Applicants generally commented on the relaxed and conversational style of the interviews, highlighting the importance of being prepared with responses to common questions and having questions ready for the interviewer. Some also mentioned the essay component at the beginning of the interview and emphasized the significance of being genuine, confident, and knowledgeable about the school.
-
I really enjoyed the relaxed style of the interview, it felt more like a conversation.
-
I left feeling really good about the interview.
-
My interviewer was one of the lead surgeons at MCV (possibly the best medical school in Virginia). He told me he had to work very hard to get past the stigma he had attached to him as an FMG (foreign medical grad.) But he obviously did get past it.
St. Geroge's is a place of last resort. It will will get you to where you need to go, but you will always struggle.
-
Stay proactive and always stay in touch with your admission counselor
-
Definitely look up the three prompts for the essay and draft the essay beforehand. Three prompts seem to never change.
-
Don't get stressed about this interview, have your answers down for the regular interview questions and review your app and resume. Prepare for one of the essay questions and pick a medical ethical issue to talk about and you will be good to go!
-
Applied in June. Received interview invitation in mid July. Established contact with interviewer in August. Received decision in September. Altogehter it took about 3 months for the applicaiton to be processed. Its best to apply before August (if plan to start in Jan of next year) or January (if you plan to start in Aug of that year) because August or January is the time when the new class starts so I think the admission staff members are assisting the accepted students more than the applicants. As of 2010, I think the lastest to apply for August class is 6/15 and the latest to apply for January class is 11/15.
The admission counselors are friendly to answer your questions anytime! Every week or so I asked what my status was and my counselor gave detailed answers (like "I received your file and it will be reviewed in 3 days" instead of "your file is under review")
I was nervous for my interview because my interview invitation e-mail told me that I will be in a group interview. But later on I read over it that even if its a group interview the interviewer will be interviewing one applicant at a time while the other applicants will be working on the essay.
The essay topics were:
1. What are three characteristics you possess that will make you a good physician?
2. Describe a notable life changing experience
3. Describe an individual who has inspired you
I hope no one gets nervous like me. I kept a cheerful attitude while answering questions. I think for me being really honest helped alot (for example when I was asked if I was interested in MPH program, I said "no" because I would have to complete MPH course first before MD courses, and time is important to me so I can't take another year to complete MD/MPH degree. The interviewer laughed and said he agreed with me). Good luck everyone!
-
Overall, a very good experience.
-
Just read over your SGU app, think of some of your answers to possible questions and RELAX.
-
I was happy that I kept my answers short and concise. He probably liked that. Maybe they were about two minute long responses. He or she will ask questions about your responses and be sure to build off of that. He or she might explain a lot about themselves and what they went through and what they look forward to in their career. Be prepared to work off this. Be interested in them and what they do. I think my interviewer was impressed with me and asking him questions about this.
Try to laugh and smile. I tend to do this often. Don't make it awkward or creepy. I think if you do it right you'll look more friendly and NORMAL. This is one thing I was told by an SGU grad, "Don't turn out to be a serial killer in the interview. Be normal, you'll get accepted." That's what I did and guess what happened....
Be comfortable because it's a conversation. You should be comfortable talking about yourself. Dont stress too much. As I said before, if you are comfortable with yourself and know you are going into medicine for the right reasons then you have nothing to worry about. Also the best advice graduates of medical schools said to me is "take what you learn on these sites with a grain of salt. a lot of these people go through different experiences than you." Remember that.
-
An hour long interview. i will be honest, it isn't a cakewalk. a person as senior as dr. j, u can't really have a "chat" with him. he wanted a concrete plan from you regarding your future. so one can't bluff him. just read up on the interview forums. KNOW YOUR STUFF and be confident. there are always 10 questions and the essay which is mandatory. other questions follow during the discussion of other questions. do not be philosophical. be honest. be yourself. gud luck !
-
I really hope to GET IN.....I am truly sooooo excited about getting into SGU!!!! Please, please, pray for me people!!!!
-
Read the questions on this site, relax, and be yourself. If you have a general idea as to how you will respond to the common questions that you are asked, you will do absolutely fine.
-
I am Canadian and living in Toronto so my interview was conducted in Toronto by an SGU grad who is currently doing his residency in Buffalo. The other doctor who was also present in the interview location (a doctor's office) was doing her fellowship in Buffalo.
..I found out that I was accepted 10 days after my interview by e-mail.
