Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 35% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about motivations for pursuing medicine, overcoming obstacles, specific characteristics of a good physician, experiences in volunteering and research, future career goals in medicine, and knowledge of the institution being applied to. Some interviews were in the MMI format, possibly involving a nondisclosure agreement, while other questions focused on personal stories, ethical issues in medicine, reasons for choosing a medical career, and financial plans for education.
...it's been a while. Sorry, but I don't remember specifics. What I can tell you is it was a very casual discussion that revolved around "Are you SURE you don't want to just try again for the US schools?" The interview was encouraging me to do so.
I actually applied to the School of Veterinary Medicine. Similar to the school of medicine, they ask you to write a 10 minute essay in which you pick from 3 topics. I picked to name 3 characteristics that help me in my persuit of veterinary medicine.
Before any questions are asked, you have to write a short essay... no big deal, you take about 10-15 minutes to answer one of 3 questions... just be prepared to answer one and you'll be fine. 1) Describe a life changing experience of yours. 2) What are three characteristics you possess that will help you in your pursuit of a career in medicine? 3) Who is an inspiration to you and why?
You start with an essay that you are given 10 minutes to complete. You choose one of the following topics and write about it
1) Discuss three characteristics a good physician should possess
2) Describe a notable life changing experience
3) Write about someone who inspires you and why.
Looks like you did some research, give me an overview and tell me your findings.
Guessed ahead of time that SGU would arrange for a cardiologist who had done echocardiography research, just so they could quiz me about my paper. It's a niice.
First off is a 10 minute essay on 1 of 3 topics: 1) Who influenced you the most? 2) List 3 characteristics that you have that will make you a good doctor 3) A defining moment in your life
Although I wasn't asked any questions, here are the questions I put together and studied:
St. George’s University Interview Prep
Essays
1. Define three characteristics that will help in your pursuit to become a physician.
2. Describe an influential event in your adult life.
3. Describe someone who impacted your life.
4. Describe the moment that affected your life the most
5. Describe the 3 characteristics a physician should have.
Interviewer’s Questions
1. Do you mind being called an FMG?
2. What do you know about St. Vincent?
3. List 3 reasons you want to become a doctor.
4. Describe yourself in one word.
5. By moving away from family & friends, how will you adapt to survive on the island?
6. Why do you want to become a doctor?
7. How will you pay for Medical School
8. What volunteer experience do you have?
9. What does your resume not tell me about you?
10. What field of medicine would you want to practice if you had your choice?
11. What extra-curricular activities have you participated in that show your conviction for a career in medicine?
12. What do you see doing with your life?
13. Did you do any research?
14. Describe your volunteer experience.
15. Have you lived or traveled outside the US?
16. What other US/non-US schools did you apply to? Where did you get accepted?
17. How many schools did you apply to last year, how many secondaries did you send/ how many acceptances do you have?
18. Have you thought about PA School, you have a husband, it would be better for you.
19. Are you interested in an MPH as well as an MD?
Ethics Topics
1. Stem Cell research
2. Abortion
3. Euthanasia
4. Private vs public healthcare (b/c in personal statement)
5. List 5 medical issues in the world
6. Organ transplants & harvesting
Questions for Interviewer
1. What is the Faculty to Student ratio?
2. What are the educational backgrounds of the faculty
3. What is the Drop-out Rate?
4. How are the residency Matches?
5. What was your experience like living on the island?
6.
Discuss an ethical issue. What's your take on it? (I don't think it matters which side of the ethical issue you lean towards, as long as you understand all aspects of the issue and use sound reasoning to explain your side.)
Students said the most interesting question asked at St. George's University School of Medicine (Grenada, Caribbean) discussed a wide range of topics including handling being away from family, challenges of living on an island, scuba diving experiences, medical ethics scenarios, and career aspirations in medicine. While some responses indicated prescripted questions, there were also mentions of ethical dilemmas, research experience, and adaptation to island life, with a few interviews possibly following an MMI format and involving non-disclosure agreements.
How will your family handle you being away in Grenada?
Have you previously been to an open house for this school? (there were previously open houses around CA but I didn't go :( I said that I will go after the interview!)
