Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly 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 low stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools revolve around why candidates want to pursue medicine, their strengths and weaknesses, experiences in healthcare, coping mechanisms for stress, and future career aspirations. Additionally, respondents mentioned questions about their file/application, research experiences, choice of medical school, and specific interests in osteopathic medicine, often in an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
Each interviewer asked me about my work history, focusing on if i was employed during college (which felt odd since this was in my primary application)
Second interview, I was drilled with the standard interview questions..."where do you see yourself in 10 years?" "Why are you a better candidate?" "how do you handle stress?" "what will you struggle with the most in medical school?"...etc...
Third Interview was about their two learning curriculas, and how I would fit into either of those two, along with a few standard interview questions as mentioned above.
Why OUCOM? What should I tell the selection committee? What schools are you applying to? What schools have you interviewed at? If you got into another school and this school which one would you choose?
Tell me about this particular experience (on my application)...and of course be ready for questions about osteopathic medicine, what you know about it, and why you like it
So, you're from [my town], huh? (this was about the only direct question I was asked. the rest of the conversation with this interviewer i had to struggle to keep going)
Your application looks really strong. Is there anything about it that's not perfect? (i think i got honesty points here for pointing out the weaker aspects, and explaining how, from my perspective, they were specific choices behind them that made them into strengths.)
Read this article and then discuss it. What does it mean to you? - Not very difficult... It's not like a scientific journal article or anything. This will not cause anyone a problem!
If you were accepted here as well as other Ohio schools, would you choose DO over MD, and why? Would be comfortable working in rural areas instead of larger cities or suburbs?
After reading a short essay I was asked to summarize it and give my opinion or thoughts about it. This was real easy...don't be scared. It wasn't a technical essay or anything difficult.
Why do you think people respond better to stories? (This related to his research.)
I have always thought engineers make excellent physicians. (WooHoo!!!) What do you think?
How do you feel about entering a profession that is going through some major changes: insurance isn't covering everything, malpractice is always rising, there is talk of socializing medicine....are you worried about this?
Problem based or didactic? (Sorry, I forget the OUCOM acronyms.)
Do you have a specialty in mind? How do you know?
If you want to live in a rural community you can't do research so tell me how you will decide what you want to do most?
How will you deal with your family life so far away?
Tell me about any experiences you have had with other cultures.
What happened here with your sophomore year? (It was in 1994/5, so easy to explain that!)
What did you do to prepare for the MCAT? Did you consider sitting for the August one? (No.) Your scores are good, but you could be competitive for other schools closer to you did you think about that?
Are you thirsty?
Why DO? Why OUCOM? How do you know you want to be a doctor? What's wrong with engineering? Do you like research, have you considered the DO/PhD program? Tell me about your current research. How will you and your husband manage the distance?
What did you find when you were poking around in the drawers in the simulated patient labs?
(I managed to relate a Seinfeld skit and the embodiment of the osteopathic doctor-patient relat'p in one answer)
First interview - what have you learned today about OU-COM, Why don't you want to be a lawyer like your dad?, What have you learned from your parents?, One word to describe you?, What is your "problem?", Why med school, Why DO, why should we take you, Research, Curriculum, where else did you apply?
Most ridiculous RA experience? What are you looking for in a med school? Most proud academic achievement? What should I tell the admissions committe about you?
After reading the article:
What do you think it was about?
How would you rate it on a scale of 1-10? then, it hit me between the eyes, 10 absolutely, why not for you?
Why do you think there is so much medical literature these days?
Typical QUestions: Take me down your reasoning of Why medicine, then why osteopathic medicine, then why OU?
How do you learn? (the tracks of OU are different based on learning styles)
Anything you want to highlight on your application or explain any poor areas?
What literary work best describes your philosophy of medicine? <----I answered a recent novel I had read and he actually knew the parents of the author....and loves the book...hopefully unexpected points
Why do you want to be a doctor? Why do you want to go into medicine? Why Osteopathic medicine? All three of these questions can be answered the exact same way.
I have lived in six different countries, so my interviews always consist of having one or two conversations about my culture exposures and experiences.
Students said most interesting question asked at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics from personal hobbies to societal issues. While questions varied, the interviews were described as open-file and conversational, fostering in-depth discussions. Additionally, some respondents mentioned being asked to pick individuals for a hypothetical dinner, reflecting on personal passions, or discussing the impact of specific life experiences.
I think the open-file style of these interviews leads to a lot of great conversations. There wasn't one question, in particular, this interested me. Instead, it was the depth of discussion and openness I felt with my interviewers.
(I took a couple swimming-endurance classes) "I see that you've taken some swimming classes, do you swim?" And then we got into talking about the swim team that the interviewer is on and she suggested that I think about joining if I go to OU. :D
If you could invite 3 people,living or dead, to dinner who would they be and why? I was asked this twice and apparently they ask this question a lot so be prepared.
How many brothers and sisters I had. What my friends did when we hung out in high school. How did I know that I denervated the right nerve (pertaining to my research).
Where do you get your hair done? (The interviewer and I are from the same area of Ohio, which is really weird since it is in the middle of nowhere and most people never leave it. This interview was the last of the day and was really more of a get-to-know-you type of thing. I think she just wanted to see if I had any kind of a personality.)
I actually wasn't asked a whole lot of the typical questions you would expect from an inteview of this magnitude. The interviews were very conversational in that the interviewers wanted to get to know what type of person you are rather than your accomplishments; besides, they already have your file, so they know what you've done.
I was asked what one of my biggest passions was, and I talked about music, but then my interviewer kept asking me about more and more passions. So be prepared to talk about everything you enjoy doing (my range of passions was from music to socializing to reading to baking - so don't hold back, no matter how weird the passion is)
Read this article and we'll talk about it when I get back...What did you think it meant? (it was an article about a resident who had a nazi prison camp survivor as a patient and realizing this truth and its impact on her (the physician))
My second interviewer and I had a conversation about a book that both of us had read. I was asked what my thoughts were about the author, and what the author meant by referring to a Renaissance man.
