how to improve chances after weak interview?

[justcurious09]

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My interview at my first choice school did not go well. It could have gone worse, but for whatever reason the PD and I did not get off on the right foot. I did get along with other interviewers.

I'm actually a very strong candidate - demonstrated interest in psych, several honors in core rotations (including psych), radiology-like board scores- and my first choice program is not on any top ten list, but it is still a good program (and smallish).

What can I do to improve my chances now?

I do plan on going back for a second look. After telling them they are my first choice, can I ask them point blank if they have any concerns about my application?

 

[PeeWee137]

why do you think it went bad? just wondering... im sure its not as bad as you think.

 

[whopper]

Assuming you're not over-worrying about this...

There really isn't much you can do other than write a letter & mention you are very interested in the program & why.

Doing too much will probably just tick the program off. That's what happened in my own program. We had a few people call us like 10x, asking the same questions over & over and the program coordinator who often times is the dept secretary is up to her eyeballs in stress over this, having to sort through hundreds to thousands of applications & applicants very worried over this process. The last thing she needs is someone calling her up & saying between the lines that he/she is worried. It'll just make that person tell the program director you're ticking them off, and then bamn---that PD only has a few other hundred of applications to go through, they might just throw that candidate's file into the shredder.

If you call like once or twice & ask relevant questions, no problem. Ask 10x and sound like you're stressed out, over-worried & ask the same questions over & over & over-you're going to frustrate them.

The keys to several doors lies with the secretary/program coordinator.