Your own family member is suffering from terminal illness and you are faced with an ethical issue. Will u increase the dose to an extent that increases your loved one's pain or would you prefer to give that person death than to purposelessly increase their life with drugs??
your take on stem cell research ?
5. Lets say its Sunday morning, you are waking up from a night out, have an exam tomorrow, your boyfriend calls he says he's fed up and cannot do this anymore, your mother calls and says that she is seriously ill. How will you handle this situation.
None - all prescripted questions, read from SGU's list for interviewers. Nothing original at all.
Though do be prepared to talk about a prominent ethics topic (choose one from UW ethics site). Just an overview with a few points is fine.
Coming from high school to college you have had to leave and take with you different things. What is one thing that you could never sacrifice upon coming to the island for med school?
What area of medicine do you intend on practicing (important, because interview noted the difficulty on obtaining some residencies, specifically dermatology and opthamology)
98 year old, overweight woman, diabetes and 3 heart attacks, do you send her into surgery that could potentially make her better but at the same time kill her?
Perhaps not the most interesting (the interviewer asked me a total of 3 questions) but the question that most caught my attention was whether or not I would be interested in the MPH Program at SGU.
The most interesting would probably be what kind of medicine i wanted to get into whether academic or otherwise. I found this interesting because I clearly realized that i didn't know what academic really meant. My interviewer didn't make me feel stupid for not knowing, but he educated me about the different ways one can go with medicine, and even went on to say that he didn't know this until he got knee-deep into the process of deciding what he would do with his MD. I appreciated him for this.
Since I chose euthanasia as one of the topics I discussed with the interviewer he asked what I would do in a certain situation (from his own experience) as a physician.
I was asked to role-play a situation in which the doctor portrayed a non-cooperative patient and I was the resident trying to convince her to give a sample of blood. I was surprised and caught off guard by this, but the doctor was respectful of my attempts and gave sound advice.
I wasn't asked any questions. Instead the interviewer (Dr. Lane, in Atlanta, GA) was more of a counselor and mentor rather than an interviewer. He gave me excellent insight about St. George's.
There were two questions that I felt important to answer. The first was why I wanted to attend St. George's University. The second what specialty in medicine I wanted to pursue.
essays: define three characteristics that will help in your pursuit to become a physician. describe an influential event in your adult life. describe someone who impacted your life.
Are you re-taking the MCAT (Why do you need to know that if you are interested in selecting me now)? and How many other medical schools did you apply to? How many do you still have the chance of getting into?
If a patient who had ovarian cancer came to me, and asked me to help her end her life (euthanasia question). (It was interesting because he was a heme/onc fellow and I said that I wanted to do ob/gyn, so he incoporated both our fields to the question.)
What do you think about being a foreign grad as opposed to a US grad? And have you really thought about what its like to live on a small third-world island?
As you know, medicine has quite a few ethical issues. You don't have to tell me your side of the issue, but explain to me the two sides of abortion, and their points in their arguments.
Students said most difficult question asked at St. George's University School of Medicine (Grenada, Caribbean) discussed a variety of topics, including ethical issues in medicine, personal weaknesses, and reasons for pursuing medicine. While some responses mentioned MMI-style questions and nondisclosure, common themes included ethical dilemmas, challenges in medical school, and discussions on healthcare policies and current medical issues.
Not really anything difficult! I had to think a bit about a question she asked re: a conflict I have had with another person, but it wasn't difficult, per se.
This wasn't difficult for me because I prepared from this website ;) but it would be difficult otherwise... Tell me about a current ethical issue in medicine and give me your thought on both sides of the issue. The interviewer was really cool and didn't even dig for more explanation once I gave a short description of one. Try looking up stem cell research, euthanasia, children's medical rights, spiritual beliefs in medical treatment...
Give me an example of an ethical situation facing doctors today? How would you solve that situation or what do you think is best to solve that situation?
5. Lets say its Sunday morning, you are waking up from a night out, have an exam tomorrow, your boyfriend calls he says he's fed up and cannot do this anymore, your mother calls and says that she is seriously ill. How will you handle this situation.
Argue for both sides of this medical ethical issue: Should society provide for the general welfare of the average citizen, or should people be left to take responsibility for their own well being?
