Rejections Post Interviews

[hereitgoesagain]

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I interviewed this past fall at ATSU-SOMA and KYCOM. After being rejected post interview at both schools I canceled two additional interviews at new schools because I felt quite dejected and I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could spend the money on more interviews after being outright rejected twice.

Is it safe to assume that my interview skills are a disaster? Or do they take into account your stats after the interview? So is enrolling in a special master's program the best thing to do at this point? Or would it be trying to retake lower grade pre-reqs and increase my overall GPA?

 

[Mosonik]

I interviewed this past fall at ATSU-SOMA and KYCOM. After being rejected post interview at both schools I canceled two additional interviews at new schools because I felt quite dejected and I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could spend the money on more interviews after being outright rejected twice.

Is it safe to assume that my interview skills are a disaster? Or do they take into account your stats after the interview? So is enrolling in a special master's program the best thing to do at this point? Or would it be trying to retake lower grade pre-reqs and increase my overall GPA?

Good question for Goro but I would say generally school's only seem to interview you if your file, including stats, are good enough for an acceptance. Work on improving your interviewing skills, potentially seek feedback from KYCOM and SOMA if they are willing (never hurts to ask), and get your confidence back up.

The last thing you want is to walk into the interview room, making the same mistakes repeatedly and feeling defeated. Confidence in med interviews is essential and that only comes with preparation and practice.

 

[hallowmann]

I interviewed this past fall at ATSU-SOMA and KYCOM. After being rejected post interview at both schools I canceled two additional interviews at new schools because I felt quite dejected and I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could spend the money on more interviews after being outright rejected twice.

Is it safe to assume that my interview skills are a disaster? Or do they take into account your stats after the interview? So is enrolling in a special master's program the best thing to do at this point? Or would it be trying to retake lower grade pre-reqs and increase my overall GPA?

What are your stats? Can't really give you advice without that info.

You might want to work on your interviewing skills, but I'm really surprised you canceled two interviews. Worst case scenario, you spend a bit more money on interview expenses, and best case scenario you'd get an acceptance one year earlier.

Also, adcoms review your whole file post-interview, so if you have redflags that could also warrant a post-ii rejection. Most schools accept somewhere between 25-33% of their interviewees, so some of that has to be based on stats. That being said, if you have an amazing interview, it might make the difference between an acceptance and rejection (and vice versa).

 

[chizledfrmstone]

I interviewed this past fall at ATSU-SOMA and KYCOM. After being rejected post interview at both schools I canceled two additional interviews at new schools because I felt quite dejected and I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could spend the money on more interviews after being outright rejected twice.

Is it safe to assume that my interview skills are a disaster? Or do they take into account your stats after the interview? So is enrolling in a special master's program the best thing to do at this point? Or would it be trying to retake lower grade pre-reqs and increase my overall GPA?

Well, you got invited for an interview. What were your stats?

If your interviewing skills suck then it's time to improve them. That's probably the easier part of the application cycle.

 

[gmcguitar4]

I interviewed this past fall at ATSU-SOMA and KYCOM. After being rejected post interview at both schools I canceled two additional interviews at new schools because I felt quite dejected and I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could spend the money on more interviews after being outright rejected twice.

Is it safe to assume that my interview skills are a disaster? Or do they take into account your stats after the interview? So is enrolling in a special master's program the best thing to do at this point? Or would it be trying to retake lower grade pre-reqs and increase my overall GPA?

It was definitely a bad decision to cancel those other interviews. You were offered interviews because you do have competitive stats. The way to get better at interviews is to do more interviews. Yes, you probably aren't that great at interviewing but you could have probably scored one acceptance off those other 2 schools.

 

[hereitgoesagain]

3.3c/3.3s/25 MCAT

I feel like an idiot for canceling the interviews. At the time my husband had just been laid off and we literally had no money for me to physically get to them, and even less to waste if I somehow scraped together the $1000 via parents. I understand this shows a great deal of lack of planning...

What are your stats? Can't really give you advice without that info.

You might want to work on your interviewing skills, but I'm really surprised you canceled two interviews. Worst case scenario, you spend a bit more money on interview expenses, and best case scenario you'd get an acceptance one year earlier.

