Has anyone had an interviewer basically say you're accepted, only to be rejected later?

[deleted993098]

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I was speaking with my friend and he told me after one of his interviews (where he was slightly above the stats median), the interviewer shook his hand and said something along the lines of "I look forward to seeing you here next year." He was subsequently rejected a few weeks later. Anyone have similar experiences? I find it odd for an interviewer to say something like that and wonder why rejection follows if you ostensibly killed the interview and the interviewer liked you a lot?

 

[rx001]

Usually it does not happen. But what we get in writing is the final. I dont think he can do anything here.
I called couple schools asked if I am on interview list. They said you are ranked and you will be getting interview invite. But again not sure until I get that one.

 

[LizzyM]

No interviewer is the sole decision maker. The interviewer can truthfully say, "I look forward to seeing you here next year." because they truly would enjoy having you as a student. Alas, if the admissions committee decides to override the interviewer, there is nothing that the interviewer can do.

You may not have the whole story. The applicant may have been badly behaved with the office staff or on the tour which sunk the applicant despite a good interview.

 

[imbesrs]

Ending the interview on a good note is a common thing

 

[Tenk]

That phrase means nothing. Even if the interview was terrible, do you really expect them to say, “I look forward to never seeing you again”?

It’s just being polite.

 

[tri99]

That phrase means nothing. Even if the interview was terrible, do you really expect them to say, “I look forward to never seeing you again”?

It’s just being polite.

Adcom’s ending an interview with how they really feel would be a great Who’s line is it anyways game

 

[deleted972488]

That phrase means nothing. Even if the interview was terrible, do you really expect them to say, “I look forward to never seeing you again”?

It’s just being polite.

I actually think it’s in poor taste to say something like “I look forward to seeing you next year” prior to an admissions decision. If I were an interviewer, I would say something like, “It was a pleasure meeting you,” even if I knew I were going to recommend the applicant for admission, just in case the admissions decision ultimately goes the other way.

 

[Jeremy Bearimy]

I actually think it’s in poor taste to say something like “I look forward to seeing you next year” prior to an admissions decision. If I were an interviewer, I would say something like, “It was a pleasure meeting you,” even if I knew I were going to recommend the applicant for admission, just in case the admissions decision ultimately goes the other way.

I agree! I understand why an interviewer wouldn't say anything negative at the end, but I don't understand saying something explicitly hopeful or explicitly positive if they don't mean it. Unless it just slips out which can happen because interviewers are human too, or so I hear.

 

[tessellations]

My old coworker comes from a family of doctors and after one of his interviews, the interviewer said, "It looks like there's gonna be another doctor in the family." He then got waitlisted, lol. Definitely a bummer. He did get off the waitlist but not until mid June.

If I were an interviewer I would probably avoid these types of overly hopeful phrases if possible.

 

[imbesrs]

My coworker comes from a family of doctors and after one of his interviews, the interviewer said, "It looks like there's gonna be another doctor in the family." He then got waitlisted, lol. Definitely a bummer. He did get off the waitlist but not until mid June.

If I were an interviewer I would probably avoid these types of overly hopeful phrases if possible.

What kinda **** is that lmao.

It goes without saying that unless youre interviewing w the dean or high ranking faculty that most people dont know where you stand on the LizzyM admissions staircase

 

[82Scout]

Pro-tip: when the interviewer says this ask them if you can get it in writing 😉

on a serious note, anything in life whether it be job offers, admissions, an agreement shouldn't be seriously considered until you have a formal offer in writing.... Even then there are usually exceptions written into the offers.

 

[moldydorito]

I’ve had one interviewer say the same thing like “looking forward to seeing you here next year.”

I also had one interviewer say that I was a really great applicant.he said word for word that he liked me and that he would write me a strong evaluation to the committee. Was he being genuine or just being polite?

 

[deleted972488]

I’ve had one interviewer say the same thing like “looking forward to seeing you here next year.”

I also had one interviewer say that I was a really great applicant.he said word for word that he liked me and that he would write me a strong evaluation to the committee. Was he being genuine or just being polite?

You’ll be fine.

 

[moldydorito]

You’ll be fine.

Thanks haha. I actually didn’t feel so great about the interview (was asked tough questions and stumbled through some of my responses), so I was surprised when my interviewer said that.

 

[u_raptor]

Also in this boat for a top choice, with them saying something along the lines of "you were really genuine, and not rehearsed like some people I hear. I look forward to seeing you next year"

It really is just a waiting game. As hopeful as that sounded to me, I can only assume I am getting the R until I (possibly/hopefully/but not likely) don't....

