SUNY - Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine (Brooklyn) Interview Feedback Summary
Brooklyn, NY
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 38% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as 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 average.
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 study habits for exams like the MCAT, explanations for academic performance, descriptions of leadership experiences, reflections on handling stress, motivations for pursuing medicine, and details about research and volunteer experiences. Some respondents mentioned participating in an MMI format interview with questions specific to their personal application files, as well as being asked about nondisclosure agreements regarding the interview questions asked.
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Asked me to elaborate on some of my responses in my secondary application.
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What I learned from research experiences and how that can be transferred into my future education/practices ish
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Describe a situation where you took on a leadership role.
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Why medicine?
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How and how many hours I studied for school, the MCAT, and before an exam
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How did you study for the Mcat?
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How many hours per week did I study in college
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How I studied for the MCAT
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Asked about my low GPA freshman year?
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Tell me about yourself.
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Reasons why I got 2 B minuses
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Grades, grades, grades
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Conversational style. Asked me about my interests, activities from undergrad, job, etc.
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What social support do you have for during medical school?
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Why did you struggle in organic chemistry?
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How do you approach academic challenges
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Describe a stressful situation and what was the outcome and what did you learn from it.
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How will you handle living in NYC/Brooklyn? What is your support system/how will you deal with stress?
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Specific questions about some of my activities
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how did you study for mcat
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How do you deal with stress?
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Specific questions about red flags in my application.
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Do you see yourself as a leader?
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Why do you want to be a doctor?
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How do you manage stress?
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How do you study in college? How did you study for the MCAT?
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What else do you want us to know?
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What do you think medical school is like?
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Specific questions about my AMCAS
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Do you have a support system in New York City?
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How do you study?
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What do you know about Brooklyn and do you think you will fit in this environment?
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Downstate has a book of questions that everyone gets asked. Among them are some very generic questions like: How do you study now? How did you study in college? How did you Study for the MCAT?
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Tell me about yourself
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Why didn't you submit your secondary to Downstate last cycle?
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Some specific questions regarding my career motivations that referenced my personal statement.
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Why do you want to come to New York? (I am from California)
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Tell me about your research as if I know nothing about science.
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Why were your grades lower in second year?
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Explain the withdrawals on your transcript.
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How did you study for your MCAT?
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How did you raise MCAT score/Why Medicine
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Give an example of a stressful situation and how you handled it
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Why do want an MD/MPH?
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Tell me about your volunteer experience.
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What would you want me to say to the admissions board on your behalf?
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Why medicine? Why Downstate?
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What do you do for fun?
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How do you handle stress? Have you ever lost control and what were the consequences if you did?
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did your parents want you to be a doctor?
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You got great grades-- how did you study? How did you study for the MCAT?
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Why downstate.
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Tell me why you got so so and so grade? (to be expected since my gpa was atrocious.)
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tell me about a stressful situation
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Why do you have 2 W's (my first and only interview where any specific grades were asked about, kind of caught me off-guard).
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What are you extra curriculars?
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What's an ethical dilemma you've faced? Did you do the right thing?
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How do you study? How did you study for the MCAT?
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When did you decided to do medicine?
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What is your greatest weakness?
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How did you choose medicine?
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What was the most stressful experience you've had?
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dont remember the first question... your grades are excellent, as if your MCAT score, how did you study?
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Why Downstate?
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Can you clarify the sequence of some of these classes on the AMCAS application?
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None
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how did you study for the mcats? did you think the test was fair?
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What do you consider as an academic strength/weakness?
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How do you study? In a group or by yourself?
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What are your red flags?
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Interview was very conversational. I don't remember any specific questions because it just sort of flowed.
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Describe a stressful situation and how you handled it?
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What do you think of Brooklyn?
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How did you prepare for the MCAT?
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How do you study/did you for the MCAT?
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Tell me about your clinical exprience
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what do you think you will do as a doctor
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Any leadership experiences?
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What are your non-academic interests/hobbies?
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Tell me about one of your research experiences in detail.
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What does ___ mean on your transcript?
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Why did you choose medicine?
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Tell me about a time when you looked up something scientific for your own knowledge. Don't just tell me ''I looked this up one time.'' Tell me what happened that made you look it up, and tell me what you learned, using scientific terms. It does not have to be health- or biology- related.
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What did you do in high school besides study?
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tell me a little about yoursel that isn't on the application.
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Why do you want to be a physician?
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The second I sat down, my interviewer asked: So, what do you want to know?
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Tell me about your sexual assault counseling experiences.
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How did you prepare for mcat?
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Explain this aspect of your MCAT. How did you study for the MCAT? Explain this grade on your transcript.
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What was your inspiration to study medicine?
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What do you do to relax/out of class?
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where do you see yourself in 10 years?
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How do you handle stress
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Why the big MCAT score jump?
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Where are you from?
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What was the most difficult thing you have gone through?
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What do you do in your free time?
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how did u prep for mcat?
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Tell me about any medical related work you have done?(basically explain the AMCAS application)
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why med
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why do you want to go to medical school?
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Tell me about yourself?
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Is religion important in medicine?
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Describe a stressful situation and how you handled it.
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Why I want to be a doctor?
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Y did u get a C?
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Why med school? Why downstate? Describe yourself. How did you prepare for MCAT?
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Tell me about the birth of your child and your difficulties with health insurance.
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What do you like to do?
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Explain your low grade?
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Clarify what you did between certain dates on your AMCAS.
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Do you know what section of the MCAT med schools consider the most important? (He said Verbal Reasoning)
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How did you arrive at medicine?
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Tell me about your international medical experience.
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Tell me about your research.
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He had a very very long and thorough list of questions that he had to ask. He recorded my answers very thoroughly... Describe your research in as much/little detail as you like. Don't go for a lot of minute details since that's boring, but DO talk a lot about your research and show enthusiasm.
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What makes you want to become a doctor?
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What was your favorite part of Peru
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What do you want to know about the school?....x4
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What do u do in ur free time?
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How did you study for MCATs.
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My interviewer asked what school's I applied to and where I'd interviewed, I answered honestly and he told me he knew I'd get in to them and asked me why I would want to go to SUNY-Downstate instead.
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How do you know what you want to do with your life at the age of 21?
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how many hours do you study each night?
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How did you decide that you wanted to go into medicine?
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Tell me about your lower grades in ___ semester.
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You've applied to a lot of schools in the New York area. Why downstate?
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Explain all of your C grades and why you withdrew from your philosophy class. Got me nervous cuz it was at the beginning of interview.
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How did you study for the MCAT?
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why this grade? why the mcat twice?
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How do you study? How did you study for the MCATs? ***Apparently this question is asked in nearly every interview (this is what two Downstate first years told me).
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What clinical experiences have you had?
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Your MCAT score, explain
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Why do you want to be a dr?
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It seems like you had a lot on your plate, how did you handle it?
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How will you study in medical school.
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why didn't you become a classics professor?
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Why medicine? Why not piano? Why don’t you teach physics since you’re so good at it?
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I see you were involved in many things during college (work, volunteering specifics, lived at home (distractions)etc..) when did you have leisure time? What did you do?
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Why are your grades low? Because I work two jobs and help pay my moms rent while living on my own and going to school full time.
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basic. Why being a doctor and not research? I see you are very passionate about what you do
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all questions were speicific to my personal file
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Describe your path to medicine.
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What do your parents do?
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how are your study skills?
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How did you study for the MCAT? (the interviewer said it was from a list of questions she had to ask)
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Didn't really have specific questions, mostly just chatted about things that were in my file. Talked about books to read etc.
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Why do you want to do medicine?
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questions specific to my amcas application.
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What is my support system?
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How are you prepared to live in this part of Brooklyn?
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What's the difference between education and literacy? Are you literate?...proceeds to prove me wrong with trivia!
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What do you expect to be doing 10-15 years from now?
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How did you study for the MCATs
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Tell me about your interest in Downstate? In medicine?
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How did you decide to pursue medicine as a career? What do you see yourself doing in the future?
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How did you prepare for the MCATs?
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Since it was pretty much a conversation, I can't really remember specific questions!
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How did you arrive at the decision to pursue medicine?
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Why did you chose to go to MIT? Did you consider Harvard at all? or Princeton?
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What stresses you out/how do you deal with stress
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Have you ever lived in an urban environment? (What prepares you to live in this neighborhood)
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why downstate
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Where have you traveled? (one of my ECs in AMCAS was about my love for traveling)
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What does your mother do?
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Just get to know you questions like how do you study, how did you prepare for your mcats, some application questions about my grades, community work, volunteer work, etc.
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Do you have any family members who are physicians? Friends of the family?
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How did you deal with a stressful situation
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Why did you get a B in this class, were you too busy doing wasting time doing other things? What? is this 2nd grade
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Compare your grad and undergrad ;How many hours a week do/did you devote to studying?
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What do you like to do in your spare time?
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Why medicine? When and how did you know you wanted to go into medicine? Why Downstate?
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what other schools are you applying to?
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Why did you teach following undergrad?
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Name a stressful situation and how handled it
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why did you choose your undergrad school
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Why Downstate, Why do you want to be a doctor, grades, MCAT
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Why did your grades drop during your sophmore year?
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What was your most memorable/significant clinical experience?
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All related to clarfying things on my AMCAS app.
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all of the ones previously mentioned on this site
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Why Downstate? What do you know about Downstate?
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When did you know that you wanted to be a doctor?
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10 standard interview questions: Research experience? MCAT preparation? Studying habits? Hobbies? Why Medicine? When did you decide Medicine? Why Downstate? What are you doing now? Where do you see yourself in 10-15 years? How did you like [undergraduate institution]?
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Why did you take time off? Describe your research?
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many questions that clearly violate the civil rights act of 1964
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Why do you want to go into medicine?
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Why are your graduate school grades so much higher than your undergraduate grades?
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Why did you want to become a doctor
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How do you deal with stress, tell me about a stressful experience.
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I think the first thing on the form is they ask you to explain any poor grades - so don't be shocked if they ask you about your one C+ - it seems like just an opportunity to give an explanation if you have one.
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All of the questions my interviewer asked of me were either said in a very angry tone or were very crazy. I know that sounds hard to believe but read the other horror stories about this school above and you will see what I mean.
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Why bother going into medicine?
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How did you prepare for your MCATs? Why do you want to go Downstate? What type of medicine interests you? Are you really sure that you want to go into medicine? Tell me about a difficult situation and how you handled it? What do you get stressed out by? How do you relieve stress? Where have you volunteered? Why? What did you get out of it? Why did you choose to go to the undergrad you went to? How do you study (where, how much, when)? What do you do for fun? What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
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What is your opinion of drug companies in medicine?
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How did you prepare for the MCAT? (Apparently, this is a standard question that Downstate requires all interviewers to ask.)
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why did you choose your high school
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Describe a difficult situation (very common question for most Downstate interviewees, apparently)
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What was a difficult situation you were in and how did you handle it?
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What do you do in your freetime?
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You must be a very lonely person? I would swear on a bible that this came out of nowhere. Im not sure if this was a stress interview ?
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What do you do in your spare time?
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Why did you take time off after college?
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What clinical experience do you have?
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did you work while attending school?
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Why do I want to become a doctor?
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What type of books do you read?
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Why this school?
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Why did you take time off?
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Tell me more about (insert experience)?
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when did you decide to be pre-med?
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WHy did u chose to go to the undergrad you went to
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Please explain a low course grade.
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what was a difficult situation you encountered and how did you handle it?
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How did you prepare for your MCATs?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at SUNY - Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine (Brooklyn) discussed various topics such as dealing with stress, fitting into the Brooklyn location, describing personal accomplishments, and interesting research projects. The interview format may have been an MMI based on responses referencing a nondisclosure agreement, with questions ranging from stress management to personal motivations for pursuing medicine.
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Describe a time when you experienced a lot of stress; how did you deal with it, and did anyone/anything help?
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Do you think you'd fit in at Downstate and its Brooklyn location?
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What do you do to relieve stress
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none
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None Really
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Asked about my research, why medicine
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None really, just focused on grades, study habits, why medicine, talk about a struggle stuff like that.
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What do you do for fun?
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How will my research be used by doctors to help people, and how many people can it help?
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What do you do for fun
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What physician has influenced your decision to go medical school?
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What personal accomplishment is memorable/valuable? The writing about a picture was also interesting (doesn't affect admissions though).
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If you had a lot of money, how would you spend it?
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writing a short paragraph about a picture presented on interview day (not during actual interview)
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Describe a non academic setting in which you took a leadership role
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You are treating a patient as a successful and competent doctor and a nurse on your team says that they disagree with your treatment plan , what would you do?
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the questions were very run-of-the-mill
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How did you study for the MCAT differently the second time you took it?
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Hmm..they were all pretty standard.
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nothing really
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What was your most interesting research project?
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How would you explain your research to somebody who has a limited understanding of science?
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You said you read a lot of medical non fiction, have you read any medical fiction?
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How would you define the word 'doctor'
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None, very typical questions.
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You now have the opportunity to directly address the adcom, what would you like to say to them?
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What is your typical day?
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Nothing too interesting, it was very conversational
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nothing was too surprising...they have a form of questions that they have to ask everyone. My interviewer filled it out while talking to me.
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The most unusual question asked was how I studied for the MCAT. There were no interesting questions though. The interview was easy.
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nothing interesting
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They were all standard questions.
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What are you most proud of?
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What defining moment inspired you to pursue medicine.
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What do you look for when choosing medical schools?
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???
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How do you feel about the school's neighborhood (Brooklyn)?
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What role do you think religion plays in medicine?
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none really, they were standard stuff
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Question # 3
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What do you feel has influenced our perspectives on illness and health, from a sociological perspective
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Nothing. They were straight off of a sheet of paper.
