Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 26% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did okay.
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about favorite clinical experiences, reasons for pursuing a medical career, challenges overcome, research and extracurricular activities, empathy vs. compassion, spirituality in healthcare, and views on the healthcare system. Many respondents mentioned being asked questions about their background, interests, career goals, and unique qualities. Some interviews were structured in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format with topics ranging from personal experiences to ethical dilemmas, while others were more conversational in nature.
Tell me more about said work/volunteer experience. My interviewer did not really ask generic interview questions. Instead, we talked about my experiences and passions.
Started off asking questions about my background - where I'm from, my family members, undergraduate career, what I'm doing during my year off, what I like to do for fun.
When did you realize you wanted to pursue a medical career. Why Albert Einstein and what schools have I applied/accepted to? Where do you see yourself in 10 years (both family and career wise). My view on the current medical system.
This was the most conversational interview in the world. He started by explaining an EKG he was looking at to me, and we just dropped into this totally non-stressful conversation that covered topics like our hobbies/travels as much as medicine. Asked a lot about my hobbies.
I see that you're interested in the environment and nature. Can you tell me how you acquired this passion and what have you done to explore this passion? (this was an application-specific question).
The interview started with a question about one of my volunteering experiences and developed into a really calm and engaging discussion about my life, healthcare, and just medicine in general.
your thoughts on drug eluting-stents (specifically paclotaxil) and the current state of affairs of their use in the clinical setting (info. on my amcas would make this question reasonable to ask).
My interviewer didn't ask many questions, he told me that he didn't think he could get much out of interviews, so he just talked to me most of the time.
All your dreams came true. When you're older, you write an autobiography. You finish it and it's 300 pages long, what would be on page 200? (This is a UPenn undergrad admissions essay)
You're sitting at a camp fire with your grandchildren and they want to hear a funny story about your childhood, pre-teen years. What would you tell them?
My interviewer mostly kept asking me "Do you have any questions for me?" and "What do you want to talk about?" So be prepared to ask questions--your interviewer is a good resource to find out about the health care profession.
What would I do if I had a patient who was 13yrs. old and pregnant. What would I do if I had a patient who was elderly and had cancer and refused chemo?
You talked about the importance of healing and touch in your essays, that sounds like nurse's work. Are you sure you don't want to be a nurse? (this was said very provocatively, but in hindsight I think she was just trying to see how I'd react)
Why medicine, why not something else? If you did not get in this year, what will you do? What would you change in your application to medical school if you re-applied next year?
Explain your grades in the beginning of college? (All interviewers must ask if there's some discrepancy- usually they are very understanding with an honest answer)
What would you do if you didn't get into med school?
(I told her that I was already in at places and she asked me where, then asked me again what i'd do if i didn't get in anywhere).
Is English you first language (asked in a non-enlish language my interviewer assumed I knew)? I was like "can you rephrase that please," haha.
Did you know that our school owns a box of 4 seats at both Yankee and Shea Stadium and 2 seats to every NY home game are given free to any student that wants them. The 2 other seats are given gratis to faculty - and they all sit together - adding to the friendly student faculty relationship. After last year, we were reluctant to encourage students from Oakland to go to Yankee games, but this has passed.
Have you walked or driven about the neighborhood yet? Please do so before you return to sunny California. I think you will be impresssed by what you see around the medical school
I asked my interviewer what he looks for in an applicant. He said that they are not looking for nerds. "A- students are a dime a dozen." He referred to the web site's profile of the student body section. He said that there are all kinds of people here. "Phd physicists to former firefighters." They pride themselves on having different and open-minded students.
Why New York? Why did I go to Costa Rica? What did I learn in Costa?
What do you do in your spare time?
A thirteen year old comes into your office for an abortion. What do you do?
If a 14 year old girl was dragged to an abortion clinic by her parents, and she didnt want to have one but her parents wanted her to, what would you do?
Is anyone in your family a doctor? How many schools have you applied to? What were some of the things you didn't like about schools that you've already interviewed at? What were things you liked?
Asked if I thought there were any physicial handicaps that would prevent you from going to med school. I thought he meant me personally, but he meant in general...then he proceeded to tell a story.
"Do you work out at a gym?" (Asked in a vaguely disapproving tone of voice, as if she would expect someone like me to do something like that. I don't go to a gym, in fact. Weird woman.)
Students said most interesting question asked at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University discussed a wide range of topics from personal characteristics important to physicians, fears about starting medical school, spirituality in healthcare, to the impact of mental health on underserved communities. While some responses referenced non-standard questions like role-playing scenarios and ethical dilemmas, the majority of the questions focused on personal experiences, motivations for medicine, and opinions on healthcare-related issues.
Do you think black doctors should only treat black patients, asian doctors treat asian patients, white doctors white patients, and hispanic doctors hispanic patients?
The interviewer asked me to do some role playing. I was pretending to be the physician and he was the patient I was diagnosing with HIV and he didnt want to accept treatment.
Do you think we are setting up segregation by creating ethnic specific clinics go to certain patients? weird question, basically he ask if you are a hispanic doctor, getting hispanic patients only would be like creating segregation.
I interviewed with a psychiatrist and she began the interview with specific questions about my family. I think she wanted to get a feel for my background and all that.
I was only asked questions about my application, nothing difficult, interview was very friendly/conversational/interesting- I genuinely felt that I learned something from my interviewer.
Questions about Howard Dean...he's an alum @ Einstein. And also asked if I knew what SDN was...he knew the people he interviewed from their posted feedback. Amazing interviewer...hands down.
We talked about snowing in the South vs. in the Bronx. We talked about NYC and the Bronx's cultural life. He asked about a dorm of open-minded people I lived in one year.
Tell me about an experience you had as a patient where you had a hard time getting a hold of a doctor to answer your questions. (not really posed as a formal question but came up in conversation)
What did I think of Dr. Kevorkian, and of him going on television? (I really know nothing about Kevorkian besides that he did assisted suicides, and had no idea about the tv question so I had to ask the interviewer for more info. All in all I think I was able to craft a good response about assisted suicide).
I have to say that my interview was entirely conversational. I was expecting standard questions but there weren't any. She did ask me about specific clinical experiences i've had, but they weren't directed questions. I was to talk about whatever I wanted to talk about - with regards to the experiences. She asked me what questions I had probably 4 times and this is what really directed my entire interview. So it's a good thing to have open questions that could stem a good discussion!
None--the interviewer told me that med school interview questions were worthless and unimportant. we talked about politics and the types of physicians who graduate from Einstein
My interviewer gave me a speech about how AECOM performs the academic cut-offs and his job is to simply get to know the applicants. After this he just opened up with "just talk, tell me what you think I should know." This would have been a little stressful if it had been my first interview, but luckily I was a little prepared.
An ethical case involving a vegetative minor and her mother's right to harvest her eggs for artificial insemination in producing another baby (this stemmed from a previous question about medical ethics, which I had on my AMCAS)
all questions pertained to my AMCAS application. no ethical scenarios or questions concerning current issues in health care (like HMOs, PPOs, and third party pay systems)
They were all fairly standard- but some interviewers (according to other students interviewed that day) ask hard questions like "What would you do if a 13 year old needed an abortion?" I guess I got lucky with a relaxed, nice interviewer...
How do you deal with a patient who needs treatment but can't afford it? (This was relevant because I work in a pharmacy and wrote about this in my personal statement)
Nothing too out of the ordinary - How did you get to where you are now? Why NY? Why the Bronx? Could you live here? Why Albert Einstein? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? With a physician for a father, how much did that influence your decision to enter medicine? Are you happy with your application? Overall, he seemed to be testing (in a nice way) my resolve to attend Einstein.
Give me an example of one of those ethical situations(I had said that while shadowing a doc I came upon some). So basically I brought up the ethics on my own.
Not many interesting questions unfortunately. I brought the doctor my file, so she had 5 minutes to look it over. She really did not know much about me. She spoke most of the time. I wonder how she will be able to evaluate me???
Most of the questions were interesting and thought-provoking. We discussed politics, philosophy, language and other topics that emerged. I truly felt like the interviewer was able to enter my mind and get a better feel for who I am. He didn't bother asking the standard "why med school" type interview questions, which I appreciated.
Most of the interview was very conversational. The interviewer was very nice and laid back. She seemed to be more interested in my personality, hobbies, and research than my views on health care or ethical issues.
I was asked to parallel the issue of gays in the Boy Scouts to gay teachers teaching in primary and secondary school. This question is probably pertinent only to me. I do work with scouitng.
Can't remember. She was obviously very used to interviewing applicants, and made it extremely easy to relax. No hard questions... no stressful scenarios. I think my interviewer just wanted to get a better sense of who I was and how I've come to this point in applying to schools.
The interviewer gave me a scenario where a patient was just told that her baby would be born with deformities and she had to decide what to do. The patient asked what the doctor would do in this situation. The interviewer then asked what I would say.
Not really a specific question, but the interviewer asked me multiple questions about each word in the opening sentence of my personal statement. KNOW your PS cold and the deep philosophical reasons you wrote each word. this applies to any interview b/c anything you write in your PS is fair game.
He asked me if I liked trig and geometry (because I am a math tutor...I said I did, but I don't) and gave me a math problem!!! He said it wasn't a part of the interview though...it was fun to hash it out even though I couldn't really solve it.
The questions were pretty simple. The interviewer basically just wanted to talk to me and get the feel for what my personality was like. He asked me about my background, how I felt about September 11, what classes I was taking now and what was so interesting about them, why I want to go into medicine etc.
You just completed your first surgery which was a success. The patient is doing well and ready to go home the next day. The nurse comes up to you and tells you she has checked and double-checked and she is positive you have left an instrument in the patient (who is the president of Malpractice insurance) what do you do?:)
We just had a conversation. There were no straight questions. My interviewer was an HIV researcher, so we had a lot to talk about since I want to do ID.
Einstein has a bunch of charmless weirdos doing their interviewing. Mine was no exception. She had the demeanor of someone who would rather be almost anywhere in the world than in a room with me. Her questions were asked in a half-hearted, going-through-the-motions kind of way. At one point she said in a foggy sort of way, "So do you like watching sports on t.v. and that kind of thing." Huh?
How did you feel about coming to this country (I was born in London). I told him that as a 10-year old, I was very excited since I was a budding Cabbage Patch Doll collector and that the United States was the official home of the latter - especially multi-ethnic ones. Thankfully, he laughed and that really opened him up.
Students said most difficult question asked at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University discussed various topics such as ethics, personal motivations for medicine, academic choices, and scenarios related to patient care. Additionally, references to non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements suggest the interview may have been in MMI format with specific questions tailored to individual experiences.
What do you think about programs that pay for your medical school education if you choose to go into a certain speciality/work into a certain area? Does this result in one unhappily working in a certain field/location just to save money? Is this right?
You have a lot of research experience. Why no publications? (note: not confrontational, just curious. He proceeded to offer advice as to how I should obtain some pubs).
I was sort of shocked when he asked me about my schools and I told him that I had been accepted to a school in the Midwest. He chuckled and told me I could relax, but I had to emphasize that I really wanted to go to New York
Ethical question about covering for a doc who does legal assisted end of life treatment, the patient asks you to perform the procedure for him as he is in agony, how do you approach it? What do you say to him?
no difficult question, BUT because it was very conversational it seems like the questions would be sidetracked where I wasn't able to completely answer the strengths and weaknesses question
Tell me how you, as an "international" student, view American culture? [lists some things he thinks non-Americans think of Americans (that I never really thought about)]
None. It was actually just talking about the school, its wonderful alum, and the great programs and the happy students. My intervier cancelled and one of the co-chairs of the committee interviewed me...he already knew my file so he didn't have much to ask me except why I thought I'd fit into AECOM.
NONE! Stress level was 1! If anyone else says otherwise...don't believe them. Interviewer did not see how difficult or ethically-related questions were going to tell him about how good of a doctor one will eventually become.
Explain how you connect to being latina? (it was phrased VERY weirdly, I was unsure what she meant but I talked about everything I do that involves the Hispanic community)
What makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants? What else? What else? What else? Kept at it until I had nothing left to say and then I felt stupid.
None of the questions were very difficult. I felt like he was giving me advice on schools and medical schools in general, I almost felt as though I was meeting with an advisor or mentor. He asked at one point what other interviews I had been on and then proceeded to tell me if those were good or bad schools for me. He seemed very honest and open, I really liked him.
If healthcare did not exist, and there were no such thing as doctors, what would you be doing now?
(difficult because I've never considered anything else)
None. The interview was more conversational and getting to know about my background, education, research and I was asked to add anything else I wanted them to know that's not in my application.
Nothing was overly difficult. He was very friendly, easy to talk to, and peppered me with a lot of questions about myself and my interests. More like a conversation than an interview. Not very structured list of questions so I was able to steer the interview in the direction I wanted it to go. The hour flew by.
In a follow up to my answer about the impact of my community work on my mentality, he asked me if I was ever surprised by the workshop participants' reactions. This is obviously a very focused and student-specific question, but he definitely homed in on specific details and asked me to explain and expound on them.
Do you have any questions? I know it's good to ask questions but man, I didn't really have any--by the time my interview rolled around I knew more about the school than I did my own undergrad campus! Basically all the questions I was asked came straight from my application.
"Why MD/PhD and not just PhD?" Not really a barnburner of a question, but at least one of the interviewers really pushed for me to be clear about the reasons.
I was asked to parrallel the case brought against mcdonalds by the fat guy that said mcD's made him fat to the lawsuits brought against tobaco companies by smokers. I kind of bombed this question. My answer should have been essentially that the case brought by the fat guy was different and not justifiable because unlike the tobaco companies mcD's does not put addicting additives in their products.
Why did you wait two years after college to apply to medical school?
Why did you choose to get involved in research? Why your project is important? Be prepared to talk about correlation to medicine; my research has almost none.
None really...the first half of the interview was more like a conversation about stuff in my application..the rest was just talking about our healthcare system, what would i do if i didn't get in, how did i feel about the sept. 11th events, how did my family feel about my decision to go into medicine...but no stress just talking.
The entire interview was difficult...she clearly was performing an administrative duty that she probably became bored with in, oh, I'd say the late fifties. She should be set out to pasture.
It seemed that the interviewer was solely focused on finding out why I scored so low on my second attempt at the MCAT, especially my verbal score. Even before I had a chance to answer her question, she rudely interrupted by stating, "Couldn't it be the fact that at one point you were in ESL?!" (FYI, I had immigrated to Canada when I was 10 and yes, I was in the English as a Second Language program for like... what... 1 year?!?!) Come on! By now, I don't think my days in ESL have anything to do with my results on the MCAT! I got a freaking "T" on my writing sample lady, hello??!
I can't think of any. The interview was EXTREMELY laidback - he was an awesome guy. Very modest and humble and really just wanted to get to know me. He even gave me some feedback at the end of the interview as to what he thought of me as an applicant.
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, reading the school's website, engaging with Student Doctor Network (SDN) for interview feedback and practicing with mock interviews. Additionally, many applicants researched current healthcare issues, practiced answering common interview questions, and sought advice from current students or graduates of the program to gain insights into the school.
Read a lot about the school and the Bronx in general. Thought about the standard questions they could ask and had a general idea of how I would answer them. read my primary application and the secondary i submitted to Einstein.
Practiced questions in the car with my dad and had other interviews before. Read the website thoroughly so when interviewer asked what I was looking for in a school I could point out specifics regarding school.
Introspection, made sure I had thought about a list of interview questions, read up on the health care debate. A lot of my interview prep was for the first interview I had, which was not at Einstein. That interview, I over-prepared like a mother (mock interviews every three days or so, practically memorized responses).
sdn, read some really basic info on the U.S. health care system, read the school website, thought about answer to "why Einstein" and "why medicine" and prepared questions for the interviewer.
SDN Interview feedback, Washington University ethics website, talked to parents and friends about my interest in medicine, thought about what my answers would be to basic and expected questions.
discussed health care policy issues w/ my dad, to make sure i wouldnt come across to conservative-republican-ish, if i had a liberal interviewer, read over my amcas app, thats it
I read over my AMCAS application, went through the school's website and looked at the websites of a couple of the hospitals they are affiliated with. Also looked at SDN.
Re-read my application, read interview feedback on SDN, read the AECOM website, looked up and read papers published by the researcher I was meeting, practiced answering questions.
Looked over SDN interviews, studied the AECOM website like crazy, practiced with commonly asked interview questions, read over AMCAS essay and secondary
SDN, school website, there are some good stuff in the pre-allo forum which i printed out like description of healthcare today and its problems and interview advices. i also made a print out of questions i could be asked and wrote out an answer. Also prep questions for the interviewer. This was my first interview and i never practiced talking with anyone so i was very unprepared.
Read possible interview questions from various pre-med websites, thoroughly reviewed the school's website including history and special research projects.
Read this website, their website, read my app, asked my student host some questions about the day, and learned from this mistakes made from my previous interviews.
I re-read anything (and everything) that I had sent to the school, paying specific attention to the descriptions of my research and my MD/PhD personal statement. Then I just relaxed and tried to be myself -- as if that was something inherently difficult to do.
read over my AMCAS, checked over secondary and thorougly looked at the website. Be prepared to answer Why Einstein, particularly to make clear why Einstein over any other New York school.
Reviewed my application, tried to think of answers to commonly asked questions, reviewed my own research, tried to read up on healthcare issues, and read over their website.
read through the school website, updated myself on current events, had an outline of what i wanted to say for the main questions, went over my application, the norm....
Checked out the site, interviewfeedback.com, practiced mock-interviews, read up on current healthcare issues, spoke to different doctors I work with (I'm currently working as a physical therapist in a hospital setting).
Get sleep!!! It was a LONG day (I was there from 8am - I got there early - until around 4pm). My interview was after lunch, and I actually (I feel terrible) closed my eyes briefly during the interview out of sheer exhaustion.
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and supportive atmosphere at the school, with a particular emphasis on the students' happiness and camaraderie. The affordable and spacious on-campus housing, pass/fail grading system, diverse patient populations, research opportunities, and community outreach programs were also highlighted as impressive aspects of the school. Additionally, the enthusiastic faculty and staff, convenient location, and opportunities for international experiences were noted as positive attributes that left a favorable impression on the applicants.
Students seem genuinely happy and enthusiastic; they went out of their way to tell me how much they love Einstein. Admin seems responsive to student feedback both positive and negative. Admissions staff was super friendly and welcoming. Love that it's *true* P/F in pre-clinical years.
The staff was so nice and accomodating, and the student tour guides had only positive things to say about the school. It seemed like everyone just wanted you to enjoy your day.
Everything!! Wow..loved how chill the day was. Having oreos, chips, trail mix, coffee, tea, and water available in morning was awesome! Also love that during the tour, the students actually allowed us to see inside their apartments. They're pretty good for the price! Note: for the price;). I just love the whole campus, oh and the pre-clinical years are actually true P/F so that is amazing:) Lunch was pretty good too. And the 3rd year student we had for the tour was amazingly funny and real about everything about Einstein-the good and the ugly.
Most everything. The students were VERY laid back, talkative, friendly, intelligent and eager to answer questions; they seemed to absolutely love it there. "True" P/F. The campus was beautiful (even during winter), and the facilities that I saw were nice (including the lecture hall). Housing can't be beat for the price. Very large, impressive network of clinical sites to train in all over NYC, as well as right there on campus. School offers TONS of student support--they seem really tuned in to what students want, and do everything in their power to be flexible, responsive, and make sure students are happy. They also offer amazing opportunities for research and funded international travel (seems to be highly encouraged and easy to obtain). The admissions staff members were incredibly sweet, and my interviewer was very friendly and seemed bright, respected, and hardworking. What I saw of the Bronx impressed me -- quiet, residential, safe, lots of upper middle class neighborhoods and parks. Easy to get into Manhattan (~30-35 min bus ride to UES)
Very friendly atmosphere from students and faculty. Really nice, chearly priced housing. I observed a great lecture. Very student oriented. The students want to be the best they can, not neccessarily the best in the class which produces a great close-knit, focused and fun environment.
