Interviews: Staying w/ STUDENT HOST worries

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JmanDO

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I'm going up to UBuff and contacted a student host. I'm kind of nervous about the interview itself and after him telling me I'd use the couch, along with the fact that there are 3 other "roomies" besides himself, I'm worried it'll be hectic and I won't have the time (or comfort) to mentally and physically prepare for the interview the next morning.

His place is only 5 mins closer to campus and I don;t really think I'd miss much by choosing a hotel. I'm thinking of breaking it off gently and getting a cheap hotel room.

What do you think? What real benefits are there to choosing the host? (FYI: I'll be havng dinner with fellow intvwees and students the night before.)
 
I stayed in an apt that had 5 students before and I slept on the couch. Didn't bother me at all, and definitely saved me some hotel money. I think the biggest advantages are that you get to find out a lot more about the school and you get to save some money, I really didn't see much in terms of disadvantages but then again I'm really not bothered by much of anything.
 
JmanDO said:
I'm going up to UBuff and contacted a student host. I'm kind of nervous about the interview itself and after him telling me I'd use the couch, along with the fact that there are 3 other "roomies" besides himself, I'm worried it'll be hectic and I won't have the time (or comfort) to mentally and physically prepare for the interview the next morning.
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I think this would be a good opportunity to get a better idea of how med students live, to be honest. If I were you, instead of getting a hotel, share your interview fears with your student host. He went through the same thing. If he knows his house can be chaotic, he'll probably tell you.
 
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My experience with student hosts have been very positive. Sure, a couch is not as comfortable as a hotel bed, but most hosts are really friendly and often go out of their way to help you. Other than talking about their experiences and just hanging out, some of my hosts have even picked me up from the airport and walked/sent me to the admissions office in the morning.

Of course they aren't obliged to, but it's really nice when they do. I wouldn't have traded that for staying at a hotel. The fact that I also just saved $100, well, is always nice. 🙂

I don't know what you mean by prepare, but if you've done your reading beforehand, I would not "prepare" for an interview the night before. I find it just makes me more nervous. And then I can't sleep, and I get more nervous...
 
Yup, I agree staying with hosts is a much better plan. You get to see how med school students live at that particular institution, and plus you get to save a ton of money. I stayed with student hosts and roomed by myself in hotels, and staying with hosts was a much better plan. Plus, you get to interact and relax before your interview, which I think better prepares you. One of my hosts also picked me up at the airport and even let me sit in during his class the next day before the interview.
 
I would go for the hotel...but I'm a light sleeper, and tend to get pretty stressed out before important events.

I know I would kick myself if I stayed with a host out of obligation and then felt like I underperformed at my interview. 100bucks for a hotel room is a drop in the bucket of med school expenses...I wouldn't try to save money if you think it could adversely affect your interview
 
But the train sched forces me to stay two nights = $200!
Plus, he could give me useful MSTP intvw info... I dunno...argh!
 
I have stayed in hotels the night before every interview. Most times, I was arriving late in the evening, and didn't want to be showing up at someone's apartment at that time. But mainly because I wanted the quiet, comfort and convenience of the hotel - plus take a shower, walk around nekkid, drop the towels on the floor, eat the continental breakfast, walk out the door...

If/when you get accepted, most schools have revisits where you can stay with a host, get to know the students, all that jazz...or if there is no official revisit, you could probably find someone at the school willing to informally "host" you on a revisit of your own making.

I am all for saving money, but this process has cost a ton, so I don't see the cost of a hotel as an insurmountable expense.
 
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that your host and his roommates won't be playing drinking games and doing a karaoke quartet while you're trying to sleep. Prep for your interview before you get there; you're not going to improve significantly by anything you do two hours before you go to sleep. If anything, your host will be even better prep than you would have gotten alone. Ask your host some good questions that will help you when they ask "why this school" or will give you some inspiration for quality follow-up questions.
 
JmanDO said:
But the train sched forces me to stay two nights = $200!
Plus, he could give me useful MSTP intvw info... I dunno...argh!
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You could always stay at a hotel the night before your interview and stay with him the night after. I doubt he'd care. Most med students wouldn't mind if you bailed, to be honest.
 
