Only 1 interview. How to play it?

[Potato!]

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Unfortunately, I have only 1 interview during this cycle. It will be coming up shortly. During the interview which of the following makes more sense to do:

1) Pretend like I have a couple of interviews, (makes it sound like other people want me to0), but really express my interest in this school that I'm interviewing at.

2) Say that this is my only interview (Thus, they know that if they offer me admissions I'll take them up on it).

It's my experience (limited) that admissions comittees feel good about themselves and their school if they pick someone who they know will attend. I think sometimes these admissions people feel like the've been rejected when you reject their school for a "better" one. This is just one of my conspiracy theories, but the question remains which strategy should I play up? Thanks!

 

[davidr]

1) Pretend like I have a couple of interviews, (makes it sound like other people want me to0), but really express my interest in this school that I'm interviewing at.

I wouldn't lie about it, but perhaps don't mention it.

2) Say that this is my only interview (Thus, they know that if they offer me admissions I'll take them up on it).

I wouldn't necessary give that information out as it may make you look undesirable. I think just tell your interviewers how impressed you are by their school. Give them reasons why you want to attend their school specifically not that you have no other options.

 

[j48seconds]

I agree with davidr. You don't need to tell them anything about your interview experience. You want to go into every interview confident in yourself and interested in the school. If they ask you how you like the school, you say it's nice, you like the people, and you think it may fit you. Talk up the school and how it fits you, but don't say that it's your only choice. Interviewers like to know that you are interested in their school, but not that they win by default.
You know it's your only interview, but they don't, so act confident in yourself like you have many interviews.

 

[Potato!]

What if they specifically ask me a question like "how have your other interviews been?". Or, "have you been to many other interviews?". Do they never ask these kinds of questions?

 

[Wiggy73]

You can always hedge, like "I'm still waiting to hear back from a bunch of schools." But I don't see anything wrong with telling them they're your first choice, as long as you back it up with concrete reasons why you're a good fit.

 

[UCLAstudent]

What if they specifically ask me a question like "how have your other interviews been?". Or, "have you been to many other interviews?". Do they never ask these kinds of questions?

They might ask that, and I think it's okay to say that it's your first one. They don't need to know that you don't have others planned for the future, though.

 

[angelinebear]

I interviewed at two schools. I had 5 interviewers al together. 4/5 of those interviewers asked me how many interviews I've had. For my first interview, I told the interviewer that this was my first interview because I was an Aug. MCATer. After I answered, she said..."Oh yeah...what schools do you have lined up so far to interview at?" 😱 ...Like geez lady!...hahaha

 

[Law2Doc]

I interviewed at two schools. I had 5 interviewers al together. 4/5 of those interviewers asked me how many interviews I've had. For my first interview, I told the interviewer that this was my first interview because I was an Aug. MCATer. After I answered, she said..."Oh yeah...what schools do you have lined up so far to interview at?" 😱 ...Like geez lady!...hahaha

I agree. In my experience they almost always ask where else you are looking/interviewing. Sometimes they phrase it in terms of asking where their school falls in your interview schedule (i.e. wanting to know if they are one of the early ones, late ones, only one). While it of course sounds better if you are in demand, I think that unless you are really good at BS'ing, you are better off sticking with the truth. Don't be defensive, and emphasize how much you like their school and how happy you are to be interviewed there.

 

[DocMizzle]

If this is your only interview, make sure that you not only tell them how much you like the school, but also emphasize that it is your top choice. This will let them know you will attend if they accept you.

 

[dankev]

I only had one interview last year, and I am now attending the school. The interview was in April, so I pretty much assumed I was, at best, interviewing for a spot on the waitlist, or, at worst, SOL.

Part of the interview:
Dr: How is the app process going for you?
Me: Um... Not as well as I had hoped.
Dr: Why do you think that is? Did you apply late?
Me: Yes, I applied late.
Dr: Well, don't worry. We still have plenty of spots left in our class.
Me: Fantastic!

I sent a thank you note to the interviewer when I got home a few days later. The thank you note said I had a great time at the school and really hope to attend. I sent a letter of intent a couple weeks later, saying that if accepted, I would attend.

Whatever you do, don't lie. It's a ****ty habit to get into. There's no good reason to lie about this anyway. You can also assume the interviewer is damn smart and used to hearing BS, so he/she can probably smell it. I think the key to my interview going so well was the fact that I was so honest about myself. It helped us bond really quickly.

Good luck.

 

[nne97080]

Yeah
So far I only have one too. Not bothered. Interviewed in a million schools last time and got waitlisted in all I mean like 10 so I will just be honest and give it my best shot. Good luck.
-N

 

[uclabruin2003]

What if they specifically ask me a question like "how have your other interviews been?". Or, "have you been to many other interviews?". Do they never ask these kinds of questions?

its best to brush that off and say...well i am interested in school x,y and z. that way they may interpret that you are interviewing at those schools or not. but if anything express your interest in their school as much as possible. find out very specific tidbits about the school that you like.