COVID-19. Change to online interviews?

[HugeEuge 41]

With UofA announcing that they will switch to online interviews, what are the chances UofT also follows for the remaining dates?

[PopShoppe 34]

Who knows, we're just going to have to wait and see. Wondering if juggling COVID-19 concerns will create further delay in interview decisions as well. Taking it day by day at this point!

[anon98 12]

I don’t think the schools that already had an interview weekend would make the switch cause that would be an unfair advantage for the people who interviewed on the first weekend. UofA haven’t had any interviews so it makes sense for them to make the switch. 

[Zuk 27]

8 minutes ago, anon98 said:

I don’t think the schools that already had an interview weekend would make the switch cause that would be an unfair advantage for the people who interviewed on the first weekend. UofA haven’t had any interviews so it makes sense for them to make the switch. 

It's not clear to me that a virtual interview would be a disadvantage. In any case there is more than one thing to consider here. If schools really think that it's necessary to limit the exposure of front line workers who will be needed in the coming weeks if we are going to limit fatalities as much as possible, you better believe that that's what will happen.

 

[Rabeprazole 159]

2 hours ago, anon98 said:

I don’t think the schools that already had an interview weekend would make the switch cause that would be an unfair advantage for the people who interviewed on the first weekend. UofA haven’t had any interviews so it makes sense for them to make the switch. 

Well Calgary outright cancelled their last portion of interviews so who knows at this point...

[bruh 498]

Western has just announced the march 28/29 interviews will be virutal. 

I think UofT will follow suit. 

[jyjennyzzang 0]

Queen's University also just made the switch for 28th/29th weekend to online interviews.

[TheWayIAre 50]

13 minutes ago, jyjennyzzang said:

Queen's University also just made the switch for 28th/29th weekend to online interviews.

Hmmm...after the first half of students already interviewed in person... I can think of pros and cons for both in person and online, but I'm curious, do you guys think this would this be more likely to benefit the in-person cohort or the online cohort?

And how could they possibly standardize between the two, with non-verbal communication being such a critical component of interviewing?

[Britesharpie93 27]

Why are those who are doing virtual interviews at a disadvantage? 

[aloeplant 22]

2 minutes ago, Britesharpie93 said:

Why are those who are doing virtual interviews at a disadvantage? 

Cons: less able to assess you fully, shitty webcam + mic + wifi = shitty impression, lots of distractions 

Pros: less nervous, unethical folk can cheat easier

[TheWayIAre 50]

8 minutes ago, aloeplant said:

Cons: less able to assess you fully, shitty webcam + mic + wifi = shitty impression, lots of distractions 

Pros: less nervous, unethical folk can cheat easier

In my view all of the intangible aspects of interviewing (like the impression you make, the quality of your character etc.) favor the in person, but all of the practical and logistical aspects (e.g. being able to roll out of bed half an hour before the interview) favor the online. Which is more important? I sure as heck don't know.

And then there's the issue that by virtue of being on a computer, you're able to search stuff up in the 2 minute downtime between questions, or have notes in the walls of the room that you can be looking at. But I trust the smart folk organizing the interview will have accounted for that.

And also, talk about saving money on hotel rooms and transportation...lol

[UWCC 19]

I understand the decision for this, but I'm dreading this as someone who will be interviewing at Queen's online now on the weekend of the 28th/29th.

I feel horribly awkward, distracted and more nervous when speaking through a webcam. I find it's hard to get "excited" and focused/"in the zone" for it like I would for an in-person interview.

I hope that they also take into account the difficulty of making eye contact with a webcam. You have to look right at the webcam hole to direct eye contact which is weird/hard to do with just one person, now imagine if there's multiple faces behind the screen also...I guess I should look into tips for how best to do this :/ 

[MCatt 5]

Received a confirmation today that UofT’s interviews March 28/29 are now online. Sucks but I would rather have this than have my interview outright cancelled, as what happened with Mac.

[med97 8]

Is this an advantage or disadvantage to those Interviewing online?

[Ontariomedschools 13]

I think most research suggests in-person interviews have a higher selection rate. I am hopeful that the schools will make adjustments to make the process fair for everyone. 

