When First Interviews are at Your Top Choices

[Deferoxamine]

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Okay, so for reasons pretty much beyond my control (limited interview spots remaining with conflicting dates, scheduling complexities, etc.), I now find myself with 2 of my top choice programs as my first 2 interviews this season. I know this is not grounds for panicking, but I am wondering what you guys might recommend I do between now and when this begins. Clearly, I won't have the opportunity to "warm up"... and the one place I was hoping to do that at is now off my schedule because it conflicts with the other heavy program, and I have no other date options.

Can't fiddle with the 2 interview dates either - my flights are booked and nonrefundable because I am cheap and needed to act quickly.

Any suggestions, other than the obvious (practicing, etc.)?

 

[atsai3]

Okay, so for reasons pretty much beyond my control (limited interview spots remaining with conflicting dates, scheduling complexities, etc.), I now find myself with 2 of my top choice programs as my first 2 interviews this season. I know this is not grounds for panicking, but I am wondering what you guys might recommend I do between now and when this begins. Clearly, I won't have the opportunity to "warm up"... and the one place I was hoping to do that at is now off my schedule because it conflicts with the other heavy program, and I have no other date options.

Can't fiddle with the 2 interview dates either - my flights are booked and nonrefundable because I am cheap and needed to act quickly.

Any suggestions, other than the obvious (practicing, etc.)?

No, not really. Just relax and enjoy your interview days.

-AT.

 

[rachmoninov3]

you might be able to spin it (if you can convince yourself) that these are your top choices so you wanted to interview as early as possible!

It may not be the truth, but my dean of students, Dr. Sunshine basically said this whole thing is a really bizaar dating ritual and it's OK to lie as long as it isn't about putting a program #1 or something in your record.
Remember all those ethics courses were so important in medical school? 😎


Congrats on getting interviews at your top programs!

 

[QofQuimica]

Can you get someone in your student affairs office, career office, advisor, etc. to mock interview you? My school offers this, and I thought it was pretty helpful. The other suggestion I would make is to study up on the programs--read their websites so you're familiar with the curriculum, hospitals, etc. Also, skim over that ERAS you haven't looked at in three months and make sure you're ready to discuss your activities, research, why you want to go into that specialty, etc.

Best of luck with your interviews. 🙂