No difficult questions since I knew all the questions I would be asked by reading on this website and thinking about my responses and practicing ahead of time
He asked me to provide a solution for one of the essays that I wrote about what I feel is a problem in medicine today. He basically didn't agree with my arguments.
You are a physician treating a Jehovah's Witness patient who is strictly against blood transfusions or the addition of blood of any kind. During surgery, you accidentally cut one of this person's arteries, and they are bleeding profusely. Do you administer blood to this patient or not? Why?
98 year old, overweight woman, diabetes and 3 heart attacks, do you send her into surgery that could potentially make her better but at the same time kill her?
''Would you be interested in the MPH Program at SGU?''
I have been accepted into a good MBS/MPH program in the states, so doing my MPH at SGU is worthless. I didn't know what to say but after getting my rejection from the med school/acceptance into MPH Program today, I wish I was more vehement in letting the interviewer know that I would not be interested in their program.
Not that many difficult questions. Expect the obvious (why medicine, why SGU, etc.) He really asked if I had thought this thoroughly through. It seemed more confirmatory.
Since I wasn't asked any questions, we instead just discussed Med school applications, med school, the location, the residency programs, tips on getting matched, tips on other interviews, life in Grenada, Life with a family, etc.
easy too. why sgu? how are you going to finance? why do you want to become a doctor? basic: gpa, age, volunteer experience? have you lived abroad... in a third world country, and at what age? * these were standard questions that they ask all applicants.
I don't want to know your personal opinion, however there is an ethical debate over abortion. What are the two sides to the debate? If you cannot answer this question we're done.
Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at another location.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reading forums like SDN and ValueMD, reviewing their application materials, practicing common questions, and researching the school. Many also engaged in mock interviews, rehearsed answers out loud, and focused on staying calm and composed during the interview.
read SDN, read CV and application over, practice common questions and stay as calm and composed as possible
I played beer pong with my brother, and passed out to a random girl massaging my head on her couch. I woke up at 3am, and drove back to my hotel, got a few more hours of sleep, then drove downtown for my interview. (My experience with these interviews has been the more relaxed you are the better. Still wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach for all.)
Read through posts on this website and looked over my SGU application essays.
Also, I found lists of probable interview questions and thought of answers to them the night before and a few hours before.
Made a list of possible questions and wrote down my answers to them and answered the questions out loud. I also used a voice recorder to record my answers and then reviewed my responses and tried to imporove them.
Interview Feedback - got all the essay prompts (chose one, wrote it out in advance, memorized it, regurge on interview day), all general questions and situations they could be given. Health care policy blog. UW ethics site. Med school interview book. Treatment kind and fair takeaways. Reviewed personal statement, C.V., GSP essay. All in all, uber-overprepared :)
sdn, valueMD, read current healthcare/ethical issues, read my application, sgu website, rehearsed answers to why sgu, why low mcat, how would i adapt to third world country lifestyle, prepare the essay questions -why am i qualified to be a doc, who is the most important person in your life
SDN, Mock Interviews, knew all statistics and information about the school, reviwed my application and admissions essay, researched medical journals to make myself more knowledgable about recent scientific breakthroughs
I checked out SDN, wrote down the questions, and had my husband ask me them during breakfast for about a couple weeks, and I would answer them as if in a mock interview. I also asked friends and family who had also been through medical interviews, and they told me about it.
made sure to read everything on their website and my application. Thought about possible questions and how I would answer them. Kept up on current events. I was actually over prepared for the interview.
Applicants were positively impressed by the conversational and relaxed interview environment, where interviewers were open, honest, and enthusiastic about St. George's University. They appreciated the personal connections with alumni interviewers, who shared valuable insights and success stories, creating a welcoming and informative experience. Suggestions include maintaining the informal and friendly approach, providing more information about the program and campus life, and continuing to showcase successful alumni to inspire potential students.
they do not try to rattle you, its more of a conversation and the interviewer really gets to know you
How causal it was. The interviewer wanted to get to know you. AND, most importantly, he gave me his true opinion of the school - which was a warning of things to come
My interviewer was an SGU graduate and he has only great things to say about his experiences. He also got his top choice residency, and an awesome one at that. The interview was very comfortable, more like a conversation than drilling.