-
It felt really short and that I did most of the talking. Wished he could've been more enthusiastic but he seemed to have been on a busy schedule - can't blame it on a character flaw (got a page the last 5 minutes of the interview, answered it, told the Dr. on the other end that he'd be there in 5). Must be another overworked resident.
-
It was rather intimidating at first, since the interviewer started asking questions straight away, without any sort of preliminaries. But my advice is to stay strong and positive. After a while it became easier.
-
I had an excellent interview experience. It's a little difficult to tell if I did well because the interview seemed to run so smoothly. It was casual and the interviewer told me alot about SGU. She was very enthusiastic and convincing about the benefits of attending SGU. She was well prepared and knowledgable about my application.
-
All in all a good experience i think. Wrote an essay beforehand and then had a Q&A with the interviewer. The interviewer was a radiologist at the hospital and still had some work to do so he left while i was writing the essay and then came back. During the interview he actually had to check a few scans as well...so it was a little choppy but that wasn't necessarily bad. It helped ease the tension.
-
Overall, I felt the interview went well, despite a couple hiccups. The interview style was more of a conversation, with one question leading into another. No ethics questions! Some questions:
-Since you have had academic difficulty in the beginning of college, how can you be sure that you will be able to get through it again in med school?
-Why SGU
-What was the most solidifying experience you had that confirmed your desire to become a physician?
-How will you financially support yourself through med school
-How do you de-stress?
-How do you think you will adjust to life on the island?
-What area of medicine do you plan on practicing
-Tell me about your application process to medical schools
-are you concerned about being an FMG?
-how did you find out about SGU
-tell me about yourself
-
Worthless. Still like the school but the interview did not help their case.
-
The interview was short, well-organized, and cover a number of topics. No ethics questions. The interviewer simply wanted to get a feel for my motivations towards medical school.
-
SGU is no longer an institution where US allopathic/osteopathic ''rejects'' should definetly apply. The average GPA and MCAT is comparable to US allopathic schools, as the quality of student they graduate reflects in their residency placement listing. Overall, the interview went very well. I am quite excited to hear a positive response in the near future.
-
The interview was at a coffee shop...he started with the questions right away. The interview was not like a conversation...the whole time I was answering questions, he was writing down what I said. After he asked me his questions, I had a short list of questions prepared about SGU that I asked him. At the end of the interview, he gave me the essay question to write. The whole interview was over in 30 minutes (a lot shorter than what I was expecting).
-
The interview went well. Though I wish I knew if I was recommended by my interviewer at the end of the session. I hate waiting for results.
-
Overall, it was pretty laid back. I was expecting it to be a lot harder than it went...no tough questions. Just expected...why medicine, more about yourself, where do you see yourself in 10 years, if not medicine then what?, o and the essay choices...person who has influenced you, 3 characteristics of a physician, and something else.
-
The interviewer was wonderful, sweet, kind and very reassuring. Conversation flowed easily and he made jokes about the facilities compared to the US. All around a good experience.
-
AMAZING! I feel so confident, and I'm happy that everything went so smoothly.
-
Very conversational interview. No ethics questions at all, just wanna know more about you. At the end of the interview, he told me upfront he'll recommend me to the admissions com and that I have a real chance of getting accepted. Oh yeah, of course you need to write one of the three essays, pretty simple. Just search around and you'll know the topic.
-
I actually feel better about potentially going to st george
-
I got to my interview site 15-20 minutes before the appointed time, made myself comfortable. My interviewer walked in shortly after...we started off with the essay right away. Then he sat with his computer, asking me questions right from my file, and typing his impressions of my answers. All in all, the interview was more of a conversational type. He talked about a few stories here and there - related to my answers. The interview went fairly quickly, but we went through a vast array of questions! (volunteer work, research exp, ethical question, goal in life, describe yourself)
-
Chill no worries because i overprepared. i felt confident and it paid off. she did not ask me any healthcare/ethical questions. she and i found a common bond during the interview. she mad me feel confident i would get in with a 3.6 gpa and 22 mcat. i felt good when i left the interview.
-
The interview was very laid back, more like a conversation.The interviewer was on time, dressed in a suit and tie (I recommend that you dress up!) and was very friendly. He asked me some questions, after which I asked my questions. He was very positive about SGU and the island.