Students said the most difficult question asked at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including preferences between MD and DO programs, evidence-based practice, dealing with diverse populations, weaknesses, and changes to the healthcare system. The interview format may have been an MMI, as some respondents mentioned nondisclosure agreements, while others highlighted questions related to personal experiences and ethical scenarios in healthcare.
If you got accepted into OUHCOM, OSU, and Case Western right now, where would you choose to go?
Why didn't you want to go into nursing, instead of medicine?
[majority of questions were from my file; interviews really weren't that bad! they just wanted to hear me talk about my experiences and what I did during college.]
If you treated someone, then later that person refuses to pay you. What would you do presently? Is it right to refuse treatment in future or would you take loss and explain that to the administrator? Is it right?
You have not taken advanced level biology classes i.e. immunology etc. How do you think you will be able to compete with those students who have taken these advanced level courses.
The interview was basically a conversation telling the staff about yourself. None of the questions were hard or required much thought. If you're sincere then the answers will come out natural.
What did I think about socialized medicine. How did I think I could improved the cost of healthcare...I discussed insurance and the rising costs...so I was then asked besides that what could I do to improve the cost of healthcare.
If you are a physician and a man from another country comes into your clinic and needs healthcare (for diabetes), but he cannot pay you, what do you do? Note: why did they mention that he was from another country??? Was that really an important part of the question?
What would you do if you were not accepted to med school? (I really never thought about this to be honest and just made something up about studying some more and maybe taking the MCAT again and of course apply again the following year)
Tell me about this school you're at now.
I wasn't sure what she meant or wanted to hear. Also, I know virtually nothing about my current school except that it sticks and I didn't figure that telling her the schools sucks would be wise.
All pretty basic stuff again, but one interviewer did try to falsely call me out...accusing me of secretly harboring desires to really be an MD instead or something like that...and that really offended me, got me a bit riled up, and then put me on the defensive for the rest of the session. Not cool.
None of the questions were too difficult to answer; however, during my third inteview, I had to read a short essay and then discuss it with my interviewer. That threw me off a little since my two previous interview sessions were strictly conversational and mostly about my life and personal experiences outside of school.
What is your "problem"? (I think he meant like what is my weakness....just caught me off guard). Some specifics about my research, why I was interested in a PhD (I hadn't read about that many current projects at OU).
pretty easy, didn't like the obligatory "How would your friends describe you?" and "What is the biggest problem in Health Care today?" questions though
I was fortunate enough to not have any difficult questions. I felt that the interviewers really went out of their way to avoid making the interview feel like an interrogation. Instead, with all three interviewers I had pleasant conversation about my file.
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 reviewing their application materials, practicing common interview questions from sources like SDN, and researching the school and its programs through its website and talking to current students. Additionally, mock interviews, reading about medical ethics, and staying relaxed and being themselves were common themes in their preparation strategies.
I prepared by going over my personal statement and reflecting on my pre-medical experiences. I also thought of some questions I had about the school's culture and vision.
Looked at this site a little and just tried to relax. It was my first interview so I was pretty stressed out. I had talked to people from the OUCOM staff previuously and I kind of knew what to expect.
SDN, started to read The DOs but got sooo bored that I couldn't finish it before the interview (not a knock on the book, I just didn't find it very interesting), read up on medical ethics.
I steamed my suit, took a shower, picked out a nice power tie... no rehearsing answers. Oh, I DID print out a copy of my AACOMAS w/ MCAT scores... just in case. I then relaxed!
This was my first (and incidentally my only) medical school interview, so I wasn't really sure how to prepare. I learned alot about the school and osteopathic medicine in general, but in the end I really didn't talk about anything like that. The most important thing to remember about inteviewing at OU is to remain relaxed and be yourself; they're not looking for robots.
I looked at the interview feedback page and just relaxed the night before. I enjoyed my ride down to the school and went to sleep early. I did not rehearse any lines and was just myself.
What I did, and what I recommend for this interview is to copy and paste the questions that everyone has posted and be prepared for almost all of them, especially for the reoccuring ones.
This website. I read a lot of about some ethical concerns we as the scientific community have to face. Also, the past few months I have read a number of different books about the healthcare system in the United States. I wouldn't say that is necessary (unless you enjoy doing that), but it certainly will make you more confident and aware.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly, conversational, and welcoming atmosphere at the school, where both staff and students showed genuine care and interest in getting to know them. The positive feedback highlighted the community feel, the personal interactions during interviews, the beautiful campus, the supportive faculty, and the quick turnaround time for admissions decisions. Suggestions included maintaining the warm and welcoming environment, emphasizing the personal touch in interactions, and continuing to prioritize student well-being and support.
The personal nature of the interview and the staff. It felt like they genuinely wanted to get to know me and cared. They sent congratulations emails following my acceptance (that evening) and included details from conversations we had earlier that day.
The admissions office, students, and faculty are all very friendly and approachable. The students acknowledged the difficult realities of medical school, yet all seemed quite happy and well-supported by the school administration, peers, and their instructors.
In the beginning, they sat us in a very nice conference room and had us all introduce ourselves to each other. This helped make me feel much more comfortable. They also treated the interviewees with so much respect and that they really cared about each of us, even if we did not end up going to this school.
Everyone was extremely relaxed. No one looked as if they were judging you, they simply wanted to know more about you in a friendly conversation type of way.
The friendliness of the people on campus, the opportunities for early clinical contact, the dual curricular tracks, and the opportunity to travel abroad.
When people talked about why they liked the school it wasn't about all the tangible things like the CORE program, great board scores, research/international opportunities, or versatility in the curricula but rather the intangibles like the people, the professors, and family like atmosphere.
established program, great opportunities for clinical rotations, no dress code, lectures available as mp3's, loads of international opportunities, affiliation with a big state university, tons of research, great location, niceness of everyone I met, amazingly quick turnaround on admissions decision; interview on Friday, decision by Monday morning; only 100 dollar deposit to hold a seat.
