Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 27% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
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.
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 revolve around applicants' motivations for pursuing medicine, their understanding of osteopathic medicine, experiences with diversity, handling failure, teamwork, and dealing with challenging situations. Some respondents mentioned being asked about specific topics like research, accomplishments, weaknesses, goals, and preferences for specialties, indicating a broad range of inquiries. Additionally, references to MMI or Multiple Mini Interview formats and nondisclosure agreements suggest a structured and confidential interview process for some respondents.
name an instance in which you had a goal and failed to achieve the desired goal. what did you learn from it? follow-up question: do you feel like you've achieved this balance now?
Why Osteopathic medicine? What do you know about Osteopathy (interviewer wrote a book on osteopathic medicine so he seemed to be fishing to find out if I had read it or not)
(follow up to question 2) What kind of an impact would your choice of setting have on the patient population that you would see? (Disease-wise, economic background-wise, etc)
Give me a scenario of where you see yourself after medical training, what kind of medicine would you practice? What kind of a doctor would you be (he asked in terms of principles/personality)
Not a question--Note that the interview is partially open. The only information they do not have is your GPA/MCAT. They have your secondary, which lists all your activities/experiences, so they will draw the conversation from that.
General conversation about the interests I'd listed in my secondary application. The interview was very relaxed - it was actually a great conversation and an enjoyable experience.
This interview was incredibly conversational. She didn't ask direct questions, just brought up a bunch of things in my file and we talked about them. She also told me a lot about her experience as a family practice DO and graduate of NYCOM, which was great!
What's the current rampant tropical disease? (He was expecting avian flu as the answer, but I personally don't consider influenza as a tropical disease....and I was a virologist during grad school...)?
those were the only questions I was asked. It was more of a situation where they would pick out something from your application, and ask you to talk about it.
Are you expecting to have enough free time to hang out with your friends from undergrad? (I had stated this as one of the reasons I was interested in attending)
Talk about your research.
Would you be interested in continuing research during your medical school career?
What are your MCAT scores and GPA (The interviewers dont get to see them. He just wanted to know so that he could predict how I would do in my first year if I were accepted)?
Any questions for me?
Have you applied to other schools, and have you received any feedback from them. 4th question was...In what location of the U.S. would you like to attend medical school?
Why DO/NYCOM ( i talked about how there mission is what I want to achieve in medicine, and I also talked about how they want to helo thair studnets- adjusting cousework and having streaming lectures.
You said a lot of good things about yourself in your application, and I would expect that you would, but you did leave something out. I want you to give me two weaknesses of yours. I'm asking because a lot of times, it's not your strengths that define who you are, but rather, it's how a person overcomes his weaknesses that defines him.
Do i think males and females do differently in med school? - she told me her research showed males did better on their boards but females got better evaluations during their rotations.
She told me about her research - she does stats on what is a good predictor of med school students success and asked me what i thought is a good predictor.
There were a lot of questions relating to my application for the AACOMAS (Personal Statement) as well as my Activities Sheet (that was submitted to my advisor, Dr. Hummel), and the secondary application that I filled out.
Tell me about the courses you took after you decided to become a doctor and your grades started to come up? How did you study for these courses - group or self study? Have you tried studying in groups?
I was asked to explain a low grade on my application. This was the first question he asked after sitting down so I thought it was going to be an ugly interview. It was the only negative he asked about.
Clinical experience? - a more "off the books" type of question where the interviewer was giving me some pointers on medical school in general and how hard it is if you are unprepared
How long have you known you wanted to be a doctor?
What is your girlfriend's name? What does she do?
What is your favorite work in the Museum of Modern Art?
So do you like Turkish soup? Do you have a good recipie?(I'm not kidding)
Who was the South African leader you worked with on your campaign for generic medicines?
You've been to Angor Wat; what do you think about their plans to cut down the trees and refill the Serei?
Do you have any questions for me?
What languages do you speak besides english?
Who was A.T. Still? (I could tell that I actually knew more about the history of osteopathic medicine then the pharmacology professor who was interviewing me did)
What gives your application merit? I didn't understand what she meant by that, but then she asked to explain what makes me stand out that's not listed in my application.
Students said most interesting question asked at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine - NY discussed a wide range of topics, including receiving constructive criticism, handling patient demands conflicting with medical advice, personal characteristics of physicians, and unique aspects not on applications. While there were diverse questions asked, some responses indicated an MMI format may have been used, with specific questions tailored to individual experiences and insights, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
Time you received constructive criticism or negative feedback.
What would you do if there was a patient who demanded a treatment that they saw on the internet, but it conflicted with the treatment you would recommend as a physician?
If you had a patient coming in from a treatment they want to pursue that they found on the internet and this deviates from your plan. How would you handle that?
Do you think the reason why health care is not accessible to some people is because some physicians are setting boundaries that makes it difficult for patients to reach out to them?
The majority of the questions were developed as responses to my secondary and answers that I gave him.
For instance...
What do you like to do?
(I said other things but one of them was skiing)
Where do you like to ski?
(I said where I like to go and we had a conversation about how he had gone there before)
None of them were particularly interesting. I was asked why medicine/why NYCOM/ whether I applied to any MD schools/what my research was about. The interviewer actually admitted that she had not read any of my applications. Which I was thrilled by, because the whole interview was me giving mostly just a summery of the secondary application. Pretty straightforward and easy.
The interview did not really ask me any questions. The person basically went through and verified what I had put down on my secondary. I tried as much as possible to sell myself when I could but I felt like the decision was already made before I walked into the room.
Do you know spanish? How did u get into ska music? ( we talked abut random stuff like me working at a radio station and being a soccer coach after graduation instead of just working in a lab or clinic like most people do. THEY REALLY WANT INTERESTING PEOPLE WHO CAN SHOW THEY CAN NOT HANDLE THE WORKLOAD BUT BE GOOD PHYSICIANS.
I was enjoyed it when interviewer asked me specific questions about my health related experiences. All questions were related to my personal statement and activites
Nothing. It was open-file and my interviewer told me she hadn't had a chance to read over the files yet. She randomly selected something off my secondary app and asked me about it.
It came up from a brief discussion about managed health care: what would you do if you were working at the front desk of a medical office and the doctor told you not to schedule any more appointments for a certain patient who got fired and lost his insurance - but the patient clearly needs more treatment?
Tell me your life story.
(I gave my interviewer a concise version because I didn't want to bore him with all the details but ultimately tied my answer back to why I wanted to become a DO.)
Where are your MCAT scores? My interviewer did not have them written down in the file, but luckily I had my copy on hand. The office did have a copy of my MCAT score so it would probably have been no big deal in the end. It helped to keep the flow of the interview so I did not have to wait while my interviewer checked for them in another office or worse: could not find it. Someone at my UNCEOM interview laughed at me for carrying my MCAT score.
I was asked a series of questions regarding stem cell research. The questions started with the controversy of stem cell research, and progressed all the way to where stem cells are found, and why stem cells from a fetus/embryo would be better then stem cells from an adult.
Are you a giver or a receiver? Why? and Name 6 people, 3 men and 3 women, who are your heroes. Say one quality for each that makes him or her your hero.
I mentioned a NYCOM alumnus whom I spoke to in my secondary, yet had a letter of rec written by another DO. "Why didn't Dr. X write you a recommendation?"
How did you like the city of Providence? I think I was more shocked because that was the very first question I was asked and I can go on about Providence for hours, so it made the rest of the 1st interview go really smoothly.
What is your daily schedule as a physician? My first interviewer wanted a run-down of what I thought my day would be like as a physician in the specialty of my choice.
They asked me about the few previous jobs I had taken in the last few summers. They were all blue collar jobs, so they asked why I chose the nature of those jobs as opposed to more subtle ones.
1. How much experience do you have with New York, and how difficult would it be for you to relocate from California?
2. What can you tell me about the Osteopathic programs in California, and what are some differences that you expect at NYCOM?
outline what you think your typical day will be like as a med student and as a physician, starting with your alarm going off. (none were particularly interesting)
Name a principle of Osteopathic Medicine? (I was asked this after I told them everything I know about it, which included stuff I read from the AOA and AACOMAS websites and the Gevitz book. I guess none of that stuff is exactly an "osteopathic principle."
Students said the most difficult question asked at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine - NY revolved around personal experiences, decision-making criteria for medical school selection, and qualities of a physician. While some respondents faced challenging questions about past failures or specific topics like osteopathic medicine, the majority reported a conversational and relaxed interview experience with no exceptionally difficult inquiries.
Do you think the reason why health care is not accessible to some people is because some physicians are setting boundaries that makes it difficult for patients to reach out to them?
NONE. We spent the first 10 minutes of the interview talking about my family history, different types of dance, and how she grew up in the Bronx (near where I go to school).
Who was the author of your biochemistry textbook? (I think it was more conversational not a grilling question because I heard that he wrote a biochemistry textbook)
''What else would you like me to know?'' was difficult because I couldn't think of anything to say! I knew that was probably a lot, but nothing came to mind.
You took Spanish classes in college. Talk Spanish to me. :)))
- Btw, I am an ESL student (not Spanish-speaking) but I took 3 levels of Spanish just because I really like it! However, I did not prepare at all and I spoke much worse than I could. The doctor who interviewed me was a very nice person. She was latina and I hope show will be lanient to my Espanol. :) No es muy facil para mi pero yo estudio mucho. :)
A really indepth question about the research that I'm involved with that I should have readily known the answer to, but explained everything else that I did remember, and that seemed to be good enough. Whew!
Why do you like children so much? (Kinda random, I want to go into pediatrics so I figured he would ask that, but why I like children, hard to put into words)
why do want to be a D.O.? what are your weaknesses?
What did u get on the MCAT ?( it was semi-open file, akk they get is your essay and primary application, the interviewer doesnt get your grades. This really threw me off bc he asked about my mcat score after it was obvios that he knew something about me, idk if he wanted me to explain my low grade 7,8,Q,9)
Do your friends find you credible and give examples why or why not (they sort-of pushed me into talking about my extracirricular activities to answer this - any positions of leadership that I have had).
They also asked "How did you get to the situation that you are in right now (applying to go to med school, specifically a DO school). It was a complicated way of asking why I want to be a doctor and specifically a DO, which threw me off at first.
The whole interview seemed to be more of one long conversation with some informal questions interspersed. The questions were not difficult or stressful.
What is the exact difference between Doctor assisted suicide and euthanasia? (VERY uncharactoristic of NYCOM, so don't let that scare you. Just know the answer in case you get my guy)
This was a pleasent interview. The question about osteopathic medicine required the most thought, but I had been asked that in a few previous interviews.
all were simple if you know yourself and your reasons for doing what you are doing. no direct questions about anything like stem cell research ect. maybe b/c i related a lot of my answers to that anyways so why ask again
Not really any...but if I had to choose one - How do you think you will do in Biochemistry in medical school since you haven't taken it before, and how will you handle difficulty?
If your bishop told you you were no longer allowed to receive communion because you support stem cell research, what would you do? (I had mentioned I am Catholic and support stem cell research.)
What happened during your senior year? (B's and C's in physics and chem, both inorganic and organic). I told the interviewer that I took on too many responsibilities, but that I learned my lesson and despite lower grades, I do perform well under pressure .
After I had answered each given question, the interviewer usually kept asking semi-confrontational questions about the answer I had given. It was fine with me though. I like a challenge.
I wasn't asked anything hard, not even any Osteopathy-related questions. I guess out of the questions I was asked, the one I felt was the most challenging was "Tell me about yourself." That's because it's up to you how you want to answer it.
How would you use osteopathy in endocrinology? Most of the questions either pertained to passion for medicine, my credentials, osteopathic medicine,etc.
Why do you think, in your gut, you will make a good physician? (she asked this question of me about 3 times during the interview, so I had to keep coming up with more profound reasons)
My second interviewer backed me into a corner and asked me how could I compare a family physician to a general surgeon. I shadowed both and I was trying to explain that I loved the surgery experience, but I equally enjoyed the family practice experience as well. That was really tough to get out of, but I did, somehow!
the same as above. this question wasn't that hard, but it was difficult to answer, because i have no idea what a day will be like, especially when/if i am a phsycian . .. .
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?
No responses
✅ 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?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), reviewing their application materials, and practicing mock interviews with friends. The most common advice shared was to thoroughly research the school, review typical interview questions on SDN, and be familiar with the osteopathic philosophy.
Read Dr. Gray's Premed Playbook and went over past SDN responses. SDN responses were very helpful! Almost all of my questions were previously asked questions that were reported on SDN.
Reviewed NYCOM site, read over Wikipedia entries, looked over my PS, read an interview book, and just reminded myself that I was there cause they wanted to know me (not cause I needed to impress them.)
I researched Osteopathic Medicine, NYCOM, and answered as many interview questions as possible that I found on SDN. I also watched how to interview videos on YouTube.
