Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 24% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
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?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) scenarios with nondisclosure agreements, ethical dilemmas, motivations for pursuing medicine, future career aspirations, qualities of a good physician, and personal experiences related to research, leadership, and clinical exposure. Questions also touch on family background, interests outside of medicine, challenges in healthcare, and unique qualities that set applicants apart.
Why doctor? This interview was the most conversational ever. Things flowed smoothly and I cam away with the impression that the interviewer really wanted to get a sense of who I was rather than my capabilities at answering trite questions (i.e. what are your strengths/weaknesses?, where do you see yourself in X years?, etc.) My nervousness prior to the meeting was completely unfounded and I was immediately set at ease. Excellent place.
"If you have a patient who is 83-years-old and has already had one M.I. and she doesn't want to take the medication you want to prescribe, how do you handle the situation?"
"Have you had a positive interaction with any physicians and what impressed you about them?"
"Have you seen and physicians have to make a difficult decision?"
"Have you seen any nurses or doctors commit errors?"
"What would you do if a patient did not show up for an important heart procedure?"
"Tell me about yourself."
I didn't get very far on this one before she changed the subject. Didn't see that interested in my response to this question.
"Why MD? Why not RN, nurse practitioner, or PhD?" She didn't seem to accept my response on this one and I felt like she was leading my response.
"What was your favorite class in school and why?"
"Do you know who the surgeon general is?" I say that I do not know. She describes her as an overweight woman and asks if it is fair to criticize her for being overweight when she should be a proponent of health.
"What do you do best as a leader? What is the hardest for you?"
I was describing a spinal cord injury patient and how he wanted to get a more permanent catheter and she asked, "Have you taken physiology? [I have not] How does the bladder work?"
Describe your research experiences. Do you have any hospital volunteering? Do you have any clinical and/or hands-on experience? What do you do for fun? How do you stay fit? When did you graduate and why did you wait to apply? What are you currently up to?
a. What are you passionate about, besides medicine?
b. What are your hobbies?
c. Have you thought about what field of medicine you would like to go into?
d. Where all have you been internationally?
e. Where did you meet your husband?
a. What is your biggest weakness?
b. Is there anything negative from your academic background that needs further explanation?
c. What post-high school work experiences have you had?
Interview was more a discussion than a question/answer session. My interviewer chose to use open-file format (it is their option though on what they use) so I was asked questions to clarify and expand on that.
Interview was more a discussion than a question/answer session. My interviewer chose to use open-file format (it is their option though on what they use) so I was asked questions to clarify and expand on that.
What field would you like to go into, what do you think about junior colleges, tell me about leadership activities, tell me about working as an xray tech.
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson discussed an MMI format, with several respondents mentioning nondisclosure agreements. Commonly asked questions included scenarios about personal experiences, career motivations, views on healthcare, and ethical dilemmas, along with inquiries about research, family background, and future goals in medicine.
It wasn't really a question, but we talked a lot of my experiences in the hospital and how those impacted my desire to enter medicine.. It was a great conversation!
If you had a family member that were slowly dying of disease, and they told you that they wanted you to let them die, how would you handle the situation?
Why did you do your leadership work? [I had mentioned one of the organizations I co-founded and he wanted to know the impetus behind it.] Not really a surprising question, but there weren't really many questions asked since we just talked most of the time.
None of her questions were really interesting. Since it doesn't seem like you haven't had much trouble with what we've been talking about (academics and research), what things do you have difficulty with and/or what things are you working on to imporve?
What do you think is the best way to tackle a problem like AIDS? (We had been talking about AIDS during the interview, I'm sure this isn't a standard question).
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson discussed included Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format with mentions of nondisclosure agreements, along with inquiries about personal experiences, motivations for pursuing medicine, potential challenges as a physician, and views on healthcare reform. The interviewers also explored applicants' reflections on their strengths, weaknesses, and future contributions to the field of medicine.
Many medical students enter school with these great ideals and then lose sight of those ideals after getting bogged down by classwork. How will you follow through with your ideals and make sure they become realities during school?
How have you and your spouse prepared for your entrance into medical school on a personal level? (i.e. what steps have you taken, if any, to ensure that your relationship doesn't suffer?)
Did working in a hospital with bad patient care and frustrating patients turn you off to medicine? Why do you still want to be a doctor after experiencing that?
None. No research or ethics questions. Like other people have noted, the interviewers generally just want to feel you out as a person, not quiz you on knowledge or current events.
Nothing that difficult, I guess coming up with an answer for how to fix the health care system, a complete answer could take days. Entire books have been written on this topic all with different answers, as well as their own problems.
Where do you see yourself in 10-15 years, professionally and personally? (Only awkward b/c not sure myself, but really quite suprised, b/c she was insistent about the latter part.)
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?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by practicing MMI questions, reviewing their application, practicing with mock interviews, and researching current events and ethics. Suggestions include practicing answers out loud, reviewing school websites, and utilizing resources like SDN for feedback and sample questions.
I reviewed a "hit parade" of questions and compiled my answers, read articles on current events and ethics, and looked at the school's website for more information.
read over my essays and anything about the school specifically I wrote, I went back the website and looked up again. Also, I read one CNN article on health care reform.
Read a lot of sample interview questions!! Also did lots of mock interviews at my school and with friends as well. I also practiced to myself the morning of the interview.
