Two acceptances out of eight interviews - poor interviewee?

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lexi88

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So I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools. Overall, I thought I did pretty well with my application and am happy with where I'm going, but my parents have been telling me that the fact that I only got two acceptances out of eight interviews means I am bad at interviewing. This never occurred to me, but now that it's been brought to my attention I am wondering if there might be some truth to this statement? My thoughts were that the schools I applied to were simply competitive and chances were low for anyone...but meeting others at Revisit it really did seem that most people had many, many offers.

I am interested in this because I have always considered myself very sociable and likeable, so it is surprising to me to hear that I may not be a good interviewee...certainly, it's something I wish to know about myself.

In case this is relevant, I am female/Caucasian/35+ MCAT/3.9 GPA/California resident but the two schools I was accepted to were private, out-of-state schools.

So, long story short, I am wondering if two acceptances/eight interviews means poor interview skills?
 
lexi88 said:
So I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools. Overall, I thought I did pretty well with my application and am happy with where I'm going, but my parents have been telling me that the fact that I only got two acceptances out of eight interviews means I am bad at interviewing. This never occurred to me, but now that it's been brought to my attention I am wondering if there might be some truth to this statement? My thoughts were that the schools I applied to were simply competitive and chances were low for anyone...but meeting others at Revisit it really did seem that most people had many, many offers.

I am interested in this because I have always considered myself very sociable and likeable, so it is surprising to me to hear that I may not be a good interviewee...certainly, it's something I wish to know about myself.

In case this is relevant, I am female/Caucasian/35+ MCAT/3.9 GPA/California resident but the two schools I was accepted to were private, out-of-state schools.

So, long story short, I am wondering if two acceptances/eight interviews means poor interview skills?
Click to expand...


It means you weren't a good enough fit at 6/8 schools. If you were a poor interviewer you wouldn't have gotten into a top 10 school. Also, why "35+" MCAT and not your real score?
 
holy neuroticism Batman!

Sent from my SPH-D600 using SDN Mobile
 
Yeah, I think it just happens sometimes. I know someone with very strong stats who was also a CA resident and he went to like 10 interviews but just got off one waitlist and didn't get into any other school. I thought he was totally sociable and everything too.
 
You have two acceptances and EIGHT interviews... I hate your life.
 
MedPR said:
It means you weren't a good enough fit at 6/8 schools. If you were a poor interviewer you wouldn't have gotten into a top 10 school. Also, why "35+" MCAT and not your real score?
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This question is kind of embarrassing and I'd rather not be identified by any friends/classmates who know my situation...I doubt anyone could identify me even if I included my actual MCAT score but I think "35+" conveys the same information, basically.

RockFoot said:
holy neuroticism Batman!

Sent from my SPH-D600 using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...
I knew someone would say this and I think it's valid; I am being neurotic here. In this case though I do think it's a valid question - if there is a weakness I didn't see in myself that is present and apparent to others, I want to recognize it and fix it. I know I am in an awesome situation application-wise but I also know that we can always improve!
 
lexi88 said:
This question is kind of embarrassing and I'd rather not be identified by any friends/classmates who know my situation...I doubt anyone could identify me even if I included my actual MCAT score but I think "35+" conveys the same information, basically.


I knew someone would say this and I think it's valid; I am being neurotic here. In this case though I do think it's a valid question - if there is a weakness I didn't see in myself that is present and apparent to others, I want to recognize it and fix it. I know I am in an awesome situation application-wise but I also know that we can always improve!
Click to expand...

No, because if you got into a top 10 school with only a 35 MCAT, you must have at least good interview skills because 35 is below their median. If you have a 43 and got rejected from other 10-20 schools, you might have less than average interview skills because that's well above their median.

But really, you got 2 acceptances at the best schools in the country. You are not a bad interviewer.
 
