Interview Psychology: Should I get interviewed first, middle or last?

[keepcalm2]

My committee interview dates have been posted and there are four slots available each day (back-to-back). Each interview lasts 45 mins. I can pick between either morning or evening like:

9-9:45 AM; 9:50-10:35 AM; 10:40-11:25 AM; 11:30-12:15 PM
OR
4-4:45 PM; 4:50-5:35 PM; 5:40-6:25 PM; 6:30-7:15 PM

Some friends suggest I go last (11:30-12:15 PM OR 6:30-7:15 PM) because I would be fresh in the interviewers' minds but I just feel like they'll be exhausted & hungry by the time they interview the last person. I'm a bit scared of going first because I don't want them to pounce on me too hard as they'll be fresh and eager.

Idk... I'm probably over thinking it but I just wanna get a great letter/make an awesome impression at the end of the day. Can y'all help me make a decision? Thanks 🙂

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[justAstudent]

I prefer going in the morning, but not too early because I don't like waking up early. Maybe choose the 9:50 or 10:40 time. You won't have to wake up super early, you won't go first, and you won't go last either.

 

[TheShaker]

You're way overthinking this but I would focus on you. At what time of the day do you perform best? I'm personally not a morning person so I prefer important things to take place in the afternoon.

 

[darkjedi]

You are definitely overthinking it, but as long as you are, I would say its best to go either first or last. If you make an impression, it won't matter what order you were in though.

 

[Euxox]

My committee interview dates have been posted and there are four slots available each day (back-to-back). Each interview lasts 45 mins. I can pick between either morning or evening like:

9-9:45 AM; 9:50-10:35 AM; 10:40-11:25 AM; 11:30-12:15 PM
OR
4-4:45 PM; 4:50-5:35 PM; 5:40-6:25 PM; 6:30-7:15 PM

Some friends suggest I go last (11:30-12:15 PM OR 6:30-7:15 PM) because I would be fresh in the interviewers' minds but I just feel like they'll be exhausted & hungry by the time they interview the last person. I'm a bit scared of going first because I don't want them to pounce on me too hard as they'll be fresh and eager.

Idk... I'm probably over thinking it but I just wanna get a great letter/make an awesome impression at the end of the day. Can y'all help me make a decision? Thanks 🙂

These things will vary a lot from interviewer to interviewer, so there is really no point in trying to find the time at which they will be the most agreeable.

Better strategy: Pick the time of day when you are at your best. If you are not an early riser, don't pick the 9 AM interview; if you have a class that ends at 3:30 and tends to tire you out, don't take the 4 PM interview; etc.

 

[phxf]

Pick the time that you think fits you best. The time where you're the most upbeat and alert. Don't focus on being the first/last because interviewers are more likely to remember the ones that showed the most enthusiasm

 

[SN12357]

If you believe presenting yourself to the committee is sufficiently similar to asking for parole, this study suggests you should go early in the day:

http://www.economist.com/node/18557594

But really should should choose whatever time of the day is best for you. Whenever you will be most awake. I tend to stew over things if left to my own devices and prefer to go early in the day so I can just get things over with.

 

[keepcalm2]

I definitely like the morning better

If you believe presenting yourself to the committee is sufficiently similar to asking for parole, this study suggests you should go early in the day:

http://www.economist.com/node/18557594

But really should should choose whatever time of the day is best for you. Whenever you will be most awake. I tend to stew over things if left to my own devices and prefer to go early in the day so I can just get things over with.

I definitely prefer the morning also. I'm leaning towards morning right now... now I'm just trying to figure out the time! Very interesting study though thank you!

 

[turayza]

If you believe presenting yourself to the committee is sufficiently similar to asking for parole, this study suggests you should go early in the day:

I lol'ed. Sounds like a good comparison

 

[Goro]

You're also assuming the same interviewer is doing all the work on one day. We don't have time for that.

My committee interview dates have been posted and there are four slots available each day (back-to-back). Each interview lasts 45 mins. I can pick between either morning or evening like:

9-9:45 AM; 9:50-10:35 AM; 10:40-11:25 AM; 11:30-12:15 PM
OR
4-4:45 PM; 4:50-5:35 PM; 5:40-6:25 PM; 6:30-7:15 PM

Some friends suggest I go last (11:30-12:15 PM OR 6:30-7:15 PM) because I would be fresh in the interviewers' minds but I just feel like they'll be exhausted & hungry by the time they interview the last person. I'm a bit scared of going first because I don't want them to pounce on me too hard as they'll be fresh and eager.

Idk... I'm probably over thinking it but I just wanna get a great letter/make an awesome impression at the end of the day. Can y'all help me make a decision? Thanks 🙂

 

[SN12357]

You're also assuming the same interviewer is doing all the work on one day. We don't have time for that.

I think she's talking about her school's committee letter interviews, not med school interviews, so it's entirely possible that it's the same group of people all day (or all half-day).

 

[Gauss44]

Response to title: I prefer to go last because I am a strong interviewee. Sometimes interviewers will ask the last candidate why s/he should be chosen over the previous candidates. This question might come indirectly like, "Why should we choose you over someone with X characteristics?" I love to answer those questions because I usually can do so very well.

 

[NorthernMav]

Don't show up... that should throw them off a bit.

 

[DGCT00]

Let me preface this response by saying that you're *way* overthinking this.

With that said, I have an answer.

I was a theater major in undergrad and I heard from multiple directors that you should NEVER audition last. By the end of the day, they are so tired of hearing the same jibber jabber spouted out in slightly different ways that they start to daydream about when they get to go home.

Always hit directors when they're fresh in the morning. Make bold choices and commit. Remember, your interview is in many ways a theatrical performance.

 

[Pacna]

Definitely don't mention at any point that you picked that time to maximize your chances.

 

[HopefulReapp]

Your committee should be there to present you in the best possible light. They are your advocates, if you get into med school then their school looks better. They want to help you, not harm you.

 

[mcloaf]

I could almost take this thread seriously when I thought it was about medical school interview days, but then I realized that it's about your committee letter.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Response to title: I prefer to go last because I am a strong interviewee. Sometimes interviewers will ask the last candidate why s/he should be chosen over the previous candidates. This question might come indirectly like, "Why should we choose you over someone with X characteristics?" I love to answer those questions because I usually can do so very well.

.......

 

[TreadLightly]

When memorizing lists, studies have shown that people tend to remember the middle of a list better than the beginning or end of it...Maybe the same principle would apply here?

I would go for the middle time for all the reasons people have listed..