SDN; mock interview with career services at UA (this is available in Tucson even after graduating); practiced answers in front of mirror and with friends; read up on health care reform and watched a couple interesting Frontier documentaries on PBS.org
I thoroughly prepared for this interview which made the experience that much more painful. I was prepared to discuss medical policy, ethics, current health policy trends or anything intellectually taxing, but alas this was not the case. At the U of A medical school you interview at both the Tucson campus and Phoenix campus in a one-on-one format. They were both closed file and I spent the entire interview dictating my academic and extracurricular background. Approximately forty minutes into the first interview I was thinking that we could have saved a lot of time for the both of us had they sent me a form that I could have put all of my academic history and activities on so that we could discuss motivations or health policy insights or something. And then it hit me, I had filled out such a form, the AMCAS. What a waste of time. I hope that this paragraph does justice to the frustration inherent to answering questions that were already in my file which took a lot of time on my part to fill out. But it was not just the answering of the questions that was the worst part; it was then waiting for my interviewers to write down the answers and the awkward silence in the intervening moments. When trying to fill these silent moments with additional comments or trying to segue to a more interesting topic, I was met with “hold on, I need to write this down.” Wow. Perhaps this had just as much to do with the closed file format, but I have had closed file interviews in the past that did not cover exactly what was in my file. I have a feeling that this was due to the inferior status of this medical school that was manifested through the admissions process.
I answered the questions in the interview chapter of the book "Essays That Will Get You Into Medical School." They are questions that help you focus on who you are and what you want interviewers to know about you.
SDN, mock interviews held at the school, practiced with family members, re-read my AMCAS application and personal statement, read up on current events.
Practiced with family, reviewed UofA website and programs, reviewed current medical issues (i.e. malpractice, managed care, etc), and practiced OUT LOUD (so important!!!!!)
Same way I've prepared for the rest of my interviews, read everything I could get my hands on, books, newspapers, SDN, anything else I found interesting.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the caring and supportive atmosphere at the school, with a strong sense of community among students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, the new facilities, innovative curriculum, emphasis on early clinical exposure, and opportunities for research were highlighted as significant positives. Suggestions for improvement were minimal, with some mentioning minor facility upgrades or specific program enhancements.
they did a very long comprehensive presentation on their school and curriculum and I got the impression that they really care about their students
They are truly committed to diversity and serving at-need populations. They also are very transparent about the interview process and want applicants and their medical students to suceed.
As of 2019, they just opened up a brand new building for their medical school. The Banner Hospital also has a whole new set of buildings that just opened up in the last year or two, so overall the med school and hospital facilities are brand new and super nice. Also, the students here are very laid back and collaborative. Lectures are mostly optional, there are a few required things each week. My student host was amazing.
Students were really happy about attending here because of the support of the staff and other students. Super laid back atmosphere where everyone wants to help everyone out
It was obvious that the current medical students were friends, not competitors. There was a strong sense of community, and it was clear that each student was supported by their peers.
Also - the Office of Student Development was outstanding. I can see how they are a great resource to have available to you, regardless of how well you're performing on your exams.
The doctor conducting my interview was fantastic! She had read my secondary application very thoroughly, and even complimented me on my writing style. I think she was a perfect match for me and she made me feel extremely comfortable.
I was very impressed with the small class size (48), curriculum, and usmle test scores, especially for the phoenix track only being around for several years. Everybody seems to know that the phoenix campus is the next big up and coming regional research hub. Even other schools that I interviewed at were really excited about that campus
The students, staff, and faculty were so welcome and open; the admissions process is very transparent. The capstone project, doctoring program, and scholarly project all seem awesome. I love the small class size.
Friendly community and pretty convenient locations. Everyone was enthusiastic and very informative. Wasn't as hot as I had expected. It's a very upstart program with a lot of room to grow.
EVERYTHING!!!!! The Phoenix campus is a DREAM school!!!!!! I left feeling amazing!! My interview could not have gone better!!!! Everyone was so friendly and I really enjoyed meeting the students, faculty, and staff!!!!
The curriculum. I really like that students are given a 1-week break in between academic blocks. I am also a big fan of the longitudinal clinical experience. I am not a research person AT ALL, but the scholarly project seems like a great way to do research that you're passionate about and it will give an edge to your residency application. Students also have access to many of the surrounding hospitals which is cool. Small student body = family feel and easy access to professors.
Campus tour by student, students seemed very happy, new curriculum offers a lot of early clinical work and test grades were back up for school after a dip the first year of new curriculum.
New program, staff is really interested in helping students succeed. Lots of opportunities for clinical exposure. Staff will help you make connections to get involved in just about anything.
The dedication and passion of the faculty, the friendliness and availability of the admissions staff, clinical longitudinal experience, scholarly project, preparedness for board exams, new facilities
The enthusiasm and comradery between students, knowledgeability of staff and students, CUP program, histology lab equipment, proximity of clinical teaching facilities and resources, SOCIETIES
The med students (MS1) showing us the school seemed very non-stressed. I liked all the talk of border health care issues and the Commitment to Underserved People Program.
Phoenix campus: high-tech school. very new. only 48 students, so it is very intimate. students get to contribute to the creation of the school. really into bio-informatics... and their new curriculum
The curriculum is great. I also love that the school is completely pass/fail with no ranking at all the first two years. The students were very laid back and seemed to enjoy the school a lot.
Most of the facilities were excellent. They have new research buildings (important for me) and UMC is an outstanding hospital. The admissions staff were very nice and helpful.
PHX Campus- Faculty, progressive thinking, integration of research into the four years of school, their plan for the future, that the UofA Phoenix campus and program is almost completely separate from the Tucson program.
The facilities. They are brand-new, and very high tech! Also, the school seems very accommodating to the students, because they realize this is a new program and will need some tweaking.
My interviewer was on the committee that helped develop the new curriculum and was very knowledgeable. He was so enthusiastic about the school that you just couldn't help be excited about it, too.
1. Price: This school cannot be beat for the cost. I was accepted by several other private out of state schools, but chose to attend UA because I will be 130K less in debt at the end of 4 years.
