Interviewer who says that I'll be fine and will end up at any med school...

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Hi,

I just had an interview at one of my top choice schools few days ago.

I had a pleasant interview with my interviewer, but he asked me where else I've interviewed and where I've gotten in so far.

I told him that I interviewed at several places and that I already got an acceptance to one of these schools.

He commented that the school I got into is an excellent school, and that he thinks I'll be a good physician whether I go to that school or any other schools.

I tried to bring up my interest in this school that I'm interviewing with him for, but he sort of just said "you'll be fine whichever school you end up in. The school you already got into is a good school and you'll be happy there."

He was a nice person, and we had a nice conversation, but I sort of felt like he was thinking that even if they accept me, I might not come to their school since I already have an acceptance from another school that was "good" and that I'll be happy at.

Do you guys think I'm just overreacting, or if this means anything? I know I'm probably just being neurotic, but I really wanted to let him know that his school is the one I want to go to over the one I already got into (Although, I didn't exactly say this cuz I thought It woult not be a good idea to downplay any other medical school...)

What do you guys think?

 

[C.glabrata123]

Doesn't sound good, IMO, but when deciding on your application (acceptance, waitlist, rejection) his voice is not the only one that counts. And you can always send letters to let them know how serious you are. If he thinks you're a great applicant, they're probably more likely to waitlist you than reject you.

 

[DokterMom]

He commented that the school I got into is an excellent school, and that he thinks I'll be a good physician whether I go to that school or any other schools.

I tried to bring up my interest in this school that I'm interviewing with him for, but he sort of just said "you'll be fine whichever school you end up in. The school you already got into is a good school and you'll be happy there."

He was a nice person, and we had a nice conversation, but I sort of felt like he was thinking that even if they accept me, I might not come to their school since I already have an acceptance from another school that was "good" and that I'll be happy at.

Interesting... That actually does sound a little 'yield-protective'...

If you really do want his school instead of the one you've already been accepted to, in your case, I think a letter of interest might make sense. Maybe in the context of your ordinary Thank You note? Do the usual "Thank you for taking the time " stuff, but be sure to add "While you would be grateful to be accepted and imagine you'd be happy at many places, what particularly impressed me with XYZ SoM is..." and how these aspects make this school particularly appealing to you and your top choice.

Couldn't hurt -- But do ask yourself first if it's a genuine preference or an ego thing. If it's a real preference, you should be able to explain why.

 

[wiloghby]

He commented that the school I got into is an excellent school, and that he thinks I'll be a good physician whether I go to that school or any other schools.

Obviously this interviewer sees great things in you based on the bolded part.

Therefore, if your interview went as well as you think it did, your interviewer is probably just trying to make you feel better about the whole admissions process. His advice to you may very well not be personal. Perhaps, despite being on the faculty at a fancy-pants school, he doesn't see a lot of merit in going to a top ranked school for medical school because of how great all US medical schools are. Or perhaps your interviewer knows that even with excellent interview feedback, whether or not someone gets into his fancy-pants school post-interview is still a crapshoot -- even for the best candidates.

It sounds like he is telling you that you are already in a great situation no matter what, so don't worry about what happens here. Not because there is some personal reason he thinks you won't make it in, but because either (1) he knows that it's a crapshoot or (2) he believes that you don't need to go to a top 10 school to get a great medical education.

I get the impression it was intended as good advice as opposed to words of discouragement.

((Of course, I remember reading that for undergraduate admissions, students are far more likely to attend a school if it is their first acceptance (i.e. they get attached to that school and have a hard time seeing themselves elsewhere). Perhaps he is also aware of the phenomenon and doesn't believe you will really attend. A letter of intent would be great if this is your absolute top choice. But he should understand that you probably wouldn't attend just *any* interview after receiving an acceptance. That alone should indicate you are pretty positive about the school.))

 

[ZuluHotel]

Obviously this interviewer sees great things in you based on the bolded part.

Therefore, if your interview went as well as you think it did, your interviewer is probably just trying to make you feel better about the whole admissions process. ...

I get the impression it was intended as good advice as opposed to words of discouragement.

I agree and you shouldn't read that much into it, he was probably just being nice and not dumping on your other school. What could he say? "Yeah, you're right that school you got into blows compared to this one. You're going to be miserable." No he was just giving you some generic encouragement.

Bottom line is you had a good conversation, he said he thought you would make a good physician, and your future looks bright to him. If he liked you then he will recommend you regardless.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

He commented that the school I got into is an excellent school, and that he thinks I'll be a good physician whether I go to that school or any other schools.

