Interview question

[Nebolt]

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How are other people answering these questions during interviews....how many programs are you applying to, and where else are you interviewing? Are they even allowed to ask this? I've been asked several times already and don't feel entirely comfortable answering (ie. do I really want to reveal that I applied to mainly midwest schools while interviewing on the west coast). Thx.

 

[Xipper]

Try honesty...😱

 

[eyefly]

thats what our chairman said anyway. i to have had this question at every interview. i have also been asked...are you willing to leave (my school)?...are you willing to leave (my state)?

it would seem the only reason these questions are being asked is because schools want to rank students highly that they think will end up there....something that goes against the spirit of the match and can end up burning good students who don't match at a top program......stupid question

honesty is always a good policy, so here is how I have handled it. if i am asked the question had a large, academic, institution, i list of the 5-6 interviews i have at simular institutions. if i am asked the question at a clinical program in my home state, i list off my 5-6 more local interviews. it would be a waste of time to list of 14 interviews so i truthfully tell them what they want to hear.....stupid answer

 

[Olddog1]

Re-read the way SF match works, this cannot "burn" anyone. There is no benefit to a program to rank someone highly because they think they will come to the program. The programs rank the best applicants in hopes they will make it to their program. The match is guided by the applicants list, not the programs.

Most people ask to 1) make conversation, 2) get an idea of what geographic area you are favoring and 3) the size/type of program you are interested in. The objective is to figure out which applicant would be a good fit for your program, hence it actually is in your best interest to answer truthfully.

 

[Pikkaliu]

regarding getting "burned"...

i've heard that programs do take applicant interest into account because they don't want to fill at the bottom of their rank list for bragging rights and all.

dunno if it's true...

i did have a pd of a prelim tell me to e-mail them after i match ophtho if i'm still interested in their program. i got the feeling that she wouldn't rank me otherwise =/