2. Campus/Facilities: The Health Sciences campus in Tucson is rapidly expanding with beautiful new facilities for public health, nursing and pharmacy. Also, the second floor of the medical school educational facility has been completely redone and the results are stunning, ie: 4 enormous lecture/study rooms with 16 plasma TVs in each, brand new furniture, new student lockers, new private study room.
3. Integrated Curriculum: Although there seem to have been some bumps in the road for the first year class, the general consensus is that the new curriculum was badly needed and that this type of integration will eventually happen at all medical schools.
4: Small Class Size: Although it might not seem like much of a difference, UA's class of only 110 students, compared to 180+ students at other schools I interviewed at, is significant. This smaller class size lends itself to better student-faculty interaction and more hands on learning.
5. Phoenix 3/4 Years: The opportunity to rotate 3rd & 4th years at the enormous network of Phoenix hospitals which UA has affiliations with.
6. Medical Student Research Program: Within a week of being accepted, I had already been contacted about participating in the MSRP for the summer before school begins! This school is making a concerted effort to improve its own reputation and the opportunities for its graduates. The school knows that the best way to do this is via a significant dedication to research. So far, I have been very impressed with the schools devotion to research and how easy they make it for students to find opportunities.
7. Arizona Health Sciences Center Library: This library is amazing! I attended a top 10 undergraduate institution and our libraries were nothing like this. If I have to spend the next four years in a library, I want it to be a library like this one!
8. Administration: From what I have gathered from talking to students both here and at other schools, the administrators at UA are extremely accomodating to their students' needs. After hearing horror stories about administrators at other schools, I was relieved to discover that they are so helpful at UA.
9. Early Clinical Exposure: Students raved about the CUP program and other clinical opportunities in their first 2 years. Although these types of experiences have become par for the course at most schools, it seems that UA has taken a more active/hands on approach than most.
I was really impressed with the entire experience on the Phoenix campus (the facilities, staff, curriculm) but less so in Tucson. Although tht students in Tucson seemed to really like each other and apparently study together frequently.
Good sense of comaraderie among students, the curriculum change effective for the class of 2006 (going to systems-based approach), the cost is a major plus!
Linda, Ann & the Medical Students were incredibly friendly & welcoming. The day is structured appropriately and the schedule runs on time. There is a nice community feel with a lot of comraderie amongst students
The environment was really relaxed. I had my interview in the afternoon session so I had about 3 hours to wait, but it was so relaxed that all of my anxiety was long gone before I met with my interviewer.
the atmosphere of tucson is cool around u of a. if i would have gone there as an undergrad, that might have been different. the admissions staff was very friendly, and you definatley get the feeling that access to the administration is one of the school's comparative assets. the students we met with were funny, honest, and down to earth. i definatley saw a strong bond between classmates. flexibility in rotations was a plus, alon with the other opportunities that are offered to the class. my interviewer engaged me on a couple of topics that weren't generic and came up in the course of my answers.
The interviewers were relaxed and casual. One was quite an interesting person, a researcher on the faculty who had a lot of interesting stories to share and was interested in international work (also my primary interest).
the students looked so happy and were friendly...even though it was in the middle of exam week. the faculty and doctors seemed really genuine and caring... i liked the hospital and the area...there's a really pretty view from the library...
The overall feel was good. The students were raucous in the lounge during lunchtime, but that showed they were all happy to be there and enjoying themselves.
Other interviewees. All of them were friendly, and we started up a converstaion fairly easily before the process started. Gives me hope that I'll get along with my fellow classmates.
The teaching and learning facilities. It's apparent that the school invests significant time and resources into developing and maintaining the tools they use to teach. The electronic resources for histology and practice USMLE testing. Also, learning that most of the curricular resources are web acessable (so one could study at home).
I liked the feel of the interview. It was less academically oriented but rather focused on getting to know me, what kind of a person i was, what i liked. It left me with an impression that the admissions board is more likely to view the applicate as a whole person rather than a test score or a GPA average. The entire process left me with an impressions that the medical students got a lot of support from the staff and faculty there. Everyone during the whole day was very helpful and positive.
The school had a very 'small town' feel to it. Students were walking by us during the tour telling us good luck. Some students walked up and shook our hands. The student lounge was small but very cozy feeling. It felt like my living room.
Applicants expressed concerns about disorganization during student-led events, unprofessional financial aid presentations, limited facilities and resources, small class sizes, lack of campus vibrancy, and mixed feelings about the locations of Tucson and Phoenix. Suggestions included improving tour experiences, addressing the campus facilities' shortcomings, enhancing student engagement and diversity, and streamlining the interview process.
The student-led pre-reception did not impress me. I felt it was a little disorganized and lacking gusto.
The financial aid talk consisted of the representative showing us all the numbers, and then giving us a list of physician salaries and telling us that "it's ok, you'll be making tons of money anyway."
I found this highly unprofessional. Moreover, I think the way this was done is dangerous - we don't have enough PC doctors as is. By presenting your financial aid info this way, you're telling future docs to choose their specialties based on future salary....
The campus doesn't have that "college" feel, and that is a big negative for me. The library is really small (it is the size of about a classroom). The students seemed really nice, but they were a bit "dry toast" if you know what I mean. The multicultural office needs to do SOMETHING to spice up the student body.
Interview. Lack of enthusiasm from medical students that we met. One such medical student spent the entire hour long lunch talking about himself and how he was on some student government board. He turned every question asked into something involving what was going on with his life without any connection to the actual question asked. It was a really surreal experience and uncomfortable for all of us that were interviewing that day.
Last year's board exam scores (from now 3rd year students) were lower than usual. They addressed the issue very well--attributed it to the change in curriculm and detailed prevention steps
Tucson, I thought it would be great, but the city is so spread out and as a result requires lots of time spent in the car. Too many strip malls. Not ped friendly.
