open houses worth it?

[Mina247]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Are open houses given by med schools worth it to go to? Is there a chance to run into anyone important in the admissions process? There is one coming up for a particular school I am interested in...but I have already seen the campus so I dont need it as a chance to view the school....I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to go to in case someone important happened to be there...

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

I think it really depends on the school, and on your luck. It probably mostly depends on your luck though.

When I applied, I had taken some advice from a couple friends that if I had the opportunity, I should go and visit some of the schools I was interested in. Well, it just so happenned that while visiting an allopathic school, I was sat down with the director of admissions. We ended up talking for 45 minutes, and then he gave me a tour of the school. I'm sure that had a lot to do with why I got into school there.

But I wouldn't recommend going to an open house with the intention of meeting someone that might remember you, or help to get you in. If you have the time, money and desire to go, then it can't hurt.

 

[BayesianDoc]

For me it was worth it. In August I went to a DO asmissions information session at PCOM. It was conducted by who else the director and asst. director of admissions. When I interviewed exactly one month later the director of admissions said "I remember you" from somewhere. Point is she remembered my face and when that was later connected to my application when she was interviewing me she knew that I had already expressed interest in the school. Now I am not saying to go to every open house at every school you apply to. I did but I only applied to one school. I would recommend going to Open Houses at your first choice or best chance school.

raptror5

 

[Amy B]

I wouldn't go to an open house just to "impress" someone there. What I would recommend is that you go to learn about the school in an unstressful time. You can check out the school in the same way you would on an interview day but minus the pressure and the stress of the interview atmosphere.

 

[BayesianDoc]

I do not agree. When I went to PCOM for the open house I had already done my research on the school.

They are trying to impress you when you go there.

You are trying to impress them with your desire to know more about the school. You try to impress them with your grades, MCAT scores, internships, past experiences. Everything about the process is an impression. You want to leave them with the impression that you want to go there. I believe it is a good tactical move. The whole process is such a crapshoot sometimes you need an edge.

But this is just my opinion.

 

[Dr JPH]

People here at PCOM definately remember those who attend open houses and make it a point to introduce themselves.

The Director of Admissions the other day recognized two students who were shadowing me from an open house earlier in the year.

 

[Amy B]

I did say don't go "JUST" to impress people. I underlinded the word just to clearify my post above. You will be able to use the open house to impress people, but what I was meaning above, you can take something else from it for you. It is a stressfree chance to visit the school and not be worried about interviewing that day.

I didn't want readers here to think I meant you can't impress admits at open houses, because that is not what I meant.😎

 

[GlimmerGlass]

Bringing this topic back up and didn't want to start a new thread.

Does anyone have any more recent opinions on the value of open houses during your current application cycle? There are a few DO schools with upcoming open houses and I am thinking about attending the open house at PCOM. Since I do not live in Philly do people think it is worth the cost and effort to attend an open house? Do schools keep track of who attends open houses and do they somehow relate this to your application as you showing interest? Or are open houses more for people who are applying next cycle and are trying to get a feel for schools?

 

[ceadmilefailte]

I went to a few open houses of schools I was really interested in during the months preceding the submission of my applications. I thought it helped in writing some of the secondaries. I really doubt schools will be keeping track and thinking wow this kid came to visit, he must want to come here. But perhaps it could give you something to talk about in the interview for when they ask you why our school?

I'd say if the cost isn't too bad and its not a hassle, go for fun. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

Bringing this topic back up and didn't want to start a new thread.

Does anyone have any more recent opinions on the value of open houses during your current application cycle? There are a few DO schools with upcoming open houses and I am thinking about attending the open house at PCOM. Since I do not live in Philly do people think it is worth the cost and effort to attend an open house? Do schools keep track of who attends open houses and do they somehow relate this to your application as you showing interest? Or are open houses more for people who are applying next cycle and are trying to get a feel for schools?

 

[whyrishiwhynot]

I was asked about whether I attended an open house at PCOM during my interview two weeks ago. She wrote something down when I said yes... Definitely worth it just to see that happen. I think they cross reference open house lists with interviews.

 

[UpwardTrend]

I was just wondering what people suggest dressing like at these open houses.

 

[Telekinesis]

I was just wondering what people suggest dressing like at these open houses.

Can't go wrong with a suit/tie combo.

 

[ceadmilefailte]

Nice tan pants, shirt and tie wouldn't be bad either.

Can't go wrong with a suit/tie combo.