Where else are you interviewing? Well, doc...

[lingmed]

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I have my first and only interview for this cycle coming up this week. How should I answer a question about where else I am interviewing? I know the optics of that question are often related to yields and ensuring interest in the school that is interviewing a candidate, but giving an answer of "This is my only interview" seems like it could make the school second guess their decision to even extend the II to me.

Anyone encountered this situation before? Any ideas as to how to handle this question?

 

[spikes]

Think you are overthinking this. If this question happens to come up, just be honest. I highly doubt the answer will impact your chance of acceptance or create some kind of ill opinion from the interviewer. Their own admissions dept. liked your application enough to extend an interview, why would they rely on ADCOMs from other schools to indirectly gauge your app?

Good luck on the interview!


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[bioboy23]

Pretty sure this question rarely ever comes up. I wouldn't worry.

Nothing to do with the OP, but your profile picture is killing me. I feel like i have seen that guy in another thread....

 

[BeMD13]

I was asked this and was really honest about where I interviewed and was accepted. I also made sure to give specific reasons why I prefer their school over the others. I was accepted.

 

[stickgirl390]

I thought it was looked down upon to ask this question. I heard that you can politely decline to answer. Anyone else hear this?

 

[purplegold201635]

I was asked this question and was honest about the other schools I was interviewing at. If it comes up and you don't feel comfortable saying "this is my only II", just say that you don't feel comfortable answering. Or tell the truth. Lying won't impress them and it will make you paranoid that they will find out you're a fraud.

 

[aymar]

I was asked where else I had applied, and I answered by saying that I applied to schools in a specific region only (without actually naming the schools), and then said the names of the schools I had interviewed at.


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[elliejellybean]

Pretty sure this question rarely ever comes up. I wouldn't worry.

My student interviewer asked me. I was honest but emphasized I want to stay in state (it was one of my state schools)

 

[Save a life]

I doubt you'll be asked but just be honest and answer naturally. I only got this question from other applicants interviewing that day.

 

[Tenk]

"Everywhere I can. I am dedicated to this career path and not willing to take any chances."

 

[QofQuimica]

I have my first and only interview for this cycle coming up this week. How should I answer a question about where else I am interviewing? I know the optics of that question are often related to yields and ensuring interest in the school that is interviewing a candidate, but giving an answer of "This is my only interview" seems like it could make the school second guess their decision to even extend the II to me.

Anyone encountered this situation before? Any ideas as to how to handle this question?

I never liked getting asked this question either, and it's especially awkward in your situation. But in the whole scheme of things, it probably doesn't really matter how you answer it. You could always ask the interviewer why they want to know, and then try to address whatever you believe their real question is. But I don't think it's worth spending much time or energy worrying about it.

 

[lingmed]

Update: No one asked all day, and the interviews in general were way less cross-examination like than I had feared. Not sure if that is school-dependent but it was a great feeling to just be able to tell my story on my own terms.

 

[Goro]

You tell the truth!

Most applicants get only a single interview.

I have my first and only interview for this cycle coming up this week. How should I answer a question about where else I am interviewing? I know the optics of that question are often related to yields and ensuring interest in the school that is interviewing a candidate, but giving an answer of "This is my only interview" seems like it could make the school second guess their decision to even extend the II to me.

Anyone encountered this situation before? Any ideas as to how to handle this question?