There used to be the wonderful website -- interviewfeedback.com. But that site's been having issues for the past several months, unfortunately. It had been an invaluable source. Here's my take on the ones I went to:
UMDNJ (Newark): 6 out of 10
The interview was very laid back. Asked very basic questions about who I was, where I grew up, and the question of how to solve/resolve issues involving HMOs. It was my very first interview, and it went fairly well, despite my nervous rambling. I thought that the interview day could be a lot more organized. They do not seem to put much effort into their "recruiting" process, so to speak. They just wanted the interview, and after that you were on your own -- no real effort to sell their school to you. The tour that they did give (hopefully one's interview did not overlap with the single tour given on any day)... the tour was very short, rapid and somewhat haphazard. I thought the people were very nice and friendly and they do enjoy stressing the fact that they deal with a lot of urban issues as far as for example, a high rate of HIV infection amongst the population. The tour was supposed to last an hour, but was cut short to 30 minutes because the guides had to go to class, so I was somewhat disappointed by the whole day. No return feedback was given after the interview.
Eastern Virginia Medical School: 9 out of 10
EVMS's interview method was initially very frightening. You have an interview with a panel of what is supposed to be 3 interviewers (2 faculty, 1 student). This could be a very frightening process since you basically have no time to breath in between questions for one can fire one back at you right after you answer the other one's. The rating is on a 1-5 basis with 5 being the best. Only 1 person (faculty) in the group has seen your complete application. After the UMDNJ interview, I was highly impressed with how organized and well presented the whole interview/orientation day went. With a group of about 15 or so, the first thing we did was meet with the dean of admissions, who gave us a sample of what problem based learning was all about and a quick taste of the presentation of symptoms and history and how that leads up to an initial diagnosis. We were then given a demonstration of what came off as the school's pride and joy in terms of their curriculum and teaching - and that is their standardized patients, which I believe they start introducing to students beginning in teh first year, and will play a role throughout all 4 years. The school was very interested in telling you about themselves, and did not shy away from some of the aspects that might turn some students away from them, including their relatively young age and lack of recognition. That introduction was then followed with a tour of one of the hospitals and of the school itself. The interviewees were randomly split to about 2 or 3 per tour guide (1st year), and a tour at a leisurely pace was given. There was no sense of rush, and we asked any and all questions, and we were given free reign to comment and ask as freely as we wanted since none of the tour guides are on the admissions committee. So we could relax some. Tiny campus, but a LOT of walking on the tour. Then lunch was provided in which we could talk in a less formal setting with the dean and with several other administrative personnel, including the financial aid officer. The Dean was very good about telling us what to be ready for in the interview for those who had not visited interviewfeedback.com. 🙂 After lunch, the interviews were given in the study rooms in the upstairs portion of the library. We were also given a folder of information earlier in the morning. The interview would always cover at least one ethical dilemma, and would delve into your motivations and what you knew you were getting into. They also wanted to know what you could contribute to the school in return. These three chunks are usually roughly divided amongst the interviewers. The interviewers were very nice and although they initially could come off as intimidating, which is why I gave it a 9 instead of a 10.
George Washington University: 7 out of 10
The interview day was enjoyable, but possibly because of the high numbers of applicants and interviews that they do, it wasn't disorganized, but haphazard. Like EVMS, there is a whole scheduled interview/tour/information session. Although they give you a time during the initial interview invitation, the time given is the time to meet at teh school. Actual interviews can be anywhere from 2-3 hours from that time. One did not know who they would be interviewed by, nor at what time, until one walked into the meeting room where each student was given a folder chock full of information. A lot of waiting occurred in that room. Interviewers would come in and call the student's name to be interviewed. Each student was interviewed twice. We were also given a decent boxed lunch, and a tour of the immediate campus, although we were unable to visit the hospital because of the construction going on. The interviews were very short, were open ended. Basically one of those frustrating, "tell me about yourself" sort of questions, and the conversation could go anywhere from there.
Virginia Commonwealth University/Meducal College of Virginia: 8 out of 10
This was probably the longest interview process day. Got there early in the morning, and left late in the evening. A group of about 8 who were to be interviewed. We were given a brief introduction, and were provided with a small breakfast. I loved the school if for nothing more than the interviewer and the current resident (who had also attended VCU for med school) who gave us information. It was only 1 interviewer who had an open file on you. He basically guided the conversation, although we mutually went on to a tangent. VCU had the LONGEST tour out of any school I went to. The classroom where the 1st and 2nd(?) year students were taught was incredible in that it was modeled after an egyptian pyramid/tomb. VCU also gives a folder of information about the school. Also fed lunch from the school cafeteria. 🙂
Boston University: 7 out of 9
A very LONG day. Did not leave until 4 PM. In the waiting room, the two girls who were to give us a tour sat around and answered questions about BU. We were given a slip of paper telling us who our interviewer was. I was not too thrilled with the fact that we had to go out and find doctor's offices in order to get to our interview. It would have been easier had they just come to the admissions office. But my laziness aside ... It was 1 interviewer, and an open file. After the interview, you were basically free to leave, although if you are a URM, the dean of minority affairs makes an effort to meet with you. I still haven't figured whethere it is an "interview" or just a meeting. I enjoyed the conversation, but it had an air of "interview" feeling to it. A tour along with lunch was also given. No packet of information, unless you take one of their catalogues.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson: 8 out of 10
Strangely, this was my last interview, and the one I remember the least ... But I remember having very positive vibes. Ah, yes. I met a few alumni from my undergraduate school, and my interviewer was, I must say cool and kickass! Very laid back interview style. It is open file once again. A fairly brief tour was given. We were also given a packet of information.
Sorry for how long this was -- I'm now pooped. 😛