Many of successful med students recommended me to buy a book from ADMISSIONSMYSTERY.COM that really proved a deciding factor for my success in the interview.
Introspective moments while driving alone with the radio turned off. Read about osteopathic philosophy and its history. Definitely do some reading on that. Be familiar with your application, including the secondary one.
Pretty much only the SDN the night before and a quick mock interview with my roomate and other friends. I also discussed a few current issues such as HMO's, stem cell research, and ethical questions with my roomate (but they didn't ask this at all).
I read the school's web site and I talked to a DO student. You do not want to sound rehearsed or stressed out so just relax. I didn't even bother reading my personal statement. I came up with all answers on the fly since I was realaxed.
SDN/Researched osteopathic medicine and its history/spoke with a DO graduate/ reread all the applicaiton materials and the info that they handed out while I was waiting to be called for the interview.
Put time and thought into my primaries and secondaries. Doing so solidified my answers to the questions on them and i really didnt prepare because i didnt want to sound rehearsed even with unique material
Two previous interviews were good preparation. I read up on the school, topics concerning medicine in current events--just read the newspaper, sdn questions.
sdn interview feedback, reread applications, read info on NYCOM, read books (The DO's, osteopathic med:a reformation in progress), prep'd questions with friends...
By filling out my secondary the day before so that I could have all of my experiences fresh in my head. (As an aside, I think that the way NYCOM does secondaries is a plus in that you hand in the secondary at the interview)
Read SDN interview feedback, read over kaplan and other materials concerning the interview, mock interview, reviewed common questions.
(Don't forget to review your file, most of the questions will stem from the info mentioned in your file)
I didn't prepare all that much. I was prepared to answer difficult questions and confident in my answers. However, this was more of a friendly conversation with a random professor than an actual interview.
I read NYCOM's website, read their catalog, read about Osteopathy, researched on Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, talked to current students, practiced typical questions with friends, read about health issues.
It was my first interview so I figured this would be the most I could prepare. Read over questions here, practiced answering them in front of a mirrow, did a test drive to the school the day before, made sure I left early to beat traffic on the LIE, prayed, and tried to relax as much as possible.
SDN, read over ACCOMAS primary, looked at school website, reviewed DO facts ( This is a definite must for this school! They will grill you on this one!)
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendliness of the interviewers, faculty, and students, as well as the welcoming and conversational interview atmosphere. Positive feedback was also given about the facilities, technology, beautiful campus, diverse student body, strong clinical rotations, and residency placements. Suggestions included more information on the Doctor-Patient Continuum track, emphasizing the school's research opportunities, and providing more details about the curriculum and specific programs offered.
It was like a conversation, wanted to get to know me, and also wanted to give me insight beyond medical school.
Interviewer was nice even though I think they were supposed to be bland in their expressions. Finding common ground with the interviewer is a big positive, so do your research about your interviewer.
the campus was beautiful, and even though we had to sit for a long time while waiting for others to interview, they brought in speakers to give us information about different aspects of the school which was nice!
Everyone was so Nice. Even random med students walking by were smiling at us and were willing to answer any questions we had. We met the Dean and he was quite a character.
Beautiful campus, undergrad life, academic and athletic facilities. Big anatomy and OMM lab. Cool robots to practice on. They have an alternate learning track called the Doctor Patient Continuum, where students work together in groups of 10 and are required to teach themselves and each other instead of learning in lecture halls.
The laid back atmosphere of the school and that the interviewer really tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible. I really enjoyed talking to him!!!
Great interviewer, not out to trick you, but instead put you at ease and let you be yourself. Fantastic tour guides who were knowledgable and excited about the school.
The school had a great little campus, in a very nice area. The four medical school buildings are in a different area than the rest of the undergrad campus. The med school recently renovated their interiors, so everything is new and updated (very pleasing to the eye). They are affiliated with 46 Hospitals!! Students and Admissions Staff were extremely friendly! Provided interviewees with their school's catalog, which provided information on every aspect of the school possible (from tuition, to course descriptions, and hospital affiliations).
My interviewer, the students and faculty members were all lively and animated people with diverse interests. The staff and faculty were passionate about education at NYCOM and emphasized that the curriculum is continuously evolving. The school seems very responsive to student needs, and the facilities are beautiful. The students were friendly, relaxed and helpful. It seems like a great place to study.
The students we met were extremely passionate and engaged. They really seemed like people who would challenge and inspire me. The DPC curriculum was stressed. It's rigor both impressed and scared me. The clinical rotations and hospital connections appeared to be very strong.
3 Buildings and a very nice campus, Interviewer/tour guides/admissions were all very friendly, the robot-patients that you can work with while you are a student, the DPC program
facilities are wonderful, anatomy lab was great, student ambassadors seem very motivated and happy, fellow interviews appeared very bright, wonderful feeling from professor speech, great atmosphere and vibe :)
They have strong research support and opportunities compared to other osteopathic schools. The option to do the Doctor-Patient-Continuum education tract instead of the traditional lecture tract. However, none of the students we talked to were in the tract.
People were very nice. Interviews were very informal and relaxed - mostly just chatted about interesting things I'd been involved in. Campus is very pretty. Tour was good, and they let us see a cadaver in the lab.
The technology, location, nice student body. We went to the anatomy lab and I was really impressed by that cadavers' paradise. :)
I would not mind to spend my next 2 years in that school.
There were many attractive females. Everyone seems approachable and smiles. It's in a pretty, woody, relatively secluded, relaxed area, but still within a reasonable distance to NYC.
The facilities were great. Nice and quiet location. Workshop rooms that were set up like doctor's office (to practice patient interaction skill) was really impressive. They were like real doctor's office. Robotic patient and all the tech. they have plus anatomy lab was awesome. Students were really cordial and greet us during the tour. Students wished us ''good luck'' while we were waiting for the interview.
I was very pleased to see how NYCOM is consistently pushing to be on the cutting edge of technology. Robot-patient thing, massive amount of mock interviews, and streaming lectures (although most schools have this now).
The clinical rotations and match list are also quite impressive. I also really like the fact that NYCOM conducts research.
NYCOM's health center had the capabilities to treat students with OMM. That really shows they stand behind what they are teaching.
Also, it is very superficial but I really liked that there were so many windows in the OMM lab (I really like natural lighting) and I am not sure but I think there were windows in the Gross lab as well.
It looks like students are give a lot of opportunities to get a great education.
I felt that everyone at the school was very happy and very friendly. Several people, students and staff, stopped and made comments while we were waiting. The campus is really nice, very wooded.
The people were nice, faculty was nice. Very encouraging and good facilities. Video streaming is good incase you miss class, and you get your choice of choosing how you want to learn the curriculum
The students on campus seemed very happy and my interviewer (Emergency Medicine Physician) was such a sweet man and it was nice to know he was part of the faculty. Also, the actor-patients are a great way to get your feet wet in the patient-physician interaction.
promise to build a new gym for next year
The school was very tech. orineted and everyone was really nice to me. No one in the interview session was a cut throat mediclone at all.
E
You get to pick your education (Problem Based Learning vs. Traditional lecture-based).
Nice people.
In your fourth year, you can do rotations all over the country (I met a student who had just come back from Hawaii).
Diversity: lots of non-traditional applicants. It made the interview day fun.
The Anatomy lab and OMM lab were available and open for students to study almost any time. the students are enthusiastic and friendly. Everyone seemed to know each other by first name. Student tour guides were intelligent and very encouraging. Cafe was small but smelled good. The school recently did renovations and they have a huge study room.
Everyone was friendly: interviewer, tour guides, the seven other applicants. Many places, including anatomy lab, are open late for any study marathons etc. The area around the school is quite nice.
Stan and Ped (though I knew about them before, they were pretty cool to see up close), clinical affliations, overall student body (very warm and receptive)
EVERYTHING - location, the campus, facility (high-tech!), people, student ambassador, the interviewers. they hand out the last year's student residency match list - obviously very proud of it.
The friendliness of the interviewer, hearing about how there are robot simulators and also virtual lectures online (right after the actual lecture is made it is uploaded onto a computer).
The OMM labs are large and nice. The cafe is good, but expensive. The quiet study is pretty nice as well. Good technology (state of the art?)
Match list and Stan. Students get into residencies at some amazing universities. 50% match into primary care and 50% into specialties. Wireless internet and other technological availabities at this school and the fact it is associated with a larger university.
NYCOM has a beautiful campus. Everyone is so nice. The students were super enthusiastic; there is parking availabilities; the faculty is willing to work with you; everything is laid out - there is a brief financial aid session! The area has lots of places to shop both materials- and food-wise.
Nice anatomy lab and OMM labs. Very nice students and interviewers. Stress free interview. Contrary to popular belief on SDN, several students did stop by and chat with us while we were waiting at admissions office and were friendly!
It has some great resources - STAN, nice OMM lab, and all of the lectures are streamed so you can watch them anytime. The location is also key, suburbs within 30-45 min of NYC.
Assoc Dean was walking by and stopped to say hello and spoke with me and another student for some time. He actually answered a very important question for me that nobody was able to answer.
School is located in Long Island and the campus is beautiful. The class is big but its very diverse. The DO who interviewed me was the nicest doctor ever : )
technology, students, location, tons of parking, great area, admissions staff is great. Tour guide showed us the anatomy lab, cadavers, omm lab- this made me excited to start med school
The facilites look nice. Lecture halls, anatomy lab, availability of streaming lectures etc. all modern with integrated technology (even when compared to DMU!) I was impressed with the Stan and Peda patient models as well as the clinical practice set up. The problem based learning type pathway was also appealing. Also, the affiliation hospitals are second to none for DO schools, which is advantageous to competitive residency placement.
The campus is the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is like being the middle of a forest. The facilities are very clean and look new (don't forget the school was funded recently in 1977). The school is 30 minutes from Queens if you know how to get there. Basically, any major department store/ restaurant is within close driving distance. As soon as you get out of Old Westbury and into the city, you'll get anywhere. This is New York. We have tons of subways, trains and busses. While the school only has 2 buildings they seem to use, the buildings are large. Surprisingly, the school has a high tech simulated patient they let you use. I know this since they charge you a special fee to use this robot. Before the interview, they gave you the residency listings for 2004 and I was very impressed with the wide choices of residencies DOs were able to obtain (ER, orthopedic surgery, surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics etc..) This openness impressed me. The 4 medical schools I interviewed at didn't even give you this info! They also gave you a whole lecture on how much to school will cost and about financing options. What I enjoy most about the school is the laid back attitude the students and faculty seem to have. It's hard to explain what I mean, but you can feel it in the air. I really don't care about the large class size of 260 since I am used to large class sizes and they do get good residencies anyways. It is little concern to me how long I cut up a cadaver or how long I can speak to a lecturer. What really matters is what kind of residencies I can get. This is one of the most underestimated schools in the nation and I was happy to get accepted on June 23rd. Also, the school is the only one I know with a very fair admissions department. I got a 31 MCAT, 3.73 avg and Biochem major and all the Med. Schools rejected me. This was the only one I got in to! Thank G-d for one fair school out there!
The interviewer, staff, students guides, and fellow interviewees were very friendly and unpretentious, and the atmosphere was relaxed. The interveiw felt more like a discussion than an interview. I felt comfortable there. And the OMM and anatomy labs were the best that I have seen.
The personability of students, faculty and staff. Everyone was very encouraging and willing to talk. Everyone was supportive and it allowed for a more relaxed feel.
My interviewer was very enthusiastic about my file and was very easy to talk to.
OMM Lab was great...so much natural light..windows all over. imaculate. Anatomy lab was good too. The campus overall is very nice. Lots of parking unlike the state school i went to for undergrad. Very up to date with technology.
-Pretty campus
-Metropolitan New York rotations
-Clinical facility on the campus
-Enthusiastic tour guides
-Large number of students of color and muslim students
-African American woman dean (never mind who she's related to)
The students, and my fellow interviewees. Students were very friendly and excited about their school. The other interviewees seemed like people I could be happy with at a medical school as well.
The admissions office personell were organized, they spoke to us in advance notifying us of the events scheduled for the day. The labs seemed great. The students were excited and friendly.
great facilities, best omm lab i have seen, nice anatomy lab, lecture hall was nice; basically all buildings were in great condition and everyone seemed friendly and happy to be there
I was impressed by the campus overall, the facilities are very nice, the anatomy lab was well lit by natural light. Nice OMM lab, not as nice as UNE though.
The area is pretty and all school activities are in one or two buildings, not spread apart. Compared to other DO schools, I do not think they do a good job with their interview day. But don't pick your school based on the rooms they sit you in to wait or the food they serve for lunch. The hospital rotations are good and it looks like residency match is too.
My interviewer had lunch with us prior to the interview. He was a wonderful person, very kind and genuinely interested in us. The student who gave the tour was very informative and pleasant. The school, overall, is impressive, especially the OMM lab and the simulated patient lab.
they keep telling you to relax b/c the interview is painless and it is(at least mine was) but that doesn't make you any less stressed!