The tour guides weren't great. It also seems to me that the students at the school didn't get along very well. I specifically asked if they all got along, and the tour guides dodged the question.
PHX Campus - It is a new location that is still building facilities so things are not clear yet as to where classes will be held, when and how the new buildings will come up, etc. Obviously there will be some growing pains associated with a new program. Location...downtown Phoenix/Tempe. Crowded, hot...and the campus really is just a bunch of buildings. Nowhere to be outside and enjoy the winter weather there in Phoenix.
My interviewer. She talked almost the whole time and dominated the interview session. Also, I'm not too keen on the scholarly project- it's just not for me.
PHX Campus - It is a new location that is still building facilities so things are not clear yet as to where classes will be held, when and how the new buildings will come up, etc. Obviously there will be some growing pains associated with a new program. Location...downtown Phoenix/Tempe. Crowded, hot...and the campus really is just a bunch of buildings. Nowhere to be outside and enjoy the winter weather there in Phoenix.
1. Average Step 1 Scores: Scores for the last few years have hovered at or only slightly above the national average.
2. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a large number of students who are seeking to enter primary care fields.
3. 3 Interviews: Having to do 3 separate interviews on 3 separate days is crazy! How is it that every other school in the entire country can schedule all of their interviews for a single day, but UA can't figure it out?
4. Tucson: After living in a large cosmopolitan city for the last four years, it will be a transition to move to Tucson. However, tucson does have several redeeming virtues, including great year-round weather, lots of outdoor activities and a great party scene/nightlife.
5. Residency Placement: Although UA students matched pretty well overall, the number of matches to prestigious programs was low. I suppose that part of this can be chalked up to A) students aiming more towards primary care fields B)AZ residents not wanting to leave the state C) possibly a lower achieving student body in general (although i don't think this is the case) D) Could be connected to average step 1 scores.
6. Older Class: Also not necessarily a bad thing, but there seems to be a higher percentage of non-traditional students here than at other schools. Some students said that having more non traditional students led to some divisions within the class, but I don't believe that this is a big deal.
The fact that there is still a lot of construction going on, and right now the faciliies are limited. Also, 2007 will be the inagural class for the Phoenix campus.
The facilities are outdated, but they are remodeling the whole second floor. We also couldn't see the anatomy lab- our tour guide said it was because there were students working on a cadaver.
I have been to other interviews and this is the first that made a big deal about not seeing the anatomy lab because the faculty didn't want prospective students to see it, it has NOTHING to do with HIPPA, makes me uneasy about working with such faculty as a student.
It would have been nice to see the gross anatomy lab during the tour, but I understand the HIPPA regulations that prohibited us from being able to see the lab.
The actual college of medicine is really small and not entirely new, but it is functional and has some newer parts. The students get what they need from it, which is what's important!
interviews are blind, so the interviewer knows nothing unless you tell them. the idea is that they are supposed to learn about you as a person, but they ask questions about all the stuff that comes up in your file anyway. my interviewer was easy to talk to and relaxed. i liked him, but had he been able to get some background on me first, alot of my answers whould have made more sense and communication would have been easier. its almost like you feel you have to toot you own horn to let them know what your capable of. some of the classrooms look a little beat up, but he clinical facilities are great.
Lack of interest in me--I think that because I asked so many questions of them and their interests, the hour-long interview (i had two) was mostly me listening to them.
Overall, the interview day was a let down. I was interviewed by a pathologist and a radiologist, so we had very little common ground (as I wish to become an ob). One of the physicians told me right off the back that he hates pt's, so the interview went down hill from there.
Never been a big fan of Tucson. Had friends who went there for undergrad, they loved the school, but couldn't wait to get out of Tucson. w/ luck I'll only be there for two as I selected Phoenix for my 3rd and 4th years.
Tucson and my interviewer. I've lived in a very large, progressive, and culturally diverse city attending college, Tucson is small and much more homogenous. Also, my interviewer was late and seemed to be having a bad day, and I think she was a little curt because of it.
One negative aspective of the visit came the actual medical school students that gave us the tour. They seemed nice and informative when asked a question, but they didn't have a clear agenda. It seemed like we wondered around the facilities without a real purpose.
I felt the orientation after the lunch and tour was a bit long(1 hour). I was having trouble focusing and really just wanted to get to the interview. They did provide us some valuable stats but I would like to have seen this limited to maybe 30 minutes tops.
nothing, except that I don't like having to go back and do a community physician interview on a separate date. I'd rather do the whole thing on one day and get it over with.
Applicants commonly wished they had known more specifics about the interview format and question types, the campus facilities, and the timeline for hearing back from the admissions committee. Suggestions included preparing for scenario-based questions, being aware of the unique aspects of each campus, and understanding the admissions process timeline to manage expectations.
They have a low rate of acceptance post interview.
This was my first MMI, so I guess I wish I knew what question types I would get. There weren't really any ethical scenarios which I had prepped for. They were more scenario-based or normal type interview questions.
Didn't know till a week before that since I was only interviewing at Tucson, I had to do an interview with a local doctor as well. This second interview was EXTREMELY relaxed and was happy to have a chance to do it.
Tucson campus: For such a big school the medical school is fairly small. Relatively new facilities but it still seemed awfully cramped. The budget crisis has hit this school hard.
Phoenix campus: The three buildings that comprise the U of A medical school in Phoenix are embarrassing. The tour guide showed us all the “nooks and crannies” that medical students claim as their own to study in. One was a desk in the corner of a flight of stairs. The facilities are ridiculous. My junior high school had better facilities. They have such a small space for their anatomy labs that it was deemed hazardous and they subsequently had to spend thousands of dollars on gas masks to protect the students while doing their anatomy labs. Can you imagine, a student was bragging about how the school took care of them by buying expensive gas masks so that they could do their anatomy labs. What a joke.
