Administrative Fellowships Part 4: On-Sites and The Decision

The final (for now!) installment of Administrative Fellowship related content to hopefully get you through this application season!

By now, those who are applying likely have already started or are about to start interviewing and on-site interviews are happening! This post is really going to focus on the on-site interview process as well as the decision if you are fortunate to receive an offer.

First, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself for making it to the on-site interview. The Administrative Fellowship application process is competitive and not everyone makes it to the on-site.

My advice is really common sense. Again, stay true to yourself and tell your story. Be kind to the other candidates you meet - you never know when your paths will cross again. At most of the places I went, everyone got along really well and I remember thinking oh my god, everyone here is so smart. I also remember thinking because of this, who knows if I’m going to get an offer, but it is an incredible opportunity to come here and meet everyone.

Each place is going to structure the on-site differently. Many involve a dinner at some point. Current fellows are taking notice of who is drinking too much and also who is dominating the conversation and not allowing others to speak. At the same time, make sure you’re speaking up when you can, but doesn’t need to be all the time or in front of the whole group - maybe you have a side conversation with one of the current fellows and that’s fine too. Let people get to know you.

It was difficult for me to condense my advice for the on-site process because I have so much to share but here's what I have:

• Everyone that makes it to the on-site round is qualified. Everyone is smart, driven, dedicated and performed well in the first round of interviews. Keep that in mind when you arrive for on-sites. I remember thinking, wow this group of people is so talented and while it can be a little intimidating, it is also humbling and that's not a bad thing. It reminds you that making it to the on-site is special.

• Remind yourself you were selected to be there for a reason. When I arrived at Johns Hopkins (where I later accepted an offer) I remember being told some really important advice: The interview committee already likes you. They chose you to be here. Remember that. At this point, it's about meeting in person and having a conversation to see if it's a good match on both sides.

• Be kind. Most often, you are interacting with all of the other candidates at the on-site interview. This does not mean you have to talk to everyone, but how you interact with the other candidates is just as much a part of the interview process.

• Network! Some of the candidates may end up being your co-fellows and some you may see at other interviews or at future healthcare events. There were 1 or 2 candidates I really connected with and we opened up about where we were interviewing, the decision process and what we were thinking. We actually both came to conclusions about our top choice while we were standing in a stairway at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She already had an offer, as did I, and it was so nice to talk through everything with someone else.

• Drink water and try to eat something - even if you don't feel like it! The interview days can be long and especially if you are traveling to multiple on-sites back to back, you are likely going to be exhausted. Try your best to stay hydrated and eat! Food is usually provided, but I can be picky so this was important to me. (This is coming from the person who also ordered a big room-service breakfast the day of the interviews even if it was at 6AM so I'd be ready to go. I think it's that game day collegiate athlete mindset that will always be a part of me : )

• Talk to your closest friends and family for advice. All of my on-site interviews were within a very short period of time and I was overwhelmed with how I would ever make a decision. Every place I went, I liked it. Although there's not much down time, when I had a few minutes, I would talk to one of my friends or family and it helped keep me grounded throughout the process. It also helped me to relax and enjoy the process.

• Be grateful that you’re there because it really is an amazing honor and experience. I do truly believe that if it’s meant to work out it will work out.

The on-site interviews were honestly my favorite part of the process. It was such an amazing opportunity to travel to a new city and new hospital and meet incredible leaders and also all of the other amazing candidates. My first interview I flew out to Colorado and I’d never been there before! I was able to have a whole day to hike and explore the scenery before interviewing. I get a feeling when I walk into a hospital (as I mentioned in a previous post!) and this was also a part of the decision process for me. Ultimately, it was the people and the place that made my decision and the gut feeling I had. Everything about the experience just made sense for me and I wanted to learn from and work with the people I met. Everyone may have unique factors that go into their decision-making process - no one else can really tell you what to do.

To everyone currently interviewing - good luck!! I can't wait to see the next class of Administrative Fellows!