San Juan, PR
Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 34% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.2
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 34 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as high stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (83%)
No change (17%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (67%)
Good (17%)
Average (17%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive impressions of the school environment and faculty-student relationships, but some had concerns about the group interview format and emphasized the importance of being genuine and proficient in Spanish for classes.
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I was very impressed with the school overall. The students seem to enjoy the small school environment and seem close to the faculty.
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Don't like the group format. Makes you doubt if you should talk as much as the other interviewers.
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Be yourself!!! If you really love medicine that is the only way of showing it. Also, your Spanish has to be pretty good. They informed me that most classes are in Spanish
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
47 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.8 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
20% One-on-One
80% Group Interview
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File Type:
40% Open-File
60% Closed-File
SJBSOM-COMP interviews are an average of 47 minutes, with an average of 2.8 interviews. 20% of interviews are one-on-one, and 60% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the motivation behind pursuing a medical career, personal background, views on teamwork, and the impact of extracurricular activities on personal development. Some respondents referenced an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements during their interviews.
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Why are you here? Why do you want to be a medical student?
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Tell us about you
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What do you think about team work
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How have your extra-curricular activities contributed towards your personal growth?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at San Juan Bautista School of Medicine discussed hypothetical patient scenarios involving decision-making dilemmas, ethical considerations, and patient communication skills. These scenarios included prioritizing patients for organ transplants based on age and additional factors, addressing the influence of social determinants on health, and managing patient beliefs in alternative treatments versus medical prescriptions.
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Hypothetical patient scenario: 3 patients needing a heart (15, 35, and 85 years old), 2 hearts. Who do you save and why? Twist after first answer: 15 year old is a drug addict. How does that change your answer and why? Twist after second answer: 35 year old is HIV+. How does that change your answer and why?
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What is the major reason behind obesity, chronic diseases? I forgot how the question was framed but I said socioeconomic factors.
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If a patient was convienced that a plant can cure his disease, how would you tell him that your prescriptions would work better?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by practicing MMI scenarios, seeking input and feedback from current students or alumni, researching common interview questions, utilizing online resources like SDN, and engaging in mock interviews. Some also focused on school-specific information, language practice, and personal reflection or prayer to prepare effectively.
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By practicing MMI scenarios
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Contacted some people who attended this school and asked for input and feedback. I also did a basic online search of the most common medical school interview questions and was able to anticipate and prepare for every question they asked, except the hypothetical scenario.
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SDN interview Feedback and School Specific Discussions. Also Rosetta Stone to try and improve my Spanish.
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SJB SOM website, Mock interviews, newspapers, articles from undergrad health proffesions advising office, and last but not least by praying
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at San Juan Bautista School of Medicine discussed the challenge of explaining why they should be chosen over other candidates, emphasizing unique qualities confidently. Some respondents also found difficulty in convincing interviewers about their language proficiency, particularly Spanish skills and their potential for improvement.
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Why should we choose you over other candidates? (They were wanting to see how you sell yourself, for what makes you different to other applicants, what makes you unique, all in a confident but not arrogant way.)
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For me, was trying to convince them that my Spanish is not that bad and will be improved!
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the well-structured MMI interview format, the modern facilities hidden behind a humble exterior, the friendly admissions staff and students, the close proximity to the hospital, the small class size fostering a family-like environment, and the enthusiastic student tour guide showcasing a love for medicine.
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The interview (MMI format) was very well structured and it was followed by a tour led by two medical students.
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From the outside it looks like a very humble building, but once you get to tour the facilities it is as hi-tech and up-to-date as other medical school I've seen.
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Admissions and Students and faculty are really nice. School is connected right next the hospital. Class size is small, 60 students per class. med students said they really feel like a family.
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The enthusiasm and love for medicine that the student who gave me a tour of the facilities showed.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly mentioned that the facilities were not very impressive, with some describing them as outdated and lacking compared to other schools. Suggestions included expanding and modernizing the campus facilities to provide a more conducive learning environment.
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The library is not open 24 hours, but they have study rooms that you can use instead. Also, traffic was busy coming in and leaving the school, but remember that it's an urban area, so plan ahead and give yourself enough time.
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School facilities are basically ancient compared to other schools. And it is just a med school, meaning it's not attached to a big university. But that could also be a positive thing.
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The facilities are not the most impressive. It is a pretty small and humble campus
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wish they had known about the need to pay for parking and the unreliability of navigation apps in certain areas. They recommend having backup plans such as a GPS device or local contact numbers to avoid getting lost in unfamiliar locations.
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You have to pay for parking since you park in the hospital visitors parking area.
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That google maps and my iphone would fail me in getting around the island. Get a GPS if you can afford it, otherwise have phone #s on hand and be prepared to call people when you are lost. On the plus side, I saw parts of the island I wasn't planning on seeing lol
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as 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 that the admissions office prioritize MCAT scores over GPA, provide a more comprehensive and interactive campus tour, and improve responsiveness to emails to enhance the overall applicant experience.
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MCAT over GPA
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Give a more interactive tour of the campus and hospital. My tour did not see everything possible.
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Be more responsive through email. Never ever got a response back when I emailed.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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SJU
67% interviewees used SJU (SJU), with 33% using San Juan (San Juan).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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40% Airplane
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60% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Four Points Sheraton in Caguas (average ranking 8/10), with some staying at N/A (average rating 5/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Four Points Sheraton in Caguas
8/10
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N/A
5/10
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Coqui Inn
1/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.2
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 34 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 out of 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
Student (100%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (80%)
Neutral (20%)
All Responses
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