What's a good number of interviews?

[iheartflatus]

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How many interviews would give me a good shot of getting into at least one?

 

[SkipJunior]

I would say at least 3-4, depending on how well you interview and the overall strength of your application. A lot of schools will review your entire app after your interview, so a strong interview experience doesn't guarantee an acceptance, especially if you barely received that interview invite with the skin of your teeth.

 

[godawg300]

3-5, good shot
5-10, great shot
10-15, excellent shot
15-20, amazing shot
20+, multiple acceptances with scholarship money

Just made all that up. I think it depends on how well you interview. For some it's natural and others really struggle. Especially if you look good on paper but are awkward in person.

 

[mvenus929]

Depends on how well you interview, what time of year you interview, and how strong your overall application is. If you're getting multiple interview offers now, you likely have a good shot of getting an acceptance. If you don't get your first interview invite until December, you have a lower chance of getting an acceptance.

 

[Lifeman]

If we assume a 3:1 interview to accepted ratio, you need about 7 interviews for a 95% chance of getting admitted.

 

[kthxbai]

As many as will get you accepted.

 

[Plecopotamus]

I would say at least 3-4, depending on how well you interview and the overall strength of your application. A lot of schools will review your entire app after your interview, so a strong interview experience doesn't guarantee an acceptance, especially if you barely received that interview invite with the skin of your teeth.

Don't decline any until you have an acceptance.
Every year there are people on SDN who have done well at getting interviews but have no acceptance at the end of the season. A sneaking suspicion of bad interviewing starts to show up around 3 unsuccessful interviews, is almost certain by 4, & definite at 5 if they didn't happen to have a lopsided list of IIs (i.e. all far reaches, or something unusual like a courtesy interview due to legacy). So 3 is likely to work out, but you keep going until you have proof you are in.

 

[Deadlifts]

I applied to 15, wrote secondaries to 10, interviewed at 2, accepted at 1 and wait listed (declined my WL spot) at 1.

Don't let the neurotic tendencies sometimes seen here on SDN make you think that you absolutely need 5+ interviews to get an acceptance. Would more interviews increase your likelihood of acceptance? Statistically, yes. Accept the interviews offered to you and don't stress that other people you talk to are getting more invites.