Interview Pool - what does it mean?

[dmtang]

So far, I have been put in interview pools. Approx two weeks ago, I got this status update from VCU:

"The committee's file review indicates that they would like to consider your file further. We are now in the process of scheduling interviews and will continue to do so through February. Unfortunately, the committee indicates interest in far more candidates than we are able to interview. Since we are dependent on the Committee member's schedules for interview spaces, we are unable to predict when or if we will be able to schedule you this year. Please continue to check this site to learn when further action has been taken. "

What exactly does that mean? Is it leaned toward a rejection? I know that there were actually 3 messages out there, NOT two.. as believed by many students.

Then this past Friday, I hear from Chicago med school... telling me this:

"Your application has passed through our screening process and you are a part of our possible interview pool. The possible interview status means that you will be under consideration for an interview throughout our interviewing season which runs from mid-October until mid-May. Each year we select 1500-2000 applicants to be a part of the possible interview pool and about 600-700 of those applicants are chosen for interviews. Each applicant that interviews with the medical school is selected from this pool of applicants..." etc etc etc

What the hell do these messages mean? I know that I am basically waiting for an interview, but I am wondernig if anyone has gotten the same updates, but have gotten interviews. If anyone can shed light into my situation, I would greatly appreciate that.

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[63768]

some say it's like being put on hold. others say it's just a delay before being rejected. some say it's like a staging area before you are interviewed. who knows?

 

[dmtang]

bump. i guess not a lot of people know much of this topic...

 

[63768]

your topic is easily found through a search of both schools. also within 30 mins, people will not post your answer. frankly, i was about to bypass your thread.

 

[ShyRem]

The VCU message is one of the stronger messages you can have. there are worse ones. i don't know about the chicago one.

 

[tacrum43]

The VCU message is one of the stronger messages you can have. there are worse ones. i don't know about the chicago one.

Really? I thought this was the vaguer of the VCU messages, and that the one that mentioned a "priority score" was better. I thought there were only those two though, so I don't know.

You had an interview there, right ShyRem? Did you receive either of these?

 

[dmtang]

Really? I thought this was the vaguer of the VCU messages, and that the one that mentioned a "priority score" was better. I thought there were only those two though, so I don't know.

You had an interview there, right ShyRem? Did you receive either of these?

actually there were 3 VCU messages. ive been reading a lot of VCU posts at this website and at other websites.

the first status mentioned a "priority score" and said that VCU was trying to hard to get you an interview.

i believe the one i received (see original first post) is the 2nd status.

the third status mentioned actually said that this group "MAY" not get an interview... the MAY was capitalized. it was basically leaning toward rejection.

 

[tacrum43]

actually there were 3 VCU messages. ive been reading a lot of VCU posts at this website and at other websites.

the first status mentioned a "priority score" and said that VCU was trying to hard to get you an interview.

i believe the one i received (see original first post) is the 2nd status.

the third status mentioned actually said that this group "MAY" not get an interview... the MAY was capitalized. it was basically leaning toward rejection.

Interesting. Actually, I just read on another thread someone got a message telling them to watch their e-mail closely because they were trying hard to interview those with their priority score as soon as possible. So I guess that makes four, plus interview invites or outright rejection of course. Of course, all this speculating isn't going to change a thing, but rumors are how we pass the time around here. 🙂

 

[drmota]

that chicago med update is nothing to be worried about. that means you have made it into the pool and the next step is interview. i'm pretty sure every potential interviewee gets it.
-mota

 

[dmtang]

that chicago med update is nothing to be worried about. that means you have made it into the pool and the next step is interview. i'm pretty sure every potential interviewee gets it.
-mota

thanks for the hope. but only about 1/3 of the pool actually gets interviewed and that scares me.

 

[63768]

thanks for the hope. but only about 1/3 of the pool actually gets interviewed and that scares me.

it scares me too, but i'm trying to look on the brightside of things.

 

[tank you]

regarding the chicago med pool, is it ok to call and ask about my (possible) interview status?

 

[ShyRem]

tacrum, I didn't get any of the three messages. I went from "your file is complete and under review" to "please schedule an interview". I'm also happy to say i'm in the "hold for further action" pile after my interview (which means not rejected!!).

 

[dmtang]

regarding the chicago med pool, is it ok to call and ask about my (possible) interview status?

that's what i did. they said everybody who is not rejected gets the same exact interview status.

the lady on the phone didn't know too much about how applicants are picked for interview, but she said the committee meets often and picks a certain number of applicants for an interview. she mentioned something about this being done in random, but i thought that is bee ****. i think the list is ranked in some way.

 

[emgirl]

I wonder if it would help to send in a letter reiterating your interest in the school- do you think this would help you get an interview since you're already in the 'acceptable pool'? Just curious.

 

[caffeine37]

Then this past Friday, I hear from Chicago med school... telling me this:

"Your application has passed through our screening process and you are a part of our possible interview pool. The possible interview status means that you will be under consideration for an interview throughout our interviewing season which runs from mid-October until mid-May. Each year we select 1500-2000 applicants to be a part of the possible interview pool and about 600-700 of those applicants are chosen for interviews. Each applicant that interviews with the medical school is selected from this pool of applicants..." etc etc etc

What the hell do these messages mean? I know that I am basically waiting for an interview, but I am wondernig if anyone has gotten the same updates, but have gotten interviews. If anyone can shed light into my situation, I would greatly appreciate that.

I can speak on behalf of this one, since I think it is a good thing. I got this message (and a similar one from MCW saying essentially the same thing) and then was offered interview invitations a couple weeks later. I kind of wish they just didn't send anything, since I felt like it was easier to stress over these cryptic messages rather than the lack of information I got from the schools that I haven't heard anything from!

 

[osselot]

which Chicago school is this? Pritzker or Rosalind Franklin?

 

[Apparition]

which Chicago school is this? Pritzker or Rosalind Franklin?

RF.

 

[osselot]

RF.

thanks! i was starting to get really scared because i hadn't gotten that email from Pritzker! 🙄

 

[tacrum43]

tacrum, I didn't get any of the three messages. I went from "your file is complete and under review" to "please schedule an interview". I'm also happy to say i'm in the "hold for further action" pile after my interview (which means not rejected!!).

Oh, okay. 👍 Maybe you'll hear some good news soon!