-
I and my interviewer were contact via email. She delayed the our interview date because she had a dangerous pregnant patient to deliver the baby. She was nice and friendly, respectful, SGU Alumni, answer my long questionds with happiness, also explain throughly about SGU.
I was feel good that she was same gender, same race, and same college as me!(It shows rhat SGU takes care their students) After the interview I feel I really want to go SGU. She asked me to contact her if there's questions. (What a nice doctor!)
Remember, even they act as laid back and cool, friendly, they are doctors! Be aware and respect them! You are almost there when u approved to have an interview, so keep up! you almost done!
-
Cold, unfriendly interviewer turned friendly as soon as it was over when it came time for me to grill HIM about issues i had with SGU.
-
The interview obviously began with the requisite essay. My interviewer was very friendly and read off the list of questions the school obviously supplies them with, after which we spoke about the island, the school, and any questions that I had. The interviewer was very upfront about the pros and cons of the island and school and I appreciated that.
-
Was very informative and a good experience to learn about SGU.
-
Don't be stressed - I tend to overprepare and overstress. They are mainly interested in your money and will do whatever it takes to try to reel you in.
-
The interview was very laid back. it started out with me writing one of the three essays for 10 minutes, trust me that is enough time. The three options were 1. Write about the characteristics of a good doctor 2. Who has influenced you the most 3. A moment that affacted your life. I chose the one about the most influential person. After the essay portion, I got asked the standard questions SGU requires that the interviewer ask and then I got to ask him question about the school.
-
I interviewed with Dr. Lane and it was very informative. He addressed all the concerns a student going to an international med school could have and it was a very casual interview.
-
It was a great interview. Just stay focused, know the answers to the usual questions: why st. george, why do you want to be a doctor, etc. Good Luck.
-
It was okay. No hassle. I started off writing an essay which i started out in point form before i realised I had to write it in essay format. Well, there was space to change things around.
The interviewer was well experienced and graduated 10yrs ago and has achieved what a US graduate may not even have achieved... Well, It was a great experience.
-
It was a good experience. The doctor interviewing me was very down to earth. The overall interview was very relaxed. It was longer then I expected based on the other comments on this website.
-
My interviewer was a graduate SGU MD who is now practicing internal medicine I think. The interview was awesome. He told me a lot about the school and gave me very good advices on reaching my goals. He asked me how I imagining my life on the island and what I know about Grenada. He also asked how I am thinking of paying for school.
-
It was a great interview, learned alot about the University. But it depends who your interviewer is, if you get a disgruntled doc, your interview will be rough, luckly my doc was very nice and I had a good time. St. George picks the closest interviewer to your location, they have one is most major cities.
-
Met the interviewer (former SGU student) at the VA hospital outside Boston. It was quite laid back. He really seemed to ask me confirmatory questions if I had thought through all the issues of leaving the US for 2 years. Also asked if I thought through how I'd pay for all the expenses. (I think this is a standard question of theirs).
-
The interview was very relaxed and non-stressful. The interviewer was very nice and genuinely wanted to get to know me. After asking 15 or so very standard questions (15 minutes), I wrote my 1 page essay (15 minutes) and then we talked about the school informally (30 minutes). All in all, a very nice, relaxing interview.
-
It was laid back, mostly questions with some conversation mixed in.. nothing to stress about. Since he was a recent grad I was able to talk to him a lot about student life and the experience as a whole.
-
A positive experience that both impressed and reinforced my decision to apply to SGU.
-
Best Interview a applicant could ask.
-
This interviewer represents St. Georges. Looks like St. Georges is becoming a very snoby arrogant school in the carribean. They act like they are a school in the states.
TO offer someone a spot in an MD/MPH program having to complete the MPH prior to medical school is just a ploy to make more money and keep you on the island for an extra year. The MPH program is not accredited, does not have much value here in the states, and does not tell anyone anything about my abilities to be a successful medical student. Put it to you this way this a hole added to the already burning fire inside to do super well in medical school and prove that there selection process sucks.
Interviewer insulted me, my culture, and my family with comments that he made. I don't have any beef with him but feel he was very unprofessional in the way he carried out the interview.
-
The trip down was pleasent enough, even though I had to fly down from Alaska to Seattle, and then drive for 2 hours to the interview site, the landscape was very beautiful. Considering the location, the interview was remarkably laid back and relaxing.
All in all it was a very enlightening experience, and if anyone researches SDN, knows the SGU website, and pratices their interview skills they should be very prepared.