They also have a real cool robot to practice on.
I was positively impressed by the 2nd year medical student who took us on the tour. She was great for getting questions answered, and we got to see the OMM lab, the Anatomy lab, and the ICC (Institute for Clinical Competence).
The other interviewees were impressive as well, as I noticed that I had a lot in common with many of them.
The NYCOM match list and the breadth of rotation sites where one can learn in the 3rd and 4th years is important.
Also, an interviewer ate his lunch with us and spoke to us, very conversationally, about his life in medicine. He seemed like he would be a very good teacher/mentor at the school. I have the utmost respect for people who don't always need the barriers of rigidity and heirarchy, but rather, show a humane willingness to reach out to all. That, to me, explemplifies what osteopathic medicine should be about.
The technology of the school is off the hook, and the students and faculty are all very generous. Some students told me that everyone is generally happy at NYCOM.
Overall, I liked the school a lot. Everybody was very calm and down to earth. The staff was wonderful. The students were very sweet and gave a wonderful tour. My interviewer looked very intimidating and he was, according to other students. However, he was very nice and sweet to me.
The campus is beautiful! The students who led our tour were very nice and helpful; they also helped to put us at ease for our interviews. The students seemed genuinely happy.
There was very little that impressed me about NYCOM. Our student guide was very helpful in answering questions, but there wasn't anything special that would make me want to attend.
great labs, especially OMM lab, nice and quiet campus, very friendly students, faculty, and administration--everyone seems very eager to help in any way
LOVED the campus - it was beautiful. I liked that NYCOM is housed within three buildings situated very close to one another. The library is small but they work hard to keep the most updated information there. Campus is wireless which is great, OMM lab is fabulous! I loved it. The day was casual and informative, and students and staff alike were very nice.
the students are so extremely nice! random students were stopping by in between classes just to say hi and ask if we had questions for them. and we had the best tour guide ever!
Students on campus were really friendly and seemed to really like the school, the anatomy lab, and the OMM lab. The diversity of the student population.
The students were friendly and seemed very happy at NYCOM. The matchlist is good. The clinical rotations are strong, especially since most of them are in the NYC metro area. A lot of the classes have streaming online lectures which is really nice. There are lots of research opportunites. Also, they offer a good deal of fellowships, at least more than most other schools that I visited. Ample parking space is available. Faculty and administration were very nice. Also, for such a large class, I had gotten the impression that faculty do make an effort to get to know each student.
The OMM lab. The students who gave us the tour all seemed like wonderful people. They seemed happy to be there. The fellowship program is also impressive.
The students were very friendly and the ones who showed us around campus were very honest and sincere. The campus is woodsy. The anatomy lab is nice. We were able to observe a team of students working on a cadaver.
Technological advancements in medical education at NYCOM, happiness and comaraderie of students, focus on aspects of personality and interests, as opposed to GPA and MCAT, during the interview
Both people who interviewed me were great, really friendly and made sure I felt at ease. The student who gave the tour was great too, and you could tell he loved the school. I also liked the two separate interview process, it gave you the chance to mention things in the 2nd interview that you might have wanted to say but forgotten in the 1st.
My Interviewers, the secretary, staff, and few students I came across were SOOOOO down to earth, very nice, and very helpful. Even though ppl complain about the library being small, it is, but the school has a lot of study spaces (rooms, cubicles etc.)in other places.
The clinical rotations the third and fourth-year students are involved in. They are top-notch. The residencies are really good too. The campus was very nice. The students also have two parties during the school year: Osteoblast (at the beginning of the year) and Osteoclast (end of year). I thought that was a cute idea!
The IT industry is really well integrated into the DO ciricullum. The atmosphere was very relaxing. All the facilities were very modern, the cafe had good food and the lecture halls were all wireless. NYCOM is located strategically in a nice area with everything availabel within a 5 mile radius. The admissions dean was really nice and really answered all our questions before we were done for the day.
The interviewers were pretty laid back. the atmosphere is not very competitive. also, the classrooms are wired, lectures are taped and can be found on cd-rom as well.
The student tour guides were nice, seemed bright, and appeared to have genuinely choosed osteopathy as a first choice, not as a second route be ause they could not get into an MD medical school
The location! It's a beautiful campus and the area is gorgeous. Housing is not as bad as they make it sound. There are affordable places to rent within 20 minutes away from the campus.
The facilities are modern and the school is well-kept. The campus consists of only three buildings, besides those belonging to the undergraduate institution, allowing for less time spent traveling from building to building. The OMM lab is state-of-the-art and the Anatomy lab is well-kept, spacious, and well-organized. There is plenty of room allotted to silent study and the students genuinely seem happy. I was told by one of the students that, "The education here will blow you away." The new dean is really an asset. She is very accomplished in the field of Osteopathic Medicine and plans to take NYCOM head-on into the 21st century.
The new building is very nice, the use of computer technology in the education process is very impressive, the student body is very diverse, and some of the rotation sites are well-respected. Many students go on to do specialty residencies, but other DO schools have higher percentages of students doing so (e.g., PCOM's 52%). Also, Barbara Ross-Lee is wonderful. A true visionary!
Good student diversity & decent facilities. Students seemed happy with their choice of attending NYCOM...supposedly, the MS-3 and 4 rotations are supposed to be excellent. Our tour with a student was by far the highlight of the day....she took us around the school and we spent some time in the anatomy lab where we had the chance to talk with other students.
INCREDIBLE, NEW FACILITIES. The OMM Lab, and Anatomy Lab were spacious, well-arranged, and well-kept. The entering class is large, but the auditoriums where lectures are given were accommodating with ethernet access at every seat, and there is adequate study space (given the large study room, and group study rooms) for the students.
very warm environment, students seemed happy, that the new DEAN BARBARA ROSS-LEE has really turned the school around and made it more student friendly, quality of rotations
The OMM Lab is new and very impressive
New lecture halls (NYCOM 3 building is very nice)
Learned about the clinical affiliations and post-doc opportunities
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about lack of engagement during interviews, rushed interviewers, limited interaction with students, delayed interviews, outdated facilities, large class sizes, high tuition costs, and insufficient information provided about the school and curriculum. Suggestions included improving interviewer training, providing more opportunities for student engagement, updating facilities, reducing class sizes, addressing high tuition costs, and enhancing transparency about the curriculum and school offerings.
My interviewer went down a straight list of questions, so it was hard to tell if it was really open file? They did not ask about anything from my primary or secondary
They talked up the by schools board and match rates. Didn't mention they board scores. This year will me there first class to match. Military match was 6/6.
My interviewer seemed to be more nervous than I was, and avoided making eye contact. It was a very awkward experience. He also kept looking at the clock several times and did not seem interested in what I had to say at all. Also, because of the changes coming up with the curriculum, they were not able to answer many questions. Everything was "we are not sure". During the tour we did not get enter many parts of the school. We stood in front of the door while the student explained what was inside. (library, study area, simulation center).
because the interview was so short, i felt like i didn't do as great of a job. i had answered all the questions in 10-12 minutes. then my question took about 3 minutes for them to answer so i was out in 15 minutes.
Tuition. Small Osteopathic library, but main library is fine. Lunch consisted of yogurt, granola bars, and weird muffins. Osteopathic cafeteria is small. No on-campus hospital, but there are plenty of hospitals in the area. Outdoor track is simply an asphalt surface around a lacrosse field.
The anatomy lab seems like it will be crowded. Other than that the facilities are lovey and the mood is friendly, relaxed, casual and focused on learning. Great school.
It is impossible to live within walking distance and there is no public transportation or shuttle. The prospect of driving everyday is not exciting (I don't own a car yet!). The facilities were sort of middle of the road compared to others I have seen. The price tag is very high.
The price, cost of living on the island, no on-campus housing, and I live in upstate New York so it's pretty far from my family which I'm trying to stay closer to
Huge class size, fail = throw out? Woman from the admissions office who talked to us was really nice, but everyone else in there is grouchy. Knew that going in through from when I tried to get app status over the phone.
The very high expense, the lack of official student-housing help, the need to buy a car. There's no housing within walking distance, and the housing in the Old Westbury area is ridiculously expensive.
The interviewer seemed very uninterested until the very end of our interview. He kept staring at his notes while I spoke and responded in a very uniniviting monotone voice.
As I was waiting for my taxi to arrive, professor Hahn (I believe this was her name) was yelling at a student who had parked in her parking space, got security to show up, and pretty much made an ass of herself (I'm not sure what she teaches). I'm not sure of the circumstances of the incident, but it was a bit alarming.
The surrounding town of Old Westbury is nondescript, though it is 22 miles east of Manhattan, the drive to the city is usually hampered by heavy traffic. The local area is supposed to be expensive (though I don't know why it should be) and also the tuition at the school is projected to increase 7% every year...
Neither the Financial Aid representative nor the head of the PBL pathway was there to speak to us. But it wasn't so bad because I hear that the financial aid lady is really blunt and tells you that you wont get much money anyway.
A lot! After asking some questions that my friends in medical school told me I should ask, I found out some things that really bother me. I asked students rather than the tourguides, because they are supposed to only tell you good things about the school, or at least neutral ones. So here's what concerns me:
1-They don't know what the cirriculum will be for next year. That worries me because med school is hard, and I want to know exactly how they're going to teach us. For this year, they are completely system based, which means they start out with a ''Fundamentals'' course, which according to the students was a MESS of whatever they felt you should know. There is only one exam per system, and then you have a re-test a week later. They said that 40 percent of the first year class failed the Fundamentals exam, and the same amount failed the neurology exam. That is a lot for me, and apparently the exam was not reflective of the material presented in class. It even contradicted some of it! To make that even more concerning, the students said that the only thing they're sure will change for next year is that they are getting rid of re-tests, so that means that you're dependent on one exam for 6 weeks of lecture. Doesn't seem fair. Especially if the exams aren't ''fair'' to begin with
2-The dean will only meet with students as a whole class in class meetings. There is no open dorr policy, and you can't make an apointment with him unless you are failing out.
3-They are supposed to post the slides on the internet for each lecture ahead of time, as well as have the printed handouts waiting for you in your mailbox, but unfortunately the students said that for the last system they haven't had the notes online or in the mailboxes until AFTER the lecture.
It just seems like NYCOM makes a difficult experience even more difficult, as well as unorganized
Also... the cost is insane!!
The first thing that negative thing about the school was the location. 35+ miles or so out of Brooklyn, Long Island didn't feel like it had a lot going on that I would be interested in. It was just rich suburbia. Most of the students I talked too said they came to NYCOM because they are from Long Island or the New York City area and wanted to stay there. It seemed more about location to anyone I met than anything else and the location didn't impress me.
The campus was not warm, inviting or pretty. None of the students besides our hosts smiled or greeted our tour group. The gross anatomy lab appeared to be fairly cramped and there were 6 people to a body which seems like a lot compared to other schools. The class size is huge (300 students) and there wasn't any common areas that students could collaborate together. The cafeteria looked as if it could fit maybe a 100 people at maximum capacity.
After adding in the cost of living and expected expense (with a potential 7% increase in tuition a year) NYCOM's estimated cost was ~$63,000. Which means that average student will have about a quarter of a million dollars in debt (not including accrued interest) from the school.
The financial aid woman is a bit intense and slightly rude, more so during the open house then the interview session but still kinda scary. The anatomy lab doesn't seem to be ventilated very well.
Facilities, Financial Aid Lady, Wait time for Interview (I was in afternoon session and waited for 1+ hours until I had my interview- Last person to go)
Lecture rooms look kind of run down/neglected/not maintained.
A student who was doing the tour said that about 60% of students DON'T GO TO CLASS (because you can get streaming lectures online later in the day).
The medical school campus is three buildings.
Tuition is FORTY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR 07-08, WITH AN AUTOMATIC 7% INCREASE EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!!!!!
Mandatory student health insurance is ~$3,000, with an AUTOMATIC 10% INCREASE EVERY YEAR!
The woman from financial aid was very very VERY blunt. She said that if our parents aren't helping us pay for med school, we should reconsider NYCOM. She also said: ''If you're parents aren't going to be helping you, and you have bad credit, NYCOM is not the place for you. You don't want to come here.''
The school offers NO financial aid.. no loans, no grants...nada.
Cafeteria is SOOO TINY. I don't think it can hold even half of their entering class (~320).
The Problem Based Learning program. In it, you don't even take Biochemistry as a foundation to build off of. The only class you take outside of the PBL seminars and things is OMM and Anatomy.
My interviewer apparently teaches in several different courses.... made me question the size of their faculty...
No on campus housing.
The students there didn't look like doctors-to-be. They looked like freshman and sophomore undergraduates...
there is no shuttle bus that takes you from train station to the campus! Unless you bring your own car, you have to take a cab for five minutes and pay $11+ for it!!!
