What are some of the stranger admissions tests? Do they ever happen off campus?

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Like when you take the MCAT? MCAT is taken at prometric testing centers which are not exclusively for MCAT. For example, during my MCAT I think there were at least 3 other tests going on for random things like CDLs etc. not related to science at all

These tests are shorter so there may be more people moving in an out during your test but other than that it doesn't influence/impact you one bit
 
Has anyone had a weird admissions test, like having an admissions interviewer behave in a particularly weird way just to see how you react (like intentionally being silent for a very long time)? That's the sort of thing I was thinking of, but I don't know if this always happens during an interview or if it can take place off campus in a non-interview setting.
 
wormboge said:
off campus involving people that the applicant would not expect?
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wormboge said:
I don't know if this always happens during an interview or if it can take place off campus in a non-interview setting.
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They aren't performing "admissions tests" on you in places you would not expect, outside of the interview.

This sounds pretty paranoid. What are you talking about?
 
wormboge said:
Has anyone had a weird admissions test, like having an admissions interviewer behave in a particularly weird way just to see how you react (like intentionally being silent for a very long time)? That's the sort of thing I was thinking of, but I don't know if this always happens during an interview or if it can take place off campus in a non-interview setting.
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Are you worried about running into a random stranger on the street who turns out to be a secret undercover admissions committee member sent to do weird things to you and determine your eligibility for admission?? Thats not a thing, but now I kind of wish it was. Would make this whole process a lot more interesting.
 
You ask some interesting questions.

Blunt Answer: Most adcoms don't care enough about any individual applicant to devote resources and time to following them off campus to place them in some sort of ethical scenario to determine their merit as a potential student.

Sarcastic Answer: Every school hires John Quinones to produce a What Would You Do Episode to catch pre-meds ignoring social injustices.

upload_2018-4-17_12-3-15.png
 
While I agree with the posts above and to think secret ‘admissioons tests’ exist is somewhat paranoid, I do want to mention a piece of advice my advisor gave me, which served me well. From the moment you depart on your train/plane/automobile to your interview city, be polite to everyone no matter what. A fellow traveler may just happen to be someone you could meet during your interview day by virtue of traveling to your same location. It would be awkward to see the person you yelled expletive off to on the road for some perceived wrongdoing ends up being your interviewer.
 
I'm pretty sure I've read of some schools taking candidates out for a meal the night before interviews... But that's about it. If you're a decent person idk what there is to worry about in the "real world"?
 
Other posters here just don't want to let you in on the secret.

I occasionally show up at my favorite coffee shop to find the regular baristas replaced with plants from one med school or another. I used to just try to play it cool and leave a good impression. Now that I have an acceptance in hand, though, I don't have to play their game anymore. I simply walk to the counter and firmly say "I know what you're doing. Who are you working for?" They act like they have no clue what I'm talking about, but it feels good to let them know that I'm on to their tricks.

In seriousness, though, interviewing you during your actual interview day takes enough of the school's resources. They definitely aren't looking to add to their own workload by launching some covert pseudo-interview program.
 
I also think this is mostly paranoia talking but a couple of points that I think are relevant: be polite in all correspondence beyond interview day (admissions staff email/phone) and be careful of social media uploads (especially if you do something like Facebook groups of your medical school class with your personal account)
But these aren’t things you’re actively getting tested on as much as could send up a red flag if you do something really unprofessional
 
YJEL said:
I also think this is mostly paranoia talking but a couple of points that I think are relevant: be polite in all correspondence beyond interview day (admissions staff email/phone) and be careful of social media uploads (especially if you do something like Facebook groups of your medical school class with your personal account)
But these aren’t things you’re actively getting tested on as much as could send up a red flag if you do something really unprofessional
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@wormboge is most likely just trolling, as (s)he never came back to clarify the seemingly paranoid question.

However, I do agree. While there are no covert attempts to discover applicants’ behavior in unexpected situations, there are some things to be aware of:

- Behavior at informal interview day events may be reported, especially if overwhelmingly negative (or perhaps positive). Don’t be a jerk at the interview dinner. Don’t be sexist/racist/other ever, but especially not on interview day or online.
- Some adcoms check social media. I got an alert on LinkedIn a few days before acceptance at one school. If they’re searching LinkedIn, they probably also searched Facebook, did a quick Google search, etc.
- I think it’s a good idea to keep in mind that if you want to be a professional, it’s important to be professional.
 
