This is my first time creating a new thread so I hope I'm doing this right/posting in the right place. So recently I received an interview invite at a top 20 school. This school is an extremely high reach for me. My MCAT is only between their 10th and 25th percentiles. My sgpa and cgpa are both in their 75th percentile (which is very close to their average gpas anyway so it's not that impressive). Furthermore, I am an ORM. The twist is that both my parents are faculty at this school, I have done research at this school (my pi helped write me a letter of rec), and I have shadowed a physician at this school (she is a chief of a department and helped write me a letter of rec). As far as I know no one I just mentioned has directly contacted the admissions committee or pushed directly for me. However, I strongly suspect that this is a courtesy interview given to me purely because of my "connections". I am fortunate enough to have already been accepted to medical school this cycle so I can make some choices now about what interviews to attend. The thing is I would have to fly out for this interview and it is quite a lot of money. I would love to go to this school and attend the interview if they are seriously considering me but if they aren't I would rather save my money and focus on my last semester of college. What do you guys think?
Should I attend this interview?
- Thread starter nywst
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With both parents faculty, as well as other connections present, it may be a little rude to deny the interview even if you think it is a courtesy interview. Never want to burn bridges that may be helpful later as well.
It may be worth the reach imo.
It may be worth the reach imo.
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Even if both your parents are faculty, they're not inviting you unless you've got a shot. If you'd pick this school over the one that's already accepted you, then you should go to this interview. The cost is insignificant next to the potential upside.
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Would you attend if admitted? If not, don't waste your time interviewing and withdraw your application already. Would your parents help bankroll the trip given, I presume, that they would look forward to seeing you and would have that opportunity if you were in town for the interview? Can this interview be scheduled shortly before Christmas or shortly after New Year to coincide with a time when you would be "home" anyway during school break?
Would your parents be very disappointed if you did not interview there? Would your parents be even more disappointed in you were interviewed and then placed on a waitlist that will never move to your name? Could you move on and attend the school that already admitted you knowing that you were on the waitlist at "your parents'" school? (And realistically realizing that you would be unlikely to get off of that waitlist.)
Would your parents be very disappointed if you did not interview there? Would your parents be even more disappointed in you were interviewed and then placed on a waitlist that will never move to your name? Could you move on and attend the school that already admitted you knowing that you were on the waitlist at "your parents'" school? (And realistically realizing that you would be unlikely to get off of that waitlist.)
