Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western University Interview Feedback Summary
Cleveland, OH
Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 15% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 248 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (88%)
Negatively (4%)
No change (8%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (34%)
Good (56%)
Average (8%)
Poor (2%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the school and program impressive, with a well-organized and informative interview day that included multiple tours, interviews, and interactions with faculty and students. Some expressed concerns about certain aspects of the program, such as student attitudes or leadership turnover, but overall, many applicants considered the school a top choice due to its focus on research and unique approach to medical education.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Great School and program
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Absolutely wonderful interview day. Really relaxed. I'm lucky that I had this as my first interview in the cycle. Relax and tell them how amazing you are!
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School is very fit for a particular type of student.
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Long Day
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Excellent program.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
50 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.4 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
98% Open-File
2% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
CCLCM-COMP interviews are an average of 50 minutes, with an average of 2.4 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 2% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about career alternatives, hobbies, research interests, handling challenging situations, teamwork dynamics, future aspirations, reasons for pursuing medicine, and personal research projects. Some respondents also mentioned being asked about dealing with colleague issues, time management between clinical and research work, and their motivations for transitioning to medicine. Additionally, references to 'MMI' or 'Multiple Mini Interview' suggest that some respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What career would you pursue if not medicine?
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What do I like to do for fun
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Tell me about your research.
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If you had $5 million dollars for any kind of research, where/how would you spend it?
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What do you like to do in your free time?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western University discussed a wide range of topics including personal interests, experiences, challenges, and opinions on healthcare. Many responses indicated a conversational and laid-back interview style with questions about research, feedback, personal growth, and even ethical dilemmas, but some respondents hinted at a possible MMI format with nondisclosure agreements due to confidentiality.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What's something you read recently, such as a news article or journal article, that interested you?
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What did I enjoy about my undergrad
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If a student isn't working well with you and you give them feedback but they still do not change, what would you do? (with the background that CCLCM is huge on giving and receiving feedback in lieu of tests and grades)
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Why CCLCM?
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What do you like to do with your spare time?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by thoroughly reviewing their application materials, researching the school, reading current events in medicine, and utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN). Many applicants also practiced articulating their research and answers to common questions, ensuring they were well-prepared and confident during the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Lots of reading over my posters and research
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I read over my application and made sure I understood my research.
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Researched the school and familiarized myself with the curriculum.
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Reread application materials
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Reviewed my application and
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western University discussed a wide range of topics, including research project weaknesses, cultural perspectives, teamwork scenarios, personal attributes, future plans, and healthcare system improvements. Some responses hinted at an MMI format with scenarios involving team dynamics, handling ethical dilemmas, and healthcare system redesign, suggesting possible nondisclosure agreements were in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What's a major weakness with your research project design?
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Research related questions that were specific to the timeline of experiments
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Describe a time when you had to look at things from another cultural or socioeconomic perspective (he clarified "any time you had to see things from a different lens" since he thought this was a curve-ball question).
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How do you work in groups?
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Name five things that you want others to know about you.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness of interviewers, facilities, unique curriculum emphasizing problem-based learning, research opportunities, supportive staff and student body, and dedication of faculty. Additionally, the enthusiasm of students, the welcoming environment, and the generosity of financial aid were highlighted as positive aspects of the program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Friendliness of the interviewers, in-depth questions about my experiences
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How nice the interviewers were
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Students
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How laid back the day was, and I absolutely loved touring Cleveland Clinic. Ups the game. I also actually really enjoyed my interviews, especially the ones with the faculty. Interviews are nerve-wracking but the interview room is small (so it felt cozy despite the white walls and modern furniture). The group activity was also fun (mock PBL session).
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Facilities were amazing, PBL, No grades
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the location of the school in Cleveland, the newness of the program without a graduating class or board exam results, and the small class sizes with mandatory lectures. Suggestions included providing more clarity on the PBL curriculum, addressing the potential challenges with residency matching, and improving the interview experience to ensure professionalism and comfort.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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N/a
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Organization of interview
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There isn't much that was negative. I guess I thought the program provides a full ride but they provide full tuition, and you take care of living expenses. However, I did learn that 5 out of 32 matriculates gets the Dean's scholarship which is an additional scholarship that covers living expenses, so those 5 students do get a full ride.
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Class size was really small, lectures mandatory
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Nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the long interview day schedule, the emphasis on asking questions, the need for comfortable shoes for extensive walking tours, and the importance of being prepared to discuss controversial research topics. Additionally, feedback included suggestions to stay at specific hotels, be ready for a full day without breaks, and consider the lack of detailed questions about research during interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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5/32 receive a full ride
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My experience may be different from others since we get different faculty. But I wasn't asked about my research in depth as I expected. The faculty were MD and did not seem to understand or care for the nitty gritty details. They asked about it but it didn't feel like they cared for asking follow-up questions that really focused on the science.
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A good amount of students are from Ohio
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To be ready to answer questions regarding controversial issues concerning research
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There is like a ten-hour tour of the school. Cleveland Clinic is huge (but very nice).
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested increasing communication frequency, maintaining the tour of the Cleveland Clinic in all weather conditions for added program insight, improving food quality in the cafeteria, and screening medical students interacting with interviewees. Some also mentioned dissatisfaction with the coffee provided and suggested the admissions office acknowledge its unique identity rather than trying to emulate Mayo Medical.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Increased frequency of communication
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Absolutely keep the tour of Cleveland Clinic in the interview schedule regardless of the weather, since most of the tour is inside the hospital anyways. On my interview day we toured the clinic but there was talk beforehand of possibly skipping it because of rain. Seeing the clinic definitely added dimension to my impression of the program.
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None
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The cafeteria is awful, please feed us good food.
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Screen medical students who are interviewing/interacting with the interviewees.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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CLE
87% interviewees used CLE (CLE), with 4% using cle (cle) and 4% using CHI (CHI) and 4% using cleveland (cleveland).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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71% Airplane
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24% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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5% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Intercontinental Suites (average ranking 8/10), with some staying at Guesthouse (expensive) (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Intercontinental Suites
8/10
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Guesthouse (expensive)
10/10
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intercontinental
8/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either With students at the school or with students at the school.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (9%)
Faculty member (27%)
Other (18%)
Student (45%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (2%)
Enthusiastic (83%)
Neutral (15%)
All Responses
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