Catalystik said:
It means that your parents raised a terrific kid whom they fail to adequately appreciate. Well done!
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^^^^

At the top tier schools, even with a magnificent application, it's still a crapshoot. If you were truly horrific at interviewing, the number of acceptances would probably be 0/8.
 
If your stats and ECs are good enough for an interview, it really just comes down to fit. How well will you fit in with the other students, the school's mission, and what the school wants. Top 10 schools get to pick from the very best applicants and if you get in to any one of them, you probably have no weaknesses to speak of.
 
lexi88 said:
I knew someone would say this and I think it's valid; I am being neurotic here. In this case though I do think it's a valid question - if there is a weakness I didn't see in myself that is present and apparent to others, I want to recognize it and fix it. I know I am in an awesome situation application-wise but I also know that we can always improve!
Click to expand...

The only thing you need to fix is your ability to accept a major victory and move the F on.
 
lexi88 said:
So I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools. Overall, I thought I did pretty well with my application and am happy with where I'm going, but my parents have been telling me that the fact that I only got two acceptances out of eight interviews means I am bad at interviewing. This never occurred to me, but now that it's been brought to my attention I am wondering if there might be some truth to this statement? My thoughts were that the schools I applied to were simply competitive and chances were low for anyone...but meeting others at Revisit it really did seem that most people had many, many offers.

I am interested in this because I have always considered myself very sociable and likeable, so it is surprising to me to hear that I may not be a good interviewee...certainly, it's something I wish to know about myself.

In case this is relevant, I am female/Caucasian/35+ MCAT/3.9 GPA/California resident but the two schools I was accepted to were private, out-of-state schools.

So, long story short, I am wondering if two acceptances/eight interviews means poor interview skills?
Click to expand...

smiley_smug.gif
 
aw man only 8 interviews at top 20 schools?
just 2 acceptances from top 10 schools?
sucks op, you probably should have posted in the wamc forum before applying
 
Seriously? Be happy with where you are. People would kill to have half of what you have. Like everyone said, if you were a bad interviewer, you wouldn't have gotten into Top 10 schools. This whole process is hard to determine, and as long as you have one acceptance, you're successful.

Now take your success, prep yourself for med school, and stop listening to your parents. I don't know what else you were looking for by making this thread. maybe some sort of external validation?
 
I had 6 interviews which resulted in 2 acceptances, 3 waitlists and 1 rejection. But I can't complain. 😛
 
Not sure what’s up with the vitriol/sarcastic replies? What exactly is so threatening about this post - Is it the fact that I have an acceptance or two? Or the fact that they are to relatively good schools (this definition is subjective)? As I said in my first post, I am happy with the way things turned out and I am not looking to change anything...I am simply trying to better understand where I stand in terms of my own interviewing abilities. I see that some of you were able to see that distinction while others only saw “accepted!” and “top 10 school!” and subsequently failed to contribute anything of substance.

I see now that my concern was misplaced but the concern was legitimate -- I certainly don’t think most people would see a 25% post-interview acceptance rate and think that that person was amazingly proficient at interviewing. And, no, I don't think it's worthy of vitriol or mocking that someone who others might consider successful should still try to improve upon themselves.
 
...Do you want me to stroke your ego?
 
lexi88 said:
Not sure what's up with the vitriol/sarcastic replies? What exactly is so threatening about this post - Is it the fact that I have an acceptance or two? Or the fact that they are to relatively good schools (this definition is subjective)? As I said in my first post, I am happy with the way things turned out and I am not looking to change anything...I am simply trying to better understand where I stand in terms of my own interviewing abilities. I see that some of you were able to see that distinction while others only saw "accepted!" and "top 10 school!" and subsequently failed to contribute anything of substance.

I see now that my concern was misplaced but the concern was legitimate -- I certainly don't think most people would see a 25% post-interview acceptance rate and think that that person was amazingly proficient at interviewing. And, no, I don't think it's worthy of vitriol or mocking that someone who others might consider successful should still try to improve upon themselves.
Click to expand...

