How have your interview experiences been at DO schools?

[LSD-25]

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and if you have interviewed at MD schools how would you say interviews compared? I'm wondering because I've done a few interviews at MD schools and have had some pretty negative experiences. I thought my interviews went well, I prepared well beforehand, and even though most of the interviews I've been in seemed just relaxed and fun, the interviewers didn't hesitate to make huge negative generalizations about me based off of the smallest things I said, and even stuff I didn't say and in no way applied, regardless of how I said and explained things afterwards. There is definitely room for improvement on my end in interviews so I'm not trying to make excuses, but it seems like the interviews I've been in at MD schools were very rigid, very competitive, and even the smallest thing I said could and was at times blown out of proportion in the wrong way in my evaluations. Naturally this is pretty frustrating, and matched my impressions of the environment some MD schools have.

I'm hoping my interviews at DO schools will be more positive because I'm a non-traditional student, have a unique background and non-traditional life experiences (ones that would be pretty easy to generalize negatively if they don't carefully listen to what I say). I also reinvented myself in college. From what I've explored DO schools are more open to candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and life experiences, so I'm thinking I might do better at DO schools and hopefully encounter more open-minded interviewers. What are the chances?

note: I'm not hoping for easier interviews (nothing in life comes easy), just more open-minded interviews/interviewers.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

It really depends on the school.

At one DO school both interviewers started furiously writing down something when I slouched for a few seconds.

 

[deleted436726]

even though most of the interviews I've been in seemed just relaxed and fun, the interviewers didn't hesitate to make huge negative generalizations about me based off of the smallest things I said, and even stuff I didn't say and in no way applied, regardless of how I said and explained things afterwards.

How do you know what your interviewers said about you?

 

[LSD-25]

How do you know what your interviewers said about you?

I got feedback from these schools regarding my interviews, I also remember my interviews very well. The feedback I mentioned above just blew my mind though and not in a positive way.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

It really depends on the school.

At one DO school both interviewers started furiously writing down something when I slouched for a few seconds.

Needs omm stat!

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

and if you have interviewed at MD schools how would you say interviews compared? I'm wondering because I've done a few interviews at MD schools and have had some pretty negative experiences. I thought my interviews went well, I prepared well beforehand, and even though most of the interviews I've been in seemed just relaxed and fun, the interviewers didn't hesitate to make huge negative generalizations about me based off of the smallest things I said, and even stuff I didn't say and in no way applied, regardless of how I said and explained things afterwards. There is definitely room for improvement on my end in interviews so I'm not trying to make excuses, but it seems like the interviews I've been in at MD schools were very rigid, very competitive, and even the smallest thing I said could and was at times blown out of proportion in the wrong way in my evaluations. Naturally this is pretty frustrating, and matched my impressions of the environment some MD schools have.

I'm hoping my interviews at DO schools will be more positive because I'm a non-traditional student, have a unique background and non-traditional life experiences (ones that would be pretty easy to generalize negatively if they don't carefully listen to what I say). I also reinvented myself in college. From what I've explored DO schools are more open to candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and life experiences, so I'm thinking I might do better at DO schools and hopefully encounter more open-minded interviewers. What are the chances?

note: I'm not hoping for easier interviews (nothing in life comes easy), just more open-minded interviews/interviewers.

My interviews were relaxed. They were all fairly standard questions. Didn't really challenge me but asked follow up questions. As long as you know your application well and can articulate your ideas clearly you will be fine! Also hopefully your answers show thought. One of the interviewers actually tried helping me formulate my ideas. They were being super nice. Others were trying to get more details about specific things they wanted to more about. All of them wanted me to do well it seemed.

 

[AM508]

I think it really probably depends on the individual school and the individuals interviewing you. Overall, my experience seems very similar to what @DoctorSynthesis describes. The three interviews that I attended were all very relaxed and conversational. The interviewers all seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. I got asked some challenging questions here and there that were obviously designed to try to hit me a little off guard to see how I would respond but nothing at all was negative. As far as preparation, I am of the belief that there is a fine line between under-preparing and over-preparing. The total of my preparation was looking over my primary application and my secondary application/essays a couple of times the night before. I saw some folks at interviews with notes that they were furiously studying before they went into the interview. That to me seemed very excessive and probably detrimental.

 

[keels99]

The one interview I went to was a great experience except for the fact that some of the fellow interviewees were A-holes. I think it really depends on the school. Some interviews are super laid back while other schools make them a bit tougher. It also depends on who ends up interviewing you.

 

[AM508]

some of the fellow interviewees were A-holes.

That really sucks 🙁. I was expecting some, but all the interviewees I met on the interview trail were neutral to nice. Maybe I just lucked out

 

[Roark10]

I'd like to echo what people have said. It is very school and individual dependent. Out of several MD and DO interviews, my top two were an MD and a DO school. Individually, each school had something unique to offer and I tended to focus on that. I found that current students shaped my opinion of schools, while the actual interview at each school was similar.

 

[keels99]

That really sucks 🙁. I was expecting some, but all the interviewees I met on the interview trail were neutral to nice. Maybe I just lucked out

Granted it was only 5 or 6 people, but they were just outright rude to most other interviewees. They treated the entire day like a competition. I think some people forget that we are watched the entire day, though, and their behavior did not reflect well on them.

 

[LSD-25]

Granted it was only 5 or 6 people, but they were just outright rude to most other interviewees. They treated the entire day like a competition. I think some people forget that we are watched the entire day, though, and their behavior did not reflect well on them.