Pretty much everything: Anatomy lab, curriculum organization, friendliness of staff & students, lunch, new technology, omm lab, laind back feel, CORE, tons of research opportunities, International programs, etc
Great campus - and it's attached to a real university, unlike so many other osteopathic campuses. Athens has no shortage of bars, eateries, shops, grocery stores, etc...everything you might need appears to be right there. School seems to take care of its medical students very nicely. Interviews were EXTREMELY gentle and laid-back; other schools may talk of having "laid-back" interviews, but every other interview I've gone to thus far has been several orders of magnitude more stressful than any interview I had at OUCOM. In the anatomy lab, cadavers are shared between only four students; we were told on the tour that this is one of the lowest student/cadaver ratios in the world.
I was impressed with how nice the faculty were. Even the students seemed genuinely interested in getting you accepted there and they'll answer any questions you have.
Everyone at OU is incredible. Faculty and students alike are positive and friendly. The facilities are great and their curriculum is set up nicely. They let you know the next business day if you've been accepted!
i knew a lot about this school already, but new & positive info included:
* super friendly students who stopped in the hallway to give tips on particular interviewers and seemed to be constantly smiling & happy to be there
* brand new tech-friendly PBL conference rooms
* emergency no-questions-asked 1K loans available to med students for family emergencies, etc
* financial aid officer will respond to email questions generally within 4 hours
* housing available that's a 2 minute walk from campus
* no-b.s. institutional commitment to maintaining their impressive programs for under-represented minority students despite federal grant cuts
* they've had a standardized patient actor program for nearly 30 years.
* fellowship program in OMM or family medicine that involves an additional clinical year before graduation, funding for 2 of the clinical years, teaching/mentoring opportunities, and time for research/second masters program degree.
OU seemed like a nice school. It was the first real ''college town'' I've ever visited and the school was HUGE compared to other schools I've been to although OUCOM itself was small.
I couldn't beleive how stress free the interviews were. I was actually having a good time talking to the staff. Very interesting people and the students are great too. A real family like atmosphere.
The campus is really nice, as well as everyone I met on campus. Plus the turn-around time is amazing! You're notified if you're accepted the following Monday!
How cohesive the staff and students were. Everyone seemed close with everyone else and it felt like a big family. Also, everyone was incredibly down to earth.
The interview day was laid back just as advertised. They tell you not to worry and there is nothing to be stressed about and they were exactly right. VERY easy day!
Everything. This school is a really really good osteopathic school. If you like OMM and the sistinction of a DO training this place is for you. Faculty was great. really down to earth. There is actually research going on here. The fact that they had 97% first time pass rate on the COMLEX this year. Pretty campus.
All of the admissions officers were enthusiastic and friendly. There was virtually no stress in the atmosphere and the people with whom I interviewed were very nice. OUCOM did all that they could to make us all feel comfortable.
I was pleased with how nice all of the staff was to the prospective students and how the interviews were very conversational. I also enjoyed the choice one has in curricular tracts and also how the students have early clinical contact experiences with real patients at the local hospital and in the surrounding area in the first quarter of school. And by the way, if you don't like the PCC tract there, you can switch out of it to the more structured CPC within the first two weeks of school instead of having to sit out the year.
the area is beautiful! I have lived in a city for over 3 years now, but coming from a small town I really miss the rural areas; also, the faculty and staff truly care about you, and that was extremely evident upon first meeting them
Excitement and friendliness of the students and staff. Ohio U has a beautiful campus and location. I had never seen such a pretty and clean campus before! The obvious care that goes into acquiring and removing cadavers for the anatomy lab....very moving.
Everyone seemed very nice including the physicians who I interviewed with. The CORE NETWORK! This is great for a DO school to have such strong 3rd and 4th year ties. The OU campus is gorgeous.
Everything! This school has their poop together. There was no talk about OSU this or Wright State that... even though I got secondary requests from OSU and U of Cinn, I really only wanted to go to OUCOM... MD schools were just a backup :-)
OU is a beautiful campus, the facilities are excellent, and like everyone else on here has been raving about...the students/staff/faculty at OU are genuinely some of the nicest, most sincere, and most accomodating people you will meet.
I was nervous about the prospect of being in Athens for 4 years coming from a big city, but there's lots to do and the campus is beautiful. It was wonderful to find out I was accepted just a couple days after the interview as well.
located on big U campus so all those facilities are accessible. All profs seemed very interested in student's well-being and were there for the students. Two curricular tracks, PCC and CPC
Pretty much everything; OU has great up-to-date facilities and a beautiful campus, and Athens is a great little town for people like me who grew up in a small village in Ohio.
OU itself (the undergrad campus is great! So many things there), how the admissions people walk past students and say hello to them by name, my interviewers, the curriculum (the one I like integrates classroom learning with small group discussion and some PBL), how psychology is integrated into the curriculum, wow, so many things.
The students there were amazing. They knew I was interviewing because I had my dress suit on, so they would come up and wish me luck and ask me if I had any questions for them. I also like the fact that the classes at OUCOM are pass/fail so there is less competition amongst the students. Everyone works together to help get you through medical school.
The beautiful campus, the people (I absolutely fell in love with two of the interviewers and the third intrigued me) the students, the staff everyone was very nice, the option to travel to Kenya during the summer after your first year, the amount of research they are getting off the ground, did I say the people?
Everything! The school was amazing! Everyone was very friendly. The facilities were very nice. I do not think the gross anatomy lab was as bad as some other people had commented. I really enjoyed the tour of Athens and the financial aid talk. Also, the food was good. I liked that the admissions committee informs you of a decision the next morning. I was lucky enough to receive a phone call but an hour and a half after I left informing me that I had been accepted.
