Ok so a bit about my interview:
I stayed at the Microtel which had a very nice room (wall mounted flat screen, wireless internet, etc) and was only $56 a night (no ISU discount). The desk clerk, Tabby, was extremely nice and helpful in finding the vet school, places to eat, to buy stuff (had to buy new gloves since I got frostbite THROUGH the pair I bought here in Texas), and so on.
Day of interview: Went out to my (rental) car (a Kia Sportege, which I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy) at 12:00 and it wouldn't start! Oi!! So called a cab and he got me there in time.
Was met as I went in the door by the people checking people in right as you enter. By the way, it says 'double doors' in the e-mail, but it's actually 'double doors separated by a pane of glass' and not the actual double doors off to the side as you walk up the side walk.
Then I followed them to the room where you kind of congregate. They take your picture first and then you're free to go wherever. Also they do have a coat rack so you can put your stuff some where, which was nicer than my other plan of just taking it into the interview and banging it under the chair.
I went to the Welcome speech and the Financial Aid speech and the Welcome speech was nice, just a 'this is Iowa' kind of deal. The Financial Aid speech was pretty much the same as the one at Ohio, with the exception of you can't really gain Iowa residency without marrying someone. So if there's any single Iowans here: (one knee) will you marry me? 😉
I then went and got fit for a white jacket (not the kind with straps) which they want everyone to do and then by that time it was time for my interview. (bolded for those just skimming to the good stuff)
Interview: So I was picked up in the Alumni room which is kind of like the staging grounds for the whole operation (there's free food and drink there btw). Shook hands, walked with them down the room, and there were 3 interviewers: 2 males, 1 female. Soon as I walked in and sat down the lady asked for a peppermint, which the plate of mints was conveniently very close to me. However another interviewer was also close to it (closer, I think) so I just yielded to him to give it to her. I don't know if that was a 'test' of some sort so was curious as to whether others had that happen to them?
They were all really nice and started off with introducing themselves and then they asked me to introduce myself (the 'tell me about yourself' question). After that they asked some behavioral stuff which was all pretty much covered in the past-interview feedback area. Stuff like 'tell me about a situation where you took control', 'tell me about an innovative concept you've had', and my favorite 'tell me about a concept you've had difficulty with' because I couldn't think of anything vet related so I started talking about quantum mechanics and astrophysics lol. So if they didn't think I was completely crazy after that, hopefully it'll stick as a "I remember that guy!" kind of thing.
All in all I think it went well. They do provide a swivel chair for you to sit in so don't swivel! I was consciously thinking "no matter how fun it is, don't!...we've been through this at OSU already!"
After that I went to the tour which was...well a tour. It's all in-doors and was pretty much what you'd expect to see I guess. Nothing really stood out as "well that's cool" except for the $0.50 candy and their stuffed mascot that they had to put behind glass because people kept rubbing the head for good luck lol.
Oh and to any other guys: the ladies, all around Iowa, from the desk clerk at the hotel to the ladies in the stores to the ones at the interview (vet students and other applicants) were pretty darn good looking. Just something I noticed.
! Be prepared for lots of snow and frigid temperatures (particularly if you're interviewing Friday morning)... we've got another winter storm rolling through.
