Des Moines, IA
Podiatry Schools | Private Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 10% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate 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 average 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 personal experiences like breaking bad news, demonstrating collaboration, handling conflict, and ethical dilemmas. Additionally, questions about motivations for choosing podiatry, handling failures, time management, and ethical scenarios are frequently posed, indicating a focus on behavioral and situational responses during the interview process. Some respondents participated in Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) format and may have been required to adhere to a nondisclosure agreement during their interviews.
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Tell me about a time you had to break bad news to someone and how did you do so?
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Tell me about a time you showed collaboration?
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why podiatry/ what brought you to podiatry?
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Tell me about a time when you were in a group and someone was being rude to another group member and what did you do?
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Tell me about a time you had to befriend someone?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery discussed various scenarios such as demonstrating open-mindedness, dealing with feeling unqualified, learning without compulsion, showing empathy, and juggling multiple tasks. While some respondents mentioned a lack of engagement from interviewers using scripted questions, the range of inquiries explored qualities like resilience, personal growth, and adaptability, with no specific focus on MMI or nondisclosure agreements noted.
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Tell me about a time or experience you showed open mindedness?
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I don’t recall.
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Explain a situation you were put in which you did not feel qualified?
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When was the last time you learned something without having been compelled to do so?
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How have you experienced empathy and how did that impact the other person?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery discussed a variety of scenarios including handling confrontation, demonstrating integrity, overcoming failures, dealing with uncomfortable situations, and reflecting on personal weaknesses. Some responses indicated a focus on ethical dilemmas, personal growth, and motivation for choosing podiatry, with a few noting tailored questions and the absence of grade-related inquiries.
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Basically tell me about a time you dealt with confrontation and how you dealt with it?
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What would you do if a team member disagreed with you? Interviewer kept pressing my answer.
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Tell me about a time your integrity was challenged
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Explain a time where you had to boost someone's confidence?
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What is important to know as a podiatrist?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 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 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.
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 a Student
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 4-6 hours traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by airplane to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent more than $500.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
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ontario
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international des moines
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N/A - Use hotwire.com to get a hotel room.
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Des Moines airport (is there more than 1?)
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Des Moines International Airport
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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lodge
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Wildwood Lodge
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The Farfield Inn by Marriot by the airport
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Super 8
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Studio Plus
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?
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?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as SDN, practicing mock interviews, and reviewing the school's website and mission. They also focused on anticipating common questions and crafting thoughtful responses to showcase their fit for the program.
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SDN (none my questions were on sdn but still helpful), I recommend learning the schools mission like their key words: collaboration, honesty, wellness, etc...
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Using this resource and practicing in the mirror.
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Anki flashcards
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reading student doctor network and talking to myself in the mirror
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SDN, School website
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities, technology, and integration with other professional programs at DMU. They also highlighted the friendliness of faculty and students, the professionalism of the school, and the high academic standards, residency match rates, and board pass rates as key positive aspects.
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Very informative session with plenty of time for questions
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DMU is the lead ambassador for podiatry as far as I’m concerned. They push the envelope and advocate. Other schools were combative when I talked about parity. Those other schools are happy just cutting toenails I guess. Taking classes with the DO students makes DMU a class act as well.
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The Dean made quite an impression by meeting with us and giving us a great chance to talk to him and ask questions.
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the facilities were amazing everyone there aims to help another and see each other succeed
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great Facilities, helpful faculty, friendly students
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the lack of diversity among students and the limited exposure to a variety of cases at the clinic. Suggestions included improving the interview process with more engaging conversations and providing more information about the school's weaknesses when asked.
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Didn't learn about interviewing portion til in the meeting (like who was interviewing, when,...)
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In the Kira Talent Assessment there were no questions related to your experiences in healthcare, experiences, achievements, etc. All the questions were along the line of "tell me about a time ____".
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Des Moines is a smaller city, but the school is top notch,
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Interview was only 10 mins
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Not super blown away by the state-of-the-art facilities
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the specific interview style and types of questions asked, the importance of preparing more questions to ask, the need for comfortable shoes for the campus tour, and the potential lack of direct flights to the city's airport. Additionally, some applicants highlighted the low-key nature of the interview and the underground tunnels connecting the school's facilities as unexpected aspects they wished they had known about.
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That they would only ask unhinged questions, no "tell me ab yourself" just straight to it.
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Nothing. I had no regrets. I only applied to DMU. It was DMU or bust. Looking back, I probably should have applied to AZPOD/Midwestern just in case.
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Who would be interviewing me
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That the tour was going to be two and a half hours long
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More about financial aid because the session was geared more towards the Osteopathic students and they flew through the loans section.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found DMU to be a great school with excellent facilities and faculty, providing a comprehensive and welcoming interview experience. Feedback included positive remarks about the program's reputation, academic rigor, and supportive atmosphere, while some noted concerns about the location and interview stress levels.
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Great school, overall good interview experience even though the questions really make you think and it is hard to have an example for everything.
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DMU prepares their students far beyond the average. Boards are a cake walk if you applied yourself in lecture. For residency, the top 50% of our class is treated like the top 10% of other schools.
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Definitely one of my favorite thus far.
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great Facilities, helpful faculty, friendly students
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I really enjoyed the tour; it was very fun and relaxed. It may be my top pick now.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest separating DO and DPM interview days, being more upfront about requirements and materials, providing more information specific to each program, and maintaining personal interactions such as phone calls for acceptance notifications. Some also appreciate the provided materials and the friendliness of the admissions staff.
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Continue calling students with acceptance notifications. It was an incredible feeling compared to opening an email.
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Keep it up!
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Was very good.
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none
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I would have liked to have met more students.
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