MSU-CHM has two interviews.... it is really cool 'cuz they know everything about you EXCEPT your MCAT/GPA/TRANSCRIPT information (but they do know your major).... so in that regard they aren't biased according to your "numbers."
Depends who you get for an interview... really. mine went really well, you'll have a student and a faculty. I got in... i'm an undergrad at msu though
I didn't like the school too much... too much structure..... too many exams... not enough opportunity for research... the student body was overall immature in my eyes... and i didn't like how you had to share the professors w/osteopaths your first and part of second year.
the faculty i hear are great... . i actually do research at the med school as an undergrad... and there are the good and bad parts.
but as far as advice for the interview... this is how it goes...
it's really REALLY organized.... like, to the tee. for example, your name tag is a thank you note on the back once you take it out of the plastic. everything goes by the minute... it's kinda weird.
but you'll be in a room and you'll hear some lectures from either the admissions dean or whomever else about the typical bs... then the financial person, then you'll eat in the same room. the guys will have to rearrange the tables while the girls get the food first...
then you eat... random.... then you'll tour the school... not much 'cuz there is no hospital... then you'll interview... and you can either socialize after or leave... i left.
the interviews are laid back. the interviewers are *NOT* on the admissions committee... so they only recommend you in WRITING to the committee.
I got in, and my two friends got in... our stats are
friend 1: physiology and literature major 3.6, mcat 10 10 10 forget writing... good extracurricular like worked as EMT, volunteered medical and nonmedical, etc.
friend 2: physiology major, 3.88, mcat 7 12 12 forget writing... great extracurricular... did reserach at NIH for two summers unpublished, volunteered... started a frat, etc.
me: physiology and economics 3.85 mcat 10, 13, 10 s... worked as EMT, did the usual volunteer.... some study abroad experience...
Good luck!
they really just want people that are personable! OH AND IMPORTANT! LIE YOUR AS* OFF TO THEM AND TELL THEM YOU WANT TO DO PRIMARY CARE!!! *THAT* helped *ALL THREE* of us get in.. for sure. Just emphasize how important and how interested you are in it! ethical or not, it will help!
