Take Early or Late Interview?

[Hottpants89]

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I have a problem, because I am just starting to get invites and the first two have both been for January interviews. I moved one of them up to October 15th, but if I keep that one and get accepted I will have to either accept or decline before I have a chance to interview anywhere else. But I don't know if I would have a good chance of getting in anywhere if all of my interviews were in January because that is really late. So my question is, would I be better off leaving all of my interviews at around the same time in January, or should I move one up to have a better chance of getting in to this one school?

 

[angryazn88]

I had the same problem but the more I think about it, the better it is that its late because I am still waiting for a lot of my top option schools to send me invites.
Also, I don't want to get accepted to a school lower on my list and not have the option to wait it out for my top options without losing money.

 

[Helen Wheels]

I understand concerns about deposits since DO school deposits are expensive and generally nonrefundable. However, since most schools have rolling admissions, the later you interview the more competitive it becomes. The more months that go by, the more acceptances they have already given out, and the fewer the number of seats left. So, the odds of ending up on a waitlist or not getting in at all increase.

 

[traitorman]

id say it depends on how strong of an applicant you are. if you think you're definitely going to get acceptances, then I guess you can afford to wait. but as pittmed said, its definitely gonna get more competitive as you get later on in the cycle.

personally, i would rather be in that problem of having to put money down for a guaranteed acceptance while still waiting for other schools

 

[blueflower]

id say it depends on how strong of an applicant you are. if you think you're definitely going to get acceptances, then I guess you can afford to wait. but as pittmed said, its definitely gonna get more competitive as you get later on in the cycle.

personally, i would rather be in that problem of having to put money down for a guaranteed acceptance while still waiting for other schools

i agree. if you're a really strong applicant, then hold off till later. but otherwise, it's safer to increase your chances of an acceptance early and put in that deposit. the $ you spend on the deposit is nothing compared to the $$$$$$$$$$$ you'll spend on school

 

[MightyMoose]

I agree with the above, the earlier the better. The deposit is a drop in the bucket if it gives you a better chance of not having to apply again. But if I were you I would see if your other January interview can put you on a list for an earlier date if it comes available. If they can't, keep calling to check. You can probably snag an earlier date, especially now that people are starting to get acceptances.

 

[Hottpants89]

i agree. if you're a really strong applicant, then hold off till later. but otherwise, it's safer to increase your chances of an acceptance early and put in that deposit. the $ you spend on the deposit is nothing compared to the $$$$$$$$$$$ you'll spend on school

I think I'm a somewhat strong applicant, GPA 3.61, sGPA 3.49, MCAT 30O, but I know its getting late in the cycle so that is definitely working against me. I'm just going to keep the interview and see how many other invites come and use that to judge what to do if I am accepted.

 

[NYEMMED]

I have a problem, because I am just starting to get invites and the first two have both been for January interviews. I moved one of them up to October 15th, but if I keep that one and get accepted I will have to either accept or decline before I have a chance to interview anywhere else. But I don't know if I would have a good chance of getting in anywhere if all of my interviews were in January because that is really late. So my question is, would I be better off leaving all of my interviews at around the same time in January, or should I move one up to have a better chance of getting in to this one school?

I would interview as soon as possible. Admissions are basically first come first serve. Some schools give you 2 weeks after acceptance for a deposit other 6 weeks. I know I was about to pay a deposit by overnight mail a few years ago, and then that day an acceptance came in for my #1 school, so I ripped up the other check. This was however after sending a deposit to another school. Worst case scenario you loose the deposit but have a definite acceptance. Then you can choose the schools you want to go to knowing you have a school held to fall back on.

 

[coup de chance]

Agree with above.

If you're not early decision at a place you really don't want (which you shouldn't be doing anyway), interview EARLY. It's over with. You'll have done an interview before any unexpected events happen in your life and you're on your way for the final consideration. Then if you get accepted, you can ride out the rest of college nice and relaxed!

Investigate to see whether the school in question has rolling admission.
In that case, even more reason to interview EARLY

If you get any other interviews afterwards, you can make arrangements then. No matter how strong a candidate you are, don't count your eggs before they hatch ... or plan around an interview that you may not get.

Good luck!

***
BTW, if you're getting hung up over whether you'll end up DO or MD. Don't worry. As long as you're in the US, you're still in better shape than Carib or IMG (and there is n o ECFMG to hassle with).

I'm a US MD student. But one of my mentors is a bomb diggity DO and he has crazy connections. He wrote me a bomb LOR for residency apps, and I have no doubt that he's helped me get some residency interviews.

 

[MightyMoose]

I think I'm a somewhat strong applicant, GPA 3.61, sGPA 3.49, MCAT 30O, but I know its getting late in the cycle so that is definitely working against me. I'm just going to keep the interview and see how many other invites come and use that to judge what to do if I am accepted.

You sound like a pretty solid applicant, but this will ultimately depend on your EC's, LOR's, Essays, and Why DO. If you are good on those January would probably work. But, I still have to say, a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush...

 

[Hottpants89]

You sound like a pretty solid applicant, but this will ultimately depend on your EC's, LOR's, Essays, and Why DO. If you are good on those January would probably work. But, I still have to say, a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush...

Thanks. I'm keeping the early one.

 

[Helen Wheels]

But one of my mentors is a bomb diggity DO and he has crazy connections.

I hope someday a student refers to me as "bomb diggity DO"! 😀