There was a large group of applicants interviewing and for some reason I expected there only to be a couple of us. But everyone was very friendly and lunch was provided! Yay for free food!
If you interview at both campuses, be aware that your interview information/performance will be shared between both campuses. This is how you get two total interviews (one from each campus).
I could have interviewed in the morning and eaten lunch/toured afterwards. I had my lunch before the interview and was so nervous I couldn't hardly eat anything.
I wish their were more details on their web-site that show how different and unique the PHX program is, not to mention how qualified and outstanding their faculty is. I really went in expecting a UofA Tucson style program.
I wish their were more details on their web-site that show how different and unique the PHX program is, not to mention how qualified and outstanding their faculty is. I really went in expecting a UofA Tucson style program.
How short the tour would be. The overall interview day was very short. Checked in at like 10 and was done by 2 or so. This included the interview, tour, and lunch. I have been to some all day marathons, so I appreciated the brevity.
That I would not hear back until the beginning of February! This is crazy! I submitted my application to UA at the same time as all my other schools and I found out from most of them in the middle of October! It took UA 4 months longer to accept me. This is a really bad policy because some students start to hear from other schools and begin withdrawing from other schools. I bet that UA loses out on some great students because of this and their notoriously strange admissions standards.
University of Arizona is launching a new curriculum for the 2006 incoming class. I got the impression that the students didn't know much about it and the faculty weren't really on board for it and that they still didn't have a lot of the crucial plans worked out. They wouldn't tell us anything about the grading system, but later the school put out a flyer about how the new curriculum would have like 5/6ths of the grade based on touchy feely groupwork and peer evaluation garbage. That's a MAJOR red flag. Even at great schools, the first year of a new curriculum is bumpy. At an average school like UofA, it seems like it might be a total nightmare. I mean, I'd still maybe think about going there if they let me in but it fell way way down from being my top choice anymore.
U of A is USMLE testing site, this is a nice resource and advantage for the program. 2nd year students have the opportunity to practice clinical skills on an interactive robot model.
The interviewers didn't have a set of questions to ask me. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to squeeze all of my experiences/volunteer work into the interview but both interviewers asked me "is there anything else you would like me to know about you" so I was able to talk about all my experiences and wrap up my interview.
The school doesn't even begin reviewing "complete" files until December and the first notifications are in January, then Feb, then March. So theoretically, I have to wait almost 6 months before I find out if I get in.
FinAid is sort of a mess. We were told that if we didn't submit our fafsa prior to the feb deadline we would not beable to get aid. Our acceptance would not even be sent out until march.
The itinerary: meet at admissions office, orientation w/ an admissions officer, then a 30-5- min interview, lunch with 2 medical students in a lounge, and followed by a short student guided tour.
That there are some bright medical students who have spent time outside of Arizona (lived some where else, borne elsewhere, attended school out of state).
Applicants generally found the interviews at the University of Arizona to be relaxed and conversational, with interviewers showing genuine interest in getting to know them. They appreciated the friendly atmosphere, the emphasis on fit with the school, and the opportunities provided by the curriculum and resources available. Some mentioned specific aspects of the program, such as the MMI format, the new research program, and the supportive campus community.
I was overall impressed by the school. Tucson is not for everyone, and I think they look for a specific fit (which is why a lot of OOS get interview waitlisted). They are integrating a new research program into their curriculum. Also, their distinction tracts prepare you to be competitive for residency applications.
there is nothing you can do to specifically prepare for this interview because it's in the MMI format. you can practice thinking on your feet by reviewing practice questions to familiarize yourself with the process.
I liked the school very much. Yes, its public, but with that comes a lot of resources. Also, it could be cheaper than a private school, if you're able to get AZ residency.
Impressed by the MMI process and the student body (and the food), felt that the structure of the interview day could have been a little more productive.
This place has quite a particular curriculum and the location is unique in some ways. if ever there were a 'fit' school, UofA is it. You will know if this is your place.
good luck everyone!
Each campus has advantages and disadvantages but I think both would be a great place to go to medical school. Out of the nine schools that I've interviewed at, the U of A was surprisingly in my top two choices
This was a great interview. This was my second interview because I only interviewed in Phoenix. She seemed really interested and excited to get to know me. Great conversation.
I had a fabulous experience. Very committed and personal school- felt like they care about creating wonderful doctors. If you are into a huge well-known research school this is not for you, but if you are want to personally know your teachers as mentors- this is a GREAT school!
Both Phx and Tucson are incredible programs!!! My interview at Tucson was a bit more stressful but still had a great day there as well. Good luck everyone!!!
I have a pretty low MCAT, but the interviewer didn't seem too bothered by it. He seemed to want to get to know me as a person, so the interview was very conversational and it was nice. It seems like such good school, but the location and campus are really the only down sides for me. We were also told that they are interviewing about 550 students and have received over 1200 or 1500 apps so far (can't remember which one). I'm not sure if these numbers are for the Phx campus alone, or both Phx and Tucson campuses.
Love UA undergrad, from what I hear the med school is back on the rise after a couple rough years due to new dean (who is currently out and there is a newer dean). Location may be boring for some, lot of outdoor activities if you're into that; great campus feel and good weather.
I am thankful that I got into another school, just heard today, so that I do not have to attend this school. If you happen to not be so lucky, it is okay as all will be doctors at the other side. You will just have to grin and take it for four years if you go here to the U of A med school.
This feedback is regarding the Phoenix campus.
Also, I just want to say that if you have to stay at a hotel, I highly recommend The Clarendon. It's modern, there's a rooftop bar, restaurant, and pool. Great staff. Wonderful pillows. I got upgraded to a suite, and had a drink with the owner. Great experience!
