I have 3 pretty close options for interview dates. Known factors considered, I want to pick the latest one. Will this affect my chances significantly?

[KendallJennerSniperLady69]

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The dates are approx. 1 week and 2 weeks out (11 days apart, earliest at the very end of October, latest in early-mid November).

1. I do not feel that choosing next week is wise because I have another interview next week already, and I would like space between my interviews to prepare (look over my secondary, speak with some students from the school if possible, etc.).

2. I previewed my work schedules during the days leading up to earlier 2 options, and I just know I'm going to feel exhausted those weeks. I think I will not enjoy waking up at 5:00AM (school is in a different time zone) right after a killer week of work.

3. The last day offered would give me a weekend to rest and be on a week where there is no clinic scheduled (much more flexibility in scheduling the rest of my work week to accomodate the interview day), meaning I'll be relatively stress free compared to the other days offered.

Given all of this, I definitely am leaning towards choosing the last day available to me, which (as stated above) is 11 days after the first day, but I'm not sure if this would put me at a disadvantage (interview is at a T20 school--not sure if this piece of info is relevant to the answer).

@LizzyM @Goro I hope you do not mind me tagging you here, but I think admissions committee members would have the best and most informed perspective on this.


Also, the effort needed to write a post outweighed my neuroticism around this next question, but since I'm already posting, I'll just ask: I am an ORM with a LM of 83 and 1000+ hours of both research and clinical exp (no pubs). I am so grateful to have 2 IIs at two of my top choice schools, but is it worrisome that I only have 2 IIs at this point? I've been kept pretty busy by work, and so I haven't thought much about it, but it does cross my mind from time to time. My secondaries were submitted from beginning of August to early September (only 1 app turned in after Labor Day).

 

[Blueprint Med School]

While earlier is generally better for interviews, interviewing 11 days later will not hurt you. The reasoning behind earlier interviews being better is the earlier you interview, the more spots will be available. If you're interviewing in October/November, there'll still be plenty of spots.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[DNAJB6]

If you rush it, it may affect interview performance. Eleven days isn't going to make or break your application.

 

[LunaOri]

It won't matter.

 

[LizzyM]

#1: dates in October early November are all equal in terms of being "good" dates. Frankly, at my school, any day all the way to the end is a good day. In the end you are compared to the entire pool and the top candidates get offers.

#2: You have at least one interview invitation before Thanksgiving (heck, you got it before Canadian Thanksgiving!) so you are on the right track. More interview invites may come in over the next 7 weeks and you look to be on track for "interviews 3, a doctor you'll be".

Prepare then relax and enjoy your trip to Mars. (see my sig line).

 

[Goro]

#1: dates in October early November are all equal in terms of being "good" dates. Frankly, at my school, any day all the way to the end is a good day. In the end you are compared to the entire pool and the top candidates get offers.

#2: You have at least one interview invitation before Thanksgiving (heck, you got it before Canadian Thanksgiving!) so you are on the right track. More interview invites may come in over the next 7 weeks and you look to be on track for "interviews 3, a doctor you'll be".

Prepare then relax and enjoy your trip to Mars. (see my sig line).

I agree with my learnit colleagues