Interviewer asks "Where else have you interviewed at?"

[coolioyo]

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If an interviewer asks where else you have interviewed at does anybody ever tell them why or why not.

Thanks

 

[drizzt3117]

Sure, why not? I have nothing to hide.

 

[DrBowtie]

I just tell them. Hasn't hurt me yet.

They know you are going to shop schools.

 

[jochi1543]

I was asked that, and it made me feel uncomfortable, to be honest. Moreover, the interviewer used my answer (an honest "no") to try and make me feel bad.

 

[thoffen]

The interviewer is probably just curious. Don't make a big deal about it, and it won't affect your admission.

 

[wutwinb]

that was the VERY first question one of my interviewers asked at one school. it really threw me off. he didn't even intro with a "tell me about yourself", just jumped right into it.

 

[UFMed]

I wouldn't use a school's name for the sake of confidentiality. But I would use the name of the region, state or city.
I remember I was asked this question, and the interviewer asked me in a really laid-back way- he probably just wanted to see how experienced I was at interviewing. I remember I said, "I've interviewed at schools in Boston, the Southeast, and two in California." He just looked at me nodding and said the vague "good, good." I doubt your interviewer will take it further than that. But atleast it shows that you're being wanted and bidded on by other institutions.
If you haven't interviewed anywhere, just say they're the first (emphasize excitement). Or just pop an alka seltzer into your mouth and fake a seizure (JK!)

 

[kevin86]

just tell them geez, it's not like they ask have u been accepted elsewhere then that might cause u to hesitate

 

[Corker]

I was asked this at a couple of my interviews. I said that I had applied to "several" because I definitely want an acceptance this year and I am flexible about where I can go. One interviewer tried to pin me down on the number...he said something like, "Ten?" And I said, "More than that." And he said "Twenty?" And I said, "Twenty plus." Then I reiterated how much I would really like to attend HIS school, though, because of A, B, and C, but that at my age (non-trad) I felt I must apply broadly, etc. He didn't push it any further and I was later accepted.

It's OK to tell them, but always give them a logical reason and then re-emphasize your sincere desire to attend THAT specific school for X, Y, and Z reasons.

 

[Tropicana100]

I wouldn't use a school's name for the sake of confidentiality. But I would use the name of the region, state or city.
I remember I was asked this question, and the interviewer asked me in a really laid-back way- he probably just wanted to see how experienced I was at interviewing. I remember I said, "I've interviewed at schools in Boston, the Southeast, and two in California." He just looked at me nodding and said the vague "good, good." I doubt your interviewer will take it further than that. But atleast it shows that you're being wanted and bidded on by other institutions.
If you haven't interviewed anywhere, just say they're the first (emphasize excitement). Or just pop an alka seltzer into your mouth and fake a seizure (JK!)

that's what i did at an interview and I got in.

 

[Corker]

Oh, and I've also been asked if I've applied to my home state and whether or not I would like to move from my home state. I answered that I did apply there but would not mind moving to another area if it were a good "fit" for me.

 

[elderjack21]

It shouldn't hurt to just tell them the truth whatever it is. I have only been asked that at one interview and it didn't seem like they were trying to make me uncomfortable or anything. Just part of the conversation.

 

[bozz]

I've heard that they have a complete list of the schools you apply to... perhaps even where you get in/interview at?

 

[Bartelby]

I have only been asked this question at two interviews, both at schools that are known to be flooded with applications (that many might consider "safeties"). Actually it was the variation "how many have you applied to?" I answered "a lot," and explained that as I am applying a year later than most of my premed friends did I have seen some application cycles that baffled me and scared me into applying widely. I was outright rejected at one and put on a "continuing candidate" list at the other. I think my honest answer was not good enough, so you might want to put some thought into a better one.

Also, obviously, I emphasized why I was interested in that school in particular, with some good and honest reasons.

 

[bcat85]

I was honest... I told them where I had been invited to interview as well

They're not that naive. They know you applied to other schools.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I tell them. There is no reason not to. For whatever reason, this seems to be a big point of contention among pre-meds. Especially pre-meds applying to both MD and DO schools.

Here's a little secret: these schools aren't in competition with each other. There are no rivalries. If you interview at Michigan, and they find out you also interviewed at Ohio State, it is not an automatic rejection.

If you interview at an MD school, and they ask you if you also interviewed at any DO schools, there is no reason to lie about this either. A guy I know told me that he applied to every TX school except for TCOM, and the interviewer asked him why he didn't apply there too. Then he questioned if he really wanted to be a doctor, or if he just was worried about what other people thought.

I've also heard about people interviewing at DO schools and getting the "why not?" when asked if they applied to MD schools. And I've heard about DO applicants taking little shots at MD education, only to find out that the interviewer is an MD.

And believe it or not, a lot of these docs at different schools know each other. While it is unlikely that they would call around to check on you, if you give out the vibe that you're lying about something, it would be easy for them to do so.

There is no reason to bull**** these people, and every reason in the world not to. Don't overthink these things, trying to tell them what they want to hear. What they actually want to hear is the truth. How they interpret this information is something you will probably never know. Each interviewer will react differently to your answers. One guy might think its great that you applied to 30 schools, and that it shows a lot of determination. The next guy might think that it is wasteful of you, and that his school is just your safety school. But you will never know how they will react, and there are more people involved in the final decision than just the guy who interviewed you. In fact, your interviewer may just fill out a form, and not even be in the room when they vote on your acceptance.

Just be honest. It is the safest possible decision.

 

[brandpeg]

One of my interviewers asked where I had interviewed. I told him the places that I had been. He said, "Out of all of the schools you have interviewed at besides this one, which would you most like to attend?" I answered honestly.

It got really awkward, however, when he asked if I would rather attend that school than his school. My answer was actually yes, but I declined to respond. 🙂

 

[Dr2012]

I don't mind telling them where I've interviewed if asked directly (though I usually try to just defer w/ a regional answer or just 1-2 examples). However, I was asked for the first time recently if I had any acceptances (yes) and WHERE, which I feel is a bit intrusive. I was taken by surprise, but answered honestly -not sure what, if any, affect my response will have.

How have people maneuvered direct questions about where you have been accepted?

 

[BigMDT]

Interviewer: "Where else have you interviewed at?"


Answer: "Your mom's house."

 

[Epibackpacker]

Ive found this question is a great intro into the question of why I want to come to the interviewers school. So usually I say yes Ive interviewed elsewhere but here are the reasons x,y,z that your school fits me better, is a place I would rather be etc. This has seemed to work so far and Ive yet to hear of a really pushy demanding person who wanted to know precisely where I had interviewed.

 

[gotmeds?]

If an interviewer asks where else you have interviewed at does anybody ever tell them why or why not.

Thanks

I always told the truth about this. There's really no reason to lie and nothing will kill your chances at a school faster than an interviewer thinking you're lying. Well, maybe doing the Riverdance on their desk would, but other than that, not much.