Waitlisted at 3 schools

[willthethrill]

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So, I am a medical school reapplicant. I have had 3 interviews thus far this season and have been put onto 3 waitlists. I had similar outcomes last year, but I was also a lot later in the cycle. I have totally not lost hope yet as I still have a least one more interview next month, but I really am having trouble staying confident. I always thought I was a good interviewer and felt all my interviews went pretty well...but I am really starting to think I need to reconsider my career choice. Anyone else out there finding themselves in a similar situation?

 

[pcard]

So, I am a medical school reapplicant. I have had 3 interviews thus far this season and have been put onto 3 waitlists. I had similar outcomes last year, but I was also a lot later in the cycle. I have totally not lost hope yet as I still have a least one more interview next month, but I really am having trouble staying confident. I always thought I was a good interviewer and felt all my interviews went pretty well...but I am really starting to think I need to reconsider my career choice. Anyone else out there finding themselves in a similar situation?

Not yet. If you real want to be in white coat, have some more patience and I have seen that it pays. Stay focus. I know it is easy said then done. But it is very early in the cycle. Do not loose hope.

 

[tman1820]

Similar story for me...waitlisted at 2/3 and waiting to hear back from the third. I have a chance to redeem myself next month a KCOM so I guess it's time to put on my game face, although I thought I had it on in the last 3. I'm planning on trying to call each of the admissions office to see if they'll give out some interview feedback but I agree...it is a pretty hard blow to your confidence, especially since I'm a reapplicant too.

 

[futuredoc4432]

which schools? I'm gonna drop out of at least 2 of mine.

 

[MightyMoose]

If your MCAT and GPA are decent (which I think they would be if you are getting interviews), then I think it is time to start asking yourself what is happening during your interviews.

You should set-up mock interviews with someone you know and trust. Try to find someone who has interviewed people in the past and ask them to be brutally honest. How are you answering questions? Run your answers by friends who are socially adept and see what they say about them, because clearly something is happening at your interviews...

What are you wearing? Are you wearing a suit or are you "that" guy who chooses to be different? Is your suit tailored? Are you getting too comfortable and possibly unprofessional with your interviewers? Are you being rude to the office staff? Are your answers to questions scripted?

Also, make sure your answers to interview questions about your application aren't dodging blame for inadequacies, that your reasons for pursuing a DO are in line with your history (examples are always nice), and that your reasons for wanting to go their school are better than "I like the area."

In your situation, you are lucky in that you have close to a month to prep for your next interview. Use that time to get to know yourself and make sure you have tied up any loose ends that you might have danced around at previous interviews.

Anyway, good luck. 😉

 

[dozitgetchahi]

If your MCAT and GPA are decent (which I think they would be if you are getting interviews), then I think it is time to start asking yourself what is happening during your interviews.

You should set-up mock interviews with someone you know and trust. Try to find someone who has interviewed people in the past and ask them to be brutally honest. How are you answering questions? Run your answers by friends who are socially adept and see what they say about them, because clearly something is happening at your interviews...

What are you wearing? Are you wearing a suit or are you "that" guy who chooses to be different? Is your suit tailored? Are you getting too comfortable and possibly unprofessional with your interviewers? Are you being rude to the office staff? Are your answers to questions scripted?

Also, make sure your answers to interview questions about your application aren't dodging blame for inadequacies, that your reasons for pursuing a DO are in line with your history (examples are always nice), and that your reasons for wanting to go their school are better than "I like the area."

In your situation, you are lucky in that you have close to a month to prep for your next interview. Use that time to get to know yourself and make sure you have tied up any loose ends that you might have danced around at previous interviews.

Anyway, good luck. 😉

This makes a lot of sense. I attended a total of 6 interviews and got waitlisted at my first two - and I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it took several interviews for me to warm up to the process. Echoing the above:

- Wear a suit. There was always at least one person in each of my interview groups who tried to get away with wearing something less, and I don't think this helped their cause.

- If nothing else, just don't be awkward or shy at the interview. I've gotten the distinct impression that most interviewers are basically evaluating applicants' social poise and confidence more than anything else. In many cases, what you say is probably a lot less important than how you say it (provided you don't say something totally stupid or offensive).

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

At the interviews you have to be 1) genuine 2) cool, calm, and collected 3) personable 4) presentable 5) nice to EVERYONE.

 

[randomusername]

...but I am really starting to think I need to reconsider my career choice.

Perhaps this kind of attitude is coming through in some form at your interviews and you're not aware of it? It's obvious that your stats are fine if you keep getting interviews, so as others have suggested, it has to be something in the interview process that keeps holding you back.