They are sarcastic because you come off as an ass.

I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools.
Click to expand...


^^^This has nothing to do with anything really except you waving your metaphorical e-peen so everyone can catch a whiff. Sorry, but it stinks.

The fact that you don't recognize it as a 'humble brag' [thanks dbeast for the definition] perhaps sheds light on your "interview problem" to begin with...
 
Blais said:
They are sarcastic because you come off as an ass.




^^^This has nothing to do with anything really except you waving your metaphorical e-peen so everyone can catch a whiff. Sorry, but it stinks.

The fact that you don't recognize it perhaps sheds light on your "interview problem" to begin with...
Click to expand...

lol - blam.
 
MedPR said:
No, because if you got into a top 10 school with only a 35 MCAT, you must have at least good interview skills because 35 is below their median. If you have a 43 and got rejected from other 10-20 schools, you might have less than average interview skills because that's well above their median.

But really, you got 2 acceptances at the best schools in the country. You are not a bad interviewer.
Click to expand...
dude your posts pretty much always suck

also, as rule, a person who just submitted his amcas shouldn't be giving any kind of advice to a person who's been accepted, much less a person who has great acceptances

OP you're over thinking it.
 
I don't think it's absurd to wonder why things turned out the way they did for you. Perhaps you interviewed really well at those two that admitted you while you weren't on your A game for the ones that did not. Since you have a lot more interviewing ahead of you (e.g. residency programs), it's worth realizing any weaknesses that may lie in your interviewing skills (since we all have them) in order to fix them. I have no problems with that.

Of course, the problem is that posting the question on SDN isn't going to help you one bit. We weren't in the room with you during those interviews; how could we possibly give remotely useful feedback?

In my opinion, two acceptances out of eight top 20 schools is damn good. I have no idea why your parents feel the way they do. That's just weird. If you want to improve your interviewing skills, do mock interviews with a professional and let them critique you. That's really all you can do.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
dude your posts pretty much always suck

also, as rule, a person who just submitted his amcas shouldn't be giving any kind of advice to a person who's been accepted, much less a person who has great acceptances

OP you're over thinking it.
Click to expand...
👍
 
lexi, I think what people are trying to get at, is that there are many people out there who would die, and then die again, to be in your situation with two acceptances. The problem regarding you asking us if you are a poor interviewer or not, is because we weren't even at your interviews. I don't know how your interviewers were...but do realize that not every interviewer is the same person, nor are their ideals of a model medical student matriculant the same. For example, you could have a surgeon who sees primary care as lame, and wouldn't think so highly of your application. Does that make you a horrible interviewer? Nope.

I think what you should've realized in your 8 interviews, is that a large part of it is a crapshoot-it requires some good coincidence that the people interviewing you have similar activities, or share a similar philosophy in life, medicine, whatever else. To get back to my original point, because we weren't there, how are we supposed to adequately evaluate if you're a bad interviewer, OR if you had a bad person interviewing you? Luck can have it that out of the 8 schools, only 2 of them had faculty that meshed well with you. Fair enough.

So, in the end, the reason why people think you are bragging, is because there is no way for us to evaluate your situation, other than the fact that you had two acceptances. For example, it may have been wiser to mention the nature of the interview-how did it go? And frankly, if you personally analyzed your situation well, then perhaps you may not even need us to tell you that you can improve on your interview skills if it so happens to be the case. You can always talk about what kinds of questions they said, or how you chose to answer them, etc, but how do you expect us to talk to you when you just mention that you had 2 acceptances?

Would you like to know why I say this? Because I am in the EXACT same position as you. I had 8 interviews, and 2 acceptances. I learned that I can improve on my delivery, but I also learned that I should forgive myself because honestly, I could even have a great interview but if this interviewer, for example, is SO SOCIAL to everyone...how do you know if you did great, or if the interviewer was just really great at talking to people? It's like the same thing as saying you destroyed a chemistry midterm, while realizing the test avg was a 95%. So while you earned a 93%, which is great, there are still many others who scored better than you. Does that mean you suck at chemistry? Not necessarily.