Stay with the host! A host I stayed with helped me prepare for my interview, and was super enthusiastic about the whole thing, and he and his roommate spent the evening coaching me, telling me stories from med school, and generally getting me psyched and in a good confident mindset or the interview.
 
If you're having concern, and you have the money to spare, just get a hotel room. You definitely want to be in your best state of mind heading into that interview... You'll have plenty of opportunities to learn about the school anyways.
 
So many differing opinions, lol. Poor OP.
 
i always get in at midnight or later so im usually at hotels. but i also have a job so i cant leave early and i can also afford the hotel

but staying w/ a host doesnt affect me either. im usually always ready to go. id just feel bad that i get in at 1 am. go to sleep at 2, and always always wake up at 5 am for no reason to shower.

you can find enough people the morning of the interview day to learn about (and you should have a clue of what the school is like if you are 1. on sdn 2. applying MSTP)

and lastly, the money you save w/ hosts and learning info <<<<<<<<< 2nd look <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< getting into a mstp
 
The med student hosts I've had so far have been so nice! Both of them gave up their bed for me. I was so surprised.
Also, both of them were really helpful in giving me some uncensored insight into their schools. That really helped. I would have slept on the floor for that lol 🙂
 
I've done both, and honestly I think a student host just brings that much more to your trip, and you get more excited about the school after talking to them ( at least I did). But if its your first interview, I guess stay at a hotel and see how your mindset is. For me I found out that I am actually more relaxed just chatting with a host and hanging out than by myself in a hotel room.
 
I did nothing but hotels. This was mainly because I was on the west coast interviewing in the east and my sleep schedule was way off what the hosts would be doing (I would basically arrive at 8-9PM east coast time and go to sleep). I didn't feel like I missed anything in terms of learning about the schools (but then again, how would I know). A lot of schools have mixers and stuff to help facilitate that sort of thing.
 
I've done both and honestly, i always felt more prepared after staying in a hotel. Ya, its important to see how students live, but you're here to get into schools, not see what they do once theyre in. (btw, i loved my student hosts. awesome ppl).

I switched to hotels after I stayed at a host with multiple dogs. I'm incredibly allergic to dogs. That was not a fun few days
 
Staying with student hosts is a plus to some ADCOM members. By spending the night with them and having conversations, it'll get rid of the pre-game jitters you'll have going into interviews. At least that's how I felt about it.

Good luck :luck:
 
it's really different for everyone. I would say that all student hosts are really nice but the sleeping arrangements they have set up for you might not be good if you're a light sleeper. They're all well-meaning but some of us can't sleep on a futon or couch. It can especially get cold in some places and your student host hasn't necessarily considered everything since they're busy with their own things. Thankfully, one of my student host's moms brought a comforter or otherwise I would've resorted to using my jacket for a blanket! Personally, I need the light to be turned off and everything to be quiet. Kind of hard if my student host lives in an apartment that is just one room with 3 other people.

Then again if you think you can get plenty of sleep before you take your flight or on the plane then you can do without one night's sleep probably too 😛. You do find out a lot about what the medical school is like and what the students think of it.

Oh yeah if you're coming from West Coast to East Coast. I recommend considering coming in one day early and staying in a hotel. The next day staying with your student host. No matter what you're guaranteed at least a normal night's sleep sometime during those two days. I plan to do that if I have to reapply again next year (yes I had bad interviews b/c of lack of sleep).
 
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Rawls87 said:
Staying with student hosts is a plus to some ADCOM members. By spending the night with them and having conversations, it'll get rid of the pre-game jitters you'll have going into interviews. At least that's how I felt about it.

Good luck :luck:
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How would adcomm members find out if you stayed with a student unless they ask about it?

To the OP, you know yourself best. If you are like me and need a well rested night then I would stay at the hotel. The whole "you get to learn more" thing is all cool, except they spend 6 hours at every interview showing you EVERYTHING. And med students really don't live that differently that students in college... so honestly, stay at the hotel if it brings peace to your mind.
 
