when interviewers conspire

[monopolova]

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Well, it's pretty obvious that interviewers mostly know each other and may even talk with each other about interviews in general. However, does anybody have any inside info about whether interviewers who are interviewing the same candidates discuss who will ask what questions?

On the one hand, the repetition seen in interviews may indicate that this does not happen. On the other hand, some schools (MCW for instance), claims to give third interviews to ask questions not asked in the first two. How would they know what has been asked if there was no discussion?

Thanks 👍

 

[mikedc813]

Perhaps they actually ask you what you discussed in your interviews? It's to your benefit to not repeat the same discussion with each of your interviewers, because you're trying to convey as much info about yourself to them. Debating abortion with two different interviewers, for instance, doesn't help you as much as debating abortion with one and discussing universal health care with another. So maybe they have established beforehand what they will ask each student and thus they already know? Or maybe they just ask you what you talked about? Who knows, but it seems plausible that they don't discuss you before the 3rd interview. They probably don't have the time to do so either.

 

[antoniodlc]

Well, it's pretty obvious that interviewers mostly know each other and may even talk with each other about interviews in general. However, does anybody have any inside info about whether interviewers who are interviewing the same candidates discuss who will ask what questions?

On the one hand, the repetition seen in interviews may indicate that this does not happen. On the other hand, some schools (MCW for instance), claims to give third interviews to ask questions not asked in the first two. How would they know what has been asked if there was no discussion?

Thanks 👍

it would depend on the school. some schools have medical students and faculty interview potential students and they simply fill out a questionaire. they probably do not know each other. other schools have the interviewers as your advocates in the committee. in mcw's case, the director of admissions told us that the interviewers (3rd year students and faculty) were trained beforehand and they actually meet each other right after the interview to discuss the applicant. if they feel there is a discrepancy (perhaps one guy likes you and the other doesn't, or they have a specific question both forgot to ask), they request a third interview that same day.

 

[monopolova]

it would depend on the school. some schools have medical students and faculty interview potential students and they simply fill out a questionaire. they probably do not know each other. other schools have the interviewers as your advocates in the committee. in mcw's case, the director of admissions told us that the interviewers (3rd year students and faculty) were trained beforehand and they actually meet each other right after the interview to discuss the applicant. if they feel there is a discrepancy (perhaps one guy likes you and the other doesn't, or they have a specific question both forgot to ask), they request a third interview that same day.

Very enlightening! Thanks! 👍