Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Interview Feedback Summary
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 very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
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 good.
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 area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include scenarios where candidates had to stand up for others, handle unethical situations, discuss their weaknesses, describe experiences balancing multiple tasks, and explain their interest in podiatry and the specific school. Responses also indicate that the interviews may have been conducted in an MMI format with questions tailored to individual applications, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement.
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Describe a situation where you stood up for someone who was being treated unfairly
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why podiatry/ what brought you to podiatry?
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Tell me about a time you had to befriend someone?
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Why podiatry?
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What interests you about Podiatry
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery discussed a variety of topics such as handling challenging situations, personal qualities, career choices outside of healthcare, and reflections on past experiences. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as some responses hinted at nondisclosure agreements, while others highlighted questions tailored to the application submitted.
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Name a time when you got a grade you did not think you deserved, what you did, and if you would do it the same way again
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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?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery discussed various scenarios such as dealing with confrontation, integrity challenges, boosting confidence, and overcoming failures. The interview format appears to be an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), with mentions of nondisclosure agreements and questions tailored to individual applications.
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When was a time when you had to put yourself in another person's shoes?
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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?
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
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 2 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.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN) for interview feedback and questions, reviewing the school's website, practicing mock interviews, and discussing with current students or podiatrists. Additionally, applicants focused on knowing their application well, anticipating questions, and being themselves during the interview to effectively communicate their interest in podiatry and the program.
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SDN and previous applicants feedback
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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
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, integration with other professional programs, faculty and student friendliness, and the emphasis on student success, professionalism, and transparency at DMU. Many cited the high-quality curriculum, research opportunities, and the welcoming campus atmosphere as standout positive aspects of their experience.
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The quality and thought behind each question
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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
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative feedback about issues such as lack of diversity among students, limited interaction with students during the interview process, brief interviews, and the school's location in a smaller city. Suggestions included increasing student diversity, providing more opportunities for student engagement, extending interview times, and addressing the perception of limited patient exposure in the clinic.
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n/a
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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
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wish they had known ahead of time about the interview style being more question-answer focused rather than conversational, the need to prepare more thought-provoking questions, and the campus being small with a lot of walking on the tour. Suggestions include being mentally prepared for fast-paced questions, wearing comfortable shoes for the tour, and not bringing personal notebooks as the school provides them.
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How personable the interviewers were
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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
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found DMU to be a great school with excellent facilities, faculty, and student atmosphere. The interview process was well-organized and informative, with some noting a preference for a more relaxed or conversational interview style.
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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 maintaining personalized acceptance notifications through phone calls and providing more thorough and separate information for different student groups during interview days.
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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.
📍 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.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
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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CVG ->MSP -> DSM DSM -> ORD-> CVG
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Chicago
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DSM
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De Moines Airport
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Des Moines
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel from the user responses is Holiday Inn.
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Airport Fairfield
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Baymont by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
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Candlewood Suites
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Courtyard by Marriott in West Des Moines
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Days Inn
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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
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