Almost everything. The doctor was fantastic who interviewed me. The students were friendly and clearly happier than most, the apartments and amenities were better than expected. I was blown away by this school.
They place a large emphasis on Global health, which is what I'm really interested in. AECOM will subsidize international medical trips between M1/M2 and they're generous with research funding too. The medical students here seem REALLY chill and happy. Each of them said that they found a good balance between study and play which is amazing.
Also the housing option is GREAT. $350/month for a three bedroom apartment, right next to campus, and it's guaranteed for four years.
The interviewer tried his best to make me feel comfortable and making the interview just a conversation about myself and my experiences. On campus apartments are large, extremely cheap, and close to the classrooms. The are surrounding the school is beautiful and suburban, very un-New York yet close enough to Manhattan.
Great housing, everyone was very friendly, students gain a lot of clinical skill, high match rates, pass/fail grading, student run organizations, good research opportunities.
The students seem very connected and close. The on campus housing is nice, but I don't think that it will work for my unique situation. They have a really nice gym with an indoor pool.
I really liked the students there. The tourguides were not just MSI's and II's. There were a few MSIII's and IV's. They all seemed to enjoy the school.
I personally liked the Bronx, but that might be because I grew up in Baltimore and enjoyed Baltimore. The two seemed very similar to me (even down to being split by I-95).
PURE P/F first two years! Students seem very chill and help each other out.
student body seemed really friendly and community-ish. P/F first two years. my interviewer was so nice, and she took me to see the pediatric ICU just for fun.
How my interviewer stressed that she was there to be my advocate. It really does put you at ease. Einstein has been the least stressful interview I've had.
Everyone there: faculty/students/staff all seemed really happy to be there. Jacobi is AMAZING and beautiful! The Price Center. The school's attitude of "do what you like/study how you like, we're here if you need/want help". Housing right on campus w/free shuttle busses to the hospitals.
You get money for international electives, the students were so relaxed and happy (one said his only complaint was that Einstein was "too much fun"), close to NYC, collegial atmosphere, nice lecture halls, true pass/fail, cool interest groups
Housing is SUPER cheap! Global health program is great, you are relatively close to the city, people seem to be really nice. Great clinical opportunities.
The students seem happy and friendly. The student apartments are amazing for cheap prize. The Kosher cafeteria wasn't bad. My interviewers was so nice and amazing.
my interviewer was really nice and the housing isnt bad, but worse than i thought. its virtally impossible to get a one-bedroom as a first year, even if you are married. also, 2bedrooms are converted into 3 bedroom
Everything. My interviewer was nice and engaging, making it as calm and non-stressful as possible. I can't say enough about how positive my experience was.
brand new research building was super nice (go to the special tour if you can), focus on community service, funding for international electives, decent cheap housing is provided, pure pass/fail for first two years, faculty and students seemed happy, my interviewer was VERY enthusiastic about the school, family friendly school
Students are enthusiastic and friendly. It is a collegial atmosphere, and the library facilities are wonderful. Also, impressive research and seems to have a lot of funding for research projects at school and overseas. Very cheap housing and parking. Nice community atmosphere for students.
all students i spoke to seemed genuinely happy. for real. they enjoyed being there, they enjoyed school, etc.
admissions staff were super nice (even though when i called they didnt seem all that organized over the phone)
my interviewer (longtime professor) was just so nice
Everyone was really nice (esp. the admissions office), the interviewer was a doctor in the Emergency Medicine department and we had a wonderful talk. The facilities are very new and the dorms are supopsed to be very nice.
Students seemed very happy, the school seemed very laid back. The faculty do everything in their power to make mad school a tolerable and enjoyable experience. There are lots of opportunities for going abroad.
students, faculty seems really like their school. There will be a new Institute of Translation research building with new faculties (40+ according to my interviewer) in 2008.
On the whole, I think Einstein is a terrific medical school. Many people have previously complained about the location but I do not think it is that bad. I did my undergraduate work at Stanford (believe me, Palo Alto is as rich as any community on this planet) and was not shocked/disappointed/scared/etc by the Bronx. I think as a medical student, the location is a great asset because you will see cases and patients that you will not see elsewhere.
Einstein offers excellent clinical training and a good amount of research opportunities. The students seemed nice. The Pass/Fail grading is a big plus (real pass/fail, none of that H/HP/P/LP nonsense).
Residency placement data were fantastic. In past years, people have done things like dermatology at columbia and head and neck surgery at mass general (some of the most competitive programs in the country). More importantly, Einstein's affiliated hospitals are well-regarded and provide the entire spectrum of medical services. And so, you can always get good training/do your residency at Montefiore if you desire.
The student housing is great. And for 300/month a bargain you won't find anywhere else. Columbia puts its students up in closets and, I believe, charges more. At least this is the case with Bard Hall facility.
the incredible sense of community there (almost ALL students, first thru fourth years, live in the university apartments on campus), campus is compact, very friendly staff and faculty, they have scholarships to fund the pursuit of an MPH at a school of your choice, etc
The clinical facilities, the genuine happiness and camaraderie of the class, the location, the most inexpensive housing, especially for NY (280 per month for huge single room)
How kind and happy everyone from the students to the faculty to the staff seemed. Everybody was helpful, honest about the school, and seemed to be having a great time there. I attended a couple lectures and felt the same there too. Also faculty seemed extremely approachable. And the Int'l Health program is even bigger and better than I read! Its great, and you're really encouraged to participate!
I was a little nervous about being in the Bronx, but the area where AECOM is is pretty nice...and the fact that I am not in Manhattan is great so I can study, but when the urge is there I can go to the city in under an hour!
The attitude of the students, and the huge hospital system. THE FUNDING...YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT AND GET PAID FOR IT! The cheap rent for APARTMENTS (not dorms).
The students were great people, and they had an all-you-can eat lunch, and it was good that it was after my interview (I was getting tired of the small snack lunches elsewhere, but I guess AE makes up for it in the largest application fee!)
Students and staff were super welcoming and friendly. My interviewer was also incredibly nice. The student housing is amazing! It's right across the street from the school, very large, and super cheap.
I really liked the person I interviewed with. He was a dean of sorts (assistant, associate, something) of admissions and was very humble about the school. He took an unbiased looked at me as an applicant and let my personality speak for itself.
Overall, there seems to be a great community and a sense of camaraderie amongst the students.
And the housing is cheap. And the school, overall, isn't as expensive as most (surprisingly).
The school went out of their way to arrange the meetings I requested. Ms Longo was wonderful in explaining and arranging my day. The fact that most students live together in the guaranteed housing.
The man who interviewed me had been affiliated with the school since 1956 and loved the school, impressed by the compassionate nature of AECOM, housing facilities.
The enthusiasm of the students, the professional atmosphere, the kindness and warmth of the admission committee, the construction of a new site, the neat housing, and probably my past experience with the location.
The students seemed very happy there and they were all funny. The faculty and facilities were also nice (especially the lecture halls). Also, you can't beat the price of the residence complex.
There are obviously a lot of smart people here with a lot of exciting research. The student housing is a nice perk. I also like the medical spanish emphasis they have, extre appropriate since the Bronx has such a large Spanish-speaking population.
The student tour guides seemed enthusiastic about their school. The location has its benefits, Manhattan is close enough to be accessible but far enough away as to not be distracting.
Exceptionally nice and enthusiastic students. Nice lecture halls. When sitting in on a lecture, a student played the piano for every one before the lecture began (cooool!).
I really enjoyed my interview, lunch was great, students seem very happy and could name several specific things about why they like the school, great community atmosphere
The friendliness of people who worked there -- admissions office, admin staff of interviewer, even random people in the elevators. Nice change from what I'm used to in Manhattan...
The dedication of staff and students to the good of their communities, the enormous support and opportunities for students to serve globally and locally. The student apartments and express bus into manhattan (30-40 minutes).
Dedication to community involvement, students really love it there and seem to have a realy good work-life balance. They are relaxed and confident. AECOM's location lends to its character as a true service oriented institution and also allows for exposure to an extremely diverse patient population.
I loved this school! The student tour guides (there were four of them) were really nice and seemed genuinely happy there. When our tour group passed groups of students, they would yell ''yay einstein, come here!'' I thought the facilities got a bad rap in this forum, I was quite impressed with what we saw on the tour, especially the lecture halls. Great international oputunities, lots of good research, and a lot of emphasis on helping the immigrant populations in the Bronx are just a few of the other things that impressed me. Overall, just a really great school I thought!
Free travel abroad during summers, friendly atmosphere, students that absolutely love the school, the housing location and price, the number of affiliated hospitals
The school has a very service oriented attitude. i.e. less showmanship (no white coat ceremony or long speeches) and more commitment to serving patients
Everyone was so enthusaistic and all the students seemed to love it there! My interviewer was really nice and really loved working there.
The housing that is provided by the school is really cheap and also very nice. It also encourages a cohesive student body.
Students were very friendly, uncompetitive atmosphere, pass/fail cirriculum years 1&2, very nice and affordable housing, school's commitment to activism, nice lecture halls, generous funding for international externships, several hospitals to rotate through.
I loved the students/other interviewees and the man I interviewed with was my favorite interview by far. He really got me to want to go to the school (and live in NYC specifically). I thought it was the best interview experience of my eight or so interviews thus far, despite it being rainy, windy, and cold (and we did get stuck in an elevator). It changed my mind completely about the school. But despite all this, I still got rejected!!! The food was really good during lunch. The dorms were cheap, nearby the school, but we did get stuck in the elevator and they look okay, not really nice or bad.
Also, this might be a negative to some, but the school seemed really rough and rugged or straight shooting. I mean, it's in the middle of the Bronx, my interviewer cussed at least 3 times during the interivew (of course I didn't), it's not like everything is nice and new. I just like to think of it as a school I could definitely see Howard Dean going here. Heh!
The kids who provided the campus tour were very enthusiastic about their school/experiences but were also willing to honestly tell us the downsides of the school. The facilities are very nice and there is a real sense of camaraderie. Professors appear to be very accessible and willing to help.
anatomy labs, cheap nice housing across the street, enthusiasm of the students, 1st yrs lecture hall, student diversity and support for minority students.
Everything. I am mostly writing about my experience because my tour guide was excellent. He had heard that einstein tours were not great so he decided to do something about it. He gave a very extenisve and enthusiastic tour. The school was amazing. They are clearly spending money on new buildings for research and seemed very research oriented.
The people are nice there. The student host is especially nice, who prepared a bed, answered tons of my questions and allowed me to stay for two nights.
how laid back everyone was...I was expecting that since my friends who go there told me it was like that...but I really wasn't expecting such a chilled environment
enthusiasm of interviewer and students, new facilities and facilities under construction, pass/fail curriculum, openness of administration to listening to student feedback and desires
How the students interacted with one another--the learning environment seemed non-competitive, and students really seemed to help one another out. Also, my interviewer and all the people in the admissions office were so nice and incredibly enthusiastic about the school. I was also impressed by the involvement of students with health-related activities outside the classroom.
Really nice first year lecture hall, Montefiori Medical Center, really nice apartments for the students, good security system, pass/fail system, very diverse patient population, big community outreach programs
1) Great research opportunities (I found a prof ahead of time that I'd be interested in working with, and was able to meet with him during my visit), 2) students are super friendly and the school has a diverse student body (it's one of the more diverse schools I've visited), 3) students seem happy (the first two years are P/F, so competition is nil), 4) there are brand new buildings going up all over campus: the new Jacobi hospital, and also a new translational research center that is currently under construction, 5) cheap, convenient student housing, 6) nice first-year student lecture hall, 7) lots of non-trads (AECOM explicitly invites older students to apply)
The class environment! Everyone is SO unbelievably nice and laidback. They actually do seem to have a decent time while working hard. I really liked the noncompetitive atmosphere. Classes are pass/fail, the schedule seems to be structured to help students adjust to med school life, and the housing is spacious AND cheap. I also loved how there are so many community outreaches done in the Bronx. I've already picked out the ones I want to get involved in. On top of that, AECOM seems to help fund a lot of things: the 5th year tuition is waived, conferences are paid for, etc. I can't stop going on about this school; it's one of my top choices.
Everything! The school has amazing facilities and resources, the apartments are awesome, the hospitals are great, it's in a good area of the Bronx, and the students seem truly happy there.
The students were very enthusiastic. I sat in on a lecture, and one of the students immediately started talking to me about how great the school is. They have great programs, even during your first year, and a lot of clinical experience early on.
Once you talk to the admissions office, they are very nice and helpful, but they seem to keep contact with the interviewees to a minimum, which was kind of surprising.
NIH Funding, research facilities are awesome, Pass/fail = cooperative student body, enthusiastic faculty, very acommodating administration office, potential for awesome interaction with underserved patients
Housing - their rooms is humongous comparing to what i'm used to and its cheap. internet included but not cable or phone. First year facilities is great. Pass/fail system is GREAT, strips away the competitive nature in pre-meds. Admissions people were the nicest administrative folks i've ever met. AECOM allows you to do research for a year w/o tuition and you can get alot of grants for conferences. Hospitals allow you to do a lot of work as a med student. There's also many holidays because the school observe Jewish holidays as well. Med school seemed like an isolated school so everyone you meet were med students or faculty. about 40 first years were from California. 5 or 6 out of the 12 of us were from California.
There is a wonderful sense of community. Professors support spiritual growth as well as academic and emotional growth. If you believe in rolling up your sleeves and making a difference in the world - this school is for you.
The students were enthusiastic about the school. The first year lecture hall is awesome. Housing is inexpensive and fairly nice. A fourth year I talked to was very positive about the clinical education.
people were friendly, einstein seems very open to different/alternative-type applicants and seens to take care of their students quite well. housing was amazing.
the first year lecture hall was new and nicely equipted. the student tour guides were real cool and funny and they were really involved in a lot of clubs and organizations. it seems that the school tries to cater to the students needs.
The students were very enthusiastic, mature and passionate about school and medicine; The interviewer seemed very interested in getting to know me as a person; The dorms are new and a decent size for only $270/mo (triple with 3 indvl rooms, kitchen, eating area, living room, and bathroom), and about $400 for a single I think; school encourages students to think about medicine broadly by funding conferences and summer/rotation electives/year-long medically-related experiences in and outside the country; the Pass-Fail grading system leading to noncompetitive atmosphere; the cafeteria lunch was very good (esp compared to lunches offered at other medical interview luncheons); and the free gym and pool facilities.
The MSTP is very old (oldest in country?) and, as such, established. The Program itself is large (many students enrolled) seems stream-lined to get students out in 7 or 7.5 years (faster than most schools). To do this, MSTPs take anatomy/histo in the summer before year 1 of their preclinical. This speeds things along, though at the cost of some isolation from the rest of the (MD) class. The research going on there seems good (and very good, depending on the department), though the facilities seems a bit tired and in need of restoration. According to faculty, there is heavy collaboration with some of the other great research universities in Manhattan.
As for the interview, a positive is that they tell you which interviews are formal and which are strictly informational.
The students and faculty were unbelievably nice. Everyone was incredibly helpful and relaxed and truly loved being there. The housing is very cheap and a lot better than other NYC schools (you know who you are...)
The housing is very affordable, quite nice, and that they let you do what you want with it (paint it, split a living room to make an extra room, put in diff carpeting). The first year lecture hall is beautiful.
Students all seem really happy. The administration also appeared to be really supportive of the student body and their needs. I arrived early and the interviewer accomadated me and saw me earlier.
The students were all really enthusiastic and even at one point the number of students showing us around out-numbered the interviewees. Also, we got to see the residence halls and an appartment, which I've never done at any other schools.
the school's attitude towards the students. Powerpoint presentation printouts are provided at the beginning of the lecture. The apartments that the students live in are really nice and very cheap. The students really love going to school there
The MSTP program is its own seperate identity apart from the medical school and graduate division, with MSTP only classess such as Histology and anatomy. They also provide students with the oppurtunity of free tickets to all NEw York professional teams home games through a lotery system.
My interviewer was really nice and really wanted me to get to know the school. Students are GREAT! So many came up to us during the interview to tell us how much they love Einstein. Students are the friendliest, most down-to-earth ones I have met and they like to study but like to have fun too (this was my 8th interview). Housing is great, right across the street. Nice first-year lecture hall. Very diverse group of students. Pass-fail makes the first two years much less stressful and less competitive.
The apartments are big and go for only ~$300/mth! Also there are a lot of opportunities to go to abroad to learn spanish while researching/getting clinical experience in Latin America. Also the school is Pass/fail, which is great
Pass/fail grading system, students seem fairly at ease, great diversity in patient population, great public bus system that stops infront of school, cheap guaranteed housing
How happy all of the students were to be there. Also, the housing is unbelievably cheap! The school really invests in its students, and it is a very relaxed learning environment. There is a Manhattan express bus that takes you straight from midtown to the front door of the school.
After my interview, the doctor I was with brought me around and introduced me to various deans--just to prove the point that their doors are always open and they are really interested in knowing their students.
The students all seemed to really enjoy their experiences there. The housing is huge and cheap. They have a free clinic on Saturdays that is run by the students, and there are lots of opportunities to study abroad and get funding from the school. The school is very supportive of the students in general, and it seemed like a happy atmosphere.
Affordable housing, community style apartments (almost all of the students live in the same apartment-style dorms for all four years) across the street from the classrooms, required clinical rotations from the beginning of first year
The location-- the section of the Bronx that AECOM is located in is fairly nice. I was impressed by the flexibility AECOM allows in terms of conducting research projects and going abroad.
housing is great and cheap, student body is really laid back, cooperative, smart, and get along well together.
facilities are pretty nice, great patient population exposure, and they fund you for summer abroad travel
The class community, which is probably at least partially because most students live on-campus in apartments across from the med school (which are also really cheap!) Also, PF first two years.
The hospitals available for students to train in, had patients from every conceivable socio-economic group. My interviewer had this quiet poise and strength about her when she spoke about treating truly poor and mentally ill patients. From her words it seems as though the faculty actively try to always relate a patient's condition to their life. This seems to help students more easily identify better courses of treatment or support. I really admired this goal of Einstein's faculty.
Everyone was great. The school went way out of their way to arrange two extra meetings for me with researchers--and I'm not an MD/PhD candidate; this was just something they mentioned in their conformation email as a possibility, but they really followed through on it.
The interviewer was very positive about the school and the hosptial (my interview was at Montifiore, an affiliated hospital). All pass/fail grading makes the atmosphere, for the most part, seem uncompetitive. Very nice, cheap housing.
The school pride that my interviewer had. It was obvious that he was really proud of the school, its students, and accopmlishments.
The students were nice, open, and friendly.
Plus, the food was pretty good.
How cheap housing is and how close it is to the school (across the street). Research seems encouraged as well. Bus across from school takes you straight into manhattan. The gym and indoor pool was nice. Food was good.
I really liked the dorms, the students anf the clinical opportunities available at Einstein. It seems like it's a nice place to go to med school because the students were laid back and very down to earth.
My interviewer was so friendly, it almost felt like a recruiting visit. Like everyone else says, the housing is very affordable and nice. The apt I saw had hardwood floors, and they let you paint things as you wish.
The tour guides were great- they even ran us over to their apartment even though they were almost late to class. The curriculum sounds really interesting. Very active in the community.
