Hints in an Interview About Acceptance

[AwkInterview]

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There are multiple types of interviews, but I believe that an "open book" (where they already have read through your application) style is the most common. In most cases with an interview (wether its med school or a job), they say that this leads them making a biased decision-

i.e. if you have some bad grades, your interviewer acts disinterested and its obvious that you won't be accepted

OR

you are a rockstar and your interviewer already wants to accept you.

Have any of you noticed something like this on the interview trail? I know for me- I had one interview where they spent most of the time talking about how I have to come to their school and how he thinks I would "fit" in and such. Fingers crossed that's a good sign!

 

[aSagacious]

Let's not forget the secondary purpose of an interview: for the school to sell themselves to the applicant. I would not be surprised if it was nothing more than insincere flattery in order to butter you up for a sales pitch. That's not to say that you won't be accepted, I only mean to say that you shouldn't read into the conversation too much.

 

[UnclePhil]

There are multiple types of interviews, but I believe that an "open book" (where they already have read through your application) style is the most common. In most cases with an interview (wether its med school or a job), they say that this leads them making a biased decision-

i.e. if you have some bad grades, your interviewer acts disinterested and its obvious that you won't be accepted

OR

you are a rockstar and your interviewer already wants to accept you.

Have any of you noticed something like this on the interview trail? I know for me- I had one interview where they spent most of the time talking about how I have to come to their school and how he thinks I would "fit" in and such. Fingers crossed that's a good sign!

I had an interviewer say "we think you'd be a really good fit here, so if you have any questions, please ask them because I want to make sure you leave today with the most complete and best possible impression of our school so that you would have no qualms about coming here."

End result? waitlisted. lol.

 

[ppfizenm]

I had an interviewer say "we think you'd be a really good fit here, so if you have any questions, please ask them because I want to make sure you leave today with the most complete and best possible impression of our school so that you would have no qualms about coming here."

End result? waitlisted. lol.

same thing but was rejected. In the end I know the interview plays a part but I don't think it's as big as some people believe. I saw the graph that showed how important ad coms said things were pre/post interview but that doesn't mean every school is like that. Also lets not rule out the possibly that they are stretching the truth to an extent to make themselves seem like they aren't stat ******.

 

[chiapet874]

Let's not forget the secondary purpose of an interview: for the school to sell themselves to the applicant. I would not be surprised if it was nothing more than insincere flattery in order to butter you up for a sales pitch. That's not to say that you won't be accepted, I only mean to say that you shouldn't read into the conversation too much.

This. Schools want to create student loyalty. This is a cheap way to lay the foundations.

 

[girlSam]

Same here. At my first interview, my interviewer ended by saying "I hope you decide to come here." Waitlisted and ultimately rejected.

 

[CodeBlu]

This thread is depressing me... as I wait for news.

Personally, I think the interview is extremely important. If they're inviting you to interview, they think you've got the goods on paper.

Now it's your turn to back it up in person.

 

[MT Headed]

At my interview it was closed in the morning (they only had access to essays like PS, EC, and 2ndary) but open in the afternoon.

The morning folks were neutral. The folks I talked to in the afternoon (which had some overlap with the morning folks) definitely had a change in attitude. Suddenly they were very positive, selling the school to me, etc. My hopes went way up. 😀

Now I read this thread and I'm as neurotic as ever 😡

 

[CodeBlu]

At my interview it was closed in the morning (they only had access to essays like PS, EC, and 2ndary) but open in the afternoon.

The morning folks were neutral. The folks I talked to in the afternoon (which had some overlap with the morning folks) definitely had a change in attitude. Suddenly they were very positive, selling the school to me, etc. My hopes went way up. 😀

Now I read this thread and I'm as neurotic as ever 😡

Me too... this sucks.

 

[CodeBlu]

Me too lol. Though I guess it makes sense, if they tell everyone that "we'll definitely accept you, you should come here" the people who do end up being accepted will have a good impression of the school and be more likely to matriculate.

Yeah, but you have to understand that they can't possibly say this to everyone.

Also, your file goes up for review to the committee where your interview recommendations and LORs are looked at with more importance.