Congrats on your acceptances, but do realize why everyone is saying what they're saying. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the interview themselves, if you want to continue the conversation.

Cheers,
 
Davidasaurus said:
^^^^

At the top tier schools, even with a magnificent application, it's still a crapshoot. If you were truly horrific at interviewing, the number of acceptances would probably be 0/8.
Click to expand...

👍

I wouldn't even use the word horrific. If you were even a mediocre interviewee, I'm sure there would have been other plenty of terrific interviewees with similar/better stats who would have been accepted in your place.
 
lexi88 said:
So I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools. Overall, I thought I did pretty well with my application and am happy with where I'm going, but my parents have been telling me that the fact that I only got two acceptances out of eight interviews means I am bad at interviewing. This never occurred to me, but now that it's been brought to my attention I am wondering if there might be some truth to this statement? My thoughts were that the schools I applied to were simply competitive and chances were low for anyone...but meeting others at Revisit it really did seem that most people had many, many offers.

I am interested in this because I have always considered myself very sociable and likeable, so it is surprising to me to hear that I may not be a good interviewee...certainly, it's something I wish to know about myself.

In case this is relevant, I am female/Caucasian/35+ MCAT/3.9 GPA/California resident but the two schools I was accepted to were private, out-of-state schools.

So, long story short, I am wondering if two acceptances/eight interviews means poor interview skills?
Click to expand...

There is your problem. From your post you appear insecure, easily influenced by others, intelligent but both superior about it and inferior because of it, to have an inaccurate picture of yourself, and are from California.

Of course this is based on absolutely nothing but what I've read. You may be entirely right about yourself. The point is, no one here knows you or were in your interviews to provide feedback. Also, you were accepted at two top ten schools. Be happy, not neurotic.
 
It's about "fit" and random crapshoot-astic vibes.
 
I think we've all nurtured OP's ego enough, lets release her into the troll wild where she can roam free.
 
lexi88 said:
So I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools. Overall, I thought I did pretty well with my application and am happy with where I'm going, but my parents have been telling me that the fact that I only got two acceptances out of eight interviews means I am bad at interviewing. This never occurred to me, but now that it's been brought to my attention I am wondering if there might be some truth to this statement? My thoughts were that the schools I applied to were simply competitive and chances were low for anyone...but meeting others at Revisit it really did seem that most people had many, many offers.

I am interested in this because I have always considered myself very sociable and likeable, so it is surprising to me to hear that I may not be a good interviewee...certainly, it's something I wish to know about myself.

In case this is relevant, I am female/Caucasian/35+ MCAT/3.9 GPA/California resident but the two schools I was accepted to were private, out-of-state schools.

So, long story short, I am wondering if two acceptances/eight interviews means poor interview skills?
Click to expand...

Interviewing isn't the issue. I don't think many of your future patients will relate to banter about this sort of non-dilemma. They'll be too busy trying not to vomit or piss themselves or die. It's sad to think that in the future you will be surrounded by pain and suffering yet unsatisfied with the tremendous privileges you have been given. Read "The House of God" and tell your parents to do the same. Maybe that will give you some much-needed perspective.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
dude your posts pretty much always suck

also, as rule, a person who just submitted his amcas shouldn't be giving any kind of advice to a person who's been accepted, much less a person who has great acceptances

OP you're over thinking it.
Click to expand...

@ ~1000 posts per month, that's a lot of suck.
 
lexi88 said:
This question is kind of embarrassing and I'd rather not be identified by any friends/classmates who know my situation...I doubt anyone could identify me even if I included my actual MCAT score but I think "35+" conveys the same information, basically.
Click to expand...
So what you're saying is that the fact that you interviewed at only the top twenty schools, got two acceptances to top 10 schools and your first name is Lexi couldn't give away your identity to anybody who knows your situation?