This is for the TUCSON campus. The interview was very casual - really a free flow discussion. Up to you if you want to steer it in a direction that will favor you! So take advantage of this situation if the interviewer allows it.
Great school, great program (Phoenix campus). It is obvious that the curriculum has been tailored to the students and that alot of thought/research/effort was put into making it a great medical school. Seems like a very well-rounded education experience. A little hesitant regarding the space limitations and that the program is only 2 years old.
I love this school (Tucson campus). The best aspect was seeing the students interact and hearing from them at the lunch hour and campus tour. They all have so much enthusiasm for the program and truly love every bit of it. The adjacent teaching hospital is also a big plus for me.
We did not get to see the hospital on the tour. Lunch was a brown bag lunch and there was only 1 vegetarian bag available. About 7 other students were on the tour/information session. Every student is supposed to have 2 interviews, either with a MS4, PhD, or MD (from the community or faculty).
The interviewers get to choose if they want open/closed file. Mine chose open. She did a lot of talking in the beginning about the new curriculum.She told me that I had done well in my application, but that doesn't guarantee anything, since there are so few spots.
I love this school. Before the interview, I would have never thought I would even consider attending UA, but now I think this is where I will choose to go over most other schools I have applied to.
This entry accounts for BOTH interviews...the on-campus and the community physician interview. My community interview was much more laid-back and relaxing. My interviewer and I shared some experiences / philosophies that made it very easy to draw examples and express ideas. Overall...I feel very good about my community interview. On the other hand; my on-campus interview began with the interviewer telling me that he had been in medicine for over 30 years...he has seen the best...and NOW he is seeing the worst. What a way to kick off an interview! He challenged me time and again (pretty much the topic of the entire interview) about my intentions and dedication to medicine (based upon the fact that I am a "returning-student", and have enjoyed other careers before coming to medicine). The GOOD news is that I handled the challenges well, and stepped-up to the plate in addressing his concerns effectively. PLUS, we were all forearned that some of us may be challenged, and most of those who MEET the challenge earn better recommendations than those who went unchallenged during their interview. Nonetheless...he openly questioned - because of my age (I'm in my mid 30's...not that old) - the probability that I would make a significant contribution to the field of medicine, compared to my younger contemporaries. I really do not know what to expect of his recommendation...if he touches on that point he could possibly come-off sounding age-biased. We'll see what happens. Getting accepted here would mean that I would not have to re-locate my wife and kids accross the country.
I was very impressed with my state school, after interviewing it was my first choice and now that I am accepted I will definately attend here over other schools. The interview itself was very casual, closed file and a bit generic (he read questions off of a sheet and then wrote the responses down). Overall, everyone I met was very friendly and I enjoyed the day.
Overall a great experience. The campus is very new and everyone is very friendly. There are plans for expansion of the campus with its own hospital (which of course will take 20 years), but it is all very exciting.
The day starts at 8:45am, with a 15min orientation. then from 9:00am-10:00am we get a overview of the curriculum, UA-phoenix works in a block schedule format. Faculty interviews are from 10:00-11:00am but, the curriculum overview went over by about 20min. Which wasn't a big deal because interview. normally only take 30min.
We then took a tour of the campus (really small since there is only 24 students), and had lunch with a current student.
The Univerisity has great opportunities for rural and immigrant health care in Nogales and other areas around the state. The staff and community are really dedicated to underserved populations
I have reposted this from my posting under the UofA Tucson heading now that they have created a separate entry for Phoenix.
SDN still hasn't added the UofA Phoenix program on here, so this entry only addresses Phoenix. Day starts are 845 with check in. Their is a short presentation on the curriculum and future plans for the school. Top notch stuff. Half the group interviews at 1000, the other half at 1100. While one group interviews the other one gets a tour of the campus, then they switch. There is tons of space for research facilities and the facilities they do have are brand new. I felt like I was in an IKEA catalog too by the new decor everywhere. My interviewer was outstanding. The best that I have had in 8 interviews thus far. After the tour/interview you have lunch with the students. Since they are in their first year of the new program (and they are the first class at the Phoenix campus) they were pretty excited about anything. A common theme that came up was that they had ''faith'' in the faculty despite all the unkowns about the new program. I was very impressed with the visit. The PHX campus/program is top notch and will only get better as they flesh out their facilities and work through the growing pains.
It's a very low-key and relaxed day. An intro session about the curriculum and future changes, then a tour and interview (the order depends on the group you're in), followed by lunch with medical students, and that's it!
This interview made me even more excited about this school. Everyone seems to feel that the new curriculum is a great, if not perfect, change. The resources seem pretty good, and the students like it here, too. I really hope I get accepted.
Phx interview was open file, and I was asked several directed questions. However, Tucson interview was completely closed file. Could be accepted to both campuses
SDN still hasn't added the UofA Phoenix program on here, so this entry only addresses Phoenix.
Day starts are 845 with check in. Their is a short presentation on the curriculum and future plans for the school. Top notch stuff. Half the group interviews at 1000, the other half at 1100. While one group interviews the other one gets a tour of the campus, then they switch. There is tons of space for research facilities and the facilities they do have are brand new. I felt like I was in an IKEA catalog too by the new decor everywhere. My interviewer was outstanding. The best that I have had in 8 interviews thus far. After the tour/interview you have lunch with the students. Since they are in their first year of the new program (and they are the first class at the Phoenix campus) they were pretty excited about anything. A common theme that came up was that they had ''faith'' in the faculty despite all the unkowns about the new program. I was very impressed with the visit. The PHX campus/program is top notch and will only get better as they flesh out their facilities and work through the growing pains.