Housing, location (near but not in Manhattan, safe area), relaxed students (pass/fail), treat students like adults (attitude is: learn the material how ever you want to; need help? ask for it), huge tutoring program, financial support to go overseas during summer or elective, diverse affiliated hospitals
A.E. has 4 affiliated teaching hospitals offering as wide a variety of atmospheres and patients as New York has to offer. International travel is really encouraged. Also the food and apartments were v. good.
lots of patient contact at Einstein, good, real cheap student housing, AE is very close to Manhattan but not actually in it, so dont have to deal with the negatives of the big city, diversity of patient contact
The hospitals are huge and impressive but you only get to see them if your interview is in one. There is a research requirement for med students, I thought that was unique.
The school has a lot of money and is very supportive of it's students. There's easy access to Manahattan but none of the hecticness. Housing is cheap and good. Food was pretty good.
EVERYTHING: great opportunities for students, nice housing, family friendly, great cafeteria food, awesome curriculum, nice faculty and i actually like the bronx.
The students were all very relaxed. They seemed to like it there a lot. The housing is really cheap and very nice. There was a big stress on giving students clinical experience, relatively less lecture time than other schools.
The MSTP program itself- it speaks for itself, its willingness to change yearly, the intercollegiate spirit amongst students, the dedicated/concerned coordinator- truly a learning institution.
The students were VERY happy and the faculty seemed very supportive. It seems like a great environment to be trained in. Also, the housing was great and really cheap.
Inexpensive and great, convenient dorms. Laid back atmosphere of the students, but hectic atmosphere in the hospital - a good thing. Funded international exchange/study/research abroad programs. They seem to have $$ and if you want to rotate in the city, then you can get housing there too.
Student housing is cheap and is right across the street from the school; students seem laid back and happy; non-competitive atmosphere; pass/fail for first two years; nice lecture hall; the Introduction to Clinical Medicine program; school is active in the community and has a free clinic on the weekends
Great program with lots of opportunity to tailor your medical school education to your own interests. Medical Spanish program, 75% financial support for studying abroad after 1st year, research opportunities. Students genuinely happy. Everyone friendly and helpful. My interviewer was just a really cool guy and great to talk with!
The students are SO happy, kind of ridiculously so. The MSTP program director is great, too. The location isn't as bad/dangerous as it has been made out to be. Housing is SO cheap and SO close to the labs, and it's super cheap to keep a car there, too.
*The students so welcoming and friendly. I stayed with a great student host who answered all of my 1 million questions about the school. To help me get other perspectives, she introduced me to her friends at the school who had more insight on certain issues than she did.
*I was able to sit in on class and check out the lecture hall - they were comfy and had good visibility.
*I really got the feeling that most of the students really wanted to be there and were happy with what Einstein had to offer.
The students seemed genuinely happy, community outreach, required research progect, medical Spanish program, opportunities to go abroad, New York City!
How extremely friendly the students were. They study hard but also now how to have a good time when they can. Also the apartments are amazing in size and cost.
Students are really nice, it's not that far away from Manhattan(I took the subway in from JFK and it took about 2 hours from start to finish) but really if you catch the bus and trains at the right time you can get into Manhattan(downtown) in decent time. Also the Pass/Fail grading system of 65% during the first 2 years. That really takes the pressure off; the 8 or so hospital affiliations--so good rotation opps; the admissions office being really nice and willing to get taxi's for you for FREE to all your rotations. And those taxis aren't ratty--they're nice lincoln town cars.
The students were so warm, friendly and happy;the faculty I met were pleasant,helpful, and all had a sense of humor;the class was diverse;the location of the school in a safe, clean neighborhood (completely reversing my opinion of The Bronx).
Sutdent were great! Diverse, honest, friendly. I could really see myself as one of them. Dorms were wonderful. Food wasn't bad. I got to sit in on a lecture and that was great too.
The staff and students were both very friendly and positive about their experiences at the school. However, the students were also honest when asked more probing and less superficial questions about the MD/PhD program, life at Einstein, etc. Additionally, the Bronx neighborhood surrounding the hospital was surprisingly safe and vibrant. Also, the MD/PhD program administrators really stressed the amount of integrated study in the curriculum and highlighted the decreased time to graduation of the average Einstein MD/PhD student. Finally, everyone (and I do mean everyone) I talked to noted the highly collaborative research atmosphere at Einstein and many referenced it as the primary reason for their decision to come or stay at the school.
Einstein is in a nice part of Bronx, lecture halls are renovated. Einstein pay for 75% of airticket for 4th year who do rotation overseas. Nice and cheap student apt
the interviewer and admissions staff were very nice. they didnt give us a limit on the amount of food we can get in the cafeteria which is good. its pass fail which is awesome. the lecture hall is brand new. everything is close. the students seem cool. the housing is awesome and cheap. the pool is cool.
the student housing (cost and comfort), the sports facility (wonderful pool), 4 students/cadaver, the area, the faculty, the students, the fact that it's Jewish
The lecture halls were really nice, the apartments were nice and cheap, plus apparently they have a deal with IKEA so you can furnish your apartment for cheaper than normal. The students seemed happy there, and they SWEAR it's a safe neighborhood, although it didn't really look like it. Also, I liked the way the campus was set up, everything's close by. The anatomy lab is up on the 7th floor (instead of in the basement) and has windows and is really well ventilated and there's only 4 students per cadaver.
My interview. He wasn't "out to get me" and was a very laid back radiologist who asked me question -- mostly nonmedical in nature -- to just get a sense of who I was. It was my first interview so it was nice to be put at ease like that.
The student housing is really nice. We went right after they finished their first exam so all the students were so happy and friendly with each other. The immediate area is pretty decent-I was expecting a lot worse.
The school seems very noncompetitive. the pre clinical curriculum looks pretty relaxed, and the housing is very cheap and maybe the best of the NYC schools
The dormes are great and cheap.
During the visit there was nothing impressive, but the things I found out from their web site and their students made me rank this school high on my list.
Good school for families, very supportive of students, CHEAP student housing. The gym had a really nice feel to it and i'm not into gyms. It was definitely inviting.
The hospitals, the curriculum, the students, the cafeteria is nice, the lecture halls were comfortable,... it's a great school. The students seem happy.
The housing is very nice, and very cheap. Also, the neighborhood is not bad at all -- not what most people think of when they hear "The Bronx".
My interviewer. Part of second graduating class at AE. Very funny and distinguished. Gave me a personal tour when he found out I would miss the good parts because of my flight. He LOVED the school and couldn't sing better praises about it.
the housing is cheap! the students are all really enthusiastic about the school, even the ones we happened to run into in the halls. AE will pay for you to go abroad during summer between 1st & 2nd year. the student organizations are very active, especially the free clinic the students run.
Student housing is located across the street from the lecture halls and the rent is outrageously cheap, considering it's New York. Very active student group at Einstein.
My interviewer went out of her way to read over my application and get to know me more as a person than as a paper applicant. When I missed the lunch and tour, she gave me my own little tour and took me out to lunch.
1. My interviewer
2. Montefiore hospital is awesome (that's where my interview was)
3. Housing (unfortunately, I just found out that there is a 2-3 year waitlist for studios, so first-year students have to share a one-bedroom (the housing officer told me that students have to put up wall in the middle of the living room - it's the same for a 2-bedroom apt. Three people are put in there).
4. The overall consensus about Einstein is that it is VERY supportive toward the students - academically in particular.
5. Wide variety of ages among the students.
6. Einstein is well known for their study abroad programs
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about the school's location in the Bronx, the dreary buildings and facilities, lack of organization on interview days, unimpressive amenities like the gym and library, disconnection between students and the school, and limited information provided by admissions staff. Suggestions included improving the overall presentation of the school, enhancing the tour experience, addressing the outdated facilities, and providing more structured and informative interview days.
Not much. Housing feels a bit like a college dorm but current students seem to enjoy its cheapness and proximity to campus.
The whole day basically. The tour the med student wouldnt take us through any classrooms or the library because "we are loud applicants." We had no overview of the curriculum and didnt meet the dean or associate dean or really any instructor.
Honestly, some of the buildings, including student housing, appear old and somewhat shabby. Not as new and shiny as some other schools I've visited. Doesn't seem like there's much to do for fun in the area around the school. Not sure I'm excited about the dorm-like living situation, although obviously it's possible to live off-campus.
I didn't feel particularly "taken care of"--had to walk by myself for about 10 minutes to my interview location and then wander around within the facility to find my interviewer. There was no presentation on the school given by the admissions office.
A few second years said the teaching was poor in their anatomy lectures during year one. This was a major red flag for me since anatomy is important for Step 1.
I was extremely impressed by everything! Except the gym. It's pretty small, so if you're someone who goes to the gym a lot you should get a membership at the gym down the block. Oh and the library is kind of small as well, but there's a bunch of empty classrooms and other study areas available.
Can't really think of anything. Maybe the fact that the school is not right next to a subway. But it wasnt that big of a deal cause there are buses to and from the station.
Interview day was very unstructured, with no informational sessions to learn more about the school, what'll come next in the application process, etc. The students were awesome and very helpful, but an appearance from a faculty member or two to discuss the school and put a face with the name would have really helped. It made for a very laid back and short day, but I left feeling like I didn't know that much more about the school than when I arrived. My interview days elsewhere were more structured, a bit more informative, and they all went out of their way to sell the school to applicants. Einstein is quite an amazing school when you take the time to read about it and talk to current students, but the unstructured interview day means it just lacks the impact that other schools have on applicants during their days.
The location... The school itself had a pleasant atmosphere and a great student body, but the surrounding neighborhood gave a bad impression. I took the time to explore before my interview. It wasn't scary, but not a good place. That being said, the teaching hospitals definitely receive a wide range of patients from all backgrounds.
Interview day was poorly organized; I was given a slip of paper for a "self-guided" tour, there was no introduction given by an admissions officer, only two students came to speak to the visitors. The cafeteria food we were given was terrible, and the students were less than enthusiastic. The school is in a depressing neighborhood, the medical education building is small and tired, and the school doesn't feel like a community.
Not a whole lot impressed me negatively. The location is a bit far from Manhattan but it's not that bad...probably like 35 minutes out of parts you'd want to go to. It's med school, so I imagine the only trips I'll take anyway are to the library!
The only resource we had were the medical students who stuck with us on the tour and luncheon. Afterwards they just left us to find our way to the interviews.
The interview day was pretty short; there was no information session; we didn't have the opportunity to sit it on any lectures or talk with many students there.
The day was very unorganized. The student tour group did not show up because all of the M1s had a special event that day. All of the candidates sat in the lobby for nearly 1 hour while the admissions office found M2s to take us around.
Neighborhood (I was told by a student to "definitely don't walk around"); the shuttle runs infrequently; I felt like some of the current students use the P/F grading system as an excuse to slack off -- but what do I know, maybe they are just the most supported and balanced med students I've met...
disorganization-- the people giving us our tour were totally confused and they had to tag team it. there was no presentation about the school. also... that part of the bronx makes me a bit sad.
Anatomy facilities were HORRENDOUS. I was shocked at how bad they were. No presentation on interview day. Didn't feel like they had really prepared for the interview day at all. Why did it cost $120 for a secondary if they didn't do ANYTHING for the interview day?
I didn't like the Bronx too much, but you can take a bus/subway to the city without too much difficulty, and one girl told me the Italian food in the area is amazing. I feel like it was a really dorm-like feel in the apartments in the sense that they pair you up with random people . . . but the apts were super cheap and huge. Lots of the students are married apparently. The match list wasn't overly exciting to me, the library didn't look to comfy, the lectures aren't online, and seems hard to get to a grocery store.
we brought big envelopes from the admissions office to the interviewer, and were asked not to open them, but to give them straight to the interviewer first. presumably, it contained our info. the interviewer had me wait outside while they read the file for 20 minutes. that was less than ideal, though it was nice that the interviewer knew my file very thoroughly. i later wondered how quickly someone gets rejected if they fail the honor test and open the secret parcel hehe. but i didnt take any chances...
there isn't a lot of places to go out for drinks and hang like in manhattan nearby (they have bronx zoo, botanical garden), but there is a bus by the school that goes into the city.
I didn't get to sit in on any classes and didn't get to see the dorms because the first years had anatomy class (that we weren't allowed to attend) and the second years were studying for a test. Also, I had my interview at the Montefiore Medical Center and it is a 20 -min shuttle ride and the shuttle only comes once an hour. I hardly had enough to time to eat and catch my shuttle on time, which also caused me to miss the rest of the tour as well. Also, the medical center is laid out weird so it was hard to find my interviewer's office.
The on-campus gym could be better. It is decent, but the ones at big state-schools and private universities with good D1 athletic programs will be better (obviously). There is a New Yorks Sports Club nearby but that may be expensive.
Location was dismal, facilities were old and dilapidated with the exception of one new lecture hall for 1st year students. No presentation from administration at all. Left interview knowing hardly more about the school then prior to the interview.
The Bronx is dreary and not a easy place to live in, despite the AECOM apartments and despite being 35-40m from NYC (supermarkets? safety? dreary buildings :( ). They really try to put a nice spin on it and tell you about all the positive (which might be true) but if you're not from NY, you're definitely taken aback, which is a pity because the school is so amazing.
It's located in the Bronx so not really Manhattan style. If you are familiar with any other borough than Manhattan, you'll know what I'm talking about. The school is older, but a good med school is based on the latest gadgets...its based on the faculty and the students (which seem great). However, everything taken together I would still love to go to this school.
i didn't fit in. i was the only non-white/non-jewish interviewee in the batch of us that day (15-20) and everyone was talking about israel and palestine relations, and about learning to speak hebrew. i didn't fit in.
PARKING!!! I almost got stranded in a parking lot because apparently anyone can get in but only a select few can get out...
Plus it's in the Bronx. I hate driving in the city area.
Dearth of neuroscience. Most was cell-signalling or computational. I had to walk 8 blocks or so between my two evaluative interviews, and showed up late for one because of this. They kept us up until 11:30 at a student party the night before which was 20 minutes by charter-bus away from the hotel.
there are no formal presentations, had to wait 45 mins for the students to show up for the interview, students didn't seem enthusiastic, there doesn't really seem to be a student community despite the fact that most live in the apts across the street from the school
structure of the interview day- nonexistent. I really didn't get any feel for the school. Most schools try to impress you even the really top tier ones. Usually, they advertise and talk about their program, but AECOM really didn't do a good job selling the program to me. And I am definitely not sold.
I looked up their matchlist the night before my interview. And it wasn't impressive at all. Out of ~190 students, only one student matched to derm program. Location is pretty bad. NYC is an hour away, but still an hour is a long time.
The facilities I saw were a little sad looking. The location was not ideal - still the downside of the city (parking, cost of living, etc.), with not a lot of the perks (bars nearby, subway). It took me a solid hour and $5 to get from Manhattan. Also, the tour guides were not very excited about it, he spent most of his time looking at his watch and telling us what he was missing.
I was very negatively impressed by the admissions office/planning of the day. Everyone in the office was very nice, but it was disorganized. I was told to be there at 8:30 and no one was in the admissions office until 8:50, there was no coffee or tea/breakfast (I know that is not so important, but its nice after a long morning of getting to the bronx). I also did not like how there is no presentation or information packets given. My interviewer was awesome, but she does not teach at the med school so could not really answer questions about it. (It is possible to meet with the Dean of Admissions, but you must plan this ahead of time and I had to catch a flight back home)
students a little too laid back, don't go to classes. area is not very aesthetically pleasing. not that close to manhattan as i'd hoped. no tour of hospital or anatomy lab. i sat in on a class lecture, i can understand now why most students don't go. very boring.
The facilities, while nice, seemed old and drabby. Our tourguide led us through the basement of the school which looked like something you see in a horror movie (bad lighting, rusty pipes etc), also my interviewer was a bit rude.
The Bronx is a pretty dingy area. The students were happy, but not very enthusiastic. Clinical exposure is not very early. The tour was pretty disorganized at the beginning. Library and gym closed on Saturdays (Jewish observance)
The anatomy labs were really just bad and old-fashioned. The school seemed a little dirty (but in all fairness, it was rainy and the fastest wind I've ever experience w/o a hurricane or tornado warning). And by the end of the day, my suit smelled awful!!!
My interviewer fought yawning and watched the clock over my head during the interview. The financial aid officer basically told me to go to my state school because they didn't have great resources for aid.
Rain, wind tunnels, and getting stuck in an elevator during the campus tour did not leave me with the best impression of the school but I'm sure things would have been better on a different day. It seems like some students make time to go out and go into the city as first years, but overall, student life seemed a little less exciting that I'd hoped for. A tour guide pointed out that AECOM favors older kids with extensive life experience, and the majority of students are either married or in serious relationships by the beginning of the first year, certainly a negative for some prospective students.
I didn't really mind waiting, but when I went to my interview, the interviewer hadn't looked at my file yet. She told me to wait while she looked it over; I ended up sitting around for the better part of an hour waiting to meet with her.
location (safe, but didn't click with me), library and computer lab was pretty sad...all of the offices seemed very small and old - honestly I felt kind of claustrophobic there, couldn't really explain it.
facilities were kind of dingy, and there was no formal presentation about the curriculum so it was hard to get a sense of what the school was all about
The dorm is...little dirty and shaggy. The administrative stuff were late on my scheduled appointment time so another applicant and I sat outside wondering what happened. Also we had to find our own interviewers. If they could give us more time, that will definitely decrease our nervousness of trying to get to the place on time. However, they did take their time to explain the route!
they don't do anything to try and convince you to go there, there is little information given about the school, there are no admissions reps, and the location sucks. as a NYCer, I can say with complete sincerity that it is not in NYC for those of you who think it is. the facilities are pretty old.
The biggest drawback to AECOM for me is its cost. Realistically, I probably cannot afford to go here without some serious financial aid. Also, some of the facilities are fifty years old and look it. Yehsiva is an orthodox Jewish university, so everything closes on Saturdays, including the library (although you can go study at Fordham nearby).
While the area isn't nearly as ghetto as some make it out to be, it is a little blah-looking. Some of the facilities are a little old. And there's no Starbucks nearby! But really, there aren't many negatives things I can say about this school.
Just the location, saw a lot of busted shops and broken cars along the way to AECOM. There arent many restaurants around the dorms. One student i met as i was taking the bus away from AECOM told me make sure you put urself on the waitlist for a garage spot immediately after you find out about acceptance. Waitlist is long. Another student told me the courses there don't really prepare you for the board exam because the classes don't really test in that style. But material is covered. Just need to buy a study book for board.
No audio or visual of lectures available to students. Student-run transcript services seem dated to me at this point. The gym is tiny. The library is supposedly getting renovated at some point; now it's tiny.
This express bus just drops you off on a corner ... there you are ... somewhere in the Bronx. You don't get a feel for the community that you'll be living in.
The surrounding area(Bronx) was pretty gloomy, AE's about 45 minutes away from Manhattan (20 min by subway) and yes, strangely enough, there did seem to be a palpable oppressive gloom over the whole campus, and students included - but maybe it was cause I visited NY during the rainy season. I talked to a first year from Santa Barbara, and my basic impression was that he was pretty unhappy about his final decision.
the closed file interview, my interviewer had no idea how to answer my questions about the school, NO ONE came to speak to us from the financial aid office, the admissions office, etc.
the projects were like 2 blocks down and the affiliated hostipals looked really sad. the facilities were pretty crap (especially the cadaver laboratory had really old equiptment, no video monitors at each table and the whole room really stunk and there was only one body in there). but the worst part of the facilities were the on-campus apartments... I saw a two bedroom that had NO livingroom. just this tiny place for a dining table and the bedrooms were completely separated (really unsociable).
only that some students interview at Montefiore (a short shuttle from the Admissions Office), and in this case, you are given your application packet to give to your interviewer. Only then is she/he given the chance to review it (unless they specifically request it beforehand). Also, some people might care that the Bronx itself is very low-key (unlike Manhatten), BUT it is a short express-busride into midtown Manhatten and also short driving distance there. In my case, it's close to my home so I didn't mind.
