8.4 Post-Interview Strategy and Final Decisions

The interview ends, but the process continues. What you do in the days and weeks after interviewing can strengthen your candidacy, help you navigate waitlists, and ultimately determine where you spend the next four years.

Within the first 24 hours:

• Write down everything. Questions, your responses, names, impressions. Memory fades quickly.
• Don't obsess over what went wrong.
• Resist the urge to share everything. Schools sometimes monitor forums.

Timing: Within 24-48 hours. Email is standard.

Who to thank: Your interviewers (if you can identify them).

What to write: Brief, genuine, specific. Reference your actual conversation.

Example:

"Dear Dr. Chen,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. I particularly appreciated our conversation about the integrated clinical curriculum and your perspective on early patient contact. Your description of how students engage with continuity patients across their first two years reinforced my excitement about your program's approach to medical education.

I remain very enthusiastic about [School Name] and believe my interests in primary care and community health align well with your mission. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.

Sincerely, [Your Name]"

What to avoid: Generic notes. Overly long notes. Excessive flattery. Repeated follow-ups.

After interviewing, you wait. Weeks or months.

• Stay busy. Don't check email every five minutes.
• When to follow up: If a school indicated a timeline that passes, polite inquiry is acceptable. Otherwise don't pester.

What warrants an update:

• Significant academic achievements
• New publications or presentations
• New clinical or research experiences
• Awards or recognition
• Substantial leadership accomplishments

What doesn't:

• Minor activities
• Things you should have included originally
• "Just checking in" messages

Example: "Dear Admissions Committee, I wanted to provide a brief update on my activities since interviewing in November. I'm pleased to share that my research on diabetes management in underserved populations has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Community Health, with expected publication in March. Additionally, I completed my fall semester with a 4.0 GPA. I remain very enthusiastic about [School Name] and appreciate your consideration."

Limit to one or two per school unless truly significant.

• Acceptance: You're in. Traffic deadline (late April/early May).
• Rejection: Final.
• Waitlist: Qualified but not currently offered.

Understanding waitlist odds: Movement varies dramatically by school.

What you can do:

• Send a letter of intent. If top choice, tell them you'll attend.
• Provide meaningful updates.
• Stay engaged.

What you shouldn't do:

• Excessive contact.
• Desperation.
• Neglecting other options.

When to let go: Mid-summer, waitlist movement stops. If you have another acceptance, prepare to commit there.

Factors to consider:

• Curriculum and educational approach.
• Clinical training sites.
• Location.
• Match outcomes.
• Culture and fit.
• Financial considerations.
• Prestige and name recognition. Matters less than most applicants think.
• Research and special opportunities.
• Gut feeling.

Should you attend? If seriously considering, yes.

• Ask questions you didn't ask before.
• Talk to students in informal settings.
• Explore the neighborhood.
• Picture your daily life there.

Watch for red flags you might have missed.

Types of aid:

• Scholarships and grants
• Federal loans
• Institutional loans
• Outside scholarships

Comparing packages: Look at total cost of attendance.

Can you negotiate? Sometimes. If a significantly better offer from a comparable school:

"Thank you for offering me admission. [School Name] is my top choice and where I hope to attend. I've also been admitted to [Comparable School] with a scholarship package of $X annually. I'm writing to ask whether there's any possibility of adjusting my financial aid offer. I'm committed to [School Name] regardless, but I want to ensure I'm making a fully informed decision."

• Make a decision matrix.
• Talk to current students.
• Imagine your future self.
• Trust your instincts.
• Accept that no choice is perfect.

• Accept the offer. Follow instructions; meet deadlines.
• Decline other offers promptly. Courtesy to other applicants.
• Notify waitlists. Withdraw your name.
• Thank those who helped you. Letter writers, mentors, advisors, family.
• Celebrate.

You've been accepted. The application process is complete. What lies ahead is medical school itself: a new challenge, a new community, and the beginning of your career as a physician.

This course has given you the framework for navigating the journey from aspiring pre-med to accepted medical student. The rest is up to you. The skills you've built in strategic planning, self-reflection, clinical engagement, and effective communication will serve you not just in getting into medical school, but in becoming the physician you're capable of being.

Good luck.