By the time you interview, I assume the adcoms think you have the academic nads to hack it in med school.

 

[Alejandro]

Well, the other challenge is that the interviewers are basically advocating for you. They need to have the paper stuff (your AMCAS, what you did, etc etc) as well as the personal stuff (is this guy a tool or not?). So, they might like you, but if they don't have much to say, that could raise flags.

In addition, I bet there's a hierarchy of interviewers. I think it could go either way, but if you get an older adcom who has seen many applicants, that might be different than a person who has hardly been there.

For example...I had one where the faculty interviewer was a 1st year cards fellow. 😱 And, the student interviewer was a second year who was telling me, "this is my first time interviewing people, so bear with me." Soooo...that could go either way: they might not be as jaded with seeing so many applicants, but on the flip side, they might not be as wise on the points to advocate my application for compared to the veteran interviewers. Both of them just had a sheet of paper where they filled out blanks, and put in some checkboxes.

Also, who knows, newbies might want to be that much MORE excited as well.

To me, I wish I did well at the interview and hopefully it went well, but i think my circumstances are just too tricky to tell. (<--for whatever its worth)

 

[NickNaylor]

It'll vary from school to school, but interviewers may have very little say in the overall decision process. Their involvement may consist of nothing more of writing an evaluation based on the interview. On the other hand, interviewers may be prominent members of the admissions committee with a lot of say. Regardless, though, they're only one person and the decision process is committee based.

In other words, don't try and read into interviews, because even if you manage to do so correctly, the interviewer may not be able to help you out much if at all.

 

[WisdomDoc]

At an osteopathic school that i interviewed at one of the interviewers said "i hope you come here". End result= acceptance

At a few of the allopathic schools that I interviewed at I was told "wish you the best of luck". End result= don't know yet.

 

[music2doc]

I think it's important to reiterate the admissions COMMITTEE part of the process. Sure, the interview may "present" you, but it is a committee decision. Every school's process is different, but a lot probably depends upon what each person's feelings are after hearing skimming your app and hearing the interviewer(s)' summary(s). I know when I have interviewed people, I don't always know whether or not I would hire them immediately after the interview because I often have not yet seen the other candidates. It is not until after I have interviewed ALL candidates that I can pick out the ones I would select. I would not be surprised if many med school interviewers operated in a similar manner, selecting their "favorite applicants" later on (even though the initial form was filled out earlier). If an applicant gave the interviewer reason to remember him/her, it might end up that that particular applicant's file gets a stronger presentation at the next adcom meeting.

 

[mipp0]

Interviews are important, but don't forget that often your interviewer is merely your "advocate" to the ADCOM -- the ADCOM is the one that decides your fate.

Your interviewer may appear like a stoneface wench, but maybe she's that way with all the applicants. On the other hand, maybe she's a happy/bubbly person that appears to be your biggest fan (and the adcom keeps this in mind [i.e. that she thinks all the applicants she interviews are the best thing since sliced bread]).

Ultimately, as I mentioned earlier, that group of 15-30+ people that sit down and look at the total package will render your outcome... The Interviewer is just a facet of the equation.

A positive advocacy can make you, and a negative one can likewise break you, so it isn't such a small deal. The ADCOM does have the final say, but a lot of that say (potentially) is influenced by the interview.

At least this was the impression I got at (and what they said) the schools I interviewed at... (Top 20s, top 5, mid tier, etc.). I'm sure it's relative to the school...

 

[CodeBlu]

This thread blows... don't let it shatter your confidence.

I was feeling like garbage after reading it...

GUESS WHAT?


ACCEPTED CLASS OF 2016!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!

Just got THE call. 🙂 Good luck to everyone! Don't lose hope!!!!

 

[ppappui]

This thread blows... don't let it shatter your confidence.

I was feeling like garbage after reading it...

GUESS WHAT?


ACCEPTED CLASS OF 2016!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!

Just got THE call. 🙂 Good luck to everyone! Don't lose hope!!!!

Wow, congraaaats Codeblu!!! So happy for you bro. Which school is this?

 

[PeterPesto]

This thread blows... don't let it shatter your confidence.