The interviewer. Read directly from a list of questions, and he was definitely rushed, stopping my answers short of when I was done b/c he was worried about all the people he had to interview before he had to leave. It was first time interviewing at the school and he was a PhD, unsure how well he understood the profession. I wanted to make it more of a conversation, and so did he, but he was worried about time constraints. Nice gentleman, though.
The tour guides were not every enthusiastic about their school, the anatomy was not very well ventilated, Sharing of bodies between first and second years.
Rumors about the faculuty not sticking around for long. Also the gym and library are small and not suitable for studying. Students not doing so well on the board examinations.
There are many: the lecture halls were nothing like other schools' modern lecture halls and seemed a bit worn down. 320 students next year. 6-8 people/cadaver. 10% attrition rate!! Board pass rate in the 70s!! Some students seemed distraught about choosing this school. Many seemed to go there because they lived in the tri-state area and didnt really pick it for academics, etc. The school is in Old Westbury which is an expensive area in Long Island, NY. There is nothing to do in the area and the city is an hour away, so you are pretty isolated. I question the academics and the integrity of your basic sciences education, especially based on the horrible board pass rate.
Size of school. The med school is really really small. The library is also small. The floors seem like they are stacked on top of each other with narrow stairs leading from floor to floor.
Also, in anatomy lab, there are 8 students to a cadaver, which is a pretty high number.
Finally there is no student housing so everyone lives off-campus.
The interview was incredibly stressful. I had difficulty understanding my interviewer, and when I asked about the robotic patients that were hyped all day, she said they did not have them ( which is untrue... they do have them and they are called STAN and PEDA)
The weird system where only 30 students out of the entire class are selected for the Problem Based Learning Section. It sounds good, but it seems as if the two groups are very isolated
The library is a bit small, but that's okay because I don't study well in libraries and it's sufficient for research. The gym is small, but I like to jog outdoors anyway.
Seemed that the lady in the admissions office did not seem happy to be there. They don't have a very good gym, library is very small, the tutoring program is not very impressive and last but not least expensive area to live in (dah!! its New York)
Well, I know NYCOM outside of this interview and always held it in high esteem. Unfortunately they did NOT put their best foot forward that day and it made me re-think a lot of things. Basically I didn't feel like they were trying at all to impress us and that we were supposed to impress them. Other schools made it a point to say that we were interviewing them just as much as they were interviewing us. We were stuffed into a room for hourse, the financial aide lady didn't talk to us and they "lost the hand outs" she gave them to give us so we have no idea how much the school will cost overall. Also, the asst financial aide person was there but "doesn't speak in front of people"... ok then. They "didn't know" exactly what the cirriculum is like this year for lecture based students and "didn't know" what it will be like next year, esp since it's changed 3 times in 4 years. We weren't given the offer tosit in on any classes. The students admitted to not knowing eachother and fourth year still meeting people they've never seen. It seemed that there were too many students at NYCOM because of the location rather than because of the school.
The large class size is not ideal. However, its always up to the individual to remain either an anonomous member of the class or get involved in clubs, groups, volunteering etc.
They make you wait outside the office for about 30 minutes before they bring you into a seperate room and begin talking about the school. There's only enough room for half of the students to sit down and the rest stand for 30 minutes. That's kind of rude even for a New Yorker like myself. The library was a joke (The first floor is about 100 X 30 feet). I didn't see too many computers there to use (about 10). You won't get too much attn. Class size is 260. There's probably a lot of students per cadaver. The school is kind of pricey for 35K first yr and expected 43K by the last year.
The library is poorly ventilated and dungeon-like. The gym was disappointing, but they said that they had plans for renovating it. Also, NYCOM is located in Old Westbury, a very expensive neighborhood.
That day it was hot in the building, and I was one of the last to be interviewed, so even if I wanted to relax and minimize anxiety, I felt very uncomfortable.
Also, the students werent on campus because they were on break so we couldnt interact with many students but the ones there were helpful. Many of the facilities were closed.
The campus is small, no dorm, I think the school with the largest class size (DO) should make an effort to organize dwelling for the students in any form.
The office staff in admissions were VERY rude, unneccessarily so. The gym is laughable, they only have an antique set of dumbells as their freeweight set and the rest of the equipment was inadequate for a school of any size. The library is also quite small. The housing situation would provide a great deal of difficulty to any student who wasn't very well financed.
The cost is awful. I lived in the midwest for my first 22 years, and recently moved to the east. I am still annoyed by how expensive life is out here and more so on Long Island.
We didn't get to see the gym and the library due to the heating being broken in the building that day, but I have heard that they are both pretty small and I wanted to check them out for myself. No big deal though.
The school is a bit small, but not terrible. The financial aid representative was not there to give a presentation (we were given hand-outs), and the tour was a bit rushed.
For starters, the admissions office was pretty disorganized. The associate director really didn't want to talk because she was sick. Then we were informed that a representative from the financial aid would not be talking to us - so instead we were given a large packet of handouts. In addition, they only had one doctor to interview that day so they were scrambling to find a second doctor to interview. The campus is two small buildings, and the library is very small. Even though all students are required to get their own computer, the computer lab in the NYCOM library was done away with. There was a lot of waiting time - bring something to read.
No one was there to talk to us about financial aid. I also felt like I could have gotten some more energy back at me during the interview itself. But I do realize that it was a long day!
Not too much. The weight room is REALLY small but they intend on expanding it. The lunch was NO good though, but that is to be expected at almost any interview I guess.
Small gym, the library is small, but the students I spoke to said there's not necessary to go to the library since there are so many other quiet places to study.
Everything was rushed, so we didn't have a lunch, or financial aid briefing. All we had was the tour and the interviews. And they have a small weight room
THe admissions staff was rude, but I guess they do live in New York. The school is overpopulated. There are way too many students for the facilities. The study area is awful and is very full. THe students were extremely stressed out. They said that they get an average of 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night. All the tests taken are in a weeks time, so you have 8 tests in a week rather than spacing it out. Their pass rate for the COMLEX is very low compared to any other osteopath school. They do not have a lot of lab classes, slides are shown during lecture. There is no where close to live to the school. I want to live as close as possible since med students are on campus so much. The admissions director kept pushing that students can go into allopathic residencies. If I wanted to go into an allopathic residency I would have applied to allopathic schools! I found it very upsetting, it seemed like they were puting down their own profession. They wouldn't stop talking about money. We all know how expensive it was before we applied. They seemed like they are very unhelpful if students run into money problems. Other schools that I applied would give students emergency loans of upto 20,000 in two days if needed. I left very, very unhappy.
The lack of organization was annoying. The whole thing got started late, and we all sat in a room for three hours while we each got one 30 minute interview. Some of us were told that we would get a second interview later in the day, but that never came. The facilities were not very impressive either.
Since I commute from Queens, living arrangements is not a problem. However, if you need to find housing near NYCOM, good luck! Make sure you take enough loans out because rent will cost you $12,000 a year, minimum. Contact the Financial Office.
The way the day was arranged, it seemed that we did a lot of just waiting in the conference room for things to start which was a little frustrating, especially since we were all there on time.
The class size is huge, probably too large for me. I think, with the emigre physician program included, each NYCOM class size is roughly about 300 students. The library is the smallest library that I have seen so far. I don't think that's much of a problem for students though b/c I think most people study elsewhere. I also wasn't too impressed with the school's facilities. However,as a caveat, I might have come in with grander expectations of the school, based on what others have told me. The area is expensive to live in. The tuition. There is also a slight commuter feel to the school.
all other facilities were insufficient to handle 300 students per class, high cost of living on LI, lack of answers given concerning change in curriculum, aggressive and unfriendly therapist, oops I mean interviewer
My interviewer was curt and aggressive with some of his questions and statements. However, I believe, especially after talking with other interviewees, that he meant well and perhaps just wanted to see how we might react under a stressful situation.
I was warned about the cafeteria and the library, but it wasn't a problem for me. I think it's sufficient. However, I didn't like the fact that there wasn't any welcoming speech or anything like that at the beginning of the day. After we gave our supplemental application and fees to the receptionist, we were all placed in a room to wait for our interview. I wished they had a brief NYCOM orientation video or something. Also, during my interview, I felt I wasn't given a chance to elaborate on my answers as much as I would have liked, because as soon as I answered her question, my interviewer would either cut me off to talk about herself or would ask a follow-up question. Cheap lunch, too.
Before the interview , we were separated into two groups 5 people each. Our group had only one interviewer and we were done in 1 hour. Another group had 2 interviewers and we waited for them almost hour and a half in conference room.
Very small school, remote location, very expensive, it did not have a very warm feel to it. During the middle of my second interview, the guy answered his phone, talked for a bit, hung up, made a call, hung up, got up and grabbed some paperwork to give to someone outside of his office. He never said excuse me or apologized. I found this to be somewhat unprofessional but I kept a straight face and just kept on talking.
Yes the library is small and the gym is nonexistant BUT the undergrad school is building a new gym that will be open to NYCOM students and there is plenty of studying space throughout the school to make up for the library.
Nothing negatively impressed me. A lot of people complained about the library size, but they have all the material needed and there are other areas to study besides the library.
the anatomy lab - bad ventilation as compared to other ones I've been in and several cadavers that were not being worked on were uncovered, large class size yet with a small campus, poor social life on campus, average passing grade on boards, it's been said but - small library
Well, the library is small but like I said there are many places NYCOM offers for studying (cubicles with cable internet connection) and the GYM is not really a gym (but they do have a nice discount for NYCOMers at a nearby gym).
The commute to the school (3 1/2 hours from Central Jersey plus traffic, which is horrendous!). I felt that both of my interviewers didn't get a chance to know me at all. They pretty much had me recite the history of osteopathy and what I thought it was. Not very fun. I was more stressed than usual b/c I had no idea there were two interviews, so I was caught off-guard completely!! The student ambassadors were ok, but they didn't seem too excited about the school. The class size is the second largest in the country for all med schools (~200 students) and the class didn't seem close at all. The library is really small, and the cafeteria is small and old. Living in LI is REALLY expensive too. So, yeah.........
the size of the lecture halls, classrooms, and buildings. the buildings don't really look very modern. also, the study areas are very small. i don't know if this is because i'm used to attending a big school, but i didn't feel comfortable in such a small school. what's even more unappealing is that despite the size of the school, the entering class is huge. the cafeteria is teeny, the gym is pathetic, and they've got 5 (i repeat 5) microscopes for students to use for anatomy class.
Not much research going on, but I think the school has a philosophy skewed more toward producing clinical physicians rather than scientific physicians.
The fact that some of the interviewers really seemed uninterested in the students' backgrounds. The library is AWFUL--tiny! There is a wt room which is also totally inadequate. For a DO school the cost is prohibitive. Also there is almost no research at all going on.
The gym is somewhat small and not very well-ventilated - there are no windows. The library is also small, but sufficient. Should you be unable to find what you are looking for, there are inter-library loans.
hard to believe that library is in a medical school! so small. Also, someone came in and interrupted my interview to get a set of keys right when i was giving a long explanation of my research, i did not appreciate that!
The time management of the interview.....lots of waiting. They want you to fill out the secondary application before the interview, so it's a good idea to bring a copy of your application or resume.
The school has only 3 buildings, 2 of which are hardly impressive. There are a WHOPPING 320 students per class, which constitutes the second-largest medical school class size in the United States. NYCOM is very deceptive in that they perpetually brag about how the school is the "second-largest medical school in the country," but all that means is that they have the second-largest class size in the country in what has to be one of the smallest medical school campuses around. And despite the massive volume of incoming students, the tuition is prohibitive and keeps going up. The cost of living on Long Island is very high. The library is tiny. The curriculum is less integrated than at other DO schools I've visited. While some of the rotation sites are well-known, others are mediocre, while others are, well, just bad (I searched for HHS assessments of each of their rotation sites). There were few smiles to be seen on students' faces (no, it was not exam time). The anatomy lab smells and is by far the worst I've seen yet on the interview trail.
The admissions staff---they made us feel unwelcome and annoying. Like we were such a hassle to have (and this is how they were at the BEGINNING of the interview cycle!). They make you sit around in a COLD room for 3hrs waiting for your interview with nothing to do...and noone to talk with.
The inefficiency of the interviewing day. There is a lot of wasted time sitting around doing nothing, especially when the actual interview was so short.
The anatomy lab smelled really bad. Poor ventilation. The lunch room doesn't serve hot food, only sandwiches. Most people bring their lunches. People have to drive to campus.
Applicants commonly wished they had known more about the history of osteopathic medicine, to not worry as much, and to arrive early due to potential navigation challenges. They also mentioned the importance of being relaxed for a conversational interview, having extra time for travel, and being prepared for a long day with minimal food provided.
Not much, everything was pretty straightforward. 25 mins, 3-4 questions, you ask interviewer questions, and that’s it. The example questions on SDN prepare you very well.