The admission staff members contacting me constanly about interview updates (who is the interviewer, interviewer's e-mail address to contact later on in order to set up an interview date). Your admission counselor will be in touch with you all the time.
Interviewer was on time. Really interested in me as a potential student so took the time to listen to my answers. Didn't just read the questions off a list.
Dr J is chair of department of anatomy and also on the committee of admissions. He was really easy to converse with, explained tons of things about SGU. Cleared doubts about class size and hurdles for an FMG.
Quite casual and very friendly. Interviewer was also a Canadian who came from the same undergraduate university as myself. She a physician who was a recent grad of SGU. She was very knowledgable and sympathetic about my situation and concerns because she had gone through the same process. She was very positive about my application and showed great enthusiasm in telling me about SGU. She was very knowledgable about residency matching and VISAs.
How welcoming and warm Dr. C was. He really made me excited about the opportunities I could have if I get into SGU, and how fun and communal the lifestyle on the island is.
The hotel was AWESOME! (I was interviewed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Toronto). My interviewer was really nice as well, he explained the entire setup of the interview before I started and tried his best to make me comfortable.
The Doctor, former student was every enthusiastic about the school, did not discourage from trying to gain instate CA residencies. He was very open to any and all questions
The interviewers were extremely friendly, and were very proud to have graduated from SGU. One of my interviewers was a recent graduate from the MD program, and the other interviewer was a veterinarian that graduated from SGU (strange I know). Overall, they were very receptive towards me, and I got lucky, because the MD had attended the same undergraduate school as me, so we had a great time talking about faculty etc. Both interviewers made me feel very comfortable and told me that they would recommend me for acceptance to the admissions board. yay!
The admissions coordinator, Amanda Ryan, was also very friendly and she made all the interviewees feel very comfortable.
my interviewer was way way laid back, she showed up in scrubs and took the subway in to meet me. She also did not mind meeting on a sunday for the interview.
The interviewer was an alumni of SGU and is now a pathologist working for the state; I assume that shows that hard work can overcome the stigma of being an FMG enough to get a job like that.
I didn't visit the school as is obvious, but I interviewed with an SGU grad who is now a fellow in NIH, and I was impressed with the way he presented the school to me.
The doctor was very enthusiastic about the school and education/opportunities they presented to him/their students. He was helping me, not putting me down. He told me that he did his clinical at the hospital where was shortage of physicians and most of the patients were poor and uneducated so he had an advantage of doing a lot by himself and learn a lot from his patients. That experience helped him later to pass USMLE Step II.
He said he did his 3rd & 4th years at a hospital where many residency programs don't fill, so he got to do a lot more than the average 3rd & 4th year student. Most patients he saw weren't the most educated and therefore had a lot of complex issues which prepared him well for Step II. But he said he worked like a dog.
I interviewed with Dr. Katri who was the Chief Resident at the hospital. Coincidentally, he just happened to take and pass his Step 3 boards the day of my interview. He asked some very thought-provoking questions, was respectful and conversational in his tone while conveying to me the degree which he enjoyed his experience at SGU. He spoke very highly of the MD program and his enthusiasm was infectious. Dr. Katri was also very informative and encouraged me to ask questions in the future as well. Interestingly, he stated that the NY Medical Licensing board considers three types of graduates for licensing, U.S., Foreign, and SGU grads (which I hadn't known and found rather reflective of SGU's rising reputation).
The extent of care provide to inmates, the fact that there was basically a mini hospital within the corrections facility.
I actually was lucky enough to see a minor procedure being done in one of the examination rooms.
Well, the doctor who interviewed me was a graduate of SGU and he worked in a really good hospital, so that made a positive impression on me about the quality of SGU's medical education.
He was really really relaxed. He normally runs the interviews in group sessions, with us all sitting in a conference room in the library of a junior college in the atlanta area, and discusses stuff about medical school, and tries to answer any and/or all questions we may have.
I was very comfortable talking about myself with the interviewer. He understood my desire to become a doctor and didn't judge me strictly by the writeen file in front of him.
the interviewer made me feel comfortable; he had taught on the island for several years and seemed to have a great deal of knowledge about the program as well as living there
The doctor that interviewed us was completely genuine. Quite possibly, one of the most honest and interesting doctors I have ever met. He wasn't trying to necessarily sell us on SGU but just wanted to encourage us in our dreams of being physicians. He (the interviewer) had been rejected by 60 schools before getting accepted to SGU, did his residency at Emory, and is now a wonderful doctor.