OMM, international rotations, happy students, PBL curriculum, good faculty student interaction, lots of clinical experience in the first two years, CORE sites, opportunity to take an advanced degree in tradition chinese medicine
Everyone there was so nice and helpful. The students I passed in the halls greeted me and tried to direct me where to go. It seemed like everyone was smiling.
everyone was SO incredibly nice...students worked together and didn't seem as cut-throat as in other schools...amazed at how genuinely friendly everyone was
I was impressed, for the most part, with their facilities as well as with the spirit of comraderie that seems to come from the school. Athens seems like a very nice little town. Because it is largely an undergraduate institution there are many really great perks involved with going to school there. There is a very large impressive recreation center.
The admission's staff arrived knowing something about each of us. Everyone was incredibly friendly and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know the applicants better.
The CORE program. The pass/fail grading system. I enjoy how OU is dedicated to teaching rather than research (although you can do research if you are interested). I like how everyone I met was very down-to-earth, not very full of themselves. The open-door policy that the faculty advocate is also very unique and pleasant. Oh, and they tell you if you are accepted the next day via email!!!
Everyone I met at OUCOM--admissions staff, interviewers, current students--were very positive and supportive. This is a great school with very nice facilities that really cares about its students. Their new Learning Resource Center is amazing...especially the group study rooms with huge plasma TV's!
The faculty's commitment to their students, the positive attitudes, comraderie among the students, and the admission committee, students, and faculty's genuine interest in me. Also, the campus is beautiful, lots of research opportunities are available, and there are so many ways to get involved from medical clubs to intramural broomball.
The great concern the staff had for students and how friendly and approachable they were. The campus is great and the facilities for the Osteopathic College were awesome.
Very organized, comfortable, interviews were conversational. Trust me, they just want to see if you can carry on a reasonable conversation and make sure you know about Osteopathic medicine.
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the lack of thorough preparation by interviewers, long interview days, limited study areas, outdated facilities, remote location in Athens, and difficulties with parking and housing. Suggestions included improving interviewer preparation, shortening interview days, updating facilities, providing more study spaces, addressing parking challenges, and enhancing housing options.
I feel like some of their questions could have been answered if they read my primary before the interview.
One of my interviewers was cordial but didn't seem that interested in my entire file. He asked surface-level questions, and after hearing my responses, went on a little bit of a tangent. Still, this interview went well.
Athens is in the middle of nowhere, and the surrounding area is nothing like the rest of rural Ohio; instead of cornfields, it's essentially Appalachia. This isn't necessarily bad, just unexpected. Potential job opportunities for spouses appear to be scarce. For years 3/4, you'll likely have to rotate out to various sites across Ohio that OUCOM has agreements with.
a little far away from big city. cbus is about an hour away. small hospital but good opportunities for clerkship in cleveland, columbus, akron, toledo, and youngstown
* this school doesn't have any of the electronic/robotic ''simulated patients'', although they are considering getting some in the future.
* the international program that goes to China to learn about TCM (traditional chinese medicine) is on something of a hiatus
Some guy yelled at my group during the tour to "Get out while you can!" But I guess you have your idiots everywhere. Also, although they told us that they would send us emails on Monday if we were accepted, I heard that some people got called on their way home from the interview day. So I was highly stressed, thinking that I was rejected because I did not get the call. Not a huge problem, just a little annoying :) They should be consistent in the way they accept people.
The university has a rule regarding parking passes and that you have to be outside of one mile to qualify for one. Of course it seemed a lot of the more desireable apartments were within this mile, and with the hills in Athens this would make for quite a hike every morning to school. Perhaps an exception could be made for graduate students?
since this was my first official interview, I don't have much to compare...I was a little concerned about the parking situation since the university does not issue a parking pass for students living within a mile of the school even though most of the apartment buildings are up HUGE hills. I'm not lazy, but I don't necessarily want to walk to and from class in the snow!
Computer lab was really small ~30 computers and the library/study room for OUCOM was also small with very few references compared to a typical medical library. OUCOM students do have access to the main campus libraries though.
The medical school buildings seem a bit dated. The school was constructed (or rather two old OU buildings renovated) in '75 and it seems very '75ish in some ways. In other ways its very nice...Like the labs look great, library is decent. It's long and hard to get into Athens (US-33 is very slow!) but the campus on the whole is very beautiful.
I live in the middle of nowhere, I went to undergrad in the middle of nowhere...but let me tell you, OUCOM and Athens REALLY is absolutely in the middle of nowhere. The area is extremely rural and poor...far worse than I was expecting.
As I asked my questions the interviewers were polite but gaurded...I just asked what is more important to OU-COM in selection, stats or the person...I was acccepted but they pretty much danced around landing on the answer, stats leading to competativeness with MD schools...
Also, there was too much of an approach and emphasis on "being trainned as an MD, however being a licensed Osteopathic school" Yea they have Gevis, but they did not stress OMM beyond the manditory need to maintain accredidation....pretty sad
i got the best idea of the difference between the two tracks from a student at lunch. the admissions needs to find a better way to explain/differentiate
the attitude of the admissions representatives..they spent more time courting me then giving me a sense of honest personal attention..as personal as a professional interview can afford.
Also, they are attempting to beef up the associated hospital, O'blessness, or somthing like that, but it is a single floor minimal hospital...the ED has working hours??? small local hospital affiliated with OU-COM..
The only thing that made a less than positive impression on me is the housing situation in Athens. Living with pets is difficult to do, but luckily the surrounding areas are usually willing to accomodate.
I guess one thing would be that people were complaining that it the campus was in the middle of nowhere. To be honest, i was hesitant at first, but if you really worry about that, cincinnati is 2 hours away, you could drive there anytime if you wanted to, and if you really dont like the small town atmosphere, its only for 2 years not including vacation time.
This is just being nit-picky, but I really don’t know how I feel about being surrounded by so many undergrads. I have graduated from a small liberal-arts college and to be with so many students that are so much younger than I am and have such different priorities than I do will be something to get used to.
