Was your perception of your interview/2nd look accurate?

[Dr. Pepper]

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This question is mostly for medical students, but I think it would be helpful for pre-meds like myself so I decided to put it in pre-allo.

When students decide between medical schools, they oftentimes base a large portion of their decision on the feeling or impression they got at a school during the interview and 2nd look.

For current medical students, did you find your assessment to be accurate? For example, if you thought that school X had laid back students or that school Y had a great atmosphere or great research, whatever your criteria was, would you consider it accurate now that you go to that medical school?

Let us know what you think.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

More or less.

 

[AMEHigh]

Yes. I thought I'd really like my school and the people and so far I do.

 

[ButImLETired]

This question is mostly for medical students, but I think it would be helpful for pre-meds like myself so I decided to put it in pre-allo.

When students decide between medical schools, they oftentimes base a large portion of their decision on the feeling or impression they got at a school during the interview and 2nd look.

For current medical students, did you find your assessment to be accurate? For example, if you thought that school X had laid back students or that school Y had a great atmosphere or great research, whatever your criteria was, would you consider it accurate now that you go to that medical school?

Let us know what you think.

Huh, smart question, I wonder why this hasn't been asked before.

The short answer, at least for me, is yes. The MAIN stuff that I got out of the interview and second look turned out to be absolutely true. The things that I knew I'd love, I do love, and the atmosphere I expected is really there. I love the people in my class and I absolutely love my school.

But I mean, they do spin some stuff. Everything isn't going to be perfect all the time the way they'd like you to think it is when you're interviewing. For example, when a school says they have an "exciting new curriculum" or program, regardless of how good it sounds...there are going to be issues. Professors that are used to the old way won't want to budge, technology will be iffy, organization will be difficult. Some of it will be merely annoying, some of it will be downright frustrating. The key is to go try to go to a school that a) has had the same curriculum at least for a couple of years, and b) has a very, very responsive administration that is willing to listen to the students' concerns. Same for "new research programs" and such- they'll have some issues. But again, if your school has open and available faculty, administration that is willing to get its hands dirty, and an active student government, you'll be able to make it work.

So yeah, the "culture" and atmosphere of my school as it was presented was totally accurate, and I'd still come here in a heartbeat.