The location. The Bronx where Einstein is located is probably not the Bronx you had in mind if you are not from NY. I didn't get to see the area during the day, but it seemed kind of dead. When I asked students about how livable the area was, they said that having Manhattan 30 minutes away makes it all tolerable.
Although the MSTP is streamlined to get students out faster than most schools, it seemed that this led to alienation from the rest of the class. This impression was reinforced by students who said they did not feel as close to their medical school class (although they felt very close to the other MSTPs)
Another negative impression that I had from the interview at Einstein was the attitude I caught from some faculty, which seemed to be: "why would you come here if you could go to one of the Manhattan schools?" I didn't hear that from all of the interviewers, but I did hear it from some.
The last negative that I can think of is fairly minor: the cafeteria is kosher. Although I'm sure I could get used to this quickly, it is a little disconcerting.
The location stinks...there really isnt any way of getting around that. No one tried to deny that either, but like they said, its only 20 mins into Manhattan.
The housing elevators are basically useless if going up unless you live on the higher floors as they are small and get crowded fast. The second year lecture hall isnt very nice (but it will be renovated soon).
We had to travel to other destinations for our interviews. Not too bad, but given the weather, it would have been nicer to have the interviews on the Einstein campus.
Umm...the Bronx haha. Not too much around there for sure. As everyone knows, kind of a run-down area. Not super..but there is an express bus that runs to Manhattan. That's the only major negative.
The medical school "campus" is basically 3 brick buildings. However students spoke positively about this by saying that there is grass and trees and how nice that is...But to me it just looked like kind of three buildings and that's all!
I went on Sunday to check out the area and EVERYTHING was closed (It feels so far from Manhattan). They don't give you a presentation on the school, so I didn't get any info on financial aid or anything that the students didn't talk about.
The location--there is absolutely nothing around campus to do and it's not especially easy to get into manhatten (you have to take a bus to a subway station).
Dismal look to the apartments/campus, not much to do around the campus/have to travel out of the Bronx, most people rely on cars (whether their own or a friend's)
There was no place to wait before my interview. I had to walk to Jacobi for my interview but at least it was nice weather and a good way of exploring the surroundings on my own. My interviewer had no clue about first and second year curriculum.
very ghetto area, had to take a bus to the school. the bronx is just too run down and poor. Very under developed area. However that gives students a better chance to see different illnesses. This is the reason why this schools clinical program is SO strong.
No orientation talk from anyone (dean, financial aid...). No folder with info on the school. They expect you to know everything from the website, which is not a particularly good website. Longer tour of the gym than any academic facility. Tour leaders didn't really have anything to say unless we asked specific questions. Just seemed kind of weird.
How old housing apartments looked. Didn't have an "orientation session" like most others schools. You just show up, interview, then have lunch/tour. No other info on financial aid or the school or selection process.
My interview was far off-campus, the food at lunch was terrible, the school is located an hour outside of manhattan and there's nothing to do in that area of the Bronx.
Driving through the Bronx was somewhat depressing. Library also closes on Saturday, so most students study at Fordham University's library, about 10 min. away.
Nothing really. To be nit-picky, the facilities are older than I am used to. Also, there are very limited options for coffee, etc. around there. I really wanted a latte :)
it's expensive, many said it's "like high school" since you spent so much time with your class (could be a + or a -), good produce supposedly is not to be found outside the caf,
kosher food law...what? closed on the sabbath? may be a little akward going here if ur not jewish, especially if you have choices at other "normal" schools. also didnt like that the interviewer had to read my file in front of me before starting...he read out loud any Bs i got and those classes.
It takes 20 mintes by bus to get to the subway station, then another 30 or so in the train to get to midtown where I stayed. I felt like I was so close to the action, yet so far.
Housing is horrible. Everyone lives on campus in what is basically a dorm. It is cheap, but I would never live in those dorms. You have to share them and it reminded me too much of freshman year of college.
The running around to different buildings, we had 4 informal interviewers in addition to the two and had to run from building to building without a map to make it to the next one in time. It was cold, windy, and several of the interviews were off campus. The Bronx ain't that pretty either. Think gray skies and red brick buildings. There's no coffee shops (which means that corporate starbucks hasnt corrupted it, but youre going to have to get used to folger crystals).
The whole day was poorly organized. No talk with the dean, or financial aid rep, way too much free time. Weren't allowed into any of the buildings. They didn't even give us a viewbook.
The Bronx. Not so hot unless you like hanging out at "Oil and lube" and other auto parts places! I would have liked to walk around and explore (maybe I would have found things I liked about the Bronx), but it was way too cold to do so. We were not taken on a tour, which might have been helpful.
Windy. A general complaint about this school is that it is way off in the Bronx. However, I didn't find it all that bad - a lot of the students go into the city on weekends either to play or study. Rotations 3rd and 4th year are also not only isolated in the Bronx, but include places in Manhattan and Long Island.
50% of the school is Jewish, which is a great opportunity for me to get to know a different religious group/culture, but it seemed a little too pervasive when I walked into the kosher cafeteria (the food was bland) and almost every guy was wearing a yamakah (sp?). I also saw strollers in the dorm, which reinforced how many students (mostly orthodox jews) were married and had families. Just very different from my current lifestyle.
There was no formal Q&A session or Admissions committee presentation. Questions were just answered informally by med students during the tour and lunch.
There was no Financial Aid session or information given out. We were not given any brochures or supplemental info to bring home to help us ponder Einstein as an option.
There was a long wait for my interview b/c the surgeon who did the interview was VERY busy.
*The courses are pass/fail. I got the impression that students did not really have to go to class to do well and were not overly motivated to go to class regularly. Apparently, their board scores are not negatively effected by this.
My interviewer seemed disorganized. Also he seemed to not review anything about my AMCAS except my gpa and MCATs. The Bronx sucks compared to Manhattan.
The north Bronx, where they are, really is safe, but there's just nothing to do there. When I arrived at 7PM into the neighborhood on a Sunday night everything was pracically closed(stores, restaurants, etc), and I was mad starving too so it was a trek before food was found. Also, I kinda don't like the fact that things shut down on Friday night all the way till Sunday Morning(namely the workout facility and the library). Granted, the students tell me they don't use the library but study in a nicer area but this whole closing thing is wack.
The Bronx is.... well, the Bronx. No frills. Definitely the type of people I want to work with, but I couldn't see myself taking a jog around the block. They are so proud of the gym but I don't really understand why.
Since it is a Jewish school, the libraries and athletic facilities are closed on the Sabbath, which struck me as a bit archaic and unnecessary. However, most of the resources are available electronically now, so it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal. Also, the food at the cafeteria was nearly inedible.
the food was bad. it might be annoying having to do your clerkship at hospitals that are not near the dorms. the interviewer kinda tried to push me a few times, which wasnt that cool. the library is small. the lecture hall was overcrowded with no seats when i went there. the school shuts down from fri nite to sat nite, so you cant go to the gym, library, etc.
The facilities seemed kind of run-down, but I suppose that happens in heavily-trafficked city hospitals... The day was pretty disorganized. No official presentation on the school, just what we could get from the students at lunch and our interviewer.
I asked a student what the impact of having 50% of the student body married was on the unmarried nonJewish students. She said there wasn't really a difference. I figured that couldn't be true! Also, I find the system of the student handing his or her own file over to the interview just before the start of the interview a little bit odd. It's strange to have your interviewer looking at your MCATs/gpa, recommendation and personal statement as you're sitting right there.
You arrive at the admissions office and they send you off to your interviewer by yourself. I had a 10 min walk, but some people had to take shuttle buses to nearby hospitals. This was all before the tour. Also, the school adheres to the Jewish Sabbath and the holidays, although many of the students are not Jewish.
The Bronx is...well, the Bronx. The school is not very diverse either. Though it's understandable that the student body and perhaps the faculty is mostly Jewish, I was able to eat lunch at the cafeteria and noticed that people of other backgrounds seemed to be isolated. Lastly, the interviewer made me stand outside of her office while she reviewed my file. It was kind of rude.
The day was unorganized and they didn't sell themselves as well as a lot of other schools. My interview was at the Mortifier Hospital, which is pretty far away from the school, at least 20 min. ride by a shuttle bus. Then I had to walk for about another 20 min. to the building where I had to meet my interviewer and the day was very cold.
The interview schedule was a little rag-tag. But I was able to go to a lecture in the morning. Also, the public transit is limited,.... the express bus is going to get canceled soon by the city.... so double check on your plans to get up there before the day of the interview.
The admissions office gave me an envelope containing my app, which I had to deliver to my interviewer. I waited outside while she read my app. Also, there's a really small gym.
Interview day. You just show up, get interviewed, and get a tour...that's it. The time in between those things is up to you. No financial aid talk, or intro to school. Kind of refreshing though....gave me some time to relax.
The elevators in the housing (at least 1935) are slow and a couple of students have had the elevator drop on them. You might live on the 20+ floor, so the stairs aren't that much of an option.
The neighborhood--if you're not used to seeing lots of trees and open space, it'll be quite a change. The facilities are old although they are building a new lecture hall for the first-year students.
the fact that they close on Sat because of the Jewish Sabbath. I don't have anything against Judaism, but the fact that the school is so restricted by that didn't impresse me much...
facilities, the fact that the only living arrangement realistically available is in dorms across from campus, which makes it feel like college all over again.
the area...being in the bronx, there's no pretty campus and not much going on directly around the school...when they said it was in a middle-class area that was a stretch..also the cafe is strictly kosher and the school shuts down from friday to sunday including the library.
I thought it was my atrocious interview experience that gave this school the air of a Soviet gulag, but I've heard others with better interview experiences also comment on the omnipresent gloom of the school.
The interviewer, the location, the grunginess of the hospital I interviewed at. My interviewer was a pathologist, so the location of the office itself was pretty close to the morgue! sheesh!!
1. The housing situation - even though the apartments are gorgeous.
2. I don't know what it is, but unfortunately I never really "took" to the school. I had visited the school before my interview in the summer and I didn't quite get a good feeling from it. The same on the day of my interview. Perhaps I was just really in a funky mood since it took me 3 hours to get there - and I was only coming from Long Island. It's sort of in the middle of nowhere, and the surrounding neighborhood is run-down looking - at least to me. But , I could definitely see myself attending the school since being in the heart of the city is not a deciding factor for me.
3. The facilities are drab (dark brown) - including the huge lecture hall where you take most of your classes the first year
4. Limited library hours - Einstein follows the Sabbath. I guess if it were up to me, I wouldn't be studying on Friday nights anyway...
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time to not be overly nervous, expect a conversational interview, wear comfortable shoes for walking, and be prepared for the low-stress and relaxed nature of the interview day. Other suggestions included being aware of the location and transportation options, as well as the Jewish heritage of the school, and to ask insightful questions during the interview.
I wish I wouldn't have focused so much on the common questions, because I wasn't asked a single one of them. Just don't go in thinking you know the format just because it's what most other people have experienced.
Be careful with your belongings. I saw a car's window had been shattered in the middle of the day and presumably robbed. The glass was all over the pavement right in front of the school.
Interviewed in early December and it surprisingly freezing; pack accordingly, as you will be outside a fair amount. My interview was at Montefiore, which required a short shuttle ride (walkable, but wouldn't be so fun in dress clothes in winter), but it was quite easy to get there. I took a cab there from Manhattan, which costs $30-40, and ended up taking the bus back once I saw how easy it was...picks up right across the street from the building housing the admissions office, drops off right in front of The Met in UES, where cabs are lined up.
The school has a strong Jewish heritage. This definitely wasn't a bad thing, but I wish I had known. I was raised in a non-religious family, and the religious atmosphere caught me off guard.
That I would have to take a 20 minute shuttle to Montefiore Hospital for my interview. The admissions office explained where I would get dropped off by the shuttle and where I need to go to get picked up. However, I got dropped off at the pick up spot, and I roamed the hospital for ten minutes because I didn't know where I was.
To request interviewing with a researcher who would appreciate my research interest - my interviewer had absolutely no interest in research whatsoever.
The interview is super relaxed. Mine was essentially 30 minutes of the top 20 med school interview questions followed by 15 minutes of just pure conversation.
The day is largely guided by students, so it is a hit and miss if you'll get a good group of students that genuinely like the school.
lots of waiting around. lots. tons. they encourage going to a lecture, but if you can't make it because of when your interview is scheduled, you will just be waiting a whole lot. you'll get to know your fellow applicants quite well in the waiting area.
Just enjoy your time in NYC and don't over think the interview process. I wished I could've stayed for the special hospital tour, but my plane departed early.
the bronx is not that scary, dont use the express train during rush hour (use the subway instead) to get to/from manhattan, there is no organized orientation or financial aid meeting so ask lots of questions to the interviewer and the tour guides!
how COLD it was gonna be! Shouldve taken the weather report more seroiusly! I backed out of the tour 1/2 way thru because i was sick of walking from building to building w/ no scarf and gloves!
That the facilities were a lot nicer than other led on. This was my third interview and the facilities are older here, but nicer than some of the other schools I interviewed at. The best part was the Anatomy lab is on the 3rd floor with windows!!! Not in a basement dungeon like most schools...
So, everyone ahead of time tells you about all the Jewish people who go there and how its uncomfortable and the food is bad. Well, that was not my experience at all. I think if you are a half-way open person, you'll get over the school being closed on Saturdays in a heartbeat. The students are really nice, and only a small percentage of students are orthodox. If you are another religion you'll only feel weird if you generally don't like being around people that are different from you. The food was good too.
The open vs. closed file issue was a little ambiguous. I went in thinking the interviews were open, but when I arrived, admissions handed me a packet with all my information in it to give my interviewer. She said the interviews were blind. But THEN when I got to my interview, the receptionist took my information to the interviewer, and I waited outside the office for about twenty minutes while he read over everything. If I had known this I would have arrived to the interview much earlier than I did. Also, I wish I had known how wonderful and relaxed my interviewer would be...it would have saved me a lot of stress :)
There would be very little exposure to the campus. Also, I would have preferred the interview after the tour and a chance to speak with students. That way I would have had a better idea about the school.
that jet blue would cancel all my flights...most people destress by going into the city and it doesn't seem like that many care to stay in the bronx.. though some said it was nice to be able to study without the city's distractions, also student housing is AMAZING AND CHEAP
That the 2 express train and the Bx21 bus from the station to the campus takes about one hour, and is a good alternative to the express bus for those coming from the west side of Manhattan
Just as a note, the students are about 40% jewish and a large group of those are orthodox, so things are closed on saturdays and there definitely is a jewish feel to the campus. It definitely is NOT a problem, but something to be aware of.
That there were different locations to take the interview and you might have to take a shuttle to a hospital 15 minutes away. But don't worry, the staff make sure you know exactly where to go.
The Bronx can get really windy aparently. And if you are crowding in the elevator in the dorms, just offer to take the stairs (that was scary, we were stuck for about 5 or so minutes and crowded). Also, learn to take public transportation in NYC including the buses, so you don't have to walk a mile in the rain/wind of the Bronx. Also, the interviewee talked a lot, I probably should have tried to talk more than he did, but he did not really ask me too many specific questions.
And the one thing he was especially interested in was how I talked a lot about being open minded in my application (or willing to befriend to a wide variety of people). We spent at least half the interview talking about how important of a quality that is for doctors to have and that was about a third of my personal statement. Also, if you are coming in from Manhattan, leave two hours early or so.
I wish I had been prepared to guide the interview more. It really was the most relaxed interview ever. I hit all my key points, but the interviewer didn't ask me anything to 'flesh out' my application.
There are many buildings that are somewhat spread out, so depending on where your interview is you may have to do some walking. I wish I'd worn more comfortable shoes.
That I didn't need to really prepare at all for the interview. But at least I had confidence going in b/c I did prepare, so I guess it's still worthwhile to do some preparation
I stayed with friends in Manhattan, which was great, but I wish I had been closer to the school since the subway doesn't really go there as far as I could tell.
If you already have a PhD before matriculating here, you are exempted from writing the required scholarly paper. AECOM has a large MSTP program, and all of these students are exempt from writing the scholarly paper as well.
They've just built a new addition to the Jacobi Medical Center. The housing is pretty flexible: you can paint the walls and do whatever you want. But they charge you $1000 if you need to get that extra wall built (to convert 2 bdrms to 3 bdrms).
If you are scheduled to have a lot of time between your interview and the tour, bring something to read just in case. They offer to send you to a lecture, but there may not be one at the time you need.
the Bronx is quite an unattractive area. Great school, and the buildings are beautiful inside, but the outside is pretty blah. I wish they would plant flowers or something.
Mapquest bites... ask for specific directions so you don't get stuck driving around the seedier side of the Bronx at 1:00 AM with a non-English speaking taxi driver!
BxM10 - bus from manhattan to bronx - only takes metro cards that are pre-paid and this express bus doesn't take any bills. coins only. Luckily there was a nice lady to save my ass by lending me her card and me paying her $5(cost of the ride) I was more nervous about getting there than the interview itself. I should've learned more about their cirriculum and their rotations. Also about their electives.
When people say to wear comfortable shoes, they mean it. You may have to do a bit of walking to get to your interview. Also, don't listen to people who say Einstein is in a horrible location. One direction from the school isn't exactly nice, but it's not bad, and not dangerous. The other way (towards the Jacobi area) is middle class brick homes, some of which are quite nice, with families and such. The closest grocery store is really ghetto though.
prepare really good questions about the Jacobi hospital if you're interviewing there (I got interviewed by a surgeon, and even though I had no idea what to ask about the Jacobi hospital other than the standard questions, I had to fill up about 20 minutes of Q and A)
It's freaking cold in NY, especially when you're wearing a suit and it's cold, windy, and snowing...and I used to live here. ALso, don't walk with any files or documentation, or you'll have to lug it around in a cold place, and I wanted to much to throw it away...if only it did not have sensitive information.
the website says that the campus is located in the midst of the middle class suburbs, but it was actually pretty ghetto. there were scary looking people all over the streets.
Nothing. Others told me they wished that they knew that cabs from NYC won't know how to get to the school's location (so bring a map!) and to MAKE SURE you know which location at which you are interviewing, so you know whether or not to take a shuttle there after arriving at the Admissions office.
How disorganized everything was-- I got there early, and there was NOTHING to do-- i sat in on two classes. the tour guide was stoned. I had to navigate my way to my interview site which was in a different building-- no one knew where it was!
I was surprised to hear how many of the MSTP students wanted to go strictly into clinical medicine after completing the Program. I don't know whether this was because it was part of their plan from the beginning or whether something about the Program kind of soured them on a career in research/academia.
A major thing that I wish I had known ahead of time was how much better/cheaper/safer it would have been for me to take the Express Shuttle from Manhattan up to Einstein as opposed to the subway. The area of the Bronx that Einstein is in is not bad, but much of the area leading up to it from the tip of Manhattan is. I foolishly took a bus with all my luggage from the end of the subway line up to close to Einstein. If you absolutely cannot take the shuttle and must take the subway, at least do it during daylight.
Some students have to go off campus, sometimes pretty far, for their interviews. I didnt have to, but some of the other applicants expressed their complaints.
When I got there I found out there's a Hojo hotel nearby, and you can just hop on the public bus straight to the school in 15 minutes. Wear comfy shoes, you might have to walk a ways to your interview location.
They really don't get your folder until they see you. I'm sure someone else has noted this but its worth noting again in case someone doesn't catch that other post. They flipped through my file while I sat there looking away ...and then began to ask me questions.