I was feeling like garbage after reading it...

GUESS WHAT?


ACCEPTED CLASS OF 2016!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!

Just got THE call. 🙂 Good luck to everyone! Don't lose hope!!!!

That's awesome buddy, congrats!

 

[wanderer]

In my experience, when my interviewer told me "I hope to see you next year" I got in, and when I was wished good luck at the end, I generally did not get in. But there definitely were exceptions. Don't read too much into it unless you want to go crazy.

 

[latrala2300]

In my experience, when my interviewer told me "I hope to see you next year" I got in, and when I was wished good luck at the end, I generally did not get in. But there definitely were exceptions. Don't read too much into it unless you want to go crazy.

i had an interview that went terribly. my interviewer said "i dont udnerstand what you're saying" several times, and even said at one point that he doesnt think id fit in there. at the end, he wished me luck.

result? accepted.

realize that the interview is one small part of the admissions process, and just because YOU think and interview is going well/poorly doesn't mean that it is.

 

[AvidAvatar]

I left a recent interview and as we shook hands the interviewer said, "You are a great applicant, and I will give my full recommendation for your acceptance to the committee."

My jaw just kinda dropped because it was so blatantly...honest and straight! I didn't know what to say!

 

[Cinclus]

In my experience, when my interviewer told me "I hope to see you next year" I got in, and when I was wished good luck at the end, I generally did not get in. But there definitely were exceptions. Don't read too much into it unless you want to go crazy.

I got the "I hope to see you next year" thing at my current top choice after what I felt was my best interview. I hope it turns out well, but I'm definitely still nervous and totally in love with said school.

 

[Disinence2]

Don't believe anything anyone tells you about your chance of acceptance from the interview.

This is more important for residency interviews where programs will openly tell you that your ranked to match when that is in fact not the case.

Even if your interviewer absolutely loved you, there is no guarantee he can convince the rest of the committee to let you in.

 

[MrBird]

fret not younglings. There is no way to tell from the interview whether or not you'll be accepted. Unless you had an experience like that guy from last cycle (search "diarrhea ruined my chances").

 

[mmmcdowe]

You can't read much into what a single interviewer says. They may want to accept you, but perhaps the reason why many of them hint at it is because they know they can't be sure that the committee will agree. If they really know that you are going to be accepted, wouldn't you think that they would tell you straight? I had one school (state school, father alumn, etc, etc) where my interview consisted of 30 seconds where I was told that I would be accepted and then we just chatted. I had hints at others, which resulted in acceptances, rejections, and waitlists oh my.

 

[theseeker4]

Don't try to predict what the result will be based on the interviewer's comments. My interviewer spent several minutes with me discussing what I can do to better my application for next cycle, and I was accepted. It is what it is, once the interview is over it is over and nothing is to be gained by wondering if x means you are accepted or if y means you are not; you won't know until they tell you.

 

[EK601]

"Can't wait to see you here next year! I know you'd love x y and z activities."

Waitlisted

Other school

"I didn't like your essay. It wasn't relevant." At the end "Good luck wherever you go.."

Accepted

It's really impossible to tell.

 

[BurntFlower]

This thread blows... don't let it shatter your confidence.

I was feeling like garbage after reading it...

GUESS WHAT?


ACCEPTED CLASS OF 2016!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!

Just got THE call. 🙂 Good luck to everyone! Don't lose hope!!!!

Congratulations!

 

[marginalzone]

This thread isn't making me feel better! I actually am counting on my interview to get me in, because my stats aren't that amazing! I wonder if it will make a difference? The school I'm interviewing at accepts about 50% of the interview pool 🙁

 

[theseeker4]

This thread isn't making me feel better! I actually am counting on my interview to get me in, because my stats aren't that amazing! I wonder if it will make a difference? The school I'm interviewing at accepts about 50% of the interview pool 🙁

What everyone is saying is don't count on clues from your interviewer to let you know whether you are in or not. The interview is essential to the acceptance, and if you rock your interview you can certainly beat out applicants with better stats. You just won't know if you are in until they officially tell you, that is all.