I prefer student host because you get to meet the people and learn more about the school.
But the lodging... mmm might prefer hotels sometimes.
 
Student host for more unfiltered opinions and maybe interview tips

Hotels for the quiet and piece of mind.

It's up to you
 
Rawls87 said:
Staying with student hosts is a plus to some ADCOM members.
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Another SDN Urban Legend that just won't die - I have seen posters argue that adcoms are disturbed to learn that you did not stay with a student host...your post is just a variation on that nonsense.

Seven interviews and nobody has asked me where I slept the night before, much less shown any disapproval that I bunked at a hotel.
 
Hotel is the better option for me. I like the fitness center access and ability to check out my potential home city without imposing on anyone.

If you're not one of those socially awkward pre-meds, you will probably have plenty of time during the interview day to talk to students, check out student lounges/study areas, and stuff like that.
 
TooMuchResearch said:
Hotel is the better option for me. I like the fitness center access and ability to check out my potential home city without imposing on anyone.

If you're not one of those socially awkward pre-meds, you will probably have plenty of time during the interview day to talk to students, check out student lounges/study areas, and stuff like that.
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You actually work out during your interview trip?
 
I always stay at hotels and don't sleep well as it is. If I tried to sleep on a couch, I'd be awake all night and would show up looking like a zombie. I'd rather sleep the night before and miss out on the extra insight from student hosts if it means having a good interview. In my experience, there are plenty of opportunities to talk to the med students on the interview day if you're willing to speak up.
 
ya?! well I....I...

f it. Ur just another crazy premed gunner :eyebrow:


:meanie:
 
BBender716 said:
Played racquetball with my student host on mine lol
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i played some madden with my host at Vandy. that was so great.


i think you should stay with host. it can help you with your interview. Run things by them on what you think is interesting about the school, and they can tell you if those ideas truly make the school unique or if its just some BS the school says. Then they can tell you what the school really puts first and wants to hear.
 
iltimately, the way i saw it was that students will give you the truth about things, good and bad. At your interview, the bads dont exist. the school is utopia. It has everything you could possibly want.

after you get accepted, it may be best to ask what the downsides are, and how to overcome those
 
and then my host at UCSF lived with 2 people that worked at Facebook and knew Mark Zuckerberg. We talked for hours about the company. I had so many questions.

student hosts are fun. doooo it!
 
i think staying with a host is overrated. it's a good experience the first time, but after that, i personally just wanted my own space. if you stay with a host, you have to act like a good guest, and you can't just do your own thing.

all the schools are pretty much the same, so if there's anything really unique, you should already know about it, you'll find out about it during presentations, or you'll learn about it by talking to the students on interview day. only reason i'd stay with a host again is if i couldn't afford the hotel bill.
 
txprodigal said:
i think staying with a host is overrated. it's a good experience the first time, but after that, i personally just wanted my own space. if you stay with a host, you have to act like a good guest, and you can't just do your own thing.

all the schools are pretty much the same, so if there's anything really unique, you should already know about it, you'll find out about it during presentations, or you'll learn about it by talking to the students on interview day. only reason i'd stay with a host again is if i couldn't afford the hotel bill.
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👍

And to add to the paranoia: at some schools, the hosts fill out a report on the guests, rating them...it goes to the adcom...who the hell needs that kind of BS?
 
flip26 said:
👍

And to add to the paranoia: at some schools, the hosts fill out a report on the guests, rating them...it goes to the adcom...who the hell needs that kind of BS?
Click to expand...

i dont see why that matters. if someone cant act like a good person and a good guest, then i would not want that person in my class anyway.

Case is the only school i know of where the host can add to you profile.
 
BlueElmo said:
You actually work out during your interview trip?
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Just for ~30 minutes. It helps me relax (especially if there is no bar in the hotel).

He2 said:
iltimately, the way i saw it was that students will give you the truth about things, good and bad. At your interview, the bads dont exist. the school is utopia. It has everything you could possibly want.

after you get accepted, it may be best to ask what the downsides are, and how to overcome those
Click to expand...

Nearly all of my student and faculty interviewers have been very candid about the goods and bads.
 
they are if u ask 🙂
 
w8ting2exhale said:
really?? i had no idea
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Your interactions with hosts and students are recorded at plenty of med schools.