 

[hallowmann]

3.3c/3.3s/25 MCAT

I feel like an idiot for canceling the interviews. At the time my husband had just been laid off and we literally had no money for me to physically get to them, and even less to waste if I somehow scraped together the $1000 via parents.

Its a tough situation, but if it were me, I'd even take out loans to get there.

Your stats aren't incredible, but they aren't terrible. They are just a little below average. If you could easily bump up your GPAs, that might be worth it, but I don't think you need to do a MS or anything. Its not really worth the money considering you could get in with your stats if you apply early and broadly.

Work on interviewing prep. Heavily review the SDN interview feedback and school-specific threads to prep you for each ii you get, and try doing some mock interviews with your husband, friends, and family members. In the mock interviews try answering the questions off the top of your head, and don't rely on writing down the answers, just know them. Last advice is be confident. Know you belong there, because they wouldn't have invited you if you didn't.

 

[DocGodfather]

It can't be your stats if you got four interview invites. Willing to bet it is your interviewing skills. Do mock interviews and record yourself to see you are doing wrong. Wouldn't hurt to contact your rejections to ask what you need to do to improve yourself as a candidate for the school. Outside chance you may have had a bad LOR, but again, most likely you're interview skills are not good.

 

[hereitgoesagain]

Its a tough situation, but if it were me, I'd even take out loans to get there.

Your stats aren't incredible, but they aren't terrible. They are just a little below average. If you could easily bump up your GPAs, that might be worth it, but I don't think you need to do a MS or anything. Its not really worth the money considering you could get in with your stats if you apply early and broadly.

Work on interviewing prep. Heavily review the SDN interview feedback and school-specific threads to prep you for each ii you get, and try doing some mock interviews with your husband, friends, and family members. In the mock interviews try answering the questions off the top of your head, and don't rely on writing down the answers, just know them. Last advice is be confident. Know you belong there, because they wouldn't have invited you if you didn't.

Thank you so much for your insight. I think I could definitely bump up my science GPA relatively easily because I majored in business management. Should I consider retaking the MCAT? And at this point is it worth it to apply again this cycle? Or wait until next year? This is already my second time applying. Last time I had no interviews due to a 21 MCAT.

... Should I just cut my losses at this point? How are third time applicants viewed?

 

[DocGodfather]

3.3c/3.3s/25 MCAT

I feel like an idiot for canceling the interviews. At the time my husband had just been laid off and we literally had no money for me to physically get to them, and even less to waste if I somehow scraped together the $1000 via parents. I understand this shows a great deal of lack of planning...

Yeah, canceling interviews without an acceptance is just crazy. I'd ask everyone I know for a small loan to get to those two interviews. Work on your interviewing skills.

 

[hereitgoesagain]

It can't be your stats if you got four interview invites. Willing to bet it is your interviewing skills. Do mock interviews and record yourself to see you are doing wrong. Wouldn't hurt to contact your rejections to ask what you need to do to improve yourself as a candidate for the school. Outside chance you may have had a bad LOR, but again, most likely you're interview skills are not good.

Thank you for your advice. I'm fairly sure all of my letters of recommendation were stellar. I think I lack confidence in myself and my abilities and this must come across during interviews.

I did contact both of the rejections via email. ATSU said that I needed to bolster my upper division science, but it seemed like the counselor had the pretense that I had not interviewed: "We have rolling admissions, so applying early in the cycle will give you the best possible chance to get an interview spot. If you are asked to come in for an interview make sure you practice your interviewing skills so that you are comfortable with the format and interactions that are involved with the process." I emailed her back to let her know that I had interviewed and she said that there were no specific notations that it was any one item but seemed to indicate that I wasn't a good fit for the mission of the school.

KYCOM said a similar thing-- there was little support in your file for meeting the mission of KYCOM and that I needed more upper level science and medically relevant activities.

And considering that my science courses and my EC's were all outlined in my application it's safe to assume that I was probably supposed to wow my interviewers and did not.

 

[pathologyDO]

It can't be your stats if you got four interview invites. Willing to bet it is your interviewing skills. Do mock interviews and record yourself to see you are doing wrong. Wouldn't hurt to contact your rejections to ask what you need to do to improve yourself as a candidate for the school. Outside chance you may have had a bad LOR, but again, most likely you're interview skills are not good.

+1

I would definitely call and ask what went wrong. And don't get down, thousands of students don't get in every year and many don't even get interviews. Keep on keepin on!