I agree it’s probably a troll but it’s still a searchable thread that other actual paranoid premeds might go through so I wanted to throw in some useful tidbits 🙂

All your tips are gems. I think in general it’s important that people realize whatever you do in public, whether in person or on the internet, is usually subject to scrutiny since its still you as a person
Schools also know how to use google so be aware of your public profiles
 
I’ve heard of some faculty at my undergrad being on the committee at the neighboring med and pharmacy schools and being some of first readers of all the applications. Also had an appointment at the health clinic on campus and the MD working there told me he had previously served on an admissions committee. These aren’t secret tests but, if you live in a community with a med school, be aware that some academics and community members outside the school may be involved in the process. Doubt any of these people have had a significant feeling about an application by knowing an applicant outside of the app process.
 
LizzyM said:
Let's come up with a reality show with the prize winners getting admitted to medical school. What would the challenges be?
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Showing up on time.
Combing your hair.
Wearing a suit.
Carrying a conversation.
Listening before speaking.
Behaving courteously.
Leaving the parents at the curb.
 
3toedsloth said:
Some adcoms check social media. I got an alert on LinkedIn a few days before acceptance at one school. If they’re searching LinkedIn, they probably also searched Facebook, did a quick Google search, etc.
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I would think checking social media is going to become more and more essential to ADCOMs -- probably getting to the point where all of them do it to some degree.

Remember, it's the ADCOM that is ultimately responsible for picking 70-200 new students at their school every year, so that's not an unrealistic amount of social media profiles they need to research. I'm pretty sure some guy with a 3.95 GPA and stellar MCATs but is found to post frequently on Neo-Nazi pages is gonna get a serious re-evaluation in this day and age.

There might already be an undergrad degree called "B.S. in Social Media Data Analytics" for all I know?
 
gyngyn said:
Showing up on time.
Combing your hair.
Wearing a suit.
Carrying a conversation.
Listening before speaking.
Behaving courteously.
Leaving the parents at the curb.
Click to expand...

How about having the contestants find their way several blocks to an important, time sensitive appointment and then having a person (actor/standardized patient) in crisis appear on the path... will each contestant stop and help or rush on to the appointment??
 
Leopold23 said:
While I agree with the posts above and to think secret ‘admissioons tests’ exist is somewhat paranoid, I do want to mention a piece of advice my advisor gave me, which served me well. From the moment you depart on your train/plane/automobile to your interview city, be polite to everyone no matter what. A fellow traveler may just happen to be someone you could meet during your interview day by virtue of traveling to your same location. It would be awkward to see the person you yelled expletive off to on the road for some perceived wrongdoing ends up being your interviewer.
Click to expand...

Just try to be polite to everyone whether you’re interviewing or not is the lesson here IMO
 
gyngyn said:
Showing up on time.
Combing your hair.
Wearing a suit.
Carrying a conversation.
Listening before speaking.
Behaving courteously.
Leaving the parents at the curb.
Click to expand...

Also if you're a guy make sure your belt matches your shoe color and spend the 30$ to get your suit jacket sleeves tailored.
 
LizzyM said:
How about having the contestants find their way several blocks to an important, time sensitive appointment and then having a person (actor/standardized patient) in crisis appear on the path... will each contestant stop and help or rush on to the appointment??
Click to expand...
You saw that study!
...and these were seminarians.
 
Leopold23 said:
While I agree with the posts above and to think secret ‘admissioons tests’ exist is somewhat paranoid, I do want to mention a piece of advice my advisor gave me, which served me well. From the moment you depart on your train/plane/automobile to your interview city, be polite to everyone no matter what. A fellow traveler may just happen to be someone you could meet during your interview day by virtue of traveling to your same location. It would be awkward to see the person you yelled expletive off to on the road for some perceived wrongdoing ends up being your interviewer.
Click to expand...
Not for med school interview but when I interviewed for my current research gig, it was pouring rain and I had to walk 4 blocks to the hospital from the bus stop. I whipped out my umbrella and was on my way. I saw a lady ahead of me running in heels holding a briefcase over her head, so I sped up to catch her and offered my umbrella. Got my suit soaking wet, but she ended up being my second interviewer and future PI lol. This stuff definitely happens.
 
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