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Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fort Smith, AR

Osteopathic Medical Schools | Public For-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 27% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions

How did the interview impress you?

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?

Commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the applicant's motivations for pursuing medicine, experiences in the field, study habits, ability to handle stress, ethical dilemmas (such as cheating), and their fit for the school's mission. Responses also touch on personal attributes, influences, failures, community service, and the choice between osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) medicine. Additionally, there are prevalent questions about the applicant's readiness for medical school, their impact on the community, and scenarios involving cheating among peers, showcasing a mix of personal, ethical, and situational inquiries.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said the most interesting questions asked at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed various topics including reasons for choosing osteopathic medicine, community service involvement, ethical scenarios like dealing with cheating classmates, personal hobbies, de-stressing methods, and future plans post-medical education. The interviews may have followed an MMI format, with some respondents mentioning nondisclosure agreements, while other questions focused on leadership experiences, favorite movies, and research techniques used in labs.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including personal strengths and weaknesses, ethical dilemmas such as handling cheating, cultural competency, dealing with failure, and future career considerations. Some responses hinted at an MMI format, with questions about nondisclosure scenarios and challenging ethical situations, suggesting a structured interview approach with potential confidentiality agreements in place.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.

How many people interviewed you?

Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.

What was the style of the interview?

Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.

What type of interview was it?

Most respondents had a closed file interview.

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.

Where did the interview take place?

Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Tours were most commonly given by Admissions staff personnel

How did the tour guide seem?

Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.

How do you rank the facilities?

Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.

What is your in-state status?

Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.

What were your total hours spent traveling?

Most respondents spent 7+ hours traveling to the interview.

What was your primary mode of travel?

Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.

How would you rate the hotel?

Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

Would you recommend the hotel?

Most respondents would recommend their hotel.

What is your ranking of this school's location?

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?

✅ 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?

Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), practicing with mock interviews, reviewing common interview questions, and researching the school thoroughly. Additionally, many applicants focused on understanding their own application, connecting their values to the school's mission, and identifying key points they wanted to convey during the interview.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere created by the staff, faculty, and students, as well as the beautiful campus and state-of-the-art facilities. They also appreciated the school's commitment to community service and the opportunities for growth and development within the institution.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants were negatively impressed by factors such as the length of the interview day, high professor turnover rate, lack of engagement with virtual guests, technical difficulties during the interview process, and the school's newness without a full graduating class yet. Suggestions included addressing these issues, providing more information on historical data, improving engagement with virtual attendees, and offering more opportunities to interact with current students.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews would be with two people, to not stress during the interview, and that the interview might include unexpected elements like a writing prompt. They also emphasized the importance of practicing interview skills and being prepared for different interview experiences, while highlighting the overall relaxed and supportive nature of the process.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interview day positive, enjoying the school's environment and staff enthusiasm. Some noted concerns about the interview process or technical difficulties, but overall, they expressed interest in attending the school if accepted.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants generally praised the admissions office for their friendliness and organization, with suggestions including providing refreshments, updating the website for better usability, incorporating more student interactions, and allowing for more breaks during the interview day to improve the overall experience.