Applicants commonly expressed a wish to have known about the relaxed nature of the interview days, the specific interview format, the emphasis on understanding the school's unique programs like CORE, and being prepared for potential technical issues. They also recommended being familiar with the campus layout, bringing along food for short breaks, and ensuring a smooth arrival to the location.
A lot of it was them verifying stuff from my primary application which felt like a waste of time but took some stress off of me because it meant less time for tough questions
To make sure I don't have Microsoft Teams app installed, as this caused technical issues and dropped 2/3 of my interview sessions, which fortunately I was able to reconnect quickly. Using Microsoft Teams via a browser is much more stable. The school informed us that technical issues would not be held against us, and this remained true.
They are building a new building right now. It should be done Jan 2021 so the space we interviewed and toured would not be where we spend most of our schooling.
The three people who interview you are the only ones who determine your fate. You will have some down time between interviews. Definitely stay with one of their students before the interview.
That OUCOM was going to be so darn nice to its interviewers! EVERYONE who came out of the interviews that day had a smile on his or her face and seemed very pleased at how things had gone.
they tell you it is going to be laid back and it really was that laid back. also, if you get in, they tell you next day which i thought was pretty cool
* before you go in to interviewer, coffee is available in the basement if you are feeling groggy after the extensive & yummy lunch
* they will take your photo on your interview day, which becomes your i.d. picture if you enroll, so smile!
The DO internship that a few states require to practice medicine if you complete an allopathic residency. This won't deter me from becoming an osteopathic physician, but it is just another hurdle you may have to jump through to please some MDs who still think that a DO degree may not quite measure up to an MD degree...
Less emphasis on OMM after first two years...
Desire of school to be "competative" with MD schools...(a admissions rep indicated "Ya' know it bothers me that we loss good candidates to OSU and Wright State, there really isn't much of a difference between DO and MD")
...interview was conversational and laid back, just want to get to know you...
...have a comic book hero...
...There appears to be only 4 ways into and out from Athens, OH by car, nearest International Airport is 2 hrs away and there is a small local air field for university use...
The front of OU is that of an older school associated with a public university with a friendly staff, but is more concerned with competing with OSU and wright state then just be what it is, and osteopathic medical college. they taunt osteopathy and its heritage and have a wonderful little (a corner) osteopathy museum, but are a bit too artificial and, again, concerned with their "competition" (spelling?) rather finding their own identitiy. There comlex scores are not 100% any more...why?
I knew a lot about the school going in to the interview, but I didn't realize that the medical school just consisted of two buildings on the campus surrounded by undergraduate buildings.
I honestly didnt know much about the difference between the PCC and the CPC programs, but i got an excellent chance to sit in on both classes, so i know the difference between them now.
Interview about 220 to 240 students and have only 100 seats. People on the alternate list are selected according to their science GPA, but you can be moved up if an interviewer thinks that you are a stronger candidate.
Athens is a very nice little town! I was pleasantly surprised. Also, the out-of-state contract was not as difficult to fulfill as I had previously thought.
Living costs will be reasonable. Athens is small, but after talking to some of the medical students they claim that they don't even notice it anymore because they are so busy all the time. It is the typical college atmosphere you see in movies. Halloween is the biggest night of the year (even medical students take that night off to celebrate!).
OU has early clinical contact starting with your first year!!! Also, only two years are spent at OU- the other two years are spent at your choice of 12 CORE hospitals in Ohio. OU also has several international programs.
The Sunset Motel, the cheapest motel on the list provided by the Admissions office, was the cheapest for a reason. It was old and run down, and the walls were thin. I didn't get much sleep because of all the noises around me (plus, no alarm clocks in the room!).
Applicants generally found the interview day at OUCOM to be low-stress, friendly, and conversational. They appreciated the informal atmosphere, the opportunity to showcase their personalities, and the chance to interact with faculty and current students. Some suggested being well-prepared with questions and information about the school's curriculum and location.
Know your primary and secondaries well. Low stress environment and super friendly, down to earth admissions staff. They get back to you same day or next day with decisions.
The information session, in the beginning, is very informal and helpful. Allows us to meet the admissions team and each other as candidates. Would appreciate more specifics on the actual courses within the new PWH curriculum, but they did their best to give us a broad overview in a limited amount of time. Make sure to have your lunch packed and ready, as you won't get the full 30 minutes for lunch. The Q&A session went longer than expected and this cut into our 30-minute lunch break. This was avoidable, but some fellow interviewees felt the need to ask redundant questions simply for the sake of asking (questions that have been answered already or easily found on the school's website/handouts we were given).
I actually liked the school itself more than anywhere else I've interviewed. As I said before, their paranoia about osteopathic bias left me with a sour taste in my mouth.
It's a long interview day, but low stress overall. There's 3 separate one on one interviews and they do make you put on a white coat for a photograph, which seemed like a bit of a tease. Still, this is a great school. I felt very much at home here and there are lots of opportunities to shape your medical education however you wish.
Just be yourself. They really just want to get to know you. They never grilled me on anything, and I was just as sincere as I could be. I got accepted the following Monday morning by 9am
Everyone was great, the admissions staff is very responsive, friendly, and informative. By the time the interviews started I was no longer nervous thanks to the students and staff joking around etc. Definately a school I will attend if I am accepted. A lot of stability in 3rd and 4th year... you dont need to move around unless you want to! They are building a huge research building slated to open late fall of 2009, it will include medical and engineering research so there will be some interesting opportunities for students! Finally, just be be yourself (like everyone says) and let the interviewers see your personality.
I would review all of the previous questions posted on the interview feedback forum as I was asked almost all of those questions. My interviewer had a list of 'suggested questions' but went down the list and asked them all.
in the morning, school introductions. financial aid talk. toured COM facilities. on/off campus tour. lunch with current students. interviewed by 3 separate people--very laid back, mostly questions about application profile. more like a conversation--gives you time to boast about yourself/your achievements. overall, great experience.
