research.
It also eventually matters which students gave you insight. Are they among those near the top of their class, or are they just hanging on? Are they capable of giving pros/cons objectively from how they observe their peers vs. themselves? How similar are their concerns with yours?
www.studentdoctor.net
It also eventually matters which students gave you insight. Are they among those near the top of their class, or are they just hanging on? Are they capable of giving pros/cons objectively from how they observe their peers vs. themselves? How similar are their concerns with yours?
Questions Admitted Students Should Ask Before Committing to Enroll | Student Doctor Network | SDN
Abstract: New student programs, such as Second Look, Welcome Days, or Admitted Student Visits, offer admitted students the opportunity to ask questions to
www.studentdoctor.net
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2015
- Messages
- 5,036
- Reaction score
- 18,650
- Points
- 8,256
- Attending Physician
This hinges on the content of what they told you.
If the contents are positive, there is nothing wrong with saying you spoke with current students who are very happy with the school because of XYZ.
If the contents are negative, I would avoid interrogating the interviewer over specific details.
