What happens after the interviews?

[Nishtar]

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I have received decisions from three schools so far: Upstate (rejected), Rochester (waitlisted), and Downstate (accepted). I cannot seem to figure out whether there is something wrong with the way I am interviewing (something I can work on for the future interviews), or if there is something else (or lack thereof) in my application which becomes the decisive factor when it comes to the final decision (but then why was I invited for an interview?).

What goes on when the committee meets after the interviews? Is your whole application reviewed all over again with interviews being only one additional factor? Or is the decision from that point on mostly based on the feedback from the interviewers?

 

[MrAgreeable]

I have received decisions from three schools so far: Upstate (rejected), Rochester (waitlisted), and Downstate (accepted). I cannot seem to figure out whether there is something wrong with the way I am interviewing (something I can work on for the future interviews), or if there is something else (or lack thereof) in my application which becomes the decisive factor when it comes to the final decision (but then why was I invited for an interview?).

What goes on when the committee meets after the interviews? Is your whole application reviewed all over again with interviews being only one additional factor? Or is the decision from that point on mostly based on the feedback from the interviewers?

Not trying to be rude, just honest. You are in. Who cares what happens after the interview? Adcoms can do anything short of talkin' bad aboot my momma as long as they let me in.

 

[iA-MD2013]

It depends on the school and what they focus on during post-interview decisions. Some schools put A LOT of focus on the interview, while other review the whole package. Some have looked at your LORs and secondary essays before your interview, some don't look at those till after you interview. Basically, it really depends on the school.

But, with 1 acceptance, 1 waitlist, and 1 rejection, I don't think you can make any conclusions about whether you interview well or badly.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I think the OP obviously was hoping to get into one of these other schools as his higher choices.

As for what goes on after the interviews, it depends on what school it's at. Some place much higher emphasis on interview performance, others use the interviews as strictly a way to screen out psychos.

Keep in mind that at almost every school, even if you get an interview you usually stand only a 1/3 or so chance of acceptance. Therefore, getting one acceptance out of three interviews is about par for the course.

 

[RySerr21]

You have an acceptance. You cant possibly interview that badly. You have a waitlist and a rejection beacuse you are applying to medical school. Its competitive. You arent gonna get in everywhere you apply/interview (unles you are superhuman). Dont take the rejections personally and get hopeful for the waitlists! Oh, and of coures, celebrate the acceptance!

 

[mterp45]

I have received decisions from three schools so far: Upstate (rejected), Rochester (waitlisted), and Downstate (accepted). I cannot seem to figure out whether there is something wrong with the way I am interviewing (something I can work on for the future interviews), or if there is something else (or lack thereof) in my application which becomes the decisive factor when it comes to the final decision (but then why was I invited for an interview?).

What goes on when the committee meets after the interviews? Is your whole application reviewed all over again with interviews being only one additional factor? Or is the decision from that point on mostly based on the feedback from the interviewers?

Great question. I have always wanted to know this 👍. From what I have heard, it depends on the school. Some school base the decision strictly on the interview and some consider more factors after (LORs). I am not sure which schools do what.

 

[ar2388]

haha i agree.. who cares? you're in! lol

 

[GoSpursGo]

I think it's rude of everyone on here saying "who cares, you're in!" For someone like the OP who has a 35 and 3.85, obviously he was expecting to have his choice of schools. I know that a lot of people would kill to be in the OP's shoes right now (I would!), but there's nothing wrong with trying to figure out if maybe he's doing something "wrong" in his interviews to improve his chances elsewhere too.

 

[tncekm]

I think it's rude of everyone on here saying "who cares, you're in!" For someone like the OP who has a 35 and 3.85, obviously he was expecting to have his choice of schools. I know that a lot of people would kill to be in the OP's shoes right now (I would!), but there's nothing wrong with trying to figure out if maybe he's doing something "wrong" in his interviews to improve his chances elsewhere too.

"Expecting" to have a choice of schools, IMHO, is almost offensive. This is a very competitive career and people should be "grateful" to have the opportunity to be part of it.

The difference between a 3.6 and a 3.8 is often not decided by cognitive capability, and the difference between a 33 and a 38 can sometimes just be a bad day on the MCAT! In other words, having a 3.8 and a 35 doesn't make someone any more special or any more deserving as most people who will get into medical school.

I don't think anybody should ever approach the medical school application process with the mindset that they "deserve" anything. Its a privilege and medical students should be proud of their accomplishments, but also grateful for their opportunities.

As far as the OP is concerned, I think his concerns are valid. If he's looking for ways to present himself in a more desirable manner, that's great. IMHO a good way to approach that is just to do mock interviews with people and see what they have to say.

