2025-2026 Sam Houston State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM)

[wysdoc]

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**This school uses the TMDSAS Application System**
SHSU Interviews are in-person

2025-2026 SHSU-COM Secondary Essay Prompts
1. How has your community and/or hometown shaped your values and your pursuit of medicine? (800 char.)

2. Describe a moment when you failed to accomplish a task or let yourself down. How did you grow from this experience? (800 char.)

3. What do you consider the role of physicians in medically underserved Texas communities? (800 char.)

4. Sam Houston State University's Motto is "The Measure of a Life is its Service." What is the most significant service contribution that you have made? (800 char.)

5. Why do you want to pursue osteopathic medicine at SHSU-COM? What about osteopathic medical education interests you? (800 char.)

6. Please share anything you would like to mention to the SHSU-COM Admissions Committee about yourself to strengthen your application. (500 char.)

CASPer and Duet Required


Good luck to everyone applying!

Interview feedback:

Sam Houston State University​

Review of Sam Houston State University . Get the latest information, opinions of fellow students, and LizzyM and SDN Rankings.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[PGdoc]

Just received, here are the prompts: @wysdoc

How has your community and/or hometown shaped your values and your pursuit of medicine? (800 char.)
Describe a moment when you failed to accomplish a task or let yourself down. How did you grow from this experience? (800 char.)
What do you consider the role of physicians in medically underserved Texas communities? (800 char.)
Sam Houston State University's Motto is "The Measure of a Life is its Service." What is the most significant service contribution that you have made? (800 char.)
Why do you want to pursue osteopathic medicine at SHSU-COM? What about osteopathic medical education interests you? (800 char.)
Please share anything you would like to mention to the SHSU-COM Admissions Committee about yourself to strengthen your application. (500 char.)

Casper and Duet required it seems.

 

[madcat5566]

+1 IS II! Is it also not letting anyone schedule for the August 8th interview?

 

[ajaxmonkey]

+1 IS II! Is it also not letting anyone schedule for the August 8th interview?

Whoop! Congratulations on this.

 

[chickenlegs2020]

What is the suggestion on in-person vs. virtual interviews? I know there are some schools that offer ONLY in-person opportunities and I would rather save my traveling effort for those... I'm not sure. Also I'm not sure if I feel entirely ready for an interview so early in the cycle 😭

 

[wysdoc]

What is the suggestion on in-person vs. virtual interviews? I know there are some schools that offer ONLY in-person opportunities and I would rather save my traveling effort for those... I'm not sure. Also I'm not sure if I feel entirely ready for an interview so early in the cycle 😭

SHSU prefers you to interview in person, and it's also to your benefit to see the facilities and the region the school is located in.

 

[birchtree47]

+1 IS II! Is it also not letting anyone schedule for the August 8th interview?

Congrats! Can I ask when you submitted your secondary?

 

[jiminyflo]

+1 IS II 7/2! Only one interview day available for registration right now. Should I go for it even though it's soon, or wait for other dates to open up?

 

[madcat5566]

Congrats! Can I ask when you submitted your secondary?

Submitted on 06/07! I'm also a re-applicant!

 

[ahnonemoose]

+1 IS II 7/2! Only one interview day available for registration right now. Should I go for it even though it's soon, or wait for other dates to open up?

You obviously were an early applicant. Why would you not want to continue being early?

 

[chickenlegs2020]

+1 IS II 7/2! Only one interview day available for registration right now. Should I go for it even though it's soon, or wait for other dates to open up?

I just went with it. The next virtual interview is August 8th, and then the in-person one is September 22nd or something. I feel like it's probably a good idea to get in that early wave of interviews

 

[Zakaria12345]

+1 IS II LM 70.7. considering whether to go in person or virtual, just to have more time to prepare. Is a virtual interview a disadvantage?

 

[ahnonemoose]

+1 IS II LM 70.7. considering whether to go in person or virtual, just to have more time to prepare. Is a virtual interview a disadvantage?

The sooner the better. The more time you have to prepare, the less authentic you will be. The interview means you've made the cut. They want to meet you and see if you're compatible. They don't want scripted and rehearsed.

I won't answer the question as you asked it. Let's get back to compatibility. If you go in person, you'll get to see the campus and meet more students. You'll be able to ask questions in private. Don't you want to experience and learn everything you can about the place you're going to spend the most professionally important years of your life so far?

 

[Lilbrazilgirl]

+1 IS II LM 68, submitted secondary on 6/1

 

[matthewb330]

+1 IS II 7/3 at 10:45 am So excited this is my number 1 school!

