number of interviews and still no luck?

[Warped Apostle]

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You always hear the saying that the more interviews you have increases your chance of getting into medical school. Has anyone had the opposite, where they had a bunch of interviews and never received an acceptance? If so how many interview did you have?

A few years ago when I applied I had 4 interviews, but no acceptance.

 

[brooklynblunder]

You always hear the saying that the more interviews you have increases your chance of getting into medical school. Has anyone had the opposite, where they had a bunch of interviews and never received an acceptance? If so how many interview did you have?

A few years ago when I applied I had 4 interviews, but no acceptance.

the first statement is definitely true, obviously, but that doesn't mean you are guaranteed an acceptance after a certain # of interviews

 

[He2]

meeeeeeeee

 

[PinkIvy08]

Yeah...in theory, more interviews means an increased chance at an acceptance. This is not the case when one lacks decent interviewing skills. If you can't interview, can't conduct normal conversation with strangers, or are just socially awkward, 100 interviews isn't going to help you. I'd say 4 interviews and no acceptances isn't that big of a cause for concern...too many variables (i.e. when you submitted primary and secondaries, etc.). If you had said 8 or something, then I'd say red flag.

 

[FIREitUP]

meeeeeeeee

dude, stop whining you have so many interviews and haven't even been rejected from anywhere yet. stop being such an attention ho.

 

[Contrarian]

Yeah...in theory, more interviews means an increased chance at an acceptance. This is not the case when one lacks decent interviewing skills. If you can't interview, can't conduct normal conversation with strangers, or are just socially awkward, 100 interviews isn't going to help you. I'd say 4 interviews and no acceptances isn't that big of a cause for concern...too many variables (i.e. when you submitted primary and secondaries, etc.). If you had said 8 or something, then I'd say red flag.

I doubt most people are really that bad at interviewing. All the interviews I've been to have been so relaxed and conversational. It's hard to figure how they could make a decision based on that type of interview. It seems more like a "normalcy" test than anything else. In the end, it seems to come back to your entire app, to which your interview contributes a small portion.

 

[dingyibvs]

Yeah...in theory, more interviews means an increased chance at an acceptance. This is not the case when one lacks decent interviewing skills. If you can't interview, can't conduct normal conversation with strangers, or are just socially awkward, 100 interviews isn't going to help you. I'd say 4 interviews and no acceptances isn't that big of a cause for concern...too many variables (i.e. when you submitted primary and secondaries, etc.). If you had said 8 or something, then I'd say red flag.

The general rule is that 3 or more interviews with no acceptances send out a red flag. If you already have an invite, then you're already past the submission date stage. There are many ways for you to screw up an interview, so look closely at how you do it and try to improve on it.

 

[He2]

i am not. he asked about lots of interviews, with no acceptances. its possible. why do u keep following me around these forums bashing me?

 

[dingyibvs]

I doubt most people are really that bad at interviewing. All the interviews I've been to have been so relaxed and conversational. It's hard to figure how they could make a decision based on that type of interview. It seems more like a "normalcy" test than anything else. In the end, it seems come back to your entire app, of which your interview contributes a small portion.

well, last year, for example, I interviewed at 3 schools with no acceptances. I had poor preparation of "why medicine", but more importantly, I had even poorer posture. I laid back in my chair, crossed my legs, and looked probably lackadaisical overall. I basically took the "relax and be yourself" advice too literally and behaved unprofessional. I've since fixed the said mistakes and I've gotten much better results thus far.

 

[dingyibvs]

i am not. he asked about lots of interviews, with no acceptances. its possible. why do u keep following me around these forums bashing me?

I understand your frustration, but keep your head up man, you haven't been rejected anywhere and haven't even heard back from many of the schools. You're being waaaaaay too neurotic.

 

[FIREitUP]

i am not. he asked about lots of interviews, with no acceptances. its possible. why do u keep following me around these forums bashing me?

because every post you make is a cry for attention to the fact that you haven't been accepted and want pity. you should be optimistic for having so many interviews; i'm sure you'll get in somewhere with those stats.

 

[He2]

trust me, i do not want pity. especially from you. how about this: chill the **** out

 

[bannie22]

HERE I AM. THIS IS ME. [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9beHn5B0MU[/YOUTUBE]


0/4


FIREITUP DONT YELL AT ME. IM YOUR FRIENDLY SUNY UPSTATE WAITING BUDDYYYY!

 

[BlueElmo]

i am not. he asked about lots of interviews, with no acceptances. its possible. why do u keep following me around these forums bashing me?

maybe fireitup secretly finds you hot, and has a crush on you.

 

[FIREitUP]

<3 upstate buddy.
he2 just chill man. come back when you get an acceptance and i'll give you an e-hug.
and yes, he2 makes my giblets tingle with glee.

