Meridian, ID
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private For-Profit
⭐ 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 low 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 scenarios about handling stress, setbacks, conflict, and ethical dilemmas, as well as inquiries about motivations for pursuing osteopathic medicine, future goals, and personal attributes. Additionally, a significant number of respondents mentioned an MMI format interview, indicating a structured approach with questions tailored to assess various skills, and potential nondisclosure agreements regarding the specific questions asked during the interview.
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If you were given $50 million tomorrow with no strings attached, what would you do with it?
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(hypothetical) If you got an exam back and you disagreed with the correct answer on a question, what would you do?
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In recent memory, what was the busiest time you experienced and how did you handle it?
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Why osteopathic medicine?
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How do you handle setbacks?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting questions asked at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including research aspirations, motivation for pursuing osteopathic medicine, patient interactions, handling criticism, favorite superpower, and personal interests. Some responses mentioned questions related to specific extracurricular activities and personal achievements. Please note that the interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses, potentially involving a nondisclosure agreement.
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If you had unlimited funding for research, what would you do with it?
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What made you want to become a DO?
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What would you do if you were met with a noncompliant patient?
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Tell me a time when you receive constructive criticism and how you reacted?
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Asked me about the sports I had played
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed various topics including reasons for choosing medical school over PhD programs, biases in patient care, strengths, facing COVID-19 patients, healthcare system challenges, and ethical scenarios like responding to a cheating roommate. Some responses indicated the interview format may have been an MMI with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
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Why did you decide to apply to medical schools instead of PhD programs?
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What made you want to become a DO?
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What role does a physician play in the healthcare system?
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Question about how my biases clouded my judgment when giving care to a patient?
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N/A
🤝 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 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?
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 Boise Airport (BOI)
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Virtual interview so none of this really applied to me.
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Boise
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BOI
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Other or at another housing option.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Boise West/Meridian
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Motel 6 - Meridian
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Courtyard Marriott Inn & Suites-Meridian
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Candlewood Suites
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
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?
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Virtual interview
✅ 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 conducting mock interviews, reviewing their application materials, researching the school's website, and practicing common interview questions. They also sought guidance from resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) and spoke to current students for insight.
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Practice interviews with a few different people that I trusted. Practiced answering common medical school questions.
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Mock Interviews, SDN guides
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Read SDN and talked over questions with family members
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Studied mission statement and interview questions online.
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Mock interviews with friends, reading through the website, my application, and SDN/Reddit.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the welcoming and supportive atmosphere at the school, with high praise for the faculty, staff, and students who showed genuine care and passion. The conversational and relaxed interview process, along with the emphasis on student well-being and the advanced facilities, were highlighted as key positive aspects that left a lasting impression.
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It felt like everyone there, the president and dean, the interviewers, and the student panel, wanted me there. It didn't feel like they were looking for reasons to reject me, but for reasons to accept me. They also gave me a ton of advice for starting med school. To help ease nerves for an interview, they also had a recruiter come in ahead of the interviewers to ask me what I did for fun and start a fun conversation
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Interviewers obviously had reviewed my file beforehand, conversation flowed easily, good follow up questions.
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Everyone seems really passionate about ICOM. The Dean and President seem fantastic and genuine, and the admissions staff and interviewers were equally a excellent.
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The students were very enthusiastic about the school.
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Everyone was friendly and willing to answer questions.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were most commonly concerned about the lack of accreditation, track record for board exam performance, residency match history, and clinical rotations at the new school. They also expressed worries about federal loan eligibility, limited research opportunities, small rural clinical rotation sites, and the absence of government-subsidized loans.
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Not much. The school felt warm and welcoming, and I believed that they were really sincere in wanting to train good doctors
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Dean and president were supposed to be there for the welcome part but weren't, so just showed 2 pre-recorded welcomes
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The interviewers offered very little gestural or verbal feedback on my interview answers so I had no real idea if I was doing well or not.
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Not much information from the federal loans status standpoint.
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The interview felt like it was just questions after questions, and the interviewers weren't that conversational. Felt awkward at times.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time to bring something to write down advice, to ask about interview rules, and to not stress as the interviews are low-stress and friendly. They also emphasized the importance of knowing their application well, being themselves, and not stressing about the process.
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I wished I'd brought something to write down advice that I was given. Definitely ask if you can though, I don't know if that's allowed or not
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N/A
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How rude the interviewers would be.
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Very relaxed, they already know you academically, just want to see if you are a good fit.
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Who my interviewers were. You don't find this out until you open up the virtual interview link.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the school to be welcoming and friendly, with a relaxed interview environment. They appreciated the holistic review process, but some had concerns about specific aspects like clerkships.
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The school seems like a great place!
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One thing I really liked is that 5mins before the interview, they had a student as "tech support" join the meeting early and have small talk, helped to decrease nerves.
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Seems like a decent school. Location could be a bit better perhaps.
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Everyone was warm! It was a comfortable environment and the Q&A with current students didn't have any admin in it which I think helped make it more comfortable and gather good feedback. The students were very helpful as well.
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ICOM sucks. It’s clerkships are a disaster. After interviewing I heard SO many horror stories from students and I’m sad I even spent the money to apply there.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest improving the interview process, extending the deposit deadline, and maintaining the efficient and timely communication and decision-making practices.
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N/A
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Get better interviewers who don’t hate themselves.
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Honestly nothing - the admissions office gets back to you super quick through emails and also makes an admission decision by the end of the week you interview (this is SO nice!). I'm really hoping I get into this school because this is somewhere I want to attend being my first choice school so I hope I get that A!!!!
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I wish I didn't have to give them a deposit to hold my seat by November 15, because I have other interviews scheduled in December and January and would hate to forfeit a seat and then not get another acceptance. Don't know if they can change the date though.
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None, keep doing what you're currently doing.
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