<p>There are a lot of inexplicable aspects of the medical school admissions process. But the one thing that is especially unconscionable is the sheer number of interview invites the schools dish out. Considering how much it costs applicants to attend these interviews, its really disingenuous on the part of these medical schools that dish out 3-4 interview invites for each acceptance. Do they seriously think that they can figure out enough about 3 out of every 4 interviewees, during the course of a couple of 30 minute interviews that make them suddenly unsuitable for a spot at their school?</p>
<p>Yeah, I called this morning and the lady at admissions wasn’t clear. I’m going to email them later today.</p>
<p>Haha, thanks texas!</p>
<p>Yeah, kal. They do. The interview is a critical part of the process. Even more critical at the next juncture. </p>
<p>Some schools are not as concerned with the interview as others.</p>
<p>While the issue is not the interview, it could be the number of invites. On that we agree.</p>
<p>And just to remind everybody, the interview starts when you get off the bus. ;)</p>
<p>They got back so quick! And said it would be fine and I just sent an update! So try that mrpenguin!</p>
<p>Ha, curmudgeon: D thinks that the student hosts are spies for the admissions committee. ha. </p>
<p>Some schools interview few: UCSF for example. Only 500, so they have a higher percentage of acceptances per interview than most. I think UVA was high also for OOS.</p>
<p>ka, The interviewers can tell how good looking the interviewees are within 30 seconds :)</p>
<p>In the college application cycle many years ago, it was rumored that because Brown asked the applicants to submit their pictures, the end results: they got a better looking class in general. Med schools are just more thorough in this “screening” process because seeing in person may not be the same as seeing them in picture.</p>
<p>One program/major of the colleges in my state is at least more honest about this. They said once the applicant passes some criteria on paper, he or she is eligible for participating in a lottery. Every one has equal chance to win. The med school application process , for some schools at least, is a little bit like this - some random factor is involved.</p>
<p>BTW, a CCer here once posted that, for residency application, the “look” factor is even more important. Arguably, the grades in the clinical years in med school could include this factor too. (“Teacher’s pet” factor.) Maybe this factor starts from the kindergarten; the only exception is the standardized tests – but many would argue that the standardized test measures something that is not really that important in real life .</p>
<p>“D thinks that the student hosts are spies for the admissions committee. ha.”
-it goes both ways. It is a great way to get more familiar with the student body. Mine was very much into if the student body is fitting her or not, yep, up to a withdrawal. I know it is not for everybody, but if you care a lot about group of people around you for very intense (sometime cruel) period in your life that will last for 4 years, staying with the student hosts will provide a valuable insight.</p>
<p>I heard about “the look” factor also. Not sure if it is true or not, might be just a joke, but the rumor is that you better have a clear skin applying for Derm.</p>
<p>Re: “spies for the admissions committee”</p>
<p>Indeed! One of DS’s hosts turned out to be his student interviewer. DS found out as they entered the interview room.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all those with new acceptances and new invites!</p>
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<p>D just had an interview at a school with tons of applicants. She said the student body was very attractive and fit. Hmm…
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<p>^ Don’t you think she would fit right in? :D</p>
<p>LOL, Texas! Of course I’m going to say yes! She’ll always be the prettiest “little girl” in my eyes! :D</p>
<p>Well, knowing what she does for her college, I am expecting her to meet both qualifications…</p>
<p>Re: pics for med school applications. I was told it was so that they could verify that the person who sat for the MCAT (which requires photo ID and fingerprints) was the same person as the one who showed up for the interview was the same as the one who showed up for the first day of class. I have no idea if they actually verify these things.</p>
<p>As far as spies for adcom go, at least at my school, there are but 2 students on the adcom and at least 30 or so hosts–no spying on applicants here. Same goes for the students who give the tour–they have nothing to do with admissions, which allegedly allows applicants to be more candid. I suppose this practice varies by school.</p>
<p>My D. was actually an interviewer and never hosted, she lives in a small studio.
BTW. the requirement for the interviewer was NO RELATIONSHIP with any interviewees. She has mentioned that she would not be able to interview somebody who she knew. However, this restriction may not include a visitor that you are actually hosting. I am not sure about this situation. I imagine if somebody happen to interview a person that they host, then they at least have to mention this fact to adcom and see if they are allowed to interview under this condition.</p>
<p>^ I would think spending more time with them gives them a better perspective to provide a good feedback. However, the school should make it clear that some of the hosts might be interviewers too.</p>
<p>As iWBB and Curm pointed out, the moment someone lands on campus, they start the interview. So it is important for candidates to assume anything they do or say while staying with someone might have some impact.</p>
<p>Just dropped my son off at Stanford medical school. Stanford campus - WOW! Never seen anything like this before. I used to think Cornell was the most beautiful campus that I had ever seen. This one is just as beautiful, in a different way. I just drove past their 18 hole golf course. I wonder how many schools have that!</p>
<p>Only Duke has more campus land than Stanford. So it is possible Duke has one on campus?</p>
<p>I just looked that up (courtesy of Starbucks WiFi :)). Lot’s of schools have golf courses! The best on-campus golf course is in Yale, according to Golf weekly! Stanford’s course is listed as 6th best. Duke’s is 12th best!</p>