In Person Interviews

[mlg2215]

I saw that Jefferson is doing in-person interviews this year (2024-25 cycle). Anyone know of any other schools switching back to in-person?

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[LunaOri]

Not my school. Virtual interviews with in-person second look.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You'd have to look it up in the MSAR. It doesn't surprise me that some schools would prefer in-person over virtual interviews, but there are some schools that want to do both.

 

[RunnerDad]

I only know about the 26 schools my premed family member applied to, and Jefferson is the only one to have in-person interviews.

 

[sarcasmrules]

I saw that Jefferson is doing in-person interviews this year (2024-25 cycle). Anyone know of any other schools switching back to in-person?

I do see the merits of in-person interviews. It gives the unprofessional ones much more chances to slip up. That said, this would cost a lot for low-income applicants.

And yes, I confirmed it on MSAR.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Some schools will do in person for local applicants and virtual options for those farther away. But check the MSAR reports.

 

[ddhopeful]

I saw that Jefferson is doing in-person interviews this year (2024-25 cycle). Anyone know of any other schools switching back to in-person?

They did last cycle too.

 

[Rachapkis]

Video interviews level the playing field by reducing the cost of applying to schools. I hope that schools stick with video-only interviews.

 

[feeling_tireddddd]

Cincinnati gives the option to choose a preference, they’re doing a hybrid interview cycle this year

 

[ddhopeful]

Video interviews level the playing field by reducing the cost of applying to schools. I hope that schools stick with video-only interviews.

It also incentivizes schools to be somewhat indiscriminate in sending interview invites, hurting applicants. Applicants have to take time off from work or class to attend interviews even if it is video format.

 

[eigen]

It also incentivizes schools to be somewhat indiscriminate in sending interview invites, hurting applicants.

How does getting an interview hurt an applicant over not getting one, exactly? I'm confused about the logic here.

 

[ddhopeful]

How does getting an interview hurt an applicant over not getting one, exactly? I'm confused about the logic here.

If the post-interview acceptance rate is lower, many applicants who interview are wasting their time at the expense of important clinical/research lab work or classes. You do gain valuable experience from interviews but after a few interviews, the learning follows the law of diminishing marginal returns.

 

[eigen]

I mean... Their chance is 0 if they don't interview?

Are you suggesting anyone who doesn't get an offer was wasting time to interview?

Even assuming an interview needs a full day, that seems like a pretty small thing to give up for a shot at a medical school acceptance. I can't think of any single day of clinical or lab research or coursework that would be more important.

 

[ddhopeful]

You are swinging to the other extreme. I did not mention 0 interviews. If you get 15+ interviews but less than 2 or 3 acceptances, then it would be inefficient. If it is in-person, I probably will get only 6-8 interviews out of the group of 15 but I feel I will get the same 2-3 acceptances. It is my opinion, you can disagree with me as long as you do it in a professional manner 😊.

 

[eigen]

But can't you just turn down the interviews you don't want? How is having options bad for the applicant?

 

[ddhopeful]

Even assuming an interview needs a full day, that seems like a pretty small thing to give up for a shot at a medical school acceptance. I can't think of any single day of clinical or lab research or coursework that would be more important.

Try telling that to a demanding, unreasonable PI that has hired you as their research tech. There are plenty of those and I have personally faced this situation. I got 15+ interviews, some of them from schools I really debated even applying to and those schools didn’t accept me. I feel that if the interviews were in-person, those schools would have been more selective because of the travel expenses an applicant has to incur.

I am not saying video interviews are bad, only in-person interviews are good. But the situation is more nuanced, can’t say video interviews are the next best thing to sliced bread. I just pointed out one disadvantage of the video interview from an applicant standpoint.

 

[ddhopeful]

But can't you just turn down the interviews you don't want? How is having options bad for the applicant?

Many times you realize that the school is not a good fit for you and/or vice-versa only during the interview. You have already taken the time off and potentially pissed off your unsupportive PI.

 

[wysdoc]

This thread is going downhill fast so I’m going to close it down now.
The initiation of remote interviews to get past a major pandemic that prohibited travel has become an acceptable mode of meeting you for most schools.
Interviews are still a necessary part of applying to med school and all applicants need to be cognizant of this fact and plan for needed time off once invited to interview.
The financial savings for both the applicants and the schools has been an unexpected boon.