When to schedule interviews?

[558832]

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Just asking for a little advice,

is it better to schedule interviews very early (August, Sep?)

or is it better for you to be prepared in Oct, or Nov?

Especially if it is a school that you would love to attend.

Also, does the ordering of interviews (which schools to interview first) matter much?

Thanks guys!🙂

 

[jeffity]

What do you need to prepare that would justify a 2 month difference in scheduling? I know it's hypothetical, but the general rule is that earlier is better....in all aspects of applying.

Order doesn't matter. Some may argue that for whatever reason, but that's just thinking into it too much.

 

[Illfavor]

Decisions are usually made in the weeks preceding DDay (12/1), so as long as you're in the "for consideration" stack by then, I think it doesn't matter too much.

Above all, interview when you're prepared to do so.

 

[tandem7]

I think I know what you mean in terms of timing. I'm already in the working world, and when I have interviews for a job, I always wonder if it's better to interview first to "set the tone" or "set the standard" or whether it's best to be the last person to interview so you stay fresh in their head when they are making decisions.

In terms of interviewing early or late for that perspective, I don't know. However, if you are interviewing for your number one choice, it might be good to have another interview at another school--or at least a mock interview---before your number one choice interview for practice.

 

[jeffity]

I think I know what you mean in terms of timing. I'm already in the working world, and when I have interviews for a job, I always wonder if it's better to interview first to "set the tone" or "set the standard" or whether it's best to be the last person to interview so you stay fresh in their head when they are making decisions.

In terms of interviewing early or late for that perspective, I don't know. However, if you are interviewing for your number one choice, it might be good to have another interview at another school--or at least a mock interview---before your number one choice interview for practice.

I like that. I know you can't magically arrange for a real interview before the top choice, but definitely do a mock interview or two. Or five. I know some people think it's stilly and are naturals (or so they think), but it's amazing to do one and get feedback. Might even be humbling. But, don't ask for a November interview at your #1 if there's an option for much earlier. That could have the opposite effect of what you want.

 

[sacapuntas]

Jeffity is right that overthinking this part of the process too much probably isn't beneficial, but I do want to add in that throughout the course of my interviews, my comfort and ability to interview well improved through the cycle. With that said, perhaps scheduling one of your schools you are least interested in first would be a good idea.

 

[gn4]

If it's my number 1 choice, I choose to have it after I have another school scheduled. As long as it's still before mid November.

 

[athomas]

I like that. I know you can't magically arrange for a real interview before the top choice, but definitely do a mock interview or two. Or five. I know some people think it's stilly and are naturals (or so they think), but it's amazing to do one and get feedback. Might even be humbling. But, don't ask for a November interview at your #1 if there's an option for much earlier. That could have the opposite effect of what you want.

If you're looking for a scientific answer, primacy and recency effects are pretty strong for memory. That means if you want to stick out in their mind either be at the beginning or near the end, not right in the middle. However, this effect has been studied with things like memorizing a list of words, no idea if it extrapolates to things as involved as interviewees.

 

[jeffity]

If you're looking for a scientific answer, primacy and recency effects are pretty strong for memory. That means if you want to stick out in their mind either be at the beginning or near the end, not right in the middle. However, this effect has been studied with things like memorizing a list of words, no idea if it extrapolates to things as involved as interviewees.

I wasn't.

 

[Hawkteeth]

Early as possible, therefore you will run into less conflicts when you start receiving interviews from other schools. You don't want to end up with a post December interview just because of a conflict.

 

[JAWSSS]

Schools know when you interviewed.... I feel like there is a bigger inclination to give spots to earlier interviews.

Of course, just be AMAZING and it won't matter when you interview! haha