 

[AZFutureDoc]

I think it's rude of everyone on here saying "who cares, you're in!" For someone like the OP who has a 35 and 3.85, obviously he was expecting to have his choice of schools. I know that a lot of people would kill to be in the OP's shoes right now (I would!), but there's nothing wrong with trying to figure out if maybe he's doing something "wrong" in his interviews to improve his chances elsewhere too.

I think all they're saying is that he's not doing anything wrong, and he shouldn't care about changing things because it got him an acceptance. He may need a change of game plan if he got three rejections, but he got an acceptance and waitlist, so he obviously isn't doing anything too wrong.

I won't go into further details because there are some things I've learned from the past that don't need to make it onto SDN for every applicant to see.

 

[MrAgreeable]

"Expecting" to have a choice of schools, IMHO, is almost offensive. This is a very competitive career and people should be "grateful" to have the opportunity to be part of it.

The difference between a 3.6 and a 3.8 is often not decided by cognitive capability, and the difference between a 33 and a 38 can sometimes just be a bad day on the MCAT! In other words, having a 3.8 and a 35 doesn't make someone any more special or any more deserving as most people who will get into medical school.

I don't think anybody should ever approach the medical school application process with the mindset that they "deserve" anything. Its a privilege and medical students should be proud of their accomplishments, but also grateful for their opportunities.

Here Here Mr./Mrs. jumble of letters screen name! I just think Spurs took "you're in" a bit out of context. Something I am a huge culprit of, especially when it comes to this site.

I agree with you that we all should be thankful that we even have the opurtunity to expect an acceptance. Lest I get more existential, I shall close my comments on the matter.

 

[tncekm]

Here Here Mr./Mrs. jumble of letters screen name! I just think Spurs took "you're in" a bit out of context. Something I am a huge culprit of, especially when it comes to this site.

I agree with you that we all should be thankful that we even have the opurtunity to expect an acceptance. Lest I get more existential, I shall close my comments on the matter.

Well, thank you for being so agreeable MrAgreeable 😀

 

[GoSpursGo]

"Expecting" to have a choice of schools, IMHO, is almost offensive. This is a very competitive career and people should be "grateful" to have the opportunity to be part of it.

The difference between a 3.6 and a 3.8 is often not decided by cognitive capability, and the difference between a 33 and a 38 can sometimes just be a bad day on the MCAT! In other words, having a 3.8 and a 35 doesn't make someone any more special or any more deserving as most people who will get into medical school.

I don't think anybody should ever approach the medical school application process with the mindset that they "deserve" anything. Its a privilege and medical students should be proud of their accomplishments, but also grateful for their opportunities.

Allow me to rephrase what I said, so that my meaning is clear and it doesn't sound like anyone should be "expecting" anything in this process: it's great that the OP has an acceptance in hand, but if he still has interviews pending at another school that he likes better than the one he got in at, there's NOTHING WRONG with examining his interview skills to see if he can improve his chances. It may well be that he's doing nothing wrong and his results so far are just luck of the draw; however, it doesn't hurt to reflect on what he's been doing all the same, and he shouldn't be borderline-attacked for coming on to ask for help just because he's been fortunate enough to be accepted somewhere. "University of Somewhere" is great, but I think we can all understand that "University of Dreamschool" is even better.

 

[tncekm]

Allow me to rephrase what I said, so that my meaning is clear and it doesn't sound like anyone should be "expecting" anything in this process: it's great that the OP has an acceptance in hand, but if he still has interviews pending at another school that he likes better than the one he got in at, there's NOTHING WRONG with examining his interview skills to see if he can improve his chances. It may well be that he's doing nothing wrong and his results so far are just luck of the draw; however, it doesn't hurt to reflect on what he's been doing all the same, and he shouldn't be borderline-attacked for coming on to ask for help just because he's been fortunate enough to be accepted somewhere. "University of Somewhere" is great, but I think we can all understand that "University of Dreamschool" is even better.

Well stated 🙂 I agree.

 

[Nishtar]

I appreciate everybody's feedback! And I am truly grateful for having an acceptance. But if I could improve on my part to give myself a better shot at the remaining schools, why not?

 

[fizzle]

Here Here

It's "hear, hear"! I let go the more innocuous grammatical mistakes, but idiomatic errors make me go

 

[mterp45]

This thread is making me hungry. Time for the 24 hour drive thru at Mickey Ds.

 

[JackInTheBox]

It's "hear, hear"! I let go the more innocuous grammatical mistakes, but idiomatic errors make me go

I hate when people say that someone is a "shoe-in" for medical school. It's just wrong on so many levels.

 

[MrAgreeable]

It's "hear, hear"! I let go the more innocuous grammatical mistakes, but idiomatic errors make me go

Haha, Is it really? I should have said "word" or "most def" or "you betcha" or "all that and a bag of pc's my friend" or something like that. I doughn't no y eye did not no that wuz how it wuz sed.