Springfield, IL
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 31% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.9
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 441 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?
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 (85%)
Negatively (5%)
No change (10%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (38%)
Good (44%)
Average (18%)
Poor (1%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interviews at SIU to be relaxed and conversational, with positive interactions with interviewers and students. Some noted the disorganization of the interview day, while others highlighted the school's close-knit community and unique features like problem-based learning.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Overall a good experience. Medical students just passing by would sit down and talk with us and allow us to ask them questions. I don't believe they were affiliated with the admissions department at all.
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Overall great interview, relaxed, simple conversation
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Great experience
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Very relaxed but they dig into every detail of your application
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I spoke to my interviewer in Spanish for about an hour
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
44 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
98% Open-File
2% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
67% Virtual
33% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
SIU-COMP interviews are an average of 44 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 33% are in-person, and 2% are closed-file. Of the in-person interviews, 100% are held at the school.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the applicant's motivation for pursuing medicine, handling academic challenges, family background, problem-solving skills, opinions on healthcare issues, and their fit with the school's mission and curriculum. Some respondents mentioned being asked about Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) format, suggesting potential nondisclosure agreements regarding specific questions asked during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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"Tell me about yourself"
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Define success.
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Tell me about yourself
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Tell me about your family
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How would you solve the current food shortage that is currently affecting Springfield, IL?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting questions asked at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including qualities of a physician, ethical dilemmas in patient care, learning strategies, personal stories for committee remembrance, and societal issues like medical malpractice and pharmaceutical costs. The interview format may have been an MMI, as some responses indicated a non-disclosure agreement, while other questions touched on personal experiences, future aspirations, and opinions on healthcare and societal issues.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What was the last gift you gave someone?
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What are five qualities you believe a physician should have?
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Tell me how to make a peanut butter and jelly
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None of them really.
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What are your hobbies?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing with mock interviews, reading interview feedback on Student Doctor Network (SDN), and researching the school's website and curriculum. Additionally, they focused on common interview questions, their personal statements, and engaging in self-reflection to ensure they were well-prepared for the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Prayed, reviewed SDN page, went through application.
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SDN, interview questions online, practice
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SDN, Reviewed application, Secondary Essay Questions
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SDN, reviewed app
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SDN and mock interviews
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including healthcare challenges, ethical dilemmas, personal integrity, and future goals. While some faced inquiries about controversial issues or hypothetical scenarios, others encountered more personal questions about their backgrounds, character flaws, or views on medical education.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What is something SIU is lacking in and how would you strengthen it?
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If you were a gnome, what would you look like?
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None
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Questions regarding how each class/experience directly impacted my view on medicine and my future career
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How would you solve the current food shortage that is currently affecting Springfield, IL?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the school, the emphasis on problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum, early patient contact, and the strong sense of community among students and faculty. Suggestions included enhancing the visibility of financial aid options, providing more information on the specific clinical experiences available, and improving communication on the school's unique features such as the small class sizes and faculty support.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Campus was nice, in my opinion.
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Interviewers were very kind and made me feel comfortable
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The interest each interviewer had in me the applicant. It really was a conversation and they would ask follow-up questions based on the stories you would tell on how you got to the current position you are.
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Everyone spoke very highly of school and came from various areas to work there and did not necessarily want to ever work elsewhere
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PBL
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about disinterested interviewers, disorganization in scheduling and facilities, outdated campuses, small towns, lack of engagement during tours, and concerns about the program structure such as spending the first year in Carbondale. Suggestions included improving interviewer preparedness, enhancing campus facilities, providing more engaging tours, and addressing the challenges of transitioning between campuses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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N/A
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Nothing
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1/2 interviews was very interrogative and seemed as if they did not have much time to speak with me
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I interviewed with a female internist for one of my interviews. She seemed very disinterested and like she did not care one bit of what I had to say from the very beginning. She asked me questions that were not relevant to my desire to pursue a career as a physician or to me as an individual. Not very friendly and was a very awkward experience. Hope you guys don't get her for an interviewer.
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My tour guide wasn't completely focused on us and kept looking around.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews would be relaxed and conversational rather than stressful, the importance of understanding the Problem Based Learning (PBL) system used by the school, and the need for thorough preparation for questions related to academics and scores. They also highlighted the challenge of navigating the campus and recommended bringing quarters for parking.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing
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Just reiterating other comments that it's all about just "Being Yourself" and tell your story.
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2 interviews, both open file. One is with someone on admissions committee and other is a faculty member
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How relaxed it would be.
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That one of my interviews would be a complete waste of time.
🤝 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?
Applicants commonly suggested using email/webex for virtual interviews instead of US mail and providing detailed directions to interview locations within different buildings. Additionally, there were positive comments on the warmth of the admissions office staff and a desire for improved logistics in navigating between interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Discontinue using US mail for communication and purely email/webex for virtual interviews. Portal system is much easier to keep all application information in one spot. US mail adds extra time to process.
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I had a GREAT interview day
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Perhaps provide precise directions to interviews in other buildings.
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The admissions office is absolutely wonderful. Everyone was warm and kind.
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Just to clarify that all interviewees need a visitor's badge when they arrive.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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STL
50% interviewees used STL (STL), with 50% using spi (spi).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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3% Airplane
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87% Automobile
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6% Train or Subway
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3% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Red Roof Inn (average ranking 2.3/10), with some staying at Hilton Springfield (average rating 8.5/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Red Roof Inn
2.3/10
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Hilton Springfield
8.5/10
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Hampton Inn
7.5/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.9
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 441 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 (11%)
Faculty member (2%)
Other (2%)
Student (85%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (82%)
Neutral (18%)
All Responses
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