More interview questions

[radioactive15]

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In an interview, does the elegance in which you give your response to the question influence the interviewer's judgement of you?

For example, do they naturally regard someone as much higher if they respond with advanced and elegant vocabulary as opposed to someone who simply answers the questions they are asked? (By elegance, I do not mean fluff. Consider that both people are responding with non-fluff answers, just in different styles)

- If you get invited to an interview, does that usually mean that you have >70% chance of getting into that particular medical school if you do not severely mess up?

 

[hoihaie]

Interview is basically the same as a first date. It's mostly about how they perceive you as a whole person. If you use big (or simple) vocabulary but sound sincere and real, you'll be fine. If you sound like a pompous ass, then that's another story. The delivery of your response does matter, just like you would judge any person you first meet, even when the interviewers are not supposed to do so, there will be unconscious bias. Just be yourself when you talk, and don't try to act like someone you're not.

No, going to interview does not mean you have >70% chance. It depends on the school, but most of the time, it is less than that. For example, at some schools, they interview 700 or so, but only accept ~200.

 

[vellez]

I'd say do your best to come off as likable. An elegant or advanced vocabulary isn't always the best for communicating, and I think interviews are a lot about demonstrating your communication skills.

 

[Goro]

A well-thought out and articulated answer always goes down well

For example, do they naturally regard someone as much higher if they respond with advanced and elegant vocabulary as opposed to someone who simply answers the questions they are asked? (By elegance, I do not mean fluff. Consider that both people are responding with non-fluff answers, just in different styles)

Pretty much. We interview about 500 people, accept about half, for 100 seats. Med schools typically accept 2-3x people for the number of seats them have. I've found that it actually takes work to bomb an interview.

- If you get invited to an interview, does that usually mean that you have >70% chance of getting into that particular medical school if you do not severely mess up?

 

[gannicus89]

A well-thought out and articulated answer always goes down well


Pretty much. We interview about 500 people, accept about half, for 100 seats. Med schools typically accept 2-3x people for the number of seats them have. I've found that it actually takes work to bomb an interview.

What happens if 150 people say yes to your school?

 

[Goro]

The wily old Dean of Admissions loses his job!

What happens if 150 people say yes to your school?

 

[gannicus89]

The wily old Dean of Admissions loses his job!

Oh dear. It's hard to believe that such a situation has never arisen. Maybe not as drastic as 50 extra people...but what about just 1 or 2 extra people... If I wasn't so sleepy, I would be mildly distressed by this.

 

[radioactive15]

A well-thought out and articulated answer always goes down well.

I've found that it actually takes work to bomb an interview.

After hearing the question, how much time would you recommend we gather ourselves to respond as opposed to giving an immediate response? Would a 7-10 second delay be too large?

Do the initial thoughts an interviewee has after completing the interview generally not reflect the reality of the interview? People usually assume they bombed it afterwards after seeing subpar reactions from the interviewer, but in reality, they're not AS bad. Does this hold up in the majority of cases?

 

[Goro]

At interview:

Goro: So, radioactive, what do you think of what Dr Jones just said?"

Quick! Look at your watch and wait for 7 seconds to pass.

Was that too much silence? Not enough? Or OK?

Pretend you're a student interviewer.

I submit that 10 seconds is an agonizingly long time!

After hearing the question, how much time would you recommend we gather ourselves to respond as opposed to giving an immediate response? Would a 7-10 second delay be too large?

Do the initial thoughts an interviewee has after completing the interview generally not reflect the reality of the interview? People usually assume they bombed it afterwards after seeing subpar reactions from the interviewer, but in reality, they're not AS bad. Does this hold up in the majority of cases?

 

[radioactive15]

At interview:

Goro: So, radioactive, what do you think of what Dr Jones just said?"

Quick! Look at your watch and wait for 7 seconds to pass.

Was that too much silence? Not enough? Or OK?

Pretend you're a student interviewer.

I submit that 10 seconds is an agonizingly long time!

I see your point.

To conclude, is it harder to:
A. get an interview
B. be accepted after an interview

 

[hoihaie]

I see your point.

To conclude, is it harder to:
A. get an interview
B. be accepted after an interview

Interviews. Most school only interview ~10% of applicants

 

[TheBatman]

I coud imagine completely bombing an interview.

 

[Goro]

Getting the interview. At my school, it's >5000 apps for 500 interview slots.

We accept about 50% of our interviewees.


At Harvard, it's: 7500 apps for 878 interviews, and they accept around 300. The seat 164.

At Albany, ~9100 apps, 979 interviews, for 138 seats. Figure a minimum of 300 accepts.

So, odds of landing interview ~10%
Odds of accept after interview ~30%

I see your point.

To conclude, is it harder to:
A. get an interview
B. be accepted after an interview

 

[northernlights15]

How does one decide to give a student an interview? I imagine many schools screen based off GPA/MCAT but is there anything else after they look at? @Goro

 

[Dr. Death]

How does one decide to give a student an interview? I imagine many schools screen based off GPA/MCAT but is there anything else after they look at? @Goro

EC, PS, LOR Where have you been bruh? You know the answer to that question I'm sure.

 

[Goro]

Dig up LizzyM's definitive comments on the subject.

How does one decide to give a student an interview? I imagine many schools screen based off GPA/MCAT but is there anything else after they look at? @Goro

 

[radioactive15]

How long should the responses take? Namely the why medicine question. Do they expect >2 minute responses?