SDN Logo
 
 

Ohio State University College of Medicine Interview Feedback Summary

Columbus, OH

Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions

How do you rank the facilities?

Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.

How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?

Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above

What is your ranking of this school's location?

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

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.

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

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

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about personal attributes like strengths and weaknesses, experiences with critical feedback, ethical dilemmas in medicine, motivations for pursuing medicine, and reflections on past decisions. Additionally, the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format was prevalent among respondents, possibly involving nondisclosure agreements due to the nature of the questions asked.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at Ohio State University College of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal growth, ethical dilemmas, future career aspirations, and unique life experiences. While some responses mentioned specific questions like those related to serving others, decision-making processes, and ethical scenarios, there were no standout themes or patterns in the responses that would indicate a predominant focus on a particular type of question.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at Ohio State University College of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, personal reflections, and challenges faced in medicine. While there were no specific mentions of an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements, questions related to ethical scenarios, personal strengths and weaknesses, and reflections on experiences were commonly reported as challenging.
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions

How long was the interview?

Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.

How did the interview impress you?

Most respondents felt positively about their interview.

How many people interviewed you?

Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.

What was the stress level of the interview?

Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.

How you think you did?

Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.

What was the style of the interview?

Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.

What type of interview was it?

Most respondents had an open file interview.

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

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

Where did the interview take place?

Most respondents were interviewed at the school.

How did you prepare for the interview?

Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by researching the school, reviewing their application materials, practicing with mock interviews, reading interview feedback on SDN, and preparing for common medical school interview questions. Suggestions included familiarizing oneself with the school's curriculum, having solid answers for questions like 'why medicine' and 'why this school', and staying updated on current healthcare issues to be well-prepared for the interview.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and enthusiasm of the students, faculty, and staff. They also highlighted the excellent facilities, the supportive and collaborative atmosphere, the innovative curriculum options, and the school's commitment to continuous improvement and student success. Many applicants appreciated the sense of community and the opportunities for research, clinical experience, and involvement in various activities both on and off campus.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants commonly expressed concerns about disinterested interviewers, lack of organization during Q&A sessions, competitive vibe, lack of individual attention due to large class size, rushed tours, emphasis on rankings, and unenthusiastic students. Suggestions included improving interviewer engagement, better organization during interviews and tours, emphasizing individual attention, and fostering a more welcoming and enthusiastic environment for prospective students.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Many applicants wished they had known ahead of time about the format and duration of the interviews, the relaxed nature of the interviews, the need for comfortable shoes and clothing for the tour, and the potential for inclement weather. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of preparing brief answers, staying relaxed, and asking questions during the visit.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interview experience at Ohio State University to be positive, with many expressing increased interest in the school after the interview. The interviews were described as conversational and relaxed, with interviewers making an effort to create a comfortable atmosphere. Some applicants appreciated the emphasis on getting to know them personally, while others mentioned the thoroughness of the information provided during the day. Some concerns were raised about the emphasis on rankings, the stress of the interview process, and the waiting time for decisions.
  • This school wasn't really on my radar until the interview. I wasn't excited about this school at first, but now it is easily in my top choices. Overall, It is a great interview experience.
  • Overall thought it would be more conversational but got "grilled" since both interviews went down a list of questions but I made it conversational due to the nature of my responses. A lot of follow-up so didn't feel like an interrogation at least. Both were very nice and my advice is to be real and don't give them answers they're looking for. This will help you come off more genuine and you will make a better impression.
  • It's a great program. There is lots of research happening at OSU, across the Basic Sciences to the Clinical Sciences. The placement of their med students in every year's match is also great for those interested in competitive specialties. A big turn-off for me about OSU was that for OOS students, it can be hard to qualify for in-state tuition through applying for Ohio residence after the 1st year, so if you're not an Ohio resident you're likely gonna get charged out-of-state tuition for at least the first year. OOS med students mention having to share excel budget spreadsheets specifically designed to document their expenses the way the office of the registrar wants to see it to qualify for in-state tuition, and their SGA is working on reducing the hurdles to qualifying for in-state tuition.
  • great experience overall, the interviewers made me feel comfortable and I didn’t feel anxious at any point
  • Great interview. Felt really wanted.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Most applicants suggested integrating various application websites into one, improving communication and organization, providing more information on student organizations and dual degree programs, and enhancing the interview experience with better name tags and a more relaxed schedule. They also appreciated efficient admissions processes and freebies like messenger bags.