Is it always better to interview earlier?

[mariposas905]

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I am considering scheduling an interview to an earlier date. However, it is the week before my final exams. I am in a pretty intensive masters program and am worried about how to plan practicing for an earlier interview in the midst of studying and work. It is also an MMI, which I have never practiced for before. Right now, the two dates I am considering are first week of Dec vs. mid-Jan. Is it wiser to schedule the earlier date in my case?

I would hear back a month earlier about my decision if its the Dec. date but it's also my top choice school and I want to do really well

 

[chaim123]

I am considering scheduling an interview to an earlier date. However, it is the week before my final exams. I am in a pretty intensive masters program and am worried about how to plan practicing for an earlier interview in the midst of studying and work. It is also an MMI, which I have never practiced for before. Right now, the two dates I am considering are first week of Dec vs. mid-Jan. Is it wiser to schedule the earlier date in my case?

I would hear back a month earlier about my decision if its the Dec. date but it's also my top choice school and I want to do really well

In this case, if you'd hear back a month earlier, then it's rolling admissions. So yes, you want an early interview so that there are more spots open when your application is looked at.

 

[mariposas905]

In this case, if you'd hear back a month earlier, then it's rolling admissions. So yes, you want an early interview so that there are more spots open when your application is looked at.

But this school accepts an equal number of applicants for each of their four offer dates...considering this, does interviewing earlier still make a difference?

 

[Rusrus]

But this school accepts an equal number of applicants for each of their four offer dates...considering this, does interviewing earlier still make a difference?

There are more seats and fewer people that have interviewed if you interview earlier. Though they might accept the same number of applicants for each date, as the number of seats dwindle down, the adcoms may become more picky.

 

[mariposas905]

There are more seats and fewer people that have interviewed if you interview earlier. Though they might accept the same number of applicants for each date, as the number of seats dwindle down, the adcoms may become more picky.

Is it even more important to interview early if my stats are on the weaker side? Or better to use the extra time to really prepare for the interview? This is what I am conflicted about...

 

[Goro]

But this school accepts an equal number of applicants for each of their four offer dates...considering this, does interviewing earlier still make a difference?

This doesn't mean that those four people will attend the school. Med schools have to accept around 2-3x people that they have seats for. Hence, when you interview, there will still be a seat for you. It's on you to win it. But the later the cycle goes, the more picky we get.

 

[Rusrus]

Is it even more important to interview early if my stats are on the weaker side? Or better to use the extra time to really prepare for the interview? This is what I am conflicted about...

Realistically, I don't think you will need all that time to prepare for the MMI interview. Ultimately, the MMIs are used to gauge your level of confidence (via your answers) and also show who you are as a person - at least that's what my advisor, an adcom, told me. If you can, I'd choose the earlier interview.