How many interviews until you're "safe"?

[anon13]

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In general, how many interviews must one get before they can nearly be assured of getting at least 1 acceptance? 3? 5? 7?
I know med admissions can be a crapshoot but still- is there a certain point where one can feel pretty confident?

 

[Silverflash]

I've seen the phrase "Interviews 3 equals MD" before, but there are no guarantees in this process. You could interview at 10 schools and not get in anywhere if you're a poor interviewer. You could interview only once and get accepted to that school if you knock it out of the park.

I have had 5 interviews and feel reasonable confident about my chances, but not overwhelmingly so.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

My first 3 resulted in 2 rejections (rather delayed) and 1 waitlist, so 3 is not enough. I'm waiting on 3 more and going to my 7th in a few days. I felt much better about my later interviews, tho.

 

[MedSchoolBarbie]

I've had two and was accepted at the first and am still waiting to hear back from the second (ugh I have to wait up to 12 weeks). Looking at other replies I'd say you can't come up with a number as there are too many variables at play.

 

[Goro]

As many as it takes until you're accepted. This isn't baseball.

In general, how many interviews must one get before they can nearly be assured of getting at least 1 acceptance? 3? 5? 7?
I know med admissions can be a crapshoot but still- is there a certain point where one can feel pretty confident?

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

All you need is one good one. 😀

 

[JPA178]

Goro is right. Get an acceptance and you no longer have reason to worry. I had 2 and then received my first acceptance (from the second school), and have since attended 1 more interview with 2 more coming up. It's different for everyone though.

 

[soccerman93]

Enough for jitters and nervousness to go away I guess. I had 3 in a space of a week and a half and was wait listed at 2 of 3, still haven't heard back from the 3rd. Regrouped, worked out the kinks, and was accepted at the school where I had my 4th interview. The "magic" number varies for everyone and probably has more to do with your "fit" at a school, which can be hard to determine prior to interviews.

 

[Lysinee]

You are never safe until you get an acceptance.

 

[Ophthoseidon]

It depends how well you can pitch yourself to the interviewers. Be confident in why you're there and that you deserve a spot for X,Y,Z reasons. Some people have 10 interviews and get accepted to 1 or 2. Some people are accepted to their first. I went 5/5. It is just the luck of the draw I suppose

 

[hoihaie]

1 is enough, but only if you're Beyonce

 

[gapyearguppy]

I was lucky and got accepted at the school I interviewed first at.

 

[veryborderlineapplicant]

You're never safe. I've had great interviews where I didn't get in and an interview with a crazy interviewer, where nothing was guaranteed for me except a rejection.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I agree that there are just too many factors to tell. Some schools outright accept very few interviewees, some schools focus much more on your whole app rather than just your interview, etc. Could be a bunch before that first acceptance, could be one. No real answer

 

[gshocke]

i kno a reapplicant that had 5 interviews and never got off the waitlist off at any of the schools.