Telling the interviewing school about the other schools i applied to

[171590]

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I was wondering what you guys think I should do during my interviews. I'm pretty sure during the interview they will ask me what other schools I applied to (since it was on the applications).

Do I tell them all of the schools I applied to? How does this effect their perception of me? How does it effect my seat offers?

WHAT IF THE SCHOOL I AM INTERVIEWING AT IS OUT OF STATE AND IS MY FIRST CHOICE BUT, I APPLIED TO AN IN STATE SCHOOL? Should I tell them? I don't want them to assume I want to stay w/in the area I live in. That's exactly what I dont want to do!

Also, do they ask you the results of your past interviews at the other schools? I don't want that effecting their decision either. I dont want them thinking just b/c I was accepted from X school they wont offer me a seat. Or conversely, I dont want them not offering me a seat b/c I have not heard back from X school yet. Do they talk to each other?!

 

[Shasta03]

Be honest with them. If the school you're interviewing at really is your first choice, let them know that! Or if it's not, but you still want to be considered, let them know that you're on the fence - give them a chance to persuade you to stick with them! Practice being honest now to show that you can be an honest doctor later! No question here.

 

[pienfoo]

yup, just be honest.

also, don't tell them "you're my top choice" or anything desperate sounding like that, they'll assume you say this about all the schools. Instead, let them know the reasons that their school appeals to you, and how you would find yourself as a contributing member to its community. somethin' like that. g'luck!

 

[cherryplum]

SCCO asked which other schools I applied to and then why I chose those schools (what about each of them appeals to me). SUNY wasn't interested in which other school in particular but asked why I thought their school was a good match for me. I agree, just be honest, I don't think they'll hold it against you if you applied elsewhere; they just want to know if their school will be a good fit for you. 😉

 

[spanisheyes]

letting them know that you have interviewed and been accepted at other schools shows them how competitive you are. Thats a good thing!

 

[mthwong]

ditto on the honesty...I told SCCO that I applied to Berkeley and SUNY, and those are 3 very different places. Berkeley is near home, SUNY is across the country, and SCCO is in Southern California. They saw that I applied to schools that were in metropolitan areas.
It doesn't hurt to reassure them why you're interested and why you applied to their school. When you're in the interview you should go to the school knowing that you want to be their and you want that enthusiasm to be conveyed to the interviewers. It eases the tension. Well that's how I try to think about it.

 

[sharpshooter24]

letting them know that you have interviewed and been accepted at other schools shows them how competitive you are. Thats a good thing!

thats true to a certain point M8, but schools have a way to "reflect friendly fire" by saying " why did you apply to our school?" i mean they will try to make you feel guilty on applying to their school when another school accepted you.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I was wondering what you guys think I should do during my interviews. I'm pretty sure during the interview they will ask me what other schools I applied to (since it was on the applications).

Do I tell them all of the schools I applied to? How does this effect their perception of me? How does it effect my seat offers?

WHAT IF THE SCHOOL I AM INTERVIEWING AT IS OUT OF STATE AND IS MY FIRST CHOICE BUT, I APPLIED TO AN IN STATE SCHOOL? Should I tell them? I don't want them to assume I want to stay w/in the area I live in. That's exactly what I dont want to do!

Also, do they ask you the results of your past interviews at the other schools? I don't want that effecting their decision either. I dont want them thinking just b/c I was accepted from X school they wont offer me a seat. Or conversely, I dont want them not offering me a seat b/c I have not heard back from X school yet. Do they talk to each other?!

I'll echo everyone else here and tell you to be honest. Applying to a few schools is nothing to be ashamed of. You need to pick the best school for you, and comparing/contrasting each school is the only way to do that.

I think you are thinking far more into the question than they are. They ask because it helps them gauge who their "competitors" are so to speak, as well as to get a feel for what is motivating you as an applicant... Are you only applying to one school because you know that's the school for you? Are you applying to schools in a certain region of the country? etc. Just tell them the truth, and you'll be fine. 😀

 

[curiousGuy]

I do think it is an interesting question, though.

When I was asked if I had applied to other schools, I said yes.

The interviewer, not pleased with my answer then said, well... which schools. I said I was only going to name names if he asked specifically.

I think it looks good if you are serious enough about the profession to not put all of your eggs in one basket.

It is also a useful way to start the conversation about why this school is a good fit.