I got no real problems with it on interview day, but I am not crazy about getting graded by my host based on who knows what, like if I hung my wet towel on the towel rack or if I snored...
 
alibai3ah said:
How would adcomm members find out if you stayed with a student unless they ask about it?

To the OP, you know yourself best. If you are like me and need a well rested night then I would stay at the hotel. The whole "you get to learn more" thing is all cool, except they spend 6 hours at every interview showing you EVERYTHING. And med students really don't live that differently that students in college... so honestly, stay at the hotel if it brings peace to your mind.
Click to expand...

at my last interview the ad com straight out asked me. "did you stay with a host?" (i had). read into that what you may but it does happen.

but OP i have done both student hosts and hotels. the student hosts were good cause i got to learn about the school and save money. but i have also chosen to stay in a hotel when i had weird travel arrangements.
Personally i prefer student host because i feel really prepared for the interview. it has some benefits, but if you have the money stay in a hotel if you so please.

and all the hosts i have stayed with were really nice about making sure they ask me when i want to go to bed so they are not in my way and have taken me to the campus the next day and out to dinner the night before. Much better than sitting in a hotel room watching TV alone.
 
Hotel rooms in Buffalo are not that expensive. Sleeping on a sofa in an apartment/house with five others is a bit crowded especially if there are only one or two bathrooms. You need to be able to get yourself prepared for the interview without tripping over the household.

Pick up a nice Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts coffee gift card and send it in a note (or better yet leave it with the admissions office) where decline your host's kind invitation. You will rest better and you don't have to explain your actions to an admissions committee. Just seal the envelope and it will like a "thank-you note" which it is because you are thanking them for the offer but not accepting it.

There are not penalties for not staying with a student host.
 
flip26 said:
Another SDN Urban Legend that just won't die - I have seen posters argue that adcoms are disturbed to learn that you did not stay with a student host...your post is just a variation on that nonsense.

Seven interviews and nobody has asked me where I slept the night before, much less shown any disapproval that I bunked at a hotel.
Click to expand...

Actually it is a PLUS to adcom members as a friend of mine who interviewed at Yale received the very question of whether or not she stayed with a student host.

Your personal experience cannot generalize to the rest of the population, fact not fiction.
 
txprodigal said:
i think staying with a host is overrated. it's a good experience the first time, but after that, i personally just wanted my own space. if you stay with a host, you have to act like a good guest, and you can't just do your own thing.

all the schools are pretty much the same, so if there's anything really unique, you should already know about it, you'll find out about it during presentations, or you'll learn about it by talking to the students on interview day. only reason i'd stay with a host again is if i couldn't afford the hotel bill.
Click to expand...

For all my interviews, I schedule for the afternoon group. This way, if I wasn't staying with a student host, I had all morning to talk to random students and also those who ate with us at lunch. This always worked to my benefit because there were always minute details about programs and services not posted on websites that I could use in my interview. Plus, if I had specific questions about listed programs, I could get more detail about them directly from students. It helped me a lot!
 
Rawls87 said:
Actually it is a PLUS to adcom members as a friend of mine who interviewed at Yale received the very question of whether or not she stayed with a student host.

Your personal experience cannot generalize to the rest of the population, fact not fiction.
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Read NJBMD's post, sport, and tell her she is full of crap, too...

That you interpret a question from an adcom as to where an interviewee spent the night as a PLUS is laughable.
 
flip26 said:
Read NJBMD's post, sport, and tell her she is full of crap, too...

That you interpret a question from an adcom as to where an interviewee spent the night as a PLUS is laughable.
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When you can get a written affidavit from at least one adcom member from each medical school stating that staying with student hosts has NO effect on their decision, then I will believe you.

For the meantime, each of us will READ and EXPERIENCE our own

In addition to what I posted earlier, my friend who interviewed at this ivy league was followed up with "Why didn't you stay with a student". The point being: some schools will evaluate an applicants motivation to go to an institution based on how much they are willing to experience and use opportunities which allow them to become more familiar about their school.
 
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