 

[hereitgoesagain]

+1

I would definitely call and ask what went wrong. And don't get down, thousands of students don't get in every year and many don't even get interviews. Keep on keepin on!

But how many are third time applicants?

 

[hallowmann]

Thank you so much for your insight. I think I could definitely bump up my science GPA relatively easily because I majored in business management. Should I consider retaking the MCAT? And at this point is it worth it to apply again this cycle? Or wait until next year? This is already my second time applying. Last time I had no interviews due to a 21 MCAT.

... Should I just cut my losses at this point? How are third time applicants viewed?

Unless you could do something amazing in one year, I'd apply this upcoming year (2013-2014 cycle), unless you aren't in a rush. See if you can take classes this summer and/or in the fall just to beef up the GPA. That would help whether you apply now or later.

If you think you can do amazing on an MCAT retake (28/29), then it might be worth it, but its not super necessary. So you could take the year off to beef up your stats, but its not essential, it'll just make your app a little stronger.

You really should have been a 2nd time applicant, because I think you could have gotten in last cycle. Don't worry too much about being a 3rd time applicant. Most of the people I saw on interviews were 2nd or 3rd time applicants, so they are around. A lot of people just don't apply smart first time around, so its not too surprising having 2nd or even 3rd time reapplicants, so stop worrying.

How are your ECs? How broadly did you apply? It could just be bad timing, or you could just need to work on your interview skills. Either is easily fixed.

 

[wooki]

3.3c/3.3s/25 MCAT

I feel like an idiot for canceling the interviews. At the time my husband had just been laid off and we literally had no money for me to physically get to them, and even less to waste if I somehow scraped together the $1000 via parents. I understand this shows a great deal of lack of planning...

yes, definitely a bad move to cancel your interviews. doing a post-bac or SMP will definitely cost more than going on 2 more interviews. but let's not harp on that because what's done is done.

so here's the thing.. you have gotten your answer why you didn't get into the 2 schools: you didn't fit the mission of their schools. you need to study the schools before you go onto these interviews. know whether community service is important to them or if OMM is a huge component. you need to know their values and speak to them when you are interviewing.

you can also work on your interview skills. do you think you are a good interviewee? how are your social skills? are you vibrant when you are answering questions? do you ramble? do you answer the question being asked? are you comfortable discussing why you have a low GPA? can you show through spoken word that you are ready for medical school even with a 3.3 undergrad? only you will know these answers.

you now have 1 more year to practice these things. turn in your application early. decide whether if you want to redo your MCAT and decide quickly. i would definitely turn in your primary soon regardless of your decision though. and i would only retake that MCAT if you can score at least a 27. if you can't, then i (personally) wouldn't risk getting a lower score. it doesn't hurt to study as hard as you can, do FL, and then decide.

good luck.

 

[hereitgoesagain]

yes, definitely a bad move to cancel your interviews. doing a post-bac or SMP will definitely cost more than going on 2 more interviews. but let's not harp on that because what's done is done.

so here's the thing.. you have gotten your answer why you didn't get into the 2 schools: you didn't fit the mission of their schools. you need to study the schools before you go onto these interviews. know whether community service is important to them or if OMM is a huge component. you need to know their values and speak to them when you are interviewing.

you can also work on your interview skills. do you think you are a good interviewee? how are your social skills? are you vibrant when you are answering questions? do you ramble? do you answer the question being asked? are you comfortable discussing why you have a low GPA? can you show through spoken word that you are ready for medical school even with a 3.3 undergrad? only you will know these answers.

you now have 1 more year to practice these things. turn in your application early. decide whether if you want to redo your MCAT and decide quickly. i would definitely turn in your primary soon regardless of your decision though. and i would only retake that MCAT if you can score at least a 27. if you can't, then i (personally) wouldn't risk getting a lower score. it doesn't hurt to study as hard as you can, do FL, and then decide.

good luck.

Yes. I'm kicking myself for that right now... Like I said, I wasn't confident that my application was good enough to spend what little money we had for interviews when I felt like I had already dumped a bunch down the drain.

I can be quite shy around people I don't know until I get to know them, which I think is part of the problem. I will most definitely need to work on my interview skills. No, I wouldn't describe myself as particularly vibrant when answering questions but I was nervous as heck.