If you want to attend a first/second year class, then you need to get to the school early. On my interview date, the only class I could sit in on was at 9am.
If you're flying in from out of state, be sure you have directions ready from your hotel to the school if taking the taxi. I was staying at JFK airport and figured the taxi guy knew where the school was. Good thing i left plenty of time b/c the taxi driver had no clue and even had to stop by a gas station and ask other taxi drivers. Better off taking the subway into manhatten and then the express bus straight to Einstein. A lot cheaper too.
How strict the Kosher laws were, or at least those regarding food). For example, you cannot eat cheeseburgers anywhere on campus (except perhaps in your apartment, which itself isn't proper).
There was no meet-and-greet. When I arrived I was sent to my interview and then told when lunch would be and where to go to attend a class. I am used to everyone sitting around a table hearing about the school, etc. It may be a little dull but it is at least hospitable. I felt very much like an unwelcome guest.
housing is cheap, very close. also, i wish i had known i would become a freezing icicle while making the 10 minute walk to the Jacobi Hospital from admissions. had brought warm clothes to cover suit, but had changed out of them upon arriving. wind, cold.
I interviewed at Beth Israel because I thought all interviews were in the morning and it was closer to where I was staying. I should've just interviewed at the school and requested a later interview, as I would've saved travel time.
There is nothing you can do to prepare. One of my formal interviewers and I talked for over an hour, and it didnt follow any format. Your personality/common knowledge will come out with the flow of an unprepared conversation and that is what will truly speak highly of yourself. It's a waste of time to sit there and think of answers to possible questions. Maybe some MSTP interviews are better that way, but not here.
That I did not need to show up until the time of my interview. That the school basically closes down from Friday night until Sunday morning. The dining hall is completely Kosher.
If you're from NY, that part of the Bronx is not bad at all. If you're not, it would be a great learning environment if you wish to serve a diverse patient population. Anyway, you can always rotate in their other great hospitals in Manhattan and Long Island.
New Rochelle (where they put you up) is pretty far away from the campus, and while they'll bus you from the hotel to the campus for the interview, they have no intention of returning you to the hotel after the interview day is done, so it might make more sense to drive from the hotel to Einstein the morning of the interviews, if you are driving to the interview.
The Bronx is not a happy place, which I was expecting. I just didn't expect it to be as bleak and dead-looking as it did. It felt like I was riding a bus through a deserted 1950's neighborhood, and it was smack in the middle of the day, too. The medical facilities are all close together, though, so it's pretty safe and convenient. No good eateries nearby, though.
*The student housing is subsidized, so living expenses at the school are VERY reasonable for New York. Also, the location of the student housing was great.
*They have a medical Spanish program that helps students learn clinical Spanish so they can do exams in a second language.
*They are the only NYC school with a community-based free clinic for students to practice at.
My interviewer obsessed about my parents. If you have physician parents be prepared to fully explain their careers, satisfactions, and what you've learned from them.
that people have interviews at all times of the day. My interview was at 11AM, while others had their interviews at 3PM or 2PM or 9AM. It's just a mix and kinda puts you on edge if you have an afternoon one and half to eat lunch/get a tour with students who are already done. That wasn't my case but I can sympathize with those that were in that situation(you're really not hungry if you know you have an interview right afterwards)
There are lots of hospitals in the Bronx area that are affiliated with Albert Einstein. They have an interest in creating a diverse class of students, but there are many orthodox jews.
The NJ Turnpike going south, on a Friday during the evening rush hour, is hell. That I'd have to do a good bit of walking (wear comfortable shoes). No one was giving us a presentation of the school or a tour of the hospital. Also, kosher food is much less scary than it sounds (I'm not Jewish).
The "express" shuttle to AECOM only goes from the East side, so if you're at the Port Authority (West side) your best bet is to take the 2 train to 180 street and pick up the Bx21 Bus to AECOM.
That I would have to first take a bus, then walk down the streets of the North Bronx in freezing cold weather in my suit, being stared at, to get to my interview.
the medical admissions office is right next to the bus stop you get off at: eastchester road. be sure and ask if you are confused because it is easy to get lost inside the buildings.
That it would be so easy to get to the school. Take the 5 subway to 180th street. Go to the other side of the street and catch the Bx21 to Eastchester Rd. It dumps you off directly in front of the school.
My interviewer (co-chair of the admissions committee) told me that all interviewers are specifically instructed NOT to give the interviewees a hard time. They try to make the interview experience easy for the students, so there is no need to get too stressed before an interview at Albert Einstein! I was definitely given the impression that all interviews at their school are supposed to be very, very low stress. Any stress I felt was due to the fact that it was my first interview, and I felt it was a little strange that my interviewer was hardly asking me any questions.
the interview is very low key..don't stress!! Also don't don't expect much out of the day...all you do is interview, eat, small tour and that's it!! Stay with a host, it's easier:)
There is no schedule to the day, just lunch, tour and your interview is in the morning or the afternoon. I would have liked something a little more formal such as a Dean introduction and FA meeting, but this school prides itself on working with students, not babying them, so it isn't surprising.
That is was definitely the wrong school for ME, but I have good friends who go there and really like it. Just keep your eyes open. My experience would have been totally different if I drew a different interviewer. I am usually a very positive person and can find the best in everything, but in this case I really was blinded by the interview experience.
Applicants generally found the interview experience at Albert Einstein College of Medicine to be relaxed and conversational. Some felt that the school lacked a formal presentation or detailed information session, but overall, they were impressed with the facilities, friendly students, and faculty. Some interviewees had mixed experiences with interviewers and felt varying levels of stress during the process.
Everyone else I spoke to at my interview had a very different experience than I did. Their interviewers were very relaxed and conversational - mine just went down a list of very challenging questions and did not respond to my answers (unless I asked them very specific questions back). It was a much more stressful interview than I had expected based off other's experiences here on sdn.
Ridiculously low-stress interview. Every single person I came across was super friendly and willing to answer whatever questions you have. Walked away from the day with a very high opinion of the school.
This school interviews tons of applicants and has obviously put the day into a sort of fast throughput process that makes one feel like part of a herd. That said, guys the school is much much more than the interview day and I'm sure there is amazing things happening here. Unfortunately, I was very off-put by the day.
I really think my interview day would have benefited from one or two presentations from the admissions office. I knew beforehand that there wouldn't be any, given other peoples' comments, but it really felt lacking. I didn't feel like i learned much more about the school that I hadn't already gathered online.
Just be yourself, It's a a really chill day! Also had my favorite interview lunch at Einstein, but maybe that's because I got tired of sandwiches/wraps all the time:D Oh and don't look up the name of your interviewer before your interview, you may be intimidated by his amazing accomplishments, and then you may cry haha. But my interviewer was only intimidating on paper so you can if you're that curious. :D
This school is awesome. Academic hub, caring faculty and staff, happy students, incredible clinical and extracurricular opportunities (research, travel, etc.).
An absolutely fantastic school. The neighborhood was not good, I won't lie, but the school was beyond all of my expectations. The students are friendly and cohesive, the campus is really nice (it is really a bubble within the Bronx) and the doctor who interviewed me was funny, intelligent, and overall a great guy. Living in the Bronx might be less than ideal, but I imagine that the hospitals there are extremely busy and a great place to learn about medicine.
Overall I was quite surprised by the school. Even though it's not ranked as high compared to other medical schools, I still think it's quite impressive.
Make sure you go 45 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you have to take a shuttle to your interview, you don't want to be late. The school's location is great, and the interviewer was awesome. Since this was my first interview, however, I was pretty nervous. Just RELAX!
From other feedbacks, it seems odd that my file was closed and the interviewer had no idea who i was, where my home town was (its a very big city), hadn't heard of my undergraduate university (its the harvard of the north), etc.
Overall, good school with a strong research and primary care focus. Students were close and approachable. Area around campus seemed relatively safe and actually pretty nice.
I interviewed very early in the season (second day of interviews) and didn't really have any conceptions going in. I will say (to begin) that all the students I met were very nice, friendly, sociable and seemed pretty happy with their decision to attend Einstein. There are also pretty decent on-campus apartments (and cheap$$$) but the thought of living in them for four years bothered me. There isn't a whole lot of affordable, quality housing off campus so it seemed like most students stayed there all four years. There is an awesome new research center, as well as the option to pursue a 5th year MPH degree at any US institution paid for by Einstein (very unique).
Both the academic facilities (anatomy labs, classrooms, study spaces, even the cafeteria) and the clinical spaces (Jacobi Hospital) were old and rundown. The area is nestled in a suburbia meets big city type of environment, with some very safe, tree-lined streets...but with practically nothing fun for a 20-something medical student to do. With no Metro Stop nearby, it's a 45 minute "express" bus to Manhattan. Having traveled to NYC frequently, it felt very isolated from Manhattan (moreso than areas in other boroughs like Brooklyn or Queens). My interviewer was 10 minutes late to my interview, and didn't seem to ask me anything other than the three questions she had before her (no follow up questions, despite my enthusiasm for my answers). And while I won't disparage the fact that Einstein is a relatively highly ranked US medical school, I was shocked when my faculty tour guide claimed that "Einstein is the best medical school in the United States, and #2 in research funding." Both of these facts are blatantly false, and I had no idea why he said them. This was my first interview and I've been on 11 others since then, and while I can definitely see why this is a good fit school for some, I just couldn't get over the facilities and geography upon reflecting on experiences at other institutions. Withdrew before getting my decision.
I really like this school because they accomodate the students, help with disadvantaged populations, and its nearby a big urban city. They interview a ton of people so its not as likely to get in with interview as other schools. Too bad cuz it seems like great school
I was surprised to be given a big sealed envelope (with my application in it, presumably) to take to my interviewer. I waited outside the office while my interviewer read my file, then went in for my interview.
Overall wasn't so impressed - the school didn't seem to have anything that made it unique - a few cool programs (medical Spanish, global health), but not stuff that every other medical school doesn't have.
using public transportation might be a little hassle cuz you need to take trains and buses but it is fine. nothing crazy. staying with a host is a GREAT choice because it allows you to see the housing where almost everyone lives in.
the interviewer hadn't read my file until I came into the room, but it still went really well; be prepared for a long commute to your actual interview location (you will most likely have to either take a cab or shuttle to get there)
Absolutely awesome place. I would consider going there in an instant! GO ON THE SPECIAL TOUR IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE. It was worth it to see what the Bronx has to offer. Plus, Dr. Dannis is a great tourguide.
I enjoy my visit there. In the morning, I met up with a researcher that I was interested in working with although I was not an MD/PhD applicant. Everything went smoothly. I wish I have gotten to meet Ms. Kerrigan but she just came back from vacation.
My visit here was amazing. The students, faculty, and administration were all so nice and enthusiastic. TAKE THE SPECIAL TOUR! Dr. Dannis was fantastic and explains so much about the neighboring area and the history of Einstein and its buildings. Some people are "afraid" of the Bronx, but there is really no reason to be. Everyone here seems happy and although they work hard they have a great time. Come here with an open mind and prepare to be amazed by the people and feeling of the place.
I liked the school more than I thought I would. I had never been to the Bronx and did not find it as bad as people say. I had lunch and then a tour and then an interview. My interviewer was a talker and took me on another tour so I was with him for 2 hours. There is no specific meeting to talk and ask all your questions so do your research beforehand. The students were friendly and helpful and seemed happy about their decision to go to AECOM.
It completely changed my opinion about attending the school. Before the interview, I was not that interested in the school. Afterwards, I was ready to sign up there and then.
way more pleasant than i couldve imagined. the oppostite of the ''stress'' interviews some people explain at at various schools. I had a chance to talk about myself, ask questions, and hear about the school. a really enjoyable day.
My interview was very conversational. I interviewed with a researcher and we just discussed the East Coast, my research, living in NY, etc. It was very informative and relaxed. He was very positive about the school and the area.
my interview was fine, pretty relaxed. it was weird, though, how i had to hand my interviewer a file, and have them sit and read it while i wait in a tiny cramped waiting area. i don't think it would be too much effort to give them the file ahead of time...
It went well I think. The interview was relaxed and the interviewer like to tell me about the school. The school definitely has a lot of clinical and research opportunities for the students. I really like New York. Bronx seems like an old city but the school area is really nice.
Overall, I wasn't very impressed by the experience. The school seemed fine, and it would be nice to be in New York, but I didn't learn much about research opportunities, match possiblities, clinical training, or really find out much about the program at all.
Great Interview. Easy-going, conversational, zero stress. The interviewer just wanted to get to know me as a person, and much of our conversation wasn't even medically-related. Very enjoyable experience
I loved AECOM even before the interview. The Bronx kind of put me off: but it was seriously the only negative aspect. I just don't know if I myself could live there while going through the 4 difficult years of med school. But the interview experience was enjoyable, warm, comfortable, and very enlightening, and I left feeling I could fit in AECOM so well and love it...if it weren't for the area.
I really enjoyed the whole experience and I would really really love to get into AECOM. I am really interested in Global Health and service opportunities and they have amazing opportinites in these areas. They have almost complete funding for international electives, and they are located in the Bronx for crying out loud so there are service opportunities everywhere!
The interview itself was really great. My interviewer was a recent graduate (like 10 years ago) from the school and she read my file for 15 min. then came and got me to talk about different parts of my application. It was really relaxed and she just wanted to get to know me. So make sure you know what you wrote on your primary application as you are accountable for everything.
Overall I left really wanting to attend AECOM and hopefully I will get that chance come January when my letter is sent out...
The interview was really conversational. When I walked in, the interviewer spent about 10-15 minutes just explaining to me a spinal scan that he was looking at. He asked about family and the usual questions (why do you want to be a doctor? what do you think the hardest part of being a doctor will be? etc etc) but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Overall, the students seemed to be really happy with their school choice and did not really mind that the school was in the Bronx (vs. Manhattan). It's fairly easy to get into the city during weekends, and being in the Bronx means that it's less distracting during the week. There is a really supportive student community there.
I loved this school. I thought I was going to hate it. In fact, I was telling my mom I don't even know why I applied to AECOM, because I already know I'm going to hate it!!! It went from being number 6 on the list of schools I had interviews at to number 1 or 2. Seriously.
to be honest, it seemed a bit disorganized. the admissions office lady as well as two students took turns leading us on the tours. and then, we were told to wait for a hospital tour later on, if we wanted to ... and the interview was good, the doctor (pediatrician) and i talked about the pros and cons of medicine, the financial strain, the loans process and the government, and the pros and cons of pediatrics. a good conversation, overall
There was a huge number of interviewees. The students were great people and so were fellow applicants. But nothing about the school in particular stood out. My interview was closed file and was at Montefiore Medical Center (had to take a shuttle). I spent most of the hour reiterating stuff that I had painstaking wrote in a way that could easily be understood. You could get lucky and have an open interview, like many of the other applicants.
It was amazing. My interviewer spent the last ten minutes trying to convince me to go there. Also, there's an enormous amount of campus involvement as far as student activities go. The interview was fairly laid back and not stressful at all.
It was very chilled out interview. Most of the time the interviewer talked about the school's history. He was an alumni of the school. He also discussed his research with me. He only asked me two questions. why did i majoir in Political science? and where do i see myself ten years from now?
School has an excellent programs as far as international rotations and serving community. I thought the faculty and facilities were great (esp. the lecture hall). The Bronx is a toss-up though, good patient population, not the best area for recreation.
I have not yet received a rejection/acceptnace answers so any assesment I offer at this point is based on my own perceptoin, but I liked it very much and I felt that overall I would be very happy there and that the interviewer let me talk, and emote and she then talked and let me know how she felt so I did not feel like I was being judged, not anymore than the reputation of the school was in my mind, so in that sense I felt proud to have come there that day, and also ecstatic that I chose to show up. In short, professionalism to the max!
They really didn't do a good job explaining their program. I can't even recall if they even attempted to. Having one interview was a bit odd. I wish they had two because sometimes you don't connect with both interviewers. Interview day was absolutely the worst out of all the schools I have interviewed at. Overall, not very impressed with the school at all.
There is downtime and you have the opportunity to sit in on first or second year lectures which I found interesting. The tour/lunch with students was pretty rushed, I and other afternoon interviewees had to leave early to make our interviews. They gave me a map to the hospital I would be interviewing at, which is on campus, but kind of far (especially in heels). The map didnt help that much, I was a little stressed that I wasnt going to find it and had to ask a few people to help me out.
The interview was the best part of the day. It was in the lab/office of my interviewer, with some students doing research milling around. The only curveball was renovation to a room next door, leaving my interviewer and I to shout at one another a couple times. My interview was the first part of the day - kind of a different approach, but nice to have any pressure out of the way. Actually, I felt pretty bad for the other people who arrived first thing in the morning with me. The admissions people were late, leaving one student to find out he was already 15 minutes late to his interview by the time he got his packet. I don't want to sound overly negative because it was a good interview, but the approach of the admissions was a little off-putting.
I stayed with a student who went above and beyond her duties. She helped me navigate the NYC public transportation. The day started out with going to a first year class. That was really boring and a lot of the students were asleep. The interview with the associate dean was sooo laid back. I didn't have any hard questions. However, I don't know how that went. We had a tour that I thought was really a waste of time, but whatever.
Ok here's the deal...My interview was with a psychiatrist!!(quite intimidating). I give her my file. 20 minutes later she calls me and sits me down on a couch, yes, a couch!(good thing she didnt ask me to lay down on it.) First question she asks is how im feeling. So here I am thinking get ready to be psycho-analyzed, because all she kept asking were personal questions about me, my activities, my siblings and my parents. NO standard questions about medicine, ethics, and my credentials in general. This caught me a little off-guard and made me a little nervous. But she was extremely nice and warm!!! The nicest interviewer I had yet. The purpose of the interview was really to get to know me as a person. So despite the intimidating beginning, it was awesome. Since then I've been accepted at the shcool!!! (and i'm developing a unique respect for psychiatrists now).
I really enjoyed my interview and the lunch with students, but I found the set-up of the day to be the worst I have seen so far. The admissions office seemed disorganized, I would have liked either a short presentation or a packet/booklet for information. Also you bring your interviewer your file, they review it for 10 minutes and then you talk. Most people seemed to have positive, laid-back interview experiences and the school/program seems great overall!
Low stress. Not happy that I was told to be at the school at 9am for a 10am interview, and then when I arrived was told that my interview was changed to 11... at least that gave me a chance to walk around, sit in the library, etc.
I got there at 10 am, my interview was at 11 am with Dean Kuperman (thus the stress level), who is the Dean of Education Affairs, or something. I ended up meeting with two other deans as well, who were fantastic. Kuperman's interview was intense, he was very inquisitive, in an interesting way, asking a lot of philisophical and complicated questions about my work. Really a great man though. Meet with Dean Kerrigan, she's fantastic. I met with her after the lunch and tour. The lunch was good - don't forget to pick up all utensils and napkins before you leave the cafeteria (which is being rebuilt and you can't eat there), so that you don't have to walk back. The students were really content, congenial, and the atmosphere was really great. One thing that stands out at AE is the clinical experience, it is top-notch. If you've done clinical work before, the standard third year might be all repreat, but at AE you'd actually learn much more. The apartments are great, the living environment really nice, and the classrooms are nice too. The diversity in students is decent, not exceptional.
very positive. my interview was scheduled for 10:00. i arrived at 10 to 10 and gave my interviewer my amcas packet which i got from the admissions office in a sealed packet. my interview then went and reviewed my amacas for half an hour. after waiting for half an hour, she called me in and we talked for an hour - it might have gone longer but she was paged and had to go. after the interview, all the applicants met back at the admissions office for a campus tour with a few students. the tour was great because the students were into it and seem to like the school. also, u get a free lunch in the caf which was pretty good. the interview itself was very straightforward. all the questions were geared towards discussing why i want to go to med school and why einstein.
