Why do interviewers ask how many schools you applied to/interviewed at?

[Dr Dimbsa]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm just genuinely curious as to what you guys think. This is one of the first questions you get asked at interviews and I've been wondering how your answer could help or potentially hurt you. Why do they care? Is it more of just an ice breaker? Are they looking to see who they're competing with to get you? My guess is that it has no impact on your chances of being accepted but just curious what you all think.

 

[ringofkeys]

based on what different admissions counselors have said when i've talked to them/heard them in presentations, they're trying to see if you applied to 30 schools (to see if you actually care about going to that specific school or if you are just trying to get in anywhere), or if you only applied to one school (shows you might care more about the school than becoming a dentist), or if you applied to an average/broadly/wisely but have at least done research to show that you know why you applied to each school. but I've also heard applying to that one specific school could also show how committed you are to them. I think it's really just to see if you actually have a reason for applying to their school.

 

[Twinkle Moon]

I went to 4 interviews this cycle and this question didn't come up at all. Not saying that it isn't asked, just saying that I don't think it's as common as you think. All the schools I went to made comments like "we know that you'll have a tough decision to make come December" or things like "when you're touring other schools be sure to ask this.....". They chose to interview you because you're awesome and it would be wise of you to apply to more than one school to CYA. For the schools that do straight ask you HOW MANY OTHERS, I'm guessing ringofkeys is right. It could be just to make sure you're not just shot gunning a grad school decision.

 

[doc toothache]

Maybe they are sizing up applicants for their veracity score.

 

[Mhzzz]

Maybe they are sizing up applicants for their veracity score.

Yeah I agree. I was asked this question multiple times at several interviews and I’ve always been honest. My take is that they’re trying to gauge which other schools they are competing against and if you’re more likely to attend their school (i.e. if that school is instate for you etc)

 

[macsak]

my thought is they are trying to gauge if the candidate is giving truthful answers or is trying to give the answers that they think the interviewer wants to hear...

 

[doc toothache]

Yeah I agree. I was asked this question multiple times at several interviews and I’ve always been honest. My take is that they’re trying to gauge which other schools they are competing against and if you’re more likely to attend their school (i.e. if that school is instate for you etc)

That would come under the definition of presumptuousness.