Significance of Interviewer’s Assurance

[frickonastick]

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After hearing “Well, you’ll be getting in here and I hope that you choose to come to our school” at the end of a recent interview, I was wondering how similar situations have panned out for other people. I know to take this with a grain of salt, but it’s hard not to have a little extra hope from it. Also, a little background: interviewer is a voting member of the adcom, had my entire file (and seemed very well versed in all of it), and I was surprised that they would say this since the competition to get into this school is pretty intense. I appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences with this, so I don't get unrealistic expectations!

 

[Quix]

I've yet to hear of one person making the entire decision regarding admission, so take all such assurances with a grain of salt. I've heard from two interviewers that they'd be admitting me, but here I am as a re-applicant. 😉

 

[etf]

I've yet to hear of one person making the entire decision regarding admission, so take all such assurances with a grain of salt. I've heard from two interviewers that they'd be admitting me, but here I am as a re-applicant. 😉

same here.

 

[April16MCAT]

bump

need some positives because I was told at two schools they would give me a good review and now I am really nervous!

 

[namsoon]

I've been both straight up rejected and waitlisted then rejected. I definitely agree with Quix, take all comments with a grain of salt. Good luck, though.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

If they arent certain you will get in, then why the heck do they tell you?

 

[namsoon]

If they arent certain you will get in, then why the heck do they tell you?

Well, the interviewer at the school I got straight up rejected from also said I shouldn't have a problem getting in anywhere else, so maybe he thought I'd go elsewhere? Still, that school was nothing to sneeze at (UT-Houston), and it's pretty lame to tell someone you're in, and then have my results.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Well, the interviewer at the school I got straight up rejected from also said I shouldn't have a problem getting in anywhere else, so maybe he thought I'd go elsewhere? Still, that school was nothing to sneeze at (UT-Houston), and it's pretty lame to tell someone you're in, and then have my results.

Agreed!, best of luck this year though!

 

[pukuhouse]

If they arent certain you will get in, then why the heck do they tell you?

they probably assume that we know this is their opinion. when an interviewer says good things to you at your face, it is generally what they think about you. i've had interviewers tell me that "i really like you as an applicant, and I really want you to get in, so I will do my best to make that happen." If they say anything to you definitively, as in "you are definitely in," then i would consider letting the dean of admissions/admissions officer know about it if i didn't get in. i think it is unprofessional for an interviewer to give a committed response like that without knowing for sure.

 

[DianaUT06]

This year I've already had the "I fully expect to see you here in a white coat next fall" statement...made me feel good at the time being, but I'm sure it means next-to-nothing in the long run.

 

[frickonastick]

It's sad how being rejected after being told you'll get in is beating out getting accepted in the poll! Hopefully it’s not the kiss of death for an applicant...

Do you all think that different factors play a big part in this (like at less competative schools you may be able to trust the statement, if the size of the adcom is smaller so your interviewer has more pull in voting, if the interviewer has all of your info available to them) or is it more just certain types of people (regardless of school) like to tell interviewees they'll get in, but in reality they have no idea?

 

[lord_jeebus]

I'm on an adcom and although I can't really comment in detail on the inner workings I can share the following.

Where I'm at, although the interviewers' opinions hold a lot of weight, it is ultimately a committee decision that takes all factors into account. We are instructed not to tell interviewees that they will get in, even if they are amazing. I'm sure some people break this rule out of good intentions but it's not a good idea.

If an interviewer doesn't have access to all of your information, it obviously means less.

 

[Abilene85]

If I remember correctly, I was told "I hope you choose to come here" at every one of my interviews. I was accepted. Also, I was waitlisted and then accepted. Also, I was waitlisted and then rejected. It meant absolutely nothing to me and toward the end of the season I wanted to jump across the table and shake my interviewer while yelling "You shouldn't make false promises!!"

 

[namsoon]

Agreed!, best of luck this year though!

Thanks, good luck to you too!

 

[April16MCAT]

It's sad how being rejected after being told you'll get in is beating out getting accepted in the poll! Hopefully it’s not the kiss of death for an applicant...

I think the poll is bias because reapplicants are more likely to be on here then current med students. I want to hear some more success stories!

 

[45408]

Now that I think about it, one of my interviewers did say he figured that most of the people in our interview group (including me) would probably get in. And I did.

 

[frickonastick]

Now that I think about it, one of my interviewers did say he figured that most of the people in our interview group (including me) would probably get in. And I did.

Woo hoo - I can keep up the hope!

Hopefully it'll only be a couple more weeks and I can vote in the poll, too...

 

[gotmeds?]

I think the poll is bias because reapplicants are more likely to be on here then current med students. I want to hear some more success stories!

I don't know how much this will help, but I was told by four interviewers that they wanted me to go to their school. I got in at three of those schools and waitlisted at the fourth. I think they all meant what they said, but it's not always in their hands. So take it as a positive sign, but definitely not a guarantee.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

One of my interviewers said I "wouldn't have any problems" getting in. Still, there are 20+ people on the adcom and while the interviewers serves as my advocate (hopefully!) they don't make the decision alone. Either I really didn't have any problems or he was a great salesman on my behalf because I was accepted.

 

[hp540]

Why are interviewers tellling applicants they will be "accepted fo shizzle" if that's not actually the case? Seems to be giving false hope.