I just interviewed at a DO school and the first thing they asked me when I came into the room was if i had applied to MD schools, and which ones? And why did I want to come to their school. The interview went well but I felt as if they were suspicious about my intentions to go to their school. This school does not have a strong regional bias but I am from a different region (south) school's in the north. I just found out that I was waitlisted at their school today and Im a bit bummed. My stats are above their average but not drastically so, and I felt the interview went well. So Im just wondering if this is a normal question that schools ask you? I dont understand why they were so interested in whether I applied to MD schools, I show a DO bias, I have a DO letter, and I attend an SMP at a DO school. Im just wondering what other ppls experience is? Also my stats are not amazing, 3.8 cgpa, 29 MCAT. I also had a very good reason why I want to attend this school and I felt like I articulated it well. They were also asking stuff like what kind of support system would u have here? etc. Im like wth only like 20% of their students are instate, why is it so crazy that i would move across country to go to med school?
Is this question normal during an interview?
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I heard this same question at two of my DO interviews. others didn't care, but I definitely heard these same questions. The truth is that they know is an uncomfortable question and they want to see how you react. As far as the support system goes, that's a very reasonable question. Location is one of the biggest reasons why people pick a med school. Most people go for the school closest to home. It honestly sounds like they were just trying to gauge your interest in their school.
I honestly wouldn't worry though. Your stats are very solid and you'll get in somewhere. Also, DO schools have waitlist movement, so it's not the last word.
It's a pretty common question. Like hallowmann said, location is a big thing. I applied to schools that were very local to me, or that I otherwise had ties to (family nearby, etc) and then I also applied all over the country because you can't be really picky in this process unless you have insane stats. I doubt that your answer to that question was the reason for your waitlist unless you completely bombed it. They just want to know why you are considering moving halfway across the country I guess 🙂
I didn't receive that question at my only non-local interview that I've had so far, but I would have basically just said that I applied broadly to schools that had mission statements that spoke to me as well as a history of performing well.
I didn't receive that question at my only non-local interview that I've had so far, but I would have basically just said that I applied broadly to schools that had mission statements that spoke to me as well as a history of performing well.
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Seems like a fair question. The school wants to see why you are applying to their school, and not just someone who is applying to MD and DO and just saying "Idc where I get accepted". I was also asked about the support systems I have. I think they want to know how you handle stress because medical school is tough.
Your stats are pretty good though. If you don't get accepted here I'm sure you will get interviews at other schools if you have applied. Maybe practice doing mock interviews, you might have been placed on hold because your interviewing skills are not so good.
Your stats are pretty good though. If you don't get accepted here I'm sure you will get interviews at other schools if you have applied. Maybe practice doing mock interviews, you might have been placed on hold because your interviewing skills are not so good.
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And you didn't get in at that school, why? I thought if you do an SMP you're in.
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My bad. I read that "attended". If you are in an SMP right now, given you do well you will be accepted at your SMP school. So, don't worry. Your stats are competitive, and you have a backup in this SMP program you attend.
Relax
I wouldn't assume you have an easy in at a school just because you did an SMP there. unless the acceptance is in writing (ie a linkage program or guaranteed acceptance specifically), you may only have a slight preference over other applicants.
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They're not trying to be rude. I had this question asked a few times while I was interviewing. I know it tends to throw people off.
This is a different way of asking the "Why DO?" and "Why our school?" questions. At this point in the cycle the interviewers want to make sure they accept people who actually intend to go there.
This is a different way of asking the "Why DO?" and "Why our school?" questions. At this point in the cycle the interviewers want to make sure they accept people who actually intend to go there.
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I my school we're not allowed to ask such questions. They're just inviting the candidate to lie. they probably looking for your dedication to Osteopathy. A side note, If someone could get into their cheaper home MD school, that's fine with me.
I just interviewed at a DO school and the first thing they asked me when I came into the room was if i had applied to MD schools, and which ones?
That's a VERY fair question. You're surprised they asked that? We want people to come ot our school because they want to come here, not merely because it's the only school they could get into, or they couldn't get into, say, CCOM.
And why did I want to come to their school.
There's your answer right there.
The interview went well but I felt as if they were suspicious about my intentions to go to their school. This school does not have a strong regional bias but I am from a different region (south) school's in the north.
