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Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California

Vallejo, CA

Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 40% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions

How did the interview impress you?

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.

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
💬 Interview Questions

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

Based on the responses, the most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools encompass a wide range of topics, including professionalism, important qualities for physicians, motivation for pursuing medicine, handling conflicts, teamwork, personal experiences, future goals, challenges in medical school, support systems, and specific application details. Some respondents mentioned being asked questions related to MMI format, nondisclosure agreements, research experiences, personal essays, and scenarios testing ethical reasoning.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California discussed a wide range of topics, from ethical responsibilities in blogging to scenarios involving patient care and personal attributes. While there was no single dominant theme, the interview format may have included Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) with some respondents mentioning nondisclosure agreements, showcasing a diverse array of thought-provoking inquiries.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said the most difficult question asked at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California discussed a wide range of topics, including relating personal interests to patient care, ethical responsibilities in blogging, handling patient fears, and discussing healthcare disparities. Many respondents mentioned facing questions about the differences between osteopathic and allopathic medicine, motivations for pursuing medicine, and hypothetical scenarios involving patient care, while some mentioned challenging questions related to personal statements or specific experiences. Additionally, the interview format was noted to include MMI-style questions with potential nondisclosure agreements.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.

How many people interviewed you?

Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.

What was the style of the interview?

Most respondents had a in a group 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.
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Tours were most commonly given by a Student

How did the tour guide seem?

Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.

How do you rank the facilities?

What is your in-state status?

Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.

What were your total hours spent traveling?

Most respondents spent 7+ hours traveling to the interview.

What was your primary mode of travel?

Most respondents traveled by airplane to the interview.

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

Most respondents spent less than $100.

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either at a hotel or with friends or family.

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

How would you rate the hotel?

Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

Would you recommend the hotel?

Most respondents would recommend their hotel.

What is your ranking of this school's location?

Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?

Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

What are your comments on where you stayed?

No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.

How did you prepare for the interview?

Many applicants prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews, reviewing their application materials, practicing with friends and family, and utilizing resources like the Student Doctor Network (SDN) and school websites. Suggestions included practicing answering questions aloud, researching the school thoroughly, and being familiar with personal statements and application details to be well-prepared for potential questions.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the staff, faculty, and students at the school, particularly noting the supportive and collaborative environment. Dr. Haight, the Dean of Admissions, received high praise for his honesty, helpfulness, and ability to make applicants feel comfortable and well-prepared for the interview process. Additionally, the well-ventilated anatomy lab, beautiful campus facilities, proximity to San Francisco, and opportunities for research and international rotations were highlighted as positive aspects of the school.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants were predominantly unimpressed or negatively impacted by the long interview day, awkward and stressful panel interview format, lack of time to fully elaborate on answers, group interview style, limited on-campus housing availability, and the outdated facilities. Suggestions included providing more time for individual elaboration during interviews, improving the interview format, enhancing facilities, and offering better campus tours to provide a more comprehensive view of the school. Additionally, addressing concerns about the location, lack of clinical exposure in the early years, and the need for more campus amenities were commonly highlighted as areas for improvement.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly mentioned that they wished they had known more about the principles of osteopathic medicine, stable internet connection for interviews, and the specific format of the interview, which was often in a group or panel setting. Recommendations included being prepared to discuss specific experiences from their applications and staying composed during the interview. Other feedback highlighted the ease and few questions asked during the interview, the stress of group interviews, the deposit requirement upon acceptance, and the need to thoroughly research the school and its location.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interview process at Touro to be challenging due to the group format and the types of questions asked, but appreciated the insight from Dr. Haight and the chance to interact with fellow interviewees. Some expressed concerns about the facilities, location, and curriculum details, but overall, many were impressed by the passionate faculty and students, as well as the school's potential for growth and community support.
  • Seemed like a good school, but was not a fan of the interview style
  • Panel on panel interview is a joke. Interviewers seemed rude and disinterested, asked us stuff completely unrelated to anything we would need in med school
  • I wish they did the interview earlier in the day so we could enjoy the campus and learn about their programs.
  • If you are interviewing here, know your application inside out and prepare answers to generic questions.
  • Loved the small school feel, didn't love that students do not live near campus. Mare Island has no coffee shops and the food options are limited.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should streamline the interview process, improve communication efficiency through online systems, offer online applications, reduce unnecessary focus on certain programs, and make the application process more eco-friendly. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of prompt responses to emails and creating a more organized and professional environment for applicants.