The interviews are incredibly laid back. There are three individual half hour interviews. All of the questions came straight from my file and related to me personally. It was nice because the interviewers actually seemed to know stuff about me.
this was my fourth visit to OUCOM, overall it was the same as the first three were (for campus visits). The staff is above extraordinary, fun and well just great. Im glad I held out for my interview with OUCOM
in the morning a group of 10 students talked to director of admissions about the school and a financial aid counselor. then we got a tour of the building and campus. after lunch with some current students, you got interviewed.
We introduced ourselves, then spent an hour or so in the conference room with the director of admissions who talked about the pluses of OU (there are a bunch.) Then we had a talk with a person from financial aid, who was helpful. An admissions rep took us on an extensive tour of the two campus buildings, then we piled into a car + van for a tour around all of OU's campus and the nearby parts of Athens. Returned to campus, had yummy lunch with current students from both curricular tracks, then had a series of 3 different 30 minute interviews with a clinical prof, basic sciences prof, and admissions person. The interviews were super super low key, to the point that with one interviewer it was a struggle to keep the conversation going, but with the other two folks it was just a fun conversation about my experiences, what the school has to offer, future plans, etc. I didn't get any standard questions like ''why do you want to be a doctor'' or the OUCOM favorite ''which 3 people would you invite to dinner?'' they just didn't come up at all - we had lots of other things to talk about. Admissions staff email accepted applicants the Monday after the interview, and occassionally they call that same day.
Overall it was a good experience. I was accepted and will probably attend although I do have some other interviews that I am going to. The interviewers were easy to talk to and it didn't feel like I was being interogated like I had feared. Mostly they asked about my research and clinical experience and my motivation to become a doctor since it was a career change from being a librarian. The day started off with a financial aid presentation, tour, and lunch then interviews. I wish they had the interviews first because I was too stressed to enjoy the food that much.
Was given a packet, was brought to a conference room, introduction, OUCOM speech by head of admissions, finaid information, building tour, town tour, lunch, interviews, long drive home. The actual interviews were great, be yourself and have fun with it.
Since this was my first interview, I was incredibly nervous at first but then relaxed as the day progressed. It was nice they did the tour and stuff in the morning so you have time to get used to everything. The interviewers (two profs, one DO) were very nice and laid back. They didn't ask me anything too difficult, but they all pulled from the same sheet of questions. I was asked why I chose the school I went to for undergrad all 3 times. Otherwise, the interviews were fine. They just want to get to know you better.
Everyone was so friendly and down to earth. Location isnt my number one choice but how the curriculum is laid out makes sense and I could definitely see myself going here.
This was a laid back, easy day. Just as they say, there is nothing to worry about. You listen to the director of admissions (great guy) talk for a while and then go on a tour of campus and med school. You then have a nice lunch with current students to prepare for 3 interesting conversation type interviews.
2 out of my 3 interviews were REALLY nice. My first interview picked at EVERY answer I gave. Overall it was truly like having a normal conversation with the interviewers. We had lunch with some second year students who were able to give us some input on who we would be interviewing with.
This school is great. I actually enjoyed the interviews. They are really set up to be actual conversations. No scripts or cue cards like some places. The day was very enjoyable. On top of that they email your acceptance if you get in the same day as your interview.
The day was great! People were friendly and eager to answer questions. We started out with basic information about the school and financial aid. Then we went on a tour of the medical school's facilities followed by a tour of OU's entire campus via van. Next we had lunch with current students, and then finally we had our three interviews.
Entire day was planned very professionally and efficiently. First half of the day was spent learning about the school and touring the school. Lunch was provided and we were able to talk to current students and ask questions. Caution: Do not be late to any of the interviews because then you won't have quality time to interview. Last half of the day was spent going on interviews. 3 interviews were scheduled. The interviews are very conversational and friendly. There will be one interviewer that is very "by the book" and asks very specific questions.
The day started at 8:30 am and ended at 4:00 pm. We began by receiving information from the admissions officers and financial aid advisors. We then went on a tour of the facilities and the city. I was impressed that they gave us food for lunch rather than a voucher. Once all of that was over, we began our interviews with various faculty and administrative officers. I was relieved at the end of the interview because it was over, but I did not feel worn out or anything. It was a smooth, organized experience.
overall a good day. it is definitely a good school and the day was not stressful at all. they offered to call me telling me my status right after they met so by 5:30 i knew i had been accepted.
The day was super laid-back. I was nervous when I got there in the morning, but by the time that the interviews rolled around I felt quite relaxed. All three of my interviewers were nice and enthusiastic about the school. I was asked a couple of ethics questions, but the way the interviewers asked the questions it didn't seem like they were grilling me. They actually lead into the question by saying, "Now there is no right or wrong answer to this question..." Overall, the day was nice, and it was great to hear that I was accepted three days later.
The beginning of the day consisted of the usual, such as the admissions overview, financial aid presentation, and a tour. After lunch was when the interviews began, and all of my interviews were very conversational. I was asked a few pointed questions at first and then it just went from there. The college is in a very beautiful area and has all the amenities that a larger university can offer as opposed to some of the smaller, private institutions. Athens is quite the college town and there's all kinds of bands that play there and things of the sort.
Very laid back atmosphere. The interviews were more like discussions. I was only asked specific questions in one of my interviews, and that was not bad at all.
Loooooonnnnnnggggg. I got there at 8:15a and left at 5pm. I had meetings and interviews from 1:30p until 5p.
OUCOM has their campus tour, financial aid talk, admissions talks and lunch all BEFORE interviews. So, be ready to head over to interviews all sleepy and full.
