Guests to your interview?

[AlbertVOligh]

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So I have some med school interviews lined up, and one of them is my top choice. I have a guest I want to bring (not parents) and was wondering if this is acceptable, or is it frowned upon and uncommon?

 

[armybound]

Fairly uncommon. If it's a spouse/SO it isn't particularly frowned upon, but you will feel out of place.

I'd recommend you bring the friend and revisit/tour the school and city outside of the official interview process.

 

[SeekerOfTheTree]

Please don't do it. We tell stories and laugh about that guy who brought his "friend"

 

[Moosepig]

Yeah I agree, come back later with them.

 

[impact2d]

My plan is to bring my wife, but not take her to the interview. She can get an idea of the area and see if she likes it, then when I'm done interviewing I can try to show her around myself

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[AlbertVOligh]

I guess I should clarify a little lol; I'm bringing my SO who will be my spouse by the time I'm M1, and we want to scout out the area to get a better idea of the area. Do you recommend coming back that same day, or maybe another day? I'm from out of town so it's a little difficult to just travel any time for a tour -- we want to get all that stuff out of the way on the one trip. If you think I should come back later in the day, what should they do/where should they wait the duration of the actual interview?

 

[Arbor Vitae]

I saw somebody who had their dad waiting in the admissions office with everyone else. I thought it was kind of weird.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I saw somebody who had their dad waiting in the admissions office with everyone else. I thought it was kind of weird.

That would be my worst nightmare, well, that or my mom waiting in the admissions office.

 

[911 Turbo]

I've heard stories of parents actually being present in the interview

 

[Frazier]

I guess I should clarify a little lol; I'm bringing my SO who will be my spouse by the time I'm M1, and we want to scout out the area to get a better idea of the area. Do you recommend coming back that same day, or maybe another day? I'm from out of town so it's a little difficult to just travel any time for a tour -- we want to get all that stuff out of the way on the one trip. If you think I should come back later in the day, what should they do/where should they wait the duration of the actual interview?

The hotel, perhaps?

...or you can do what my fiance did and walk around the city + lounge around inside the medical center for 6-7 hours.

Tell your SO to dress comfortably with walking shoes; it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[LifeTake2]

I guess I should clarify a little lol; I'm bringing my SO who will be my spouse by the time I'm M1, and we want to scout out the area to get a better idea of the area. Do you recommend coming back that same day, or maybe another day? I'm from out of town so it's a little difficult to just travel any time for a tour -- we want to get all that stuff out of the way on the one trip. If you think I should come back later in the day, what should they do/where should they wait the duration of the actual interview?

They can come as far as the parking lot.

Travel and stay together, the morning of the interview have them drop you off and then go cruise the area and look around or even just go back to the hotel. Most hotels give you to 11 to check out by which time lunch and some looking around and it should be time for you. When you are done they pick you up, have dinner and spend the evening before traveling home.

I wouldn't suggest taking them in, but there is no reason for anyone to know they even exist.

 

[armybound]

I think your SO should tour the city. Find potential places to live (no need to stop by, just look), look for restaurants, shops, etc. Just get a feel for the city, which you won't be able to do while you're busy interviewing and touring all day.

Your SO really doesn't need to be present at the school during the tour and interview. My wife works across the street from my school and couldn't tell you where the classrooms are. What your SO thinks of the school really doesn't matter; what they think of the city should matter.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I've heard stories of parents actually being present in the interview

If I were an interviewer, I would have so much fun with that type of situation.

"So, Mrs. Venom5, I'm curious of your son's innate capability to learn. How long did it take to get him to take a deuce in the toilet, rather than on your carpet? Can you describe the occasion?"

I think your SO should tour the city. Find potential places to live (no need to stop by, just look), look for restaurants, shops, etc. Just get a feel for the city, which you won't be able to do while you're busy interviewing and touring all day.

Your SO really doesn't need to be present at the school during the tour and interview. My wife works across the street from my school and couldn't tell you where the classrooms are. What your SO thinks of the school really doesn't matter; what they think of the city should matter.

This. Very much this.

Also, she can probably 'relieve' some of the stress before and after. *snickers to self about bad joke*

 

[gyngyn]

Having a "guest" never helps the applicant.

 

[MedPR]

That would be my worst nightmare, well, that or my mom waiting in the admissions office.

Same. My dad hates me for wanting to be a phusoycoan so he'd probably do something to ruin my chances if he knew where I was.

