To tell or not to tell?

[DrElliotReid]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I hope i'm not over thinking this but i was wondering what some of your opinions are on answering the question "Have you had any other interviews so far, any acceptances?" during an interview. I applied to both allopathic and osteopathic schools and have only interviewed and been accepted to DO schools so far. If at my upcoming MD interviews, I get asked the mentioned question, should I say that I have acceptances at ostepathic schools? Not that I don't want them to know, but just curious if it's relevant or what they're looking for.

 

[Mithril]

Answer yes if you have any other interviews or any acceptances. Elaborate if they ask you to. Just be honest.

 

[Robinson Crusoe]

Only say yes (in your specific case because you have the DO acceptance) if you are prepared to answer the follow-up questions: How are MD and DO different? Why did you apply to both? Which do you prefer and why? I don't actually know that they will ask you these questions, but it seems like the natural interviewer response.

 

[DM3]

Interpret the question to mean "Do you have any acceptances to MD schools?" and answer honestly ; )

 

[just one]

Interpret the question to mean "Do you have any acceptances to MD schools?" and answer honestly ; )

Disagree. If they ask where, be honest. I'd say I want to be physician and if MD schools don't want me, I can still get my goals accomplished at a DO school.

 

[DrElliotReid]

Hmm... I'm thinking perhaps I can answer it this way? "I don't have any acceptances to allopathic schools yet as this is my first interview". I think this way I'm not lying and if they want to ask me further or ask about osteopathic schools they can or they can just leave it at that? what do you guys think?

 

[Forthegood]

Why the distinction b/w allo and osteo? I doubt you'll find many physicians who draw that line anymore. Say whatever you want, but don't lie. It's not worth you're integrity.

 

[gravitywave]

if they ask, you should answer truthfully.

it's a horrible question to ask though, precisely because it puts the applicant on the spot, and for no defensible reason. adcoms should instruct their interviewers not to ask it.

 

[IlaEm]

I was asked about my interviews and where I would want to go (e.g. my top choice). I was honest. I told her this wasn't my only interview and that I had no top choice. All medical schools have pros and cons and I am the type of person who can be happy at many different schools. Ultimately I have to weigh my options. She told me she loved my answer. I think honesty is key.

 

[Barcu]

I would be honest. I don't necessarily think it will hurt you.

I already have an acceptance from a school, and I told them about my other interviews (including one right across town that I was doing the next day).

I actually think it helped. It immediately opened up a discussion about why their school was better and why I should choose them. If the school you are interviewing at is one of your top choices (like mine was), then it will come through that you would go there over another school. And I am convinced that schools love to see that.

We talk all the time about how schools have too many qualified applicants and that is true. At the same time, they do compete with one another for applicants, so trying to win you over from another school does happen. Not as frequently as you hope, but I think that element is there.