Interview timing

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Jabbed

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
1,923
Reaction score
2,430
I have 6 weeks vacation that I was planning to take for interview season. I'm trying decide between taking off a) from the start of November until 12/11 or b) from mid-November (11/13) until New Year's.

When do the bulk of interviews occur? Do they die down in the two weeks leading up to winter break? Should I plan for interviews in early November vs mid/late-December? Does it all depend on how competitive your application is?
 
I have 6 weeks vacation that I was planning to take for interview season. I'm trying decide between taking off a) from the start of November until 12/11 or b) from mid-November (11/13) until New Year's.

When do the bulk of interviews occur? Do they die down in the two weeks leading up to winter break? Should I plan for interviews in early November vs mid/late-December? Does it all depend on how competitive your application is?
The attached is from the PD survey. Doesn't really help, and I don't have a firm idea whether more interviews happen in the first 2 weeks of November than in the last 2 weeks of December, but the holiday schedule makes me think more would happen in the first two weeks of November.
8ee30d7a4922e0957bfd74353689b80f.jpg
 
Last edited:
The attached is from the PD survey. Doesn't really help, and I don't have a firm idea whether more interviews happen in the first 2 weeks of November than in the AST 2 weeks of December, but the holiday schedule makes me think more would happen in the first two weeks of November.
8ee30d7a4922e0957bfd74353689b80f.jpg
Thanks, that actually answered the other big question that I had.
 
I have 6 weeks vacation that I was planning to take for interview season. I'm trying decide between taking off a) from the start of November until 12/11 or b) from mid-November (11/13) until New Year's.

When do the bulk of interviews occur? Do they die down in the two weeks leading up to winter break? Should I plan for interviews in early November vs mid/late-December? Does it all depend on how competitive your application is?


Remember....NEVER interview at your top choice as your first interview.

You are going to want to get a couple of practice rounds done first.
 
Many programs don't offer interviews over Christmas break so I'd go with the first option.
 
Many programs don't offer interviews over Christmas break so I'd go with the first option.
To clarify it would be 12/11 to 12/22 that I'm thinking about taking off. Do interviews stop during this time period too?
 
No they usually stop from Dec 23rd to Jan 3rd.

Honestly it all depends on where you apply and your competitiveness.
 
Take off mid november to beginning of January. If you are an average applicant you probably won't be offered many dates before november anyway. Nov 27-Dec 22 is probably be the busiest time for interviews. I crammed most of mine in that timeframe and managed to do 2-3 per week.
 
Top