I tried to bring up my interest in this school that I'm interviewing with him for, but he sort of just said "you'll be fine whichever school you end up in. The school you already got into is a good school and you'll be happy there."

He was a nice person, and we had a nice conversation, but I sort of felt like he was thinking that even if they accept me, I might not come to their school since I already have an acceptance from another school that was "good" and that I'll be happy at.

Do you guys think I'm just overreacting, or if this means anything? I know I'm probably just being neurotic, but I really wanted to let him know that his school is the one I want to go to over the one I already got into (Although, I didn't exactly say this cuz I thought It woult not be a good idea to downplay any other medical school...)

What do you guys think?

The part I bolded is the only real takeaway from this conversation. I think drawing any other conclusions from what he said is too speculative. Include something in your thank you note about why you want to attend his school, if that will make you feel any better. Otherwise, congrats on the interview at that school and the acceptance at the other.

 

[yehhhboiii]

i get the sense that he was gauging your interest in their school
fishing for something like yeah i've interviewed at other places but i really like this school because of blah blah blah and i would love to attend

 

[wiloghby]

i get the sense that he was gauging your interest in their school
fishing for something like yeah i've interviewed at other places but i really like this school because of blah blah blah and i would love to attend

OP stated that he handled it that way, but that his interviewer stopped him short to say he had already gotten into a great school. I think that's the main reason OP is concerned.

I still think he's just fine, though. A letter of intent couldn't hurt if OP is very worried.

 

[yehhhboiii]

OP stated that he handled it that way, but that his interviewer stopped him short to say he had already gotten into a great school. I think that's the main reason OP is concerned.

I still think he's just fine, though. A letter of intent couldn't hurt if OP is very worried.

you're right i totally glossed over that my b

 

[Endure]

I would like to mention that I had a very similar experience, only my interviewer went out of his way to dissuade me from attending his school. I have a research-intensive background, briefly mentioned my interest in academic medicine during the interview, and was told to look elsewhere if I enjoy research.

In the same conversation, my interviewer disparaged my undergraduate college, asked me to list some of the schools I've applied to and heard back from, told me that upper-tier medical schools carry the pedigree needed to do research, insulted the student body of his medical school, and lectured me on my career goals. I voiced my interest in the school and my desire to be a clinician, but he didn't care.

The interviewer's opening remark was "I want you to pick one area that you're comfortable with and tell me everything you know about it. If it's research, don't just tell me you streaked plates."

I kid you not, people. And this was my first interview of the season at my top choice state school, at which NIH-funded research is greatest in the state.

 

[Can'tShakeThis]

Two things:

First off, in my opinion, DODGE that question. I have gotten it, at Yale, and didn't answer. I confirmed that I've interviewed at a lot of interesting places and then used it as an opportunity to talk about why the interviewers school was right for me.

Second: this situation is exactly what letters of intent are for. If you would go to this school over the one you already accepted, say so! Write them that they are your first choice and you will matriculated if accepted. It makes a huge difference, and every admissions officer I've talked to has confirmed this. If you're not prepared to send such a letter - well, you can't blame them for not handing you an acceptance. You are expected to indicate your interest explicitly if you have already accepted an offer at another school. Also, all schools can see what schools you have had offers from, so this isn't new or surprising information for them. They are required to inform any schools at which you are holding acceptances if they extend you an offer.

Congrats on getting in and good luck 🙂

 

[lall]

Okay, I don't understand how anyone could justify sugar coating this for you. As far as an interview situation, this sounds TERRIBLE. If your representation of the conversation is accurate, it sounds like the interviewer already wrote you off and has no intention of recommending you be offered admission. Its even possible that he decided before he asked that question.

As far as admission goes though, you're not screwed. The interviewer is just one portion of the admissions process and as long as you had another interview at the school or were able to talk to him enough about your application before this speed bump, then you have a shot at admission.

For your next interviews, like others have said, avoid the shiz out of that question, don't answer it. Use it as an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the school

PS: person above me has great advice about the LOI

 

[mvenus929]

Also, all schools can see what schools you have had offers from, so this isn't new or surprising information for them. They are required to inform any schools at which you are holding acceptances if they extend you an offer.

No. Schools that have accepted you find out where else you've been accepted in like March or April. After May 15th, when applicants can only hold one acceptance, then schools who accept you are required to let your school know that they extended an offer. This does not happen in November.