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How do you learn/study?
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Why was calculus so difficult for you?
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I thought the questions were fair.
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Are you interested in a particular field of medicine?
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What do you do to relax?
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Tell me why Downstate without using info from the website.
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If you were at a party with 30-40 guests and you did not know anyone there, how would you behave?
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None, my interviewer asked about my research and when I tried to explain it, he snapped and said that he knew that already.
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What do you do on your free time?
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Nothing surprising or unexpected. Everything was the usual type of questions.
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There were none.
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How would you like to see healthcare change in the future?
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Do you think you can call the shots?
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You're from a small town, how do you prepare to study in NYC?
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Why were you unable to complete your application in your last application cycle?
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Have you seen much of Brooklyn?
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N/A
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Tell me about a job/activity you enjoy and why you like it
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What I thought of Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
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The interviewer was interested in knowing more about my hobbies.
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What is the most stressful thing that's ever happened to you?
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Describe a stressful situation, how you dealt with it , what you learned...
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Everyone has a defining moment when they realize medicine is for them. What was your defining moment?
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Tell me about your friends...
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If you were accepted at all 4 SUNY schools, which one would you choose?
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If you were in the ER as an attending physician, and a patient came in with a life-or-death situation that you knew exactly how to deal with, but the resident nurse told you that she thought what you were about to do wasn't right, what would you do?
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interview was very casual and conversationsal
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Any leadership expereince? Admisions wrote down questions for the interviewer to ask me on my file.
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Why medicine? My interviewer did not believe nor understand my response.
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None.
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Have you ever had second thoughts about going into medicine? Did some other subject ever attract you?
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I was asked to describe how I spend my free time hour by hour. Not a hard question, but it took me off-guard at first.
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What do you think is the origin of good and evil? ( I am a philosophy major and had just spoke about my interest in metaethical theory)
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None. The interview seemed completely uninterested from the moment I walked in. Like it was an annoying interference to have to conduct an interview. She asked simple, textbook questions. No follow-ups. Like she had a list to ask and didn't really seem too interested in my response. We were told the interviews would last 45 minutes to an hour and mine only last 20-25 minutes. And she didn't even give me the opportunity to ask any questions. And she was suppose to show me how to get back to the admissions office, but just gave me so short, not so helpful directions so that I wandered around the hospital for awhile before finding my way back.
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None too interesting
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What does __________ mean (in another language...I wrote that I spoke it on my AMCAS)
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I was interviewed by a neuroscientist and I have done research in neurology so I was asked a lot of specific questions about my research. I think Downstate tries to match people with the interviewer so make sure you are very knowledgeable about everything you claim to be knowledgeable about!
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how well do you think your high school prepared you for college? *(why were we talking about high school test preparation?!)
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Do you have any siblings and what do they do?
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Nothing too interesting.
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Tell me a little about your experience with Myers-Briggs, and how you've used it.
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Why didn't you mention your parents on your application?
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Your background suggests you should be a lawyer, why do you want to go into medicine?
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None. Nothing from the ''sheet'' just talked.
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What I like to do outside of work/school
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Why not social work?
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What has shaped you recently in being interested in medicine?
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Most questions were straight off of the infamous ''Question sheet''. We got off topic and spoke about the recent Yankees demise and the overabundance of iPods in America.
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Why not Harvard?
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Are you good with computers?
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Recall a stressful situation and how you dealt with it.
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why medicine with all the problems and annoyances involved
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What have you learned from living all over the world?
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what else would you like the committee to know about you
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Why medicine? (I was a business consultant before)
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Do you think religion is important in medicine?
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None. All questions were fairly straight forward
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She asked me how I studied (I guess she meant what study techniques I use) and how I studied for the MCAT. This wasn't overly interesting, but then again there weren't too many questions and they were all very standard.
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If you are not accepted what will you do?
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Describe an extremely stressful/painful experience in your life and how you overcame it.
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I guess I can call all of the questions asked "interesting"
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Why do you deserve a spot in the class?
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None, really. Most questions were about clarifying my application.
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My interviewer didn't hit me with anything out of the ordinary. Where did I see myself in 10 years? What type of medical work did I want to get into . . .
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How do you deal with stress?
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What is the one difference btwn. Mexico and India?(according to him Mexico is not a religious country while india has a lot of faith) Name the top 5 religions.
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Tell me about the research you are involved in. What is the main question? What mechanisim are you using to obtain data? What have you learned and how is it relevant to clinical medicine.
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Tell me about your family situation and family members.
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So...I see that your last name is ____[a name that does not seem to correspond with my ethnicity]. He had my last name circled on my AMCAS!!
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Would your friends describe you as a nerd or the life of the party?
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Most difficult experience that I've dealt with
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I was asked all about my travels to Peru and Brazil
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Why do you want to be a doctor, not a nurse, etc.?
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"What do you do in your free time?" ?, bec
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AMCAS questions, nothing out of ordinary.
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No real questions, mainly it was just conversational. My interviewer recited parts of my file from memory. They apparantly hand pick your interviewer based on your application and your interests. So my interviewer and I had TONS to talk about and lots in common. He was soooooo nice and made the whole interview very comfortable. He had gone to undergrad there as well as now being on faculty, so it was nice to hear about the school from here.
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Do you think a class that teaches med students compassionate care is a good idea
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nothing too interesting. we just talked about my application and he asked me to elaborate on the different things I wrote about
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I saw in your recommendations that your teachers describe you as a quiet person, but that's not the impression I'm getting here. How can you explain that?
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Very detailed questions about my application, I was surprised. Not only had my interviewer read my application, but they were able to recite parts from memory.
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What do you want me to tell the admissions committee?
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What do you plan on doing after medical school?
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What is the normal body temperature? Yea I messed this one up. I said 97.8 for some reason and had to correct my mistake when the guy gave me a weird look. Blah!
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Why Downstate?
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What do you do on weekends? (this question took my by surprise since all the others were standard questions up to this point).
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when did you decide to become a doctor?
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absolutely nothing (ugh)
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Do you know what a duvet is?
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Nothing in particular. Many standard questions were asked.
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What would you say was a difficult situation in your life and how you handled it
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How do you relax?
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Nothing much, My interviewer was extremely nice and laid back. He seemed overall impressed with my listed activities, work experience, and recommendation letters. His questions pertained to the file mostly.
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nothing too interesting -- no ethical questions
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Nothing! The interviewer assumed I wouldn't be seriously interested in Downstate becasue my gpa and mcat are too HIGH!
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What was the most interesting case you saw in your internships?
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pretty standard questions
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Why did you choose to apply to Downstate?
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What is your favorite film?
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On average, about how many hours did you spend studying on any given day?
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Was there any single life changing experience that made you want to be a physician?
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Nothing very intresting, they basiclly went through my AMCAS application.
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I see you want to go to a medical school, but you don't really show that you want to be a doctor?
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nothing stood out. very specific questions
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in research, how do you come to interpret your results?
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all the questions were standard...there were no curve balls
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standard questions
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How do you de-stress?
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What was the most difficult aspect of your experience in West Africa?
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he followed a standard list of questions, and had me go more in depth. What are your strengths and weaknesses was asked, which can be tricky. Also "what else would you like the admissions staff to know" is how it ended, so be prepared to say something good about yourself :)
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Why did you choose a Spanish major?
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Nothing.
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Tell me about a difficult time in your life and how you dealt with it? What was your support system?
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Do you think research is worthwile if nothing comes out of it?
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Something to the effect of what my best secret quality was, or what I thought was really important about me that the adcom should know.
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Why the long, convoluted route to med school?
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Is it important to know a patient's religion? If a patient doesn't want to do something due to their religion, but its in their best interest (health-wise), what do you do?
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What sort of patient population do you envision having when you pratice medicine?
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None really, it was mostly a conversation. My interviewer spent most of the time telling me about her field of work and about the new school curriculum. She was more informative than interrogative.
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Nothing really.
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Questions were fairly standard.
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Nothing majorly difficult... just your basic "tell me about yourself" and "why do you want to become a doctor?"
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None really.
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What was one difficult situation in your life and how did you deal with it?
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None. Standard questions
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Nothing, I was asked standard questions: How do you study? How did you prepare for the MCAT? Why medicine?
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About my work
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Describe a societal problem, it does not have to be healthcare related.
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What differences do you anticipate in switching from a private undergraduate facility to a public graduate facility?
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So, you live in a fraternity? I didn't think MIT had fraternities, is it weird living with all men?
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The pressure of keeping up with good grades. How do you handle that?
-
how has your anthropology background helped you in the ER (and give specific examples of how you interact differently with different cultural groups)
-
None, they were all standard
-
tell me about your interest in science
-
What do you in your free time?
-
Pretty basic questions that were asked
-
nothing really caught me as interesting. they were all standard questions.
-
Describe a very difficult personal situation and discuss how you handled it and what was learned from it.
-
The interviewer pretty much told me I got in. As long as you get at least a "9" on each section (minimal score of 27), you are going to get accepted. However, he told me many students reject their offer because of the location so he bluntly told me if I would be comfortable living in the area and I told him I'm from Queens so it was ok.
-
My interview went nearly 2 hours and was very closely focused on my file. So all questions pertained to my past experiences. I guess the most interesting question was how I responded living in NYC on 9/11.
-
Grades, Grades, Grades. all they wanted to know about was my grades and MCAT nothing else
-
There were no real interesting questions asked. But just basic get - to - know you questions. It was more of a conversation rather than an interview.
-
Being an out-of-state applicant, you know that the odds are against you at Downstate. How do you plan to deal with this?
-
Nothing really. She asked me the list of standard questions but it was very conversational.
-
None just grilling me about unimportant unrelated things
-
Tell me about yourself?
-
Nothing in particular. The session flowed well and the interviewer aimed to get to know me as a person. He asked few structured questions, even remarking that one was "stupid".
-
The questions were quite standard and most of them you can find on this site.
-
it was more of a conversation we both spoke an equal amount of time and it flowed pretty well.
-
I liked discussing things outside of the application, such as personal interests (museums, books, movies, etc)
-
All of them. This was the most thorough interview that I have had to date. We spent two hours (!) going through my file. I am a post baccalaureate student and my interviewer had studied my experiences in depth. We had much to chat through.
-
None. My interviewer read from a standard list of questions. This would have been fine, but his tone and attitude were unwelcoming and haughty
-
The questions were pretty standard. The interviewer wanted to clarify some discrepancies in my application, so that's what we talked about.
-
The questions were pretty standard.
-
My interviewer was very nice. Most of the questions that she asked were about my childhood.
-
There are a few non-science majors here who are having a difficult time...do you think that's going to be a problem for you?
-
nothing terribly interesting, very standard get to know you conversational atmosphere, i was asking for probably half the time
-
The questions all came from a list he had in front of him. They could all have been answered by a quick glance at my application, which the interviewer had not read. More than a few were redundant. Some were really asinine, like 'How did you prepare for the MCAT? Self-study or prep course?' Does that really matter?
-
What do you look for in a medical school
-
Why do you think you will enjoy working in medicine?
-
Why do you consider yourself economically disadvantaged yet went to that undergrad (expensive and very competitive)?
-
No interesting questions were asked.
-
Nothing interesting.
-
none, the questions were all from a standard list and my interviewer did not even show the coutesy of l;etting me respond before blasting me with the next question in an accusatory tone
-
I was asked a lot about my volunteer and work history.
-
What is the MOST stressful experience you have had in the past 5 years? How did you cope with it?
-
What is a typical day like at my undergraduate institution?
-
I was not asked any interesting questions. My interviewer was concerned about going through his list. He was bold enough to tell me just that at the start of our interview He did not wait for me to finish most of my responses. hewas also needlessly provocative, rude, and confrontational without reason.
-
Why do you want to be a doctor(I have a non traditional background)?
-
What do you want to know?
-
All the questions were basic and applied to my application.
-
why medicine (very original)
-
Why change careers at (blank age), when you have had a reasonable amount of success in your present career
-
None of the questions that were asked were too difficult or out of the ordinary. Just basic questions about my experiences- see below.
-
No interesting questions. Only the standard ones that everyone else got.
-
What stressful situation have you encountered
-
How does someone's culture relate to their medical care?
-
Why do you want to move from suburban southern California to Brooklyn? (expected)
-
Why do you want to go to Downstate?
-
Nothing really, my interviewer was very bored as evidenced by his not paying attention to a word I said.
-
I have to say nothing. These people are mentally ill and should not be in the business of caring for people
-
Becoming a doctor involves certain lifestyle changes. How do you plan to adapt to these changes?
-
What do I call you... you have a million names? (it was a joke... that I still really don't get because I only have one name)
-
Some questions relating my research with my interviewer's.
-
Do you think your PharmD will help you as a physician? How?
-
How I was able to balance having many extracurriculars and still maintain decent grades.
-
What school were your relatives educated at?
-
Nothing that interesting. Just the usual. My good academic record was mentioned a few times.
-
No particularly interesting questions.
-
Did you like The Matrix Reloaded?
-
No intersting questions.
-
If you had to refer a family member to a physician, what would you look for in that person?
-
Having come from a relatively sheltered background, why would you like to go to school in Brooklyn?
-
nothing particularly interesting. Almost all questions were specifically about my past experience that I indicated in my application.
-
Nothing in particular - the questions were pretty by-the-book. My interviewer was interested in my previous career and how I decided to get into medicine, wanted to hear about why I was making this huge change.
-
Most of the questions were typical interview questions, such as why a physician? is your family supportive? waht happened in that class? no question really sticks out right now, they were all common.
-
Why I chose to work instead of applying last year?
-
No interesting questions.
-
How you relieve stress?
-
None. They had a standard list of questions. The interviewer stuck to those questions.
