Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Miami, FL
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 40% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.5
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 396 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 (86%)
Negatively (4%)
No change (10%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (19%)
Good (51%)
Average (25%)
Poor (6%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the school to have a positive atmosphere with friendly staff and students, but noted areas for improvement due to its newness and limited resources compared to more established institutions. Many applicants appreciated the unique curriculum and community-focused approach of FIU, while highlighting concerns about the school's reputation and resources.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They have a list of 7 questions to go through (super basic-- conflict, weaknesses, showed empathy)
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This school impressed me positively overall, I didn't receive too difficult questions nothing about healthcare or stem cell research or ethical questions. Very straightforward about your application and asking general interview questions about how you handle conflict and change.
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N/a
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Really loved the feel of the school- it gives off a vibe that students are happy and carefree and have access to endless resources. However, you could feel the newness of the program in a couple of things, especially in its ever-changing curriculum and interesting innovative changes to hide weaknesses to the program. I think its a perfectly good school for any student to attend and I would be excited to be admitted, but I am also wary of some of the potential obstacles in receiving an education there.
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Friendly and open staff and students. Dean is someone you wish you could be friends with after, and while you should relax and be yourself, remember you are also trying to impress them...
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
34 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.1 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
71% One-on-One
29% Group Interview
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File Type:
25% Open-File
75% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
FIU-COMP interviews are an average of 34 minutes, with an average of 2.1 interviews. 71% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 75% 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 dealing with conflict, experiences with research, extracurricular activities, healthcare improvements, personal qualities of a physician, opinions on healthcare policies, strengths and weaknesses, future aspirations, reasons for pursuing medicine, and specific scenarios like handling non-compliant patients or regretted actions. Some responses suggest an MMI format where applicants may have been asked about personal experiences, challenges, and ethical dilemmas, possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about a time you have to deal with conflict
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They went through each of the activities that I indicated as most meaningful on AMCAS as asked me to talk a little bit more about it.
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Asked me about my research experience.
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Student interview was very relaxed and asked me a lot about my extracurriculars and hobbies which was really nice.
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What is my favorite food from my cultural background?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting questions asked at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics such as handling conflict, ethical dilemmas, future goals, and personal values. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on the variety of questions, including scenarios and ethical inquiries, which could have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about a time when you had to work against your values
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Are there any hobbies that you picked up during the pandemic?
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How do you handle conflict when working with a team?
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How do you handle it when the person who's not living up to your expectations is yourself?
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Tell about your research
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing with mock interviews, and researching the school and current healthcare topics through resources like SDN, the school website, and healthcare articles. They also highlighted the importance of being familiar with common interview questions and healthcare issues, and seeking feedback from friends or family.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Answering SDN questions and most common questions and rehearsing with family
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Reading about the school and general questions via SDN
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Re-read my secondary, FIU website, SDN
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Re-read secondary, mock interview practice
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SDN, school website, secondary application, mock interview.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including handling change, ethical dilemmas, personal weaknesses, medical research advancements, and non-compliant patients. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses referencing ethical questions and nondisclosure agreements, with interviewers posing challenging scenarios and questions related to healthcare issues and personal experiences.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How do you respond to change?
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Healthcare issues
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Describe a time when you worked in a group and failed. How did you overcome that?
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Ethical questions
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Name a time when you were faced with a task with little expertise or experience on how to address it.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness and supportiveness of the staff, faculty, and students, as well as the innovative curriculum and community-focused approach of the school. They appreciated the personalized attention, modern facilities, and welcoming atmosphere, highlighting the commitment to student success and community impact as key strengths of the institution.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The admission person really seemed to care and gave us some words of wisdom at the end that was applicable to how we view all medical schools not just FIU. She seemed really genuine in wanting to help us and make us feel more comfortable.
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The info session
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The culture and attitude of the staff and students
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Dean Jones was very friendly, funny, and down to earth. So were the students who spoke to us during lunch and gave us the campus tour.
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Dean Jones
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were generally concerned about disorganized interview days, lack of engagement from interviewers, shared facilities with other programs leading to limited resources for medical students, and the newness of the program impacting the availability of clinical sites and facilities. Suggestions included improving interviewer training, better structuring interview days, providing more dedicated facilities for medical students, and addressing concerns about the newness of the program to ensure a positive experience for applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing
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It seemed like it was an interrogation and not a conversation. Interviewer was obviously reading off a sheet and wasn't engaged.
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The lack of having an attached medical facility; meaning having to travel through heavy traffic for clinical experiences
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My 2nd interviewer was very negative and seemed to have her mind set against me before I walked in.
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N/a
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the structure and timing of the interviews, including breaks between interviews, potential for late interview times, and strict adherence to time limits. They also highlighted the importance of preparing for challenging questions, understanding the curriculum, and bringing essentials like water and comfortable shoes.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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That I would get breaks in between the interviews so I had a moment to collect myself.
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For most schools in general: you will encounter interviewers who will ask you a question and just watch you respond with no input, follow-up, or feedback on how you're doing or whether they are receptive to your answer. Don't let it intimidate you! Keep your confidence and go through your points like you practiced. With interviewers like this, I found it easier to look at the computer camera than at their face (virtual interview)
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The campus is huge! I was still there super early but it was hard to find the building - the sign isn't clear until you get up close.
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N/A
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The school tries to sell the strange anatomy curriculum as a plus but it really isn't. There doesn't seem to be a strong cadaver program, so first year students do not get to dissect and instead learn from models and prosected bodies. Also, the course is 4 WEEKS LONG which is insanely stressful. In addition, the students only take Step 1 after their 3rd year and most opt to take Step 2 immediately a month after which can be stressful. They boast higher scores but it seems like the curriculum puts a lot of undue stress on the students. Also, FIU is a commuter school.
🤝 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 improving the interview format by having interviews before lunch, providing a more in-depth tour of the teaching facilities, and ensuring professionalism during presentations. Additionally, they recommended adding a social event the night before to allow applicants to get to know each other in a less formal setting.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They used a dating metaphor throughout the interview dat. It felt a bit unprofessional.
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N/A
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It would've been nice to start with the interviews or financial aid session first instead of lunch.
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Interviews first, then tour and lunch.
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Great job. The day was organized and informative.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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MIA
39% interviewees used MIA (MIA), with 22% using FLL (FLL) and 13% using Ft. Lauderdale (Ft. Lauderdale) and 9% using Miami (Miami) and 4% using Miami International (Miami International) and 4% using Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale) and 4% using Fort Lauderdale (Southwest has a hub there) (Fort Lauderdale (Southwest has a hub there)) and 4% using Fort Lauderdale--- RECOMMENDED BECAUSE TOO FAR AWAY (NOT).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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39% Airplane
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61% 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 La Quinta (average ranking 6.5/10), with some staying at marriott courtyard (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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La Quinta
6.5/10
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marriott courtyard
10/10
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Double Tree
10/10
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 (24%)
Faculty member (6%)
Other (10%)
Student (60%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (77%)
Neutral (23%)
All Responses
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