SUNY Upstate Interview

[notgettingin]

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So I just got a call from Upstate, and an interview slot opened up on Monday (I was orginally scheduled for mid-March). Need some help with prep, so if anyone interviewed here and has some advice for me, that would be fantastic. This is my first interview, and then have two more in January.

 

[DrZeke]

So I just got a call from Upstate, and an interview slot opened up on Monday (I was orginally scheduled for mid-March). Need some help with prep, so if anyone interviewed here and has some advice for me, that would be fantastic. This is my first interview, and then have two more in January.

The interview is pretty laid back there. I prepared by going over the questions online from the Interview Feedback section on SDN. There seemed to be a lot of overlap of questions between experiences, but my interviewer really did ask me any of those. I didn't find the interviews overly challenging or difficult, so just try and be yourself, but make sure have a good knowledge of yourself, your application, why medicine, your motivation and all that. There will also be a student interviewer and they are going to want to know that you are not a total nerd who studies all the time, and that you won't burn out, so make sure you know what you do for fun. I know that sounds dumb, but sometimes someone will ask you what you do for fun, and you'll be thinking...uh the usual stuff? But they want to know that you maybe have a hobby, or that you have things you like to do when you are stressed to take the edge off...and I don't mean smoking up

Try and use some practice interview services, and if those aren't available then try a friend or doing it in front of the mirror.

I think you'll be FINE at Upstate. 🙂

 

[notgettingin]

Thanks Jessy! 😀 I am slightly nervous, because this is my first and do not know what to expect

So you just interviewed with one faculty member and one student? Any weird questions asked that threw you off?

 

[Older dude]

Some questions that I had were:

1)If for some reason I could not be a doctor what would I do?

2)If I got in trouble grades wise what would I do?

3)What one thing would you do medically to have the most impact on the world?

Hope that helps!

My only acceptance so far!

 

[notgettingin]

Exactly the kind of information I was looking for 😀 Thanks!

Congrats on the acceptance! By the way, how old is old?

 

[DrZeke]

Thanks Jessy! 😀 I am slightly nervous, because this is my first and do not know what to expect

So you just interviewed with one faculty member and one student? Any weird questions asked that threw you off?

Hey,

Mostly my interviewer wanted me to ask him questions, and I had a lot about the clinical experience and clinical skills so it was pretty cool. Also, I interviewed with a faculty member and a student. I liked my student interviewer A LOT, so don't worry about them. They aren't too bad, just remember that you are still on an interview and even if you get along well with your student interviewer, you have to be on your best behaviour and be appropriate.

I haven't heard back from Upstate yet...I really want to get in there...just a feeling about that place 🙂

 

[BEMD]

I also found the interview process there to be fairly relaxed. My first interview was very relaxed. The second interview was also relaxed but asked some interesting questions. Some of them were:
1. If you caught someone cheating on a test in medical school what would you do?

2. Have you ever cheated on anything?

3. She asked several other ethical questions dealing with end of life issues such as DNRs etc.

Good luck, you will do great

 

[notgettingin]

This is very helpful..and jessy it sounds like the interview went great..I am sure you will get in! Are you in-state?

The cheating questions are slightly difficult, because I don't think I would turn someone in for cheating, but I wouldn't cheat myself now that I am older. And of course, I have cheated (back in high school)...hasn't everyone at some point? How did you answer those questions without sounding like you are lying, or like you are a big cheater? 😀

 

[Older dude]

Exactly the kind of information I was looking for 😀 Thanks!

Congrats on the acceptance! By the way, how old is old?

Thanks! 42 here..

I agree Jessie- Something about them I like... and the Admissions staff is great!

 

[notgettingin]

Wasn't sure what you consider old, because I will be 28 in a month, and it seems like I am one of the older people on here 😀 But you beat me!

So did you make the big decision...are you going to Upstate?

 

[ltrain]

Agree with what has been said so far...the interviews were very laid back at Upstate. I had 2 faculty.

My first interviewer asked me one question from my amcas, then asked about my family, where I grew up, told me about his kids, and then proceeded to give me a detailed description of the curriculum for the next 45 min.

My second asked many questions based on my amcas and one on "what do you think needs to change to sustain the US medical system in the future." He also told me about his own medical training in India. Both interviews were really pleasant.

Good thing is they let you know in 3 weeks! Good luck!

 

[notgettingin]

thanks ltrain! Very helpful...So are you going to Upstate?

If anyone else has any pointers, keep them coming...this is fantastic prep!

 

[ltrain]

thanks ltrain! Very helpful...So are you going to Upstate?

If anyone else has any pointers, keep them coming...this is fantastic prep!

As of right now I am! We'll see how the process turns out, but I'd definitely pick upstate over a lot of the private schools I applied to.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

This is very helpful..and jessy it sounds like the interview went great..I am sure you will get in! Are you in-state?

The cheating questions are slightly difficult, because I don't think I would turn someone in for cheating, but I wouldn't cheat yself now that I am older. And of course, I have cheated (back in high school) [...hasn't everyone at some point? How did you answer those questions without sounding like you are lying, or like you are a big cheater? 😀

Exactly what I said and I guess they liked it.

 

[Ihateverbal]

I haev an interview scheduled march 5... i called the lady to let me know if any free spots open up earlier... looks like you beat me to the punch =)

Good luck!

 

[notgettingin]

I first told her when I originally scheduled the interview that I would love to be put on a wait-list in case a slot opens up. I figured she wouldn't be too pro-active about it, so I called this morning, and reemphasized that I only need 2 days notice. It worked out because she called me this afternoon. If you just called this week, I would try to call again next week, so that you are fresh in her mind again, and hopefully you will get something sooner. Best of luck!!

 

[racerx]

Hi guys!

I'm an MS1 there. If you have any questions, either about the school or interview, feel free to email me.

Congrats and good luck to all! 👍

 

[charlottematie]

Hi guys!

I'm an MS1 there. If you have any questions, either about the school or interview, feel free to email me.

Congrats and good luck to all! 👍

Are you still on this site? I am applying this year, could I ask you some questions?