-
I wasn't asked anything interesting or difficult, the entire interview was the interviewer asking me detailed questions about my research and volunteer experiences.
-
It was a great conversation as we had some common background history. No realy questions as such.
-
The interview was basically a conversation about my ECs and college. Interseting conversation, no spefic questions. we talked for quite a while
-
My interviewer had gone over my application with a fine -toothed comb. She asked me about specific grades, specific words used to describe my activities, dates, etc. Very nit-picky, very annoying. Be careful!
-
none, really, the questions all focused very strongly on my application
-
My interviewer really wanted to know is I felt truly prepared to handle all the challenges and stresses of life in med school. I felt that I answered all of his questions confidently.
-
Why after obtaining a PhD do I want to become a doctor. Fair enough
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at SUNY - Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine (Brooklyn) discussed a wide range of topics, including personal traits, academic performance, career choices, and ethical dilemmas. Some interviewees mentioned specific questions about their MCAT scores, research experiences, clinical exposure, and reasons for choosing medicine. Additionally, the interview format may have involved MMI, as some respondents mentioned nondisclosure or non-disclosure agreements.
-
Give a conclusive statement about myself, like who I am, why SUNY downstate, what I will bring to the school.
-
Anything in your application you think would be a concern to us (i.e. grades, extracurriculars, misdemeanors, etc.)? (Didn't have anything major, wasn't sure if an answer was expected or not)
-
How do you feel about your performance on the MCAT? How did you prepare for the exam?
-
Explain your GPA trend.
-
Would I be able to adjust to living in Brooklyn (caught me off guard and wasn't able to phrase my response professionally).
-
To discuss my score on the MCAT.
-
Most meaningful undergrad activity?
-
Not sure. They really wanted to hear about clinical experience; Downstate is superior in terms of students' clinical exposure in their program.
-
Why was yours CARS section lower than your other sections?
-
"Tell me about your research experience." The doctor who interviewed me happened to be a specialist in the topic of my research so there were many follow up questions that became challenging for me to answer without fumbling. However, I think she was asking out of curiosity as opposed to testing my knowledge.
-
Do you think your verbal section score accurately reflects your critical thinking analysis? More follow up questions about this (I had a low verbal section).
-
N/A
-
Has there ever been a class where you just couldn't understand the material? (Felt like a trap)
-
What stresses you out?
-
Nothing too difficult. All pretty standard questions.
-
none were difficult
-
None really..thankfully.
-
none
-
Tell me something that you are proud of besides academic achievements.
-
They were all pretty standard questions.
-
Explain your undergraduate grades. In addition to the standard questions that everyone gets asked, each interviewer has a few questions from the committee that are specific to your file.
-
Describe the most stressful situation you've ever been in and how you overcame it
-
Why I didn't complete my application to Downstate the previous cycle. Grilled me regarding that.
-
What are you most proud of?
-
Why don't you want to go into research?
-
Why have you chosen medicine?
-
She asked me specific questions about my sexual orientation...I found it really unprofessional and offensive...
-
nothing difficult
-
Give an example of a stressful situation and how you handled it
-
specific question 1
-
Have you encountered any conflicts in a leadership position and how did you handle it?
-
Very specific questions about much of my transcript.
-
Beside from your academic acheivements what are you most proud of?
-
Why should we accept you?
-
Tell me why you got this grade...
-
Why medicine? Why not pharmacy? Why not research? explain this part of your PS...basically the paragraph detailing why i wanted to enter medicine
-
Question # 1
-
What proteins are involved in pulling cholesterols from the gut? (Supposedly related to my cholesterol study except it was completely unrelated to my research)
-
Ethical dilemma Q
-
same
-
What would you like me to convey to the admissions committee? Why not public health?
-
What do you think it's the reason that you didn't get in last time you applied (I'm a re-applicant)?
-
How do we know that you will stay in medicine? (I am a non-trad, formerly in business)
-
No difficult questions
-
You are on-call at 2 AM and walking on a floor you were unfamiliar with when you pass an open room. You see a patient who appears to be unconscious. Upon closer inspection, you determine that the patient is in cardiac arrest. What do you do?
-
None, but my interviewer was unfriendly and impatient.
-
None. Very conversational, non-stress questions. She just wanted to clarify some stuff from AMCAS application and just get to know me.
-
There were none.
-
no real hard questions
-
If you're accepted to all the SUNY's, where would you go and why? Rank the SUNY's.
-
How do you define stress?
-
Why are you interested in coming here?
-
Tell me about what personal traits you have that make medicine a good profession for you?
-
Nothing difficult. very conversation
-
How were you a different student as a post-bacc compared to you as an undergrad?
-
Why not just teach? (in reference to my extensive TAing experience and rec letters highlighting my teaching ability)
-
Same one
-
Why not help people through other means, like counseling, social work or nursing?
-
None really
-
If you were studying for an exam the next day, and one of your friends had an emotional breakdown, what would you do?
-
I was asked to account for a lack of community service activities
-
What specialty do you want to do, and why ? How do you cut back and de-stress?
-
Why didn't you do well on your MCAT's compared to your grades?
-
I specialize in minimally invasive surgery. I've worked at Downstate for two years and have interviewed students for a year...What's your story? It was the very first question, and it just seemed a bit abrupt.
-
Why didn't you do better on your MCATs?
-
What do you think is the origin of good and evil? (Obviously)
-
None too difficult
-
None, really. It was my fourth interview.
-
What were you like in high school? First question I was asked, wasn't expecting it and totally threw me off. I couldn't even remember what I was like in high school and babbled through the first awkward minutes of the interview.
-
What happened to that verbal score?
-
Are you a conceptual learner?
-
Everything youve told me reinforces what Ive read on paper. Tell me something that I wont find in here.
-
There were no difficult questions, the interview was more of a conversation than a question and answer event.
-
Describe your clinical experience (only because I have very little)
-
There weren't so much hard questions by themselves but given the tone in which they were asked made for a very awkward and uncomfortable interview.
-
Tell me about a difficult situation you had to deal with as part of your clinical experience.
-
None. Didn't even ask me why med/why downstate.
-
So tell me about this bad grade you got your freshman year
-
Why I choose to a career in medicine as opposed to anything else
-
Why not social work? (my background = social services)
-
What would you do to improve the situation of the uninsured?
-
Referring to my mom's desire to enter nursing... ''Don't you find it unusual that someone jewish would enter the field of nursing?''... What?!
-
Why not Harvard?
-
Do you have any role models or mentors?
-
How do you feel about your MCAT score ?
-
How can you handle brooklyn ny?
-
How do you deal with stress?
-
recal a stressful situation and how you dealt with it
-
"tell me about yourself". I was preparing for this in a strategic way and it was my hardest anticipated question I worked on.
-
No really difficult questions.
-
No difficult question
-
Describe an extremely stressful/painful experience in your life and how you overcame it.
-
I don't remember
-
He wanted to know details about my research, and he went through every single part of my application.
-
What thing exactly made you want to change your career to become a physician? (this is not actually a difficult question, but it was the most difficult one asked)
-
Why medicine? But this question is always hard since there is no right or wrong answer.
-
What volunteer activities have you participated in? (I hadn't.)
-
What is the country with the largest English speaking population?(according to him India) What industry only uses English?(According to him the airline industry)
-
see above
-
No difficult questions.
-
Usually interviews last an hour, but we're 20 minutes short. Do you know why that is? He told me that I didn't seem talkative which made my face fall bc I thought I had been doing pretty well. Whatever, I got in, so don't worry if you get an old senile man who can't hear anything you're saying.
-
Do you have any hobbies except sports?
-
they were all pretty easy
-
Nothing too difficult, the most difficult was the age old "why do you want to become a doctor?"
-
Just that he kept saying what else, what else? It was hard having to keep coming up with things I didn't already know about the school, happy I did though because I learned a lot more than I thought I would.
-
none really...
-
Nothing really difficult.
-
How do you know what you want to do with your life at the age of 21?
-
What should I tell the admissions committee about why you should be accepted and why you are better than all of the other applicants?
-
Nothing too difficult.
-
what are 2-3 pressing ethical issues.
-
A woman comes to you with a 2 cm breast cancer. What do you do?
-
none.
-
Do you know anything about the new therapeutic cancer drugs? I had no idea, he asked after i told him I was interested in Oncology, so it looked pretty bad cuz I wasnt caught up with treatments.
-
What do you want me to tell the Admissions Committee?
-
Do you have any plans if worse comes to worse and you do not get into medical school?
-
Don't you think you could have benefitted from more clinical exposure?
-
The admissions office generates a list of 3-10 questions specific to each interviewee. My interviewer was like "The admissions office wants me to ask about x,y,z."
-
Describe a difficult situation that you've faced. Also, discuss how you overcame it.
-
Explain your MCAT score
-
None were difficult. Standard. All the questions everyone else has been asked.
-
Nothing, every question was pretty simple and straight forward.
-
very straightforward
-
Nothing... all boring run of the mill questions.
-
Tell me about yourself
-
How have you handled highly stressful situations?
-
Questions about my lower grades (C's alongside A's in advanced science courses) and about my MCAT score - my interviewer simply said "let's talk about your MCAT" and then waited for my response.
-
You can better health through law, public service etc. Why be a physician? Explain your MCAT scores.
-
What else would you like the admissions committee to know about you
-
so what else did you do? (after going over all of my extracurricular activities)and then came back to that question about 3 more times
-
what downsides do you see about downstate? what negative aspects do you observe?
-
see above
-
questions about my non-traditional status. he seemed to think that the field i left behind was better than medicine. when i told him that i didn't think so and explained why, he wasn't happy with my explanation and pressed me further.
-
If you got accepted to Downstate and the medical school of your university (I went to an Ivy League school), you would pick the later over the former, right? So it was basically, are you concerned about the name of the school where you go to and convince the interviewer that I truly wanted to attend Downstate, which I did.
-
Why medicine?
-
nothing really, all just basic questions
-
Nothing.
-
What is the most stressful situation you have encountered and how did you handle it?
-
None really, it was more like a conversation.
-
Nothing really... pretty generic questions
-
Why I got a "W" in a class senior year
-
What do you think about medical care expenses in this country now exceeding expenses for education?
-
How does philiospohy relate to medicine? (Just a really broad question to try to answer.) ...and TRIVIA: What is the one industry where only one language is officially spoken and why? Name the world's religions (he's looking for a lot!). Why do we speak english in the US? Again, he's looking for something really specific.
-
How did studying vary from the humanities to your pre-med classes?
-
There wasn't one. However, this doesn't mean that things are a breeze. You should really know yourself and be able to explain your committment to medicine/ Downstate.
-
What stressful situations have you encountered in your life and how did you deal with them?
-
Strangely, the interviewer started to tell me that if I get accepted to Downstate and a school with a big name such as NYU or Cornell, I'll probably end up there. I guess he was testing me on the dedication to this school but it was strange.
-
What other schools did you apply to? If selected to more than one school which would you pick?
-
So where else are you applying? yea, it was really low-stress
-
Nothing, it was really just a conversation
-
What else would you like me to convey to the comittee? (I felt we had covered everything).
-
none of the questions were especially difficult, the one above just caught me off guard.
-
What was the most stressful situation you have experienced?
-
Nothing really.......it was more of a conversation than an interview, very laidback.
-
Why did you mess up in the math courses you took
-
What do you know about SUNY Downstate? (I don't know why, but i totally blanked on this one even though i had done my research about the school...go figure.)
-
same as above
-
Why some of my grades dropped during college.
-
Nothing difficult. Most questions can be found on this website.
-
What do you think about stem cell research and its application to treating Alzheimer's disease?
-
See above.
-
Often times very rude questions about my background. Interviewer seemed removed and disinterested.
-
no really hard questions, more focused on getting to know the "non-paper" individual.
-
Why didn't you apply as a disadvantaged applicant?
-
None of the questions were very hard. My interviewer just asked questions to clarify what was written in my application and about my reasons for wanting to attend medical school at Downstate.
-
Would you still have written this portion of your AMCAS personal statement the same way.
-
None as he did not read my application and expected me to tell him everything on it in its minutia
-
I did not have much shadowing experience, and therefore the interviewer wanted to know why I was so sure that I wouldn't turn away from the first unpleasant sight I see as a medical student or physician.
-
Talk about how you coped with a death/loss.
-
pretty standard
-
nothing really, it was super low stress, he was just "weeding out the frickin psychos"
-
There were no difficult questions, but the interview was still painful because it was so tedious going over the things I'd done item by item as the interviewer wrote them down on his legal pad. What was the point? It was all right there on my application! He also cut me off if I started to explain in detail what I'd done, as he was only interested in dates and general descriptions. All in all a total waste of an hour.
-
Questions about low grades on my transcript
-
Tell me about all you unergrad jobs (since freshman year, exactly how many hours per week etc) Didn't really remember everything is so much detail.
-
What are you going to do if you don't get into medical school this year? It was difficult to answer because I had already been accepted to another medical school so I wasn't quite sure how to respond.
-
Nothing difficult.
-
all of the questions were asked in a manner that made me think the interviewer was annoyed that he had to be there and that he did not think much of the present application pool.
-
Same as above.
-
The most difficult part of this interview was dealing with my interviewer who had a major personality problem. Also he was a coordinator of a major rotation. Two of the other people who interviewed with me said that they were stunned by the rudeness of their interviewers
-
So, do you want to go to Downstate?
-
What else do you want to know?
-
None. Everything was related to my AMCAS application
-
why would we admit a person like you?
-
Why would you want to go into medicine if your parents are ----- . My interviewer was so incredibly offensive. If these are the people getting to do the admission's interviews, I have serious concerns about their other faculty. My interviewer was very abrasive, nasty, and mean spirited
-
(See above)
-
What happened junior year? (I had taken a semester off, and this was meant to be the "difficult situation" question, but because of the way he asked it I started talking about what happened to me personally, and that's not what he wanted.)
