Interviewing Early vs Late

[JHUpremed2019]

Is there any benefit for signing up for an earlier interview date versus a later one. i.e October vs November?

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[EpilepticRat]

If you interview earlier, you are theoretically being evaluated for a greater number of seats than if you interview later. Realistically, I don't think it makes a big difference, and you should interview when you feel you'll perform the best.

 

[Icebird]

Varies from school to school but the predominant opinion is that the earlier the better as there are more seats up for grabs. In terms of Nov vs Oct it shouldn't matter too much.

To give an example, one school I II'd at gives out acceptances every two weeks to their top 20 scoring applicants from a list of II'd applicants (they use metrics to give students a 'score' based on academics/ECs/interview/etc.). Applying earlier gives students more 'rounds' of being reviewed which would increase the chance of receiving an acceptance at the committee meeting.

Not every school has similar methods but overall if possible I would advise to interview earlier than later.

 

[Catalystik]

Is there any benefit for signing up for an earlier interview date versus a later one. i.e October vs November?

If you interview earlier there's a chance the committee will evaluate your final application evaluation sooner (depending on how often they hold their meetings) and that you might hear back sooner. So, less stress.

 

[deleted993098]

Is my thinking wrong, but for schools that give out As on a rolling basis, isn't earlier always better? For example, let's say you have the opportunity to interview in early November vs late December. Let's say the school sends out As one month after the interview. So if you interview in November, you'll hear back in December. If you interview in December, you are now competing for less spots because some of those that interviewed in November have been accepted already.

 

[LizzyM]

Is my thinking wrong, but for schools that give out As on a rolling basis, isn't earlier always better? For example, let's say you have the opportunity to interview in early November vs late December. Let's say the school sends out As one month after the interview. So if you interview in November, you'll hear back in December. If you interview in December, you are now competing for less spots because some of those that interviewed in November have been accepted already.

Not if schools hold back a good chunk of the offers to be made until the end. Let's say they interview 25% of the pool and make 15% of the offers they plan to make. Next 25%, make 15% of the intended offers. Next 25%, make 15% of the intended offers. Now 55% of the offers are still available to be made and everyone, regardless of when they interviewed is in the running to get one of those offers.

Let's say that they interview 800 and in total admit 200. Interview 200 and make offers to 30. There are 170 held over ("no decision"). Interview 200 and make offers to 30, There are 340 (170+170)held over. Interview 200 and make offers to 30. There are 510 held over. Last 200 get interviewed and are combined with the 510 held over for a total of 710 candidates and there are 155 (200-45) offers left to be made. This makes it possible to work out the border between admit and waitlist without giving away too much early on and needing to pass on exceptionally strong applicants who interviewed later in the season.

 

[moldydorito]

Varies from school to school but the predominant opinion is that the earlier the better as there are more seats up for grabs. In terms of Nov vs Oct it shouldn't matter too much.

To give an example, one school I II'd at gives out acceptances every two weeks to their top 20 scoring applicants from a list of II'd applicants (they use metrics to give students a 'score' based on academics/ECs/interview/etc.). Applying earlier gives students more 'rounds' of being reviewed which would increase the chance of receiving an acceptance at the committee meeting.

Not every school has similar methods but overall if possible I would advise to interview earlier than later.

What school does this if you don’t mind sharing?