I need your wisdom over this question

[Magic :D]

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So after completing 2 interviews in a particular medical school, both interviewers ask me "What other medical schools are you applying to?" Does that mean that they are interest in me or is this a standard question? I feel super OCD about this question. LOL. I did answer the question and states that I apply to multiple medical schools and told them their school is one of my top choices. 😀

 

[efle]

I apply to multiple medical schools and told them their school is one of my top choices.

That's the correct answer: you understand it is an extremely competitive process so you applied to a wide variety of schools, but theirs stands out as a favorite for X, Y and Z.

I wouldn't read into it at all as far as being more likely to get recruitment money from them or anything though.

 

[Magic :D]

That's the correct answer: you understand it is an extremely competitive process so you applied to a wide variety of schools, but theirs stands out as a favorite for X, Y and Z.

I wouldn't read into it at all as far as being more likely to get recruitment money from them or anything though.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if that was a standard question that they ask all applicants or only reserved for the ones that they are genuine interested in.

 

[LeweezeB]

medical schools, per AAMC rules, are NOT ALLOWED to inquire about what other schools you are applying to. if you've been asked this by multiple MD schools, know that this not the norm, and it is not OK.

 

[Magic :D]

medical schools, per AAMC rules, are NOT ALLOWED to inquire about what other schools you are applying to. if you've been asked this by multiple MD schools, know that this not the norm, and it is not OK.

lol it was a TMSDAS school. Not sure, if they are the exception 😛

 

[Goro]

What part of the question don't you understand?

They want to know who their competition is.

If they weren't interested in you, you would not have been invited for an interview.

So after completing 2 interviews in a particular medical school, both interviewers ask me "What other medical schools are you applying to?" Does that mean that they are interest in me or is this a standard question? I feel super OCD about this question. LOL. I did answer the question and states that I apply to multiple medical schools and told them their school is one of my top choices. 😀

 

[gyngyn]

medical schools, per AAMC rules, are NOT ALLOWED to inquire about what other schools you are applying to. if you've been asked this by multiple MD schools, know that this not the norm, and it is not OK.

I know of no such rule (although I do think it's off-putting).
Do you have a reference for this?

 

[UncertainUgrad]

Do you simply list out every single school you applied to? That's a bit much to list, imo..

 

[LutGholein]

I've been asked this before by both DO and MD schools...I kinda always tried to keep it general --tell them my state schools and certain geographical regions because of XYZ reasons.

I don't think it's an uncouth/impolite question to ask-- as goro said--they like to know their competition.
I.e the guy applying to NYMC is probably applying to Albany--a lot of crossover.

Heck I even saw a question on a secondary to the effect of listing your top choices that you applied to if you're comfortable telling them(DO school).

 

[Magic :D]

What part of the question don't you understand?

They want to know who their competition is.

If they weren't interested in you, you would not have been invited for an interview.

First, I appreciate your response. Second, I should have clarified. I meant that asking this question do they see me as a more appealing candidate from the eyes of the interviewer post interview. I know that being offered an interview is truly a honor and that the admission committee expresses interest in me. I just wanted the opinion of the public. That is all.

 

[Goro]

Nope. Pure puerile curiosity on the part of the interviewers.


I meant that asking this question do they see me as a more appealing candidate after post interview.

 

[Frogger27]

The only place I was asked this at I ended up getting waitlisted... In hindsight, I should have just said Harvard, Pritzer, Perelman, Stanford. Dropped the mic and left the interview feeling like I was too good for them.

Edit: I hope my sarcasm was understood

 

[Magic :D]

The only place I was asked this at I ended up getting waitlisted... In hindsight, I should have just said Harvard, Pritzer, Perelman, Stanford. Dropped the mic and left the interview feeling like I was too good for them.

