Interview Date and Interest Level

[anestheticman]

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If a program I am really interested in only has a few dates free and I pick the last one, do they think I am less interested?

 

[DrN2O]

Someone suggested that interviewing late only keeps the applicant fresh in the interviewer's memory. What do people think about that?

 

[amyl]

i heard you want to be right in the middle for two reasons. first, too early and they might forget you, too late and they might have an idea of their list already (which i don't really buy so much). second, you are nervous for the beginning ones and burnt for the ending ones. this makes sense to me.

 

[Bertelman]

I would imagine there is enough variety in different program's practices that any small advantage in this regard is difficult to predict. It's hard to say for each program when "early" and "late" is. Some start earlier than others, while other programs end late into January. I also think these programs understand that the schedule of 4th years is widely variable, such that you may be on vacation in January, or November, thus your available interview dates may be limited.

I know this is the time of year when this board lights up with anxiety over interviews, and certainly some of it is founded. I don't think the timing of your interview dates should should be planned to give a subtle message to the program about your interest level, nor do I think programs interpret it as such. You will no doubt hear endless stories of people going on that last interview in mid-January, not really caring anymore, but eventually falling in love with the program and matching.

Final advice: control what you can, but schedule the interviews for convenience and economy, not to send a message about your dedication or interest. Try to decrease the number of things you stress over. It really will be a benign process when it's all over.

 

[Gern Blansten]

People who sign up early for a VERY late interview frequently(10-20%) end up cancelling the date because they:

1. ran out of money
2. ran out of interest
3. got enough other interviews to feel comfortable in the match
4. never really had much interest in the program to begin with but didn't want to burn the bridges until they had a better feel for the process and how many interviews they may get.

If I was going to schedule late like this, I would make sure and stay in contact with the program to let them know I still plan on coming and that I was really looking forward to it. That way, you can still be "fresh on their mind," but they will also know that you have to be considered when early lists might be formulated. That is just my opinion. It is a fine line between letting a program know of your interest and being a nuisance. Don't cross over to nuisance. Nobody enjoys that.

 

[ZackMorris]

check out this article debunking that myth.

http://www.asaabstracts.com/strands...6D75EB4E3E0379A8?year=2006&index=12&absnum=74

 

[RickKane]

Thanks. You don't see to many posts backed up by literature.

 

[fascinoma]

an evidence based post? since i have no evidence of my own to back the following statement, let me just say: anecdotally, that is quite an impressive response. many thanks, zack!