Drove from Phoenix to Tucson. For some reason Tucson has most of the I-10 exits closed for the next few years. They couldn't just work on them one or two at a time, so they closed them all. Schedule yourself extra time to navigate the poor city planning. Showed up about 30 minutes early. There were about 10 of us in the interview group and we chatted. Received a brief overview of the day and the admissions process from Tanisha who was very friendly and helpful. Was escorted off to the interview. Interviewed (closed file) for about 45 minutes. Met with a couple of 1st year students and had lunch with them. It was actually very good. Got a short tour of the facilities. This was the only school that didn't let you see the anatomy lab...something about respect for the dead. Then we met with another admissions guy who talked more about the programs and fielded questions. Checked out at the admissions office and went home.
The interviews were fairly basic. The Tucson & community interviewers wanted to discuss my clinical experience, while the Phoenix interviewer only wanted to talk about my research experience. It's true what everyone says, a very laid back experience. No ethics/tricky questions like at other schools.
Started out with lunch with two medical students and the other interviewees. This provided valuable q&a time! Took a tour of the facilities, met with admissions for a quick info session and then went to our interviews.
Good overall. There was a second interview with a community physician which they assign, and then a third interview at the new Phoenix campus. Both of these interviews are mandatory, one-on-one, and closed file. Low stress interviews!
Pleasant. I learned a lot and really felt I represented myself well through the questions I was asked. Nothing caught me off guard, it was an overall enjoyable experience.
It was very relaxed, and everyone was very excited to have us up there and interviewing. It looks like Phoenix has the potential to become a great campus.
At the school I thought it was great how quick the day went and compact they made everything. They provided all the material needed for any questions you might have. My interview with the U of A Dr. was 30 minutes and conversational. My community interview was over an hour and was great, I like the opportunity the school provides to sit down with a practicing physician and ask questions. Overall, it was a very positive interviewing process.
The entire process was very relaxed, the on campus interview doc was very friendly, told me what he thought of how I interviewed. The free lunch was nice, but I wasn't very hungry b/c I had an afternoon interview. After lunch they gave a tour, talked about their admissions process and the interviews followed.
Both interview (faculty member and community physician) were very laid back. I was more nervous than I needed to be... both of them were just very conversational.
This is a very laid back interview. I was scheduled for the morning interview. After checking in there is a short grace period before the orientation presentation to allow anyone running late to get there. The Orientation is about an hour long. You are presented with pertinent information about the admissions process, specifics about the adcom, information as to when we can expect notifications, data for last year's applicant pool, Information about specialty programs for student involvement, financial aid info, name and location of today's interviewer and notification about how to set up the interview with the community physician you are asigned to meet with in the coming weeks. Then you are directed or escorted to your interviewer. The individual interview can take between 30-50 minutes. Then you return for a light lunch with a M1 and a M2, followed by a tour of the facilities. Those in scheduled for the afternoon session initially have lunch, followed by the tour, followed by orientation presentation, concluded with the individual interview. All in all the day is about 3 hours long.
Both interviewers (faculty member and community physician) were genuinely interested in learning why I want to be a doctor. They were not intimidating so it was easy to be myself. Just smile and be sure to ask questions about why they went into medicine and what they like the most about their profession (they like that).
Both the on-site interview and community physician interview were relaxed. It's definitely a low-pressure situation, but that doesn't mean the interviewers don't take their job seriously. The first interview took 45 minutes, which is pretty typical. The orientation was brief but informative, as was the tour. The lunch was kind of unnecessary -- hardly anyone in the afternoon group even ate, so it was a waste of food!! The community interview, which you have to set up yourself, lasted 2 1/2 hours! I really lucked out to have such an awesome physician, but he went over EVERYthing. It was him talking most of the time, but that's a good thing. He was open and honest about the school and the profession, but he was also very encouraging. Overall I liked this process much better because there are no expectations of the student based on a primary application. It gives them a chance to really see how well you communicate, what experiences you've had and your motivation to become a doctor, which is what they are really after.
Both my community physician interview and interview at the school were easy. The one at the school was so laid back and we ended up just having a conversation. My community physician interview was a little more formal, but no hard questions were asked.
laid back for the most part and very informative compared to others i have been to. they went in depth over admissions proceedures, financial aid, cirriculum, etc. it was good, and not too long of a day. no down time like other places.
I got into medical school with a mediocre science GPA (3.5) and a lousy MCAT score (27). I can only imagine that my admittance was because of good life experiences, good recommendations, and good interviews. The KEY to good interviews is to be interested in your interviewers!! People love to answer questions and they love if you are curious about them, so show that you want to know about them and about the school, without sounding phony (i.e. if you're really not interested, don't bother asking)
Prior to interview day, UofA had been my first choice, however after the tour and the interview I changed my mind. I was put off by the "hurry up and wait" mentality of the school. Students were overall friendly, but staff seems distiant. I was accepted, but turned it down. Think carefully before you take their acceptance.
It was very laid back. This was my first interview, and I was sick with a fever. Still, I left feeling very confident in my experience. I actually made friends with the doctor who interviewed me at the school, and then my community interview went extremely well also. I was also impressed with the friendliness of the students, and liked that the school would actually count some medical volunteer activities as fourth year electives.
A lot of people say that the UA interview is laidback and conducted by the friendliest staff. I am sure most of them are. MOST of them. I was unfortunetly interviewed by one who was not so nice. This man was bitter and distrusting. As I explained about why I wanted to go into medicine, the man stared me down, as if he was trying to pick out my littlest flaws. I did not get any reaction from him (neither a nod or a smile) as I finished my story. Throughout the interview, he seemed to believe that all of my achievements were simply things to say to impress the committee. He told me that getting into medical school is a game, and that people do things to make themselves look good in order to fool the committee into letting them in. "Sometimes, if they're good enough, we get fooled" he said. My reaction was a little bit of shock because the man was practically accusing me of wrongdoing. He then told me straight up, "We're not dumb." The interview continued as I struggled to defend myself. At one point, when I brought up the fact that physicians should love working with patients, he coldly replied "I hate patients." I knew at this point that I had no shot of getting in. There was no point in expressing compassion to a man that hates patients. Eventually, after a grueling 40 minutes, he ended the interview without asking if I had any questions. He walked out of his office and left me to find my way back, alone. I am sure that this doesn't happen to all applicants. After all, there are over 100 interviewers. I just happened to get the prick. How unlucky huh? I hope yours wont be as bad as mine.
