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Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by Mike on November 14, 2011, 9:50 pm

I was just wondering if anyone here had talked with any AA program admissions staff members or current students regarding the competitiveness of the current application cycle. It seems like there hasn't been as much discussion on this forum regarding the application process as there was last year, which, if I remember correctly, was one of the most competitive cycles ever (didn't several programs receive 600+ applications each?). Has anyone heard if this cycle has, so far, been as competitive as last year's?

My application to Emory is going to be complete this week, so I was just kind of curious as to the amount of competition I'll be up against. It *seems* like it hasn't been as competitive this cycle, but that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by AAhopeful on November 15, 2011, 8:48 am, in reply to "Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I interviewed at South this past weekend and no one was rejected. They took 8 and wait-listed 4 and all 4 on the wait list have really high interview scores. Looks pretty competitive to me.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by AAhopeful on November 15, 2011, 9:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I interviewed at South this past weekend and no one was rejected. They took 8 and wait-listed 4 and all 4 on the wait list have really high interview scores. Looks pretty competitive to me.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by J on November 15, 2011, 8:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I'm curious how you know these stats.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by AAhopeful on November 15, 2011, 8:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I asked when they called me and told me about my acceptance status.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by Mike on November 15, 2011, 9:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

If you were one of those who happened to get waitlisted, do you have any idea as to what factors led to you getting waitlisted? Since everyone who was waitlisted was invited to interview (I.e., they were all deemed by the program to be capable of becoming AA's), is the decision to accept or waitlist a candidate based entirely on their interview performance?

I interviewed at one of Nova's programs last year and was waitlisted, and I could never get anyone at the program to tell me specifically what factors led to me getting waitlisted.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by AAhopeful on November 15, 2011, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I think in this scenario, it was because they could not accept all 12. I was told everyone had extremely good interview scores and it took a long time for them to decide who to accept and who to wait list. I was also told that after you have been invited for an interview, your admissions is based primarily on the interview. Hope this helps. Also, I was accepted. I just really liked the people I interviewed with and wanted to know how many had gotten in.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by Mike on November 15, 2011, 9:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

Thanks for the insight. Can I ask if you had healthcare work experience that might have helped your chances during the interview? I'm afraid that if I (hopefully) get an interview offer this cycle, a lack of healthcare work experience (as well as life experience in general) will result in me getting waitlisted. In other words, I'm afraid it will be a case of, "We like this guy alright, but there are other folks who just have more experience in general who we liked just as much and will therefore accept them." I say this because 2 other people who go to my university and are applying to AA programs this cycle are older (late 30s), non-traditional students with math/healthcare/technical backgrounds, and unless they totally fumble their interview, I don't see how someone like me (23 yrs old, no healthcare experience) could get accepted over people with so much more "life experience." I hope I'm just being hard on myself, though.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by AAhopeful on November 15, 2011, 9:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I am young like you, and all I had was shadowing experience.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by Mike on November 15, 2011, 9:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

That's a relief! I guess it really does come down to the interview, then.

You know, I felt like I gave off an overly weird, nervous, off-putting aura at my Nova interview during the previous cycle, and apparently I was right, LOL. I think part of my problem - and I know it sounds pathetic - is quick-wittedness. I'm just one of those people who needs a few moments to think about an answer to a question I'm asked, and I realize that will look bad compared to one of those whiz-kid types who can fire off a complex, well thought-out answer immediately upon being asked a question.

If you don't mind me asking, during your interview, were you ever asked a question like, "How do you know you want to be an AA if you don't even have any healthcare work experience?", or, "What unique qualities would you bring to our program, and why should we accept you over others?"

Besides saying that you're hard-working and dedicated and all that, what else can you really say?

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by aa-s on November 16, 2011, 10:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

all u have to do is answer the questions, show u can at least have a thought process if u can't figure one out and keep your cool. the nervous weird thing is prolly what did it. just remember the people talking to you are just people. try to have a normal conversation. dont backpedal, apologize, or stammer. make sure you dress appropriately i.e. no khakis. wear nylons, match ur belt and shoes. wear a suit coat and a tie, pretty basic stuff but someone is always under dressed. dont wear to much perfume. also if you go to the studentdoctorforum.com there is a section about med school interviews there are a lot of science questions there that you'll hear at med proffesional interviews and other tips about what to wear how to act ect. good luck