I knew someone would say this and I think it's valid; I am being neurotic here. In this case though I do think it's a valid question - if there is a weakness I didn't see in myself that is present and apparent to others, I want to recognize it and fix it. I know I am in an awesome situation application-wise but I also know that we can always improve!
Click to expand...
If you're curious, why don't you just call your interviewers and ask for feedback? How are neurotic strangers on the internet supposed to know how good of an interviewer you are?
 
MedPR said:
No, because if you got into a top 10 school with only a 35 MCAT, you must have at least good interview skills because 35 is below their median. If you have a 43 and got rejected from other 10-20 schools, you might have less than average interview skills because that's well above their median....
Click to expand...

um no. At most schools there's a law of diminishing returns at play with mcat scores. A school may not consider someone seriously below a certain score but after a certain number, they won't really care if you have a 35, a 37, a 43 etc -- you've already cleared that hurdle for them and they won't care if you clear it by a wider margin. Most of the top places would rather have someone with a 35 and a more interesting background than someone with a 43. It's why the average scores at the top ten aren't 40+; these places could fill exclusively with the higher numbers if they wanted, but they know that the difference between a 35 and a 40 isn't as meaningful as other factors. Also at many of the top places if you get an interview they often won't revisit the numbers.

As for the OP, your parents are sadly uninformed. Two out of 8 is phenomenal. Most people are happy with one out of a smaller handful of interviews.
 
To get into two top 10 schools I wouldnt call your interview skills "bad" (you'd get into zero if you were bad) but your interview skills might also not be your strongest selling point. Typically people say 1/3 interviews turn into an acceptance. I personally had a low MCAT and only received 5 interviews (US- MD) but got into every school I interviewed at. So, are you a stellar interviewer? Probably not. But are you bad? Not at all. In the end, this is all a moot point and doesn't really matter given your two wonderful acceptances. Best of luck this year.
 
lexi88 said:
So I applied last year and went to eight interviews, all of which were at top 20 schools. I was eventually accepted to two schools, waitlisted at five and rejected at one. The two schools I was accepted to were both top 10 schools. Overall, I thought I did pretty well with my application and am happy with where I'm going, but my parents have been telling me that the fact that I only got two acceptances out of eight interviews means I am bad at interviewing. This never occurred to me, but now that it's been brought to my attention I am wondering if there might be some truth to this statement? My thoughts were that the schools I applied to were simply competitive and chances were low for anyone...but meeting others at Revisit it really did seem that most people had many, many offers.

I am interested in this because I have always considered myself very sociable and likeable, so it is surprising to me to hear that I may not be a good interviewee...certainly, it's something I wish to know about myself.

In case this is relevant, I am female/Caucasian/35+ MCAT/3.9 GPA/California resident but the two schools I was accepted to were private, out-of-state schools.

So, long story short, I am wondering if two acceptances/eight interviews means poor interview skills?
Click to expand...


Great delivery, good content. Almost had me going there. However, a few fatal flaws:

  1. Join Date - Joined this month. Inexperienced trolls usually fall into the trap of joining in the month they decide to troll. If you really wanted to convince me, you'd have joined 3+ months prior to this post.

  2. Post Count - Only 3 posts, and they are all in this thread. A dedicated troll would have about 50 posts by now, all in different areas of the forum, even with a July join date.

  3. Content - 35+ MCAT, 3.9 GPA, two top 10 acceptances/eight top 20 interviews, and you expect us to believe that you think you are "bad at interviewing?" I think what you're really here for is a subtly ego stroking, because anyone with these stats should know their worth.

All in all, you are one of the better trolls I've seen as of late. Disguising your need for someone to inflate your ego with a pretty believable, "sincere" post. Please learn from your mistakes, and come harder at us next time.

