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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 31% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 646 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional8–8.9 Very Good7–7.9 Good6–6.9 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.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
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
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools revolved around personal experiences, motivation for pursuing veterinary medicine, knowledge of animal welfare/rights, ethical scenarios, future goals, and current events in veterinary medicine. Some responses indicated an MMI format with questions like "what makes you unique," "why vet med," and "why K-State," suggesting a possible nondisclosure agreement due to the structured nature of the interview process.
What is one thing on your application, that you feel is important for us to know, that we may not be able to see just from glancing at it during this interview?
What were pet stores like 100 years ago? (specific to my application; my family owns pet stores--so know the history if you are using family business material)
Seems like they start every interview off the same, they tell you about them, and ask you to tell them about you and why vet med. They did not specifically ask why K-state but they asked how many schools I applied to.
There were several questions about my specific experiences (research and clinical), such as how many veterinarians are currently at the hospital I work in.
How did you first get interested in veterinary medicine and what have you done to pursue the career since? How did you hear about Kansas State and what interests you about it?
If you had to prepare a presentation to present to a large group of people would you rather work alone, in a group of 3 or in a group of 8 or 9 students?
What would you do if you were in private practice in an affluent area and an animal in which a spay was performed by another competing veterinarian came in that developed a hernia? What would you say to the client?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine discussed various topics such as bringing change to a clinic as a fresh graduate, unique learning styles, creating a bumper sticker for oneself, preferred field of practice, and views on wildlife conservation. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as some responses hinted at a nondisclosure agreement, while others highlighted a wide range of thought-provoking questions covering personal, ethical, and professional aspects of veterinary medicine.
They asked me to walk them through a procedure I mentioned as being interesting to me that I had assisted with at my job.
Let`s say you are a fresh graduate from veterinary school, and you arrive at a new clinic. You immediately notice there are things you want to change, or are not up to the quality level you feel is needed. How do you go about bringing change to that clinic?
They asked me very specific terms from statistics because I had taken stats in my undergrad (freshmen year). They asked what is non-response bias and variance related to statistics.
i will list two, because the first one is something that would tailor only me:
1) tell us more about lure coursing! we do not know what that is.
2) how is physics used in veterinary medicine? (i got ecstatic with this question because i LOVE physics)
We discussed the research I did while abroad and as if in a comfortable conservation with a friend, they were very interested and asked me questions throughout my explanation.
What is something that our communities will need to work on in the next five years that is not related to veterinary medicine? (I thought the question was kind of vague but I was able to come up with a response about working together, not sure if its what they wanted though....)
What was it that caused your view of animal agriculture to change, do you feel it was forced on you by your undergrad, and what was your thought process in changing your perception?
As a veterinarian you will work with mainly other women. Do you feel that you are “one of the girls” and can go out socializing with them? Or do you feel that you should separate yourself from them? Tell me about how women veterinarians that you’ve worked with have handled that situation and then how you would.
"How do you feel about No Kill movement?" This is an interesting debate in the field, and I have given it a lot of thought over the years so I feel I was able to give a good, reasonable answer. I think with most of these questions, they were trying to get a feel if given my background/goal in shelter med, I might be too much of a softie or "bleeding heart." They need to see that you can grasp all sides of an issue rationally, and not just be ruled by emotions.
We talked about some of the unusual experiences that I had listed on my app; specifically the research in which I participated and worked with Bald Eagles. We talked about the toxicology work and they informed me of a possible connection at the school to continue similar studies.
If there is a philanthropist who wants to donate one million dollars to a charity, which charity would you convince him/her to donate it to and how would you achieve that?
Talk about your research experience, not specifically what you have done, but how have they influenced your opinion of the field and what kinds of things have you learned?
What are your thoughts about amputating an animal's leg for no reason other than to learn for a class. (he clarified that the animal would have no real need to have its leg amputated)
Tell me about the research you did in Baja, Mexico. (I did rodent species diversity and population, studied bird species and methods of capturing food, ant studies and plant fauna)
Students said most difficult question asked at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, career goals, personal experiences, and knowledge-based inquiries. The interview format seems to align with an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) setup, with some respondents mentioning nondisclosure or non-disclosure agreements, adding to the complexity of the questions asked.
Asked me specifically to my personal statement which I discussed my fear of birds and how I tackled it. They asked me how I could have such a fear, but want to pursue avian medicine.
asked by the interviewer that practices privately, (it was pretty confusing at first because he made it so wordy but...) it boiled down to how would i react if encountered cheating or veterinarians taking the "straight and narrow"? it was difficult because i asked him if he was asking about cheating colleagues and he said sure. but after i answered that, he expanded and asked what i would do to get rid of it in private practice.
Tell us about a case you saw in one of the practices you have experience in. Tell us about the presenting symptoms, any tests, the diagnoses, treatment, the outcome, and anything you would have done differently. I hadn't been in a clinic in almost a year so it was hard to remember so much detail! They also asked for more detail but I just told them I didn't remember and I think they appreciated that I didn't make something up.