Is it still okay to apply to the schools who I canceled interviews with? Should I apply again this cycle with the same application? What is this entire year you speak of? Interviews will start in September. Both schools also mentioned upper division science and ATSU also said the following (the admissions people there were extremely helpful-- I really loved that school and I'd consider it my top choice): "I would recommend completing a science based masters program, this will help increase both your science GPA and your cumulative GPA and make you a more competitive applicant. Having recent coursework and continuing to be successful in the sciences at the graduate level will show the committee academic progression. You may want to re-take the MCAT. Our average MCAT score is 27."

 

[wooki]

oh my mistake. you have a few months, i mean. practice being vibrant with your answers. look at yourself in the mirror when you are answering questions. ask a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you.

while higher GPA's and numbers certainly will help, it's on you if you want to take that route. science-based master's program is essentially an SMP. these programs are double edged swords. if you are unfamiliar with what they are, they are programs that practically puts you into the first year of medical school. you show the adcom that you can handle a rigorous load. however, if you do bad, you will shoot yourself in the foot and close many doors. so it's on you whether you want to take an additional year or two to do this. in the grand scheme of things, it can be very helpful.

you can apply to schools that you cancelled interviews with. you just have to be prepared to answer to why you cancelled, if they choose to interview you again. as for your application, i wouldn't bother changing up too many things. your activities that you did in the past, don't change just because you are applying twice. your personal statement doesn't really change in a year. but if you have a better idea to write it, go for it. secondary questions for the schools you interview at, you would definitely redo because you've now seen the school. don't be afraid to write "on my interview, i learned a lot more about your school. i saw that you guys do A, B, C, and that really appeals to me."

 

[BuddyTheElf]

Thank you so much for your insight. I think I could definitely bump up my science GPA relatively easily because I majored in business management. Should I consider retaking the MCAT? And at this point is it worth it to apply again this cycle? Or wait until next year? This is already my second time applying. Last time I had no interviews due to a 21 MCAT.

... Should I just cut my losses at this point? How are third time applicants viewed?

Personally I don't think they're viewed any different. I know several physicians who took 5+ times applying to get in. My co-worker took 4 cycles to get in. DO schools are non-trad friendly. As long as your application is continuing to improve (whether it's grades or experiences) you're fine.
Good luck this cycle and don't cancel any more interviews!

 

[hallowmann]

...Both schools also mentioned upper division science and ATSU also said the following (the admissions people there were extremely helpful-- I really loved that school and I'd consider it my top choice): "I would recommend completing a science based masters program, this will help increase both your science GPA and your cumulative GPA and make you a more competitive applicant. Having recent coursework and continuing to be successful in the sciences at the graduate level will show the committee academic progression. You may want to re-take the MCAT. Our average MCAT score is 27."

I don't mean to say anything about KCOM, but that's basically the same generic advice given to anyone with an average or below average GPA. Personally, this wasn't an option for me. The cost of SMPs, the extra year they add, and the riskiness of them were too much of a deterrent to do it.

Sure, upper level sciences will look better, but honestly, you could get in somewhere with your current stats. You really just need to work on your interview skills. Taking advanced sciences would help if you can afford it, but if you become great at interviewing, you shouldn't need it.

 

[hereitgoesagain]

I don't mean to say anything about KCOM, but that's basically the same generic advice given to anyone with an average or below average GPA. Personally, this wasn't an option for me. The cost of SMPs, the extra year they add, and the riskiness of them were too much of a deterrent to do it.

Sure, upper level sciences will look better, but honestly, you could get in somewhere with your current stats. You really just need to work on your interview skills. Taking advanced sciences would help if you can afford it, but if you become great at interviewing, you shouldn't need it.

Sorry I should have said that was ATSU-SOMA. I don't particularly want to take on the additional debt of a master's program; I will be 28 this year so I also don't want to delay medical school any more than absolutely necessary.

I canceled the interviews at the new schools, and I received a LOT of rejections without interview invites-- what if I reapply with the same stats/MCAT/EC and receive absolutely no invites this time around.

 

[hallowmann]

I canceled the interviews at the new schools, and I received a LOT of rejections without interview invites-- what if I reapply with the same stats/MCAT/EC and receive absolutely no invites this time around.