Leave EXTRA early because you will get lost (and the uber driver will too). The GPS will send you to the wrong place, and the building is not easy to find. There are no signs indicating the name of the buildings and where to go. They do provide a map prior to the interview day, but if you don't know where you are, the map is not very useful.
Interview was super-relaxed. Eat something before you come because they only provide you with granola bars, muffins, and yogurt. There were a lot of applicants on my day, maybe 15.
That scheduling for the afternoon session meant that I would have to wait a couple of hours for my interview once I got there and that the tour and info session would be before the interview.
Not enough food for lunch. Bring breakfast for before, and perhaps a snack as well. You will be sitting in a room with the other candidates are they interview one by one, for about 2 hours.
That I would be sitting in the conference room with nothing to do for 2 hours prior to my interview. That the interview was literally going to be a conversation. It was great, I mean we talked about how the pond outside attracts geese for 5 minutes. That my interviewer would be so awesome!
That the interview was going to be as stress-free as it ended up being! The reason it ended up going as long as it did was because we were just chatting.
That the interviews, while open-file, were very spontaneous - the interviewers had had our secondary applications, which we had only turned in just that morning, and that was what they went off of. Seemed kind of random at first, but it turned out great because that made it practically stress-free... they didn't grill you on anything.
On days where they are interviewing students in both morning and afternoon sessions, they tend to run behind, so keep your travel plans to and from campus flexible.
Nothing really, maybe I would practice some spanish with my latin friends, but I think this never happens... Don't bother, it's very relaxed over there...
It was as I had expected. There weren't really any downers. Everyone seemed happy to be there, barring the crazed professor. Maybe this happens to her a lot, but I'm sure she's making a reputation for herself, even it's not neccessarily fair to her. This may have been an isolated incident, but it was a little shocking to see a professional middle aged woman as upset about a parking spot as she was.
The interview was extremely laid back, and that I didn't have to stress over ethical questions that some other schools ask. The questions are ALL based on your grades/health experiences/personal questions.
Mapquest directions to the school were wrong. I had to call school. From the Long Island Expressway heading East, take exit 39. Turn left at traffic light, keep going until you hit Northern Boulevard. Turn right. You will see NYIT on your right.
NYCOM is one of many colleges of NYIT. NYIT Campus is so big there is a bus service with bus stops to go from one place to others. NYCOM cafetaria, although small, is adequate with good foods and cafe.
How to get there. They didnt specify where the interview would be and I kept getting lost. I had to go to the campus admissions office and find out from there. Additionally, they give incomplete directions for people who are coming from out of town.
When they schedule you for 11am arrival, it means "arrival". Interviews are not till the afternoon and you spend the first couple of hours listening to financial aid advisors about costs and take a tour of the campus etc.
That it was pointless to prepare intellectual "what is your opinion regarding..." questions bc the interview so was laid back that it was just inappropriate
That I should have left 3 hours ahead of time instead of 1.5 hours ahead of time. Left NYC 7:15 for 8:45 interview and got there at 8:30 although w/o traffic should be only 35 min drive.
The one advantage to NYCOM starting interviews later than all the other DO schools is that I had a chance to check out a lot of other places before going here.
They are changing the curriculum slightly- the first years that are there now are the first yr to be system based. They may change it some more before next yrs class.
I wish I knew where to turn onto Glen Cove once I got off the exit, I made a wrong turn and got lost (initially).
I wasnt late but I wasnt early (like I wanted to be)
I also wish I knew that my scheduled interview time was not the actual time of my interview but was the time to come and start the information session, and touring (these were afternoon interviews)
That when you gett off The expressway onto glencove road, it does not say north or south and its parallel to the highway when you get off (east west). on the directions it just said take north. I went the wrong way but that wasnt too bad
Train service from manhattan does not run in frequent intervalls, which coincidentally meant that I happened to arrive first. Apparently they go on a system of first to sign in, first to interview. I wound up leaving hours before the last person.
If you want to do the DO/MBA program you will not find ANYONE to be enthusiastic about this. this is even talk about dropping some of the master level programs. yay.
That my taxicab driver wouldn't know where the hell it was! It was two stoplights down from Long Island University and he claimed he had no idea where it was! Good thing I left my hotel plenty early! I wish I had of known I was going to have TWO interviews!
The interview was much more relaxed and laid back to what I had imagined. Since this was my first interview and my first choice in schools, I was extremely nervous before the interview. Also, eat a big breakfast...its a long day!
That they would have lost several copies of my letters of recommendation. They were mailed twice, faxed twice, and it was not until my professors called before they said that they received them. What an unorganized school.
That the shuttle service would not know how to get to my hotel from LGA! I got stranded at the airport for a while longer than I would have liked, and the driver did not have a clue.
I had originally gotten lost the first time that I was supposed to go to this interview and had to re-schedule. So, if possible, I would scope out the area beforehand.
Don't ask about volunteer opportunities. My interviewer made it very clear to me that he thought this was a stupid question and that I would never have time for such things.
That they didn't need my letters of recommendation at the day of the interview. I made one of my references write her letter in less than a week just so her letter will make it before my interview day. Who knows, if I had given her more time, maybe she'd have a longer period of time to review and revise her letter (if she needed more time). Plus, I made her send it FedEx overnight to NYCOM, which is expensive!
I knew there was going to be a lot of waiting around but I didn't realize it was going to be that bad. Definitely bring a book or something to study. After the 2nd hour of sitting in that room, you're going to wish you had something to read.
The traffic in NY that day was crazy because of the weather AND lots of construction work! So, I advise everyone to go up the Westbury a day before your interview date.
i wish i had know how small the school was beforehand. also, i wish i had known that the directions provided in the mail SUCK. they're kinda confusing; you may wanna check out mapquest before your interview.
The website is very, very out of date. The library really isn't that bad, plus they've got a quiet study hall full of cubicals. The overall attitude of the school seemed to be a bit more "sink or swim" than I was expecting.
The fact that there are 300 students in lab at once on a two floors with lots of televisions demonstraring what the teacher is doing. The class size is way too large for the amount you have to pay.
Nothing...The school is adjacent to the Oyster Bay area and expensive. I don't think you're going to get much benefit from being "closer" to NYC.
i wish i had spoken with my tour guide ahead of time...she didnt paint a pretty picture of the school..."if you really want to exceed, this is the place for you...the students here are lazy"-im not kidding-she really said that!
The Medical school administration/faculty is convincingly determined to push NYCOM into the foreground in terms of Osteopathic schools, and Med. Schools in New York in general. What the school has to offer is becoming more appealing than several of the other Med. schools in New York. Structured by a new Dean whom has shown significant promise and intelligence in the few months of her term, and newly motivated administrative staff. You will DEFINITELY need a car to move around the vicinity of the school and for Rotation years.
Applicants generally found the interview experience at NYCOM to be relatively relaxed and conversational, with interviewers focusing on expanding on application materials rather than asking stressful or challenging questions. The school itself was perceived positively, with friendly students and faculty, though some applicants noted concerns about the impersonal or rushed nature of the process, while others appreciated the school's clinical affiliations and residency opportunities.
I wasn't expecting all the questions I received, and some of them were a bit tough to prepare for, but my interviewer established a very calm, easy tone going in. With this in mind, I say it was moderate difficulty.
You can choose who interviews you, so use this to your advantage. Also, make sure to have 3-4 good questions to ask your interviewer! One question I asked was, “What’s your favorite thing to do or favorite place to eat in Old Westbury?” And the interviewer liked that question.
Very quick. Interviewer reads through a list of questions and does not give any feedback or make any type of side conversation, so be prepared for that.
The students at the school are horrendous and talk down to people. They believe they know it all, and that they were better than everyone. This speaks volumes about what type of school this is and what type of students they accept. It's a shame that medical schools like this exist.
There needs to be a quicker, better way for students for students to receive the contact information of their interviewer than just calling or emailing admissions.
i actually interviewed at the arkansas state campus of NYITCOM but they don't have this campus up on SDN yet. however, the interviewers are physicians/professors from NYITCOM so if you're doing the conference call interview, definitely listen to what these students have to say about their interviews because they're very similar, if not the same.
The interviewer did not seem interested in anything I was saying. I felt taken aback when the interview was over in 5 minutes. I wanted to talk about so many things on my application!
Beautiful campus, decent facilities, friendly faculty. Has the feel of an undergrad campus but also has its own unique DO quad. Huge class size ~300. Very high tuition. Big emphasis on primary care.
I absolutely loved my experience here. It really made picking this school (if accepted) over my other choices a no-brainer. Their modern facilities, combined with TOP ROTATION choices in NY and 96-97% BOARD pass rates, make this school really one of the premier DO schools in the country. The students also said there is a great sense of school pride among their classmates, which is always good to hear!
I was very happy with my interview experience. All the students with me were very friendly, so it definitely relaxes you to chat while waiting. This is an excellent school, and the upbeat and friendly nature of everyone I met made the experience all the more better. I was accepted a month after my interview.
I really enjoyed my time at NYCOM. Because of the high cost of tuition and living/ commuting situation I was hoping I wouldn't like it as much as I did. But the students, faculty, and program really impressed me. If I am lucky enough to be accepted, my decision is going to be very difficult!
Interview was REALLY fast, like maybe 10 minutes. I thought it was a bad sign at first but then I found out it was pretty much the same for everyone else.
Nice school, I just don't personally want to live on teh island
The interview is open file, but they do not have your GPA or MCAT scores. The interviewer has your AACOMAS personal statement and secondary application. My interviewer was quiet garrulous during the interview; she had a personal story for almost every topic we discussed. I kinda had to make an effort to say all I wanted to say. However, she was friendly, and I liked the fact that she participated in neuroscience research in addition to being an osteopath.
My interviewers, Dr. Ahn, DO and Dr. Dixson, PhD were really nice. They made me feel comfortable and were really laid back. I highly suggest that you buff up your knowledge on osteopathic medicine. Also, ask the tour guides as many questions as you can...they answer them honestly. GOOD LUCK!
The person who interviewed me was a MD who didn't speak English very well. I had a hard time understanding the questions she asked me, and she obviously couldn't understand the answers I was giving her (as she asked me two of the questions multiple times). She abruptly ended the interview after realizing she had asked the same question twice. She wouldn't shake my hand upon entering the interview or leaving. I don't understand why they would have an allopathic doctor interviewing applicants at an osteopathic school, let alone one who doesn't speak English very well.
Interviews were practically stress-free, more like an informal chit-chat. Campus is pretty. Just be prepared for a long day. Make sure that you (and whoever comes with you) has something to do, like a book to read or something. There will definitely be some downtime.
Whole office is actually nice, interviewer was really laid back, tone was conversational, people i was interviewing with were friendly, ambassadors were nice, facilities were good; no real complaints
The doctor who interviewed me was extremely nice. She had no intention of intimidating me or making me nervous in anyway. From the start she told me that if I see her writing anything they're only good things. She said that she doesn't have much of a say in the decision making process unlike in some schools where the interviewer decides whether you get an acceptance.
the doctor wasn't very warm, but most doctors aren't. she asked lots of questions that could clearly be seen in my file (Ex- what is your mcat score?) and made the interview feel rushed.
Arrival in the early morning, students talk about their NYCOM experience, introduce yourself to other candidates, financial aid presentation, interviews, go home!
Very nice place, the people, sans the one negative student, were great. I enjoyed it very much and didn't think I would be going there until after the interview. Now, I have been accepted and will be attending in the fall of 2008.
I really enjoyed the people at NYCOM. They were really happy to be there and be DOs. The interview was really laid back so there is no need to stress. I know everyone tells you that anyway, but in this case it really is true. Just be yourself!
It is a good school. Very technological (two human-like robots Stan and Peda), lectures streamed online, wireless everywhere, video-recorded simulations with patients... It's pricy and school does not give much of financial aid. Averall, the scool is good!
The woman I interviewed with was very nice. Also, this was my first interview, so I really don't have anything to compare the school to yet, but I was still very impressed.
I was in the PM session, so it was nice to have the tour and time to chat with students before the interview. My interviewer was a DO and professor at NYCOM who I had a few things in common with, so my interview was rather conversational. It wasn't extremely stressful, and I feel as though he got to know me as a person, even though it was pretty short.
I believe the interview was open file, although we didn't discuss grades or MCAT, only LOR, EC's, etc.
I registered and waited around with other students for about 20 minutes before they started the day. They spoke about the day and financial aid for about half an hr before the student ambassadors came to eat lunch with us and take us on our tour. The tour is nice because they take you through the anatomy lab, the OMM labs. After that, we return to a conference room and wait there while the interviewers call us one by one. After the interview, we're free to leave.
It's a nice school. It is relatively compact, but it seems to be a convenient arrangement. I saw several students who, upon seeing me in a suit, wished me good luck. So that was good. Also, I noticed many attractive girls, not something I was expecting. That part was excellent. High five for admitting them!