The first question--why do you want to be a vet? I had prepared endlessly for that question and when I could not remember some of the points I wanted to hit I kind of froze up. I found that the questions I had not prepared for flowed a lot better. For my next interview I am not going to spend hours trying to memorize bullet points.
None were particularly difficult, the interview was very relaxed and conversational. I found that two of the interviewers were very friendly and one tried to dig further into my answers a little.
I talked about a parvo incident in my PS, so they asked me to walk through the diagnosis, treatment, ect as I would tell a client? and what would I do if the test was negative with similar symptoms?
What is the biggest problem in society today? (This was the only moment during my interview when I felt the uncomfortable pause as I racked my brain...where do you even start?)
Tell us about you, why vet med, why kansas state. Difficult because it was the first question and I had to remember all three things while organzing my thoughts/dealing with nerves!
The dreaded "Tell me about yourself". I didn't really know what about me they wanted to know, so I mentioned what I wanted to go into after vet school, where I did my undergrad and then fizzled awkwardly out...
They started off with asking multiple questions (Tell us about who you are, why you want to be a vet, what would make you a good vet, and why KSU), so it seemed a little overwhelming at first, and after answering a few of the questions I had to stop and ask them to repeat the questions I still had left.
Tell me about a problem you have dealt with and how you handled it. (Doesn't sound like a difficult question, but it was difficult to come up with something specific off the top of my head.)
None were terribly hard, I don't feel there were any trick or gotcha questions. I was a little surprised by a followup to the TNR question - "What if the local Audobon Society raises a stink about releasing predators in a fragile bird habitat?" Again here I think they were testing to see if I understood that there are often no easy answers - whatever you do is going to upset someone.
What would you do if a big food animal client wanted you to euthanize a 16 month old dog that was perfectly fine, he just did not want it anymore, and said if you did not do it he would take his business elsewhere?
Can you tell me the difference between a monogastric digestrive system and a ruminant? (they asked this only after I told them I had NOT taken animal nutrition and did NOT have food animal experience. Made me feel like a loser)
I see in your clinic you have worked as a receptionist. I feel that this is one of the hardest jobs in the clinic. What do you think you've learned from this, and how do you handle difficult situations regarding financials and the right of a veterinarian to refuse treatment.
None of the questions were particularly difficult. They did ask me to take a few minutes at the beginning to introduce myself, and such "Tell me about yourself" questions can be tricky due to how open ended they are.
How do you feel about horses that are raised for personal use being slaughtered and exported for meat? What are the consequences of companion animals being used for meat mean to our way of life?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
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.
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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing their applications, practicing with mock interviews, reading questions on Student Doctor Network (SDN), researching the school's website, discussing with current students or professionals, and staying updated on current events in veterinary medicine. They also emphasized the importance of being authentic, genuine, and well-prepared for questions related to personal experiences and motivations.
Listened to multiple podcasts from veterinary admissions representatives, and industry representatives. I also reviewed my application multiple times. Be authentic and genuine, that is the most important thing
i learned about SDN at a mock interview with a career counselor. those helped greatly, in addition to looking over my applications and scanning the school's website.
I looked at old questions on SND and wrote down practice answers in bullet form. I ran through the answers with my mom and girlfriend to practice saying them out loud. I definitely recommend practicing old questions with someone who knows you well. They thought of a lot of examples of stuff I had done that were good to illustrate particular points that I had not thought of.
SDN, and my looking up issues relevant to what I am interested in (ie: equine - horse slaughter ban) and ensured I was prepared to talk about those hot topics. But of course they never asked!
I reviewed my application, thoroughly researched the school, picked out a couple of questions to ask the interviews and a couple of reasons why I liked the school.
My undergrad school offers a class in applying to vet school, and then gave me a whole packet of questions from past interviews. I also researched the school's website.
Read interview feedback, went back over my application (especially my personal statement), kept up with some current events in vet. medicine, and went over K-State's website.
I read SDN interview feedback. I prepared for the "tell us about yourself," "why K-State" and "why vet med" questions. For the other questions I just read over them. I read up on some current events in vet med as well but wasn't asked that.
Found alot of sample questions on internet, read/practiced all the questions and feedback about KSU on SDN, read my VMCAS, made flashcards. I probably overprepared, because I wasn't asked most of the questions I was expecting. But with all the thought and work I've given this plan over the past few years, I know myself and my goals/motivations/issues pretty well, so I probably could have walked in cold and done fine.
I reviewed my application and supplimental forms for all of the schools to which I had applied. I also looked at other SDN student interview reviews and made notes for how to respond to similar questions. I reviewed information about the vet school from K-state's web pages and kept up with recent veterinary news on DVM 360 and other veterinary websites.
Read previus K-state interview questions on SDN; read info about K-state history and vet school; had a mock interview with advisor; wrote down some of my strong points that I could mention during the interview; praticed improvising answers with random vet school interview questions.