Nuttall (the interviewer in Mass) gave both pro's and cons of going to a foreign medical school. he enjoyed his experience. seems like you get the best international experience as a physician at SGU ( you can go to london for one of your clinical years). also if you graduate at the top 5% of the class, you can transfer to an american school... but it's your responsibility to find out what schools have openings. you're not at a significant disadvantage if you attend SGU. you take the same step exams... and all of the residency programs are pretty much open to you. the elite ones like the ones at harvard will be harder, but that's for everyone, american taught or not.
The interviewer and her husband (both SGU grads) got good residencies at good hospitals in the area. (peds and anesthesiology). She was very nice and even drew me a map and gave me her cellphone number so I wouldn't get lost on my way home.
The interviewer is a former SGU grad who was very positive, but realistic about his SGU experience. It didn't feel like he was trying to sell the school, but was giving his honest opinion.
How laid back the interviewer was, how proud he was of the education he received and how he wanted to make sure all of my questions were answered. He did NOT ask "How are you going to pay for medical school?"
The fact my interviewer took the time out to interview showed me how much she really appreaciated what st.george did for her. also, the fact my interviewer was able to procure one of the most sought after residency-surgery in urilogy which is unheard of for an IMG.
The interviewer/physician was very honest about SGU (about the good and bad parts of being a FMG). He was willing to say everything that he knew about any of my questions(he spoke more than me). He answered many of my questions before I even asked them.
It seemed like St. George's had grown a lot in the past few years and he seemed impressed with it. ALso my interviewer was a cardiology fellow at Tulane in New Orleans, which showed his ability to get a good fellowship.
His practice was large and right on the beach. He also teaches at the local medical school (its one of the top 20 in the country, I think). Also, the USMLE pass rate is higher than the U.S. average.
Applicants commonly expressed dissatisfaction with rushed interviews, lack of personalized questions, unprepared interviewers, lengthy waiting times, and a lack of enthusiasm or interest from the interviewer. Suggestions include conducting more thorough interviews, providing guidelines for scholarship opportunities, and ensuring interviewers are well-prepared and engaged.
The interviewer does not decide on admission, the notes from the interview get sent off to the admission committee who then make the decision.
The interview was conducted over Skype because of the difficulty with finding someone in my area to interview me. Skype cut in and out throughout the interview.
I didn't really think three doctors were necessary to interview one candidate, considering that one of them did most of the talking while the others took notes.
But there is not an ounce of assertiveness in his body. No original questions, no real enthusiasm except just a big, general summary of his experiences at SGU. Which, i suppose, i should appreciate since there were no tricks.
that there were no personally invested questions. SGU sends the doc a set form of questions (posted all over here) to ask and he just writes down the answers and mails it back to them. I could have saved 200 miles of driving and a lot of time if I just filled them out myself.
the interviewer never really asked me any questions that he formulated on his own (all the questions were just the ones he was supposed to ask)...he didn't seem genuinely interested in who I am or in my answers to the questions. It made me wonder if he had even read my essays or any part of my application. I also didn't like the fact that the interview was at a noisy coffee shop.
My interviewer didn't smile much. At the end of the interview, he didn't really tell me if he was going to recommend me or not, I know that doesn't happen to everyone, but I really wish I could've gotten some indication if he liked my answers or not. Well, sometimes he would say 'good.' I guess that's all I have to go on!
He was 30 minutes late. His initial email stated there were several candidates interviewing, very cold and impersonal. The actual meeting was much more friendly than i had anticipated from his email.
she looked a little too unprepaird for the interview-her questions were scratched out on a piece of paper. the intervew also lasted longer than it should have so she did not leave room for me to ask questions at the end.
The interview date was delayed for a week because the interviewer accidently deliver the baby from high blood mother in that time. But it was ok becuase baby is important than interview :)
The interviewer was rushing things - she actually started packing up as I was asking her a question. It was at the end of the day and she admitted that she was in a rush to meet her sister for dinner. She asked me 4 questions: 1)did you take Bio II and Physics II (she had my transcript) 2) How will you pay for SGU 3) Where else have you applied/been accepted? 4)Would you be interested in the MPH Program?