It was very relaxed, friendly and low stress. We started the morning with an overview, then some financial aid stuff, a tour of the facilities and a van tour of Athens and the campus. Afterwards was lunch with students which they had set up for us instead of giving us a meal voucher for a food place like other schools had. The students all seemed super friendly and relaxed; they seemed to go out a ton more than others I had talked to. After lunch we all had assigned 3 separate one half hour interviews one on one. They were all very conversational; only in one did I get asked many questions. THey have your file right in front of them so a lot comes from them looking it over. If there are obvious things they might get asked about; almost all my interviewers commented on my high MCAT but one poor grade in a class. The campus is gorgeous, Southern Ohio is too but it is a very small town. Lots of community service opportunities for students and a lot of patient exposure early on. Overall a great day and I would be very happy here.
A little advice: if you are ABSOLUTELY SURE that OUCOM is where you want to end up... apply for the SURF program. IF you actually get in (it;s VERY competetive), you get an interview as part of your summer research experience. It DOES NOT grant you an automatic seat in the next year's class, but it doesn't hurt your chances either. It is the closest thing that OUCOM has to an early decision program; I knew 8/2/2005 that I was accepted. The interview itself: RELAXING!!! I left that day feeling like I hadn't interviewed for med school, but just had a meet-n-greet with faculty. It was nice. RELAX EVERYONE!!!!
The entire morning was spent chock full of information sessions and tours, which honestly wore me out and had me itching to go home even before the interviews hit. But then again, I spent the entire week sick as a dog, and was most ill the day of the interview (go figure), so it was a feat just to not pass out during the day. The interviews themselves were about as laid back as you can get, very very conversational....3 half hour sessions. JUST MAKE SURE YOU COME PREPARED WITH PLENTY OF QUESTIONS TO ASK IN RETURN.
laid back, with a bit of pomp..."We are the almight Osteopathic School supported by the State, with higher expectations then any other Osteopathic schools"
standard osteopathic questions. as stated in previous OUCOM logs, interviews turned more into conversations. My last ended in a discussion about evidence-based traditional chinese medicine with DO surgeon of 25 years.
Try to bring something (book, experience) to the table that you're very comfortable talking about that will relate to osteopathic medicine in an INDIRECT.
Pick the brains of the students with whom you have lunch, they're your last stop before the faculty interview
HAVE FUN
The day was great! It was really long (8am-4pm). The morning is a lot of logistical stuff--financial aid, meeting with administrators, etc. We had a tour of the COM and a van tour of the town. Then we had lunch with current students and our interviews. The interviews are with a DO, PhD and an administrator. My DO didn't show, but I met with an admissions staff instead. It was very fun and very not stressful.
My first interview was with a member of the administration - it was very conversational. Nothing to stress about. The second was with the director of admissions and we spent most of the time talking about my undergrad college. The third interviewer - loved him. Absolutely loved him. The interview was like 45 minutes long because we were just talking about our research (his project is fascinating). I just wish I could keep talking to him and he could be my life coach or something. My fourth interview was with the DO/PhD coordinator. She was really nice too. If you get in, they let you know right away. In fact, the admissions committee and all the interviewers meet right after we leave. They emailed me at 5:15 to tell me I got in (I left campus about 4:45). If this school were in an urban area, I'd go in a heartbeat. It's still a top choice, though, and it will be a hard decision.
The experience was absolutely wonderful. I strongly suggest just taking in all the information they give you and enjoy the day. The interviews are very laid back. They tell you that you have made it over the biggest hurdle by getting an interview. They say they know that each of you will make a wonderful student so the point of the interviews is to get to know you and see if you will fit in with the OUCOM community, not to drill you over the Krebs Cycle - so be yourself and relax.
The first was a thinker, a philosopher. It was difficult to think in those terms with the news of the first interview. I really had no feel of what he thought of me or the interview.
The 2nd, I loved the woman. Absolutely without a doubt loved her. I would like to just talk with her and have her as a mentor for years to come. She also is the director of the student run learning program (PCC) and I was already interested in that track, and now I definately am.
The third was a Psychology professor. We talked very well because I also am a Biopsych major. He was very informative ab out the campus and the educational processes. I definately like the idea of a social science department in the medical school.
The campus is beautiful, the students seemed to want to talk to us. It really was great. I drove the horrid drive back with a smile.
The interviews were great. All three people were very casual. During my last interview, I spent most of the time listening to my interviewer tell stories about his life. It was great! However, if you have done research, know everything about it. I got drilled!
Overall, be prepared for a long day. The morning hours are full of talks, tours, bus rides, photos and lunch with students all aimed at getting you better aquainted with OUCOM. By the afternoon I was more than ready to get through those interviews. I met with two faculty, one Ph.D. and one D.O., and one of the admissions staff. Overall, the interviews are nothing to worry about but make sure you are prepared to answer questions about yourself.
I loved the day I spent there. I was so excited when I left the school and even more excited when I got my acceptance phone call in the morning. I can't wait to start in the fall.
Overall a great experience. I encourage everyone thats interviewing to not only ask a lot of questions, but make the most of your opportunity. I knew going in that this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and to do EVERYTHING that you can. Ask if you can sit in on a class, i got to sit in on 2 classes. Ask to see whatever things they'll let you see, cause the most they can say is no. Definately stay the night with a student there, OU offers it, and i'm surprised that only 10% of the interviewers accepted that offer. Think about it guys: You get an opportunity to stay with a student, see how their life really is, AND you dont have to pay for a hotel room!
There are 3 separate interviews, so you are asked a lot of questions. Be prepared to answer almost every question that previous people have posted. One interviewer had me read an article and discuss it which threw me off a bit, but in the end, he just prob. wants to see that it didn't throw me off and that I can critically look at something. Know why medicine, why osteo, why OU. Know who your heroes are in your personal life and in the community. Know what kind of books you read, why you can handle med school. Know you favorite and least favorite class. I was honestly asked almost every single question posted previously by other people. In the end it was a great day. Good luck!
There were 10 other individuals interviewing with me. Everyone was very nice. We got a summay of the curriculum, financial aid and a tour of the campus and the surrounding area. Then lunch with current students, who were also very nice and let us know somthing about the interviewers. Then the interviews.