Interview feedback on SDN, reviewed current events on AVMA's website (even though they didn't ask me anything about them), looked over Kansas's veterinary school website
I read interview feedback on here, read through the K-State website (particularly the student/faculty handbook), read news articles and positions on the AVMA website, and went to the information session the night before.
SDN! I read all the previous interview feedbacks, read Kansas State's vet school website to learn more about the school (definitely helped for that first question), read the AVMA's stance on several issues (I was asked about animal rights vs. animal welfare, and referenced the AVMA), zoonotic diseases, and other current issues in veterinary medicine. I just had a bunch of interview questions and practiced with other people. I also had a situation picked out for all the general behavioral questions, like a time when I disagreed with an authority figure, an obstacle I overcame, unforeseen difficulty, how to deal with cheating (was asked this as well), time I used my creativity for problem solving, etc.
Reviewed current events in world and veterinary profession, reviewed interview questions with a vet I worked for, and reviewed info about the school, my transcripts and my personal statement. I also brought a change of shoes for the tour.
Read interview feedback on SDN, read about the AVMA's position on hot button issues, studied current veterinary medical events, reviewed my application.
Read through current events, practiced responses to potential interview questions (on my own and with family/friends), reviewed infectious disease info, reviewed application and other relevant personal info, researched school (through their website).
Did practice questions with boyfriend. Mock interviews with someone in the HR field (friend) and a DACVECC I work with, both of which were harder than the real thing. Made lists of my positive qualities, weaknesses, etc and wrote down stories for each as examples. Studied current events--Time's Year in Review; nightly news; etc.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness, warmth, and genuine enthusiasm demonstrated by faculty, students, and staff throughout the interview process. They appreciated the tailored questions, low-stress environment, and conversational style of the interviews, as well as the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that made them feel comfortable and supported. Suggestions included the importance of maintaining this positive and welcoming environment, emphasizing the sense of community and collaboration within the school, and continuing to showcase the school's strengths and opportunities to prospective students.
They didn't ask anything that felt unfair, they tailored some questions into my specific area of interest and experience after I mentioned it. Overall they were laid back and didn't feel like they were trying to ask any "got you" questions. The ambassador chat ahead of the interview was a nice way to start talking to "normal" people ahead of having to go into the actual interview.
The interview was laid back, and they catered the questions to my background and experiences, to provoke the type of responses they wanted, in order to see if I was a good fit in the program.
My interviewers were so nice! They were friendly and I loved my ambassadors before and after the interview as well! While I was nervous, it was a very low-stress environment.
Everyone was very friendly, and there were plenty of students to help you get to where you needed to go. The faculty also seemed very warm and welcoming. The vet school has also undergone some recent renovations and I liked how in years 1 and 2 students get started with clinical skills.
Everyone were so nice! My interviewers definitely were trying to sell the school to me and trying to get me to sell myself to them. It was a very conversational interview and I honestly enjoyed it!
How friendly everyone was and how much they seem to really want you to go there, and succeed and thrive. My interviewers seemed to have an attitude of "if/when we admit you, here's why you should come here over any other school" rather than "why should we admit you?" which was refreshing. Also I liked Manhattan a lot more than I expected, I thought it would be more rural.
The three interviewers were very into the interview. My family owns pet stores that sell animals, so I was paranoid I would be grilled about regulations and stuff like that. However, they did not project any personal opinions into their questions. So if a lot of your experience is in a part of the animal industry that does not have a positive light to the public (pet stores, some breeding, animal testing, slaughter houses, etc.), don't be too paranoid of how the questions are going to go.
The mentorship opportunities and class unity. The hospital was HUGE and it seems like students are always welcome to come help with/watch/learn from cases. The lab was also awesome and the curriculum seemed very structured and organized.
the layout of the VHC. it seems a little industrialized in presentation, but i like the organization of where small animal is placed across from large animal, which is further divided into livestock and equine.
The interview process was very friendly but still professional. You can tell the people at K-State are passionate about the field and really want the best for their school as well as want the best for all of the students applying. They are very encouraging.
The student ambassadors were phenomenal. They made the wait before the interview so much more relaxing. It is very obvious that the entire staff and the interviewers are extremely student oriented. It is clear that they truly want to see you do well in your interview and to succeed with your career aspirations.
The students were really nice. The waiting area before the interview was a great place to meet current students and ask questions. It was also nice because it gave family and friends a place to wait during the interview. The interviewers were also really nice for the most part. They were definitely trying their best to make me as comfortable as possible. The interview had a conversational, "get to know you" kind of feel.
The staff, faculty, and student ambassadors were extremely friendly. The interviewers were so nice and the interview itself was very conversational. I loved how the whole town was kind of tied to gether by the university with a lot of school pride.
Interviewers put me at ease immediately, they were all very friendly. The student ambassadors were all extremely helpful as well. Pizza party was good and got to hear from the students about all the positives (approachable faculty, 2nd year and 4th year buddies assigned to 1st year students, etc.)