-
none...all very typical questions outlining my application
-
What type of patients does their hospital mainly deal with?
-
Tell me about a stressful situation.
-
Why do you want to go to Downstate?
-
Nothing so much. They have a form that all interviewers get and my interviewer basically stuck to the form so I had seen most of the questions posted on this site.
-
My interviewer fired question after question without waiting for me to give an adequate response.
-
"Why would you want to be a doctor if your parents are..." My interviewer was nasty and he coordinates one of their main programs.
-
If you got in at SUNY Brooklyn, would you go?
-
nothing because I had read them all on this site
-
What other professions have you considered? Why not them over medicine?
-
Give a difficult experience and how you dealt with it (not too tough, most questions were straightforward).
-
Why did you pursue another degree instead of applying to medical school after your bachelor's?
-
Of all the people I know in the medical field, who is my role model?
-
Why did your parents get into the profession they did?
-
Do you really know what it's like to work with patients?
-
How many hours a day do you study? On weekends?
-
What was a difficult situation you were in recently and how did you handle it? (but I knew about that one from this site, so I was prepared!)
-
Why go to medical school, and not continue working as an EMT?
-
This place gives horrible interviews. They have the most emotionally disturbed faculty I met at any of the med school interviews I encountered. Since I work in psychiatry they paired me with a psychiatrist who was openly anti-gay, classist and just a general a.....e. For instance he asked me why since my mother worked ina bank and my father was a teacher would I want to go to medical school? This was not asked in an open honest way; the tone was derisive.
-
No difficult questions...
-
In the last few months, what was a difficult situation that you faced and had to overcome?
-
Describe a stressful situation and how you handled it.
-
it was hard to explain the grades, and what experiences perpetuated your desire to become a physician. I was not expecting that; in my opinion, i thought that the question that asked your reason for becoming a doctor was suffice enough.
-
none of the questions were really to difficult.
-
Are you really sure that you want to go into medicine?
-
Only one real hard interview, with the director he asked me a lot about research and asked me some reasonable questions that i was unfortunatly unprepared to asnwer.
-
None. Straightforward questions. No ethics.
-
You are a certified EMT but have never worked on an ambulence.. why
-
What was a difficult situation I was in and how did I overcome it?
-
Why I want to be a doctor if i am interested in government, how I felt about the menstruation debate in New Yorker Magazine....
-
Tell me about a difficult situation and how you handled it?
-
why should we give one of the spots to YOU?---my interviewed wanted me to convince him of my worthiness
-
My interviewer first asked me what I would do if I didn't get into medical school this year, and then he asked me why I didn't apply to dental or osteopathic school, because he had applied to osteopathic school. I think he was trying to see if I would break down or get all nervous and what not.
-
None. My interviewer seemed to be a hard ass
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
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.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing common interview questions, reading SDN feedback, and researching the school's website. Some also engaged in mock interviews with friends, current students, or advisors to refine their responses and presentation skills.
-
Copy and pasted SDN questions into a document, answered them on my own and reviewed the general topics I wanted to discuss. Went over the SUNY Downstate curriculum on their website. Also went over both my primary and secondary applications.
-
SDN
-
Traditional Interview Prep
-
Reviewed my application, mock interviews, browse website, looked through the informational links provided
-
SDN, reviewed my application
-
SDN (which was very helpful) and prepped from previous interview
-
Reviewed SDN, common interview questions, mock interview with friends
-
Re-read my primary/secondary
-
SDN, Practiced answering common interview questions, went over primary and secondary application
-
Just got a good night's sleep
-
SDN interview feedback, practice questions on 3rd party sites, reviewing my application, and mock interviews.
-
SDN, mock interviews
-
Reread my application and my secondary application. Practiced my basic answers: why I want to be a doctor, why medicine, 3 strengths and 3 weakness
-
Prepared to answer the "tell me about yourself", "strengths an weaknesses" question, "why medicine",etc. although these questions were not asked explicitly.
-
I looked on the website which was very easy to navigate.
-
Read SDN, Read Application
-
spoke with current students
-
I read sdn and had my ex give me a mock interview
-
Reading these.
-
Read SDN, practiced normal answers
-
Reread application, primary, secondary; also looked up school information
-
Mock interview at school
-
SDN questions, really researched the school/location.
-
Interview prep books, SDN, etc
-
Read through website, primary, secondary, feedback
-
Read my application, my secondary and SDN feedback.
-
Studied my amcas application/secondary and learned as much as I could about the school.
-
Read SDN interview feedback, plus a book on interviewing. I did a full length mock interview with my adviser before my first interview
-
Mock interviews.
-
Used the SDN interview feedback to compile questions, then had a mock interview with a friend. This was after reviewing my application and the Downstate website.
-
Sample interview questions.
-
SDN, school website, talking with my student host
-
I read SDN forums and info on the school's website
-
Looked over SDN the night before
-
SDN/read about healthcare reform/went over my application
-
Read Fleenor's book, reviewed activities, mock interviews.
-
sdn, website
-
SDN, mock interview, reread primary, school website
-
SDN, mock interviews, read over my application
-
SDN, application
-
Read SDN interview feedbacks mostly, and my secondary essays.
-
Reviewed current events; SDN; reviewed health care reform; AMCAS; secondaries
-
SDN, mock interview, and practicing
-
Reviewed school website, SDN interview feedback, mock interview.
-
Went over AMCAS, PS, SDN interview feedback.
-
SDN interview feedback, read articles about current issues, school's website
-
read over my amcas, looked over my grades, SDN
-
SDN, practice talking to myself in a mirror, outloud
-
SDN, reviewed file
-
SDN, mock interview
-
SDN, answering typical interview questions, SUNY downstate website, other students
-
mock interviews, amcas printout, sdn, website, talked to current students
-
AMCAS, Secondary app, SDN, mock interviews, read over ethical issues.
-
SDN, AMCAS, past research, Wall Street Journal, NY Times.
-
Went over the questions asked on SDN and thought over them.
-
website, mock interviews
-
SDN Interview Feedback, rehearsals, GoogleMaps
-
read secondary, amcas
-
Reading SDN interview feedback, reviewing my secondary and AMCAS applications.
-
Interviewed the day before.
-
I had an interview a week before so I was already prepared.
-
SDN, reread my AMCAS, school website
-
AMCAS, SDN Interview feedback
-
read over amcas, sdn
-
Read SDN interview feedback and quickly browsed through the school's website.
-
I read the website stuff, booklets, books on the school, and interview feedback websites.
-
SDN website, read over amcas
-
SDN, AMCAS, Mock Interview
-
Visit SDN and school website.
-
Had another interview the previous day, so didn't do any additional prep.
-
SDN, School's website
-
sdn, went over amcas, mock interview
-
SDN, reviewed secondary, AMCAS, mock interview with physician
-
I went over my application and read over the SUNY Dowstate site. I also prepared for expected questions by taking notes down on my thoughts.
-
this website, school's website, read NYTimes daily, thought about questions that are on ''commonly asked interview questions'' on various websites
-
SDC, Mock interviews, many lists of questions
-
SDN, AMCAS App, School Website, Friend at SUNY Downstate Med School
-
Re-read application information, get a good nights sleep, read the school's website.
-
SDN, school website, AMCAS
-
Read SDN, the downstate website
-
researching school
-
Sdn, Answering basic interview questions at home, reading up on SUNY Downstate
-
Reviewed AMCAS.
-
SDN, School website, MSAR
-
SDN, Pricton review Interview questions, friends, family, and proffesors giving me mock interviews
-
Reviewed AMCAS application, looked at SDN questions
-
SDN, website, read over AMCAS, read healthcare news
-
AMCAS, SDN, Supplementary app, website, online interview questions
-
SDN, school website, re-read application materials.
-
This website, school website, reading the newspaper about current medical issues
-
SDN, website, application, slept
-
SDN, my application, mock interviewing with friends, knew the website and curriculum by heart.
-
other interivews, read amcas, downstate supp. app, downstate website, gathered questions from the student tour to ask interviewer, sdn
-
sdn, schools website, AMCAS
-
Other interview experiences.
-
School website, SDN and questions from other interviews.
-
Student doctor, review my AMCAS (important, they do question you about it)
-
SDN, AMCAS, previous interviews
-
SDN, school website
-
SDN, school's website.
-
read schools website
-
Read this website, personal statement, essays
-
SDN,school's website
-
Review my app, read books
-
SDN, SDN, SDN
-
re-read amcas, this website
-
Looked over my AMCAS application
-
amcas, sdn, school website
-
Read SDN questions, school website.
-
school's website, SDN, this site
-
Lots of personal reflection (write about myself, talk to myself, re-read AMCAS), talked to present and former students, mock interview with friends, read website....As you can tell, I was nervous and it was my first interview!
-
School's website, read interviews on here
-
Reviewed Downstate website, SDN, and AMCAS
-
I read over their website and my application.
-
Read over secondary apps., reviewed my work activities and research activities
-
this website, review AMCAS
-
Reviewed AMCAS and secondary, SDN, brushed up on ethics - none of it turned out to be relevant
-
Practiced the obvious questions.
-
review AMCAS, secondary, Downstate website
-
School website and SDN
-
SDN Reviewed Supplimental Application School Website
-
AMCAS, SDN, current events, etc
-
Read SDN, read website for school.
-
this website, my amcas, the school website
-
SND, secondary, read web site info
-
Re-read AMCAS and secondary, SDN, and brochures.
-
studentdoctor.net, reread my AMCAS application, read the news
-
Read about the school, this website, practiced with friends.
-
school website, SDN, read AMCAS and secondary, mock interview
-
SDN, look over application, essay, website
-
reading sdn, downstate website, reading over my amcas
-
sdn, school website, my application, amsa survey, MSAR
-
sdn, amcas, and the school site.
-
reviewed application, visited school website, read feedback from this website.
-
It was my first open file interview, so I poured over my applications and my research, which I didn't need to do because it was so laid back and conversational.
-
SD, web
-
Read AMCAS, interview guidebook, downstate secondary application
-
studentdoctor.net, downstate website
-
This website, school's website, AMCAS.
-
read about the school
-
Reviewed my AMCAS and resume, brushed up on my research work. Didn't know about SDN until last week.
-
Read over AMCAS/secondary essay, SDN, current medical issues, practiced with a friend.
-
Not much, I decided to just wing it cuz the last one that I prepared for didnt go very well either.
-
Read website, SDN, etc.
-
SDN, school's website, read medical ethics textbooks, read over AMCAS
-
I read my AMCAS and I looked at this site.
-
just relaxed (tried something new this time)
-
look over my AMCAS, read SDN interview feedback.
-
reading SDN interview feedback, reading the school's website, speaking with other Downstate intervieweew
-
sdn, my amcas app
-
AMCAS, SDN, Reviewed prior research
-
This website, Downstate website, AMCAS application.
-
web site, sdn, amcas
-
read the website, medical journals, ethical essays, new york times
-
sdn, amcas
-
SDN, school website (which is absurd), reviewed AMCAS
-
previous med school interviews
-
This site, other health care/ethics sites, school's site
-
SDN, school website, prepared answers to obvious questions so i could have the main points fresh in my head
-
SDN, AMCAS, practiced with friend, reviewed my research
-
read this site, read the brochures that they gave out before interview, also went on their site
-
sdn, amcas, school website, practiced with friends
-
SDN, read school website, amcas
-
read sdn. read my amcas.
-
SDN, talked to a student there, Downstate website, talked to friends who interviewed there
-
SDN, looked at school's website
-
sdn, website, amcas, the usual
-
read SDN, read website, and websites of affiliated hospitals, read AMCAS application and secondary application, and amednews.com
-
SDN, talked to med students
-
this site, read over AMCAS, looked at school's website
-
This site, reviewed my application, thought of possible interview questions/answers
-
this site, read over my AMCAS, looked over my research, played video games, and good night sleep
-
this website, AMCAS app, 2nd app, mock interviews
-
Browsed website. Read interview reviews (non of which prepared me for this guy!) Know your AMCAS! And play some trivial pursuit =)
-
SDN, Downstate materials/website
-
SDN, school website, read over AMCAS app
-
Reread my AMCAS app and Downstate secondary, SDN website
-
SDN, AMCAS, Downstate website
-
school website, Kaplan interview questions, my application
-
This site, mock interviews, school website
-
Looked over application and school information.
-
amcas, sdn, downstate wb.
-
SDN, AMCAS app., Downstate website
-
this website, read over my AMCAS and secondary, mock interviews
-
SDN is a great resource. Reviewed AMCAS and Downstate website.
-
Reviewed Downstate website, SDN & AMCAS
-
SDN, AMCAS, watching the simpsons and family guy.
-
SDN, AMCAS, and school brochure.
-
read SDN, went over AMCAS, essays, and practice interviewed
-
Read SDN, read over AMCAS/Downstate apps, read newspaper
-
sdn, re-read my application. interview feedback for downstate is very good.
-
SDN, this site, downstate's website, my AMCAS application
-
SDN, School website and catalog
-
SDN, AMCAS, secondary app, SUNY Downstate website, tried reading newspapers and magazines about current health issues but i found out, i didn't really need to
-
Read their website, SDN
-
Read through SDN. Also, I made sure that I was very clear on everything I presented in my application and how it applied to me. You have to really "know yourself" in order for an interview to go well, in my opinion.
-
AMCAS
-
Played video games.
-
SDN, re-read AMCAS app., Downstate Website
-
This website, AMCAS (primary) application, SUNY (secondary) application, the Downstate website. Got 8 hours of sleep the night before and had a bagel for breakfast. (Bring water to the interview lest you be taken by severe cotton mouth!)