This is about as honest of an opinion as you will get. Although I got put on the alternate list, I still have nothing but good things to say about OU-COM. The school has excellent facilities (except the anatomy lab) and the faculty and staff are almost too kind. Make sure you take time to relax and settle down before each interview.
There are three half-hour one-on-one interviews that are very conversational in nature. I would not have been as tense had I known that it was going to be like it was. The interviewers are more concerned with how you will fit in personality wise at the school, and if you are committed to osteopathic medicine. I heard nothing but positive comments from the other interviewees as well.
The whole day was rather stress-free. I left each interview feeling really good about the experience. I actually felt more confident after each interview than I did going in!
It was a truly a great experience. I stayed overnight with a first year medical student and I strongly suggest that for any interviewee because it really helps you to relax for the interview. It also is a great chance for you to ask the student any questions or concerns you have about the school. The interviewers were really easy to talk to and there were no hard questions. This website really gives good preparation questions...just give these questions some thought but don't memorize your answers...be yourself!
The students who you talk to are all very helpful and want you to succeed. There is not too many interviews given, so if you get one that is a great sign.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Like a medical student once told me, there are really two things that separate medical schools from one another in the United States. The first thing is the curriculum, and how the faculty introduces the volumes of information to their students. By law, every medical school in the USA (both MD and DO) have to provide so many set hours of classes. Some classes may vary of course; however, medical students learn the same things. The second thing has to do with the community. I found Ohio University to be very nurturing (from the short time I have been exposed to it as a visitor and from what the DO I interned with told me). I thrive in such atmospheres because, as one medical student stated during my interview visit, students work together and are not malicious or cut-throat towards one another in their determination to succeed. If you like such an environment, Ohio University will be a great place for you.
I have been really pleased by my entire application process with OUCOM. I received the interview just two weeks after sending in my secondary, and they called me to tell me I had been accepted just hours after my interviews! Three interviews may seem like a lot, but they were very laid back and conversational. I was really impressed with all aspects of my interview day at OUCOM!
What a great interview experience! I felt so welcome and accepted at OU! You get a true feel for the school and it's faculty through 3 interviews- one D.O., one faculty, and one administrator, plus tours with the admissions committee, and lunch with OU students.
Overall, it was a great experience. The day starts with an overview of the admissions process and the curricular tracks. Then they take you on a tour of the campus and the surrounding city. After that it's lunch with current MS1 and MS2 students (Ho-Ho cake rules!) and then the interviews. Some of the interviews were conversational get-to-know-you type interviews and some were more structured (with the interviewer reading prepared questions off a list). Nothing stressful, tricky or difficult.
The interviews were low stress. They just want to get to know you. The interviewers actually read your essays and are interested in you as a person. The interviews are really laid-back and conversational. The physician who interviewed me was actually inspiring. This is a wonderful school.
The campus was nice. I liked the fact that they have two different curricula to chose from. Overall, everyone I met was very friendly and excited about the school and what it had to offer. Also, the fact that it is associated with a university was a major plus, since med students have access to all the undergrad facilities, such as the new Ping Center (rec center).
The experience was great. I loved every minute of it. The faculty really seemed to care for thier students and the students were very adamant about thier feelings with the school. The tour was confusing becuase Grovsnor can be somewhat confusing to get around. However, the day was very laid back, the interviewers just wanted to get to know you and what you had to offer to them as a potential graduate of OUCOM.
You spend the morning learning about OU and touring the medical conference. You have lunch with students, then from about 1-2:50 or so you have 3 half hour interviews, they you can leave. It's VERY relaxed. And... If you're accepted, they email you the next morning!!!
VERY VERY conversational. The faculty really want to get to know you as a person and not as a sheet of numbers. Good luck finding the interviewers' offices. Grosvenor Hall is like a maze! Oh and I had ZERO ethical questions!!!!!!
The day started out very well with a video and tour. Following the tour you got your picture taken and then had lunch with some of the students. The students were very nice and open. Afterwards the interviews began with a ten-minute break between each, though mine ran over so I had to rush to the next interviews. The first interview was VERY laidback, just you asking questions. The latter interviews were a bit more stressfull, but had very good questions. All in all a great and personable interview experience!
Great! I interviewed with 3 different people and they were very friendly and just wanted to get to know me. I was nervous at first, but they were really interesting and I had fun with it. The campus was beautiful!
OU is definitely geared toward primary care. The gross lab was a bit old-school, but I guess a gross lab is a gross lab. The people were very nice. The buildings used to be dormitories, so that's kind of weird. All-in-all, a good trip. Halloween in Athens is the biggest day of the year.
I was nervous to have three separate interviews, but they were all pretty laid back. The admissions staff was very informative as well as the students who ate lunch with us.
OU-COM is known for one thing -- Primary care. They are the best place in the nation to go to if you want to specilize in this area. Supposidly 80% of their graduating class takes residencys in primary care and this number is still rising. This interview was as laid back as I could imagine. I was interview by three people at three differnt times for 45 min. each. There was two clinical faculty members and a administrator. Not many ethics issues arose and it mainly consisted of the things I had written about on my application. OU has a very beautiful campus, but there is no medical center in the area and you are very far from any major metropolitan area. Even so their clinical rotations can be done at 9 different sites around ohio in most major cities. The curriculum at OU is very advanced and they are one of the most forward looking schools of any in the nation. Definitly one of the best DO schools around.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants provided positive feedback on the efficiency and thoroughness of the admissions office. Suggestions mainly focused on providing more detail on course names, enforcing time limits during sessions, creating an online application and payment portal, offering more breaks between interviews, and providing refreshments like coffee or donuts in the morning.
None, probably the most thorough and efficient admissions group there is!
Give more detail for the names of the courses within each pathway block. Strictly enforce the time-limit on the Q&A session so we have enough time for lunch break and so we can calm down before the individual interviews.
