I have 5 post-interview rejections. Is that a record?

[imnastywitit]

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J/W. I have one waitlist and I'm still waiting to hear back from one other school, so I'm not dead yet.

But did I set some sort of record?

And to anyone who questions the importance of the interview.... yea. It's not like I went in there and farted and passed out. I answered the questions sincerely and completely... I was just hella awkward and extremely nervous, and that ended up destroying me.

and for what it's worth, my paper application doesn't have any big flaws at all... i don't have any c's or d's... i have clinical experience... alla that.


but yea. Just felt the need to announce this, lol.

But it really makes me think that to get accepted, you really need to IMPRESS your interviewer. There are a million ppl with the right ish on paper - so the acceptances are going to go to ppl who have the charisma to make a good impression. I feel like if you are awkward and non-charismatic, like I was, it's basically over.

 

[mmmcdowe]

No, I think I got about as many as that 😀

 

[imnastywitit]

Well given your status as a medical student, it seems like you got in somewhere 😉

 

[BlueElmo]

You aren't alone, OP in terms of many post-interview rejections.

 

[skiddoc]

I would say try for DO schools, but that's obviously not your problem. Not to mention that my DO interview was 2 on 1 .

Maybe try some anti-anxiety meds?

 

[Jihad]

If you get in u shud go into pathology (few if any social interactions required)

 

[Armastama]

Might be a record. . . don't see anyone with 6+ post-interview "unsuccessful attempts" posting.

This book helped me better understand the perspective/motivation of an admissions committee: "The Medical School Interview" by Jeremiah Fleenor.

 

[tartrate]

...yea. It's not like I went in there and farted and passed out...

lol...I have a vivid imagination, and guess what I just pictured in my head? 😀

It's interesting to note though that 5/6 schools have rejected you already (before May 15). Either your interviews were really bleak as you have mentioned, or you must have had them pretty early in the cycle?

If your waitlist school doesn't bode well for you, perhaps you can reflect and learn from your own personal experiences (which tends to be the best teacher), since after all, you have had six interviews this season.

Also, I have found Eminem's song to be highly relevant for many people here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYQQPAOz7Y

 

[imnastywitit]

If you get in u shud go into pathology (few if any social interactions required)

lol... i mean my friends actually characterize me as being an awesome communicator and conversationalist. like exceptionally good.

problem is i'm awkward as ****, antsy, and have a unique set of mannerisms. and i really think that is what destroyed me.

like it takes ppl a day to warm up 2 me. literally. and then after that i'm great at reading them, connecting with them, and just like... bonding.

but i have absolutely no ability to make a good impression in 30 minutes. I have no charsima. My skill is in bonding with people

There are some people who have an ability to walk into the room and make you think they are the **** within 6 minutes. I have none of that whatsoever, and it seems like THAT is the skill u need for the interview.

and i really want to know how to get it. maybe my problem is that i ABHOR bragging, and i refuse to talk myself up, which seems to be a lot of what the interview is.


I just want someone to explain to me why admissions committee's are picking the class based on charisma. A doctor needs to understand and love science, needs to be compassionate, and needs to be socially conscious.
but no lets throw all of that out the window and just admit the smoothest students.

 

[WhizoMD]

I just want someone to explain to me why admissions committee's are picking the class based on charisma. A doctor needs to understand and love science, needs to be compassionate, and needs to be socially conscious.
but no lets throw all of that out the window and just admit the smoothest students.

All of the charismatic applicants probably have all of the things you listed, and if they don't they can do a good job of convincing an interviewer that they do; If you have hundreds of qualified applicants to choose from, why would you pick a wallflower...

 

[drizzt3117]

5 full on rejections is kind of a lot, I had more schools I wasn't accepted at but a lot I just withdrew after getting waitlisted.

 

[bobsmith]

There are some people who have an ability to walk into the room and make you think they are the **** within 6 minutes. I have none of that whatsoever, and it seems like THAT is the skill u need for the interview

To play devil's advocate, I would argue that being able to walk into a room and convince someone "within 6 minutes" that you're a capable person who knows what he's doing is something that (most) doctors need to do on a daily basis.

As for the not liking to brag thing, I know where you're coming from with that. Two tips that helped me that I can pass on are (1) remember that if you don't sell yourself, who will? and (2) if you feel uncomfortable talking about your successes and all the awesome things you've done (because often times this can come out as forced if you're not used to doing it), instead talk about what you've learned from your various experiences.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[Frazier]

lol... i mean my friends actually characterize me as being an awesome communicator and conversationalist. like exceptionally good.

problem is i'm awkward as ****, antsy, and have a unique set of mannerisms. and i really think that is what destroyed me.

like it takes ppl a day to warm up 2 me. literally. and then after that i'm great at reading them, connecting with them, and just like... bonding.

but i have absolutely no ability to make a good impression in 30 minutes. I have no charsima. My skill is in bonding with people

There are some people who have an ability to walk into the room and make you think they are the **** within 6 minutes. I have none of that whatsoever, and it seems like THAT is the skill u need for the interview.

and i really want to know how to get it. maybe my problem is that i ABHOR bragging, and i refuse to talk myself up, which seems to be a lot of what the interview is.


I just want someone to explain to me why admissions committee's are picking the class based on charisma. A doctor needs to understand and love science, needs to be compassionate, and needs to be socially conscious.
but no lets throw all of that out the window and just admit the smoothest students.

Sounds like you nasty wit it...