I was in the afternoon section. My interviewer was having a bad day and didn't want to be interviewing 5 students. In the actual interview she seemed to try to be nice though. The interview started with some specific questions but eventually led to a normal conversation about things besides medicine.
I was in a group of 10 people. We were the afternoon session. I was surprised they didn't spread out their interviews more sparsely. We only had one interview with one person and it was, at least for me, a short one. But the school appears to have a large medical class, so they probably accept over >400 to 500 students to fill their class of 300.
Overall, the interview experience was great. The whole day went by smoothly, the students who gave the tour were really nice and honest. When they found out who our interviewers were, they gave us tips on what to talk about, and the areas of our applications that we should make sure to stress. The interviewer was very laid back, no ethical questions, and just wanted to know about me and what I've been doing and where I would like to go in the future.
This school has a lot of positive aspects as well as negative ones. I know I could go to this school and become a competent physician. However, I do not think this school is the best fit for me in terms of location, culture and people, but it would provide an excellent education. I received an acceptance letter about a week after interviewing and I have to figure out which school I should accept (NYCOM requires a $1,500 non-refundable down deposit on tuition).
If you are considering NYCOM I highly recommend visiting the campus to get a feel for the institution to see if it is right for you.
Good Luck!
The interview was very casual and relaxed. I wasn't asked many questions at all and the interviewer seemed to be reading my file while asking me questions so she wasn't even really looking at me.
The interview was fairly relaxed. the finacial aid ladly said there would be enough stafford loan money if your already in debt from undergrad. The school is nice, kinda small, but charming. I Like the fact they have streaming video.
It was very positive and very relaxed. My interviewer, an anatomy prof., just sat behind his desk and asked me a few questions and I did the same of him. He was very layed back. It was short and nothing to worry about. No ethical or curve-ball questions.
I just found out I was accepted which is awesome, only took a week. The overall experience was good, I was the first one interviewed in the morning session and my interview was a bit more intense then a conversation as many people seem to have, but none the less the interviewer was very nice and tried to make sure I was relaxed. None of the questions asked were too left field and be prepared to sell yourself to the school as it seems most people were asked to do so. This was my first interview and it was a great way to start.
8 -10 applicant per session. split into 2 groups, then called randomly for 15-45 min interview. My interviewer was just out of school which helped a lot. He did not look down on me at all as if i wasnt the best canidate, which helped a heck of a lot. Honestly if u show them that u are a better person than you are a student and that u have human qualities like fun, being social, and still showing a love for your field you will do fine in the interview.
I just got offered acceptance, but I am still figuring out if NYCOM is for me. I will put in my deposit, but waiting from allopathic medical schools. Just be prepared to answer why you want to be a DO and be ready to talk about your activities. I had a lady with a TERRIBLE accent, so I said excuse me twenty times, but our conversation went well.
Got there at 8:30 (for a 9:00 interview slot), and was NOT the first one there. I was maybe the 6th of about 10 or so that came for a morning interview. I just so happened to run into an old friend of mine who I've seen ONCE since high school (last summer)...who woulda thought?
Anyway, there were two interviewers for all 10 of us: one a male pathologist, DO, and the other a female MD with a tough accent to understand. Another interviewee said that the male pathologist is also head of academic probation or something like that...the bottom line is he deals with people who are failing. After like 2 hours, we got lunch, got presentations by two people who's names I have written somewhere else (I don't feel like getting up), including the aforementioned woman from financial aid. Four student ambassadors held a Q&A with us, then took us and the afternoon group (also ~10 people) on the tour. I was back in my car by 1:00PM.
I was not asked why I want to be a doctor, only why I want to be a DO.
It was more of a conversation then an interview. She asked me how i was doing, i asked her how she was doing, she asked me about my research, i asked about hers - really straight forward. No need to be nervous.
Overall I think it went well. I wish we could have slowed the pace of the actual interview down a little, but I was still able to make my points clear. School is very nice and students seemed happy to be there.
The interview went pretty smoothly, despite the rain. The order in which you were interview was the same order in which you signed in. So if you were the first to sign in then you were the first to be called in for your interview. My interview only lasted about ten minutes, I did not feel that the interviewer really learned much about me. When the tour guides were asked why they chose NYCOM, it seemed like it was mainly the location or it was the only school they were accepted to.
Since it was my first interview for medical school, certainly I was a bit nervous. I was not sure how my interview went as my interviewer kept on asking questions and I answered. There were no digression into any other topics as I heard some of the other interviewees talked about. However, at the end of the interview, he said that he would like to see me in the fall. And, after 9 days I got an accptance letter.
Overall the day went quite well. My co-interviewees were all nice and friendly. My interviewer was a very calm friendly guy who made it a point to make sure you felt comfortable. He made it seem like a conversation and not like a Q & A session. I was very pleased with this low stress environment.
Basically, we just talked. Didn't ask me anything about myself. Only questions about the condition of healthcare/how to change it and my interests. There were three different interviewers, and from talking to the other students in the room I realize that there is no consistency between them. I guess I was lucky with my interviewer (well, I guess I should wait to see if I was excepted before making such claims =).
The interviewer was late coming from NJ. He gave me feedback on most of my answers as soon as I finished answering (some good, some constructive criticism). The tour was informative and often entertaining, courtesy of one of the wittier student ambassadors.
Very laid back. My interviewer was pretty cool and asked me straightfoward questions. I did feel like I had a lot more to say that I was alotted time for but this could have been attributed to me being the last person to interview during our session. Eitherway, the interview went well and I just found out that I got in... I'll be going to NYCOM come August!!!
The interviewers (there were 2 who questioned me at the same time in one room) were very friendly and made the interview virtually stress-free. Since I was a BS/DO with the requirements that I needed, I felt no pressure during the interview. Still the interviewers were not intimidating to the least bit. From what I had heard, they had only been teaching at NYCOM for 1 year or so themselves.
It was a very long day commuting from Westchester. I got there at 9 and didn't get out till 5. The students were real friendly and the tour was interesting. Overall I got a great impression of the school. It is definitley my first choice.
It was so easy. My interviewer was laidback and really easy to talk to. Half the time we didnt talk about anything remotely related to medicine. After I told him why I wanted to do medicine (a 2-3 minute response) he spent the remainder of the interview convincing me why I should go there. Doesnt get any easier than this. It was awesome. People at the school were really nice.. I kept getting lost and trying to get to the building and everyone would tell me where to go and wished me good luck.
Overall the day went quite well. My co-interviewees were all nice and friendly. My interviewer was a very calm friendly guy who made it a point to make sure you felt comfortable. He made it seem like a conversation and not like a Q & A session. I was very pleased with this low stress environment. I was distressed at the price of taxi cabs and them not knowing where NYCOM was but just where NYIT was (not too big of a problem).
The interview itself was very relaxed. I was asked the typical interview questions (see below). The campus is small. There are no "facilities" as such, such as housing, gyms etc. The library is small. Anatomy labs seem like they can get crowded with 8 students to a cadaver.
They are pretty-techno savvy, with the simulation robots and the streamlined lectures. Classroom are decent sized with wireless connections. They are also trying a new problem-based-learning curriculum. Instead of sitting in lectures, students work in small groups on case studies mentored by a faculty member. Its a more hands-on approach with no classroom time for those who hate sitting in hours of lecture.
My interview felt really bad, but it turned out to have gone better than I anticipated. Other than the actual interview, the visit to the school was really great.
Overall, very chill, felt comfortable, and just talked about my dreams, why he became a DO, his wife and kids, just felt like a conversation, not an interview
On travelling - the directions given to us via mail wasn't so great. But the directions on the website were superb. Very easy to get to.
I was prepared to answer the questions. They were pretty general questions and you answer and direct them in a way that is suited for you. I love to cook and bake, so my interviewer asked a few questions about what I cook and bake. I also knew quite a bit about urban health, which my interviewer was interested in and had some knowledge about. He asked me about my family and I asked about his. We had a great conversation!
Very nice school. Enthusiastic students. Interview is very relaxed; no ethical questions asked; just went over my application. Expensive. First year is gonna cost $54k-62k depending on whether you live @ home or not.
It was very laid back. The student ambassadors were great. I actually knew one of them, which was bizarre. They were very informational and helpful. My interviewer was weird, but a very nice guy. He had a PHD in biochemistry and for some strange reason we started talking about cooking, and that tenderizing meat question came up, which, by the way i didn't know how to answer. By the end of the interview, he gave me his e-mail address so that i can send him the answer. Nice guy, though; everything else from the interview was fine. He just asked me basic questions from my file. There were no osteopathic medicine questions and no "why do want to be a do?" question. And ultimately, I did end up sending him an answer.
Plesantly impressed by the campus and the students. My interviewer is very laid-back. He always leaned forward which shows he was really interested in what I have to say. My file was closed at the time of the interview but he had my experiences (both academically and clinically) down. Overall, it was one of my most pleasant interview experience.
This is my top choice and I was very happy with the experience. Met the Assoc Dean who was great and my fellow interviewers were also a great group. The sandwiches served at the Open House and the Interview were great so I'm hoping they serve them in the cafeteria if I matriculate.
ranked the cultural life an 8 only because NYC is accessible if you live near NYCOM.
The food was great and the interview was very laid back. The students were on spring break so we did not get to meet any students and the tour was given by this very nice lady in the admissions office. The lady DO was very nice and told me that the MD school that rejected me lost a great future doctor. Cool huh!
I did not expect the ethical case questions, but found them to make the interview very interesting, stimulating, which actually took me out of my nervousness & allowed me to semonstrate critical thinking to the interviewer. just be prepared to stand behind what u say when he questions you extensively. knowing current events doesn't hurt. ask unique ques that show u know school & that u are ambitious. I walked out feeling great about how the interview went.
I left the previous Interview Feedback post and ment to put a green smiley face instead of the yellow one so I'm posting this one with a green face ;). I was definatley impressed with the intervew/school.
After reviewing the mixed interview feedback and forum posts on SDN about NYCOM I didn't know what to expect before my visit. My impression of the school was better than I expected. I made a list of the strengths that each previously visited school had. This list included technology, facilities, affilation hospitals, availablity of problem based learning pathway, and residency match list. Unlike any of the other schools I have visited, NYCOM is strong in every one of these catagories. Obviously, if accepted, this is where I will be going.
I loved the interview! It was cool talking to my interviewer (a DO). Made me real at ease and relaxed. More of a conversation which was AWESOME. this is where I definitely wanna go.
The guy was not what I would call "excited". He was very laid back (almost half sleeping) and asked fair questions. HE ACTUALLY READ my material and based his questions based on those contents. In most interviews I went on, the interviewers did not even bother to read your stuff! For a good portion of the interview, we talked about my hobbies. Even though the guy was a DO, he did not pound me with questions about what's so great about being a DO. He just asked what interested me in applying to a DO school and I gave him a good answer. Basically, it was a nice laid back interview with predictable questions and it was evident the interviewer was experienced and read your material. The only "bad" thing was that I left the interview thinking the interviewer was uninterested in me since he did not seem to enjoy interviewing people. But don't let this fool you, since I got accepted in the school.
There were two groups of interview, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I was one of the morning interviews. (There were about 8 of us) While waiting for our interviews, we were given some info about the school to look over.
My interviewer was a very friendly and spend the second half of the interview showing me a streaming video of one of his lectures. After my interview, which lasted about 15 minutes, we were shown a presentation about the Problem Based Learning Curriculum during lunch and financial aid. Then we were given a tour of campus. The second group of interviewees went for their interviews while the first group was dismissed.
I had a great experience at NYCOM, the other students interviewing were very nice and were easy to talk to (no competitative attitudes).
The faculty and staff were willing to stop in and talk to you, as well as offer advice.
Some of the students were available to offer input.
My interview went well and I wasnt asked anything too difficult.
The atmosphere seemed very relaxed and inviting.
Excellent. They already have a summary of your credintals made for the interviewer with points for certain categories. I got a look at mine and a couple of others' and i was wayyyy ahead of the game so i didnt stress. Very relaxed and laid back. They just ask you to elaborate on things you already put so its up to you to showcase how important it was by explaining on an open opportunity
I knew this was the school I was going to end up at (barring admission to a metropolitan east coast MD granting school) from the moment I got out of the cab.
The feeling only increased when I met the Dean (who has great style by the way) and continued into my interview where after a rapid fire discussion about cooking, the human cost of archeological preservation and a few other curious topics the interviewer told me he was trying to recruit more students like me for his school.
My interviewer talked VERY fast.
It was a really great expereince. The faculty seemed very laid back. They were also focused on getting the student into the mindframe of treating patients early. The students who gave us our tour were really cool. There was this one guy though, Dan I think it was, who was really hot. I almost messed up the rest of my interview because I couldn't stop thinking about him. I kinda wish I get in just to be able to see him more.
