Contacting Interviewers

[Presen]

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I was put on a waitlist at my top school, and I was thinking of contacting my interviewers to ask them if my interview went bad or something. I understand if it was my scores that weren't high enough to be accepted I can't do much about that anymore, but if it was something during my interview, I would like to know so I don't do it wrong again for future interviews.

Is it ok to contact the interviewers, or should I contact the admission coordinator first and ask for permission? I remember their names and could easily just google their email address.

 

[deleted127837]

I was put on a waitlist at my top school, and I was thinking of contacting my interviewers to ask them if my interview went bad or something. I understand if it was my scores that weren't high enough to be accepted I can't do much about that anymore, but if it was something during my interview, I would like to know so I don't do it wrong again for future interviews.

Is it ok to contact the interviewers, or should I contact the admission coordinator first and ask for permission? I remember their names and could easily just google their email address.

I know you've already decided to mail them, but I wouldn't. I ask them for feedback prior to decisions - getting waitlisted and then asking about it would, to me, seem like whining about the result. It's too fine a line to walk, and won't help your chances. If you were your interviewers, what would you think?

Now, if you have a solid update letter, then you could toss a request for some feedback into the letter, but I really think that's better when done prior to any decisions are made.

 

[Frazier]

I was put on a waitlist at my top school, and I was thinking of contacting my interviewers to ask them if my interview went bad or something. I understand if it was my scores that weren't high enough to be accepted I can't do much about that anymore, but if it was something during my interview, I would like to know so I don't do it wrong again for future interviews.

Is it ok to contact the interviewers, or should I contact the admission coordinator first and ask for permission? I remember their names and could easily just google their email address.

If you did poorly at the interview, you probably would be rejected -- unless it's one of those schools that rarely rejects post-interview (i.e. Rochester et al.)

You likely got waitlisted because it is just that competitive. Period.

 

[Geebeejay]

I was put on a waitlist at my top school, and I was thinking of contacting my interviewers to ask them if my interview went bad or something. I understand if it was my scores that weren't high enough to be accepted I can't do much about that anymore, but if it was something during my interview, I would like to know so I don't do it wrong again for future interviews.

Is it ok to contact the interviewers, or should I contact the admission coordinator first and ask for permission? I remember their names and could easily just google their email address.

From my understanding, it's not really up to the interviewer to wait-list you. They interview you, then meet with the committee to present you, and then it's up to the committee - the interview no longer plays any part in the process. I would expect that if you interviewed "bad", then you would just be rejected - wait list is for the interviews that went well, but just maybe not as stellar as some other applicants.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

And to add to what everyone has said - you don't know if the interview is what they look at, still. Perhaps they do a thorough re-review and compare you against everybody else, which is where you fell short. Maybe you had an awesome interview but something else didn't click with the committee enough.

IMO, it comes off as a bit presumptuous that you may assume the interview is the only thing that held you back - it appears as though you think you are *that* strong of an applicant that nothing else needs to be considered. But it will possibly come off this way, as well as potentially 'whiny' as Bear suggested. Yes, this is a kind of worst-case scenario, but when schools have such a limited view of applicants, it makes sense to play it safe. Don't do it.

Bottom line: there's a LOT more harm than good to be done (if any exists in this case). Waitlist movement can still happen, and if you well and truly want to go to the school, a well-written, sincere and purposeful LoI could serve you well down the road. Good luck!

 

[undergradagain]

Write the adcom a letter with updates and your string interest in the school. Note why you believe you would be a good fit there. This type interest goes a long way, as I have been told by adcom members during advising appointments at med schools.

If you haven't written your interviewers by now (1 week or so since you interviewed), it's probably too late considering their evals are done, submitted and considered. Definitely don't ask what went wrong until you know you have been rejected, if that happens.

Good luck!

 

[Presen]

Thank-you so much for the advice guys/gals. I really hadn't thought about it coming off like that, but I totally see it now. I feel like I just dodged a bullet there. I didn't think the interview was the only thing holding me back, my stats are about average so it could easily have been that or other issues I've had along the way, but that's another story. I do have quite a few updates to send them so I'll definitely do an update letter instead.

I actually sent them a Letter of Intent within a week after finding out I was waitlisted. I really hope that didn't come off wrong now. I just really wanted to go there so I wrote it up as soon as I found out, and included lots of stuff about things I saw at the interview that made me love the school.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

If you interviewed poorly, you would have gotten rejected. It wasn't the interview. Leave your interviewers alone.