Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 69 responses
Score Reference:
9โ10 Exceptional8โ8.9 Very Good7โ7.9 Good6โ6.9 Mixed< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
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
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the areaโs cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was moderately responsive.
๐ฌ Interview Questions โผ
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Based on the responses provided, common interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about research and clinical interests, ability to handle the course load, long-term goals, coping with potential rejection, personal background, and attitudes towards specific scenarios like terminal surgeries and dress codes. Some respondents mentioned questions about their motivations for pursuing veterinary medicine and how they unwind, while others may have experienced an MMI format with possible nondisclosure agreements in place.
What are your research interests? Clinical interests?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Auburn University College of Liberal Arts (Clinical Psychology Program) discussed various topics, including relaxation techniques, alternative roles for veterinarians, utilizing music in veterinary medicine, views on terminal surgeries and sourcing animals, admiration and changes for vets, opinions on animal testing, ethical considerations in obtaining animals for dissection, application weaknesses, and challenges in establishing "no kill" shelters. These questions suggest a focus on ethical dilemmas, personal values, professional goals, and critical thinking skills in the interview process.
Students said the most difficult questions asked at medical schools discussed strengths and weaknesses in applications, involvement of veterinarians in agriculture, handling heavy science course loads, current events in veterinary medicine, opinions on animal testing and breeding, ethical considerations in surgery, and the use of animals for educational purposes. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses related to nondisclosure agreements and the variety of challenging questions posed.
What do you consider a strength and a weakness of your application?
How do you feel about animal testing? (followed by..) where do you think we should get the animals from? How would you feel if I told you we breed the animals that we use?
What I would do if a client came in with an animal in need of critical care but had NO funds to spend, and there were no funds or agencies available to aid in the paying for the care of the animal.
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by talking to current students or graduates, practicing with friends and family, researching the school, and reviewing their application and common interview questions. Mock interviews, studying previous years' questions, and preparing questions for the interviewers were also common strategies.
Talked with several current vet. students and recent graduates.
Applicants were positively impressed by the warmth and openness of the faculty and staff, the beautiful campus and facilities, the friendliness of people, and the hands-on opportunities available. They also appreciated the uniform interview process, the enthusiasm of the faculty, and the access to diagnostic equipment. Suggestions for improvement were not prominently mentioned in the feedback.
Overall, applicants were negatively impressed by issues such as delayed interview starts, unappealing locations, cramped facilities, and lack of specific programs or facilities. Suggestions included improving punctuality, enhancing facilities, providing more diverse programs, and addressing any negative attitudes from current students.
The interview started almost 15 minutes after the scheduled time.
I met one student that was saying how vet school isn't what you think and how it sucks... i just blew it off (one poo head isn't going to ruin it for me!)
Applicants commonly wished they had known more about the location's positives and low cost of living, the lack of students to interact with, and specific details about the program such as the absence of an exotics program and the style of the interview being more conversational and relaxed.
The location is not as bad as people say it is. There are some things to do, and the cost of living is very low.
Applicants generally found the interview experience to be less daunting than expected, with feedback emphasizing the importance of being oneself, relaxation, and a positive attitude. Some applicants mentioned discomfort or lack of fit with the school, while others appreciated the tour and campus atmosphere, and stressed the significance of academic achievements during the interview process.
It was nowhere near as difficult as I expected it to be.
I was nervous before the interview, but felt completely fine during and afterward. None of the questions are designed to trick you, just to get to know you. Relax and be yourself.
I personally wasn't impressed with Auburn before I went on my interview... and went away from the interview feeling the same. Ultimately, I chose to accept admission to a different school.
Loved the school, made it for the tour which was good. Would have loved to talk to more students. The interview was not stressful and I came away really loving the school and glad I applied!
Good interview, not too stressful. Loved the campus. For future interviewers... know how to quickly answer the question ''tell us a little bit about yourself,'' cause they'll cut you off if you drag it out too long.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should make more effort to ensure students feel comfortable throughout the application process.
Try harder to make students feel more comfortable!