How does not/attending optional interview events affect you?

[soundesign]

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I've noticed that with some interview itineraries, they have a whole slew of "optional" activities during the interview weekend like: staying over at a med student's place prior to the interview, auditing med classes, or some sort of a social. I was wondering, how does attending or not attending these things possibly affect a school's decision-making?

Like, I've heard some interviewees did that "spend a night" thing and ended up not getting enough sleep and being groggy for the interview either b/c of the accommodations or some noise/distractions around the housing. Although I'm sure that scenario's not always the case, would it still be better to just stay at a hotel or would that look like you were uninterested?

Likewise, w/ student-organized socials the night before interviews, does attending or not attending (or just leaving early) get back to the adcomms?

On one hand, I'd like to do all those things, but at the same time, I'd be worried about possibly not being at my best for the interview. What are some of y'all's experiences/advice with this?

 

[Law2Doc]

I've noticed that with some interview itineraries, they have a whole slew of "optional" activities during the interview weekend like: staying over at a med student's place prior to the interview, auditing med classes, or some sort of a social. I was wondering, how does attending or not attending these things possibly affect a school's decision-making?

Like, I've heard some interviewees did that "spend a night" thing and ended up not getting enough sleep and being groggy for the interview either b/c of the accommodations or some noise/distractions around the housing. Although I'm sure that scenario's not always the case, would it still be better to just stay at a hotel or would that look like you were uninterested?

Likewise, w/ student-organized socials the night before interviews, does attending or not attending (or just leaving early) get back to the adcomms?

On one hand, I'd like to do all those things, but at the same time, I'd be worried about possibly not being at my best for the interview. What are some of y'all's experiences/advice with this?

If the school says it's optional, it usually is and won't affect you. Med schools will often just shoot out emails to med students asking who can host interviewees and the like, it's usually nothing formally organized by the administration. It's just a way for you to learn about the school, and maybe save a hotel room. But yeah, if you do go to such things, you have to be on your best behavior -- if you manage to offend folks or act inappropriately, it certainly will get back to the adcoms.

 

[Raryn]

Yeah, I doubt your interviewers/adcom will know whether or not you go to the optional bowling social the day before the interview 😉

 

[simlamblue]

one girl at my lab who was interviewing for UCSF was actually kind have interviewed at a party they had for all the people they were interviewing. She did not know it at the time, but the guy (professor) she ended up talking to for an hour was actually on the committee, so you never... she was interviewing for their PhD program, idk if there is a difference, however I'd agree with some who posted earlier, be on your best behavior...

 

[engineeredout]

Auditing a class sounds cool, but spending the night at a med student's house sounds retarted. Who would volunteer to host a premed in their apartment anyway?

 

[soundesign]

If the school says it's optional, it usually is and won't affect you. Med schools will often just shoot out emails to med students asking who can host interviewees and the like, it's usually nothing formally organized by the administration. It's just a way for you to learn about the school, and maybe save a hotel room. But yeah, if you do go to such things, you have to be on your best behavior -- if you manage to offend folks or act inappropriately, it certainly will get back to the adcoms.

I see, thanks for the insight. Still, I think for me, I'd prefer to stay at a hotel if only b/c I wouldn't want to burden someone else (and also, to be honest, b/c I wouldn't want to be shacked up w/ someone that might keep me up all night or who lives too far from the med school). But regardless, I'll always be on my best behavior so no worries there 😉.

 

[Raryn]

one girl at my lab who was interviewing for UCSF was actually kind have interviewed at a party they had for all the people they were interviewing. She did not know it at the time, but the guy (professor) she ended up talking to for an hour was actually on the committee, so you never... she was interviewing for their PhD program, idk if there is a difference, however I'd agree with some who posted earlier, be on your best behavior...

Thats one thing. Be respectful to *EVERYONE* you meet thats even remotely associated with the school. You never know if that secretary is reporting directly to a member of the adcom. Or even, the random dude in a hallway in jeans that you talk to could be the guy you're interviewing with three hours later.

 

[DrYoda]

Staying at a med-students place is merely a conveniance for interviewees from out of town.

I don't know about social activities, but I suspect that ADCOM members have better things to do than keep tallies on who went out for ice-cream at the end of the day.

I skipped a tour that was "mandatory" when I intervewed at my undergrad and it didn't affect me.

 

[soundesign]

Auditing a class sounds cool, but spending the night at a med student's house sounds retarted. Who would volunteer to host a premed in their apartment anyway?

Yeah, I definitely want to audit a class, but it's super early in the morning. The last thing I want to do is get caught falling asleep in the classroom or otherwise feeling groggy the rest of the interview. Anyone got any tips for that (ie- show the effort/interest and go to the early class or focus on being at your best for the actual, mandatory interview stuff)?

 

[DrYoda]

Yeah, I definitely want to audit a class, but it's super early in the morning. The last thing I want to do is get caught falling asleep in the classroom or otherwise feeling groggy the rest of the interview. Anyone got any tips for that?

Coffee.

 

[soundesign]

Coffee.

Well shoot, I don't drink coffee. I guess I'll have to find an alternative. 😳

 

[engineeredout]

Well shoot, I don't drink coffee. I guess I'll have to find an alternative. 😳

 

[DrYoda]