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Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Philadelphia, PA

Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 22% 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 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 encompassed a wide range of topics, including motivations for pursuing medicine, experiences with research and extracurricular activities, challenges faced, future plans, and personal interests. Some respondents indicated participation in the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, which may involve a nondisclosure agreement due to the structured nature of the interview process.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College discussed a wide range of topics, including personal statements, hobbies, career aspirations, and ethical considerations in healthcare. The interviews varied from standard questions to conversational formats, with some faculty interviews being more engaging and personalized, while others focused on specific details from the application.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said the most difficult question asked at Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College discussed a wide range of topics, including personal qualities, academic challenges, career goals, and ethical dilemmas. While some encountered questions about specific grades or research topics, the interviews were generally described as conversational and not overly stressful. It appears that the interviews were not in an MMI format, as there were no explicit mentions of MMI or nondisclosure agreements in the responses provided.
🤝 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 2 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?

Most respondents spent 2-3 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 less than $100.

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either at a hotel or with friends or family.

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?

✅ 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 their application materials, practicing common interview questions, and researching the school through resources like Student Doctor Network and the school's website. Mock interviews, talking to current students, and staying informed about healthcare policies and current events were also common strategies employed.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at Jefferson, with both faculty and student interviewers being particularly kind and engaging. The student-led interview day, emphasis on work-life balance, strong sense of community, student enthusiasm, excellent clinical training opportunities, and the school's location in Center City Philadelphia were also highlighted as positive aspects.

What impressed you negatively?

The most common feedback shared by applicants regarding what impressed them negatively includes concerns about large class sizes, briefness of tours, lack of emphasis on research opportunities, some outdated facilities, disengaged or unenthusiastic student interviewers, and issues with the interview day schedule. Suggestions for improvement focus on providing more detailed tours, enhancing research opportunities, addressing facilities, and ensuring more engaging and informative interactions with interviewers and student guides.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews at the school were very conversational and low-stress, with a focus on getting to know the applicant as a person. They also suggested being prepared to engage with the faculty and students, to relax, and to ask questions about the school and program during the interviews.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interviews at Jefferson to be relaxed and conversational, with the student interviews being laid back and the faculty interviews varying depending on the interviewer. The interview day was well-organized, with informative presentations and interactions with enthusiastic students and faculty members, though some found the day to be lengthy and the lunch offerings to be subpar.
  • Come prepared with a lot of questions to ask the student interviewer and the faculty interviewer!
  • The student interview was super chill and laid back, I loved talking to my interviewer. The faculty interview, on the other hand...
  • Very chilled out interview. They just want to know that you're a normal person.
  • I appreciated the lunch break built into the schedule; other schools I (virtually) interviewed at only gave a 15min break to eat.
  • Seems like a great school with great students. Nothing really stood out to me, but nothing felt that negative about it either.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly suggest providing more information on interview day, improving the flow of the morning session with a tour, and ensuring smaller group sizes for a more interactive experience. Additionally, they appreciate the welcoming and friendly nature of the admissions office staff and the opportunity for more breaks and interactions during the morning presentations.