 

[softmed]

For me:

11 interviews (of 14 schools I applied to)

6 waitlists

1 acceptance

4 rejections

My acceptance was from the only DO school I applied to.

 

[imnastywitit]

To play devil's advocate, I would argue that being able to walk into a room and convince someone "within 6 minutes" that you're a capable person who knows what he's doing is something that (most) doctors need to do on a daily basis.

As for the not liking to brag thing, I know where you're coming from with that. Two tips that helped me that I can pass on are (1) remember that if you don't sell yourself, who will? and (2) if you feel uncomfortable talking about your successes and all the awesome things you've done (because often times this can come out as forced if you're not used to doing it), instead talk about what you've learned from your various experiences.

Anyway, good luck!

thx for the help... and i totally see what you mean.

but i don't understand why med schools are selecting students with certain social skills and traits.
it reflects an understanding that social skills DONT change and that you either have them or you don't. but knowledge of medicine... that you don't have to have. that they can teach you.

needless to say, i don't agree with this view.

 

[pugli32]

thx for the help... and i totally see what you mean.

but i don't understand why med schools are selecting students with certain social skills and traits.
it reflects an understanding that social skills DONT change and that you either have them or you don't. but knowledge of medicine... that you don't have to have. that they can teach you.

needless to say, i don't agree with this view.

i agree with what bobsmith was saying in terms of the importance of making connections with patients/colleagues in a short amount of time. i'm sure with practice you can smooth that out and let your strengths shine. social skills can change, it just takes practice and a willingness to put yourself out there.

see if your undergrad pre-med/career office has one-on-one mock interview sessions. those were really helpful in getting feedback and being comfortable with answers and talking about myself. (even if you can't go in person, having them listen to you on the phone can help too)

good luck 🙂

 

[MiniMoo]

thx for the help... and i totally see what you mean.

but i don't understand why med schools are selecting students with certain social skills and traits.
it reflects an understanding that social skills DONT change and that you either have them or you don't. but knowledge of medicine... that you don't have to have. that they can teach you.

needless to say, i don't agree with this view.

Of course social skills can be learned, but unfortunately, those who are already well developed in that area are going to have a leg up in the process. It's the same thing with MCAT scores -- can people improve their score by retaking? Certainly. But adcoms aren't going to say "well he got a 24, but I'm sure that he could've gotten a higher score if given the opportunity, so we should just cut him some slack". You're going to be judged by what you bring to the table now. If your social skills need work and you aren't yet able to project calmness and confidence in your interactions with others, then I would suggest on improving those things prior to next interview season (if you need to reapply -- hopefully you won't though).

 

[cho15]

lol... i mean my friends actually characterize me as being an awesome communicator and conversationalist. like exceptionally good.

problem is i'm awkward as ****, antsy, and have a unique set of mannerisms. and i really think that is what destroyed me.

like it takes ppl a day to warm up 2 me. literally. and then after that i'm great at reading them, connecting with them, and just like... bonding.

but i have absolutely no ability to make a good impression in 30 minutes. I have no charsima. My skill is in bonding with people

There are some people who have an ability to walk into the room and make you think they are the **** within 6 minutes. I have none of that whatsoever, and it seems like THAT is the skill u need for the interview.

and i really want to know how to get it. maybe my problem is that i ABHOR bragging, and i refuse to talk myself up, which seems to be a lot of what the interview is.

First of all, there's a girl in the program I am currently in who is probably the most socially inept person I have ever met in my life. Honestly, every single person in this program is going to remember her forever b/c of that. But anyway...guess what? She got into medical school. I honestly don't know how besides that fact that the school's average numbers are quite low considering med schools and her numbers are really good and she would be adding MAJOR diversity to the school. Only reasons why I think they accepted her. So, awkward people do get in. With that being said though....

I just want someone to explain to me why admissions committee's are picking the class based on charisma. A doctor needs to understand and love science, needs to be compassionate, and needs to be socially conscious.
but no lets throw all of that out the window and just admit the smoothest students.

Medical schools are not just picking their class based on charisma, but you have to have some if you're going to be a doctor and working with people. You need to be able to make the patient feel comfortable enough so that they can open up to you and talk about important health related issues that may be difficult subjects to address. If you're Mr.Awkward doctor, most likely no one's going to want to be in the room with you and tell you about their problems in the nether regions etc...

Also, think about it.
You = look great on paper, have the passion, have the smarts, have the ECs, but is awkward as hell during the interview.
Other applicant= looks great on paper, has the passion, has the smarts, has the ECs and is personable and charismatic to boot.
Who are they going to pick? I think you're smart enough to figure that out.

 

[imnastywitit]

@cho15

Thanks for the wisdom - I totally feel what you are saying.

Nah and for real... I agree with all of the stuff you guys have said. I guess the only reason that I'm bitching is that I'm starting to feel like a tragic hero, haha.

For my whole life, I've been great at being friends with people, and have been able to maintain an impressively wide range of friendships.
But I usually make terrible first impressions, and it takes ppl like 24 hours to warm up to me. I don't really have 'charisma', and to be honest its a completely foreign concept to me - like I don't even know where to start.

It's like what do you do? Smile as you walk in the door? Give a wink and a gun? Ask them about stuff? Brag? Make a lot of eye contact? Lol I don't even know where to begin. Maybe I haven't embraced just how ridiculously fake the first impression and interview are - if I just gave a complete acting job and stopping trying to force deep and personal answers into the 60 second answer window, I'd prob look a bit better lol.