Alright, so you’ve done all the hard work—sent in your primary application, tackled those secondary essays, and now you’re just… waiting. Waiting to hear back from medical schools for interviews. That’s the final hurdle before you can really get excited about getting into med school. But when exactly will you get that email? The one that could change everything.

When Do You Hear Back?

Okay, here’s the deal. Most people start hearing back about interviews somewhere between October and January. Yeah, that’s a pretty wide window. It’s because each school does things their own way. Some are quick and send invites out early, while others? Not so much. They take their sweet time.

You’ve probably already put together a stack of materials—your transcripts, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, and all those essays you poured your soul into. Admissions committees are combing through that mountain of info. They’re making sure they give everyone a fair shot, so yeah, it takes time. More time than you’d like, probably.

What Should You Do While You Wait?

Sitting around, refreshing your email every 5 minutes isn’t going to help. Trust me. Instead, do something productive. Brush up on your interview skills. Even if you don’t have an interview lined up yet, it’s good to be ready. Practice answering common questions. Get a friend or family member to throw some curveballs at you. Stay sharp.

And, look, the waiting game is stressful, no doubt. But stress management is key, not just now, but in your future career. Med school—and life as a doctor—is full of high-pressure situations. So, take care of yourself. Get some exercise, eat well, sleep enough. Keep your mind and body in good shape, because when that interview invite does come, you want to be ready to crush it.

How It Works in Canada

If you’re applying to Canadian schools, the timeline’s a bit different. They don’t do rolling admissions like in the US. This means most interview invites drop around the same time, usually between January and February. Less uncertainty there, which is nice, but it’s still a long wait.

For most Canadian med schools, interview season is February through April. Some schools pack all their interviews into a few weekends, while others spread them out over a couple of months. It all depends on the school. So, keep an eye on those dates, but don’t stress too much if you haven’t heard anything right away.

Can You Speed Things Up?

Short answer: not really. The best thing you can do is get your application in early. Schools with rolling admissions review apps as they come in, so submitting early could get you an interview invite sooner. But, again, every school is different. Some might wait until they’ve got a big stack of applications before they start sending out invites.

If you haven’t heard back by December, and you applied early, there’s a chance your app is in the “pre-interview hold” category. This means it’s competitive, but they’re waiting to see how you compare to other applicants. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know for sure, and bugging the school isn’t a good look. Patience is key here.

Should You Be Worried?

Let’s say it’s December or January, and still, nothing. It’s tough, but it’s not over yet. Some schools send out invites well into the new year. But if you hit February and still haven’t heard back, it might be time to start thinking about what you can do better for next year.

Take this time to reflect. Were your MCAT scores competitive enough? How about your essays? Did you apply to the right schools? Use this time to figure out where you can improve, so if you do have to reapply, you’ll be in a better position.

Final Thoughts

Waiting for those interview invites is rough. No doubt about it. But instead of stressing, use this time to get prepared. Work on your interview skills, take care of yourself, and keep busy. Whether you get that invite early or later, what matters is that you’re ready when it comes.

To learn more about our medical school application consulting service, visit SOS Admissions. Don’t leave your future to chance—get the guidance you need to make informed decisions and excel in your residency.