Otherwise, I agree. If you get this question in the future, do not answer it directly. I'm still fairly certain that it's an illegal question for this exact reason.

 

[Can'tShakeThis]

No. Schools that have accepted you find out where else you've been accepted in like March or April. After May 15th, when applicants can only hold one acceptance, then schools who accept you are required to let your school know that they extended an offer. This does not happen in November.

Otherwise, I agree. If you get this question in the future, do not answer it directly. I'm still fairly certain that it's an illegal question for this exact reason.

Are you sure? I was told that by the admissions director at Hofstra and I did find it surprising. Id always heard before that schools only saw info on other acceptances in may. But this admissions officer said explicitly that she would know about any standing offers as early as january.

 

[nemo123]

I get asked where I've applied all the time!!! It's really annoying. Schools farther away from NYC will ask me why I would choose their school over NYC and even schools in NYC will ask me why I would choose their school over the other NYC schools...

Beyond this, I also had a similar experience. One of my interviewers also told me that i was definitely getting into med school this cycle, but he told me that he couldn't guarantee an acceptance to his school because he never knows what the committee might think about my app... Well I bombed my other interview at that school, so I'll probably be one of the 50 rejects post-interview. 😀 And this was before October 15th so obviously I didn't know my status at this point

 

[nemo123]

Are you sure? I was told that by the admissions director at Hofstra and I did find it surprising. Id always heard before that schools only saw info on other acceptances in may. But this admissions officer said explicitly that she would know about any standing offers as early as january.

If a school has accepted you, they find out where else you've been accepted sometime in February. In April, a school knows where you have offers if they waitlisted you.

 

[Can'tShakeThis]

If a school has accepted you, they find out where else you've been accepted sometime in February. In April, a school knows where you have offers if they waitlisted you.

Thanks for clarifying! So they only see other acceptances when they have accepted you, not beforehand?

 

[nemo123]

Thanks for clarifying! So they only see other acceptances when they have accepted you, not beforehand?

Pretty much.

 

[mvenus929]

Are you sure? I was told that by the admissions director at Hofstra and I did find it surprising. Id always heard before that schools only saw info on other acceptances in may. But this admissions officer said explicitly that she would know about any standing offers as early as january.

My sources say the date hasn't changed this year. But in any case, schools can't see what acceptances you have unless they have already accepted you, so it won't affect admissions decisions at all.

 

[zzzzzoops]

I have had a similar experience at multiple schools. I think the interviewers were just trying to be nice. But yeah, it was weird.

 

[Doodledog]

It is impossible to know what was meant of course in this specific discussion. However, it is common for interviewers, especially ones with somewhat less experience, to go down that type of pathway in discussions. They are generally well-meaning and are mostly either just trying to be reassuring or are a bit nosier than they should be. However, it is unlikely, in my view, to mean that they don't plan to accept you. I would recommend sending emails to the dean about your interest (not all letters need to be "I will go if you accept me") in the school. Over the years I've stopped asking applicants about other offers, etc, but it is common and mostly is not going to be a determining factor in whether a school accepts you unless you otherwise give off an air that you are disinterested.

 

[nemo123]

It is impossible to know what was meant of course in this specific discussion. However, it is common for interviewers, especially ones with somewhat less experience, to go down that type of pathway in discussions. They are generally well-meaning and are mostly either just trying to be reassuring or are a bit nosier than they should be. However, it is unlikely, in my view, to mean that they don't plan to accept you. I would recommend sending emails to the dean about your interest (not all letters need to be "I will go if you accept me") in the school. Over the years I've stopped asking applicants about other offers, etc, but it is common and mostly is not going to be a determining factor in whether a school accepts you unless you otherwise give off an air that you are disinterested.

Is there a particular reason why interviewers ask these? I get asked these all the time, including where else I have interviews and where else I've applied.

 

[tantacles]

Is there a particular reason why interviewers ask these? I get asked these all the time, including where else I have interviews and where else I've applied.

Much like cats, people, dogs, ferrets, fish, and squirrels, they are curious.

 

[kljdu]

I get the impression it was intended as good advice as opposed to words of discouragement.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

If a school has accepted you, they find out where else you've been accepted sometime in February. In April, a school knows where you have offers if they waitlisted you.

to clarify around april all schools will know where you've gotten in, if i know this right

 

[wruruwr6u]

I just had an interview at one of my top choice schools few days ag

 

[nemo123]

to clarify around april all schools will know where you've gotten in, if i know this right

I think it's only schools that waitlisted you. Someone else might know better. @LizzyM

 

[Narmerguy]

I was asked this at a few interviews and my approach was mainly to give them geography. I applied to schools in "clusters" in cities, so I told them the various cities that I had clusters of schools in (e.g. NYC, Chicago, etc).