How FRIENDLY everyone is! Students, faculty, staff, and the town in general. Also there were many opportunities to take tours of the school. It was neat to learn about the zoo that is located 10 minutes away from the college, and the opportunities that come along with it.
Everything about the school, students, and professors; spent 2 hours on Q and A session at pizza party night before; quick response to tell students if accepted or not
The interviewers certainly weren't out to get you. They were very friendly. All of the students were very nice. I also liked that everyone gets their own desks in the anatomy lab.
They were all just overall very friendly and conversational. The time went quickly, we actually went about 10 minutes over, and I felt I would have enjoyed staying and chatting with them for another hour. One prof asked me about being a pilot (not my former career, just an expensive hobby). I only mentioned that at one spot in an explanation statement in the VMCAS, so this showed me that he had read it pretty thoroughly.
The people at this school are so warm and inviting!! There is a very real sense of community and connectedness among the students and the faculty. The faculty are very supportive of the students and have A LOT of outside connections that can be utilized to help students gain additional experiences in areas of interest either before or after graduation.
Everyone was incredibly nice. It really seems like a great community that provides a solid all around education. The town was neat and there were beautiful rolling hills. Facilities were solid, and a great commitment to technology.
The faculty, students, and interviewers. They were all very nice and accommodating and tried hard to make it low stress. They also kept mentioning their exotics program which is supposed to be pretty good. The dean of admissions also happened to know my local vet at home. Small world.
Everyone was very friendly and supportive. The student ambassador who took me to the interview room stayed and chatted until it was time to go in. I was very nervous going into the interview, but it was easy to relax in that environment.
The prairie is also quite beautiful.
Super cute school, they give you your own study area in the anatomy lab. The faculty were super nice and the students really emphasized that it is a collaborative environment amongst peers (not competitive against one another). The town seems to be really safe and residential, and there is ample parking!
The interviewers were wonderful, I had a great time in there. We were all laughing and telling stories, it was very conversational and flowed easily from question to question. The facilities are nice, and I was pleasantly surprised by the town of Manhattan. Tour guides were knowledgeable, and I was pleased to hear about the mixed animal caseloads.
Everyone was so friendly! I really like how first year students get a 4th year mentor that they can get advice from and hang out with in the teaching hospital
Everyone was so friendly! I really like the Tablet PC's they give students. They have a demo out with the OneNote software for applicants to try out. All notes are downloaded onto the Tablet PC's at the beginning of the year. I admire that consistency and devotion to technology.
Everyone I met was incredibly helpful and the day flowed smoothly. I like the setup of the anatomy lab. Also, I appreciate that the complex is in one area, rather than spread out, and that students are encouraged to go into the clinic during the first year.
One of my interviewers had been a professor at KSU when a veterinarian I work for had gone there. I was impressed that the professor still remembered his name and things about him.
I know everyone says this about the midwest, but I was still shocked at how friendly the people were. Everyone says hello to everyone, and I never encountered a rude person while I was there. Also, I was impressed at the number of options Kansas State offers, like research, studying abroad, etc.
The facilities were a bit older but very well-kept. The faculty was EXTREMELY friendly and accessible, and the students were very loyal/excited about their educational experience. There was a great sense of comaraderie about the place.
Enthusiasm and helpfullness of students who were assisting in tours and making interviewees comfortable. Students seem to be very involved with veterinary school activities.
The people! Absolutely the friendlist vet school. Manhattan also turned out to be more geographical interesting than the other places I have visited in KS.
The opportunities to pursue graduate work in the middle of DVM study, the board cert members of faculty, the warmth and encouragement from students and faculty.
The other vet students I met with. They were relaxed and easy to visit with which, in turn, helped me relax somewhat. Also, everyone of the students that I visited with were very nice.
Applicants commonly expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of organization and structure during the interview process, including issues such as interviewers not introducing themselves, rapid-fire questions, and disorganized schedules. Suggestions included providing more clear expectations, ensuring interviewer professionalism, and offering a more structured and informative interview experience.
The pre-interview email mentioned that the interviewers had access to my application ahead of time but there were no questions relating to it or my specific experiences until after I mentioned them in the interview myself.
All 3 interviewers never thought to introduce themself or their background, the questions were rapid-fire style, and they made it a point to identify a mistake on my application.
The student panel I think could have been more diverse. I'm a non-traditional student so it would've been nice to have someone on the panel that also reflected that.
One interviewer joked about my undergrad major (which was not in hard science) and made me feel a little uncomfortable. Also I do have a strong science background.
The Q&A session at the pizza party kind of dragged since they let each ambassador on the panel give their input on each question, rather than just having one or two people answer the question and then moving on. Also the pizza was Little Caesars and wasn't very warm, so that was disappointing.
They asked me where I see myself in 10 years. I replied either in (career choice) or getting a phd. They seemed upset, like I had implied their dual degree program would take that long when I only thought I would still be doing a phd if I uad not gotten accepted into the dvm/phd program
The interview weekend seemed relatively disorganized, could have been organized better. There was no financial aid information, and no organized tours either.