-
Cake.
-
It was easy. I interviewed in MN. The guy is nice, non-intimidating, and loquacious. He had a hard time getting in to school, so he's quite sympathetic as an interviewer.
-
It was amazing. I feel I gained valuable knowledge about the location, school, education and experience. We talked about House TV show, and what not. I mean, he was completely relaxed which helped me relax, too. Expect to write an essay (take a pen) on 1- a person who most influences you, 2- Describe 3 characteristics that will help you pursue a career as a physician, 3-describe a defining moment in your adult life.
You have to choose one of those 3 options, and have to write for about 10 minutes (about a 1 -2 pages. )Make sure you also know about some kind of ethics related topics: Stem cell research, abortion, euthenasia, organ transplant, etc. Know this ins and outs of these, pros and cons, it's not what you feel about the topics, but that you are aware of both sides, and can discuss the issue maturely and intelligently.
If you have any other questions about the interview process send me an email:
[email protected].
-
I arrived one-half early and we started the interview right away. It was not a strictly structured interview but mixed both admissions questions with personal questions/observations. The interviewer was very impressed with the school and we agreed the quality of the facilities were equal to the more sought after medical schools. The interview was comfortable and informative and I appreciated it alot. We concluded with a 10 minute written essay.
-
I had a wonderful interview experience. The interviewer was very willing to answer all of my questions, and the interview was rather informal.
-
Meet in a hospital lobby. Interviewer was a recent graduate. Pleasant, but uninformed. She told me I was accepted at the end of the interview and I still have not heard from the school. They are impossible to contact and my adivsor (hopefully she is not yours) does not return phone calls or emails. BEWARE!
-
I arrived about 25 min early however the interviewer was willing to start early after he looked over my file. He began be asking me several questions that the university required him to ask. Later, he was very interested in my undergraduate career as well as my experience out the country. We concluded with the essay which only took about 10 min.
-
I arrived too early so I waited around in the car, got to the interview, was kept waiting for 45 minutes. I was given 10 minutes to write an essay on one of 3 topics. Then she asked me questions she was supposed to ask, filled out her form. I asked her some questions about her experience, the school, etc.
-
I thought I handled myself well given the situation with my interviewer. I felt that he had a huge chip on his shoulder and was not at all interested in interviewing people.
-
My interview experience was very positive. The interviewer talked most of the time and asked me very few questions.
-
It was fantastic. I learned so much about the school because of my probing questions (which he liked). The majority of my interview was spent with me asking questions and him answering them. My interview really was only 20 min. long. But with my questions it lasted 45 min.
-
Very odd. Interviewer didn't ask any questions, but did give good info re: getting a residency.
-
The interviewer mainly talked and answered questions the whole time. If you are hesitant about attending a carribean school, he said that you can get a wonderful education at SGU; hospitals care mostly about your board scores when your are applying to residencies, not as much about which school you attended.
-
Very relaxed. The interviewer was a doctor; he also joked a little. The first 10 minutes was essay, and then rest 50 or so the interview. I got a tour of the campus via a CD, since we could not go to Grenada. He asked questions about bits from my personal statement. If you give genuine answers, the interviewer is impressed - thats what I got from my experience.
-
It was really relaxed. The interviewer was a third year resident, so he was really chill.
-
Pretty laid back. when he talked to the two of us he went through a typical day at SGU and went into detail about the disadvantages and advantages of attending a foreign medical school. he did pretty much 70% of the talking. make sure you have a slew of questions to ask. e.g. safely, drop out rate, fac:student ratio, faculty educational bkgd, residency match, competetive specialities, international medicine, and the interviewer's expereince on the island
-
Showed up an hour and a half early, sat around in my car and went in for the interview. The 10 min. essay portion in the beginning was untimed, and she asked me questions afterwards that she was required to ask from the SGU list. Very basic.
-
First 10 minutes was the essay (3 characteristics that you pocess that will help you in becoming a pysician, person that had the greatest impact on you, an event that influenced your life). Then he went ahead asking me all the questions on the sheet in front of him. We did go off on tangents- He talked about getting into residency. He asked if I had any questions and and then we wrapped up.
-
The first 10 minutes or so was a small writing sample on one of three topics: 1. A person that influenced you 2. A moment that influenced you 3. And three characteri.stics that a physician should have. The next 25 or so were just basic questions. Not stressful at all.