 

[rmnanon]

A couple of weeks ago, and interviewer told me that I should be watching for a nice letter a few days after my application goes for ADCOM review. I will let ya'll know if this "hint" holds true!

 

[deleted357625]

I had an interviewer say "we think you'd be a really good fit here, so if you have any questions, please ask them because I want to make sure you leave today with the most complete and best possible impression of our school so that you would have no qualms about coming here."

End result? waitlisted. lol.

I swear thats the case for a lot of people.
If I'm in an interview and the adcom is really nice, I'll be like damn...rejection....

so many people saying adcoms being very positive then the result is a rejection or waitlist.

 

[Slack3r]

I was told I'd be an excellent fit for the school, got accepted this morning.

 

[rmnanon]

I swear thats the case for a lot of people.
If I'm in an interview and the adcom is really nice, I'll be like damn...rejection....

so many people saying adcoms being very positive then the result is a rejection or waitlist.

Bottom line is this:

In one interview, I was interviewed by an attending psychiatrist at said university. During the interview, this person asked me what causes me anxiety in life (haha...so typical of a psychiatrist 😛). I said that the fear of failure and the fear of not getting into medical school.

The interviewer's reply was, "Why do you worry about things that are simply out of your control?" He went on to say that NO ONE person makes the decision as to whether or not I will get in. Many people evaluate my application and make the decision.

This may not be the case at all places. Some schools put a heavier weight on the interview while, for others, it is more of a formality.

Though, it seems that my acceptances have come from schools that I was somewhat uneasy about in terms of the interview...Maybe the theory is right?!

BEST WISHES FOR THOSE STILL WAITING

 

[TheGloaming]

This thread blows... don't let it shatter your confidence.

I was feeling like garbage after reading it...

GUESS WHAT?


ACCEPTED CLASS OF 2016!!!!!! WOOOO!!!!!

Just got THE call. 🙂 Good luck to everyone! Don't lose hope!!!!

Ha totally agree.

Interviewer says, "Well, I would love to have you come to this school"----I get super excited----I read this thread----I get depressed and think it was all for nothing----I get call of acceptance---I think screw the naysayers from this thread

 

[CodeBlu]

Ha totally agree.

Interviewer says, "Well, I would love to have you come to this school"----I get super excited----I read this thread----I get depressed and think it was all for nothing----I get call of acceptance---I think screw the naysayers from this thread

Right? 😆

 

[WisdomDoc]

In my experience, when my interviewer told me "I hope to see you next year" I got in, and when I was wished good luck at the end, I generally did not get in. But there definitely were exceptions. Don't read too much into it unless you want to go crazy.

oh no! 😱

 

[tima]

It depends on the position of your interviewer. One of my interviewers was a doctor who conducts the interview and submits his report and that's it. I also had an interviewer who was in the admission committee and can influence the decision if he likes you. It really depends on how involved the person is in the admission process.

 

[Nyoctane]

What if said interviewer is the dean of admissions? I imagine he'd have greater influence (since he's likely seen more of the applicant pool/is more experienced with assessing applicants), but probably still has the same voting power? 😕

I interviewed with the dean at one school and, at the end of the day, he told me I'd be a great fit, he'd love to see me at the school, and that he hopes to contact me after the committee meets. The school is non rolling though (and my top choice)... so begins the wait

 

[NickNaylor]

What if said interviewer is the dean of admissions? I imagine he'd have greater influence (since he's likely seen more of the applicant pool/is more experienced with assessing applicants), but probably still has the same voting power? 😕

I interviewed with the dean at one school and, at the end of the day, he told me I'd be a great fit, he'd love to see me at the school, and that he hopes to contact me after the committee meets. The school is non rolling though (and my top choice)... so begins the wait

Exactly, he's only person and can't unilaterally make decisions like that. He might exert enough political influence to convince the committee to agree with him, but it's still a committee decision.

 

[saveourpens]

At my latest interview date one of my interviewers said at the end "We'd really love to see you here" Then he started talking about how I'd have a chance to see him again in MS1 when he conducts teamwork work shops. However, my second interviewer just said "Good luck!" 🙁 ....lol I've gone insane. I'd love to get into this school!

