Is Asking for an Interview a Fast Track to Rejection?

[hthoang]

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Hey everyone,

So I've been offered an interview at NYMC and am entertaining the idea of emailing NYU to ask if they would consider me for an additional interview while I am in town (to save money, etc.)

My friend said that there will be 2 possible outcomes to this1. they give you an interview
2. they reject you immediately
there is a potential they could interview you once they get through their top choices. Its a fast track to either an interview or rejection. that's the risk you run for the possible added benefit of #1.

however, I am thinking that if they don't reject you now, it's not like you have a chance of NOT being rejected later, right? (way too many negatives, i know) in short, is taking the initiative to ask for consideration for interviews hurt your chances of being granted one later on?

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Hey everyone,

So I've been offered an interview at NYMC and am entertaining the idea of emailing NYU to ask if they would consider me for an additional interview while I am in town (to save money, etc.)

My friend said that there will be 2 possible outcomes to this1. they give you an interview
2. they reject you immediately
there is a potential they could interview you once they get through their top choices. Its a fast track to either an interview or rejection. that's the risk you run for the possible added benefit of #1.

however, I am thinking that if they don't reject you now, it's not like you have a chance of NOT being rejected later, right? (way too many negatives, i know) in short, is taking the initiative to ask for consideration for interviews hurt your chances of being granted one later on?

With all due respect, your friend sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[flip26]

Hey everyone,

So I've been offered an interview at NYMC and am entertaining the idea of emailing NYU to ask if they would consider me for an additional interview while I am in town (to save money, etc.)

My friend said that there will be 2 possible outcomes to this1. they give you an interview
2. they reject you immediately
there is a potential they could interview you once they get through their top choices. Its a fast track to either an interview or rejection. that's the risk you run for the possible added benefit of #1.

however, I am thinking that if they don't reject you now, it's not like you have a chance of NOT being rejected later, right? (way too many negatives, i know) in short, is taking the initiative to ask for consideration for interviews hurt your chances of being granted one later on?

Sure, go for it. There is no downside. None. Your "friend" is an idiot.

But don't expect them to do you a favor.

 

[brooklynblunder]

i think they could reject you, not because you asked, but because they already made up their mind about who to interview/reject and they might feel like they would want to save the tiem. same thing with interviewing. theres no downside to it.

however, nyu doesnt reject until march so i guess you wont be rejected until then if thats what they decide to do

 

[mmmcdowe]

Contrary to popular belief, admissions offices aren't full of soulless pre-med haters. They understand the financial difficulties involved in the interview process. If they reject you, they were going to do it anyways.

 

[schrizto]

You should try it and then tell us on SDN what their response was.

 

[BeardedRunner]

I think it will most likely benefit you if you tell NYU that you will be in town for another interview. It's the idea of preselection - if a med school thinks your good enough to interview another medical school might want to see what's so special...

 

[schrizto]

I think it will most likely benefit you if you tell NYU that you will be in town for another interview. It's the idea of preselection - if a med school thinks your good enough to interview another medical school might want to see what's so special...

I would agree it would sound classier if you mentioned you would be in town for another interview, but don't mention exactly what other school it was. Then they would be left to wonder which that school is. Columbia? Cornell? Sinai? lol.

 

[guyski79]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat.

Already scheduled my flight for the interview at Einstein, so I can't fit any others in.

But I've been invited to NYMC, and I haven't selected a date in the hope that I can schedule any of the other NYC interviews for the same time (assuming they do actually invite me).

What's the best way to go about asking these schools? Call? Email? 😕

 

[Slowpoke]

Imagine how many people a cycle ask them and how annoying it must be. If you were the only one who e-mailed them concerning this they would probably oblige, but they can't do it for everyone.

But do tell us how it unfolds.

 

[Pet of the Week]

I think I would call rather than email.

 

[teenmachinery1]

me: "hey, i'm gonna be in town so wanna give me an interview?"
NYU: "hell yeah!"
me: "sweet!"

I'm pretty sure this is how it goes.

 

[chman]

I think it will most likely benefit you if you tell NYU that you will be in town for another interview. It's the idea of preselection - if a med school thinks your good enough to interview another medical school might want to see what's so special...

Not only that, but it shows that you think ahead, which is never a bad thing. But I still am not sure about this whole thing. Then again, I am not an authority on the matter.

 

[cardinal2010]

Hey everyone,

So I've been offered an interview at NYMC and am entertaining the idea of emailing NYU to ask if they would consider me for an additional interview while I am in town (to save money, etc.)

My friend said that there will be 2 possible outcomes to this1. they give you an interview
2. they reject you immediately
there is a potential they could interview you once they get through their top choices. Its a fast track to either an interview or rejection. that's the risk you run for the possible added benefit of #1.

however, I am thinking that if they don't reject you now, it's not like you have a chance of NOT being rejected later, right? (way too many negatives, i know) in short, is taking the initiative to ask for consideration for interviews hurt your chances of being granted one later on?

/Yeah your friends full of crap. By far the most likely response is a diplomatic way of saying that they will review your application and let you know about an interview if you get one in due course. Basically saying that we're just going to do exactly what we were doing regardless of you being in the area. I've sent a few of these emails, gotten mostly that response, and one interview (though they also can't schedule me for when I'm in the area, so i'm sure i would have gotten the interview anyways.)

 

[dw2158]

from LizzyM in another thread yesterday:

Can you delay the first interview?.... then contact other schools on your list that are within 120 miles and tell them 1) you are very interested 2) you are coming from Alaska to the region from [date] to [date] for an interview in [city] and you would like the opportunity to interview at that school during the same trip. Say that you know it is a lot to ask but if an interview could be arranged during the time frame you are on the East Coast (or wherever) you'd be very grateful. You may not get an invite at that moment over the phone but you might hear within a week or two.
If it works out, come back to this board and ask for help from the locals in arranging ground transportation ... anywhere between Boston & DC it might be easiest to take buses or trains rather than flying between cities.

obviously replace "alaska" with whatever your home state is... but this seems like a good approach overall. and she suggested calling rather than emailing.

 

[MaryLennox]

i'm pretty sure other people have been successful doing this before. I want to say it was LET? (among others probably)

i agree that they would be sympathetic . . . if it were me i would want to save money, and i'd hope they would respect the fact that i am trying to be practical and not blow through thousands of dollars if i dont have to.