UofA has a two-step interview process: A hospital based interview and a community based interview. I did well on the hospital-based. Did make some mistakes (I digressed from the question), but overall the interviewer was helpful.
I rocked on the community-based interview. I clicked with the doctor and we talked about several research topics. He treated me more like a collegue, instead of a candidate.
I had a great overall experience. My interviewer was late but he was really congenial and we started talking so much that we lost track of the time (it was supposed to be 30 mins). He even asked me to come by after the lunch and tour and see his clinic and told me to call whenever I'm in the area. I got along really well with him and his secretary, and they both tried to convince me to come here. It was my first interview so I was a bit nervous but everyone was so friendly and made me feel really comfortable. My community interview also went well, but not as well as this one. The doctor was very busy so a little distracted, but he was also very encouraging and warmed up after the first 15 minutes.
This was my first interview and really with U of A being my state school it is sort of my fall back school. I felt I could be happy there and come out competitive and with low debt when compared to other schools. However, the students said that the best thing about U of A was its laid back atmosphere and not the opportunities it provided. I want opportunities. My community physician interview was a waste because we only met for like 20 minutes and he talked the whole time.
Most of the questions were usual, but the conversations were really lively. I lucked out with a great interviewer and we clicked right away. I got his business card and he invited me to visit him at the OR. This is my second time applying here. Previously, the faculty interviewer was friendly too. (My community physician interview back then wasn't quite as nice. We'll see how it goes this time.)
Bottom Line: Just be you and try your best to relax.
All in all a good experience. Sounds like the school really supports the students and the students support each other. The CUP program sounds really interesting, and I like the opportunities available to travel abroad, you get to help people who really need it, and you get to travel which I love. Community physician interview went OK, not as good as the interview at UofA, but not horrible or anything.
All in all a good experience. Sounds like the school really supports the students and the students support each other. The CUP program sounds really interisting, and I like the opportunities available to travel abroad, you get to help people who really need it, and you get to travel which I love. Community physician interview went OK, not as good as the interview at UofA, but not horrible or anything.
My interviewer was plesent enough yet quite direct.
Fine I guess, but I can't compare b/c it was my first interview.
Seeing the learning/teaching resources and talking with a current student who got his BS form Duke assured me that the school is able to provide an excellent educational opportunity to learn the medical sciences-especially at a state school price.
My comments: Just like for any kind of interview, if you try to stay informed, can relate well with people, know yourself, and really have something to say; then you'll be fine.
About my community Dr interview: It was very relaxed and conversational. No 'tough' questions, just one on one with someone who wants to talk about you, medicine, and their own experiences.
Overall, it was not very intimiating, unlike many other medical schools. After the interview, i left with a positive outlook and a feeling that people there would genuinely cared about my well-been as a med student. Unlike other schools, the admissions process was clearly explained and not kept as a close-guarded secret. At no point did anyone make me feel like I was wasting their time. The interviewees were never in a rush and gave me ample time to answer. One interviewee even gave me some advice on med school should i attend next year.
Both interviews went great (you have one at the school and one at a later date with a physician near you). Both interviewers were very laid back and made it a very comfortable experience. I will definately go there if I'm accepted. Very nice price tag.
Very laid back interview. Very few, if any, ethical questions or questions about current issues in healthcare. I was asked a lot about my family. Make sure you can talk about the support system that you will have during medical school.
no worries...just be a little prepared just in case...My doc didn't have any questions prepared...so I was able to direct the interview wherever I wanted...and that made things really nice...
Some did not like that the school was an 'add-on' to the hospital but I thought the whole atmosphere was very close knit. The interview itself was very casual and more like a conversation between two equals. The tour was interesting although I would have liked to go in the gross anatomy lab. They even showed us the refrigerators where the students store their lunches that the bring to school with them. It really gave you a feel for what it might be like to be a student there.
The interview is very low stress. During the orientation session after the interview, the director of admissions has question and answer session that is very helpful. They say that the interviewer should be looked at as your advocate to the admissions committee.
The interview was pretty normal. Interviewer focused on why I wanted to be a physician, clinical experiences, extra-curricular experiences, etc. There were no surprises and no ethical questions.
Very loss stress. No reason to worry about the interviews. the questions asked are straight forward and the interviewers really seem interested in getting to know the applicants. Just be yourslelf and thing will go well.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office provide breakfast on the day of interviews and improve the flow of the interview day with better organization and formal closing discussions. Overall, applicants appreciate the friendly and helpful staff and recommend maintaining the current positive practices.
Nothing, they have been very receptive and friendly.
Provide breakfast on day of interview - especially for applicants in the first session. We're up at 5AM to get ready and packed, so help us out by removing the stress of finding food. Maybe integrate it into your intro talk, and let us eat while you talk.
Tie the interview day together better, with an "arrival" event and an "official ending" . . we basically walked out of the interviews rooms and straight to our cars without any formal closing discussions. It was somewhat shocking at the time compared to other schools which weaved the day together better, having a meet and greet on arrival and then opportunity at the end to ask questions, etc.
The staff was great! There was a bit of trouble getting into the conference room for lunch (someone had locked it), so the tour was rushed, but no problems outside of this.