You got 4 ii's, thats pretty good. Applying again will get you ii's. That said, if you can, you should at least add some ECs (or if you can afford it advanced sciences), or else you will be asked what you've done between this cycle and the last.

Everyone with not necessarily stellar stats got tons of pre-interview rejections. That's the name of the game. I'm sure I got more pre-interview rejections than you this past cycle, and God willing, in 4 years you'll be calling me doc hallowmann.

A cycle with 4 ii's usually results in at least 1 acceptance. This time around be sure to prepare well for the interview and attend all of them, and you should walk away with one.

Also, stop freaking out, beef up the confidence, and when you are at the interview know that you belong. Schools don't waste their interview time on people they have no interest in accepting.

 

[DrMeows]

Should I just cut my losses at this point? How are third time applicants viewed?

Keep on moving! Took me 3 cycles in a row before I got in 🙂 it happens. Obviously take schools' advice by doing some upper level science courses and try to do a couple mock interviews to get some feedback. Mock interviews are definitely a life saver!

 

[BuddyTheElf]

You got 4 ii's, thats pretty good. Applying again will get you ii's. That said, if you can, you should at least add some ECs, or else you will be asked what you've done between this cycle and the last.

Everyone with not necessarily stellar stats got tons of pre-interview rejections. That's the name of the game. I'm sure I got more pre-interview rejections than you this past cycle, and God willing, in 4 years you'll be calling me doc hallowmann.

A cycle with 4 ii's usually results in at least 1 acceptance. This time around be sure to prepare well for the interview and attend all of them, and you should walk away with one.

As everyone knows, apply EARLY (as in you should be working on your app now!) and BROADLY. Apply to the 3 new schools along with the others you're interested in.
Try practicing interviews with others. Do you live near your undergrad campus? If so, usually student affairs and the counseling centers are pretty supportive of their alum and could possibly help you with mock interviews. If not, just practice, practice, practice! Go in with confidence (not arrogance) and rock the interview 😉

And as hallowman mentioned, try to add at least a few ECs to your app... schools will want to know what you did to improve your application this time around.

Good luck!!

 

[unluckybanana]

The fact you got 4 interviews tells me that it is probably your interview. According this is source, the most important things after an interview is the impresson you leave and letters of recommendation. Do some mock interviews. It is very difficult to judge yourself. You may think you appear one way, but others people interviewing you may have a different impression.

When I went on a group interview, I had spoken to some of the applicants casually before the interviewing began. What I noticed was even though they had amazing extracurriculars, they were not able articulate their experiences well. Every question you get on the interview, is an opportunity to sell yourself, to show a side of you that cannot be expressed on paper. I found this youtube video very helpful, Kevin's guide to acing medical school interview. I linked to the portion where he discusses how to answer questions.

 

[Goro]

Very sorry to hear of your troubles. I wouldn't dwell over the lost interviews since you didn't know at the start of the cycle that you'd lose your job. Hindsight is always 20-20.


Yes. I'm kicking myself for that right now... Like I said, I wasn't confident that my application was good enough to spend what little money we had for interviews when I felt like I had already dumped a bunch down the drain.

This is a skill, and like any skill, it can be improved. Suggest taking some speech, debate, acting or drama classes so you can be comfortable around other people.

I can be quite shy around people I don't know until I get to know them, which I think is part of the problem. I will most definitely need to work on my interview skills. No, I wouldn't describe myself as particularly vibrant when answering questions but I was nervous as heck.

It's too late in the cycle to apply now for Class of 2017. You need to improve your deficits or you're going to face the same hurdles and end up being rejected. It will be OK to apply to the schools you declined.

Is it still okay to apply to the schools who I canceled interviews with? Should I apply again this cycle with the same application?


Very helpful advice. It sounds like your MCAT was not stellar, so if that's the case, get it into the high 20s/low 30s. Your GPAs seem fine, so it's not your academics that need improving, it seems.

Get some practice interviewing in wherever possible.

Both schools also mentioned upper division science and ATSU also said the following (the admissions people there were extremely helpful-- I really loved that school and I'd consider it my top choice): "I would recommend completing a science based masters program, this will help increase both your science GPA and your cumulative GPA and make you a more competitive applicant. Having recent coursework and continuing to be successful in the sciences at the graduate level will show the committee academic progression. You may want to re-take the MCAT. Our average MCAT score is 27