Lol, I guess as long as it is not a rejection. I still have some hope left. xD

 

[kb1900]

medical schools, per AAMC rules, are NOT ALLOWED to inquire about what other schools you are applying to. if you've been asked this by multiple MD schools, know that this not the norm, and it is not OK.

wtf source?

i was asked this in so much detail at X school.
i spoke very candidly about the schools i had already interviewed at and what i did and didnt like there and how they contrasted X school. its a good question in that it pushes you to demonstrate what is especially interesting/unique about the school that isn't share by others. i ended by reaffirming my interest in X school.

maybe I and the interviewer both felt comfortable about the topic bc the interview was extremely conversational. still, i wouldn't have discussed any of this if it wasn't asked of me b/c its somewhat unprofessional.

 

[libertyyne]

I was asked this question in passing during the end of the interview. I answered with a general answer .when my interviewer dug deeper and asked about a specific school I told then why I would prefer their school over the other without talking negatively about the other school. Result = accepted. I don't think the answer to this school would matter much unless you started to gush about another school.

 

[LeweezeB]

wtf source?

i was asked this in so much detail at X school.
i spoke very candidly about the schools i had already interviewed at and what i did and didnt like there and how they contrasted X school. its a good question in that it pushes you to demonstrate what is especially interesting/unique about the school that isn't share by others. i ended by reaffirming my interest in X school.

maybe I and the interviewer both felt comfortable about the topic bc the interview was extremely conversational. still, i wouldn't have discussed any of this if it wasn't asked of me b/c its somewhat unprofessional.

source is adcom from top 10 medical school that is immediate relative of mine. There are so many reasons why it is inappropriate and not OK for adcoms to ask this question. I was told by this adcom member that if you are asked this question at interviews to respectfully decline to answer, and notify their admissions committee that an interviewer asked you what other schools you are applying to - as this is a violation of AAMC rules and adcoms will get dinged if AAMC becomes aware of the practice.

 

[Frogger27]

source is adcom from top 10 medical school that is immediate relative of mine. There are so many reasons why it is inappropriate and not OK for adcoms to ask this question. I was told by this adcom member that if you are asked this question at interviews to respectfully decline to answer, and notify their admissions committee that an interviewer asked you what other schools you are applying to - as this is a violation of AAMC rules and adcoms will get dinged if AAMC becomes aware of the practice.

nobody wants to be the kid that tells the teacher though... rubs people the wrong way

 

[gyngyn]

source is adcom from top 10 medical school that is immediate relative of mine. There are so many reasons why it is inappropriate and not OK for adcoms to ask this question. I was told by this adcom member that if you are asked this question at interviews to respectfully decline to answer, and notify their admissions committee that an interviewer asked you what other schools you are applying to - as this is a violation of AAMC rules and adcoms will get dinged if AAMC becomes aware of the practice.

This is an NRMP rule regarding the conduct of residency interviews, not medical school.

 

[sullen-burger]

nobody wants to be the kid that tells the teacher though... rubs people the wrong way

I don't think kids should be rubbing teachers in any way, shape or form; right OR wrong.

 

[LutGholein]

source is adcom from top 10 medical school that is immediate relative of mine. There are so many reasons why it is inappropriate and not OK for adcoms to ask this question. I was told by this adcom member that if you are asked this question at interviews to respectfully decline to answer, and notify their admissions committee that an interviewer asked you what other schools you are applying to - as this is a violation of AAMC rules and adcoms will get dinged if AAMC becomes aware of the practice.

I feel like a lot schools are guilty of this "violation". Idk it seems like a harmless question and I think it serves as just another way of inquiring(in certain situations) "why our school? over X school". In one instance I was asked by an interviewer(who assumed I interviewed at my alma mater's medical school)-- why would I pick their school over my alma mater's med school and it just felt like a variation of "why our school?". They accepted me but I don't think that question showed their interest in me.

OP I wouldn't read into these questions-- the process fickle.

 

[kb1900]

source is adcom from top 10 medical school that is immediate relative of mine. There are so many reasons why it is inappropriate and not OK for adcoms to ask this question. I was told by this adcom member that if you are asked this question at interviews to respectfully decline to answer, and notify their admissions committee that an interviewer asked you what other schools you are applying to - as this is a violation of AAMC rules and adcoms will get dinged if AAMC becomes aware of the practice.

uh i think ur mistaken but ill defer to the other adcoms.

if its a aamc rule it should be in writing somewhere right??