They did seem to take certain things I said with a grain of salt, as if I was over exaggerating. I gave an example of a dog we saw at the clinic that ended up having to be euthanized, but I didn't put that specific story in my experiences. One interview pointed out that it wasn't listed, and all I could say is that I simply hadn't written it down in the application because it was a detail, not a broad generalization of my experiences.
Lack of diverse available programs (i.e. not many international opportunities unless you pursue/set up something yourself through another school or program).
during the pizza party, the dean had talked about k-state being a non-terminal school. i never thought about it in depth too much until then. i, personally, would prefer learning on a live, beating animal for the sole purpose of teaching than having someone's beloved pet be the first true surgery i perform.
Not much. I wish there had been more going on in the hospital. On the tour we just peered into a bunch of dark rooms so it was hard to imagine it when its really busy.
There was no orientation or info session interview weekend. I would have liked if they had done something like this to get students more excited about attending. The only info I had on the school was what I saw online and what I heard from students.
One of my interviewers, the local vet, was kind of dull and did not really seem like she wanted to be there. The two professors were obviously familiar with my file and they asked me questions that were tailored toward my experiences. The local vet asked only a couple of stock questions that she could have asked anyone.
Some of the questions that people asked at the Q&A session, the students wouldn't answer them directly. They would answer a question, just not the exact one the person asked.
I wish the hospital had been open when I was there or that more students were around (it was still winter break and on the weekend). Everything seemed very empty when I was there.
The school is outdated, and the town is dirty. Coming from the midwest and a small town I thought I would really love it, but I did not like it at all.
The streets in Manhattan were too big. I know it's ridiculous, but I'm a country New Englander and I don't like roads with too many lanes. At least they do their job of keeping traffic moving...
One of the interviewers really seemed to have a problem with my lack of food animal experience which didn't put me at ease, like a lot of the other students are saying they were.
It was Saturday so the teaching hospital was closed so we didn't get to see much of it on the tour. The town is small and would probably be boring living there.
There didn't seem to be much going on or many people around at the hospital. It was a Sunday, but they do see emergencies. I guess I just expected it to look busier!
I knew Manhattan was going to be small, but now I know it's definitely not for everyone (haven't decided personally yet). There is one strip of bars/activities, and...not much else outside of campus.
Manhattan itself is a very small town, and is a little run down looking. It's also not placed very close to any larger city, which could be a problem for some folks.
The facilities were not as state-of-the-art as I expected. The interviewers, for the most part, seemed cold and disinterested in my responses. However, I did get in so I guess I wasn't too boring.
Applicants commonly expressed a wish to have known more about the specific structure of the interview process, the importance of asking insightful questions, and the focus on their application materials during the interview. They also highlighted the informal nature of some events, the need to be prepared for unexpected questions, and the importance of being relaxed and confident throughout the experience.
That there is a specific few minutes at the end of the interview with the faculty members where they ask "do you have any questions for us".
A 20 minute interview will fly by in a very short amount of time. Give thorough answers, but avoid rambling, you could miss out on good quality questions at the end.
I wish I had known more details on history of our specific pet stores. In general, it's good to have a lot of knowledge on your experiences that make up the bulk or your experience/what had the biggest weight in your essay.
I feel like I prepared well and just got luck with some of the decisions I made: I'm really glad I wore pants. Some girls wore dresses or tight skirts and they looked uncomfortable and sometimes unprofessional.
Also I brought a nice portfolio to place the questions I had written down to ask at the end of the interview. This also gave me a place to tuck away my phone and carry my ID
The pizza party is pretty informal but really helpful. They have a student panel that will answer lots of questions and you get to meet some other prospective students!
Nothing, there were no real surprises. While you waited for your interview time you were able to sit at tables and talk to the students. It was a great opportunity to ask questions about their experience and gain more insight into the school. I also felt that I could ask then questions that I would have felt silly asking to my interviewers in case they were answers I could have looked up online.
How tiny the Manhattan airport is, and how if your connecting flight is delayed, your luggage doesn't get delivered till the next day... after your interview... so pack your clothes in your carry-on.
That the pizza mixer had all of the parents and students from that weekend in one room where it was a question answer session and the associate dean oversaw the whole thing.
How expensive it would be to rent a car! It was my first time renting a car, and it may have been cheaper to fly into the Manhattan airport than Kansas City after the car rental fees.
That they wouldn't really ask most of the "expected" questions. Still, you have to prepare for that, but it felt like most of it just flowed from my application and personal experiences.
That they work very closely with Manhattan's local zoo (sunset zoo). I think I would have had more questions to ask them about this had I known, because of my particular interests within veterinary medicine.
:) Don't show up hideously early to check in -- or do so and then go do something else. My interview was in the afternoon and I sat in the waiting room and stressed for HOURS!
I did not know they were doing tours throughout the day. I would have gone early before my interview so that I could go one one. As it was I had to leave right after my interview was over because of the long drive home.
