I know the feeling of waiting for that make-or-break response from medical schools after your interviews. It’s like being on an emotional rollercoaster – one minute, you’re confident, but then the next, you’re second-guessing everything. First of all, congratulations on landing a medical school interview – that’s quite an accomplishment all on its own. But, of course, the waiting game hardly feels like a reason for celebration. Not knowing when you hear back from medical schools after interviews can be sooo agonizing! I remember just wanting to fast-forward to the moment I’d find out whether I’d been accepted.
So, just how long do you have to wait? In this post, I’ll break down the timeline scenarios for you and give you some insight into what you can expect during this nail-biting period.
This post is all about when do you hear back from medical schools after interviews.
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So When Do You Hear Back From Medical Schools After Interviews?
How Soon Will You Hear Back?
Depending on the medical school’s admission schedule and policies, the waiting period for hearing back can range from a few weeks to several months.
Rolling Admissions
From October through May, most medical schools work on rolling admissions, which means they review applications as they come in and continuously release decisions. So, in this case, typically, you can expect to hear back within about two to three weeks after your interview. Keep in mind that several factors, usually entirely out of your control, impact why one school might get back to you sooner while others might take a bit longer.
End of the Interview Cycle Decisions
However, be aware that some schools do not make final decisions after they interview all the candidates. So, even if you have your interview early in the cycle, for example, in September, you may have to wait until March to hear back. Understandably, waiting for several months can feel incredibly long. However, being aware of such a policy can save you from unnecessary stress while you wait.
Why Does It Take So Long for Medical Schools to Respond?
After you’ve poured your heart out in an interview, it’s totally natural to be eager for some feedback. So, what’s taking so long?
I hear you—it can feel like forever to get an answer. Here are a few factors that can contribute to why you’re waiting for medical schools to get back to you.
- Volume of Applications: Medical schools receive a ton of applications each year, so it’s no surprise that they take time to review each one carefully and make informed decisions.
- School’s Schedule: The timing of when you hear back can vary depending on the medical school’s plan for deciding on acceptances. Some schools may prioritize a quicker turnaround, while others might feel taking their time is necessary.
- Detailed Review Process: The admissions committee reviews applications and interview notes meticulously. This thorough process ensures they select the best candidates for their program, but it can also mean more wait time for a decision.
- Holiday Season or Delays: If your interview happened around the holiday season or there are unexpected delays in the process, it will likely extend the time period for schools to get back to you. Just be patient and keep checking your email regularly.
- Committee Meetings: Admissions committees often meet at specific times during the year to discuss applicants. If your interview falls right after a committee meeting, you might have to wait until the next one for a decision.
Does an Interview Increase Your Chances of Acceptance?
Landing an interview is a fantastic sign! It means that your application caught the eye of the admissions committee and they see something special in you. It’s their way of saying, “Hey, we’re interested in you!”
Once you’ve had your interview, your chances of getting into medical school definitely go way up. While it’s not a guarantee of acceptance, it’s a huge step in the right direction.
However, it’s tough to pinpoint an exact percentage of your chance of acceptance post-interview. It depends on how many other applicants they interviewed, how well you presented yourself and convinced the committee that you’re the perfect fit for their program, and how the medical school approaches the overall interview process.
Tips for Managing the Wait
Even though the pressure’s off now that you’ve completed the interview, next comes the nerve-wracking part: the waiting game. Since it can feel like forever until you hear back, here are a few tips to keep your cool and manage the waiting period like a pro.
- Follow the rules of engagement. Each medical school has its own policy for communications post-interview. After sending a thoughtful thank-you letter, there’s not much more for you to do than wait. Now, if several months have passed, you’ve had a worthy accomplishment, and it’s welcomed, you could send an update letter.
- Stay informed. Check the school’s website or forums for updates or timelines on when you can expect to hear back, which can eliminate some of the anxiety.