The interview was very laid back, even though the interviewer started off with a disclaimer about how he has a bad habit of making this stressful. The admissions staff is really nice and all the applicants were engaging and friendly.
The only slightly stressful thing was having to catch shuttles to get to my interviews, but the admissions office was really helpful and made sure I knew where I was going. I even had to call them when one of my interviewers was running late and I knew I would miss the shuttle, and they were so nice! Also, make appointments to meet with Noreen and with a researcher if you have an interest in doing research. I found both of these meetings to be really insightful.
I have to admit Albert Einstein wasn't my first choice at all. I had thought about going there but it wasn't exactly a school I was dying to go to. I got to the admisisons office early and waited around a bit with another interviewee until the secretary came and gave us the material. Right away I saw that they were extremely organized give us maps and tickets and directions. There was no waiting room though which was a downside. I took the shuttle to Montefiore hospital. The secretary was very good at making sure I knew exactly what to do and where to go and even when I got lost the medical students were all extremely nice with directions. My interview...was confusing. My interviewer had a sense of humor and I thought our talk was ok but right around 25 minutes in, he cuts me off in the middle of my answer and basically tells me to leave. I left confused. The tour and lunch happened afterwards. You use your meal ticket to eat at the cafeteria. The food is good, better than normal college food and the conversation is also good. Seeing the school was not too fantastic as we didn't get to see the anatomy lab, or the library. They did show us the apartments and they were GREAT! For that price that they pay it is basically a steal. Doorman, right across from two gyms, kitchen bath, huge bed room, great view, 2 blocks from the school is amazing!!!! Plus, the neighborhood doesn't seem too bad. Overall, visiting the school made me really want to go to Einstein college of medicine. It has definately gone up on my lists of potential schools. However it was also the only bad interview experience I've had yet.
they didnt seem to put too much effort in trying to get you to want to go there. i sort of missed the whole dog and pony show that the other schools put on.
nicer location than expected, very decent section of bronx surrounds most of campus. really good impression from students, lecture i sat in on was entertaining/interesting, cool service opportunities
The visit started off horrible when Delta lost my baggage...I got my suit at 7 am the morning before my 2 pm interview. The weather was cold and rainy, another downer. I arrived at Belfner at 11:45 and sat in on a first-year class. At 12:15 we took a tour of the lecture halls and student housing. The interviwer was nice and talkative. He read through my application, asking me questions as he went along. Very conversational interview.
My interview was pretty typical and laid-back. I was asked mostly questions about my experiences. Afterwards I met with the dean of admissions (you need to request this but I would definitely recommend it to everyone). She was really nice and gave some insight into the process.
There was no formal presentation about the school by the admissions office, which I found a bit disappointing. I met with a researcher in the morning (they give you the opportunity to request that), sat in on the end of a first-year lecture, had lunch and a tour with students and fellow applicants, and then had my interview. The interview was great - very informal, conversational, the interviewer was interested in getting to know me and encouraged me to follow my goals. It was kind of strange that I hand-delivered my file to him and waited for 15 minutes while he looked it over...
The interview day didn't start until later in the day where we went for lunch and a tour before interviewing. I was disappointed that they didn't have any presentation about the school or the curriculum, so everything had to be gleaned from students.
I really enjoyed it...I think the school is a great fit for me and the environment is really relaxed...they're really trying to make you enjoy your time at med school and not stress you out too much at all. The area was really very quiet and seemed to be safe at day and at night. The dorm rooms are amazing - huge and look very comfy.
My interview experience was very chill. We just talked for a little less than an hour, she didn't ask any specific questions except for if I have any specific questions about the school for her.
AECOM's location is in the nice part of The Bronx. Interview was very conversational. Seems like AECOM has a very close-knit community. The school didn't really try to sell itself (no dog and pony show). Students are genuinely happy to be there.
I arrived at the Admissions Office a bit early and was given my information and then met the other interviewees and the student guides who led us through the buildings to the library and then to the cafeteria. After lunch we were taken to see the gym and the apartments and then I had to leave to walk to Jacobi hospital for my interview. The interview was about an hour and it was pretty conversational. We discussed my current job in a hospital, traveling, and Albert Einstein.
I arrived early and sat in on a first year lecture. I had a 1.5 hour long interview where the interviewer told me a good deal about the school. Then I joined two other interviewees and 4 medical students who took us on a tour of the library, gym, first-year lecture hall, and one of their on-campus apartments before taking us to lunch at the cafeteria. I walked around a bit on my own to get a feel for the area, and then went home.
I had already been accepted to multiple schools and was planning on withdrawing from Einstein but decided to show up just for fun. There was no tour but we had lunch with some students which was nice. My interviewer was friendly and we got along well but I felt pretty neutral by the end of it.
I arrived early enough to catch the last part of a first-year lecture...lecture hall was very nice! Then a quick lunch before waiting outside at a random unmarked pickup spot for a shuttle to bring me (sort of) to my interview. I got dropped off 25 min later, and had to walk another 15 min to get to my interview. I thought it was kind of sketchy to be walking by myself in the middle of the Bronx but whatever. The interview itself went pretty well. Then I had to walk another 10 min (to a different unmarked pick-up spot) to catch the shuttle back to the main building.
I went into this interview not expecting much, but after seeing the school and sitting in on one of the small discussion group classes, I really enjoyed it. The interview itself was extremely laid back, and very conversational. I think I asked my interviewer more questions than he asked me!
Staying wtih a student was great because I got to see what life would be like at Einstein. Everyone's really happy and don't seem to mind the loation. Residences are nice, cheap, and right across from class. Financial aid officer was pretty useless.
I'm really pissed off/confused about this one! It was by far my most relaxing and "best" interview but I still got rejected. The interview was really conversational and I did not feel any stress at all. The interviewer seemed to really like me too. The guy started the interview saying, "I've looked at your application, you're obviously qualified so I don't need to hear how you are qualified again. So let's not worry about that stuff" and we talked about random stuff. It was by far my favorite interview, but maybe I didn't talk enough and I think I would have done better with the usual embellishing of EC's and grades or whatever. Either way, I'm surprised I got rejected already (maybe a waitlist or something at least).
Oh well, it was a good interview day altogether. Basically, tour in the morning, lunch, tour of dorms, then one interview.
My day wasn't unlike the other feedback on SDN. The one thing I did do was arrive early enough to sit in on a 1st and then a 2nd year lecture. I was really impressed with them and think it was well worth my time.
I drove into the Bronx and missed my scheduled morning interview b/c of an accident on the GWB. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because the admissions office staff was nice enough to accommodate me by giving me a late afternoon interview, one that provided me with the opportunity to spend the entire day tagging along with some second-years. I sat in on two lectures, which, in addition to the campus tour/lunch, gave me a good feel for what it's like to be a student at AECOM. The interview itself was extremely laid back and barely addressed anything regarding my qualifications or applications. The interviewer stressed that AECOM seeks students with compassion, empathy, and humanity and does not believe in the "stress interview." I kind of got the feel that they don't believe in asking questions, period. As my interviewer pointed out, the interview was unlike any other I've experienced. He shared many of his experiences as a clinician as well as his views on medicine and healthcare, which was interesting.
the school is not beautiful, but the program is great. the students were very enthusiastic, and really seemed to enjoy the school... they seem to have time to enjoy NY and have fun, an hour away subway ride to manhattan.
Overall, it was less nervous than I thought. I took the advise on the SDN to talk to the applicants. The one I met in the morning was very nice so chatting helped me to divert my attention. He later on even showed me how to take the subway = ) The interview part was a little uncomfortable since my interviewer kept standing up to fix the heater. Because she is a physician, so she kept looking at the watch. After 15 mins, she already wanted to stop, but I just seized any chance I can to keep talking. Nonetheless, it was also because of that I slipped out some stupid answers that I should not have said. So...don't be nervous if your interviewer keep looking at their watch, that's just a doctor's habbit! Stay Calm!
THe interviewer did try to develop a conversation with me. The experience was like a pretty relaxing situation. I have not received their response yet, so I would know how my "chatterbox" strategy worked!
The students tour was informative. However, the tour students kept talking about where you can have drinks and have fun, which did not really help me to learn more about the medical school. But they did a good job trying to answer all the applicants' question and chill with us = )
I had a great time there. I could really see myself going there...I really want to be at a school that is more laid back than more stressful so I was really happy with the school.
The interviewer made it clear that he felt that medical school interview questions were worthless, and it was more important to ascertain if the prospective student had a good sense of humor, so we just chatted for a half hour. 'bout as low-stress as possible
I really liked Einstein. The people I met there (admissions office, students, MDs and RNs in the hospital), were all very friendly and genuinely enthusiastic about the school. The interview was very conversational, and I felt like I could have talked to my interviewer for another hour or two.
I was supposed to have an interview at 9:30 but I got there and they told me it was at 2 pm. I was very upset since I had to get to class in the evening and I got them to change it (but they weren't happy--I hope that doesn't mess up my chances). The inteview was very low-stress and the school was very impressive. I really hope i get in because there is a very good chacne I'll go if I do.
I showed up a bit before my interview and went to see the lecture that was going on. they had given me directions to my interview, which i followed. the interviewer took my file and basically read it while i was answering questions. it was a bit distracting. the interview was a bit wierd - he spoke far more than i did, and gave me a lot of info on the school that should have been presented in a formal way instead of taking over the interview. afterwards, i waited around with the other interviewees until we were told to go get lunch. the tour was after that, and it was extremely superficial (basically only the gym and student housing). then i went home.
The interviewer was really nice and the interview was very conversational. She asked me primarily stuff about my application and some of my experiences. Nothing difficult at all.
It was good. The interviewer was friendly and told me many good things about the school. It was really converstaional for the most part. I think the school is pretty awesome. It's the only pass/fail school I've visited so far and I like that no competition atmosphere. The tour guide put it perfectly: My 65 is worth just as much as my friends 95.
Overall, I liked this school. Moving to the Bronx would definitely be an adjustment for me, but I feel that I could manage it. NYC is definitely a bit claustrophobic if you are from a small city or town, though. This interview was the least structured interview I have ever been on. You basically set your own agenda, such as choosing a researcher to meet if you want, or the financial aid officer, or the dean of admissions. But if you don't want to do these things, you can skip them. The tour and lunch are recommended but are also optional; if you wanted, you could just come here, do your interview, and leave. This a la carte approach is in keeping with the general self-directed learning philosophy of the school.
I had a really great conversation with my interviewer. I felt really comfortable and I was able to highlight everything I wanted to about my application.
met with three researchers, talked about science and labwork for informal interviews. Met with two mstp committee members for formal interviews - they write up evaluations and influence your acceptance.
My interview was at Montefiore Hospital, which I took a shuttle to. I brought my application in a sealed envelope and then waited while my interviewer read it. Then she and I talked for about an hour about some of my experiences, where I say myself in the future, and what she thought about the school.
This was my first interview, so I was extremely (ha! understatement) nervous. I stayed with a student host, who was an absolute sweetheart. I was very taken away by how friendly and genuine the students are. The actual day went a lot better than I'd anticipated. I had lunch first since my interview was in the afternoon. The students took us around a little and we ate at the cafeteria before finishing the tour. We saw one of the lecture halls, the gym, and the apartments.
My interview was at the Jacobi Medical Center, which was a bit of a walk from the admissions building. I arrived very early, but my interviewer was very nice about it and had me wait while he reviewed my file. When I came in, it was surprisingly very conversational. He seemed most interested in my hobby (dance) and emphasized the importance of having a life outside of medicine. We talked a lot about NYC and other hobbies among medicine. He asked me some expected questions, but not nearly as many as I anticipated. I thought I was going to have to sell myself, but he didn't ask many questions that required me to! Overall, I hope I left a good impression and I was very pleased with the whole experience.
I interviewed with a physician at the university hospital just around the corner from the medical school. You bring your interviewer your file in a sealed envelope and then wait while they review it for about 15 minutes. My interviewer was very nice, seemed to really want to get to know me, and also wanted to make sure all of my questions were answered.
I arrived at the admissions office and was given a sealed envelope with my application to bring to the interviewer. I was sent next door to the hosptial where I was interviewed by a doctor who was an Einstein graudate herself. She took about 5 minutes to read through my application before the interview. The interview itself was a pleasant experience - she basically asked me to talk about my experiences listed on my application (volunteer work, research, hobbies etc.). The interview lasted 25-30 minutes. Afterward I was going to go to a second-year lecture, but it was nearly over, so I didn't end up going. Later in the day, there was a lunch meeting with first and second year students, followed by a tour of the campus. Everyone seemed very enthusiastic, and no one had anything bad to say. Overall, it was a very positive experience.
You should arrive earlier than they tell you to. Depending on your interview location, you will have to walk to one the hospitals across the street from the teaching complexes. There was construction going on, so I had to walk around to the main entrance of the hospital I was going to, which was slightly stressful considering I was getting short on time. You give your file to the interviewer, and talk for about an hour. It is pretty conversational. After that, you return to the admissions office and wait for a student tour and lunch at the kosher cafeteria. After that, you are free to leave and walk around.
My experience was very positive. I arrived early for my 9:30 AM appointment and discovered that it had been pushed back an hour because my interviewer had to schedule a patient in at the last moment. My newly assigned interviewer was a surgeon at Jacobi and instead of taking a shuttle across the Bronx, I was able to walk up the street 10 minutes to get to my interview.
My interviewer was very enthusiastic about the school and the willingness of the faculty or administration to help students achieve their goals in becoming an MD repeatedly came up. We discussed music, foreign languages, committment to patient care, and optimism regarding healthcare reform and having a family alongside a career in surgery. I had to remind myself continually that this was an interview and not a conversation I was having with a mentor. Needless to say, the interview made a superb impression on an already convinced candidate. I left my interview and the campus enamored with the Bronx and AECOM...
He did allow me to ask quite a few questions I had prepared ahead of time and although he couldn't answer some of them regarding recent academic changes or the MD/MS in clinical research program, his responses were very helpful.
Had never been to New York so had a lot of ideas of what to expect, but it was so much more awesome than I thought. People were cool, sights were cool (of course) and everything just went very smoothly. School's appearance was a little more run down that I would have thought, but the facilities, first and second year lecture halls, were amazing and basically brand new. Students were great, very open and seemed to really enjoy being students there. The faculty was also very positive and laid back. One faculty member stopped and talked to me for a half an hour just because he saw I was there for an interview and told me about my interviewer and tips and other interesting tid bits about the university. Interview itself was increadibly short, or so it seemed, and more conversational than expected. Overall a great experience and would definitely consider this school seriously if accepted.
This was my first interview so i was a wreck. First thing i noticed about NY is the drivers there have balls of steel. They are maniacs with a car. I took a train to manhattan(i stayed in queens at comfort inn next to queensborough station, great hotel bad location) to fifth ave. Went onto madison ave and took BxM10 to the school. Bus ride was about 45mins. Admissions is actually on 2nd floor of the first building you see when you get off on Eastwhester/Morris Park ave. It's the building closest to the corner. Admissions ppl were super nice. I was 2 hours early so i went to the library to check SDN for a bit. met a few great fellow applicants. My interview was with Dr Junthini at the conference room on the admissions office's floor. Talked mostly about family, she asked the typical questions and tried to get to know me. She heard every word i said and she even repeated back some to me. Talked about South America for a bit(side tracked) but i thought there was a connection. I was a bit nervous but i figure what the hell. My performance could've been better with less stuttering and less mumbling and more eye contact. She took massive amounts of notes as we were talking. Overall I dont think she'll strongly suggest me to the committee.
Very fake front from the interviewerer. He seemed extremely enthusiastic about all the detail I provided about why I wanted to go to Einstein. Later heard I wasn't accepted because of the interview.
Some of the interviews are offsite. Though the office pays for the cabs, it is important to get there on time (I got there with plenty of time to spare and am glad I did)The interviewer took about 1/2 an hour to read my file (I waited outside and had a great conversation with his assistant). When he was done, he came to get me and he then asked me to tell him about myself. Besides that slightly awkward intro he was focused, interested, welcoming and open to my opinions. We laughed and I felt that he offered me the opportunity to be myself. I had a wonderful experience.
I was prepared for the day from previous sdn feedback. I arrived for my 9 a.m. interview at about 8:40, but security wouldn't let me in the building (but today was the first interview day of the year, after all, and the guard didn't know). Three other people were waiting with me by the time they let us in, after 9. Then the very nice woman in the admissions office told me my interview was at Jacobi, which is about a 10 minute walk from the main school building. Thankfully she called the interviewer to let her know I was coming and why I was late. The interview itself was really cool. It was in the pediatric emergency department, which was neat. The admissions office hands you a sealed folder with your file in it and you hand this to the interviewer. So I sat out in the office with the ER secretaries for 30+ minutes while my interviewer read my file. That wasn't so bad though; at least she was paying attention! The interview was actually a conversation, not an interview. She didn't ask me any hard questions, or really many questions at all. We just talked. A guy who also interviewed today said that his interview was really tough and that his interviewer grilled him, though, so I'm sure it depends on how lucky you are with your interviewer. My interview lasted a really long time (over an hour), so I didn't have a chance to go to a first year lecture. I met up with my friend who is a student for lunch in the cafeteria, which they gave us a voucher for. Actually the wonderful admissions lady gave me an extra one for my husband, who came with me. I skipped the tour because I know the school, and visited with friends (in the housing and at Jacobi Hospital) instead. The tour doesn't show much anyway. Overall I think it was a good day, and I just hope my interviewer felt the same!
Interviewed by the Dean of Admissions, born and raised in the Bronx. Was asked repeatedly why I thought I could live in the Bronx, as if to catch me in some unflattering statement re: his borough. Very general, very unprepared interviewer. Late. Not an MD, so couldn't talk medicine. NOT the experience I flew across the country for.
Pretty relaxed, don't forget an umbrella or a raincoat, and you can take the subway from the JFK to Grand Central and save yourself about $15. The Metro bus to AE is about a block away from the Grand Central subway stop; and bring a rolling suitcase!
The interview as challenging, as I did to get in on my first try to AECOM. The interviewer, after we were finished, told me that he was a lot harder on me than he would be on a first time applicant. He asked me difficult questions, criticized me on many aspects, and the topics we touched on were expansive. We discussed many different subject areas, from biochemistry to histology to american history, as well as discussing me and my personal life. He had read my file very well, and knew everything that was written, as well as making inferences about me that were shockingly correct (something about neurosurgeons). However, he assumed things about me that were untrue as well, and waited as I refuted each untruth. I wanted, at one point in time, to raise my voice and tell him that what he thought was completely untrue, but held my composure and defended myself without getting him defensive in the process. It was definitely stessful, but it was, as I said, blunt and to the point. The answers I gave were concise and clear, and as bad as this may sound, it was the best interview I have had in my life, in terms of medical school and jobs, etc. I enjoyed it as much as I was stressed by it.
Nothing out of the ordinary. Standard questions, but it's completely dependent upon your interviewer since they're free to ask whatever they'd like. Closed-file, so my interviewer knew absolutely nothing about me beforehand. She seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me as a person. She also introduced me to a resident who'd attended AECOM to answer any further questions.
I showed up right on time and had to take a shuttle to my interview, then got lost in the hospital once I got there, since the door to the interview site had an access code. Be sure you get there on time: shuttles to the sites only leave every half hour or so. The interviewer was very friendly - usually interviews are closed-file, but he orders his ahead of time so he has time to read them. He didn't know much about the school, so couldn't answer my questions. Afterwards, the tour was thorough and organized, including a student room and school facilities. Only downside: nobody from the staff/faculty available to answer questions about curriculum, etc.