-
This site (though it is completely misleading about some aspects of the school) and my amcas application
-
Brooklyn Website, SDN
-
school website, sdn, friends who had interviewed already
-
SDN. AMCAS. School's website.
-
I read this site, my primary/secondary application, NY Times, and the Downstate website.
-
read thru thir website and documentation
-
looked at website, looked over my app
-
Got a good night's sleep.
-
sdn, amcas app
-
read the interview feedbacks from SDN, the school's website.
-
SDN, school's website, reviewed my application
-
read this site and downstate website
-
SDN, school's website, current 1st year medical student, bioethics.com
-
Read over my application, New York Times, visited the school a day before to know where things were.
-
brochure, here
-
Just read your application and be ready to present a condensed version of it offhand, for the sake of your own sanity.
-
this site, school website
-
SDN, School Website, School Brochures, Discussions with other applicants/doctors who had interviewed already
-
Read materials for the school, read their wedsite
-
I read the interview feedback website, went over my AMCAS application, and glanced through Downstate's website.
-
Read this website, looked over AMCAS.
-
The school's literature
-
THIS SITE!
-
Read up on school site and SDN
-
Read the website for the school. Read my AMCAS application. This website as well, provided me with all the info I needed.
-
This site, mock interviews, and read about health care.
-
school's web site, other literature about SUNY Downstate
-
Read their website, read SDN.
-
Mock interviews, AMCAS, NYTimes, SDN, SUNY Downstate Website
-
SDN, school website, mock interview
-
SDN, web site, written info
-
Read over this website and looked over the suny downstate website.
-
this website, read my application, read the booklet they sent me, talked to an alum
-
SDN, website, New York Times
-
Mock interveiw; this site.
-
sdn, school website, amcas app.
-
Read my amcas appplication, web site, sdn
-
SDN, MSAR, website (which is a joke), re-read primary and secondary apps
-
This web site is the best resource on the planet! I also did a practice interview at Career Services, read my file, read chapters on interviewing... by the way all that is overpreparedness... just read this site and your set.
-
Read over AMCAS, read Downstate website
-
Looked at their website and my AMCAS, slept well.
-
this website, Downstate website, MSAR
-
SDN, read my AMCAS app, and the school's website.
-
Didn't
-
SDN, read over my application, checked school's website
-
Read this site, AMCAS, my research notes.
-
Read over my AMCAS, read interview sections in 2 med school prep books I have (Barrons and Kaplan), read the school's website (which was partly down and painfully slow) and read this site, which was by far the most helpful.
-
read downstate's website
-
Read the web site and reviewed my amcas application
-
Checked Downstate Website.
-
Read SDN, website, re-read application
-
Read this site, my application, downstate website
-
Looked over schools website so that I could ask them some intellegent questions.
-
I looked over my applications and the school website like everyone else, I prayed to the lord to help me speak the king james's english, because i tend to use slang, fortunately, i did'nt happen
-
Looked over application, catalog, articles on current issues, read newspaper.
-
Read up on the school online
-
Website, this site
-
interviewfeedback, sdn, school website, pamphlets
-
Read the school's brochure, spoke to someone who went there
-
interview feedback, sdn, school's website
-
reread AMCAS, checked out school's website, read articles about healthcare issues
-
Reread my application, this site, read up about the school
-
I read the website, my AMCAS application, read about ethics and current issues
-
Reread the school materials I had. Skimmed my AMCAS application.
-
read about the school, read over essays
-
went over printed materials.
-
Read newspaper and medical articles. Studied my AMCAS and other personal information. Read over website. Practiced possible interview questions.
-
reviewed my AMCAS
-
Re-read my AMCAS, read the SUNY Downstate website, got re-acquainted with my research and extra-curricular experiences.
-
I read the school information on the web and the interview packet
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the school, the extensive clinical exposure and opportunities available early on in their education, the diverse patient population, and the supportive and cooperative nature of the students and faculty. Additionally, the facilities, though not extravagant, were considered functional and sufficient for a good education, and the location near urban centers provided unique learning experiences.
-
The interviewer is no doubt one of the best interviewer I had. I was able to comfortable express myself and he always offered unsolicited advices in terms of what he expects to hear from me.
-
Interviewer was very friendly and easy-going. Felt more like a conversation with a doctor at a clinic than an interrogation.
-
The interview was conversational and free-flowing. I didn't feel too much anxiety or pressure the way I have in other interviews.
-
How engaging and passionate my interviewer was. She was very kind.
-
The school serves the underserved in Brooklyn.
-
Those interviewing with me were relatable and were easy to talk to.
-
The students seemed excited and happy to be there
-
Large, up-to-date facilities. Big student center and new study spaces.
-
Close student community, nicer facilities than I originally thought (new sim center and study spaces)
-
The school didn't waste money on frivolous lunches or trying to impress people.
-
Very friendly faculty and students. Everyone seems to want their peers to succeed.
-
Staff and tour guides were extremely friendly.
-
The staff and interviewer made me feel very relaxed and therefore, I was able to be myself and answer questions with complete confidence and honesty. The student-led tour/lunch was impressive. I had a great time talking with the students. They seemed to be very happy with their decision to attend SUNY. Also the picture prompt was pretty fun.
-
How friendly my interviewer was, how much time he took to get to know me, how well he knew my application, how much time he took to answer my questions
-
School seemed very collaborative and low stress
-
students seem happy
-
The amount of clinical exposure you get from the start, how much the students I met loved the school, and the friendliness of everyone I met. Plus my interviewer really knew my application.
-
Staff were nice.
-
there are a lot of oppurtunities to do research.
-
The students seemed very happy to be there.
-
Friendliness of students and staff
-
Friendliness of staff, interviewer, student guides.
-
friendliness of staff, students
-
Everything. Mainly the newly renovated anatomy lab, and the fact that they have mock anatomy lab practicals that are essentially harder than the real thing. Great prep!
-
friendly students, very diverse
-
Students are very friendly, the staff is very friendly. They have a great student run clinic and serve a very diverse population. In state tuition is significantly cheaper and they have a 4 year MD/MPH program.
-
The anatomy lab is brand new. The students are very down to earth and seem happy to be there. Pass/Fail grading system promotes a sense of camaraderie among the class.
-
The school really has a no-frills approach to medicine-nothing fancy, but you know the clinical years will be great.
-
Students were very enthusiastic about the school. The anatomy labs were renovated very recently. Each student is given a desk and computer with a locked drawer as a space to study in the main building. This is in addition to being able to use the library to study.
-
Anatomy labs, friendliness of students and people there, the student center being right across the street and having everything there (basketball courts, squash and racquetball courts, pool, gym, etc)
-
General happiness of students. Opportunity to be involved in clinic.
-
The student tour guides were incredibly enthusiastic about the school, everyone highlighted the clinical training as a strength of Downstate's program.
-
He knew my file pretty well and made connections very fast.
-
The clinical experience opportunities, the dorms were actually really cool, Brooklyn is pretty awesome.
-
Youth and kindness of interviewer
-
I like the clinical experience available and it would be nice living in Brooklyn. Even though the surrounding neighborhood isn't my first choice, you could definitely commute from trendy nearby areas if you wanted.
-
Laid back conversational interview
-
kch offers top-notch clinical experience;
-
The students all seem very happy, very nice anatomy lab, great clinical exposure reputation
-
The school's dedication to the community, and the study carrels!
-
Student Facilities, Lots of buildings, Interesting Curriculum
-
enthusiastic students, clinical opportunities
-
everyone was helpful/pleasant, great anatomy lab, the city is great, everyone attests to good clinical experience.
-
The diversity of the class, faculty and population! The clinical rotations for 3rd and 4th year are all over NYC!
-
In-state tuition after one year if living off campus, nice new anatomy lab
-
Has a diverse patient population in the surrounding areas.
-
How laid back all the students were! They seem like normal people and seemed really invested in their classmates! Also this is one of the most diverse student bodies in the country! Faculty is really into working with students and is also really diverse
-
New Anatomy Labs, upcoming change to curriculum style
-
students were nice
-
The new anatomy lab is gorgeous! I like their systems-based curriculum.
-
Clinical opportunities and student run clinic
-
students, staff, facilities, great clinical experience, everything.
-
I like the location of the school since its close to family for me. The students were friendly.
-
everything is close by
-
umm.... they have a pool and you get a desk you can study at in some window-less room. new anatomy lab. my interviewer was nice. school is close to the subway.
-
Student tour was very well done, the school seems to be a very hands-on-experience driven institution. The student body seems to be happy and tight-knit.
-
friendliness, punctuality
-
The admissions staff and tour guides were really happy to see us and seemed to really love the school. Everyone just seemed really happy and they emphasized the helpful environment. The anatomy labs are really nice and new (plasma tvs and HD cameras for displays) and the learning environment is well designed. Everyone gets their own desk with drawers
-
Clinical exposure/experience, friendliness. Neighborhood is not as terrible as I'd heard.
-
the clinical opportunties and research
-
Supportive environment and the extensive clinical experience. Students are well respected and the faculty is really committed to providing the best education possible. Good opportunities to get involved in clinical research! My interviewer was very friendly and really tried to make me feel comfortable.
-
Students are friendly. Brand new anatomy lab. Cheap Tuition (IS=18800/yr).
-
all of the students seemed to love the school and really emphasized the great clinical training they are getting
-
new anatomy lab and 1960's architecture of the student recreational area.
-
anatomy labs, friendliness of staff and student, have student housing, clinical opportunities, focus on community service, curriculum, transcription services & podcasts
-
New gross anatomy labs are top-of-the-line.
-
Students were very friendly. Great clinical opportunities, which is what I'm interested in.
-
The other interviewees were friendly.
-
The woman that interviewed me was great and the interview was very relaxed and comfortable.
-
students were so enthusiastic
-
the new anatomy lab is gorgeous! the facilities are awesome. you will see "everything" in kings county hospital.
-
How enthuiastic the tour guides and my interviewer were about downstate. My interviewer took time to sell me the good points about downstate and the interview was mostly conversational
-
good clinical training. you'll see a lot of different things at kings county hospital the dorm is right across the school and it has a nice gym in the basement w/swimming pool
-
The interviewer. I truly felt that she was the nicest and most open person to talk to of many interviews I've had from past work and school related interviews. My strong feelings towards the school was largely affected by my experience with her. She was extremely content about her career as an ER physician and was very encouraging.
-
Nothing.
-
how enthusiastic the students were, the early clinical exposure (Kings County) and student-run clinic
-
How much clinical experience you get, the proximity of everything to the dorms, how friendly the admissions staff was (they personally escort you to where you need to go)
-
The interviewer was friendly and down to earth.
-
How nice the admissions staff was.
-
Unbelievable case mix and student responsibility at King's County. 100% Step 1 pass rate.
-
The diversity of SUNY, the admissions staff was really nice, cost.
-
how happy the students seemed to be with how the curriculum is set up, the free clinic that's opening in fall 2008 that will be entirely student run, and first year students are allowed to work it
-
The students are laid back and seem pretty content. Everyone kept raving about how the clinical preparation there is great because they get to do so much as med students.
-
My interviewer was very down-to-earth, very honest, and very helpful. At the end he even gave me some pointers for future interviews- criticism that he did not write down in my file.
-
Atmosphere, student life, the location is not as terrible as people say
-
Welcoming admissions staff, concise visit and laid back atmosphere.
-
Enthusiasm of students and their happiness with their institution. The benefits of having King's County Hospital across the street.
-
enthusiasm of the students, description of the curriculum, helpfulness and friendliness of the admissions staff
-
The friendliness of the staff, the amount of clinical exposure that the students get early on. There is a free shuttle to nearby subway stops during late hours from the medical center. I was also pleased to hear they have a free transcription service for lectures, and lectures are also PodCast (though not videotaped, yet)
-
community service orientation of school
-
Have this quasi-MPH course ''the essentials of clinical medicine'', Schoolhas own dorms on campus, right across the street from Kings county hospital, students do a lot of PBL courses, lectures are podcasted
-
The students were enthusiastic and eager to answer questions. They seemed very grounded and sincere.
-
Student's seemed to really like it, it was match day so people were pretty happy all around
-
How happy the students were to be at Downstate.
-
The emphasis on getting students to actively participate in clinical, patient work early on, as well as the systems-based curriculum. Exams are given after each subject block as opposed to a midterm and a final encompassing many subjects and organ systems.
-
Students are enthusiastic, amazing clinical experience at Kings County Hospital.
-
The enthusiasm of the students. The tour guides lauded their experience, although being honest about their work loads. Also, the diversity of both the student body and the surrounding neighborhood is amazing.
-
It was actually nicer than I'd expected. I'd been to the area before and knew the buildings were older and had the impression that it wouldn't be a very comfortable place to practice medicine. The facilities were definitely old, but not horrible. The students were very enthusiastic and really seemed to love it there. I liked that there was housing facilities right next to the school, with a student center, including gym, pool, and a ton of activities. It seems like they are really focused on giving students a ton of extracurricular activity options to help relieve stress. There are also ''mini-classes'' that you can register for,held after regular classes, such as dancing, photography, yoga, etc. There also seems to be a lot of community outreach and clinical experience, and they are opening a student run clinic next year. Also great international opportunities.
-
Friendliness and helpful nature of staff and students
-
Students were really nice, staff was very friendly, anatomy labs are not huge open floors, but smaller rooms with ~6 bodies per room. 2nd years tutor first years.
-
The dinginess of the facilities is totally over-hyped. They aren't out of this world but they aren't too shabby either.
-
the building maybe a little crummy in comparrision to other schools, but the experience you get from working at Kings county hospital, will prepare you more than any other med student graduate. student's loved the school, the experience, and the reputation of graduating with having some stuff under your belt
-
The history of the school...very impressive.