- Hold onto hope! There’s often movement on waitlists towards the end of the application cycle as students make decisions and spots open up. Acceptances can come in even at the last minute, right before the school year starts, leading to a mad scramble for housing and logistics.
- Practice self-care. Exercise, meditate, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. A healthy body and mind will help you better handle the uncertainty.
- Plan for the future. Start researching other schools or programs you’re interested in. Having a backup plan for re-applying can ease your mind and make you feel more in control of your plans moving forward.
Prepare for Each Possible Medical School Response
Let’s break down the three possible responses you might receive: acceptance, waitlist, or rejection.
Acceptance Letter
Hopefully, you fall into this category and have secured a spot for the upcoming academic year. That’s no small feat, so give yourself a well-deserved moment to bask in your hard-won success.
Then, keep an eye on each school’s policies, timelines, and deadlines for committing to enroll. For example, if you’re accepted at one school but waitlisted at another, you can choose to “Plan to Enroll” at the accepted school while waiting to hear from your preferred school. And remember, if you decide against attending a school, withdraw your application early enough so someone else can snag that spot.
Placed on a Waitlist
Don’t panic if you find yourself in this group—it’s actually pretty common to be waitlisted. Consider crafting a medical school letter of intent to show them why you’re the perfect fit for their program. Share your enthusiasm, detail your strengths, and make it clear why you’d be a valuable addition to their student body. It could be the key to turning that waitlist status into an acceptance!
Pro tip: The process of final decisions, including waitlists, can sometimes stretch all the way into the early summer months. While it’s completely natural to be curious about your status, it’s generally recommended to refrain from bombarding the admissions office with inquiries about your waitlist position. Bugging them too much might actually work against you when they’re making final decisions. So, as hard as it is, try to stay calm and trust the process.
Receiving a Rejection
It stings, no doubt about it. But remember, one rejection doesn’t define your future success in the medical field. Take a moment to read that rejection letter thoroughly – sometimes, it contains valuable feedback that can guide you on what areas to focus on for your next application.
Now if you’re thinking about reapplying, reflect on your application honestly, consider seeking feedback, and create a solid plan to boost your chances next time around. Look at where you can improve your application, such as bumping up your GPA or MCAT score, getting more involved in extracurricular activities, or making sure you apply as early as possible.
If this is you, make sure to go through my blog post Didn’t Get Into Medical School? Take These Steps Before You Reapply!
I also didn’t get accepted the first time I applied to medical school, but to be honest, I was very clueless about the whole process back then and made countless mistakes. After raising my GPA, gaining clinical experience as an EMT and researching everything I could to increase my changes, I earned 10 acceptances!
Want to learn the key strategies that helped me to get there? Join my Free Premed Workshop and I’ll share all the mistakes I made and how I turned it around in my second (successful) application cycle.
Ghosted?
Lastly, there’s the possibility of hearing nothing at all, which, unfortunately, also counts as a rejection. After your interview, some medical schools might not bother to follow up with you. They might leave you hanging with a vague, “We’ll be in touch if you’re accepted.” It’s not the most considerate approach, but it does happen. Don’t dwell on it too much and keep your focus on the schools that do show interest in your application.
Last Thoughts
So, when can you expect to hear back from medical schools after your interviews? The timeline can vary depending on the school and their admissions process. Generally, most schools will notify you within a few weeks to a couple of months after your interview.
While waiting, feeling anxious and maybe even doubting yourself is normal. But hey, you made it this far! Remember that you’re a strong candidate and have worked incredibly hard to get to this point. Stay positive and keep busy with other activities to distract yourself.
In the meantime, send a thank-you note to your interviewers to show your continued interest in the school. Also, updating your application with any recent accomplishments or experiences might be helpful.
The waiting period can be tough, but it’s all part of the process. Stay hopeful, stay positive, and believe in yourself. You’ve got this!
Spacebar Clicker says
I am glad to read this article. Thank you so much.