That sucks 🙁. I had 2 schools with interviewees like this on my interview journey, but looking back I should have known my interview days at those places would have really rude pompous competitive interviewees.

 

[keels99]

That sucks 🙁. I had 2 schools with interviewees like this on my interview journey, but looking back I should have known my interview days at those places would have really rude pompous competitive interviewees.

It's no biggie. I loved the school and got accepted and that's really all that matters.

 

[LSD-25]

It's no biggie. I loved the school and got accepted and that's really all that matters.

Gratz. Good that's what really matters. With any luck those competitive interviewees were noted during the day the admissions staff.

 

[LuluMed]

I'll add in with the importance of this being school dependent. When you get interviews, I highly suggest looking at past application threads about the school.

Personally my interviews were all over the place. The school I'm actually going to was the most laidback interview with 1 interviewer and only took 10min. I wasn't even asked why I applied to the school or why I want to go to med school or a DO school specifically! Likewise, my MD interview was very structured with 2 interviewers but it was still friendly and conversational. My other DO interviews included one group interview, interviewers that questioned if I am even qualified/capable of being a doctor, and interviewers that did nothing but compliment my application. It's so dependent on the school and the interviewer for sure!!

 

[asdf123g]

I'll add in with the importance of this being school dependent. When you get interviews, I highly suggest looking at past application threads about the school.

Personally my interviews were all over the place. The school I'm actually going to was the most laidback interview with 1 interviewer and only took 10min. I wasn't even asked why I applied to the school or why I want to go to med school or a DO school specifically! Likewise, my MD interview was very structured with 2 interviewers but it was still friendly and conversational. My other DO interviews included one group interview, interviewers that questioned if I am even qualified/capable of being a doctor, and interviewers that did nothing but compliment my application. It's so dependent on the school and the interviewer for sure!!

what were your stats??

 

[LuluMed]

what were your stats??

3.8c/3.6s 27MCAT... I pretty much only got negative comments and questioning about the MCAT.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

One thing I'd like to add is how nervous all the students seemed to be. A lot of them said they were so nervous they didn't eat breakfast because they didnt think they could keep it down. Relax!!!! It's a day like any other. Go in, do your thing, enjoy complimentary lunch and tour of campus.

 

[doapplicant2015]

My interviews ranged from pleasant to leaving a sour taste with a few in between the extremes. Very school and interviewer dependent. On the bright side, they are similar for all interviewees at each school so everyone will experience the same things.

 

[samac]

My DO interviews were very laid back and conversational. I had one that they went at me asking why I didn't retake my C in micro and focused the entire interview on that, but whatever. They still accepted me.
My MD interviews were more negative. I had one interviewer who was espically condescending and was texting through my interview. He also asked what I thought the biggest issue facing healthcare was today and I started talking about lack of preventative medicine and the need to work with patients to prevent things like diabetes instead of treating it.
He told me I was wrong, that there was no way he'd have time to sit down and talk with his patients so it wasn't a good answer and said the right answer was obesity (which in my head falls under preventative medicine).
If you can't tell that left a sour taste in my mouth.

 

[TheShowGoesOn]

My DO interviews were very laid back and conversational. I had one that they went at me asking why I didn't retake my C in micro and focused the entire interview on that, but whatever. They still accepted me.
My MD interviews were more negative. I had one interviewer who was espically condescending and was texting through my interview. He also asked what I thought the biggest issue facing healthcare was today and I started talking about lack of preventative medicine and the need to work with patients to prevent things like diabetes instead of treating it.
He told me I was wrong, that there was no way he'd have time to sit down and talk with his patients so it wasn't a good answer and said the right answer was obesity (which in my head falls under preventative medicine).
If you can't tell that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Wow. I feel sorry for you. I currently work in the healthcare field and I would concur with your statement on the need for more primary prevention... Obesity does indeed fall under primary prevention and through education and health promotion rates can decrease, which would help minimize the issues.
You're currently enrolled in medical school so good for you.👍

 

[MPHOrtho13]

I'm a non-trad with a unique background as well, so I can relate to you, OP. Overall, I've had great interview experiences-- but then again, I like interviews. I agree with others here that it's not only school-dependent, but it's also interviewer-dependent.

At one school, I had 7 different interviewers. Four of them were gregarious and asked challenging yet fair questions about contentious topics in healthcare. Two of the interviewers took an extremely laid-back approach-- quoting comedians, talking about wacky cheating schemes, etc. All of six of these interviews were a blast, and, believe it or not, I learned a lot from my discussions with them. Loved it.

One interviewer, however, took more of a 'bad-cop' approach. I'm usually great in interviews, but for whatever reason, this physician wasn't feeling me. I kept my cool, but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't going well. What's worse is that I physically hurt the interviewer while saying goodbye. See, this person wasn't a hand-shaker... They were a "fist-bumper". So, me being slightly nervous/flustered, I forgot that I was wearing a dagger of a ring and fist-bumped (more like thrusted/punched) the interviewer's knuckles with so much gusto that my ring bruised their hand. Despite one rocky interview, I loved my overall interview experience and was later admitted.

In a similar vain, my perceived worst-ever interview performance resulted in me getting the best job I've ever had.

Moral of these stories: sometimes "bad interviews" aren't as bad as you think. So don't worry about it. Do the best you can and take comfort in knowing that once you've complete the interview, it's done and out of your hands.

Good luck!

P.S. Be careful of judging your fellow candidates at interviews-- a lot of people I interviewed with were competitive/gunner-ish, but few of those people ended up attending my program.