Should I threaten them?

[skiracer123]

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Hi,

So because of work, I'll only be able to interview at med schools during December and January. Should I write a letter to the schools from whom I have yet to hear telling them this? Do you think it will come across as a threat - like interview me or else...

Anyone have any experience with writing letters like this?

Thanks!

 

[mimi1]

I don't think that is a good idea. Remember, medical schools interview thousands of applicants, therefore they have their pick. You are at the mercy of the medical schools, they are not at yours. Try to work it out so that you are available to interview at other times. In addition, a lot of school have already booked up their interview slots through January.

Good Luck!

 

[erin682]

I think you should figure out ways to be able to take off work. Lots of people have schedule conflicts you just have to work it out.

 

[kappasigMD41]

I think you should figure out ways to be able to take off work. Lots of people have schedule conflicts you just have to work it out.

Good advice. Gotta make compromises in this field.

 

[skiracer123]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I can't take time off from work.

Has anyone written letters like this though? Or 'I'll be in town on such and such days, can you interview me?' type of letters?

Thanks again.

 

[dr.z]

I'm not sure if this will work since they are not short on applicants. Unfortunately they are the ones that are going to choose us. I personally wouldn't recommend it.

 

[kappasigMD41]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I can't take time off from work.

Has anyone written letters like this though? Or 'I'll be in town on such and such days, can you interview me?' type of letters?

Thanks again.

I have heard of people making calls to let them know you will already be in town on such and such day, and are usually accomodated granted there are nice people in admissions. I think this is fairly common.

 

[Pembleton]

You can try to write to them but unfortunately they hold ALL the cards. (Except the joker, we hold the joker.) I'm not sure how much leverage the applicant has.

I know Maryland at least gives you a chance to tell them what day you will not be available.

 

[Medikit]

How come you can't take time off work?

 

[dandelion]

I called a school to bully them about an interview because I was hoping to be able to do the NYC schools in one trip, and I can honestly tell you that schools are much more accomodating AFTER they've given you an interview. Once you've been selected, you can set a date and then change it afterwards if you need to; the people in the admissions office may not like it, but as long as the school has slots open, they will usually accomodate your request. So I suggest that you wait for the interview invites for now, and when they come, maybe try to schedule them all in a 1-2 week period that would be convenient for you. (And yes, I was able to schedule my NYC interviews together after the second invite came!)

Good luck!

 

[eralza]

I live over in Germany, so I've had to schedule interviews in blocks whenever possible. Financially and leave wise, it is too prohibitive to fly back for individual interviews. A previous poster was correct when they said that admission offices are much more flexible after an interview has been offered. To move an interview to a future date isn't too difficult, since those slots are still open. However, if the school has rolling admissions, a later interview will be to your detriment.