I had Albert Einstein as my first choice before interviewing and the interview experience even exceeded my expectations. The people are all very helpful, even if the buildings are a bit of a maze (not different from any other hospital or school I've interviewed). I love the school's social commitment and felt it matched my interests very much.
I thought that this was the hardest interview that I had been on to date. My interviewer was very interrogational, and seemed unimpressed with me. She would not accept my answers (e.g. her: why did you quit pre-med?
me: b/c i didn't feel that I was a competitive candidate at the time and wanted to concentrate on my family issues.
her: but why did you feel your grades weren't good-- you went to a good school.
me: My advisor told me that I couldn't apply with these grades.
her: I don't understand. you went to a good school.
me: I guess my heart just wasn't in it at the time.
etc.
After a long/somewhat-sketchy trip up to Einstein, the hotel they provided was very comfortable (you're with another applicant), the dinner with MSTP students was great, the coordination of pick-up by van in the morning was efficient, and the interview day was for the most part straightforward. I didn't feel all that stressed, but I also never felt like I could get across what I wanted to in the interviews, which was more personal attributes that wouldn't be as emphasized on my applications. The MSTP seems very strong and efficient. Things seem to run well: from administrative matters to individual research.
Do not stress too much about the interviews. They are focused highly on your research (so know that well), and you will have to work to get some more personal qualities through to them (although I did have one or two people ask what I like to do outside of class). Overall, I had a good impression leaving the school (as I traveled back on the Express Shuttle instead of the subway).
Wonderful school, warm place and wonderful faculty and students. Nice living conditions and facilities. The interview was extremely relaxed and friendly and the doctor even let me sit in on a talk he gave right afterwards. Dont stress about these interviews!
Arrived at the admissions office, picked up my sealed folder, went on the tour, had lunch. Then took the shuttle bus to Montefiore and walked to my interviewer's office, had my interview, which was pretty relaxed and casual. He read my file before I came in, but he definitely paid attention and asked me questions relating to it. He was very kind and encouraging. Overall a good experience. (It was my first interview, so I'm glad it was pretty calm.)
My interviewer was really nice and the interview was VERY laid-back. It was a little weird though since we hardly discussed anything that was in my application. There were no ethical questions or anything of that sort. Be prepared for the fact that your interviewer doesn not see your file until you bring it to him or her in a sealed envelope. Before my afternoon interview there was a tour given by students and lunch with 2nd year students. Other than that there was no information about the school. Overall, everyone at Einstein seemed to really like ti and everyone who I spoke to had a very pleasant not stressful interview.
AE is a wonderful place. The Bronx is not as bad as people described it. The interview day was very enjoyable overall, I got there on time even though I took the wrong bus and had to walk 4 blocks. Make sure you plan your transportation. The tour was very informative and long enough to really show what the school has to offer. The interview itself was relatively short but conversational. The students appear to be happy at AE and seem to like the fact that it isnt in Manhattan.
My interviewer is a dean at the school and is super involved in student life and was really aware of the student body and programs at Einstein so it was really great to have a casual conversation with him.
The admissions office gives you your sealed file to bring to the interviewer. My interviewer didn't read my file until after I left, so he took the time to really try and get to know me during the 45 minute conversation.
Interview took place at an off-site office with a physician. Very laid back person who just wanted to get to know me and made the process very comfortable.
My interview was very relaxed and the interviewer was very friendly. As was mentioned in other summaries, the interviewer did not see my file until I brought it. The doctor read it quickly though, and seemed to be very familiar with it when we began talking.
Overall I liked the school, but did not connect with the interviewer. He did not ask one question realated to why I wanted to study medicine. I spent most of the time explaining the choices I made in college as well as talking about my family. I felt he was just passing the time and had no interest in what I was saying.
The intyerviews were set in an stress free environment. The interview day consists of 2formal interviews with members of the MSTP commitee and at least 3 informal interviews with faculty who are doing research in the student's area of interst. The formal interviews were 45-60 minutes in length and were given in the Committee member's office, right next to their labs. Yet despite being "formal" interviews they were quite layback and took shape as a conversation rather than just Q & A. The informal interviews were 30 minutes each but they are meant for the student to get an idea of what kind of research takes place at the school. The interviewer's in the informal do not give evaluations nor are they members of the admissions committee so one has the oppurtunity to relax and not be on their toes. All I would recomend is to know your research really well as questions on specifics do come up.
PROS: 1) the facilities are very nice. 2) pass/fail grading system and honors/pass/fail grading sytsem in second year means the students work together a lot and are not cut throat 3) students do well above the national average on the USMLE 4) students were extremely happy with their experience at Einstein 5) student housing is cheap (approximately $300 a month) albeit it feels like you're living in a dorm again 6) beginning of each class, the students get a list of all the power point slides that the professors will use, so you don't need to go to class and can just study the power point slides (which can be good for some students and not good for others) 7) there's an express bus that goes to Manhattan that leaves pretty frequently CONS: 1) the library closes early on Fridays and is not open on Saturdays since its a Jewish-affiliated campus. this is not a big deal though--students I hear study at Fordham's library which is right down the street. 2) the interviewer does not see your file before hand. when you first arrive, you go to the admissions office and they give you a sealed packet with all of your info that you must give to your interviewer. when I reached my interview location, I gave the packet to my interviewer. i then i sat in a room for 20 - 30 minutes while my interviewer read over my file in another room. the interviewer then called me in and i had my interview with the interviewer. i have no idea why the heck einstein does this. if the interviewer had more time to prepare, i feel that he could have asked better questions to get to know me aside from the standard--"why medicine? why einstein? what should i tell the admissions committee about you?". they should really change this. i see no reason for it to be this way. this pertains to the interview though and not to the quality of education at einstein which, overall, is pretty darn good.
I really enjoyed my day at Einstein. From the other interviewees, to my interviewer, to the students, everyone was really friendly. The interviewer was tough but still friendly! She even arranged for me to talk to an Einstein graduate who was a resident. Tour is good, they show you housing and the first-year lecture hall. Seems like a great place to go and EVERYONE seems to love it there, which says a lot. Only negative is the Bronx!
I was dissapointed with the interview process because we only got one interview and when we got there, we were rushed off to our various interview locations. I handed my interviewer my file and he had me wait in the hall while he reviewed it. He didnt even ask too many questions about my file, but when I sat down, he said "so, any questions?" and the rest of the interview consisted of me asking questions and him doing most of the talking. I was a bit dissapointed because he knows me through the questions that I asked about the school, which werent too exciting. And he didnt know too much about the mechanics of the med school, so it wasnt too helpful for me and made him feel uncomfortably when I asked him about the curriculum and related things.
Since this was my first interview I was very nervous, but the style is very conversational and casual. The doctor glanced over my appl. for a few minutes in the beginning.
Fairly relaxed--interviewer was a pro! And an interesting person! I did have to take a shuttle to get over there though...which meant I had to be there earlier than I had wanted to be...
The interview went really well. My interviewer was very friendly and put me at ease right away. The tour and luncheon were very informal, but I got great feedback from the students. The students all seemed really happy and I could definitely see myself there.
This was by far the most casual interview I've had so far. My interviewer did almost as much talking as I did and told me off the bat that he wasn't interested in "rehearsal answers to typical interview questions." The day was a really nice break from the standard interview.
My interview experience was really great, especially considering it was my first interview. My interviewer was really nice and casual. It was very conversational, and he only asked me maybe 3 real questions. The campus is small, but it's sufficient for the students' needs. I had really low expectations for the surrounding area because lots of people on this site have such negative comments about the Bronx, but it's not as bad as they make it out to be--you just can't go there expecting Manhattan. My interviewer even gave me feedback at the end of the interview, which was nice. I hope I get accepted there!
I interviewed with a surgeon at Jacobi Medical Center. He was really nice. AECOM has you walk your own file over to the interview so I watched my interviewer read my file for 20 minutes, during which he asked me simple questions- how did i like my undergrad, how did i like my high school, what my sibling is up to, and do i have any questions about surgery. My interviewer was nice enough to take time out of his schedule to bring me to the operating room where I got to see two surgeries. It was great!
everyone was very nice and helpful in the admissions office. The interviewer was casual and the students giving the tour and around campus seem happy and friendly.
Most relaxed interview so far, he quickly glanced at my file and then we took a walking tour of the hospital while we talked. In the end, he told me he enjoyed meeting me and I could look forward to an acceptance if he had anything to say about it.
Aside from the pouring rain, having to travel 20 minutes to a nearby hospital, and standing in the rain for 30 minutes waiting for my interviewer, it was excellent. The Dr. who interviewed me was very nice, frank, and informative about the school.
the tour was a little disorganized, not many people paid attention, lunch was pretty good food - buffet -
my interviewer was very nice and we simply talked about my life, my family, and my hobbies.
the 60 minutes really fly by...seemed like 15 minutes
i would go to aecom in an instant
tip: stay with a student host to really experience and get a feel of what the school is like.
the interviwer didn't really seem interested in anything i said. since my interview was so early in the application cycle, he basically told me that i was going to get mutiple acceptances from other schools. i got the impression that he thought i would not attend einstein if i were accepted. waiting for the rejection letter...
My interviewer was great. He even gave me a tour of the children's hospital and then walked me to my bus stop. Everybody at Albert Einstein was very friendly.
I wasn't really asked any questions. This should have been an ideal opportunity for me to take initiative and talk about anything I wanted, but I was completely exhausted and really said very little. My interviewer also kept wanting to know what questions I had - four or five or six times!
The interview was short and relaxed, the doc only asked 3 questions and the rest of the time we just chatted. The campus tour was pretty short too, as a group we saw a lecture hall, the cafeteria, and student housing. It would have been nice to see more of the medical facilities or labs but you can (like I did) seek out those things on your own.
My interviewer kept me waiting for over 45 minutes before he called me into his office. Then, after I finally went in, he spent 5 minutes frowning and grunting at my file. Finally, he started asking me questions. When he asked me why I wanted to be a doctor and I explained, he continued frowning at me and told me he didn't understand why I wanted to be a doctor and that I wasn't making a case for my career choice. he talked about a bad chemistry grade--which i explained that i received while working 2 jobs and playing on my school basketball team--and he told me that i would probably have difficulty cutting it in med school. Then he asked me why I wanted to be a doctor again. Overall, the interviewer attacked every answer or career interest that I had. The entire experience was more stress than was necessary. The only good thing is Einstein gives money for research and other interests is students want to take a fifth year.
interviewer was late to the interview by 20 minutes. she was very nice tho. however she looked very tired and when i was giving her answers i caught her eyes wandering around the room. she ocassionally would just stare at the floor and blank out. when i was finished giving my answer she would still be staring off into space. i had to directly ask her "any more questions?" to wake her up. i also did not like the fact she asked me if i had any other acceptances. that is personal info
I left Einstein with a positive view of the students and facilities, and an exceptionally high opinion of the administration and the faculty. Many of the students seemed truly happy with their decision to study at Einsten and had substantive examples of how the administration supported them (study assistance, financial assistance for research interests, encouraging and funding abroad rotations) As I said, between this and the hospitals, it is easy to see why Einstein is looked at so favorably among medical students and critics alike.
I was favorably impressed from the get-go. They were very attentive and pleasant about every part of the process. The students were friendly, they encouraged us to look in on a first-year lecture unaccompanied (which I liked because you're not being "social", you can just watch), I loved my meetings with the researchers (who took extra time to go over their work with me and both of whom encouraged me to come back and visit again), and my interviewer was terrific. I don't know whether she was chosen on purpose, but as an older female student it was great to talk to a woman with kids who really understands what the issues are for women in medicine.
Overall, a really great day. I came away hoping I got in.
Have a few things you definetly want to express during the interview. They may not ask you directly about an experience but if you know what you want to say you should be able to fit in in the conversation
the staff at Admissions was extremely helpful and warm. the people i was interviewing with, on the other hand, seemed very aloof. my interview itself though was not stressful at all; he just wanted to get to know me personally. i was surprised not to be asked about anything in my application. it was strictly just "me."
I just did not get the best feeling from the students giving the tour, which was our only form of information about the school (no orientation, no information booklets). Hard to get a good feel about the school without talking to any sort of administrator. Learned nothing about financial aid or residency placements. For a top 50 school, I thought they could do a much better job with the interview day.
My interviewer made an effort to make me feel at ease. We talked about more than my application. The secrataries told me that my interviewer had such school pride that he usually takes students around the school to show them certain things.
I was allowed to sit in on a lecture. The school itself is pretty nice.
Got to school early b/c i had a 9:00am interview. School looks nice. Area around school looks okay, not too scary. You carry your file to the interviewer, so my interviewer took around 20 minutes to read my file while I waited in his research lab. interview was very laid back and more conversational style. he asked about my family. Got into the subject of language and if it was hard for me or my parents (i'm vietnamese, Cali born but parents from Vietnam). Also got into whole animal research ethics and peta (my lab works with rabbits) and if it was okay to do animal research. Also got into research ethics questions. Wasn't too bad for ethical questions b/c it was more like a discusssion than question-answer. Very pleasant interviewer. Lunch was good. We ate at their kosher cafeteria, which was not that much of a difference to me since i'm not jewish but was good for jewish interviewee. Lunch was all you can eat, better than some of the other places i interviewed at. tour did not extend to hospital, but we did see the new first years lecture halls (which were very sweeet) and one of the M1's housing apartments. I was done after the tour, took the express bus from the school straight into manhattan, then went sight-seeing.
The interviewer was very nice, but asked difficult questions that were very specific to psychiatry. Also, the interviewer emphasized the fact that Einstein students are unique - they challenge everything and are not your "typical" medical students.
I loved my interview experience. My interviewer was a pediatric geneticist, who really seemed interested in my background and in me as a person. I was also able to ask several questions of my own, which he graciously answered.
I'm willing to bet I have the same lady the other people who posted negatively had. Either she had no personality or she came into the interview already having decided that she didn't like me. She had no desire to discuss any part of my college life outside of my GPA and MCAT scores. She attacked me and at one point backed me into a corner I did not even get myself into. I really like the school itself- it upset me greatly that the interview was such an awful experience.
Took the Express Bus which was very clean, nice and safe. Stayed at Holiday Inn-Midtown for $110/night and it was a nice safe hotel. Everything was so relaxed at the interview.
My interviewer seemed to not understand why I had not been accepted last year. he was positive, but realistic. It's so obvious to me at this point that most mds dont have any respect for the mcat, but schools treat them as pages from the Bible.
I interviewed at Montefiore Children's rahter than the main campus. The interview truly was conversational. He briefly went over my app and basically just talked about anything that struck his fancy.
My interview was very laid back. The doctor that interviewed me did not ask me that many questions. He would bring up a topic and we would discuss our opinions about it.
Overall my interview experience was very pleasant. My student host was awesome. The interview was very informal and low-key. The students running the tour gave a lot of good information, we were allowed to get as much food as we wanted during lunch, and the students in general were very friendly.
I had a really nice interview. My interviewer asked me broad questions in where I was free to answer in any way that I wanted. My interviewer also gave me feedback and seemed pleased with my answers.
Albert Einstein is definitely near the top of my list now. The tour guides were so frank about the weaknesses and very ethusiastic about the strengths. My interviewer was an hour late, but we ended up talking for more than an hour. He asked a lot of questions about my family, but no boring interview questions which was a nice change. He even walked me out the door, and told me what bus to take home! Be prepared to ask a lot of questions.
Though the interview was open file the interviewer did not recieve my file until I hand-delivered it. All of the questions I was asked related directly to my file and specific experiences so that was easy. The rest of the time was devoted to my questions about the school.
an older and likable doctor, did ask me a few off the wall questions, but asked me a few questions i considered off limits like what schools have you been accepted to, which rejected from...also asked me questions then told me the best answers he had ever gotten. gee thanks. at the end he told me the school i had gotten into was a good option...I thought that was not a great sign.
The interview day proceeded in the following order: sit in first-year lecture, morning interview, sit in second-year lecture, tour facilities, lunch, tour dormitory, finish. I was handed a confidential envelope containing my application material, to be transferred to the interviewer. The actual interview covered expected topics such as medicine, hobbies, and community services. The first-year lecture hall was newly renovated and looks better than that of the second-years. If you arrive earlier than your scheduled interview or your interview finished before lunch, you are told to either sit in on a lecture or lounge around. Fellow interviewers and student tour guides were quite amicable. Food at the dining hall was terrific and paid for with an "all you can take" food voucher. Shared 2,3-bedroom housings are quite affordable. The school closes on Saturday but in reality students still have 24-hour access. Affiliated hospitals cover quite a lot of territory to emphasize the quality of specialty at each region. A great feel.
The interviewer immediately put me at ease. She mostly asked me questions relating to my experience in my file and the basics (why medicine). There were no difficult questions, no bioethical questions. She only asked me questions for about fifteen minutes, then it was just for questions I had. I only had a few, I wished I had had more!
Because I interviewed at Beth Israel, I didn't feel like I got a very thorough experience with the school. I did enjoy being able to sit in on a firt year lecture for a little while, and I think the facilities are very nice. The people were approachable and friendly, the student housing is convenient. I do think I'd get frustrated being so close to the excitement of Manhattan but having it be so inconvenient to get there. A lot of students commented on it being a drag to have to go into the city sometimes. Oh, and my interviewer talked a lot about another school I interviewed at because he went there, and for a minute I felt like I was interviewing at that other school still, not AECOM!
There was no presentation given from the admissions office. I didn't even get a pamphlet about the school. So really, I learned nothing about the school. The living situation is bad and there were no tours of any hospitals. The actual intervew was laid back and low stress.
very relaxed. we were told that only the first two formal interviews in the morning "counted". the other four were informal meetings with PIs whose research I was interested in.
It seemed like it was at the end of a long day of interviewing and the guy was pretty much tired of the usual BS. Lots of ethical questions and questions about motivations for medicine.
The other applicants were really cool/diverse/interesting, the other MSTP students were really nice/helpful as well. I could see myself being friends with all of them. You don't feel like youre competing when youre surrounded by people so willing to help each other. I had a great time having dinner with other applicants/students and strongly urge all of you to make it to the dinner because thats where you really attain an understanding of what life may be like for you for the next 7 or so years.
My interviewer was such a nice guy, a nephrologist/pediatrician. He didn't ask me any question at all. He spent the whole interview (which lasted almost two hours rather than the standard 45 minutes) telling me how great the school is, how nice New York City is, where I should go to sightsee, how much he enjoys working with children, universal health care, and how important a research background is, and walking me back to the children's hospital (after showing me a couple of floors). It was an extremely pleasant experience.
good overall; interviewer read my file while i sat across for him, so just the usual questions. very nice though, and had much experience with Einstein
I wish this school would organize its interview day. There was nothing to do all day until my interview. If the students could not answer your questions, you were out of luck.
I arrived very nervous, but was soon put to ease by the extremely friendly students, staff and faculty. The other applicants and I went to dinner with the current students the night before the interviews. I learned a lot about the program and was really surprised at how laid back and HAPPY the students are. They love their school, which I think really says a lot. We then went to a student's apartment where they had set up a small party for us. The housing is great and more current students came by to say hello. I had 2 formal and 4 informal interviews the next day. They were all really low stress and comfortable. We never took a tour, but I wish we had. Overall, I had a great experience and was really impressed with the school and its learning environment. I give it two thumbs up!
I hopped on the Express Bus from the city in the morning. The ride was not bad at all, $4.00 exact change only. It was as safe as I can get in NYC. My interview was in another location and I was sent off in a limo cab (for free). There are restaurants and stores around. I don't know what some previous posts were talking about, but you would have to walk around to see. From the previous posts, I thought that the surrounding neighborhood would be bad, but it wasn't that bad at all. It's representative of the diverse population of NYC. You would be living like a real New Yorker (a perspective living from another borough) and not a Manhattanite.