Overall: 8/10
 
typicalindian said:
I think we've all nurtured OP's ego enough, lets release her into the troll wild where she can roam free.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

And BTW lexi you are an Awful interviewer dont you know that if you get 8 interviews your suppose to get 8 acceptances, I mean gosh everyone who interviews get accepted right 🙄 I mean you have to just be a wierdo to not get accepted at an interview.

I think either you or your parents where smelling yourself to much and expected more interviews to begin with.
 
OP i don't know what the point of this thread was. you're in med school, and for that matter a top 10 med school. who the eff cares about your interviewing? your career is set.


are you really this bored the summer before you start med school? find hobbies.
 
Jaqen Hghar said:
😕
Click to expand...

I think that was a pretty clear statement.

Also what do you need to be a great interviewer for now anyways Lexxi you have another 4 years before you have to worry about that again for residencies and O Boi you better work on those skills now or you might end up having to do a dermatolgy residency in texas rather than at Johns Hopkins. Man that Sucks just thinking about.
 
I have your EXACT stats. 8 interviews at top 20 schools. 8 acceptances. work on your interview skills.
 
RockFoot said:
holy neuroticism Batman!

Sent from my SPH-D600 using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...

Statements like these aren't fair. They're akin to people on this forum disregarding questions from, say, a podiatry student because they're not on the same level. This person's level happens to actually be higher than the majority, but they still have a legitimate question about something that they will continue to have to do while advancing through their career (interviews).
 
Blais said:
They are sarcastic because you come off as an ass.




^^^This has nothing to do with anything really except you waving your metaphorical e-peen so everyone can catch a whiff. Sorry, but it stinks.

The fact that you don't recognize it as a 'humble brag' [thanks dbeast for the definition] perhaps sheds light on your "interview problem" to begin with...
Click to expand...
If you had read my first post more closely you might realize that the reason I divulged the "reputation" of the schools is because 1) my initial perception was that the schools I applied to were highly competitive and thus chances were lower than normal to gain acceptance to multiple; and 2) it seemed to me that the typical "calibre" of student who is admitted to these schools usually has many offers (based on my observations at revisits). I thought the competitiveness of the schools I interviewed at was an important factor to consider -- if you don't believe that to be the case then we can disagree on that point.

ppfizenm said:
There is your problem. From your post you appear insecure, easily influenced by others, intelligent but both superior about it and inferior because of it, to have an inaccurate picture of yourself, and are from California.

Of course this is based on absolutely nothing but what I've read. You may be entirely right about yourself. The point is, no one here knows you or were in your interviews to provide feedback. Also, you were accepted at two top ten schools. Be happy, not neurotic.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the free psychoanalysis but, again, you seem to have missed the point. See my previous post if you need an explanation.

Copernicium said:
Great delivery, good content. Almost had me going there. However, a few fatal flaws:

  1. Join Date - Joined this month. Inexperienced trolls usually fall into the trap of joining in the month they decide to troll. If you really wanted to convince me, you'd have joined 3+ months prior to this post.

  2. Post Count - Only 3 posts, and they are all in this thread. A dedicated troll would have about 50 posts by now, all in different areas of the forum, even with a July join date.

  3. Content - 35+ MCAT, 3.9 GPA, two top 10 acceptances/eight top 20 interviews, and you expect us to believe that you think you are "bad at interviewing?" I think what you're really here for is a subtly ego stroking, because anyone with these stats should know their worth.

All in all, you are one of the better trolls I've seen as of late. Disguising your need for someone to inflate your ego with a pretty believable, "sincere" post. Please learn from your mistakes, and come harder at us next time.

Overall: 8/10
Click to expand...
If you had read one of my earlier posts you would know that I value anonymity and this account may not be a regularly used one, thus negating your first two points. Again, your third point misses the point of my question -- see my previous post.

I want to thank everyone who contributed meaningfully -- your input is much appreciated! My question is now resolved -- if this thread could be closed that would be great!
 
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