Interview Flops?

[Just Applied]

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I have had 8 interviews, and the only 3 responses i got were waitlists. I thought that atleast i would have a chance at one of them. Could it be my interview skills? I thought i related pretty wel with all my interviewers, but I guess i was mistaken. What do guys think it might be?

 

[premedgeek]

Its too early in the process. Schools might be waitlisting you to see more of applicant pool.

What are your stats like?

 

[Just Applied]

3.66/30L

pretty good ECs and Pretty good LORs

 

[Just Applied]

bump

 

[tinkerbelle]

I agree with pre-med geek-- I bet the schools are just waiting to see what their other applicants are like. And at some schools, you still have a good chance of being accepted off the waitlist.

I've had 6 interviews already (but only heard back from 1), and it seems like most of the interviewees have pretty good stats and seem like wonderful people. So unless you're giving really good reasons why you want to go to a school, you're probably going to be waitlisted.

Did you do any mock interviews with professors or your pre-med office? After 8 interviews, I would think your interviewing skills would be pretty good by now. Perhaps you should come up with stronger reasons for wanting to attend schools... something that will make them think, "Just Applied totally wants to come here".

I hope you hear good news from your other 5 schools soon 🙂

- tinkerbelle

 

[Just Applied]

I did that with my last interview. i was very enthusiastic about going there but they still ended up waitlisting me. I agree my scores arent stellar but i thought i would atleast get accepted to my state school. But oh well, still penty of time, but it would just be nice to have an acceptance under my belt for the time being.

 

[ellia08]

also, keep in mind that while some schools accept 3 people per slot right off the bat, other schools (like university of michigan) will only accept 1 to 1.5 people per slot and waitlist even great cantidates. This means that at some schools the waitlist is dead weight (ie only the top few people get in) while at others its a revolving door.

Also, its still REALLY early in the season so in all likelihood you will hear from them in a month or three or maybe longer but you WILL probably hear.

Key point: dont despair.

(sorry for the bad spelling... not enough sleep)

 

[fever5]

As with other posts, its not over until they tell you it is!

As for interviews, even stand outs can get shut out. I hear among professional interviewers, that your first 30 seconds (walking into the room) set the pace. How is your posture, are you smilling, head up? Direct eye contact is important. Some people may argue but the unsaid things go a long way.

Secondly, how do you respond to questions? Do they ask you to clarify or elaborate your answer? For example one person (male) I knew was asked the following question "how would you feel if you were a 13yr old girl and you just found out you're pregnant?" Answering "worried" may not cut it! Elaborate on all your responses so the interviewers get a chance to see how you think. Also hold your ground on your answers. Often interviewers may try to modify a situation and see if you flip-flop on an issue; don't unless you think it is really necessary (but then clarify your previous response).

 

[Just Applied]

I was always worried about how the adcoms of American Medical School react when someone who is Muslim. meaning after all that has happened, you think that it could be a bad thing being Muslim and applying to med school?

just a thought...

 

[uproarhz]

I was always worried about how the adcoms of American Medical School react when someone who is Muslim. meaning after all that has happened, you think that it could be a bad thing being Muslim and applying to med school?

just a thought...

Are you a muslim? I am just curious to know if this ever came up in any of the interviews. Did anyone ask you anything in specific about it? I am asking cause I am too, and I have thought about it a few times, the fact that it doesn't help that I come from a "sensitive" or so called "terrorist sponsoring" country! I have been making myself feel better about it by thinking that it has given my a pretty different perspective, and as a result I am more mature, hard working and appreciative of the opportunities that I have found being in America. Hopefully, this won't be an issue for anyone.

 

[tinkerbelle]

My advisor said that educated people should not be stupid enough to discriminate based on your ethnicity or religion. I think in general that is true. So far I haven't had any questions about my ethinicity (half-lebanese, half indian) or my religion (i'm catholic, not muslim). That being said, I have no intention of telling any of my interviewers that I am half Middle Eastern. Why take the chance? For all you know, your interviewer's brother could have died in Iraq. So why bring up something that could negatively impact your application?

 

[Just Applied]

Well it did come up in a few interviews. They basically asked me directly what my religion was. I hope no reason to lie so I was honest throughout no matter what question they asked. They seemed genuinely interested throughout the interview and at the same time sympathetic. the final decision for those schools was to place me on the wait list. I guess that mean it did not go that bad. They could have just flat out rejected me.

 

[sockandmittens]

I have yet to hear from vanderbilt- where I had a horrible interview partly since it was my first, and i was just really nervous. but i've had other odd interviews (got in) and then had one school dean straight out tell me they would let me in the day of my interview before he had even heard the comments of my interviewers- so i think they can count for a lot and really sell you. but, if the school likes the rest of your file unless you insult the person interviewing you, i think you'll be fine. from my limited experience- they seem more neutral or positive than negative.