Has anyone paid for an interview service?

[deleted993098]

I'm out of school and moved away, so don't have access to that anymore. I am p sure my interviews have led to my rejections since there were 2 schools where I was above the 90th percentile and have been R'ed post-interview. I'm looking at BeMo and Med school insiders right now. I really don't want to apply another cycle and my stats are high (Lizzy M ~76ish) so I really need to improve my interview skills. Any advice?

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[bluepeony]

I'm out of school and moved away, so don't have access to that anymore. I am p sure my interviews have led to my rejections since there were 2 schools where I was above the 90th percentile and have been R'ed post-interview. I'm looking at BeMo and Med school insiders right now. I really don't want to apply another cycle and my stats are high (Lizzy M ~76ish) so I really need to improve my interview skills. Any advice?

Were the rejections from this cycle or a past cycle?

 

[deleted993098]

Were the rejections from this cycle or a past cycle?

This cycle. And I don't want to reapply is what I meant cause I already poured in a lot of money and work part-time. I figure it may be worth it to put in a couple hundred dollars toward a mock service cause if it helps me get in then I'll save the money of not reapplying and will be a doctor one year earlier.

 

[82Scout]

I'm out of school and moved away, so don't have access to that anymore. I am p sure my interviews have led to my rejections since there were 2 schools where I was above the 90th percentile and have been R'ed post-interview. I'm looking at BeMo and Med school insiders right now. I really don't want to apply another cycle and my stats are high (Lizzy M ~76ish) so I really need to improve my interview skills. Any advice?

You can scour the forums and reddit for others looking for mock interviews for free if you just want to practice the environment some more. There are some free youtube videos and guides on here from ADCOM members. Personally, I don't think much prep is needed for an interview and prep services are a waste of money. Since you have attended 2 interviews already, you should have a good idea of what the environment and interview entails already.

First see if either school will provide you with feedback. If your interview performance is being hindered by severe anxiety then I would recommend a psychologist before a prep service.

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

I really don't think they would help tbh. I considered it but tbh you cannot change who you are and how you communicate in a span of a few 30 minutes-1 hour lessons that cost thousands of dollars.

I think the key is to just be mindful of how you come off. This process is so random. Those were just 2 interviews and there are thousands of factors at play. Don't waste thousands of dollars on courses when there is most likely nothing wrong.

 

[deleted993098]

You can scour the forums and reddit for others looking for mock interviews for free if you just want to practice the environment some more. There are some free youtube videos and guides on here from ADCOM members. Personally, I don't think much prep is needed for an interview and prep services are a waste of money. Since you have attended 2 interviews already, you should have a good idea of what the environment and interview entails already.

First see if either school will provide you with feedback. If your interview performance is being hindered by severe anxiety then I would recommend a psychologist before a prep service.

I really don't think they would help tbh. I considered it but tbh you cannot change who you are and how you communicate in a span of a few 30 minutes-1 hour lessons that cost thousands of dollars.

I think the key is to just be mindful of how you come off. This process is so random. Those were just 2 interviews and there are thousands of factors at play. Don't waste thousands of dollars on courses when there is most likely nothing wrong.

Thank you guys!

Let me add some more detail. I don't think It's anxiety or anything. I felt lukewarm about the interviews and the schools have a no feedback policy. I thought I did alright, but maybe I am not coming across the way I want to. I was contemplating that maybe getting an adcom to interview me and getting feedback would better let me know the kind of impression I give off.

Also, the thing is I did watch youtube vids and read the sdn guides before my interviews. I also did mock interviews with my premed friends. They said I did alright. But maybe the things a premed and an adcom look for are different? I know the process is competitive, but I thought being over the 90th percentile would mean I would need to do average on the interviews to get an A according to @LizzyM the staircase analogy.

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

Thank you guys!

Let me add some more detail. I don't think It's anxiety or anything. I felt lukewarm about the interviews and the schools have a no feedback policy. I thought I did alright, but maybe I am not coming across the way I want to. I was contemplating that maybe getting an adcom to interview me and getting feedback would better let me know the kind of impression I give off.

Also, the thing is I did watch youtube vids and read the sdn guides before my interviews. I also did mock interviews with my premed friends. They said I did alright. But maybe the things a premed and an adcom look for are different? I know the process is competitive, but I thought being over the 90th percentile would mean I would need to do average on the interviews to get an A according to @LizzyM the staircase analogy.

It really could be anything. Sometimes it's not the interview. It could be that you didn't fit them well enough.

I just don't want you to waste 1000's of dollars on services that I fear are scams. I remember being shocked to learnt these sources are like 1000s of dollars and sometimes they only agree to meet with you for 3-4 hours in total. That's ridiculous pricing and I feel that they target premeds who don't really need them.

 

[Cornfed101]

I got a basic package from Med School Insiders and I felt like it was good. I probably wouldn’t do it again, but that’s just because I have years of work and life experience so I was already very good at writing essays and interviewing. I didn’t really realize this until the guy told me that I was way ahead of his other clients in soft skills. It was definitely helpful to hone in on my story.

I don’t think it would be a waste of money if you really think your interview skills are terrible, but you can likely find most stuff for free on here and reddit. You can also practice answering questions to a friend and they can help even if they aren’t familiar with the med school process.

 

[deleted993098]

I got a basic package from Med School Insiders and I felt like it was good. I probably wouldn’t do it again, but that’s just because I have years of work and life experience so I was already very good at writing essays and interviewing. I didn’t really realize this until the guy told me that I was way ahead of his other clients in soft skills. It was definitely helpful to hone in on my story.

I don’t think it would be a waste of money if you really think your interview skills are terrible, but you can likely find most stuff for free on here and reddit. You can also practice answering questions to a friend and they can help even if they aren’t familiar with the med school process.

Is there a reason why you chose Med School Insiders over other companies? They seem the most affordable, but was wondering if there is a quality cost?

 

[Kardio]

I'm out of school and moved away, so don't have access to that anymore. I am p sure my interviews have led to my rejections since there were 2 schools where I was above the 90th percentile and have been R'ed post-interview. I'm looking at BeMo and Med school insiders right now. I really don't want to apply another cycle and my stats are high (Lizzy M ~76ish) so I really need to improve my interview skills. Any advice?

If you’re getting R’s (rather than WL’s) immediately post-interview, SDN sentiment is that the interview was likely poor.

I haven’t ever said this to anyone - but I think hiring one of those consulting services for mock interviews may be the right move.

 

[Cornfed101]

Is there a reason why you chose Med School Insiders over other companies? They seem the most affordable, but was wondering if there is a quality cost?

yeah it was the most affordable. The guy I worked with had a similar story to me (low GPA, redeemed himself), and he is currently a neurosurgery resident. He has served on a number of admissions committees, and he always had pretty good advice. I didn’t think there was any lack of quality

 

[deleted993098]

If you’re getting R’s (rather than WL’s) immediately post-interview, SDN sentiment is that the interview was likely poor.

I haven’t ever said this to anyone - but I think hiring one of those consulting services for mock interviews may be the right move.

That was what I was thinking. If I am above the 90th percentile and get an interview, then it really has to be my poor interview skills at that point. I think I'm gonna bit the bullet and pay for a mock interview.