I have a suggestion for you that will get you this information AND enable you to better prepare for your interviews. It will, however, be more expensive both financially and time wise, but the eventual payoff may make it worthwhile. You have already invested so much in time, cost and anxiety in your premedical education, why skimp now at this important juncture?
Arrange to arrive for your interview as early as possible (no later than noon) on the day before the interview. Check in to wherever you will be staying, drop your gear, freshen up, find your way to the medical school. If it is more than walking distance, take a cab. Present yourself in the admissions office, explain that your interview is scheduled for the next day and that you would like to be able to talk with some med students. Or, look in student lounges. You want primarily to speak with students as much like you in age, sex, background, etc. but in the absence of that, anyone. Pick their brains. Ask the questions on your mind, like the ones you ask for here, but also questions such as: do you like it here? Why, why not? Availabilty of financial aid? Where do you live? Safety issues. Cost of living? What do you do for fun? Do I need a car or is public transport adequate? What do you think of the teaching? Can you get help if you need it? What were you asked at your interview? Structure of interview? Time allotted? Ask about anything else you are concerned about.
Get the information as seen from a student's
point of view, not the faculty and administration point of view in catalogs. You will be a student there, not a faculty member or administrator; you need the student perspective. Ask for a quickie tour, even though you will get a formal tour next day.
Return to where you are staying. Leave a wake up call in the morning, allowing more than enough time for washing up and dressing; assume you will be running behind time, or the cab or bus will be late, or it will be raining, etc. Leave earlier than you would otherwise. You know how to get the medical school, where you have to report, you are familiar with the layout of the school, the curriculum, you have an idea what to expect at the interview itself and are not huffing and puffing because you may be late. You should be the calmest interviewee there! At some point during your interview, let the interviewer know that you were there yesterday in prparation for the interview. The interviewer will most likely be impressed that you did your homework first hand, not out of the catalog. Catalogs are like travel brochures that woo you with overblown descriptions of the wonderful accomodations, fine food, etc; when you get there, the reality is often different.
At the interview, try to be relaxed. It is not intended to waste your time and theirs finding reasons to reject you; they are looking for reasons to accept you. Give them what they want. Stand up for yourself and your choices, if necessary, but politely. You needn't agree with an interviewer on anything and everything. You are more likely to gain respect for not caving.
This is already too long. Good luck.
