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Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine

Portland, OR

Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 21% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions

How did the interview impress you?

Most respondents felt positively about their interview.

What was the stress level of the interview?

Most respondents rated their interview as 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 included inquiries about dealing with criticism, mistakes made, leadership experiences, motivation for pursuing medicine, challenging life choices, strengths and weaknesses, volunteering experiences, specific extracurricular activities, future contributions to the school, recent books read, and personal experiences related to the application. Additionally, Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format questions were prevalent where interviewers delved into applicants' applications and personal statements, highlighting certain activities or experiences for discussion, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said the most interesting question asked at Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal experiences, favorite books, specific application details, ethical scenarios, and future career aspirations. While some interviews were conversational and low-key, others delved into healthcare policies, cultural differences, patient interactions, and personal reflections, with a few interviews focusing on the MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal motivations for pursuing medicine, ethical dilemmas in patient care, scenarios involving conflicts or challenging situations, and inquiries about career goals and future plans. Several respondents mentioned facing an MMI format with acting scenarios, while others highlighted questions related to professionalism, strengths and weaknesses, and the integration of public health with medicine, indicating a comprehensive evaluation process that may have involved a nondisclosure agreement.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.

How many people interviewed you?

Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.

What was the style of the interview?

Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.

What type of interview was it?

Most respondents had an open file interview.

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.

Where did the interview take place?

Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Tours were most commonly given by a Student

How did the tour guide seem?

Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.

How do you rank the facilities?

Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.

What is your in-state status?

Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.

What were your total hours spent traveling?

Most respondents spent 0-1 hour traveling to the interview.

What was your primary mode of travel?

Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

Most respondents spent less than $100.

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.

How would you rate the hotel?

Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

Would you recommend the hotel?

Most respondents would recommend their hotel.

What is your ranking of this school's location?

Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?

Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

What are your comments on where you stayed?

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?

Most applicants prepared for the interview by practicing mock interviews, reviewing application materials, reading about healthcare policies, and discussing current medical topics with peers. They also utilized resources like SDN, school websites, and books on healthcare to enhance their interview readiness.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were most impressed by the friendly and supportive staff, faculty, and students at the school. They appreciated the collaborative and positive atmosphere, the emphasis on early clinical exposure, the beautiful campus location in Portland, and the innovative curriculum, which includes a focus on primary care and flexibility in scheduling. Suggestions were made for continued growth and support for students, as well as praise for the school's facilities and community.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the uninterested or cold demeanor of interviewers, lack of organization during the interview day, outdated facilities, high tuition costs, parking challenges, and limited campus amenities and resources. Suggestions included improving interviewer engagement, enhancing the structure of the interview day, updating facilities, addressing tuition affordability, improving parking options, and enhancing campus facilities and services to provide a more positive and informative experience for applicants.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants suggested that it's important to be prepared for personal questions rather than generic ones, to emphasize self-promotion, and to be aware of the significant downtime between interviews. They also highlighted the need for comfortable shoes due to the campus's size, and to bring items for entertainment during waiting periods.

What are your general comments?

Applicants shared mixed feedback about OHSU, with some praising the school's program, location, and friendly staff, while others expressed concerns about long wait times, unimpressive interviews, and lack of enthusiasm from interviewers. Suggestions included improving communication with applicants, addressing concerns about interviewers' behavior, and better showcasing the school's strengths during the interview day.
  • great school, great program, terrible response time for decisions.
  • I thought the MMI (Kira Talent) was relatively unimpressive and a poor reflection of what it is intended to assess.
  • Just prep a bunch of different experiences that fall into categories of facing adversity, leadership, academic adversity etc. to pull from for questions
  • Everyone was amazing to talk to and really great. The MMI was stressful and fun.
  • I really liked this interview.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office should improve communication by providing timely updates through email, streamlining the decision-making process, and utilizing electronic methods instead of traditional mail to enhance efficiency and reduce frustration for applicants.