That it was going to snow. I'd never driven in snow before, and it was a nice surprise...until I had to drive 2 hours from Kansas City to Manhattan. Also, I was prepared for cold, but not single-digits cold.
That the interview was more of the get-to-know-you type than the relentless grilling I was expecting. Mainly I received questions based off of my application.
Applicants generally found the interview process at Kansas State to be conversational and less stressful than expected, with interviewers focusing on their applications and personal experiences. They appreciated the friendly and supportive atmosphere, but some mentioned concerns about the town's amenities and the diversity of career focuses among faculty and students.
They have general questions they need to ask, but will throw in some they think of in the moment relating to your answers to previous things. The ambassador chat ahead of the actual interview does give a bit of cushion before the actual interview to talk to someone more on your level and get some nerves out - it actually gave me ideas of a few more positive things to say when asked the typical "why kstate" question by the interviewers.
It was possibly due to the fact that I had to do a phone interview rather than in person, but my interview was less conversational that I had been expecting. They were
My visit to K-State made me even more excited about vet school and this school in particular. It's a very family-oriented campus and everyone seems supportive.
Great University! The faculty I met and students as well were all so amazing and helpful! Everyone wants you to succeed and I hope I get to call this place home the next four years!
Really comfortable interview, it is completely conversational and the questions I was asked all came from an organic conversation we were having. Just be yourself, but make sure you know your application 100% because all of my questions were tailor made for me, and me alone. It sounds silly to "know your application", but its easy to forget the smaller things you wrote about.
I loved the whole interview process! For me, none of the questions on here helped prep me for the interview. It was geared all around things from my application. I had a very conversational interview and time flew by during it!
My interviewers did not sit in a single row, so I had to be sure to take turns providing eye contact. This interview style was more of a circular seating format.
KSU is a great school, and the fact that they have a traditional program is really appealing to me. I like having everything organized and PBL does not sound fun or informative to me, so K state has a program that is in line with me. Most expensive option that I applied to this cycle, but I love the program and the faculty so if I get accepted I would seriously consider going.
Be knowledgeable about your application. Don't really try to memorize the answers to questions either. I got, "Animal rights vs. animal welfare" and blanked, so I had to quickly switch to plan b (which worked out in my favor anyway)
I expected my interviewers to be very relaxed and friendly based on what I read on SDN. One of my interviewers was awesome, but the other two were not as friendly as I had anticipated (I am not sure if this was intentional or not.... My interview was also at 8 AM). HOWEVER, do not let this intimidate you! It went very well and I was accepted :) They really just want to get to know YOU.
i know i would love k-state and be very happy to obtain my dvm there. i like their pc tablets in conjunction with the curriculum (3+1) layout, and having all the veterinary related buildings connected. the second and fourth year buddy system seems like something i would use to my advantage. what worries me is my significant other. he was talking to an ambassador during my interview and learned there isn't really much for jobs outside of retail. what can you expect from a college-town, though? at least the school has experience with students being outside of the city in order to meet middle ground with their spouses working elsewhere; though you will need arrangements during on-call rotations fourth year.
K-State was a really pleasant surprise. The interview process was much less intimidating than expected and the facility members were very genuine and kind!
Overall fantastic interview. The interviewers ask very thoughtful, career-related questions, so be prepared for that. However, they did not bring up any controversial issues, even though I did.
The interview was definitely an interview, but it wasn't too stressful. There were 2 faculty members and a local vet. They were friendly and joked but they always were very professional and focused on getting the answers to their questions. They left a lot of time for me to ask questions, so I was happy I had thought of some beforehand.
After the interview at Kansas they take into account your entire file and your interview when they rank the applicants. This hurt me because I have a weak GPA. I am on the alternate list at the moment, but I felt like my interview went well. I don't know the formula that they use, but this all leads me to believe that the interview is not a huge part of the final evaluation. If you have strong numbers--you're in luck (as always)! Your interview is probably not going to make or break their decision. If your numbers are weaker do your best, but judging by my experience grades still play a big part in the evaluation post-interview.
I think it is a fabulous school where you can get a great education, im not sure it was for me. Many people seemed very food animal, small animal, or zoo exotic focused. I didn't meet many people interested in or faculty from the equine department.
For my 1st interview experience, I loved K-State. It was very relaxed. The interviewers aren't trying to trick you. Everyone is extremely helpful and one of the friendliest towns I've been to.
I'm an odd ball because at the time of my interview I was uncertain how I felt about k-state. I had a really odd gut feeling at the time I couldn't describe as good or bad partially do to other things that were going on at the time. Now I'm a student here and it is a great school. The student body is great and just at K-state in general I've never been around so many people with so much school spirit. People from big cities may not like the small town feel but for me K-state is a great fit. Just stay relaxed and be yourself in your interview and you shouldnt have a problem.