 

[metallica81788]

The general rule is that 3 or more interviews with no acceptances send out a red flag. If you already have an invite, then you're already past the submission date stage. There are many ways for you to screw up an interview, so look closely at how you do it and try to improve on it.

I agree with this.

If you go statiscally, it support this also. If you do the math at most places, acceptance rates after interviews are 25-40%, so 1 in 3.

Statistics, percentages and odds exist for a reason. When in doubt, go with empirical data.

 

[He2]

thank you.

your giblets make mine tingle with warmth as well.

that is all

 

[PinkIvy08]

I doubt most people are really that bad at interviewing. All the interviews I've been to have been so relaxed and conversational. It's hard to figure how they could make a decision based on that type of interview. It seems more like a "normalcy" test than anything else. In the end, it seems to come back to your entire app, to which your interview contributes a small portion.

Oh, I don't think most are, but there are a few outliers...I have met them on interviews. The worst are the loud douchiest characters that roll in acting like they own the place...who don't even sharpen up and act semi-professional when the interview comes to get them. Repulsive on every level. But, I do believe they are a rare breed.

Also, I think people often forget that just because the interviews are relaxed and conversational, you are still trying to sell yourself by inserting the right sentences here and there. That's why many students who think their interview went so well wind up getting WLed or rejected. I also agree that it is partially a normalcy test.

For some schools the interview means everything in the world. For others, it's a formality. You just never know.

 

[JJMrK]

I agree with this.

If you go statiscally, it support this also. If you do the math at most places, acceptance rates after interviews are 25-40%, so 1 in 3.

Statistics, percentages and odds exist for a reason. When in doubt, go with empirical data.

That's assuming that everybody who walks in the door to interview has an equal opportunity though, which isn't the case.

 

[bannie22]

ITS ONE OUT OF SEVEN POINT FIVE TO ONE OUT OF ELEVEN FOR MEEEEEe🙁

 

[metallica81788]

That's assuming that everybody who walks in the door to interview has an equal opportunity though, which isn't the case.

That is true.

For me, if you're to the point of calculating stats to estimate chances, you're already assuming a lot of different things - that included.

 

[Davydude7]

I interviewed four places last year and ended up on three waitlists, with no acceptances in the end. This year I have had only one interview so far and got accepted. Go figure.

 

[GTV]

Man, I feel you. I've learned that I really suck at interviewing, because I totally psych myself out. The fact is, it's NOT "just a conversation." They're judging everything you say and do, and one slip can kill you. With this in mind, I'm constantly worried about making that fatal mistake, and come off as awkward, which is fatal in itself. I'm 1/3 now (*and EXTREMELY grateful for that "1"), but I'm pretty convinced that the only reason I got into that one school is because the interviewer literally talked for 90% of the time and I didn't really have much of a chance to shoot myself in the foot. How can I possibly act "normal" when I realize I need to sell myself and convey my passion for medicine to a complete stranger in an hour?! It's all BS, if you ask me, but I realize that there is really no better way to assess us...

 

[not so calm now]

How can I possibly act "normal" when I realize I need to sell myself and convey my passion for medicine to a complete stranger in an hour?! It's all BS, if you ask me, but I realize that there is really no better way to assess us...

I feel the same way.

I really like this new Multiple Mini Interview thing that the new VTC school is doing. I'm really convinced that it's a better way of assessing people. Instead of having an unstructured conversation, with the interviewer asking questions on a variety of topics, you have many (~10) short interviews where you talk about a very specific topic. It's usually some sort of ethical or current events-type situation, and they're all really interesting thought experiments. Only one of these is related to your actual application. Another benefit is if you get off to a bad start with an interviewer, you have many chances with other people.

 

[JonSwan]

Man, I feel you. I've learned that I really suck at interviewing, because I totally psych myself out. The fact is, it's NOT "just a conversation." They're judging everything you say and do, and one slip can kill you. With this in mind, I'm constantly worried about making that fatal mistake, and come off as awkward, which is fatal in itself. I'm 1/3 now (*and EXTREMELY grateful for that "1"), but I'm pretty convinced that the only reason I got into that one school is because the interviewer literally talked for 90% of the time and I didn't really have much of a chance to shoot myself in the foot. How can I possibly act "normal" when I realize I need to sell myself and convey my passion for medicine to a complete stranger in an hour?! It's all BS, if you ask me, but I realize that there is really no better way to assess us...

Don't go to an interview with the mindset of desperation - interviewers can smell it. Instead of hoping that the school thinks you're the right person, try going in with the assumption that you'll be accepted and evaluate whether the school is right for you. I'm not telling you to be a cocky jerk, but changing your perspective can boost your confidence and ability to act naturally. If you're constantly trying to "sell yourself", you're probably going to come across as someone who is anxious and trying too hard.