 

[Di0nysus]

If anyone has questions about the interview process, I was able to interview for the last cycle and can give a bit of an overview as to what happened/what to expect from the day

 

[Lilbrazilgirl]

If anyone has questions about the interview process, I was able to interview for the last cycle and can give a bit of an overview as to what happened/what to expect from the day

I'd like to know more!

 

[Saharag]

If anyone has questions about the interview process, I was able to interview for the last cycle and can give a bit of an overview as to what happened/what to expect from the day

Yes please!

 

[madcat5566]

If anyone has questions about the interview process, I was able to interview for the last cycle and can give a bit of an overview as to what happened/what to expect from the day

I’d also love to know more!

 

[matthewb330]

If anyone has questions about the interview process, I was able to interview for the last cycle and can give a bit of an overview as to what happened/what to expect from the day

I am interested in learning more about the interview process!

 

[txmominmedicine]

If anyone has questions about the interview process, I was able to interview for the last cycle and can give a bit of an overview as to what happened/what to expect from the day

I'd like to know more as well!

 

[txtyrant]

+1 IS II 7/3 at 10:45 am So excited this is my number 1 school!

Congrats! When did you submit your secondary?

 

[matthewb330]

Congrats! When did you submit your secondary?

I submitted 6/18/25

 

[watx]

Anybody know when the interview sign up for August will roll out?

 

[ahnonemoose]

Here is kind of a rundown about how things ran on interview day, and then if y’all have specific questions, I can try to answer them 🙂
The day begins with a panel of staff and current students, where you can ask questions about SHSUCOM or what it’s like to live in the Conroe area. The panelists are all very honest with their input. They also provide whitecoats that you can try on to get sizing, and they have you fill out a Google poll with your name and size, which I thought was a fun way to break the ice/get more comfortable. When you do check in, we have specialized schedules breaking us into groups. My day looked like doing the two faculty 1-to-1 interviews first, one of which was the typical why DO/why SHSU/tell me about yourself, and the other was more of an abstract; I was asked a question about social media regulations. Then my group was moved to do the written assessment, which was writing essays to three questions in a given time, and I remember those questions being pretty straightforward, for example, I think one of them was along the lines of “what do you think is a barrier in becoming a physician.”. Next, there was the student ambassador group interview, where we were asked questions like what our studying styles are or how we respond to difficulties. Lastly was the group activitywhere we were put into a group of 4 or so, and we had to build/sell a product like on Shark Tank, so they evaluated our ability to work in a team and abstract thinking.
We were also able to tour the building, which while touring one aspect about SHSU that I did not know going in that I found to be interesting is that they have a house system (like Harry Potter but named after bodies of water in Texas lol), so there is a whole floor in the building dedicated to just students, and there are specialized lounges per house on that floor as well.

I just wanted to clarify since there were some questions, I interviewed in the previous 2024-2025 cycle, not this cycle (hopefully soon though!)

Mostly accurate. The group activity is different. Let's not reveal it here or elsewhere. That's for the school to do.

 

[madcat5566]

Honestly was a great interview experience! If anyone is deciding between online and in-person I definitely recommend going in person. Also got to meet a lot of cool applicants!

 

[Zakaria12345]

Those who interviewed, any tips on preparing?

 

[jiminyflo]

Those who interviewed, any tips on preparing?

I prepared by reviewing my application and listening to some interview prep youtube videos. Felt more than capable of answering everything. Of course have an answer to "Why medicine" and just be ready to talk to people. The whole day was very conversational and relaxed.

 

[Lilbrazilgirl]

Those who interviewed, any tips on preparing?

Be able to answer basic interview questions (tell me about yourself, why medicine, etc). Look into ethical scenario questions. Don't stress too much. Everyone was laid back and super nice. 🙂

 

[matthewb330]

So I interviewed July 18th, how soon can we anticipate to see a pre match? I am assuming October time but I'm curious if historically anyone received something earlier. I did get an email the day after my interview with the subject "SHSU-COM Admissions: Interview Complete", is this a good or bad sign? or is it neutral?

 

[wysdoc]

So I interviewed July 18th, how soon can we anticipate to see a pre match? I am assuming October time but I'm curious if historically anyone received something earlier. I did get an email the day after my interview with the subject "SHSU-COM Admissions: Interview Complete", is this a good or bad sign? or is it neutral?

It is neutral. They will be interviewing a number of people between now and the first possible admission offer date of October 15.

 

[Zakaria12345]

Is anyone able to sign up for August 8th interview ?

 

[MaxDakota]

Is anyone able to sign up for August 8th interview ?

It is open now

 

[sv260]

Interview was super laid back! The med students and staff were super nice! Just make sure to relax, it was honestly so much fun!!

 

[utexasmedicineman]

IS Secondary received 7/24