HELP! Dec or Jan Interview?

[epicurious]

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Hi,

I received an interview invite for Jan 12th. The office just informed me that I can come in for an early interview, instead, on Dec 15th - Tuesday! That only gives me 2 days to prepare for the interview and my stats aren't so great.

Is there a big advantage to interviewing Dec 15th vs. Jan 12th? I'd rather have time to prep, but will take any advantages that I can get, esp as I really want to go to this school.

Thank you!!!

 

[Catalystik]

If there will be one more admissions committee meeting before the winter break, you would be considered a month earlier than if you waited. Can you find out when the committee meets next?

Do you have time to prep, or do you still have finals to study for?

 

[Ativanigans]

There's probably a slight advantage to interviewing early since the executive committee will likely meet once before the new years. But if you havent interviewed before or are kind of bad at interviewing in general, I'd rather take the extra time to be polished than rush into something.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Hi,

I received an interview invite for Jan 12th. The office just informed me that I can come in for an early interview, instead, on Dec 15th - Tuesday! That only gives me 2 days to prepare for the interview and my stats aren't so great.

Is there a big advantage to interviewing Dec 15th vs. Jan 12th? I'd rather have time to prep, but will take any advantages that I can get, esp as I really want to go to this school.

Thank you!!!

Well, having more time to be prepared is an advantage in and of itself. I doubt the difference is as great as a month normally is, since interviews and reviews don't usually occur during the holiday season - so that block of time is essentially cut out.

If you think you can go early without sacrificing quality do it, but I wouldn't go unprepared for the sake of going early.

 

[lstone13]

Hi,

I received an interview invite for Jan 12th. The office just informed me that I can come in for an early interview, instead, on Dec 15th - Tuesday! That only gives me 2 days to prepare for the interview and my stats aren't so great.

Is there a big advantage to interviewing Dec 15th vs. Jan 12th? I'd rather have time to prep, but will take any advantages that I can get, esp as I really want to go to this school.

Thank you!!!

If it's rolling admission at this school, I say go with the earlier date! You still have 2 days to prepare! That's plenty of time. You can do it! 🙂

 

[epicurious]

Thanks to you both for your quick response!

I can squeeze in one day to prep if I interview early. I'll call the school and see if there's a committee meeting before the end of the year, although it sounds likely.

I was hoping to speak with one or two students at the med school to help my prep. Maybe that isn't necessary?

Hm... I think I'll end up taking quality...

THANKS!

 

[Ativanigans]

Thanks to you both for your quick response!

I can squeeze in one day to prep if I interview early. I'll call the school and see if there's a committee meeting before the end of the year, although it sounds likely.

I was hoping to speak with one or two students at the med school to help my prep. Maybe that isn't necessary?

Hm... I think I'll end up taking quality...

THANKS!

How many interviews have you had already?

Are you pretty comfortable with them?

 

[Zona Pellucida]

I'd go early. That way the 'what if' could never come up... and just cram all the info about the school today/tomorrow.

If you have finals this week though, it might be difficult.

Good luck to you !

 

[Catalystik]

I was hoping to speak with one or two students at the med school to help my prep. Maybe that isn't necessary?

Have you looked at SDN's Interview Feedback section to get the list of likely questions? See the link at the very top of this page.

 

[epicurious]

Have you looked at SDN's Interview Feedback section to get the list of likely questions? See the link at the very top of this page.

This is my first interview, so I'm a bit nervous. I'm a non-trad so I don't have finals this week, but I have to maneuver myself out of work commitments for Tuesday.

Ugh, why couldn't this have been NEXT Tuesday?! 😀

 

[Ativanigans]

This is my first interview, so I'm a bit nervous. I'm a non-trad so I don't have finals this week, but I have to maneuver myself out of work commitments for Tuesday.

Ugh, why couldn't this have been NEXT Tuesday?! 😀

I think you should wait until Jan.

 

[metallica81788]

Hi,

I received an interview invite for Jan 12th. The office just informed me that I can come in for an early interview, instead, on Dec 15th - Tuesday! That only gives me 2 days to prepare for the interview and my stats aren't so great.

Is there a big advantage to interviewing Dec 15th vs. Jan 12th? I'd rather have time to prep, but will take any advantages that I can get, esp as I really want to go to this school.

Thank you!!!

Do it. It could give you a couple of adcom meetings avantage over others. You really don't need that long to prepare for the interview, it's not like you have to read a novel or anything. Reading over things the night before is all you really need.

The only way I wouldn't do this is if the travel costs are too high on such short notice. Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[brooklynblunder]

december. do it over the plane ride. agree w/ metallica about the costs, but you should try to make it happen. nearby airports, driving, 5 am flights, etc etc

 

[7starmantis]

I would go early as well, interviews aren't as stressful as people make them out. I didn't prepare for any of mine really besides just reading feedback here on SDN. Other than that just relax and be yourself is the best advice I could give someone going for the first time. Think about your responses and be true to yourself regardless.

I would go, but you need to feel confident about it either way.

 

[ahmcadams]

Don't rush the interview if you feel unprepared. The main concern with later interviews is that schools will have fewer spots available for you, but given that this gap surrounds the holidays, that's less of a concern here. Better to prepare well, ace the interview, and give yourself your best chance at acceptance.

 

[Ativanigans]

Seems interesting that the people telling OP to go early are all premeds and the only two people telling him/her to go late are medical students on adcoms...

 

[slowbutsteady]

Who "prepares" for interviews???? There is nothing to prepare, except maybe taking 20 minutes to look at the school's web site.

Take the earlier date. Not even a close question.

 

[Jolt21]

the main thing is you want to be comfortable and relaxed. if you cant do that by tomorrow, dont do it. if you can, good luck.

 

[medat101]

2 days to prepare for an interview is MOREEE than enough time. What exactly were you planning on doing that required more time??
Sure your stats are low, but they aren't going to get pushed up in the course of a month, and if you are thinking about reasons to rationalize a low mcat or gpa, just be honest and take responsibility for your numbers (that is really all the schools want to see).
As for trying to read up on healthcare or moral issues, save your time because med schools aren't looking for a detailed political analysis, and every time I get asked this question, I just speak from the heart (and in line with my life story), and all my interviewers have responded very positively to this approach.
The more time you have to plan/strategize/prepare for an interview may also work against you because they'll be reviewing your interview/file when the spots available in the class are even more limited. With less than fab stats, you should try and get in as early as possible for the interview.
Good luck!!!