Strange interview experience: feedback appreciated

[Cacophony]

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2 days ago I had an interview. The school offered a regional interview, which I took because the onsite interviews were being scheduled for much later dates and the school has rolling admissions. I interviewed at this school last year, was waitlisted, and rejected so didn?t feel it was necessary to see the school.
Well this was the strangest interview I have ever had. The first thing the man said to me when I walked into the interview was that he had been on the admissions committee at this school the previous year.

He said many times that he couldn?t remember what his thoughts were regarding my application from that year. But that he thought he would have voted for me.

He told me all the negative parts of my application: my essay wasn?t very good or direct enough; my undergraduate grades are a huge detriment; (I have a non-science degree, but did very well in my post-bac, and have decent MCATs); and that regional applicants aren?t really considered to be serious applicants. Then he gave me opportunities to defend these objectionable stats, but never allowed me to finish my comments.

I think he had made his decision about me before talking with me and the meeting was just a formality. But what is his decision?????

Any advice on my next step:
Do I write him a better ?why I wanna be a doctor? essay to replace my amcas essay?
Do I write the admissions committee this letter?
Do I write a letter stating my interest in the school and WHY I opted for a regional interview?
Should I call the school and talk to the admissions committee and tell them how strange this experience was?

What are your opinions?

 

[Mike59]

Originally posted by Cacophony
He told me all the negative parts of my application: my essay wasn?t very good or direct enough; my undergraduate grades are a huge detriment; (I have a non-science degree, but did very well in my post-bac, and have decent MCATs); and that regional applicants aren?t really considered to be serious applicants. Then he gave me opportunities to defend these objectionable stats, but never allowed me to finish my comments.

Any advice on my next step:
Do I write him a better ?why I wanna be a doctor? essay to replace my amcas essay?
Do I write the admissions committee this letter?
Do I write a letter stating my interest in the school and WHY I opted for a regional interview?
Should I call the school and talk to the admissions committee and tell them how strange this experience was?

What are your opinions?

First off, the dude's a wacko.

At this point, I think it would be a major detriment to your chances if you dwell on how poorly the interview was, or try to salvage your transient interaction with that nutjob of an interviewer.

Here's what I would do:
- if I had other schools that looked promising, do nothing and see what happens (maintain your dignity)
- if this school is one of your favorites, consider writing a letter of intent, BUT do not dwell on the negative vibe of the interview. Talk about why you would be a great fit for their program, and possibly update your app with grades or a description of what you've done since the AMCAS/secondary.

Good luck and stay cool!🙂

 

[SouthernGirlie]

Maybe he was testing how you would react. You should answer questions like those about your grades with confidence. (A doctor I know clarified on how you should answer these ?s by saying that excuses and explanations are not the same thing.) Your interviewer's questions were ones you should expect to get, so I wouldnt call it a "stress" interview exactly.

As far as the comment about not taking regional interviewers seriously, I would contact the school. You could mention that you had already visited the school the year before (explanation), and that the interviewer's comments were very disturbing.

I dont think you should write another essay. That's too much like backsliding.

 

[Samoa]

I also vote for writing the school to express your interest and explain why you chose a regional interview. Just find a way to do it that doesn't sound defensive.

 

[Cacophony]

Thanks guys.

To clarify, when he was going over the negative parts of my application....he wasn't looking for explanations. He was trying to figure out what got me "rejected" the previous year.

Then, he asked direct questions which I never fully answered because the topic was changed or we were interupted mid-sentance.

My "stress", if you can call it that, is trying to determine if this guy was on my side (ie voting to let me in). At times he really seemed to be, but you never can tell.