-
Clinical exposure and how well Downstate prepares its students for the real world of medicine.
-
The early clinical experience is key for me. I was truly impressed by how much background knowledge my interviewer had about me. This was the first interview I'd been to where my interviewer had such indepth knowledge about both my AMCAS and secondary applications and had meaningful questions to ask about my experiences. I was also impressed by the student center and the library. The guides were excited and had lots of positive things to say.
-
The student guides were really enthusiastic and chilled out. One of them kept saying ''let's do it!'' referring to the next part of the tour. The intwerview itself is designed to be low stress.
-
Everyone seems to enjoy the school.
-
The quality of the study carrels and the student center I must say were pretty decent looking. I suppose I pictured the absolute worst but I was pleasantly surprised. Also, students are well-trained for residencies because of the great experience they get during their clinical years.
-
The school seems to have everything you would need for a good education. Administration seems cooperative and flexible. Residency placements are excellent. Top-notch trauma center. Affiliation with Kings County Hospital and various others throughout NYC. Students raved about amazing clinical exposure, which is possible in the first year, and later on students said they basically managed their own patients. Libary was supposedly very good.
-
Early and strong clinical exposure.
-
location was very urban
-
The people and students seem very nice...the faculty seem like they want to help, the students also help each other
-
Friendliness of students, faculty and staff. The organ-based curriculum and schedule look great.
-
Very kind people at Downstate. The interviewer was welcoming and thoughtful.
-
Admissions staff was awesome. They took you to your interviewer.
-
Nothing much, I wasn't IMPRESSED with anything.
-
It was organized, and relaxed. They escorted you around, and gave you time so you never felt rushed.
-
How casual the interview was. All the students looked happy to be there.
-
enthusiasm of the students
-
building not as bad as i imagined from the other posts
-
Enthusiasm of the tour guides, they were really happy to be there. The neighborhood is really diverse.
-
the students made it seem like there is little competition between them
-
Organized. Our group of interviewee's were told exactly where to go and what to expect next before and after interview. I was brought back to office by my interviewer.
-
The students speak very highly of their classmates and the supportive environment that exists there.
-
The tour guides were extremly excited about the school and the depth of clinical exposure. Apparently Downstate has a very relaxed enviornment. It's all about fostering learning and working cohesively with your peers.
-
I love that they have the county hospital pretty much as part of the school. That is incredibly convenient. I also thought that both the students we met and the other people I interviewed with seemed like very bright, accomplished people. Also the residency placement record is pretty good.
-
How relaxed and easy going my interviewer was.
-
The immense size of the facility. The school and its affiliated hospitals etc took up a few city blocks. Diversity of not only student body and patients, but of the area itself. Im taking about food. THey had a "roti" stand outside next to a hot dog vendor. You cant get more NY than that.
-
The enthusiasm of the students about the school
-
The school, despite its poor facilities and location, really prepares its students well for the world of medicine. The clinical experience is supposedly superb, the patient population is so diverse that you will see everything and anything, and you will actually be active in treating patients.
-
Enthusiasm of students, deeper understanding of curriculum.
-
The quality of the clinical experience, and that the students seemed genuinely happy to be there. Everyone was very friendly.
-
The students. They all seemed very close, enthusiastic and helpful. They had a "cooperate to graduate" attitude. So did the other interviewees that were there, now that I think about it. I liked that there was an air of cooperative learning rather than competition. I was a big fan of the amount of experience and exposure even 1st year students got to patient care. I didn't get to see the inside but the new hospital was really nice. Brand new! Finally I was a big fan of how compact the campus was.
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The office staff and students were very nice.
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the tour guides were very friendly
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School curriculum
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Students' enthusiasm and diversity of the student body.
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Great clinical exposure, diverse student body.
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How friendly the staff and students were. The interview was very low stress.
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the enthusiasm of the med student. the availability of patient contact at the clinical rotations
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My interviewer was so wonderful to talk to and spoke very highly of the students and faculty. We had a really great conversation and I felt completely at ease.
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The students were really nice, very enthusiastic. The proximity to the hospitals is nice. The case based learning is a big plus.
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The interview was a "getting to know u more thing" after the admin stuff in my file.
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Nice students. Excellent clinical experience.
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I liked the location, 20 minutes from lower manhatten, short walk to the train, IT IS NOT IN THAT BAD OF A NEIGHBORHOOD. Come on people, it's Brooklyn. And the neighborhood is a plus because you have such an amazing patient population and the opportunity to work in an underserved area as opposed to practicing boutique medicine in Manhatten (though this is still an option as they have associations with medical school's there). Student's were enthusiastic, facilities were nice just old because the medical school itself is old. Lots of interesting research happening at this school. It was at the top of my list when I went and the interview day really solidified that for me.
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The interview. I was grilled, but it was the style of the interviewer. I left with a very possitive feeling.
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I actually liked location. It will facilitate a very hands on experience.
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case based learning is big
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The hosptial being in the same building as the school, with another one right across the street. Also there are many hospitals all around the NY area that you can do your clinical work in.
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the admissions staff is wonderful! they have great clinical experiences
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Integrated curriculum, big trauma center across the street, small group study space.
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The genuninely nice faculty and students. They really wanted you to like downstate.
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The place seems to be very friendly, students seem happy, and the dorms are pretty nice
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The clinical experience is really outstanding! Students there have opportunities those at other schools don't have.
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the students really go out of their way to help each other out, some nice clinical sites, the individual 24-hour carrels are a nice touch
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Everyone was nice and the students seemed happy to be there.
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the students' honest impressions of the school; the upperclassmen serve as a really useful support system for the 1st/2nd years; the school really wants to provide its students with the best opportunities possible (including research, study abroad)
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The students and faculty that i met were WONDERFUL. The first years seemed very happy and so laid back. Literally TWENTY hospitals to do your 3rd and 4th year rotations in (plus a few international hospitals). The location is great -- 25mins on the subway to Union Square (NYC), 15mins to Park Slope, and honestly Flatbush, BK is a pretty nice area (if you're used to urban life).
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Support systems available for students;diverse patient population; enthusiasm of current students for their school; and just about everything else
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The enthusiasm of the tour guides and how much they love the school. The great experience you receive in the clinical years.
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The block system
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I was really impressed by the way the curriculum was established. Also the availability for academic support was a very positive aspect of the school.
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Everyone (faculty, students, security personnel) seemed real welcoming and friendly. The students who gave us the tour told us we would see things here that we wouldn't see anywhere else due to the large diversity in the area. Plus, we get huge clinical exposure and research opportunities.
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students seemed really happy.
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nothing really stood out
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nothing
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the wireless internet in the dorms and library
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my interviewer was a very friendly physician, i felt like i was getting to know her as she was getting to know me...she was very open about her thoughts about the school
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Student Tour Guides
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The diversity of the school and surroundings and the clinical exposure.
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The proximity of dorms, hospital to the school, the multicultural community, the students there seem very non-competitive with each other and seem to work together
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friendly staff! Everyone was so nice!
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The entire school. Somepeople look down on the school because its not top quaility but for me I like it, gave me a sense of nitty gritty, that the adminstration doesn't want to make it all pretty just functional.
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the clinical experience, their block scheduling although most schools do it now
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kings' county hospital and university hospital; they'rea cross from each other
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very friendly and helpful administration
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everyone at the school was VERY nice, the student tour guides were very helpful and they seemed very happy to be at downstate and not too stressed
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the clinical opportunities.
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Someone personally escorts you from the waiting area to your interviewer.
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The students and faculty are super down-to-earth. They were honest about things that were obviously not great about the school: ie, the bad neighborhood, the pain of parking, etc. I loved the atmosphere,the guarantee of working with underserved populations
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great clinical experience
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The students seemed like they were really happy there, and everyone raves about Kings Hospital being an excellent experience during your 3rd and 4th years
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the amount of clinical exposure that Downstate med students experience
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honesty of the students giving the tour, friendliness of admissions staff
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The people are really nice, the students seem happy and Kings County Hospital seems to be an amazing place to get your training. (The anatomy labs weren't bad as many on this site have said).
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The enthusiastic students... you can tell that they really like the school. Anatomy labs aren't as bad as they are made out to be on this site.
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Interviewer was awesome, I really clicked with the person, and I was impressed with his comment that Downstate graduates do have many options available to them for residency
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The attitude at Downstate- their commitment to use medicine to serve the underpriviliged
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Students seemed laid back and liked the school. P/F grading limits competitive atmosphere and encourages people to share resources and help each other.
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They have an admissions person find you and take you to your interview, so there's no worrying about making it on time or finding the place.
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The interviewer and the staff in general were very friendly and accomodating. Also met a med student in the hall who was so nice that she even gave me her phone number to call in case I have any questions.
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The niceness of the staff, the satisfaction of the students
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People are positive, diverse, and friendly.
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the staff was extremely nice. When we were taking a tour and walking down the hallway, the current student were wishing us good luck as they were passing by. Everyone seems very happy to go there. The directions to campus very also very precise.
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Good facilities for studying.
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The people there are amazingly nice.
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the clinical exposure phenomenal
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1)The students seemed happy, they didn't look washed up and depressed. 2) University Hospital is attached to the school and King's county hospital is literally across the street.
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the neighborhood (not nearly as bad as I expected), the students I met, the hands-on experience you get there
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My interviewer was very nice and supportive even when I responded to her question about a weakness in my candidacy. The people at Downstate are friendly, and the day was organized and short.
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Not much... friendly staff and really nice interviewer plus the clinical exposure that's possible there.
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I was pleasantly surprised with the school, after reading a lot of the negative feedback, I was very nervous about my interview. The campus is not spectacular, however the students seem very nice and the faculty seems very down to earth. As for the cadaver labs, I thought they were fine, I mean seriously, ITS A CADAVER LAB PEOPLE, not the Plaza Hotel.
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Very laid back. People seem very nice and helpful. The great clinical experience the school has to offer.
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The interviewer-- he was incredibly nice and made me feel less nervous.
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Students seem genuinely happy there, and the clinical experience is unparalled. The neighborhood is not nearly as bad as I was led to believe upon reading so many negative reviews from the SDN. If you've ever been to true urban areas, this is nothing new. Everyone I spoke with from both the school and community was very friendly.
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clinical training is great, school has a lot of involvement in community, people are down to earth. its possible to change your state of residency and switch to instate tuition.
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Attitude of the students, staff and faculty. Contrary to some of the posts on this site, everyone was amicable and friendly. Really helpful.
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The school provides the ability to get early clinical exposure and is also as far as urban based medicine goes i think one of the best places to end up. they are very involved in the community and the dorms look pretty decent i dont know why everyone was putting the neighborhood down i mean if you have spent any time in NYC you know what to expect
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high percentage of first-choice residency program matches for graduating seniors, students were helpful and laid back, they really seemed to enjoy their school, the amount of clinical exposure students get starting even in their first year (our tour guide was a 2nd year who had actually delivered a baby on her first shadowing visit her 1st year)
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the staff and my interviewer were EXTREMELY friendly and warm. I was walked to my interviewer's office and walked back down to Admissions, which was a first.
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Downstate sees very interesting cases and services a very specific population. By practicing medicine there, you are definitely able to make a difference.
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Very good school with great facilities. CLinical exposure is one of the best in the state. Trauma Center and ER is always busy.
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The interview was SO relaxed and positive.
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i wish i could say something good for the $300 i spent comming out to interview at this dump.
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The kindness of the admissions staff and esp. the interviewer. I was expecting the worst interview but came out feeling pretty good. The tours were pretty good as the tour guides were very friendly and answered every question thrown at them. The tours were also more extensive than other schools I have visited. The early clinical exposure given to students, and the diversity of cases seen at the hospital. Plus CHEAP TUITION compared to other med schools.
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(1) The tour: Facilities aren't gorgeous (hey, it's Brooklyn) but Downstate students love the school -- Kings County Hospital affiliation is a big plus (interviewer couldn't stop talking about it), residence halls are available (and look decent, though I had to leave tour early to interview), carrols (study rooms) provide individual workspace for each student and are open 24 hours. (2) My interviewer took "open file" to a whole new level: he knew *everything* there was to know about me based on my application and letters of recommendation.
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Mostly everything. My interviewer was so warm and friendly and the students were really genuine. The facilities aren't top notch but they aren't horrid either. Are most of you ppl that snotty about buildings? I don't care about the facilities as long as they are functional and you get a good education and clinial experience. Downstate is nice friendly and offers good exposure to many different cases in brooklyn.
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Nothing the school and education in general are substandard. Several students told me that they were not very happy with the attitude of many of the professors nor were they happy with the location of the school.
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The support system. Sub groups of students share a study room w/ the school providing all the books for the semester...very nice study area
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Great clinical exposure, diverse patient population. orientation of school toward serving the community. Students were content there and chose Downstate over other institutions.
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All the negative comments written on this site were WRONG. I had a GREAT time visiting Downstate. Everyone was very nice, welcoming, enthusiastic, and answered all the questions I had about the school (even about the negative criticism on this site). The physicians and staff at this school are incredibly dedicated to the Brooklyn community and strive to uphold their mission to serve those who otherwise would not receive good medical care. Downstate offers so many options in early clinical work, study methods, and extracurricular activities.
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low stress level
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students LOVE the place and they get an amazing clinical education. the staff and students are really warm and friendly.
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King's County Hospital-plain and simple! Med students training there see such a wide range of diseases and health concerns that I believe they are more prepared for their residency responsibilities.
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nothing, too many students per cadaver, bad attitude of staff, lack of respect for interviewing students
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I found the admissions staff and interviewer very nice and helpful.
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early clinical exposure, diversity of the school, library...
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The group study room was very unique to the school. I liked how within each study room, the school provides you with all the textbook needed for the semester. I liked the organ-based learning system.