 

[Goro]

I was speaking with my friend and he told me after one of his interviews (where he was slightly above the stats median), the interviewer shook his hand and said something along the lines of "I look forward to seeing you here next year." He was subsequently rejected a few weeks later. Anyone have similar experiences? I find it odd for an interviewer to say something like that and wonder why rejection follows if you ostensibly killed the interview and the interviewer liked you a lot?

Based upon comments of multiple SDNers, the answer is yes.

Interviewers are trained to be polite. Do you think that they're really going to say to you "Gawd, kintaro, I'd rather have an empty seat than you as one of my students!"

?????

Also, the interviewer may have indeed been sincere, but overruled by the rest of the Adcom.

 

[Moko]

They also didn't specify what role they're envisioning for you. It could be as a medical student (best case scenario), to free research assistant, tech, hospital volunteer, or as an in-person example to future applicants of what not to do during interviews.

Just hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I say something nice to every applicant (unless they are complete d-bags) to give a good impression of the school, and to avoid sabotaging their confidence for subsequent interviews. Not all those who I recommended got an acceptance

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Not rejected, but I did get waitlisted at a school where my interviewers told me they were going to recommend me for admission. The interview is only one part.

 

[Engrailed]

Not rejected, but I did get waitlisted at a school where my interviewers told me they were going to recommend me for admission. The interview is only one part.

 

[kfcchikin]

This isn't med school as I'm applying next year but for undergrad, I was interviewing for an ivy that was my #1 dream school and i had the stats for and my interviewer at the end said "you are so getting in." I got rejected month later lol it stung but my 17-year-old self deserved the humbling

 

[DNAJB6]

This isn't med school as I'm applying next year but for undergrad, I was interviewing for an ivy that was my #1 dream school and i had the stats for and my interviewer at the end said "you are so getting in." I got rejected month later lol it stung but my 17-year-old self deserved the humbling

Yes, this is common. I received interviews from both Harvard and Yale when applying to undergrad and had good interviews. I was rejected by both schools probably because of my mediocre extracurriulars.

 

[907914]

Yes, this is common. I received interviews from both Harvard and Yale when applying to undergrad and had good interviews. I was rejected by both schools probably because of my mediocre extracurriulars.

Y’all had to interview for undergrad? Is that normal...?

 

[deleted972488]

Y’all had to interview for undergrad? Is that normal...?

for "top" schools, yeah.

 

[907914]

for "top" schools, yeah.

Weird. Didn’t even know that. Downsides of never having been through the undergrad admissions process.

 

[kfcchikin]

Y’all had to interview for undergrad? Is that normal...?

For certain schools but they have alumni in your town conduct them so you don't have to go there

 

[907914]

For certain schools but they have alumni in your town conduct them so you don't have to go there

Oh ok, that makes more sense. Here I was thinking “my parents won’t even come pick me up from the airport after an interview due to gas money, how are all these Harvard undergrads paying to fly out to Boston?!”

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I’m not really sure what this means.

 

[kfcchikin]

Oh ok, that makes more sense. Here I was thinking “my parents won’t even come pick me up from the airport after an interview due to gas money, how are all these Harvard undergrads paying to fly out to Boston?!”

Although, these schools have an unspoken requirement that you tour them in order to "show interest." At least in high school, we were told to basically tour the campus of every school we wanted to go to or else they'd think we're not that committed 🙄

 

[907914]

Although, these schools have an unspoken requirement that you tour them in order to "show interest." At least in high school, we were told to basically tour the campus of every school we wanted to go to or else they'd think we're not that committed 🙄

How would they keep track...?

 

[DNAJB6]

Y’all had to interview for undergrad? Is that normal...?

No. Very few schools interview. Harvard and Yale were the only colleges that I know that interviewed back when I applied. They tried to interview everyone prior to admission if it was possible (i.e. someone in the area available). The interviewers were usually alumni local to the candidate. My interviews occurred at the interviewers' homes.

Edited: In my previous post, I meant it was common for people to be interviewed and interview well and be rejected from college based on my personal experiences and those of close friends.

 

[kfcchikin]

How would they keep track...?

I only toured one but we signed up online beforehand and had to sign in again on the computers when we showed up. And I remember going to an "info session" from Hopkins when adcoms came to our school and they had us sign in online even for that, I'm sure the other schools did that too

 

[tri99]

And to think I called my undergrad admissions office 5 weeks before FDOC and said “I’d like to come here, what should I do?” And I was accepted / given my class schedule that day... i guess even the least competitive institutions have their perks lol.

 

[907914]

And to think I called my undergrad admissions office 5 weeks before FDOC and said “I’d like to come here, what should I do?” And I was accepted / given my class schedule that day... i guess even the least competitive institutions have their perks lol.

My first time coming back to school I registered for classes 5 days before they started only after I had applied to and been admitted 2 weeks before lol. Cheap ass state school - less of a flagship and more of a tugboat. They have their perks.