Which schools don't utilize interviews?

[Maddsmoltz]

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Can anybody help me out with a list of vet schools that don't require interviews? Appparently that's what did me in last year...

 

[Caninerepro]

Colorado State, Cornell and Wisconsin that I know of. (applied to those myself)

 

[OnceBitten]

I believe if you have a certain GPA and amount of experience, you don't need to interview at Michigan. It's not guaranteed, though, since it likely depends on the applicant pool.

 

[twelvetigers]

OOS applicants don't interview at OKState.

 

[SmallAndLA]

Wisconsin doesn't do interviews.

 

[sumstorm]

NCSU doesn't conduct interviews

 

[LVT2DVM]

Univ of Georgia doesnt interview...but then they also only accept 1 OSS per year. Not the best odds, but hey you could be the ONE. Best wishes.

 

[katryn]

Univ of Georgia doesnt interview...but then they also only accept 1 OSS per year. Not the best odds, but hey you could be the ONE. Best wishes.

😱 wow....glad I decided to knock that one off my list. I thought the odds were higher than that! lol.

 

[cRose]

I believe if you have a certain GPA and amount of experience, you don't need to interview at Michigan. It's not guaranteed, though, since it likely depends on the applicant pool.

I'm pretty sure that MSU didn't interview any of its applicants this cycle.

 

[stick91]

Oregon State does not interview OOS applicants.

 

[Mistoffeles]

not to be the contrary one in this thread, but I'd advise *against* knocking a school off your list strictly based on the fact that they do interviews, for several reasons.

1. if they don't interview, you *can't* compensate for the non-quantitative factors. that is, if they decide to assign a number value to each part of your application, you have no way of overcoming those assignments. (in my case, it meant that Cornell didn't really consider my application seriously because they don't account for my undergrad grades being 10 years ago, while my science grades are in the past two years. on the other hand, Tufts, RVC, Glasgow and PEI all looked at the grades as separate quantities, offered me interviews, and I got two acceptances and a wait-list.)

2. possibly more importantly, I think that it's a bad idea to train yourself to disparage your interview skills. after school, you will absolutely have to interview, whether it be for a job, an internship, a residency . . . interviews are part of the field. Granted, after getting into school, you have a major confidence boost - but, I still feel that it's important to interview as often as possible.

I'd recommend a mix of schools that do and don't interview.

 

[Caninerepro]

Also to add, do a mock interview with your career councilor, it will help a lot, it did for me.

 

[1Vista1Grey]

I am a pretty good interviewer, but committed interview suicide at Kansas... not even kidding.. couldnt stop myself.. word vomit... it was horrible... you know those moments in your life when you do something so embarrassing you want to cover your face just thinking about it.. thats me..

 

[eatpinkpenguins]

the Aussie schools don't interview: Murdoch, Melbourne, Sydney.

On a side not- I second the mock interview. It's definitely a lot different than practicing your answers inside your head, even if you just do it with a friend or something.

As for shying away from interviews, interacting with new clients can be as intimidating as an interview sometimes. Good practice!

 

[triceratops]

for those of you who have done mock interviews, what are your suggestions? i have read through the interview feedback forum -- do you recommend compiling questions from some of those schools and have someone ask those questions? any other suggestions to include in the mock interview? 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

Another suggestion, if you have extra time, is read a book aimed at how to conduct interviews. That actually helped me more than mock interviews, because I started to see what the interviewer was looking for.

Video tapes of mock interviews can show you nervous behaviors ('like' 'um' 'uh' finger picking, hair twirling, foot tapping.)

I wouldn't rule schools out because they interview...however, at the schools that don't, I think your personal statement, explanation statement, and supplemental application have to be very strong, since that is the only opportuntiy you have to share your personality, perspective, and uniqueness.

 

[Pandacinny]

Something that really helped me was writing up a ton of potential interview questions on index cards. I gave copies of random questions to my family, friends, and coworkers. Then, I had them spring questions on me whenever they felt like it. Sometimes, they'd just think up an interview type question and ask it. Then, I'd have them critique me and my answers. Having friends do this really helped me get better at thinking on my feet and also helped me get better at answering the actual question I was asked instead of rambling on forever.

I think VaGirl had a big list of questions last year - you might search for it or PM her and ask.

 

[Maddsmoltz]

not to be the contrary one in this thread, but I'd advise *against* knocking a school off your list strictly based on the fact that they do interviews, for several reasons.

1. if they don't interview, you *can't* compensate for the non-quantitative factors. that is, if they decide to assign a number value to each part of your application, you have no way of overcoming those assignments. (in my case, it meant that Cornell didn't really consider my application seriously because they don't account for my undergrad grades being 10 years ago, while my science grades are in the past two years. on the other hand, Tufts, RVC, Glasgow and PEI all looked at the grades as separate quantities, offered me interviews, and I got two acceptances and a wait-list.)

2. possibly more importantly, I think that it's a bad idea to train yourself to disparage your interview skills. after school, you will absolutely have to interview, whether it be for a job, an internship, a residency . . . interviews are part of the field. Granted, after getting into school, you have a major confidence boost - but, I still feel that it's important to interview as often as possible.

I'd recommend a mix of schools that do and don't interview.

Yeah, that was my plan. Just wanted to include a couple that didn't require it. It was a little ridiculuous at the U of MN that at the point of the interview it was worth 50% of their admittance score (the other half is experiences-they don't look at grades/GRE at that point). I'm not really that worried about the interview. I just don't trust the objectivity of it.

 

[sumstorm]

Yeah, that was my plan. Just wanted to include a couple that didn't require it. It was a little ridiculuous at the U of MN that at the point of the interview it was worth 50% of their admittance score (the other half is experiences-they don't look at grades/GRE at that point). I'm not really that worried about the interview. I just don't trust the objectivity of it.

It might help to realize that interviews generally aren't intended to be objective. I think interviews are more concerned with verbal communication skills, deportment, personification of your personal view points and ideals, and general social skills. Instead of thinking of it as an evaluation of your past, think of it as an opportunity to present yourself as the image of your future; the person you will be as a veterinarian and a professional associate of the people conducting the interviews.

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

It might help to realize that interviews generally aren't intended to be objective. I think interviews are more concerned with verbal communication skills, deportment, personification of your personal view points and ideals, and general social skills. Instead of thinking of it as an evaluation of your past, think of it as an opportunity to present yourself as the image of your future; the person you will be as a veterinarian and a professional associate of the people conducting the interviews.

This is awesome advice! Thank you sumstorm!

 

[triceratops]

Instead of thinking of it as an evaluation of your past, think of it as an opportunity to present yourself as the image of your future; the person you will be as a veterinarian and a professional associate of the people conducting the interviews.

that is a fantastic perception. thank you. 🙂