-
First ten minutes was the essay (we get to pick one: person who influenced your life, moment that effected your life, or 3 characteristics a physician should have), next 20 mins answering interviewer's questions, next 20 minutes with him telling me about school
-
The guy i interviewed with was freakin hilarious
-
My interview was in my state, 30 min away, by a former SGU grad. First 10 min is the essay, which is really easy (what experience influenced your adult life? describe three characteristics a physician should possess. a person who has influenced you.) Then he let me know that there's a list of questions required by SGU (which were all pretty basic). The rest was casual conversation. If you had academic difficulty in the past, obviously this question will definitely be asked right away.
-
Overall very nice. The interview was quite laid back, and low pressure. They had a good lunch with students of Chips 'n Dip with Diet Coke. The facilities aren't that bad, and the lectures are reasonable. Studying on the beach is always a plus.
-
It was great!!!!!!!!!!!
-
I wish my interviewer was more interested in what I had to say.
-
Very casual...met in a coffee shop and b.s.'d for about half hour before we got into anything related to school and medicine. He was simply there to answer any of my questions and ask a series of required questions from the school's list.
-
Park, wait in waiting room for 10 minutes. Escorted to his office. Have 10 minutes to write on a topic I then have him read and ask a couple questions on. Try to be conversive, doesn't work. Try to build on something in common, he's more interestd in asking the required questions and jotting a couple notes down. Ask a couple questions about SGU to him, shake hands leave.
-
The interview was at a Starbucks about 1 hour from my home. He started off with a 10 minute writing sample and spent most of the time answering my questions about the school. He asked a few questions that he was required to ask by SGU and a few that he wanted to ask to get to know me better. It was very stress-free and an overall good experience.
-
I wish i was not as nervous as I had been so then I could have answerred the questions better.
-
It was informal and excellent, I was interviewed by an SGU graduate, psychiatrist who was working on his fellowship. He went through my classes grades, and involvement, letters of rec.
-
It was conversational and at his practice. we started with a 10 min essay. then i got called in a half hour later. and talked for about an hour and a half about movies, history, cultures. he did most of the talking.
-
It was great. I have a pretty good feeling about the whole interview. It is important to come with the mind-frame of selling yourself. What makes you a better candidate over the others that are being interviewed with you?
-
I thought it went OK. But the interviewer was more pleased with me than I was of myself. I think what really helped me was the fact I was there half-hour before the scheduled Interview. I went prepared with a pen.
I had thought out all the questions I was gonna ask her. small things like that really add up.
-
It was not as bad as I had expected. The interview itself was more conversational, and although I was nervous in the beginning, it faded off while he was talking. The more he talked, the more comfortable I felt as the interview went on.
-
Overall, the most relaxing and lowest stress interview I have ever had.
-
A positive experience overall (except for the locatiion.)The interviewer was friendly, knowledgeable and honest - he said he didn't enjoy his time living in Grenada, but that it was worth it, as it was only two years, and he ended up with a good residence.
-
The interview was good- I wish I had been able to see the school and everything but obviously that's difficult with it being so far away. I was interviewed very close to my home, which was nice (one less expense)
-
Overall it was a laid back and relaxing
-
The interviewer was at the medical office of an alum of SGU and while he seemed a little intimidating at first, overall the interview style was laid back. The most stressfull part of the interview was when you first sit down, you have 10 minutes to write an essay while he reads over your app. The essay topics are easy (Why do you want to be a docotr? Describe a memorable occurance that influenced you? what 3 characteristics should a physician possess?). After the ten minute essay he just read off of a list of simple questions for about half an hour and then left it open for you to ask your own questions. Very low stress and he seemed to know a lot about the school and its programs.
-
I felt like it was a good interview and enjoyed it allot. The interviewer told me that they were going to highly recommend me for a seat in Augusts enterning class.
-
No worries. be yourself and don't say anything dumb.
-
Very short interview and it was in Starbucks so a lot of noise
-
I met an alumni at starbucks in Manhattan, as I did a 10 minute writing sample he went over my application to refresh his memory. He asked me questions right off of a paper and then put down notes. After he was done asking me questions he pressed for me to ask him any questions that I had about the school. He was very helpful.
-
He asked me questions that were standard ones for SGU.
-
Other questions that were asked:
- What are your reasons for the low grade here and there on your transcript?
- How do you feel about being an FMG vs. USMG?
- How do you plan on affording medical school?