Los Angeles, CA
Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
HBCU
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.9
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 221 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 (84%)
Negatively (13%)
No change (3%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (43%)
Good (27%)
Average (27%)
Poor (3%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants provided feedback expressing a desire for more organization, transparency, and communication, as well as emphasizing the importance of aligning with the school's mission of serving underserved communities. Some applicants appreciated the relaxed and conversational interview style, while others were concerned about negative perceptions of the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They should be more organized and remember that they are trying to impress the applicants, just as we are trying to impress them.
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Strict confidentiality agreement. Plan to be well versed on your experiences and why you want to attend this program specifically. Be kind, be confident, truly- be you,
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I wish they would have taken us on a campus tour. Still my top choice because of its mission.
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Lunch was amazing
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Loved this program, everyone seems to really care.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
42 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
97% One-on-One
3% Group Interview
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File Type:
93% Open-File
7% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
Drew-COMP interviews are an average of 42 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 97% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 7% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiring about MCAT scores, personal motivations for pursuing medicine, experiences with underserved communities, impact of family, and challenges faced. Many respondents mentioned an MMI format, signifying a Multiple Mini Interview structure possibly bound by a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What is your MCAT score?
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MMI - signed confidentiality agreement
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MMI
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The faculty interview was very conversational. Talked about the need for community service, the lifestyle of physicians, etc.
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If you could change one thing about your past what would it be?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science discussed a range of topics such as the US healthcare system, attributes of a good physician for underserved patients, universal healthcare, and career motivations. The interviews seemed to follow an MMI format with a focus on personal attributes, motivations, and problem-solving skills, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement, as some responses indicated a conversational approach exploring the interviewee's character rather than specific experiences or scenarios.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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MMI
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What is one good thing about the US healthcare system?
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What attributes would make you a good physician for underserved patients?
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Expand on you ideas regarding universal health care.
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None
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing their applications, researching the program and its mission, practicing mock interviews, and seeking advice from current students. Suggestions include reading the program's website, understanding healthcare issues, staying informed about current events, and utilizing resources like SDN for interview feedback.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Did not prepare, simply relaxed and asked students questions the night before.
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Review my application, UW's bioethics page, and common MMI questions. Call a couple current MS1s. Learn more about South LA. Review Affordable Care Act stuff.
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Actually I was caught off guard that it was an MMI this year
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Mock interviews.
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SDN, out loud practice.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science discussed was related to Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, with focus on weaknesses, application insights, and healthcare system improvements. Respondents also mentioned being asked about academic challenges, career goals, and underserved healthcare improvements, highlighting a variety of open-ended and personal questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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MMI
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What is one of your weaknesses?
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Nothing was really difficult. There were no hard ethical questions or questions that made you sweat.
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Tell me the one thing that I should have gotten out of reading your application.
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None
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the strong sense of community and camaraderie among students and faculty at the school, as well as the genuine passion and commitment to serving underserved populations. The welcoming and supportive environment, along with the emphasis on the school's unique mission, left a lasting positive impression on applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Students were like a family.
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The number of students who showed up to participate in the student panel. They were all very chill and funny.
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Student support
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Very friendly staff and students. Well organized interview day. FOOD WAS AMAZING.
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How close/happy all the students are with the school.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were disappointed by the lack of a campus tour, the lengthy waiting times for interviews, unorganized scheduling, negative impressions of the hospital facilities and staff, as well as concerns about the interview process and faculty interactions. Suggestions included improving communication about waiting times, enhancing interview structure, providing more information about the school's facilities, and ensuring a more welcoming and organized experience for applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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My first interviewer was very standoffish and kept emphasizing the fact that the Watts area used to be predominantly black but is now predominantly latino. She then cut me off and ended the interview prematurely even though she arrived late. My second interviewer was very nice however she forgot about our scheduled time and asked for me to my interview hours later than arranged.
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Some of the interviewers were odd...
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Location
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Nothing, had an amazing time.
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There was no tour. Granted, we weren't on UCLA campus proper, but I think having a tour would have given us the ability to visualize ourselves at the school.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known that the interview day would be relaxed, with specific feedback on MMI and handwritten portions. Suggestions included arriving early, being prepared for the interview format, and not stressing too much. Additionally, feedback on the interview process, group tasks, and the school's requirements such as writing a thesis statement and potential financial concerns were also highlighted.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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That I would be so nervous for this one! I guess I wanted it badly. I needed to arrive at the interview in a better mood.
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It was an MMI
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I was a little surprised that there was a HANDWRITTEN portion to the interview. It wasn't too difficult though: you just had to explain how you would make healthcare better for underserved patients. It was a 20 min. writing assignment.
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No breakfast
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How relaxed my one-on-one iview would be...also what to expect for my group iview. it wasn't so bad, and they made sure to let us know that it def would not be a make or break factor in terms of gaining admission. there was a group of about 6 of us and our task was to come up with a solid plan of diabetes awareness to a community in los angeles. part of the assignment was to talk about how we would hire our staff, distribute info, etc..
🤝 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 that the admissions office streamline the application process by integrating it into UCLA's general app, transitioning to electronic applications, improving communication about scheduling, and conducting more conversational and unexpected interviews.
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Application should be under UCLA’s general app. rather than its own separate entity. Coordinators/admin could be more responsive.
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They still use paper application for the secondary; it would probably be easier to make everything electronic to streamline the process.
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I would've liked to have been told more in advance that I would be done by 1pm.
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None at all.
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Interview should be conversational with some unexpected questions.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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LAX
71% interviewees used LAX (LAX), with 29% using LGB (LGB).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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34% Airplane
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66% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Marriott Courtyard in El Segundo (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Marriott Courtyard Torrance/South Bay (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Marriott Courtyard in El Segundo
10/10
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Marriott Courtyard Torrance/South Bay
10/10
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NA
10/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.9
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 221 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 cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (2%)
Faculty member (5%)
Other (2%)
Student (90%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (93%)
Neutral (7%)
All Responses
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