ONE interview only... one shot... Advice please.

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jessejude

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I'm a late applicant here with not too good stats (28 MCAT/3.5GPA/cookie cutter app but with all the components) and after writing an interest letter a month ago, received an II for February to UVM.

I'm not a Vermont resident or even a surrounding area resident.. it will be my first time in Vermont and I really do like the school from what I've read. It was my first choice.

The issue is that my future is basically counting on the impression I make during this interview. I would like to know if UVM waitlists almost all interviewees...or if they reject any POST-interview?
If I have a decent interview, what are my chances of getting in? I read they interview around 600 and 100ish matriculates... does that mean they accept only about a third of interviewees?

I'm preparing myself to be a re-applicant and one of the labs I'm applying to wants a full year commitment...
Unfortunately, I have been rejected or put on "hold" from the other schools I've applied to..there's only one state school in my state and I've been rejected from them already. I applied late and not to enough schools. I am REALLY happy about the UVM II, but am just worried since my stats are low and I do think I'm a nice guy, but not the best at interviews. Should I tell the interviewer or adcom that UVM is truly my top choice (since it is!) and let them know that I'll be a reapplicant if I don't get in... or is that too desperate?

Sorry guys if I'm being ridiculous... it's been a rough and demoralizing cycle for me.
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1. Freaking out is not a good strategy.
2. Worrying about probabilities is counter productive.
3. Research the school a ton, and prepare yourself professionally.
4. Suit up.
 
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Realize that you must have something going for you if you got an interview. Play your strengths, which are obviously not your numbers. Be confident, and I would start trying to do mock interviews with as many people as you can to get the nerves out. Then on the day of the interview just say whatever happens happens and give it your all. Be yourself and realize that if you supposed to matriculate there then you will. Good luck, and keep us updated.


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Scroll all the way up to the top of this page and look for the link to "Interview Feedback". Read everything you can about that school and what the interview day is like.

If you can do a mock interview in your suit in an office environment with someone who doesn't know you well (parent of a friend, perhaps?) but who has an idea of some of the usual questions, you can get over the jitters so that UVM doesn't feel like the first time.

Relax. They liked you enough on paper to interview you. In all likelihood they make offers to 200-300 applicants (depending on how many offers they make to people who they expect will go elsewhere) so your chances are 33-50% if it were just random, which it is not -- you can improve your odds with a positive mental attitude, poise, personality, courtesy, etc.
 
One interview. One acceptance. Go get it. 😉
 
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Oh yeah. Please also do not forget to send update letters or LOIs post-interview--if they like that sort of thing.
 
Thank you LizzyM and everyone for your replies. They mean a lot to me 🙂 ... and I will try to follow all the advice. I think just being nervous and thinking about how this is my only interview is the hardest to overcome..
I don't think my school can schedule me for a mock.. honestly, my pre-med advisor is not the greatest.. he told me I have such a small chance of getting in and that i'll be competing for a waitlist spot in february... he hinted that I'm not worth giving a mock to. I'll definitely try find someone though to practice and look through all the list of interview questions.

I will send a LOI after the interview as well and hope for the best. I really do hope they accept more around 200-300 students...
oops, no worrying about statistics 😳

THANK YOU ALL! I really got some uplifting advice on sdn, which is what I needed at this point.. so I am grateful.
 
I think there's a group of people who do mock interviews over skype on SDN if you need some practice. I don't know if they're still doing it though.
 
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I interviewed there last month. Its a very relaxed environment, and I would say the best place to have a single interview. Know your AMCAS and you'll be fine. They just want to get to know you, and there weren't any pressure type questions or anything meant to trick you.

Good luck!
 
jessejude said:
I'm a late applicant here with not too good stats (28 MCAT/3.5GPA/cookie cutter app but with all the components) and after writing an interest letter a month ago, received an II for February to UVM.

I'm not a Vermont resident or even a surrounding area resident.. it will be my first time in Vermont and I really do like the school from what I've read. It was my first choice.

The issue is that my future is basically counting on the impression I make during this interview. I would like to know if UVM waitlists almost all interviewees...or if they reject any POST-interview?
If I have a decent interview, what are my chances of getting in? I read they interview around 600 and 100ish matriculates... does that mean they accept only about a third of interviewees?