 

[CassLX]

My interviewer said my GPA was low and that I should take some grad classes to show that I can do well in them. That I should keep doing research and volunteering. He then told me to have a backup plan if I don't get in this year to any med school and told me good luck as I left.

Then, last week, the acceptance letter came. So who knows? Maybe he didn't want to accept me, but the rest of the committee did.

 

[blizzah]

My interviewer said my GPA was low and that I should take some grad classes to show that I can do well in them. That I should keep doing research and volunteering. He then told me to have a backup plan if I don't get in this year to any med school and told me good luck as I left.

Then, last week, the acceptance letter came. So who knows? Maybe he didn't want to accept me, but the rest of the committee did.

If they offered you an interview, that means that they were willing to overlook your GPA/were confident your academic ability is fine.

 

[wanderer]

Exactly, he's only person and can't unilaterally make decisions like that. He might exert enough political influence to convince the committee to agree with him, but it's still a committee decision.

+1. At one school I interviewed with the dean of admissions, who wished me better luck at other schools at the end of the interview. I got in to that school (eventually).

 

[xanthomondo]

I was told multiple times "congratulations" and "I hope you choose to come here and please visit me when you do" on interviews. I was waitlisted at every. single. place. (a total of 4 times the interviewer said I would have no problem getting in and I didn't).

I would take anything the interviewer said with a grain of salt.

 

[Frazier]

I was told multiple times "congratulations" and "I hope you choose to come here and please visit me when you do" on interviews. I was waitlisted at every. single. place. (a total of 4 times the interviewer said I would have no problem getting in and I didn't).

I would take anything the interviewer said with a grain of salt.

In what context would an interviewer say "congratulations"?

Interviewer: Do you have any further questions for me?
Interviewee: No, that will do it.
Interviewer: Congratulations!

or

Interviewer: Tell me about your MCAT score...
Interviewee: I scored a 34.
Interviewer: Congratulations!

 

[loho77]

.

 

[Slowpoke]

Interviewer: I am going to be writing a good report for you because I want to see you come here, I am going to see if I can present you at the next committee meeting because I will be traveling for several weeks after.

Me: I am so.. so speechless, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

*Walking out of the room*

Interviewer: I know that you will be getting many more offers from other schools, but keep X school at the top.

Me: *speechless* (didn't know what to say to this)...

[few seconds of silence as I try to contain my excitement and collect my thoughts AND not give a reply that made me sound too desperate]

Me: I promise..... I will

As I left the interviewer's office that day, I had the biggest damn smile on my face that I have ever had in a while.

Result? She did end up making the next committee meeting (happens on Wednesdays at this school), and was able to put in a GREAT recommendation in for me because I received a call from the Dean that very day.

Accepted

One of the interviewee's I talked to on my interview day said that her interview was the worse one of the ~5 she had been on. At one point she said she wanted to break down and cry.

Result? Accepted, same day as me.

Conclusion: It is difficult to predict your results from the interview alone. Like the rest of the application process, you have very little control over what happens after you send in your essays. But dammit, if you felt ecstatic afterwards, let no one hinder you (especially people on this board) from putting a huge smile on your face. You did your best!

 

[45408]

same thing but was rejected. In the end I know the interview plays a part but I don't think it's as big as some people believe. I saw the graph that showed how important ad coms said things were pre/post interview but that doesn't mean every school is like that. Also lets not rule out the possibly that they are stretching the truth to an extent to make themselves seem like they aren't stat ******.

Depends on the school.

Generally though, you wouldn't get an interview if they wouldn't accept you based on grades, and your interviewer isn't the only person making the decision. Lots of great applicants = lots of tough decisions.

 

[bassvp]

One of my interviewers showed me his recommendation sheet and told me what marks he would give me and that if I didn't get in to that school that it wouldn't be his fault.

However,
You always have to wonder if he actually does think a lot of people are fantastic applicants and gives the same wonderful recommendation to the ADCOM over and over. You may have an enthusiastic interviewer who has no clout with the ADCOM b/c he loves everyone. This is why I'm never sure which interview was better: the one with the bubbly interviewer or the one with the monotone disinterested interviewer who is super tough to impress.