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The clinical opportunities at this school sound AMAZING and the students seem pretty happy.
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the interviewer seemed really happy to have me there and the students were excited about their school, obviously the clinical experience is amazing, students said they had delivered babies, scrubbed in for tubal ligations, and the surgeon i interviewed with said he would walk a student through an appendectomy if they were interested! awesome! plus, the facilities didn't seem that bad for me, and the area is not terrible, i felt totally safe walking around in my suit and looking like a white boy from the suburbs. eh, i'm used to cities though, so i guess it depends on your own experiences.
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The admissions people were nice. I didn't experience any of the negative energy other applicants seem to have.
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clinical rotations in 3rd year, 1st and 2nd year schedule
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It is a community hospital with amazing resources for being a public institution
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The students there seem to like it and were happy with their decision. The amount of clinical experience they got.
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Well, honestly, not much. However, I found Downstate's feature of offering each medical student his own study desk cubby quite unique. The secretary in the admissions office that day was very helpful and supportive. For example, she walked me to my interviewer's office.
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Great clinical education in an urban environment. If you are interested in urban medicine, immigrant health, etc... this may be a good place for you. You will see a wide range of pathologies in the hospital, like malaria.
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students
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Friendly staff
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Very warm and positive atmosphere. People here seemed happy.
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The great clinical experience that Downstate offers its students.
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To tell you the truth I wish I had saved my money and time by passing on this interview.
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I expected the worst after reading this site. I'm not sure where all of you guys are coming from. I came to Downstate very stressed(my flight was delayed, I was late for my interview, etc). The administrators were very accomodating and nice to me, and my interviewer even rescheduled me in for an afternoon slot. My interviewer clearly really liked Downstate, and I got the impression that the clinical experience is better than at most other schools, because at Downstate you can really get "down and dirty".
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Students leading the tour were hard workers and never missed their classes. Staffs were eager to assist. Interviewer was cordial and attentive.
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The students seemed happy at the school. It seems like Downstate provides their students with excellent clinical experience.
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not too much.
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The atmosphere was very laid back. The curriculum includes a block schedule in which you only take one course for about 6 weeks and then move to another course so you never have finals for more than one course. This is very advantageous in my opinion. The faculty and students seemed very nice and welcoming.
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the international opportunities that students have and the stipend they get, the fact that my interviewer read my application thoroughly and referred to it many times
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the bredth of pathologies and populations you'd get to see at during clinical years
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Nothing--- my interviewer was over an hour late and he only stayed for 15 minutes and then said "unless you have any questions I think we are done"
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Diversity of patient population, urban location, organ system-based learning blocks. (Stay in the dorms for FREE!!)
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Great price. Facilities seemed comprehensive.
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Warmth of staff who seem eager to let students in and get them involved in anything.
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nada.
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nothing. The facilities are horrendous. This school is inexpensive and this no doubt contributes to some of their faculty feeling as though they can be as hostile as they like without reprisal.
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The neighborhood was much better than people said it would be
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I arrived two nights in advance and slept on a friends floor the first night and in guest housing (a bed) the second night (for free). I took two classes to get a feel for the class and learning style. The notes and transcript service are awesome. The people are REALLY friendly and "chill" is the appropriate word. None of them looked stressed out. All of them really like the organ systems approach. There are LOTS of student activities that go on. I didn't meet anyone that wasn't involved in less than 7 activities. Students have the opportunity to teach "mini-courses" in things such as Yoga, Karate, Swimming, Photography or whatever else they are good at... and as the instructor you can keep the tuition that you set. The web resources are really great... online quizzes and other things. There will be a completely wireless network in a few months. You can apply to be a resident assistant or director in your second year. Discounted tickets are available for broadway shows and the student center is really equipped with a nice pool, gym, and bball court, pool table etc. They have a problem based learning course called CBL, and they also offer early clinical experience. Also, there are electives offered in your first and second year which is pretty rare for medical schools. Everyone gets their own personal workstation outside of the dorms to be able to study and read textbooks. Speaking of textbooks, most people get by without them and use them as supplementary material. You get tested on the notes. The lectures that I attended were not boring (at least I didn't think so). The professors tie in clinical correlates (minimally) with the material they present. The students are really excited about their early clinical experience. The Emergency elective is a shadowing experience so most are psyched about that.
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My interviewer was extremely friendly, told me to relax right at the start and that we were just going to have a "little chat." Nothing about the interview was scary. The tour guides were friendly too.
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Opportunities at SUNY and King's County Hospitals, lots of clinical exposure, extremely nice students/faculty/staff, good gym.
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Clinical opportunities are unbelievable! You have a lot of chances to get involved with patients as early as the first year of school.
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The students and faculty were very amiable and approachable. The tour was not too long, but showed key points of the school. My interviewer was very laid-back.
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Admissions staff was very nice
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Strong clinical preparation and vocal enthusiasm of the students
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Very nice interviewer and enthusiastic students. Very friendly admissions staff. Strong neuroscience curriculum.
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The fact that my interviewer was as concerned with answering my questions about Downstate as he was about asking me questions. My tour guides were great, too. Downstate's big selling point is the excellent clinical experience, so both my interviewer and tour guides discussed that aspect of the school. It really eroded my previous snobbish attitude about attending a state school.
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Students and faculty all seemed happy to be a part of downstate, and clinical experience at downstate is top notch. You get a real hands-on education at Brooklyn.
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the students who gave the tour were very nice
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Student tour guides had very positive attitude towards the school and had good information on classes/dorming/etc. Great clinical sites for 3rd and 4th year rotations.
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The honesty with which everyone (faculty, staff, and students) answered my questions!
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The facilities are better than people have made them out to be. The clinical exposure is extremely strong - this a prime example of a large system of hospitals serving an underpriveliged, urban patient population.
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dean reassured us that interviews are not stressful
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The facilites, while not sparkling, are basically comparable to that at other schools I've seen (though fewer computers). The cost - for in state, this school is a serious bargain. The honesty of the students regarding classes, lectures, books. Description of early clinical experiences. Rec facilities are pretty good.
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I liked the fact that it had a sauna and a jacuzzi i think. the recreational facilities were equipped with everything from wieghts to a punching bag. the students were down to earth, they did'nt try to hide anything. they told us that books were not needed, all the notes were given in class and on website, if needed be you can use college books for reference.
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I met with the minority affairs co-director and was impressed with the support they offer.
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The dean of admissions was very, very nice. All of the students seem to think it is a good place to go to school.
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Wasn't as bad as everyone said on here
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lots of clinical experience for students, close subway stop, everything is nearby (hospitals, dorms, stores, etc)
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The clinical experiences-- if you are interested in urban medicine, it is a great place to learn
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the amount of clinical exposure early on
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how friendly everyone was, how much clinical experience students really get, and how positively the students talked about the school
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The helpfullness and warmth of all the people
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STrong clinical exposure early on in medschool. Residents from downstate have an excellent reputation
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How relaxed the students were. They didn't seem stressed at all.
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the diversity of the student and patient population
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the cost, quality of primary care experiences
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King's County Hospital
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The atmosphere was friendly, everyone seemed like they genuinely wanted me to choose that school.
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The amount of clinical experience and exposure the student recieve
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the outdated facilities, disorganization during interview days, unimpressive tour experiences, and the school's location in a less desirable neighborhood. Suggestions included improving facility maintenance, providing more informative and engaging tours, enhancing organization during interview days, and addressing concerns about the surrounding area to create a more positive impression on prospective students.
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The school facilities in general are really outdated. The tour was not really organized. Students were really really nice tho, but I was not able to get a clear concept of what we expect to experience if we go to school here
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Nothing really. My interviewer didn't ask me too many specific questions, so maybe they didn't really read through my file ahead of time.
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The facilities are very run down and depressing.
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Spent 3 out of my 4.5 hours just waiting, had to write a response to a pictures prompt (just describing a photo), tour was 20 minutes long - not sure if it was because it was rushed or that was all the school had to offer, food was basic and not appealing (I couldn't even finish because about 5 mins into easting I was called to be interviewed)
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Facilities are a little old.
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Gave vague details about STEP, wouldn’t tell us an average score. Tour was also rushed.
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Meh area around the school, meh food options immediately following the school.
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The neighborhood around the hospital is typical gritty New York, but that's not Downstate's fault. They're the shining light in the middle of it all.
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The hospital facilities/dorms are a little dated. I anticipated this because of feedback I heard from alumni and reviews online.
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4 students per cadaver
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The facilities/ the dorms
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The residence halls
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The facilities are old and look worn, but I can't really say it's unexpected, given how old the school is and its location
-
N/A
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very little organization to interview day
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Honestly nothing. The facilities are relatively dilapidated but hold a certain charm. I wish my tour was longer and more in depth
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The location is terrible, the school itself looks rundown, and the interview felt more like a bored inquisition.
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The dorm rooms.
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The tour was very minimal so I didn't feel like I got a good feel for campus/surrounding area. We had to submit a writing sample that seemed pretty pointless.
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The facilities are a little bit older than expected and the gym could use some work.
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Lunch, and the gym needs some work
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the surrounding area, some of the student spaces, the gym.
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Nothing really, except the gym hours. Closed on Saturdays?! Really?!
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Nothing at all.. loved it
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The buildings are old.
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The lack of formal global health opportunities.
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Facilities. Could've been nicer. But, it's in Brooklyn, what do you expect?
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That the curriculum is changing in 2013 so the class starting in 2012 won't get to experience some of the positive changes being made. Also the new building won't be complete until 2014.
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Lecture halls were a bit old and decrepit but that's not too bad a flaw
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Old facilities, ESPECIALLY the gym and student center.
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The wait period between tour and interview. Rather than leaving us in a room with just the other applicants, it might have been better to give us more time to talk to current students and/or faculty.
-
He did not let me finish some of my answers.
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Facilities are very run down, and it doesn't feel like the safest neighborhood at night.
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None
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I thought the students seemed pretty unhappy and unenthusiastic. The school itself was really dreary and the facilities were kind of bare-bones...My interview was also very high stress and the doctor interviewing me asked some pretty insensitive questions. Basically, I'm glad I got into other places.
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nothing :)
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Pretty short interview day.
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Some older facilities Lunch was really bad; bring food.
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location
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some immediately surrounding neighborhoods are sketchy.
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The facilities aren't the most up to date stuff. But their anatomy lab is new and they are making changes to the curriculum.
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My interviewer had a poor impression of the school. She said some students went to good schools for residency, while some just stayed at Downstate.
-
Pretty poor facilities.
-
Facilities were definitely a bit run down. Not the greatest area.
-
interview was awkward, but also my first
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I was not asked a single question about the current health care debate. Obama had addressed the nation the night before, for crying out loud. And I work full-time for Medicaid recipients. I was disappointed that I wasn't asked about that.
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The building are kind of old and run down but what can you expect from a SUNY school. The area is a little ghetto-ish although it's safe according to everyone who lives there.
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I was asked what would you do if you don't get into medical school. I looked at the interviewer and said I WILL get into medical school ;-) Honestly, I don't blame her, my grades in undergrad were atrocious, and she was asking questions to bring the best out in me.
-
run down area, its an urban adventure
-
facilities look old and run down (except for the new anatomy lab). basically didn't see much of anything on the tour. students don't seem too happy/enthusiastic and there doesn't seem to be much camaraderie. no videotaped standardized patient rooms or simulator (though they claim to have the latter). neighborhood is not nice and you'll have to pay more and commute to live in a nicer neighborhood. the only school where they mentioned failing a class as an actual possibility whereas at others it seems they will catch you before you fail.
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The location is a double-edge sword (bad area, great clinical exposure). Might be a culture shock for someone with little experience in a urban environment.
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The tour guides were late. My interview (and that of two others) was pushed from 2:00 to 1:00 so the tour for us was cut short. We didn't see the student center or the library and had to eat lunch after the interview, which was plain. My interviewer had not seen my application and asked questions straight from a list. He was skimming the app throughout the interview.
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Neighborhood still isn't great... but that is the price you pay for excellent clinical exposure.
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the dorms are a little bit old....
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School is in the poor part of Brooklyn. Not much to do around the area. 8 student/carcass in anatomy. although it's two teams of 4 students take turns. it's still not the same as 4 students/carcass.
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the neighborhood directly surrounding the school is not the safest, but there is easy access to nicer areas of Brooklyn as well as Manhattan
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classrooms were dimly lit, location of the medical center is deep in Brooklyn
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location (tour guides kept saying the area isn't safe and crime rates are posted on site), facilities were worn down
-
Neighborhood is pretty devoid of cultural life, buildings are old.
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I'm not a fan of NYC in general. I had coffee at the cafeteria before the interview and the people there were so miserable it almost made me want to leave.
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The interview day was disorganized. We sat around in a room for over two hours with no one, but one person to greet us. Also, the buildings are old and residence halls are too expensive considering their condition.
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The students, facilities, and location did not impress me. The tour was given by two students who forgot to show us the library and had nothing interesting to say- just pointed out classrooms and other areas. Also, the whole day was unorganized. I didn't know if I was done and should leave or if there was something else, and no one was there to ask.
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buildings look sort of old
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the location is pretty awful...
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the location and facilities
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facilities are by far the worst i've ever seen. lecture hall was falling apart. anatomy lab was just as run-down as the surrounding neighborhood.
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Of all 7 schools I interviewed, facilities at Downstate ranked 7. It was a bit lacking and depressing. I don't mind the area as much as I will be living in another area.
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The neighborhood, the unfriendly students.
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old, shoddy looking buildings. not such a great neighborhood
-
the traffic is horrible in the morning (busy area), the neighborhood isn't THAT bad but it's still a bad place to be especially at night, 8 people to a body, there is basically NOTHING in the area except for a Key Food and a Duane Reade -_-
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The neighborhood.