[1234561234 6]

2 hours ago, MCatt said:

Received a confirmation today that UofT’s interviews March 28/29 are now online. Sucks but I would rather have this than have my interview outright cancelled, as what happened with Mac.

Touche

[bruh 498]

47 minutes ago, Ontariomedschools said:

I think most research suggests in-person interviews have a higher selection rate. I am hopeful that the schools will make adjustments to make the process fair for everyone. 

They need to do what UofC is planning to do. Send a proportionate number of invites to the March 28/29 candidates compared to the in-person candidates.

[premed72 90]

26 minutes ago, RiderSx said:

They need to do what UofC is planning to do. Send a proportionate number of invites to the March 28/29 candidates compared to the in-person candidates

What do you mean by this? 3/4 of toronto has already been in person 

[medicallyricalmiracle 151]

16 minutes ago, premed72 said:

What do you mean by this? 3/4 of toronto has already been in person 

then 3/4 of offers would go to these ppl

[redbeanbun 28]

16 hours ago, FBCforreal said:

then 3/4 of offers would go to these ppl

I really hope UofT does this. I find it so much harder to showcase yourself and stand out when you're interviewing in front of a webcam. I can't imagine having to compete w the people who had in-person interviews...

[med97 8]

.

[Ontariomedschools 13]

3 hours ago, redbeanbun said:

I really hope UofT does this. I find it so much harder to showcase yourself and stand out when you're interviewing in front of a webcam. I can't imagine having to compete w the people who had in-person interviews...

Agreed!

[medicallyricalmiracle 151]

39 minutes ago, Ontariomedschools said:

Agreed!

Meh, imagine if 100% of all the ppl invited to these online sessions is perfect (statistically not likely, but still), those ppl would be screwed out of seats just because they happened to have been invited later

[MrsAaronSamuels 33]

-Reserving 1/4 of the seats for the online interviewees wouldn't be the fairest way of going about this.

-It makes more sense to look at the scores from both in-person and online and see if there are any significant statistical differences in scoring, then make necessary adjustments to the scores. People assume that online interviewees are disadvantaged but this might not be the case, it could just as well be the other way around as there are many factors at play (ex. interviewers more sympathetic to the online interviewee's situation). Only by looking at the results can we ensure fairness to both groups of interviewees.

-I am sure UofT has looked at data in the past and found no significant differences between interview dates and offers made. (I.e. there is an even distribution of offers made across all interview dates). Therefore, 1/4 of the seats are basically already being offered to those interviewing on the 28th/29th. Setting a quota likely won't change the numbers much - maybe only a couple of seats. 

-This is coming from someone who hasn't heard back from UofT and likely will get an R, as I have two years in a row. 

-I know that this is a stressful time for all involved because it's all up in the air. I'd be lying if this COVID-19 thing hasn't stressed me out. Let's all however try to remain calm, take a step back before reacting, and trust that admissions will make the best well-informed decision going forward in a logical and fair manner.

[premed72 90]

4 hours ago, MrsAaronSamuels said:

-Reserving 1/4 of the seats for the online interviewees wouldn't be the fairest way of going about this.

-It makes more sense to look at the scores from both in-person and online and see if there are any significant statistical differences in scoring, then make necessary adjustments to the scores. People assume that online interviewees are disadvantaged but this might not be the case, it could just as well be the other way around as there are many factors at play (ex. interviewers more sympathetic to the online interviewee's situation). Only by looking at the results can we ensure fairness to both groups of interviewees.

-I am sure UofT has looked at data in the past and found no significant differences between interview dates and offers made. (I.e. there is an even distribution of offers made across all interview dates). Therefore, 1/4 of the seats are basically already being offered to those interviewing on the 28th/29th. Setting a quota likely won't change the numbers much - maybe only a couple of seats. 

-This is coming from someone who hasn't heard back from UofT and likely will get an R, as I have two years in a row. 

-I know that this is a stressful time for all involved because it's all up in the air. I'd be lying if this COVID-19 thing hasn't stressed me out. Let's all however try to remain calm, take a step back before reacting, and trust that admissions will make the best well-informed decision going forward in a logical and fair manner.

Totally agree!!