What does an 'open file' interview entail?

[txguy]

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Does it just mean that the interviewer has your stuff in front of them during the interview?

I was just reviewing the "interview feedback" on SDN and was wondering what this meant.

Thanks!

-tx

 

[calstudent]

I am pretty sure it means they can see your grades, PS, extracurriculars, and recs; whereas closed file is they just see you (and nothing else).
People from last year please correct me if I'm wrong-

 

[skhichi]

I'm pretty sure that that's what it means. They have your application out in front of them and will probably ask you a question right from it. They might question something you wrote in your personal statement or ask you to explain a poor grade or an interesting activity.

 

[Rogue_Leader]

Open file means your interviewer has access to all the material in your AMCAS, secondary, and recs. It doesn't necessarily mean they'll have read it all before interviewing you, but if you have a particularly conciencious interviewer it is possible. Closed file means they have your name and nothing else. It's supposed to make the interviewer talk to you rather than trying to see you as a function of your numbers. I know at Rochester, the interview is closed file, but when you get offered an interview they make you write two half page essays on different topics which the interviewer gets, so there is some leeway on what a closed interview could be.

 

[derf]

closed file = personal statement and diadvantaged essay (if applicable)


open file = everthing--grades, statement, mcat, schools, awards, etc.

 

[Chlost]

closed file = personal statement and diadvantaged essay (if applicable)


open file = everthing--grades, statement, mcat, schools, awards, etc.

Does each school have one set type, or does it differ from applicant to applicant: if so, do they always notify you of the type they will be giving you?

thanks

 

[WatchingWaiting]

Does each school have one set type, or does it differ from applicant to applicant: if so, do they always notify you of the type they will be giving you?

thanks

The schools that I am aware of use the same format for all interviewees. Most schools are open-file-- I can think of UCSF as being one that is not. It won't have all that much of an effect on your interview day either way, because not all interviewers will have actually read your file beforehand, so open-file can very easily end up closed-file. Occassionally the open-file session will occur where your interviewer will come out swinging based on what he or she has read in your file, so these can catch you a bit off guard. However, most interviews begin with a get-to-know you, why do you want to do medicine? type question.

 

[txguy]

I have heard that "closed file" means that the interviewers have read your personal statement and secondary essays, but have not seen your numbers (grades and MCAT). So I guess they can get to really know you as a person and not pre-judge you by your numbers?

-tx

 

[Bear1220]

I have heard that "closed file" means that the interviewers have read your personal statement and secondary essays, but have not seen your numbers (grades and MCAT). So I guess they can get to really know you as a person and not pre-judge you by your numbers?

-tx

For a "closed file" interview (at least this is the way UCSF does it), your interviewer only knows your name, undergraduate school, what city you're from, and maybe a few other biographical details but they haven't read your personal statement or letters of recs and they don't know your numbers.

 

[ravaha08]

Open file means they have access to everything you sent in. Recs, grades, MCATs and everything else. Closed usually means they have at least your name and school. But many of these have your personal statement too. The personal statement allows them to have something to talk about. One of the schools I applied to have a closed file interview where they only had my name, school, and PS. They were not even allowed to ask me about my MCAT or GPA. Some other schools may have and interviewer for academics (grades and MCAT) and an interviewer for personality (PS and essays, ECs, and everything else non academic). These allow more of both sides of the coin so that one interview can really get to know you without thinking about the numbers.