The Thread for College Interviews

[letsgo123]

I've had a bunch of bs/md & ba/md interviews, and i'd just advise that you obviously want to have compelling reasons as to what got you into medicine and what you've done to explore medicine, but, more than that, you should have a story in which you can make all the details of choppy medical experiences flow together in an almost entertaining, attention-capturing way.

Essentially, just be able to comfortably have a conversation on any aspect of your life.

[bugaboo]

When the interviewer asks you what you would bring to the community, are you supposed to talk about your ECs or what?

[dchow08]

Just mention whatever you think you can contribute to the community. Doesn't have to be just ECs.

[bugaboo]

So like your personality, basically?

[dchow08]

Well, I don't want to tell you what you have to say. Just think about it for yourself. There's no correct answer.

[rte11]

for thank you notes, is much typically said besides something like "thank you for taking the time to meet with me, blah blah blah, im very interested in your university?" or are they oftentimes lengthy? also, would an email suffice, or do they need to be handwritten.

[dchow08]

A short e-mail that basically says "Thank you..." is fine. They don't affect whether you get in or not; they're just for courtesy.

[homerslippers]

I'm currently looking at a couple schools that say that they'll contact me about an interview, yet they say interviews are held for ED/EA in October-November and for RD December-February.

They also say, only offered to official applicants.

How are they supposed to know who's applying before November 1 for ED/EA and before January 1 or so for RD? Is it that the people who they interview in October are ones that have already submitted apps? It's kind of confusing...

[09tennisgirl22]

@homerslipppers - yes, you'll be contacted after you've submitted your application. The people being interviewed in October will have submitted their applications before the November 1 deadline.

[my2sunz]

Just wondering...S had a couple of on-campus interviews recently. At one Ivy League school - his first choice, BTW - he reported that the interview didn't go well. He felt that he did well on his other interviews, but he said this interviewer basically had a "checklist" and just read through the questions. Basically showed no interest in the interview at all. It was nothing like the other schools (another Ivy and 2 other highly ranked ones) and he's now concerned about how this will affect his chances.
Has anyone else had an experience like this?

[yohobroncos]

this has to have been asked, but how formal (clothing wise)? im a guy

[Dinosaur22]

Yoho, from what I've experienced as an interviewer, a "nice" normal school outfit makes the right impression. I've seen students in suits or coat/tie, and that seems too formal. On the other end, flip-flops, shorts, t-shirts seem too casual. If it were my son, I'd say long pants (khakis are fine), and (depending on weather) a button-down shirt or possibly a short sleeve shirt. I wouldn't wear sneakers or running shoes.

[1J0A6L6]

Has anyone ever gotten the "Why should we accept you?" question, and if so, how did you respond?

[Klebian]

Would a nice button-down and decent jeans be inappropriate for an alumni interview at her house?

[T26E4]

For a guy, I'd say jeans is too casual. I'd advise against it.