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by desperate on November 16, 2011, 11:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

for those of us who get really nervous during the interview (i'm probably even worse than mike), do you think it would be a good idea to take a xanax? might sound like a nutty question, but it may be worth it if it helps an interviewer feel relaxed and helps their thoughts flow and be expressed more fluidly. i just don't want to come across as stoned to the interviewers (i've never taken xanax or any other benzos before so i don't know if that would happen).

also, since you mentioned interview attire, do you think it would be alright for a male to wear a navy blue jacket with dark gray slacks? kind of like this except the jacket is a more traditional dark navy blazer:

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-pants-not-khaki-go-with-a-navy-blazer&docid=vHZ2q9-5a6F_xM&imgurl=http://pics.boards.weddingbee.com/35191.4551_large.jpg.resize&w=427&h=590&ei=-YrETqTaJcL3tgfM3KDACA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=250&vpy=115&dur=3186&hovh=264&hovw=191&tx=112&ty=283&sig=106182434225898055800&page=1&tbnh=135&tbnw=98&start=0&ndsp=67&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=1920&bih=910

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by btbam on November 17, 2011, 11:40 am, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

Dude it's a grad school interview not fashion week in Paris. Just use common sense, wear normal dressy attire that isn't going to make you stand out from anyone else.

If you seriously can't get through an interview without a benzo, then anesthesia is not the field for you.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by desperate on November 17, 2011, 12:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

i just get nervous during important grad school-type interviews. i just figured it could help.

hey, think about the number of med/dental/AA students who are pushing through the program on adderall.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by btbam on November 17, 2011, 12:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

I'm not saying I'm a super genius or any different than anyone else on this board, but you guys are just over the top with this stuff.

I never consulted anyone about writing my personal statement or the interview. I just showed up, presented myself in an intelligent manner, and answered their questions to the best of my abilities. There isn't some magic formula or suit color that's going to get you admitted to AA school, just be yourself and the rest will come naturally.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by aa-s on November 17, 2011, 4:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

i wouldnt worry about your suit color just look professional. there were several none black suits last interview round. as to the xanax: no, what btbam said. if your the type of person who turns to pharmacologic solutions to life problems anesthesia may not b for you.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by desperate on November 17, 2011, 8:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

just to set the record straight, i'm not the kind of person who "turns to pharmacologic solutions" to get through things. i do not take any drugs and am willing to be that you and everyone else on this board has done more drugs than i have (i've never smoked weed, never had the interest to). the xanax would definitely be a one-time thing.

i just get really nervous the same Mike talked about getting nervous. in fact, i'm so bad with it that i often find myself diverting eye contact for some reason during things like interviews. i have heard that, especially when it comes to grad school interviews, not making eye contact can be a major deal-breaker. so i just wanted something that could possibly make me a little more relaxed for an hour or so. kind of gross, but my hands also get really sweaty during interviews which makes it really embarassing when it's time to shake hands at the end.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by Pablo on November 17, 2011, 8:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

If you truly are this nervous about a little interview I would seriously advise you to consider another career. Its a very stressful job and surgeons and anesthesiologists put you "on the spot" quite a bit. I'm saying this so you can think about it before you spend thousands of dollars to work a job that may make you miserable in the end. Being at the head of the bed is not a fun place if you are a nervous person. Seriously.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by desperate on November 17, 2011, 8:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

when i shadowed i really was intrigued by what i saw, but i didn't really notice the AA being put on the spot by any of the doctors. i can't help the nervous thing; it isn't like i choose to be that way. it just kind of happens, especially when i think about the fact that at the interview, there are going to be people interviewing with me who simply have more competitive applications and might simply be more quick-thinking during an interview situation. it's kind of hard to explain, but i have never been one of those "alpha male" types. i consider myself to be a pretty nice guy but in a more meek kind of way, if that makes any sense. but if that means i don't have the personality type for the job and there's nothing i can do about it, then i guess you're right, i'm out. unless i can change it somehow.....

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by aa on November 17, 2011, 12:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

Lol. I was going to say the same thing. The interview stress is the least of your problems. You will be more stressed actually practicing anesthesia, and dont want to get on the path of relying on drugs that we administer. Bad idea... Just go for a run or exercise beforehand to releive some anxiety. They expect some nervousness, just keep it in check. Everyone else will be nervous too. If you're not, then you don't want this bad enough.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by J on November 16, 2011, 11:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

If you've never taken one and don't know how it will affect you, don't be stupid and take one now. Duh.

Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?

Posted by aa-s on November 15, 2011, 9:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Competitive admissions cycle so far?"

i heard something like this as well from interview staff. the applicants for early admin were impressive.

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