I drove from New Jersey, so I had expected some traffic. It took about 1.5 hours to get there from Bergen County. Once in, about 10 of us interviewees waited for our names to be called and interviewed. The interview literally took 10, maybe 15, minutes. We were all done by 10 am, and then had to wait until 11:30 when the afternoon group arrived. It would have been torturous but I took advantage of the oppurtunity to get to know my fellow interviewess. There is a Dunkin'Donuts and Starbucks nearby to pass the time. At 11:30, we heard from financial aid, and about NYCOM's PBL curriculum, while having lunch. Then we went on a tour with two first-years, and the day was done. An unbelievably relaxed, laid-back experience.
The interviewer seemed a bit strange, but u never judge a book by its cover. I think he was very impressed with me and I believe he is what made the difference in regard to my acceptance.
Overall I like the school and actually rated it above an allopathic school I interviewed at. Students seem happy as well. The interview was stress free and the questions were very basic
Overall positve experience. The interviewer did not ask me any direct questions with the exception of tell me about yourself. I suspect that this was an attempt to see how I dealt with uncertainty or stress. I also think that this particular tactic may have been used when the interviewer managed to go off on a tangent from something that I had mentioned in a fairly extreme fashion. Either he was a little peculiar, or he was trying to throw me and see how I handled myself. He did not challenge me or say anything confrontational. I would say that the interview was more of a conversation than a Q&A session.
Low stress, informative, friendly. Also, the fact that the students were happy impressed me more than anything. If they are happy, I'll probably be hpapy, too, if I go there.
It felt good to me because I think I gave my best interview. The tour guides were enjoyable and answered questions well. I like the school and I like the clinical experience that a large population affords. The interview was not stressful, and mine was short. Be confident in yourself and that your reasons for wanting to be a physician are genuine. Don't try to be impressive because sincerity and character shine through on their own. You are the expert on you, not the interviewer. So, don't be sway from your true thoughts and answers. And if you don't know an answer, just admit that (see question 2--I had no clue, and I'll bet that he just wanted to see if I could say, "I don't know" without tiptoeing around it or blurting out some ridiculous answer). I hope this helps and good luck!
I was not impressed with how my interview went. He made me feel like I was smart enough to be there but didn't actually WANT to be there. I had to defend myself over and over to convince him that I actually do want to be a doctor, why else would I be there!!
Everyone was very nice and the school is pretty high-tech, which was great. Even though the school s small, it seems tight-knit and comfy. The interviewer (a pathologist) was nice off-hand, but in the actual interview asked some pretty tough q's and seemed to almost turn things around on me (not maliciously, though).
My interviewer was very helpful and informative, and seemed to allude that he would recommend me, however, his body language seemed to indicate that he wasn't very interested in what I had to say.
The interviewer was nice and pretty laid back, and he was helpful in answering my questions and offering positive advice. The interview was relatively low stress and I think if I had not been so nervous it really would've been quite enjoyable.
For me, interview day at NYCOM was a great experience. The interviewer (a DO) was extremely personable and made sure we were all relaxed. The student ambassador was a great resource and gave a very good sense of the school. I think the school provides all of its students with a great education and numerous resources, and I since I was accepted, I look forward to attending in the fall.
I was sent a letter telling me that I would have the choice of interviewing in the morning or afternoon. I chose morning, and was told to be there by 8:45am. When i got there, people in the office laughed at me and said 'no, you don't have to be here until 11:00am.' When i showed them the letter I was sent, they again chuckled and said that was the next day's schedule and not today's. Well, thank you for the info...maybe next time you will add that little piece of significant info in the darn letter!
What a waste of a day. The area is expensive and well, you have to deal with New Yorkers. The school appears to have great students, however. This would be my second choice with PCOM being my first.
Traffic was a nightmare coming in that morning, so leave yourself plenty of time just in case. My interview group was fanastic - very friendly & people that I would be happy to start my medical school career with. The student tour guides are wonderful & they talk freely with you & are there to help, so ask away! The students are all of diverse backgrounds, making for a great learning experience. The patient simulation robot technology is new & I can't wait to use it next year!! You will LOVE this school!!
Had a great time, fellow interviewers were friendly and we had good conversations, students who had lunch with us and gave tour were really helpful,interview was VERY low key and I felt comfortable throughout the whole day.
I was expecting to be grilled on my desire to go into osteopathic medicine, and on the history of osteopathic medicine, etc, but I was not asked any questions about it at all. It was fairly obvious to me that they had decided to accept me before my interview, and that the interview was merely a formality that I had to go through in order to get my acceptance (which I did one week later.) I was actually a little disappointed, because I had really done a good deal of research, and I was eager to discuss osteopathic medicine with a D.O. I tried to lengthen my interview by asking questions like "Do you like working here?" Hey, I tried!
i got there just 15 min before i was supposed to, and the admissions office wasn't even open yet. i waited until people showed up, my interviewer was late and he didn't seem too interested to be interviewing that day. if i had not asked questions, the interview might have lasted 5 minutes. he was interrupted by his students who were trying to come to him for office hrs. and this happened not only to me but to the other people being interviewed that day. not really sure how that day really turned out.
I was only asked four questions and the interview seemed real short. The guy didn't really probe my answers at all. Some of the other people getting interviewed said they felt they didn't have a chance to really sell themselves so when you get a question just spit out as much as you can, without seeming like you have ADD.
I liked the interview experience a lot. I had a good time at NYCOM. The tour gave me a better sense of the school.
It was a marathon of an interview day, so do eat breakfast and lunch. The school was kind enough to provide us with the latter. The LIRR is a bit of a trek and "connecting trains" don't always connect. :) So plan accordingly:
There are two good ways to go by train. One could take the Oyster Bay train to Greenvale and catch a cab to the school, or one could take the Port Jefferson Branch train to Hicksville and either take the N20 bus or a cab.
The morning started off with six of us waiting in a conference room to be inteviewed by a professor of NYCOM. After all of us got interviewed, the afternoon session students came in the room, and the assistant direction of admissions gave a small speech about the school. We then had lunch with one of the med students, and we had a tour afterwards.
Overall I think it went well. The students who gave us the tour were friendly and helpful. The interviewer was very nice and provided a low stress environment. I have to wait till December before I really know!
My interview experience was great! The other interviewees were real cool. They were easy to talk to. My interviewer was really cool. He made me feel real calm and at ease.
The people there were great. It was a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and the interview was pretty laid back. Everything was on schedule and the tour was very informative.
Since we were the last ones to get interviewed, it seems like they rushed everything. However everything went well, and if the admissions director wouldn'y have left at 3:00pm, I would've gotten accepted right after the interview. Instead I got accepted the next day and will be enrolling in the fall
The interview was much more like a conversation than an interview. The professor who interviewed me was very friendly and positive. Half of the questions he asked me had nothing to do with medical school at all.
The day was supposed to start at 11:30 as it was an afternoon session. Didn't start until 12:15! We had lunch and met our 2nd year tour guides who were very cool. Had an excellent tour of the campus (NYCOM's portion of NYIT encompasses three buildings). The interviews were pretty conversational in nature so I don't know why I was so nervous. The day ended after our second interviews at about 3.
Waited in a room with 16 other applicants. We were called in individually by one of three interviewers. Pretty much everybody recounted the questions asked during their interview to the rest of the group. When I went tin for my interview, direct questions were not asked for the most part, the interviewer mainly asked me to expand on the things that were in my file. The interviewer also spent time telling me about the demands of the school. After the interview a boxed lunch was served and we all went on a tour led by students. Finally, we met with the guy in charge of admissions to check that our files were complete. Interview lasted from 9 - 3.
The interview was very boring, I felt like the interviewer wished I had not come. We barely spoke. I really feel like it was a waste of my time. Everything that was asked was on my application. I was the only one who had a negative interview that day, but I was also the only non-science major.
NYCOM appears to have its merits and its drawbacks. Good location, close to NYC but not too close. I was disappointed by the interview because I didn't see how it would have any impact on whether or not I would be a good fit for the school. Not my top choice but I will attend if not accepted anywhere else.
I have a 3.7 GPA with MCAT score of 27 from SUNY Binghamton. I was accepted exactly 2 days later. I put in my deposit ($500) and I am ready to go. Their residency programs (and their clinical rotations) are the best compared to any DO schools. I noticed people getting into really great residency programs, in both allopathic and osteopathic.
NYCOM is a solid DO school, and they have the best clinical facilites and affliations: NYU Medical Center, NYU Downtown Hospital, North Shore-LIJ Hospitals, Jamaica Medical Center, NY Presbyterian, Barnabus, etc...
I was in a small group, all very friendly people. We were met by some administration members, who laid out the day for us over breakfast. We handed in our secondary applications with the checks. Then we had our interviews. My interviewer was very laid back. He didn't ask any difficult questions and we had a very nice chat. Everyone at the school made me feel very welcome and extremely comfortable. Then we had lunch and tour with first year students, who answered all of our questions. We then spoke to more people from administration and financial aid. Everyone was very very friendly and easily approachable.
I got a lot of positive feedback and was told "I think you are wonderful; You don't really have to say anything at all. I gave you a perfect score."
i got there over an hour early b/c i was afraid of hitting traffic. i sat in my car and tried to talk through some answers in my head. then i went inside and met the other students. they put us in a big room, with snacks, and then interviewers came in and took some people. i was brought downstairs to another office, and chatted with my interviewer on the way down. as soon as i sat down, he asks why i want to be a dr, then why DO, then why nycom. i kept my answers pretty brief, i was nervous. then he asked about what i like to do for fun, and we started talking about the outdoors and the campus. he never once mentioned grades or scores or asked about my research. he just glanced at the secondary i had just handed in. at the end i had the opportunity to ask him some questions. then more waiting, got to chat with the other interviewees (who were so nice!) had some lunch, talked to the tour guide and fellows, and walked around a bit. i felt our tour guide gave us the inside scoop on alot of things, it was great.
The interview was much more of a conversation than someone asking you a million questions. We informally discussed the issues of stem cell research and medical malpractice insurance. Also, we talked about my research experience and the basics of osteopathic medicine.
Overall very positive although it is my first interview so have nothing to really compare it to. I was very impressed with the facilities but mostly NYCOM's affiliations with so many different kinds of residencies within the NY/NJ/CT area. Look forward to hearing from them. Now if only they could do something about that tuition!
Overall, I thought that the interview itself was the most interesting ones that I've had so far. I think some of the the other people who left interview feedbacks had the same interviewer. I actually really liked him and his interview style made the process somewhat of a fun challenge for me. Although, I must say that the interview, in general, did have a mini-therapy session feel and I could see how other people could get stressed out by this particular interviewer. The student seem really happy and it looks like there are a lot of opportunities at NYCOM, especially in NYC. Also, I am acquainted with a large number of NYCOM grads, who have nothing but positive things to say about the school. However, I was slightly disappointed with the facilities and large class size.
Day began with no presentation, no introductions, nothing. Just 3+ hours of sitting in a room chatting with the other interviewees, Luckily they were all friendly. Since this was my last interview (out of 6)I was able to share experiences with them. Interviews ran long, and around 12:30 we were given a box lunch (cheap), and a discussion with current students who seemed enthusiastic, but knew very little about the new curriculum. Quick presentation by a student services person, who also seemed evasive about the "new" curriculum, followed by a tour to show off the woefully inadequate facilities and saw several unhappy students. Overall my least favorite of 6 schools, both in facilities and in general "vibe".
There was initially a lot of sitting around. We had a few friendly visitors who tried to keep us relaxed. The other candidates were great. The interviews were relatively casual, however I was thrown a few biology-related questions concerning my research.
In the morning when I arrived there was a good half an hour where all of the interviewees were able to talk and get to know eachother. The interviews were held downstairs. I was asked questions, but the interview was at times like a conversation. My interviewer spent quite a while telling me that medical school was like having your head in a vice. He talked about it for about twenty minutes. I thought it was a little strange, but somewhat understandable. After the interviews, some current students came to talk to us. They were great. They were really enthusiastic and seemed so happy to be at NYCOM. Later the Dean and a woman from finacial aid came to speak to us. They were both warm and seemed excited about us being there. We then went on a tour with the students and got to look around the facilities.
Overall I thought it was very relaxed. She didn't really ask me any ethical questions. She did refer to my grades and my MCAT, so if you have any discrepancies between your grades and MCAT scores, be prepared to answer that. Most of the time we were talking about my interests. Just smile, relax, and as long as you're honest about your answers, you shouldn't have a problem.
It was an overall pleasent experince considering it was an interview for medical school.
Graduates of this school have many recidency opportunities.
I found out I was accepted in exactly fifteen days.
Since this was my first interview, I felt that this was the most I would have to prepare for any of my interviews. Right before the interview, as I sat in my car before going in the building, I pepped myself up and calmed my nerves by just appreciating the fact that I got the interview in the first place. Also, they stick all the interviewees in one room, and there's lots of waiting, so it also calmed me down to talk to others.