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Place was dirty and far too institutional- even for a hospital. Interviewer was disinterested and wrote 4x more than he inquired
-
It felt like a medical school stuck in the 80's. Students seemed to think that the natural state of a med student was overwhelmed and unhappy. That's not been my experience at any of the other three schools I've interviewed at so far. A large part of that unhappiness seemed to stem from the traditional curriculum (it's organ-based, which is an innovation of the last decade, but it's also taught mostly by a different PhD every lecture and therefore filled with minutiae that the administration seemed to have no interest in filtering out.
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The facilities were a bit old, the area was pretty bad
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the location, i'm not a fan of the nyc area and I'm very used to and happy with suburban areas in which streets are clean, cars are undamaged and you can actually have personal space but if you like nyc its right there and its very diverse
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nothing.
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Nothing really.
-
the tour was rushed, we didn't get to see the anatomy labs, it didn't feel like the school was trying to impress me at all or make me want to go there
-
Facilities, neighborhood, interviewer apathy.
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neighborhood
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the surrounding neighborhood, but I expected it.
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The buildings WERE a bit run down, but by no means decrepit
-
facilities maitenence issues
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Lecture hall was a little old but looked adequate. Gym was a prison wieght room. Girls wouldnt like using it
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the interviewer.
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nothing to do during down time
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Neighborhood.
-
The neighborhood and the facilities are a bit shabby and run down.
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poorly organized interview day - I had 2.5 hours of downtime, and wasn't given any way of exploring the hospital. My interviewer was too busy to concentrate on me, and finally gave up and took me down to the floor with him. Be prepared to get all your positive points accross bluntly - you may not have enough time/attention to do it normally.
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The admissions presentation
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The old facilities. The INTERVIEWER! I can't help but wonder if my interviewer is typical of the faculty at Downstate, if they are all so stand-offish, removed, and uninterested in students. Other schools I've been to that have been very community-oriented, all faculty I encountered were very interested in meeting interviewees, getting to know you and helping medical students to be the best they can. I didn't get that feel at Downstate. Typical of NYC, I noticed a lot of people who seemed worn out and frustrated...not too many noticably happy people. Also, while you do get a great deal of clinical experience early on, I can't help but wonder how much supervision and assistance you get from faculty. Being that it's a more low-income, urban area with a high patient population and shortage of staff, it may be that the students are being given these opportunities in order to pick up the slack, rather than as constructive learning experiences.
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Fact that we didn't get to see the library or dorms during the interview
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Well, location is a given... but its Brooklyn.. what do you expect?
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The neighborhood is what it is, and that is Brooklyn. But it is so close to Manhattan and the subway ride to midtown is like 30 minutes tops.
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lectures are not video taped, the building is old and not beautiful and warm being as how im always cold. no place to get food outside of downstate building.
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Facilities & Location. The second I crossed the street, dudes were tryin to sell me stuff on the street. Plus there was this really cute girl there whose name I finally got at the end but I will probably never see here again. If you're reading this, thanks for your presence.
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The school is a little run down. The neighborhood does take some getting used to.
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The rooms and the lecture hall definatley need renovating.
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Facilities could definatley use improving
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The gross anatomy lab looked like a piece of crap and the neighborhood surrounding the neighborhood is pretty dangerous.
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Facilities was bare-bones, old, or decrepit. Neighborhood is not pretty, though it is accessible to Manhattan.
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Facilities, organization of the admissions and tour.
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facilities, lack of organization and time spent on interview/tour by administration
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The area is Brooklyn, so kinda run down and old. Housing is pricy for not much. But thats all to be expected
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The elevators SUCK. yes, the digs are not so swanky.
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The facilities dont have bells and whistles but thats to be expected at a state school.
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Tour guides seemed totally apathetic about their school.
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The neighborhood really does suck. I've been in NYC 16 years, worked in Harlem and be in other so called ''bad'' neighborhoods and never felt so awkward before. It might have been because I was in a suit.
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The surrounding area is a little scary.
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The neighborhood isnt the best, but it wasn't that bad.
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the interviewer was an a s s hole
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The building kinda sucks but you know that. The area's probably dangerous late at night so just be smart about it.
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the state of the facilities, the area around the school
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Although everyone I saw seemed happy, the buildings, including hospital and schools seemed old and a bit gloomy.
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The area, but not nearly as bad as everyone makes it sound
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Everyone says this school is located in the ghetto, and I thought that some of them were overreacting or maybe hadn't actually really seen what bad parts of LA look like for example, but in fact they were all accurate. It is located in the hood. The school is exactly 2 blocks from the metro stop but at night there are vans to take students to the subway TWO BLOCKS because it is so shady. The facilities are also pretty old and run down. The students who gave the tour did not really have much to say and weren't overly enthusiastic. My interviewer definitely gave the impression that this was the first interview she had ever conducted, and it was a little awkward although she was very nice. Overall I didn't get the sense that there is really too much pride or cohesiveness as a school, and lots of people seems to be 22 years old right out of undergrad.
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nothing
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Echoing what many other people have stated, the facilities are a bit dreary.
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Facilities, lack of structure of the interview day, 8 per cadavre, the interview
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Not much. I already expected poor facilities and location.
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Nothing. Honestly, after all that I had heard, I was expecting much worse in terms of neighborhood and facilities. But it was actually better than I had expected.
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The facilities
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The facilities are a little run down but being renovated. Got stuck in the elevator - but it was kinda our fault. All 15+ of our group squeezed on the elevator with the big sign that said "no more than 10 people." It was actually kind of funny - so that isn't too negative.
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The location of the school.
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The facilities are falling apart and dirty. The students didn't seem especially accomplished. The clientele consisted of uninsured "lead-pipe beatings," stab wounds, and other gang-related type violence. We didn't even get to see the library. 8 to a cadaver. The neighborhood is dangerous and there is nowhere to shop and nothing to do.
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my interviewer - was odd.
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condition of the school. its not so bad, but its not that good either
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Poor condition of the buildings. The lack of admissions office staff presence throughout the day.
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The facilities are decrepit, but I really do think that they would be able to offer their students a clinical experience that is hard to find anywhere else in the country.
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The facilities looked a little rundown but it seems they are putting a lot of money and time into improving them.
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looked a little dingy.
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Some of the facilities were a bit dingy, but they were all functional
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The facilities aren't the greatest. The neighborhood is bad, but not as bad as I had heard.
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When they brought us to the basement, it was still under construction with wire exposed and all. The infrastructure in the school was pretty bad. We got stuck in the elevator but we went to a more modern part of the school--the student center.
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Bad location and not great facilities.
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I had a personal bad experience. I arrived to stay with a student, but the student never showed up. So starting there, I had a really bad impression of the school
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The facilities seemed a bit dingy, especially the anatomy lab. The fact that so many students commute. The lack of interaction with medical students besides the student tour guides.
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Run down facilities, how the students seemed very unenthusiastic about downstate, 8 to a cadaver, didn't really like the neighborhood
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Nothing really. The facilities could use some renovation, but all things considered, they are up to acceptable standards. Also, the anatomy labs have two groups of 4 students each working on the same cadaver.
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Location wasn't the best, not everyone was so friendly, dark and old buildings.
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The location in a bad area of Brooklyn. The facilities could be newer.
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The neighborhood might be on the dangerous side and anatomy lab is in a dark basement.
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Having lived in Manhattan the last few years, living near Downstate could be difficult.
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nothing to do in area, the labs don't look that great
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my interviewer, the location (very dreary and boring)
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Aesthetically the hospital and campus are not the best...but you get such great clinical exposure since the hospital is in the center of an enormous community.
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The facilities need improvement.
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the facilities.
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deep in bk
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Nothing, thought the school was great
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Nothing at all. The school is great.
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campus was a bit gloomy.
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the location and facilities -- but King's County Hospital would be a great place to do rotations
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The condition of the facilities. The labs are dirty and the buildings are falling apart. The interviewer asserted that some candidates are too good to go to Downstate!
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where should i start...the location, the people, the facilities, the tour, the dorm, the lunch, kings county hospital, the travel
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im glad that i brought a snack in my bag because my interview was right after the tour so i had to have a late lunch
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Interview Waiting room
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The neighborhood didn't seem too safe.
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we were a little rushed through the tour. But the students were really friendly and open to questions, anyway.
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the facility is even scarier then i imagined, the labs are hurrendous, but hey what do you expect for 18,000$ , plus you are there to get experience
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lunch
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didn't get to see much of the facilities (raining, classes being held)
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The facilities don't look so great but they are serviceable so I didn't really mind. Anesthetics are not the reason I'm going to this med school.
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nothing really
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i wasn't thrilled with the location, the tour guide told us most students try to study 5 hours a day (8 hours for 2nd years) in addition to class/lab, which is a scary thought....
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The area is not the best in the world and the facilities are a bit run down, but you have to realize that some of the buildings have been there for quite some time. They also really promote independent studying. A lot of schools tend to "baby" their med students, but apparently not so much at all over here.
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some of the facilities didn't seem so great, but they were renovating the anatomy labs
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The neighborhood... not because it is "ghetto" (which I don't think it is) but just that there doesn't seem to be much in the area to do.
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Possibly the location... but it's what you expect if you know Brooklyn
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The whole area and buildings were old and run-down, little organization and security was not as tight as I'd expected.
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Could have been a nicer area.
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It was a nasty rainy day so the school just looked gloomy. And (agian) I didn't feel like I got a fair chance due to my interviewer.
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None of the students seemed to have chosen the school just because they loved it.
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The school seems so run down. The anatomy labs are scary and the whole place has the atmosphere of a depressing mental hospital ---long gloomy hallways, all rooms look alike, etc.
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Parking is terrible and the garage is only for MD's and 3rd and 4th years.
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The neighborhood is not the safest I've seen.
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The location isn't the best. The campus is pretty closed off.
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The neighborhood is pretty sketchy
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There was a lot of construction going on while I was there, so a lot of the buildings looked shabby, i.e. they were missing ceilings.
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the facilities are a bit old, but definitely adequate
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The facilities are not that nice but the average debt that students graduate with is very reasonable.
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Scary neighborhood, bad facilities.
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Nothing much, the neighborhood isnt the greatest, but it is what you would expect of any major city.
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facilities-- not great, but that's ok :)
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They didn't have an information or welcome session, the day was pretty much simply the interview, a quick tour (which I missed because my interview ran overtime), and lunch. It could have been much more thorough because I still don't feel I have a great handle on the school.
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not a beautiful campus.
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The neighborhood. It's not the safest one in NYC.
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some of the facilities such as lectures halls were a bit run down and the anatomy lab was pretty bad too.
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the state of the anatomy labs (even though they're supposedly being totally relocated and revamped for next year), the location: even though i used to live in New York, it was a bit tough going back to an area like that since now i'm from northern california, good things about location though: you get lots and lots of clinical and hands-on exposure through the huge hospital across the street
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the gym; that we were competing for the waitlist =(
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Though you are able to work with an under-served population, the surrounding area seemed a bit scary to actually live in.
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The neighborhood. You can't live too far from the school. Medical students told me that getting mugged or people asking for money is rampant. You need to be in the school/hospital, or stay in your residence that is close to the school. You just don't feel safe there.
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The facilities are really run-down, the building was very poorly ventilated. It seemed like a very depressed atmosphere.
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The rundown building and anatomy lab, they need to go through some major rennovations. the cost is going to increase next year (really the only thing that is attractive here is the price and thats out the window too). Hospital is so undermaintained and students dont look happy. the class rooms are some of the most broken down rooms. class sizes are huge compared to other school ie SUNY Buffalo and Upstate.
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Of course some parts of the building are run down (b/c it is old) however I feel that if you can still learn the same material the same way as everyone else then the ambiance isn't really a bother.
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The weather: It's gonna take a lot for this Southern California boy to get used to the cold east coast winters!
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The only thing is the area surrounding the school though i was impressed with their security measures.
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I was told by a med student at Downstate that the teachers at downstate treat their students as inferiors. Professors apparently often jump down students’ throats for asking questions. I don’t understand why because the school sucks and is so run down. Their anatomy lab was one of the worst I have ever seen. Downstate apparently has one of the worst records on safety likely a result of the location and facilities. Most other SUNY schools provide better preparation for the USMLE and residency.
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gross lab was just that...pretty bare, not the top of the line labs I am used to seeing. Although there are 8 students per cadaver, it is staggered so that only 4 students at a time actually work on the body. One team per side...but I wonder what happens for organs that aren't in pairs, like the liver?
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The long wait between lunch and the afternoon interviews. Didn't get to see dormitories or the university hospital (for good reason - the students doing the tours were volunteers and had a schedule). Also, interview was rushed b/c interviewer had an appt. scheduled after me.
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facilities were sub par
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I had some concerns about personal safety if I was around the hospital late in the evening.
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see above
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The shabby condition of the buildings.
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The facilities weren't very impressive. The food was really bad. I wished that they showed us the dorm rooms.
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It was really cold, the waiting room did not have any heat so I was really cold. The anatomy labs had a bad smell and it was really cold.
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It was really cold, the waiting room did not any heat so we were really cold. The anatomy labs had a bad smell and it was really cold.
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The facilities are a bit old and the cost of living is expensive.
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they still basically have a/b/c/f system with honors/high pass/pass/fail although the students didn't seem to mind
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The interviewer was a nice guy, but obviously didn't take too much interest in who I was as a person. The anatomy lab and hallway were literally freezing cold, and the facilities were generally run down (but not horrible). The school assigns 8-10 students per cadaver for anatomy, which seems like way too much. Why pay the same as the other SUNYs for less than half the resources?
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some of the facilities, housing issues, it is an older school