The location of the school isn't too great, but as for the school itself, I got a positive impression. I had numerous first years tell me that the atmosphere is very non-competitive; they help one another willingly. I liked the diversity of the class. Because you give your interviewer your file right before the interview, he doesn't know much about you. Hence, he asked me basic questions i.e. tell me about your extracurriculars, what do you you for fun, research, etc. There were no ethical questions and we basically had a nice conversation.
Very positive. Students are happy and friendly. The program is a solid mix of traditional lecture and integrated/pbl. Interview was laid back and I felt he was genuinely interested in what I had to say and who I was as an applicant.
Einstein has always been my top choice for medical school mostly because of their reputation and numerous community service activities. However, I got there with high hopes as to the general organization of the interview onlt to be disappointed. I arrived early and had to sit around till the tour and lunch with first years. After which we had to wait around for our interviews. The others would interviewed in the morning left after the tour. We got a little talk with the one of the second graduating class members who is still affliated with the school. He talked about his love for the school and why we should come there if chosen. Then he took those interested in a tour of the hospital. I couldn't make it because it was then time for my interview. Anyways I left there with the same impression I had when I came, which is a good thing being that my impression was good to begin with. I just which they had a more elaborate schedule for the interview day.
Two formal interviews (~50 mins each, though they can be as short as 25, depending on your schedule) and several informal interviews (to learn about your interviewers' research, mostly) make up most of the day, which is broken up by lunch (the food really is terrible) and a tour.
I'm really glad I visited - it was my top choice school from the logistics of the school, but it seemed a little depressing when I went there. I'm sure, though, that if I end up going, it'll be a great opportunity for me to grow as a person and physician, because the school offers some great research, cultural, and professional opportunities in the community, city, and abroad.
The interview was easy and conversational, but at times the conversation seemed a bit forced.
The interview day was not as structured as I would have liked. The tour of the campus was good, but the tour of the clinical facilities was scheduled at a time that was difficult for everyone to get to.
I loved Einstein and I would feel lucky to get into the school. They are a stone's throw from Manhattan, students complete their clinical rotations in 5 very different hospitals and graduate with a wide range of skills. I was postively impressed with their social medicine and community medicine focus. They also encourage and allow their students to do research and take advantage of opportunities to learn in an international setting.
Einstein offers its students many perks and makes student life comfortable and I think it shows in the positive attitude and demeanor of the students there.
It is also a very family-friendly institution. If you are married or have children they are very supportive.
I love Einstein. Definitely my first choice. The school is really involved in community outreach programs and encourages activity outside of class. I pray that I get accepted.
An excellent school. While the interviews seem a bit disorganized, on the whole, Einstein appears to be filled with very socially-conscious faculty and students.
Pretty good day. My interview was a very conversational, nonconfrontational experience. The students are really nice and seem to have a pretty good group synergy. Facilities aren't bad but I wasn't overly impressed in general. You know some places you go to and you just feel it. Nevertheless it's a great school and you just have to see if it's for you.
i hated everything about this school. the location is supposed to be in a nicer part of the bronx but when i got off the train my gut reaction was that i did not want to live there for 4 years. the school is in a very residential area with no restaurants/businesses around. i stayed with a student in the subsidized apts across the street. their rent is really cheap but the apts are really old and not very spacious. the school itself seemed very reserved. for most people i met the school was one of their last choices. the curriculum is very traditional and there is very little integration of topics. also, they do not have any real small-group learning sessions. coming from california, einstein is not worth the cross-country move for me.
the interview itself lasted an hour and a half. my interviewer only asked me a few questions and spent the rest of the time talking about the school, which was informative, but i have no idea what she even got out of our interview.
The best and easiest interview I ever had. The interviewer was interested in me, as a person, and whether I would fit in with the friendly, low key student body. I got the impression the school really cares about all its students' well being and comfort.
Overall, a nice day. I wish the interview went better because the doctor I interviewed with really didn't ask me questions. She talked about her experiences and the experiences of people she knew. But seeing that she only had 5 minutes to review my file, I guess that makes sense. The students were great. I enjoyed speaking to them and I think they were honest.
First of all, there is an informal dinner with current MD/PhD students the night before the interview day. It is held at a small Italian restaurant just up the street from the school in the northeast Bronx. The dinner is really a great time to get the nitty-gritty about the program and life at Einstein. Then, the next day, there are two formal and five informal interviews. Honestly, the formal interviews are pretty straightforward (and in my case, very conversational), due at least in part to the fact that they are for the MD/PhD program. Both my interviewers seemed more concerned that I could effectively describe my research than answer some trivial question about why I wanted to go to Einstein or explain the circumstances surrounding that C+ I got in organic chemistry freshman year. However, talking to some of the other candidates that were interviewing that day, it seems that their experiences varied greatly. As for the informal interviews, they are really relaxed and do not negatively impact your chances for acceptance. In fact, it seems that they are mainly an opportunity for the school to sell itself to the candidates. However, the informals can be mind-numbing (with all the scientific jargon being floated as the faculty members describe their research) so it was fortunate that I had both of my formals first -- others were not so lucky. Overall, I was impressed (and surprised) by the entire interview experience.
I got grilled on neurological v. sociological models of addiction which I didn't know much about and I was just speculating to the best of my ability.... the other half of the interview was more about me
It wasn't a totally laid-back interview, because though she was nice, she really went deep into why medicine and why Einstein. I'm better at the why medicine question b/c this was my 5th interview and I had thought of what to say ahead of time. She did comment that my choice of working with elderly with mental retardation was rather unique. Most other applicants "read books to cancer kids", the common stuff.
I had an excellent interview experience...the questions were challenging and stimulating, the day was well organized, and I would gladly go to AE if given the opportunity.
Overall, I'm still pretty neutral about my experiece at Albert Einstein. The school itself was pretty nice, as was the cafeteria, apartments, and gym. The area doesn't look too great though, plus the hospitals could stand a renovation. It's really close to NYC, so you can get there on any given weekend, but it's also far enough away that you won't be distracted during the week. I interviewed with a pediatric oncologist; we didn't really "click" but the conversation kept going for 50 minutes, so I guess that's good.
I wasn't blown away by einstein. I arrived at the admissions office a half hour early as directed. They gave me my file to carry to my interview. it took me 10 minutes to walk to my interview site, however, my interviewer wasn't there. Luckily, one of the guys on the elevator with me worked in my interviewers lab so he let me in. i waited for about 25 more minutes for my interviewer to show up and then another 20 minutes for him to read my file. The interview was very laid back, nothing to stress over. It was very conversational.
Housing is nice and cheap. Classes are right across the street from the dorms. The first year lecture hall is beautiful. Despite the not so exciting location in the bronx, all of the students were very happy
I think it has very much to do with your interviewer. I had a great experience with mine but some of my fellow interviewees said they didn't feel they had "clicked" with theirs. It's a great school, the downside is the location in the Bronx.
It was a pretty standard interview. I think they match you up with specific interviewers. My interviewer was a Chinese American female (like myself) while others had Jewish males (like themselves.) She asked me about my research and some of the things I wrote about in my essay. Halfway through, she asked me if there were any questions I wanted to ask her and that was basically it.
Let me just say that Dr. Petersen is a nice man, but he is a little grandiose in that he told me with confidence at the start of the interview that I was "in" and that this interview was a formality. He was very complimentary regarding my credentials, letters of reference, etc. He shared with me some details about himself that were totally appropriate and about medicine. HOWEVER, I was not accepted and the interview went very well. I thought that there was a really good give and take and that he genuinely liked me. Even though I didn't get in, I have no reason to think that he thought ill of me. The only thing was is that he was so certain of his role or influence that I did not address my one weakness (at least in my head) which was an average physical sciences section score. How can one be rejected on something like that alone; its easy there are so many of us vying for the same seat that competition is intense. He further implored that I contatc the director of admissions, Noreen Kerrigan and to state that he "directed me to contatc her directly" Needless to say, she was not interested in speaking to me, and the secretaryy reported to me that Dr. Petersen needed to stop saying this to students. Im not saying that I would have gotten in had I had the oppurtunity to explain my "deficiency," but his personal enthusiasm for an individual and his own sense of his importance in the admissions process is, shall we say, "inflated."
The interview was conversational. However, it was stressful to a degree because I was asked many ethics questions. I was asked my opinion on free speech, abortion, affirmative action, and euthanasia. I was then given situation appropiate to each topic. We jumped around and hit many topics.
Overall it was good , my interiewer seemed genuine, showed care and concern. Was generally relaxed , he wanted to get to know me. Did not ask me any dreaded ethical questions.
The take home message i'd like to give is that AECOM does in fact have a few interviewers that apparently give STRESS interviews, regardless of what students or faculty might say. While reading through some of the other entries for this school, I thought I must have gotten the same person. I got absolutely hammered with questions on abortion, the war in iraq, physician assisted suicide, affirmative action, I thought I was on "The O'Reilly Factor" or something. This lady was completely unfriendly , and when my interview was over, she barely even said goodbye. By some act of God, I was accepted this january. After that interview, I couldnt believe the letter.
Overall, I like the school, but it was far and away my hardest interview.
Einstein is a great school, and I'd be happy to go there. The student body isn't very diverse, but I can live with that. I think that they also give out merit scholarships, which is always a hopeful plus!
Great interview. Tough to remember the interviewer knows very little about my file (he only got to read it when I handed it to him, and he proceeded to read it for 15 min. while I sat outside his office).
The interviewer seemed to question a couple of my answers as if he didn't think I was being sincere or didn't know what I was talkin about. He could have just been testing how I dealt with pressure.
My day began with my interview. My interviewer was not prepared and was about 40 min late. My interviewer had not read over my file very well, and did not ask me many questions. I felt as though my interviewer knew as much about me when I left as when I came in. It was obvious my interviewer did not know what to ask me so we chatted about the school and my interviewer's experiences at the school. Then I went on a tour and lunch.
The day consists of the interview, tour by students, lunch, and a brief talk from someone on the admissions committee who was a member of the second graduating class from AECOM. He related his experiences, and attempted to sell the school by telling stories of the unique students that Albert Einstein is looking for. The tour was very short - we walked past the library and then toured AECOM'S gym and Apts. Lunch was very good - don't be scared that it is strictly kosher. My interview was, in my opinion, pretty far away. It was not a stressful interview. My interviewer says that the interview itself counts for less than the personal statement and #'s.
My interviewer was an MD and seemed very nice. She asked me to wait in the hall while she read my file. She was friendly and the interview was conversational.
It was a very nice day. Admissions office staff is so nice. The interview itself was mostly closed-file, but my interviewer did glance at my MCAT scores toward the end of the conversation and mention my lowest one. The interview was very laid back and friendly. After the interview a couple current students took the 4 of us interviewees to lunch in the cafeteria and then took us on a tour of the library, anatomy lab, apartments, and gym. That was it. This is a no-stress interview and day--just be yourself.
Great. I didn't expect to fall as much in love with the school as I did. Just be prepared for a bit of a mess in the day's schedule, especially if you're at the end of your interviews and used to how some other schools really lead you around and keep you organized.
I waited half an hour for my interviewer and then I only got to speak with her for 25 minutes because she didn't want me to be late for the lunch and tour. I'm glad she didn't ask the usual questions about why I want to be a doctor, why I want to go to Einstein. The interview was pretty conversational.
All of the people I met during my interview gave me a positive feeling about this school, and you really know they care about the students. All the med students work together, and enjoy being there.
Overall a good experience. Generally a laid back interview but it depends on each interviewers technique. Mine asked quite a few questions that she obviously had prepared ahead of time rather than letting the conversation flow like others at my interview day experienced.
My interview went well -- it was very comfortable and conversational. The students who gave the tour were very nice, and the food was great. Einstein seems to give a good mix of everything; the affiliated hospitals are all very different, and there's a good balance of research and patient care. No lecture halls were shown, nor were any hospitals. There was an optional tour of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, but it's the day before Thanksgiving, and most people wanted to get out of there! Maybe there could be some way to incorporate one of the nearby hospitals.
I interviewed with a Pathologist; she was nice enough, but I think she spends too much time in her lab looking at slides. It was a very awkward conversation. She didn't ask any interesting questions, just had me elaborate on my file - which, by the way, your interviewer will read for the first time in front of you. Overall, the school looked like it would be, more or less, a fine experience, but I saw nothing that particularly impressed me.
It was a good interview day. Everyone was very nice. They give you a card w/ interviewer's address so you can send a thank you card. I don't like to keep track of how long my interviews are, so the time is only an estimation. Rooms are HUGE and nice. I got lost finding my way to my interview and ended up at anatomy lab. The instructor flagged me down and showed me the lab (very nice guy). Then, kept seeing anatomy instructor everywhere (admissions, cafeteria, etc.) and he would always wave and say hello.
I had thought that Einstein interviews were laid back and conversational, but my interviewer played devil's advocate throughout the entire interview and really gave me a hard time-- like he was deliberately out to get me. It left me with a bad feeling all day. The school's campus is really bleak and depressing and the entire interview day was horribly planned.
My interview went well, although the doctor was a little weird, but the day was unorganized and they didn't sell themselves as well as a lot of other schools.
The entire interview was based on "controversial ethical questions". I basically answered questions about all the topics we all dread, like topics of abortion, affirmative action, etc.
It was great! It really was just a conversation and all of the ?s I've listed below were within that flow. My interviewer was an MD at the Jacobi Medical Center and was extremely friendly. He knew more about the school, its curriculum and activities than any other faculty interviewer I've had. He was very enthusiastic about AE. He said he gets a "warm and fuzzy feeling" from the school, which I don't doubt.
I had a great interviewer (she talked more than I did and have a lot of good advice). She didn't even ask me why I want to be a doctor. There were only like 8 other interviewees that day (I thought there would be more) but that made the tour given by students more comfortable and helpful.
Lorraine, one of the staff, gave a tour of the school. While she is quite knowledgeable about the school and the students, I would have much preferred having a student give the tour. We did have lunch with two second-year students. If you arrive in Manhattan, take the Express Bus. You want to take the one that leads you to Morris Park Ave. and Eastchester--right in front of the school. Towards the end of the interviewer, my interviewer repeatedly asked me if I had any questions. Be prepared with at least four solid questions. The interview is closed although I did see my interviewer have my file as I walked into his office.
Overall, the interview was really great. I had lunch and was given a tour before my interview. Some of the students, however, had their interviews in the morning. Once I met my interviewer I was relaxed and really enjoyed our conversation. He was really not out to trick me or confuse me. I didn't even realize how fast the time went by. Just relax and show them your personality!
I think I had somewhat of an unusual experience in that my interviewer did most of the talking and hardly asked me any questions during our 90 minute meeting. It was very conversational throughout. He took me on an unofficial tour of the school and hospital (though most interviewers will not do this) and gave me some feedback on my file. He was very nice and friendly and made me feel at ease immediately. He was a both a student and faculty member at Albert Einstein and seemed to love and be very proud of the school.
It was an amazing interview. It was my first one and it was completely relaxed. They didn't even ask me the basic two questions, why do you want to be a doctor and whay do you want to come to our school.
it was overall a great experience! i know there were quite a number of bad experiences at einstein, so i was a bit apprehensive, but my guy was nice enough...not extremely nice though... he was a bit demanding in the manner that he asked questions, and he oftentimes interrupted my answers. But he was overall a good interviewer... i feel like he asked me good questions that painted a well-rounded pic of me. and i was genuinely impressed with the living conditions of the students!! nice dorms!!!
interview itself very relaxed, very to the point (I felt the interviewer asked me questions that were actually relavant), she even gave me positive feedback at the end regarding my chances. I was not very impressed with the school itself.
Very good interview experience. My interviewer really made me feel comfortable. The interview was at the hospital which is a 20 minute walk so be prepared. The surrouding aren't the greatest and the school is composed of the dorms and a couple of buildings. Everyone was nice and helpful, especially the admissions staff. Generally a low stress interview, just be prepared to talk about yourself:)
I've read some negative experiences with AE. Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with the admissions office, my interview day, or housing and other offices. They've always been very pleasant.
This was a very demoralizing interview; the completely undisguised indifference of the interviewer was a complete turn-off. The buildings on campus will not make your spirits soar. It honestly took several days to shake off the unpleasantness of this experience. The school has a solid reputation for pre-clinical and clinical education; I wanted no part of it.
This was the most demeaning interviews I've ever had in my life! I know that some people I've met that day had a really positive experience and really love the school, but the interviewer just blew me off with her rude comments and racial comments regarding Asian-Americans. At one point, she said things like, "I think it's really hard for you people (yes, she said those words and later I found out that she herself was a foreignly-trained doctor from some where in the South America) to get adjusted to the western lifestyle because it's so very different from how things are in the East." Enough said! This was obviously one ignorant lady and I hope the school never uses her in the future. I just read the previous posting dated 03/29/02 and I wonder if the writer of that post and I had the same interviewer?!
I had a horrible interview experience. During the interview I decided that I would not ever, even if I got a full scholarship go to Einstein. At one point during the interview the interviewer asked "Since you are Hispanic, why didn't write you were a URM?" I replied "I am not Hispanic/URM." She said "Well, I just assumed because you look hispanic. And it says you speak Spanish and you lived in a latin american country in the past few years." We had been having a nice interview, but at this point she totally changed her attitude. The rest of her questions were attacking...and not the interesting and challenging kind, but just outright attacks on me...Her questions included "If you don't like Science why do you want to be a doctor"...I don't know where she got that? I did very well at a top school as a hard science major and had a very good MCAT...she then asked "If you are a doctor, you know that you are going to have to be able to read scientific articles?"...I guess she missed the part where I have published in peer-reviewed journals and given posters a national conferences....At the end she said, "So, I guess this was your first interview"....at that point I decided that I wasn't going there no matter what so I said (which also happened to be true)...so I said..."Thank you very much for your time, but it was actually my eight....thank you for your time"....I withdrew my application the next day.
My interview experience was the best I've ever had. I felt extremely comfortable and relaxed and ditto for my interviewer. He had a great sense of humor and wasn't out to "get" me or anything. It was all very conversational and free-flowing.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office provide more structured interview days with organized presentations on the school, curriculum, financial aid, and opportunities available. They also recommended having more staff members present, improving training for tour guides, and offering transportation assistance for off-site interviews to enhance the overall experience for applicants.
Actually provide a folder with school information instead of a piece of paper
Please consider how you transport students to off-site interviews! It's very confusing for people not from the area/not familiar with public transit/who don't have a good sense of direction.
The day should be more structured and the tour guides should be better trained. My group of ~15 had one tour guide giving his first tour nd left a bad impression
Please decrease the amount of applicants and focus on making the interview days more meaningful with better oversight, introduction to the school, an actual tour of facilities (not just from the glass looking in), and more members of the admission committee present or even saying hello. Some applicants travel hours and spend money on costly flights.
Give a presentation on the school! Have more interviewers come to campus to do the interviews. If the student must go to another location, designate guides to bring the student there so that they're not left wandering about.
Better to have some kind of coffee/group meetup in the morning, first thing, than just to dispatch everyone to their separate interviews. Very friendly people.
None at all, I initially thought that I'd hate not having any curriculum or financial aid presentations, but the lack of presentations actually made the day so much more chill.
I wish it was more structured, where someone from the admissions committee or a medical student provided a presentation about the school's curriculum, opportunities available, financial aid etc. We had to ask the med students who interviewed us all the questions, but it's possible that we forgot to touch upon some points.
Having a second look day will, undoubtedly, help secure better applicants to matriculate to your school. It would be great to have some type of financial aid seminar and a tour of the cultural life of the Bronx