Kingston, ON
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 21% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.2
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 148 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (75%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (18%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (18%)
Good (55%)
Average (18%)
Poor (5%)
Bad (5%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at Queen's to be relaxed and conversational, with interviewers showing genuine interest and tailoring questions to individual experiences. They appreciated the friendly atmosphere and felt encouraged to be themselves during the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Conversational. Relaxed. The community member was the smiley-est person ever. This was very warming and encouraging. The med student and Dr were super also.
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Could have done better.
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Went smoothly. A testament to the work of the students. The video was the best BY FAR and had good audio/video and was funny. Overall a good bunch of people that really want to help everyone out.
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Arrived and there were a few baked goods from the first year meds students. They kept us company while we were waiting. Called in for an interview out of the waiting room. Interviews are in small clinical examination rooms.
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I really enjoyed the whole experience.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
44 Minutes Average
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Number:
3.1 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
50% One-on-One
50% Group Interview
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File Type:
89% Open-File
11% Closed-File
QUSM-COMP interviews are an average of 44 minutes, with an average of 3.1 interviews. 50% of interviews are one-on-one, and 11% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about motivations for pursuing medicine, future career goals, challenges in the field, personal accomplishments, community contributions, conflict resolution experiences, characteristics of a good doctor, interests in different medical specialties, and opinions on healthcare and societal issues. Some respondents mentioned being asked a variety of questions in an MMI format, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement, focusing on scenarios, personal experiences, and ethical dilemmas relevant to the medical profession.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why Queens.
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Cannot disclose
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How to balance many activities
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What challenges do you forsee for yourself in medicine.
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What do you think about the proposal to increase tuition fees in Quebec? (I'm from Montreal)
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Queen's University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including hypothetical scenarios like choosing kitchen appliances, influential books, and personal values. Notably, several responses hinted at an MMI format with a nondisclosure agreement in place, while other questions focused on personal attributes, career goals, and societal issues related to healthcare.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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It was a behavioral question: ''Tell me a time when you....'' type of question
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Cannot disclose due to confidentiality agreement.
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Dinner with any 3 people, whom and why?
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If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be (I'm serious!)
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Have you ever inspired anyone?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews, reviewing their application materials, staying informed about current events and the healthcare system, and reflecting on their experiences and motivations for pursuing medicine. They also utilized resources such as online forums, school websites, and interview feedback to practice answering common questions and gain insights into the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Read over my application. Mock interviews. Reviewed in my head what I wanted to highlight about myself.
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Reviewed sketch and essays. Premed101 forum. SDN interview feedback. Read about healthcare system and ethics.
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With previous interviews. After the first one I stopped preparing and just went off of experience.
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Read about Canadian HC, read the news, thought about my experiences, mock interviews
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I did a little bit of reading about the school/city.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Queen's University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, personal beliefs, healthcare system improvements, and handling conflicts. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on the variety of questions asked, and respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement as specific questions were not disclosed.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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See above
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Various introspective questions.
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What do you do in your spare time? This question bad difficult imo because I answered it with all big-city examples that wouldn't be possible if I were to attend their school.
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If a 14-year old girl comes to ask you for bith-control pills but doens't want you to tell her parents, what do you do?
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Why would you want to come on Ontario when Alberta is ''the place to be''
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the enthusiasm and friendliness of the students and interviewers, who made them feel welcome and comfortable. They appreciated the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere of the interviews, the beautiful campus, and the engaging activities organized by the med students, which all contributed to a positive overall experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The 1st yr students were awesome. Very enthusiastic and very informative.
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Interviewers were very nice and friendly - seemed genuinely interested in my extracurricular involvements. Students were enthusiastic about the school. Nice facilities.There was no reason for me to screw up this interview but I managed to do it.
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The students are ridiculously kind and energetic. I think this school must have the greatest student unity. There is something between them that is not seen elsewhere. I think its because the city is small and the people are forced to really bond.
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The students were really nice and very proud to be at queens! The interviews were relaxed and conversational.
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The students were just so enthusiastic - they seemed really happy to be studying here. The interviewers were very nice and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me better as a person.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions of Kingston being small and sometimes boring, as well as concerns about the city's limited size and activities. Suggestions included improving the engagement of interviewers, updating facilities on campus, and offering more diverse opportunities for specialization in the medical program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing.
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The city. Kingston is not really a city for me. I love the outdoors, but I need to balance it. The bus tour, although a great idea for the interviewees, was long and boring.
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One interviewer had a heavy accent and was hard to understand! I'm not sure how I feel about Kingston; it'd have to grow on me.
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The main teaching building isn't too modern
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Nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews are relaxed, conducted in small rooms, and that the interviewers are already familiar with their applications. Many also suggested going to the interview alone, being calm, and not stressing about grades once reaching the interview stage.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tip: Do not go into the interview nervous or expecting crazy obscure questions (e.g. what kind of kitchen appliance would you be?). I went into the interview anticipating this kind of thing and it did NOT serve me well, believe it or not.
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Nothing really.
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Interviews are very relaxed!
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Not much
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How much I liked this school
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
No responses
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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YYZ
67% interviewees used YYZ (YYZ), with 33% using YOW (YOW).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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18% Airplane
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50% Automobile
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14% Train or Subway
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18% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Howard Johnson (average ranking 8/10), with some staying at Meds House (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Howard Johnson
8/10
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Meds House
8/10
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Peach Tree Inn
8/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.2
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 148 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (3%)
Other (11%)
Student (86%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (100%)
All Responses
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