 

[BundleofHis]

Hi,

I just had an interview at one of my top choice schools few days ago.

I had a pleasant interview with my interviewer, but he asked me where else I've interviewed and where I've gotten in so far.

I told him that I interviewed at several places and that I already got an acceptance to one of these schools.

He commented that the school I got into is an excellent school, and that he thinks I'll be a good physician whether I go to that school or any other schools.

I tried to bring up my interest in this school that I'm interviewing with him for, but he sort of just said "you'll be fine whichever school you end up in. The school you already got into is a good school and you'll be happy there."

He was a nice person, and we had a nice conversation, but I sort of felt like he was thinking that even if they accept me, I might not come to their school since I already have an acceptance from another school that was "good" and that I'll be happy at.

Do you guys think I'm just overreacting, or if this means anything? I know I'm probably just being neurotic, but I really wanted to let him know that his school is the one I want to go to over the one I already got into (Although, I didn't exactly say this cuz I thought It woult not be a good idea to downplay any other medical school...)

What do you guys think?

This happened at my first interview. My interviewer actually told me to attend another school (his alma mater) after I was pretty much forced to disclose my interview status. However, I expressed interest in THAT school and was accepted on oct 16 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

I think it's only schools that waitlisted you. Someone else might know better. @LizzyM

I'm sure someone knows better but it isn't me. I do know that by summer we know where everyone who applied to our school ended up and by May we know where everyone we've waitlisted has been accepted... or something like that. That is back office stuff and I don't work there. My job ends when applicants are waitlisted/admitted/declined.

 

[tabtleborn]

I've been asked similar questions in a few interviews, and one interviewer in particular had me get very specific about the schools and my status with them (whether I'd been interviewed, accepted, put on hold, etc.) I'll admit that I initially had thoughts similar to the OP, but now I am pretty sure that my interviewer was just curious, which is understandable.

 

[smarts1]

I'm sure someone knows better but it isn't me. I do know that by summer we know where everyone who applied to our school ended up and by May we know where everyone we've waitlisted has been accepted... or something like that. That is back office stuff and I don't work there. My job ends when applicants are waitlisted/admitted/declined.

So I have a question. Does AMCAS do this so that schools can monitor certain applicants? What is the purpose of letting schools know where all of their applicants matriculated if the school wasn't interested in interviewing most of them in the first place?

 

[LizzyM]

So I have a question. Does AMCAS do this so that schools can monitor certain applicants? What is the purpose of letting schools know where all of their applicants matriculated if the school wasn't interested in interviewing most of them in the first place?

One thing I've noticed is that it makes schools thing more broadly and holistically about applicants. When someone says, "well we wouldn't take anyone... and I mean anyone... with a MCAT of less than 33 or a gpa of < 3.6..." and this means that a lot of URM and disadvantaged students get left in the dust and the school is risking being taken to task for having too few minority students, when the Dean sees that the same students the med school rejected ended up being admitted at peer institutions makes a Dean think twice about hard cut points. (Truth be told, there is strong evidence that an applicant with a MCAT of 27 is as likely as one with an MCAT of 37 to graduate in 4 years.)

Also, for schools that admit applicants who choose to go elsewhere, it helps the school know who they are competing against and to determine if it is net cost, location, or something else that is causing them to lose out.

I'm sure there are other reasons, too.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Truth be told, there is strong evidence that an applicant with a MCAT of 27 is as likely as one with an MCAT of 37 to graduate in 4 years

In fairness, I would posit that this is 95% due to the fact that med schools make it well nigh impossible to fail out once you get in

 

[LizzyM]

In fairness, I would posit that this is 95% due to the fact that med schools make it well nigh impossible to fail out once you get in

Yes, but it is possible to take 5 or6 yrs if you are required to repeat a year. I've seen a case where someone was required to repeat both first and then second. What we are saying by specifying 4 years is that those two cohorts are equally likely to graduate without having to repeat a year.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Yes, but it is possible to take 5 or6 yrs if you are required to repeat a year. I've seen a case where someone was required to repeat both first and then second. What we are saying by specifying 4 years is that those two cohorts are equally likely to graduate without having to repeat a year.

Still, these cases are rare, partially driven by the fact that med schools have a vested interest in getting their matriculated students out in 4 years. Of course this is mostly an academic discussion..