Tour was nice; had one-on-one tour with a student ambassador. Interviewers were nice. Students went out of their way to assist interviewees, esp. those who were traveling by themselves and needed rides to the hotel or airport
I very much enjoyed the campus and the students. Manhattan has a lot more stuff in it than I expected. The buildings look well used but do not appear deficient in anything.
This was my first vet school interview, and overall I don't feel it could have gone any better. Seems like some adcoms really put you through the wringer, but this was not like that at all. It was good to have a good experience my first time, and I feel that should help improve my confidence for any future interviews. I could be very wrong, nothing is certain in this process, but I feel I improved my chances with this interview and I will be extremely surprised if I don't get an offer.
The interview was very pleasent and casual. Anyone else interviewing at this school should do their best to remain calm and be prepared to speak in a converstaional manner. Answer honestly and be prepared to talk about ethical/ moral topics. There aren't necessarily wrong answers to these questions but a strong and well thought out response will be in your favor. Good luck to all interviewees!! Also, for OSS travelers, there is an airport in Manhattan and the staff/ students are very willing to shuttle interviewees to and from the airport/ hotels. However, it is a small airport and only receives flights from limited airports so it can be a longer trip or more expensive due to increased number of flight connections.
Great school. The commitment to helping students succeed, the case load, the zoo and exotics opportunities, and the wonderful community moved Kansas State to the top of my list.
<3! Really appealing area, I loved the country around K-State. It's NOT flat at all, rolling hills and prairie kind of looking. Faculty and students were super nice and laid back, the interview was pleasant. No "stump the chump" questions!
True as I've been told, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to do in town. Ethnic food is lacking, which is sad for me because I typically enjoy a lot of that.
Loved it. Loved the school, actually enjoyed my interview. There were no off the wall questions, nothing that really stumped me. I was surprised they didnt bring up my grades or my GPA or anything like that. There were a few questions about various experiences, and a few strictly behavioral questions. Only current events question was regarding horse slaughter, although a few other topics just came up in the course of the conversations.
The interview was very laid back, they didn't ask any tough questions at all, and most of them were directly related to my application. I had several questions that were simply, "Tell us about this experience..." but having questions that were so open ended did throw me off a little I think
This was my first vet school interview. Overall, I was really pleased with the school facility and the people. The interview was very conversational. The interviewers have already read your file and they seemed like they genuinely just want to know more about you personally.
There are tours running throughout the day every 2 hours or so. If you get there early enough you can go on a tour before your interview, or you can wait around after your interview and go on one. They take your picture, have you input your preferred address to send your letter to, and have a Tablet PC out to try. Other than your interview, that's really about it. There are current vet students circulating around while you are waiting and they will answer any questions. They also take you to your interview room and take you on your tour. There is a pizza party later in the evening that is casual where you can ask current vet students questions. Overall it is very laid-back, so don't worry too much!
I knew I liked the program before I went to visit, but I was even more impressed than I expected to be! There seems to be a very strong emphasis on student support and future career success. My impression was that if something you're interested in is not available on their campus, the faculty/staff will help you find it somewhere else.
I had three interviewers, two professors and a local veterinarian. For the most part, they said things like, "I see you have experience in calving, tell me more about that." And drew out questions from those topics, like how my quail experience related to Prop 2. I was very nervous just prior to the interview but the relaxed environment and nice interviewers made me calm down. Also, if you plan to fly into the Manhattan Airport, leave plenty of time for delays. The flight to/from MHK was delayed for several hours each time.
Know your application and current issues. They really just want to get to know you and the 30 minute interview goes by really quickly. Just be yourself and you will do fine. If you can't get all your questions answered in the interview there are lots of students around before and afterward to answer questions that you may have.
I was very impressed by the facilities, and students and faculty that I met. They have a great program and everyone there seems genuinely thrilled to be a part of it. The interview was laid back and conversational, and my interviewers seemed like they wanted to get to know me. They were very familiar with my application and asked me specific questions about several of my experiences. Overall, everything went well and it was a really good time.
I was really surprised at how many questions I was asked off my application. I was expecting a lot of stock-type questions, but was impressed that they had actually looked at my application and thought about questions to ask me.
The interview went by really quickly and I kept thinking of things that I wish I would have said, but overall it was a positive experience. I thought that it was really nice of the school to host a pizza party for the interviewees and also them to ask questions of the faculty and current students. Manhattan is really small, but it is totally worth moving there because the atmosphere at the vet school is very welcoming and encouraging.
You sign in, get your picture taken (which fyi will be your picture ID for the next 4 years if accepted), learn about the computers and then talk to students while waiting for the interviewers to be ready for you. As I said before everyone was very friendly and outgoing. You are interviewed by 2 faculty members and 1 local vet and everyone knows your application very inside and out. There was a tour given after the interview and a pizza party on Saturday night. The pizza party was a Q&A session and very helpful.
It was such a laid back experience, it really spoiled me. I talked to many student ambassadors before the interview, which put me at ease. My interviewers were extremely friendly and it flew by!