I'm preparing myself to be a re-applicant and one of the labs I'm applying to wants a full year commitment...
Unfortunately, I have been rejected or put on "hold" from the other schools I've applied to..there's only one state school in my state and I've been rejected from them already. I applied late and not to enough schools. I am REALLY happy about the UVM II, but am just worried since my stats are low and I do think I'm a nice guy, but not the best at interviews. Should I tell the interviewer or adcom that UVM is truly my top choice (since it is!) and let them know that I'll be a reapplicant if I don't get in... or is that too desperate?

Sorry guys if I'm being ridiculous... it's been a rough and demoralizing cycle for me.
Click to expand...

Take the time to watch this TED Talk on body language to give the right impression at your interview and rock it (http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html)! To quote the video, "You are SUPPOSED to be here...fake it until you become it."
 
My one advice is look at your application and find a thread or a "story" that ties all your activities and experiences together in a cohesive story. When you're at your interview, in addition to being dynamic, personable, professional--remember to really share/showcase your "story" about why medicine, why UVM...Interviewing isn't just about answering questions. You want to knit together a cohesive idea of who you are and really present that to people you interview with through your answers and the way you carry yourself!

Goodluck!
 
You should make an internet video called,"One man, One interview."
 
I have not interviewed at UVM before but I have heard the school waitlists all OOS applicants at first - don't be alarmed, it's just part of their process. They try to take people who have a legitimate interest in the school so sending updates, letter of intent, perhaps extra rec letters are very helpful for this school. It's important to show a lot of interest and be enthusiastic during your interview day at UVM (important for all schools) because I hear they especially care about this. Be courteous, relaxed, and go in with the minset you want to have fun. After all, the school is trying to sell itself to you as well. Just do your best and be persistent (but not annoying) with updates and show them lots of love.
 
I was accepted to UVM 2 weeks ago, and I plan on matriculating. PM me if you need help. We could be future classmates 😀.

My thoughts:

First off, I read this short book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Medical-School-Interview-ebook/dp/B004FN1UIO

Know the basics of medicine and medical schools in general. Last cycle I somehow didn't know what a standardized patient (actor) was, and I felt like a complete idiot.

Study everything you can about UVM and Burlington. It's a small city with some suburbs, tucked away into an otherwise rural area. One of the interview-day presentations was a series of videos that were on their website.

At UVM, you will have a single one-on-one, supposedly open-file, 45 minute interview after lunch. Make sure you're comfortable wearing your suit, and have it tailored. Also, interview day is not the day to be relearning how to do a tie. Plan out your trip to Burlington so that you're well-rested and ready to take on the world.

Practice, practice practice. I wrote down the 3 big questions and made an outline of what I could mention in an interview:

***Tell me about yourself. ***
***Why do you want to be a doctor? ***
***Why do you want to go to UVM (and why should UVM accept you)? ***

Anything on your application is fair game. In addition to reviewing my primary, I went over my old research posters.

Good Luck 👍
 
imcanadaian said:
My one advice is look at your application and find a thread or a "story" that ties all your activities and experiences together in a cohesive story. When you're at your interview, in addition to being dynamic, personable, professional--remember to really share/showcase your "story" about why medicine, why UVM...Interviewing isn't just about answering questions. You want to knit together a cohesive idea of who you are and really present that to people you interview with through your answers and the way you carry yourself!

Goodluck!
Click to expand...

Be careful about this... someone I know did this last year and I had the opportunity to see the reviewer's sheet... the "theme" and tagline approach was considered hokey, forced and a bit cheesy. That said, the applicant eventually got admitted but it was an uphill slog after that interview report.
 
LizzyM said:
Be careful about this... someone I know did this last year and I had the opportunity to see the reviewer's sheet... the "theme" and tagline approach was considered hokey, forced and a bit cheesy. That said, the applicant eventually got admitted but it was an uphill slog after that interview report.
Click to expand...

I guess I mean have some idea of how to sell yourself and present yourself well. I looked over my application materials before my interviews and really thought about what is it about me that makes me unique (being a multi-year non-trad reapplicant, my current job, my physician mentor) and made sure to sell that well on interview day. Definitely not advocating coming up with something fake or trite for the sake of having a thematic interview!
 
Don't think about any of those things. Just be clutch and execute
 
My friend I advise you go listen to "Lose yourself" by Eminem.

Pre-game ritual of mine.
"Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?"
 
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