1. Interviewer was very arrogant
2. Interviewer talked down to me and made it obvious that I was a subordinate
3. Answered cell phone during interview
4. Made me wait 85 minutes past scheduled interview time.
5. Could not answer my questions clearly.
The interviewer was a little too laid back. I wish he would have shown a least a certain level of interest in my qualifications; he regarded me and all the other interviewees as more than qualified before the interview had ever begun.
I did all this prep, so now I really don't know how to go through a hard core interview. But, at least, I did still prepare, so I know what I would say for my next interview. Make sure to always include information about yourself and your experiences even if not asked about. So, during our discussions, I would throw in stuff about me and my medical experiences, or random experiences that said a little about my maturity, and interest in medicine without him exactly asking me directly. (as a just in case factor.)
The interviewer gave me the essay right away and then made me wait 40min before coming back. When he finally interviewed me, he was very rude, pointing out my nationality and gender and how I should really consider PA school so I could raise a family. He kept picking out minor flaws in my academic background, even though I have above average stats. He didn't pay attention to what I said and kept rolling his eyes.
nothing. But I was surprised that my interviewer came dressed very casually. He didn't wear a suit or tie. It actually helped me feel more comfortable.
There was a question about "do you know how you will pay for school?" that was phrased aggressively. It just reminded you that ultimately this school is in it for the money, despite its higher academic standards.
The interviewer was a little too laid back; he made me question whether students take the school seriously. BUT, he was an accomplished physician nonetheless.
Applicants commonly wish they had known that the interview was not as stressful or fast-paced as anticipated, and that over-preparation was not necessary. They recommend being prepared to discuss academic performance, asking questions about the school, and maintaining a relaxed and conversational demeanor during the interview.
I wish I had anticipated that the interview was going to be as fast as it had. My previous med school interview was much more of a conversation and lasted twice as long but this one seemed very fast and straight to the point.
If you're making a one-on-one appointment with an interviewer in the States, they are going to ask questions from a sheet of paper they are given by SGU, and they ask those questions and jot down some notes about your answers, and send it back to SGU. My interviewer was not a part of the admissions meeting and decision, but his notes are used in the decision. But even though the questions were scripted, the interview was still smooth, comfortable and conversation-like.
Hehehe, we almost ran OUT of time...he asked me about my volunteer work, and politely told me that we had to move on to the other questions when I kept on talking about my activities. That was really funny.
it wasn't going to be the nice, unstressful interview that i had expected. interviewer definitely wanted to grill me with ''negative'' questions like ''explain why you tanked in college'', or ''if you didn't get in, what are you going to do?''.
Nothing. I felt extremely well prepared. Be ready for the essay question and make sure to bring a pen. Most important piece of advice: be confident, know about the school, know about your application, and stay calm. It's not a scary or nerve wrecking interview so if you stay calm and focused it'll be fine.
That I didn't have to prep for the interview. Make sure you check out the location a day prior to the interview so you can gauge how long it will take, and if there are any crazy turns that are not readily noticeable you don't get lost the day of the interview. Leave enough time so that you can wait there for about 1/2 an hour (as a just in case factor). Expect that the interviewer may show up 1/2 hr to 1 hr late. Take a book. Look up stuff on the internet on SGU, the school, the research, know why you chose the school, and why they should choose you. Also, take questions ready for the interviewer, too. About faculty: student ratio; crime rate; career opportunities for family members (spouses); housing; culture; faculty education;
Not to stress out. It was a very casual interview with no surprizes. I read the reviews on this site and my experience was very similar to most other applicants, including the questions.
Worrying and being stressed will worsen the situation. There is really no reason to be stressed out about the interview with this particular school. Act like you are talkign to someone you already know.
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.
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.
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!
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 !
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
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).
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.
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 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!
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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?
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office should improve their communication and responsiveness, maintain a personal touch during the interview process, and continue their efficient organization and quick response times.
they suck as hard as an admissions office can suck. Good luck dealing with them
The admission office has by far the fastest response time in terms of e-mail, telephone, etc. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want some encouraging words, the admission office don't mind you contacting them :)