You weren't waitlisted because the Adcom felt that you wouldn't go to a far away school, you most likely bombed your interview, or there's a red flag in your app. Most interviewees, FYI are very poor assessors of how their interviews went.
I just found out that I was waitlisted at their school today and Im a bit bummed. My stats are above their average but not drastically so, and I felt the interview went well.
This is also a very valid question. Med school is hard, and can crush even emotionally strong students. Those without support systems tend to be more at risk. It's also very valid to ask, say, why come all the way here, when you could easily get into VCOM, PCOM-GA, KYCOM, ACOM etc?
They were also asking stuff like what kind of support system would u have here? etc. Im like wth only like 20% of their students are instate, why is it so crazy that i would move across country to go to med school?
I just interviewed at a DO school and the first thing they asked me when I came into the room was if i had applied to MD schools, and which ones?
That's a VERY fair question. You're surprised they asked that? We want people to come ot our school because they want to come here, not merely because it's the only school they could get into, or they couldn't get into, say, CCOM.
And why did I want to come to their school.
There's your answer right there.
The interview went well but I felt as if they were suspicious about my intentions to go to their school. This school does not have a strong regional bias but I am from a different region (south) school's in the north.
You weren't waitlisted because the Adcom felt that you wouldn't go to a far away school, you most likely bombed your interview, or there's a red flag in your app. Most interviewees, FYI are very poor assessors of how their interviews went.
I just found out that I was waitlisted at their school today and Im a bit bummed. My stats are above their average but not drastically so, and I felt the interview went well.
This is also a very valid question. Med school is hard, and can crush even emotionally strong students. Those without support systems tend to be more at risk. It's also very valid to ask, say, why come all the way here, when you could easily get into VCOM, PCOM-GA, KYCOM, ACOM etc?
They were also asking stuff like what kind of support system would u have here? etc. Im like wth only like 20% of their students are instate, why is it so crazy that i would move across country to go to med school?
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One of the biggest things I learned while interviewing is making sure you answer the interviewers question.
I used to think that just because I had already answered the "Why DO?" question in my PS or secondary that they already knew. Because I was afraid to repeat myself my verbal answers were shorter and vague.
When an interviewer asks you a basic question make sure you fully answer it. Sometimes they are checking to see if what you say is the same as what you wrote. Yeah, you might have 3 LORs from rural physicians and extensive volunteering in low income areas but you HAVE TO SAY your motivations in verbal form. Don't be afraid that you might be repeating your secondary or PS.
I used to think that just because I had already answered the "Why DO?" question in my PS or secondary that they already knew. Because I was afraid to repeat myself my verbal answers were shorter and vague.
When an interviewer asks you a basic question make sure you fully answer it. Sometimes they are checking to see if what you say is the same as what you wrote. Yeah, you might have 3 LORs from rural physicians and extensive volunteering in low income areas but you HAVE TO SAY your motivations in verbal form. Don't be afraid that you might be repeating your secondary or PS.
For what exactly? I am not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if it would be inappropriate for you to bring up your significant other in the interview at all or simply bringing him/her up as a reason to go to a school (ie they already live there, have a job lined up there, etc?)
Oh okay, I get it now. I think that if you are engaged or married it would be okay, otherwise I don't think it carries much significance. That is just my opinion though. Obviously it depends on how long you have been with them, but if they are moving with you it's probably pretty serious. If your significant other would really be your support system there with you, then certainly state that.
Just to update on the situation. I called the admissions and asked for feedback on my interview. The only thing they said that was an issue was that they werent convinced I wanted to attend their school or why I was interested in their school. I find this strange since I gave them very specific reasons why I chose to apply to this school. Also to add to the issue, the interviewer made a comment about how calm and relaxed I was during the interview, so maybe they interpreted it as me not being nervous because I wasnt super interested in their school.
When I look back on it I think that I didnt express my interest in attending, I was talking more about why I chose to apply. This was my first real interview so im chalking it up to a learning experience. I have another interview tomorrow so now Im a bit more nervous. I have done alot of mock interviews and I have always been told that I interview very well so maybe I was to confident going in.
When I look back on it I think that I didnt express my interest in attending, I was talking more about why I chose to apply. This was my first real interview so im chalking it up to a learning experience. I have another interview tomorrow so now Im a bit more nervous. I have done alot of mock interviews and I have always been told that I interview very well so maybe I was to confident going in.
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Well you know the problem now. At this point just focus on overemphasizing that you want to be there.