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[def1]

Lol I certainly wouldn't but I believe either Houston or Galveston emailed me it was ok to bring your SO

 

[lobo.solo]

I think your SO should tour the city. Find potential places to live (no need to stop by, just look), look for restaurants, shops, etc. Just get a feel for the city, which you won't be able to do while you're busy interviewing and touring all day.

Your SO really doesn't need to be present at the school during the tour and interview. My wife works across the street from my school and couldn't tell you where the classrooms are. What your SO thinks of the school really doesn't matter; what they think of the city should matter.

This for sure. Have her check out the area, I think it is important to get he input as age will also have to move there.

 

[b05010445]

Lol I certainly wouldn't but I believe either Houston or Galveston emailed me it was ok to bring your SO

My friend just got an interview at Houston and they specifically mention bringing your spouse.

Personally, I probably wouldn't but you should really ask the school.

 

[XCourtSmash]

I wouldn't. If you want to tour the school, ask about tours during your interview and come back later in the day or the next day AFTER you change out of your suit.

 

[blizzah]

Have her cut your sandwich during the lunch period.

That'll show off her surgical skills

 

[mzarrowsmith]

Although spouse =/= parent (except in Kentucky), this story is still somewhat relevant.

http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/08/leadership-careers-jobs-lead-careers-cx_tw_1109kids.html

 

[impact2d]

I think your SO should tour the city. Find potential places to live (no need to stop by, just look), look for restaurants, shops, etc. Just get a feel for the city, which you won't be able to do while you're busy interviewing and touring all day.

Your SO really doesn't need to be present at the school during the tour and interview. My wife works across the street from my school and couldn't tell you where the classrooms are. What your SO thinks of the school really doesn't matter; what they think of the city should matter.

I would say this is a personal preference, and everyone has their own style of marriage. For me, my wife's opinion of the school matters a great deal. I would want to get her objective feeling, because I trust it as much as if not more than my own.

That said, I don't plan to bring her to any interviews or interview tours. Occasionally some schools have a separate tour for SO's or family, in that event I would consider scheduling her for one.

My plan would be as I said and others have mentioned, to have her tour the city and see if she feels comfortable. If I happen to get to know a current student or if it is possible to to walk back onto campus after the interview to show her around, I appreciate her input.

To each his own, and I think not bringing your SO on campus is a completely valid viewpoint-but I just don't think it's absolute.

I guess I should clarify a little lol; I'm bringing my SO who will be my spouse by the time I'm M1, and we want to scout out the area to get a better idea of the area. Do you recommend coming back that same day, or maybe another day? I'm from out of town so it's a little difficult to just travel any time for a tour -- we want to get all that stuff out of the way on the one trip. If you think I should come back later in the day, what should they do/where should they wait the duration of the actual interview?

It will depend on the school, some are on lock down and you can't just wander around. Others are pretty easy to see a majority of the facilities without getting a formal tour. My plan is to spend two days whenever possible, and take her back to campus the next day, but as others mentioned-let her tour the town while you interview. I know some schools hold general tours on a regular basis, and your wife could potentially sign up for one of those.

 

[lovemango]

My friend just got an interview at Houston and they specifically mention bringing your spouse.

Personally, I probably wouldn't but you should really ask the school.

UT-Houston does mention in their interview invite that it's okay to bring a spouse/SO, but I just went to my interview there last week (which was awesome, by the way!) and NO ONE brought a guest with them. I *almost* brought my long-term boyfriend with me, but I was really glad I didn't, cause it would have made it super awkward. My boyfriend's accompanied me on a few of my interview trips, Houston included, but he didn't actually come with me to any of the interview days. As others have already suggested, he wandered around the city instead, shopping and eating. We explored the city together before and after the interview day events.

 

[AnthonyBourdain]

I am going to have to agree, bringing your SO to interviews is awkward. You are technically a guest of the school and to bring an uninvited guest is making yourself at home when you haven't even been accepted. Not to mention it makes you seem dependent, it isn't a fair assumption but it comes off that way.

I really wanted to go explore some schools on my own and take pictures of the School for my SO so I could have images to go with my impression of the school when I recapped it all for them but many don't seem open to interviewees just wandering around on their own let alone with an uninvited guest.

Have them meet you somewhere other than the med school. Once you get accepted than you can make yourself a little more at home inside the school and show them around for the more restrictive med schools. For the less restrictive schools, also second waiting until you've changed out of your suit before giving your SO a tour. Again, I personally would not want to ask a school if this was okay because it would make me look a little dependent, however unfair that impression may be. Just wait until your own tour and it becomes clear where and if you could wander on your own.