I was somewhat negatively impressed by the town, but very positively impressed by K-State. The people, the research, the programs, the facilities, it all was great. The interview itself was very low stress, much more conversational than you would imagine an interview to be. There were plenty of follow-up questions within the context of the conversation (tell us more about this, etc.) but on the whole it flowed very easily.
This was my first interview so I was definitely a little nervous. But all the interviewers were super nice and friendly and asked fairly general questions about my experiences, current events, and opinion questions.
Got there 30 minutes early. They took my picture and then showed me the computers all student will get. Taken to outside the interview room where I waited until on of the interviewers came and got me.
It was a really laid back experience. You go to a room and sign in and write down the address you want your acceptance/rejection sent to. Then you have your picture taken and someone is there to show you the Toshiba Tablet computer that you would get as a vet student. There are cookies and pop avaiable. Then you wait until it is your time to interview when you are led by a vet student to the interview room. I was interviewed by 2 KSU faculty members and 1 practicing Kansas Veterinarian. Then an optional student led tour was given.
It was a very laid back and easy environment. I got asked two questions about current diseases, which I knew about, and other than that they mainly just focused on my application and said good things about me.
very positive. the faculty were so nice and friendly. very conversational. not stressful at all. they were all 'get-to-know-you type' questions. it was like talking to a new friend that you just met.
Experience was overall positives, the interviewers were generally nice although sometimes didnt seem intereseted in being there. Had a chance to talk with other applicants and their families and were very friendly. Make sure you get there early just incase the airport gets snowed in like it did right after I flew in.
I came out feeling really confused. One interviewer seemed really interested while the other made no eye contact. He did respond to alot of things I said though. The current students at KSU were incredibly friendly. They made me feel right at home. My overall interview was mainly ethical questions but I have heard that each panel is different.
I went from having a neutral view on Kansas to loving the school. It's in a really small town but it's a college town and I think thats part of the school's charm.
Overall, very impressive tour and interview. Faculty were knowledgable and freindly. The campus is beautiful and the opportunities for research are many.
Went to a waiting room and checked in and had my picture taken. There were snacks, drinks, and vet students there to answer questions. Then at my time I was taken by a vet student to a couple of chairs outside the room I was to interview in. The vet student stayed until I was called in. Then I went in, met all of the interviewers (2 faculty, 1 practicing vet). Then they began by having me tell them about myself which then led to questions. It lasted a little under 30 minutes. Afterwards, I went on a tour with some friends of mine who also applied.
It's not as bad as I had previously heard. Many people said the interviewers ask incredibly difficult questions and they were out to catch you lying. It wasn't like that at all, I felt welcomed and almost everything I was asked came from my application.
I thought the interview was very high stress. The questions they asked were not to get to know you, they were very specific. I am glad I interviewed there first because it was good practice for my other interviews.
very high stress, fact based questions one after the other, not personal at all. the students were really nice and friendly, but the faculty wasn't. I got the impression that since I wasn't interested in production/large animal that I wasn't worth their time (I did get in though)
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should streamline the application process by utilizing digital options for submitting documents and payments, provide more detailed information and timelines in advance, and offer a more structured and informative interview day.
Provide a timeline of the weekend (tour times, etc.) and shuttles to students during the week before the interview. I like to know things ahead of time so that was the only that I didn't like as much.
I've heard of a couple instances where interview offers were either 1) not received by the applicant (in my case) or 2) never sent to the applicant. I would make sure that the applicant received the interview offer before we call the admissions office.
Having an online portal would have helped rather than having the paper application. I forgot to make a copy of mine, so I could not clearly remember what I put on the supplemental application.
I enjoyed the pizza party but I was concern that it put some students at advantage to have the pizza party before their interview; half of the students already had the interview but half were not at the time of the party.
Maybe revise emails during the application process to advertise looking over the frequently asked questions on the website; there is a lot of useful information there!
I really liked how we had time to talk to other applicants and K-State veterinary students while we were waiting before our interviews, it calmed my nerves a lot.
None. They did a fantastic job of answering any and all questions within 24 hours. There was no mention of a tour when I was there, so I did not get one, unfortunately.
Because the interview was during christmas break on a sunday, the school and hospital were pretty empty. It would be nice to be there when more was going on!
I interviewed the day after the pizza party, but I felt sorry for the people who interviewed the first day before the party. The "party" was more of an information session, and it gave me a lot of good information about the school that I was able to use in my interview. If I had interviewed before the pizza part I definitely would have felt as though I was at a disadvantage.
None, they were very friendly and responsive when I spoke with them. I left a message asking about timing for my flight and interview and Janel Koons called me back the next day to answer my question.
They seem to do a great job and I can't think of much they could do better. It would be nice to be able to see more of the hospital "in action." I know interviews are on weekends when most of the hospital is closed, and lots of tours could interfere with operations, but still I don't feel we really got too much out of hospital tour by walking through a mostly empty building and hallways.
None, I had a wonderful time and was very impressed by the school, the interviewers, all the student ambassadors, and I felt that the interview went really well.