I had a very good first interview experience. I was able to connect with the interviewer since he did his post doc at my undergraduate institution. Met really nice people that were also interviewing. The negatives I cited are made up for by the atmosphere of the school and the opportunities and success graduates have had getting into residencies.
Overall, the NYCOM interview experience is very laid back and relaxed. We only had one interviewer, as there was some type of faculty function going on in the afternoon. After asked a few questions, my interviewer asked, "Do you have any more questions?" It almost seemed as if he just wanted to get out of there. I'm curious to know how critical interviewer comments are in the entire admissions process.
NYCOM is a great school in a great location. You have access to some of the best hospitals in NYC in which to do your rotations. However, NYCOM is a very impersonal school. From the moment I walked in the door, I was already sweating. I didn't get a very welcoming feeling. The secretary was very dull and only talked collecting our secondary applications and fees. My interviewer was very impersonal. All she talked about was the MCAT. She was very obsessed with it. Granted I got a 25 10(V) 9(B) 6(P) R(W), all she talked about was my physical sciences.
Overall, I thought it was great. I felt totally at ease and so comfortable. They also got back to us pretty quickly. I was interviewed on Nov 20th and found out on Dec 12th that I got accepted. There were no harsh questions like "Why did you get this grade in this class?" or even any questions on health care reform. It was more like they just wanted to talk to you and find out what kind of person you were.
the interview was basic and laid back. the interviewers did not give feedback to your responses. the interview was too short and did not feel very personal.
As this was my first interview, I was a little nervous. However, during the interview I was very relaxed and calm. The interview just made sure that you want to become a DO and not an MD.
Overall, I didn't get a positive view of the school, but I noticed that a lot of the people I interviewed with did like it. Because you have to wait in a room for 3 hours while you wait for everyone to be interviewed, the day drags on - try to get to know the other people there while you wait. The interviewers only look at your application for like 30 seconds before you walk in. The school seemed to me to be impersonal - everyone does their own thing.
Prestigious Private school with many great clinical affiliations and outstanding residencies. Also have classy intellectuals (who are very nice, for professors etc.), to go along with all the school has 2 offer.
Not too stressful. One interview was with an MD who teaches at NYCOM (she asked the basic questions about why I want to be a physician and osteopathic med in general, my grades, and my activities), the other was a PhD in neuroscience (he asked me about cytokines, haha).
Overall, I didn't like the school much, but I didn't have a bad experience. I felt like the interviewers didn't get to know me much. Plus, I'm not a big fan of the NYC area in general, since I lived there for most of my life. It's too crowded and the traffic stinks. Plus housing is really expensive and a car is necessary to commute. The campus is very nice though, and there is plenty of parking!!!
This was my first interview and it was pretty low stress. There were about 10 of us there for the day. We all just chatted while we waited for each other to interview. I guess the other interviewer (there were 2) did ask a bunch of DO specific questions, but the person who interviewed me didn't.
NYCOM is really great and its my first choice! The student diversity is great and the atmosphere is really very friendly and laid back. Students showed genuin interest in what the were doing and in helping us learn more about the school.
The day began at 9am, we had interviews until about 12 and then we had lunch at their cafeteria with a 2nd year med student. After that we toured aroud the whole campus and were given a closing speech by the admissions dean. The day ended at around 2:30pm.
the interview was really laid back. there are two interviewers who interview you individually. i was first interviewed by an anatomy professor who was EXTREMELY cool. he was lying back in his chair with his hands behind his head. he also had a pretty good sense of humor. after my first interview, i had about 30 minute wait before my next one, with a physician. the physician seemed a bit more serious, but his interview was extremely short. he seemed to have looked at my accomas application more than the anatomy prof. after my interviews, i had to wait till the rest of the interviewees completed theirs as well. we then were given a brief tour of the campus and had lunch.
The first interview was conversational, the second was a bit more confrontational. Overall, I think they balanced each other out. There was nothing on ethics, just questions that were aimed to make you talk about yourself. The director of admissions gave us the opportunity at the end to make sure our files were complete, which helped me because I got to give him an answer for something that the interviewers may not have been able to convey.
The school itself seems to be undergoing a lot of renovations. The campus is fairly small, but the facilities are adequate. The students seem to have made the decision to attend for reasons other than "I didn't get in anywhere else".
I had heard horror stories about this school. I was not even going to interview with them just because I didn't think it was worth it. Once I got there, I was able to make my own opinion about the school. I loved it. If I get accepted I would go there. Their residents are well placed, the % of students that pass the USMLE and COMPLEX is very high. I'm glad I went & I hope I get accepted.
The day began with my arrival at the Office of Admissions located in the newest building on the med school campus. The admissions people were very receptive and helpful. The interviewees were placed in a room off to the side in which a small breakfast is served. Make yourself at home because this is going to be the room you will be spending the majority of the day in. We were then asked to submit our checks and complete our supplemental applications. The interviewer arrived about an hour later and began calling names. As it was not my first interview, my stress level was a little lower than the others with me. I was the last one to be called so it raised my anxiety level slightly. The wait is long, but there are others in the same posisiton as you to help you pass the time. Make sure to read the blurbs on the wall in the room - they tend to ask you about them. First-year students then came to give the tour and we had lunch following. WHen we rturned to the Admissions Office, the Director of Admissions spoke for a few minutes and proceeded to meet with each of us individually. We were then free to go. Overall, the interview was really laid back and I wasn't asked any questions about Osteopathic Medicine nor my motivation to go into medicine. According to the others with me, neither were they. We were all asked the same questions. NYCOM is my first choice and being there seeing all that the school has to offer only solidifies my decision. Good luck and make sure to bring a pen, resume, check, picture, and small paragraph on why NYCOM.
The environment is really relaxed, I thought I was going to get a panel of interviewers but instead it was a one-on-one deal. Time really flies after the interview but the wait prior to that is nerve-wrecking. Overall, the experience was better than I anticipated. All you really need is a copy of your resume and maybe the AACOMAS app, beside for the check and picture.
The interview was so easy...they asked me a few things I wrote about in my essay, and they also asked me about my volunteer experience and other extracurricular things I wrote about, so the interview to me was basically just expanding on my application
For the interview . . . know why you want to be a D.O. and why NYCOM. Also be prepared for the long wait. As for the tour. . . it was ok. The tour guides seemed a little aloof.
All in all, the experience was good. I'm not from NY or NJ, so I expected the traffic to be a little hectic. Yeah it was...I had to have a beer when I got to my hotel. But for you city folk, I'm sure you're used to the traffic. Anyway, I got to the interview and had to wait for a while before they started calling us back. Like I said, it's a good idea to bring a copy of your application or resume so the secondary is easy to fill out. The interviewers were very casual; they weren't out to get me. Just go in there relaxed, know what you put on your application, know the name of their new dean, and know the principles and general ideas of osteopathic medicine. If you take care of this, you're golden. The main thing is to relax. Trust me, the whole experience is not as bad as people imagine. Just put a little time into preparing, like anything else, and you'll be fine. Personally, for me, the tour was agony. This is not a reflection of the school, the facilities are actually pretty nice. The two med students, who were very nice, told some stories during the tour. Everyone was enjoying themselves, but all I could do is think about getting out and avoiding the @#$* traffic. The tour eventually ended, so I quickly walked to my car, tried to start it, and guess what.....I left my lights on!! The car was dead. I ran back to admissions office and told them about my stupidity. They were very nice about it, and called security to give me a jump. The guy found me in the parking lot, and obliged. This showed me that this was a pretty organized school, I was grateful. I made it out of New York, drove back to Pittsburgh, and had a six pack in celebration of my interview day.
Was very short. The admissions staff was not very enthusiastic. They really didn't sell their school to me. It seems like most of the students are local NY residents.
Just the basic get to know you questions. If you have an interview you are 90% there just be able to talk about red flags in your application and why medicine, specifically DO?
REMEMBER you have to fill out a supplemental application, bring PEN, resume, small paragraph on why NYCOM, photograph and CHECK!
I heard exactly two weeks after my interview. Good luck ALL.
It was definately postive. I was stressed in the beginning waiting to get called in but the interviewers were really laid back. The people I interviewed with seemed like the type of people I would like to spend 4 years with.
During my interview, I was repeatedly asked why, since my grades / MCATs are high, I was only applying DO and not MD. This is not an effective way to sell me on your school. Then at the end of the interview I asked, "What can NYCOM offer me that the other osteopathic schools I've applied to [UMDNJ, PCOM, CCOM, MSUCOM] can't?" Their answer: NYCOM is the "premiere" osteopathic medical school due in no small part to its hospital affiliations. She mentioned North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset as an example. Give me a break. North Shore has a fine reputation, yes, but they have NEVER admitted a DO into their general surgery residency program. So what good are they? In this respect, the interview was insulting. The tour was nice--I love the pond!--but the tour guide (MS-II) didn't know that much and responded to difficult questions with, "...I'll find that out for you." My advice: If you're serious about going to NYCOM, do A LOT of independent research. I was really disappointed. Pay that much money to be one of 320 (320!!!!!) members of the class of 2007? No thanks.
Caveat emptor...
Out of the 5 DO interviews I had, this one was by far the worst! The interviewers were extremely abrasive and impersonal. It didn't feel like they were interested in getting to know me at all! The bulk of the time was spent on me explaining DO stuff. The secondary gives you little to no room to explain your extracurricular activities/experiences and I didnt have the chance to talk about these much in my interview either. With all this said, I was surpised to get an acceptance! I'm not sure what they are looking for in the interview.... Even though my interview experience was so negative, NYCOM is still high on my list of DO schools because of its location & reputation.
IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU ARE READING A POST ON SDN - SMALL PIECE OF ADVISE:
AT THE END OF YOUR INTERVIEW ASK QUESTIONS!!!
ASK ABOUT THE CURRICULUM, THE GRADING SYSTEM, ANYTHING. THE INTERVIEWERS LOVE IT.
Overall, it was a great experience. Our student guide was awesome and was a great advocate for the school. Very diverse student body and the clinical rotations are the best. I will definitely go here if I dont get into my state DO school!
the whole morning is really inefficient. they give you about 45 min to fill out the secondary-- which is really short (bring your resume to help fill it out)and then everyone has to sit there while people are interviewed on at a time. half way through, another interviewer arrived,which sped things up a little. the interview isn't really stressful, just make sure you know as much as you can about osteopathy. i'd bring a book.
They make all of those being interviewed wait in one room and they call you individually, which made it nerve-wracking. They should have scheduled different times for each person to show up to minimize the amount of time that you are waiting. I think they were more concerned with the fact that you know what Osteopathic Medicine is and less about yourself and your accomplishments.
NYCOM is my 1st choice. I was impressed by the efforts the school is making to change the apprearance of it's campus. I am excited that Barbra Ross Lee is the dean of the school. I heard from a friend that she "owns osteopathic medicine" in three states.
The interview was really easy. Bring a book because there is a lot of down time. Also bring your resume because you have to fill out your secondary application there and a resume helps with dates.
Be prepared to defend everything in your application. They asked me about everything (grades and MCAT). This increased the stress level and left me feeling like total CRAP. They were cold and antagonistic.
NYCOM is a great school. I have the greatest respect for the people who work and study there. I wasn't impressed by the surrounding area. Many of the students seemed unhappy. I wouldn't have fit in at a school with so much tension amongst the students.
The school was in a relaxing place and I thought there were a lot of good opportunities for 3rd and 4th year rotations. I don't like the fact that it's not in an urban setting with sidewalks and apartments across the street from campus. The director of admissions was probably the most informative person there. I expected a bigger campus because it's such a large school, but there are only three buildings. It was adequate, though.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit to NYCOM. The school is nice and the faculty are very helpful. I didn't get a chance to talk to many students because we were pretty busy and they were in class, but those that I did meet were very nice. The Admission staff are amazing..they really made me feel welcome and comfortable throughout the day. Overall, I came away with a more positive impression of NYCOM than before I went for the interview.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office improve communication and organization by providing clearer directions, staggering interviews to reduce wait times, offering more information on the interview process beforehand, and enhancing the overall friendliness and enthusiasm of staff interactions.
Have more than finger foods. Move interview up it's too late. Like on campus housing options. Like closeness to A-state. Would like more minority tour guides so I can get a gauge if I would fit in. Students seemed happy. They push a lot of certs to stand out on residency apps
Give better instructions on location of the Serota Academic Center. It was confusing to get too and the address given for GPS brought me to a private elementary school a couple blocks away.
Give the students a schedule for which they are going to be interviewed. It was not fun waiting in the room for 3 hours waiting to be interviewed without knowing when it was your turn.
Many people spent over an hour just waiting for a free interviewer. Either have more interviewers per day, fewer interviewees per day, or stagger the events so we don't have to wait hours before the interview.