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Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Des Moines, IA

Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 19% of interviews, indicating it is highly 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 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 revolve around the motivations for pursuing medicine, experiences in dealing with challenges or conflicts, qualities of a physician, examples of empathy or teamwork, handling mistakes or failures, and preferences for osteopathic medicine over allopathic medicine. Some interviewees mentioned being asked about specific experiences from their applications, strengths and weaknesses, stress management strategies, social issues in healthcare, and future career goals. Additionally, questions about research experiences, unique aspects of an application, and decision-making processes when choosing a medical school were also prevalent.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal experiences, motivations for pursuing medicine, ethical dilemmas, and future aspirations. While there were no standout unusual questions, common themes included scenarios involving patient care, personal values, and reflections on academic and professional choices.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal experiences, ethical dilemmas, and reasons for choosing medicine. Some respondents mentioned team-based questions or scenarios requiring quick thinking, while others noted specific inquiries about their application details or views on healthcare policies.
🤝 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 3 people.

What was the style of the interview?

Most respondents had a in a group 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 automobile to the interview.

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

Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.

What airport did you fly into?

Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either at a hotel or with students at the school.

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

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?

Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing SDN interview feedback, practicing with mock interviews, researching the school's website, and reviewing their application materials. Additionally, many focused on answering common questions, staying up to date with healthcare issues, and seeking advice from current students or alumni of the program.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and welcoming atmosphere at the school, as demonstrated by both the faculty and students. The top-notch facilities, emphasis on community, strong sense of school pride, and focus on student well-being and success were also highlighted as positive aspects of the experience. Applicants appreciated the emphasis on technology, the hands-on learning opportunities, and the supportive and collaborative environment at the school.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants were negatively impressed by the asynchronous and impersonal nature of the interview process, the lack of tailored questions to their application, and the difficulty in feeling engaged without human interaction. Suggestions include incorporating more conversational elements, providing specific questions related to applicants' backgrounds, and ensuring a more personal and interactive interview experience.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly mentioned that they wish they had known how relaxed and low-stress the interview process at DMU would be. Many emphasized the importance of being prepared to answer key questions about why medicine, why osteopathic medicine, and why DMU, while also noting the friendly and supportive atmosphere of the faculty and students.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally appreciated the friendly and supportive atmosphere at DMU, with many expressing a strong desire to attend the school due to its positive community, facilities, and faculty. Some applicants found the interview process to be conversational and low-stress, while others felt that the questions were too generic and the format could be more engaging. The day-long interview experience was informative and well-organized, with opportunities to interact with current students and faculty.
  • The questions were very generic (reminded me of PREview or Casper), asynchronous interview format feels super impersonal
  • If you couldn't tell by now I didn't like the format
  • calm, well structured, adcoms seem kind
  • DMU seems like a great school that caters to its students' needs. I would love to go here.
  • Loved my interview here. The food was great. The students were awesome and supportive. Admissions staff and the Dean seemed like great people.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly suggested discontinuing the use of Kira for interviews, preferring in-person or virtual interviews for a more personalized experience. Some also recommended providing more thorough facility tours, improving interview time structure, and offering debriefings after interviews.