University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Little Rock, AR
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 29% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.2
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 236 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (87%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (5%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (51%)
Good (38%)
Average (7%)
Poor (2%)
Bad (2%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at UAMS to be relaxed and conversational, with interviewers showing genuine interest in getting to know them. Suggestions included being prepared to discuss personal background, motivations for pursuing medicine, hobbies, handling stress, future plans, and asking questions during the interview. Some applicants also mentioned the welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff at UAMS.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The interview was great, the tour was amazing, and the people at UAMS genuinely care about who you are and what you have to offer the school.
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I had a wonderful interview experience at UAMS.
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Be yourself! The interviewers are very friendly and genuinely want to get to know you.
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UAMS is definitely one of the top med schools in the region. Even I wasn't from Arkansas, I would consider it one of the my top choices.
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I was very impressed with UAMS, their facilities, and their approachability. Regardless of whether they accept you or not, they make an effort to make you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the application and interview process. The hospitals they run and work with, the faculty that interviewed us, the educational facilities we toured, our med student tour guides, and even the fruit and cheese tables in the waiting area were all top notch.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
50 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.3 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
39% One-on-One
61% Group Interview
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File Type:
0% Open-File
100% Closed-File
UAMS-COMP interviews are an average of 50 minutes, with an average of 2.3 interviews. 39% of interviews are one-on-one, and 100% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about strengths and weaknesses, stress management techniques, long-term career goals as a physician, handling difficult patient situations, views on healthcare reform, definitions of success, motivations for pursuing medicine, acts of generosity, support systems, and personal background details. Additionally, respondents mentioned questions related to their interest in specific schools, reasons for pursuing an MD/PhD, role models, leadership experiences, negative attributes, recent readings, family support, and financial plans for medical school. Some responses also indicated a focus on personal narratives, academic achievements, and reasons for choosing a particular medical institution.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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How do you relieve stress?
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In 20 years, when you look back on your career as a physician, what one question will you ask yourself that will show you that you have made a difference?
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If you were a treating patient X, and patient X decided not to proceed with any further treatment, how would you deal with such a situation?
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Why medicine?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine discussed various scenarios such as consulting a family on leg amputation, handling patient treatment refusals based on religious beliefs, and ethical dilemmas like choosing between patient care options. The interview format appears to be an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) with diverse ethical, personal, and situational questions, suggesting respondents might be under a nondisclosure agreement due to limited details shared.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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If you could have dinner with three living people, who would you choose?
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How would you consult with a family who has a son that needs a leg amputated?
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None
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If you were a treating patient X, and patient X decided not to proceed with any further treatment, how would you deal with such a situation?
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Why haven't you considered attending schools further away?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by conducting mock interviews, studying healthcare policies, reading sample questions, reviewing their application materials, staying current on healthcare topics, and utilizing resources like SDN and school websites. They also practiced answering common questions, discussed with peers, and kept abreast of current events to feel more confident and prepared for their interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I read SDN interview reviews to see what could be asked and prepared answers for those questions.
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I studied healthcare policies, scheduled 3 practice medical school interviews that my university offers, and reflected on how I would answer a wide range of questions.
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Mock interview. Read up on information about the school.
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Youtube videos Pre-med club practice interviews during sophomore year
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Read a book on medical school interview and prepare from questions on here :)
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult questions asked at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including handling stress in medical school, views on healthcare reform, personal achievements, and ethical dilemmas. Additionally, some respondents mentioned specific scenarios like choosing internship locations or making tough decisions as a captain in the Air Force, while others faced questions about their support systems, weaknesses, and future goals in healthcare.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How will you handle the stress of medical school?
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Tell me about yourself.
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None
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What do you suggest we do if there is no money for health reform?
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Will the new health care reform be good or bad for primary care physicians?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and welcoming nature of the staff, faculty, and students at the campus. They also highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities and emphasis on clinical skills, along with the engaging and conversational interview process that helped alleviate anxiety.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The campus was nice!
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The interviewers displayed genuine interest in me as I answered their questions. The interview was more conversational than anything, and that decreased my anxiety during the session.
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Campus. Environment. Location.
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How friendly and nice both interviewers were.
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Everyone was very welcoming and friendly!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly shared negative feedback about the lack of engaging conversation during interviews, uninterested interviewers, the tour being uninformative or disorganized, and the school appearing less student-focused and more research-oriented. Suggestions included improving interviewer engagement, enhancing tour experiences, and increasing student-focused aspects of the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The interviewers seemed to be just reading off questions. I was hoping it would have felt more like a conversation. (This was obviously probably partly my fault.)
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Nothing.
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Interviewers had no interest whatsoever
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N/A
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Got stuck in Ed II's elevator during the tour
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the relaxed and conversational nature of the interview, leading to reduced stress levels. Other common suggestions included being more informed about research at UAMS, preparing more in-depth explanations of their motivations, and ensuring familiarity with logistical details such as accommodations, interview format, and campus navigation.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How relaxed and conversational the interview was. I would not have stressed out as much if I had known that.
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N/a
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Not to worry/stress over potentially tough medical ethics questions during the interview, because the interview was VERY laid back.
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Suggested accommodations in the area for an overnight stay. Other than that, they covered all the things I needed to expect for an interview and visiting their campus.
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Mean interviewers aren't always a bad thing, and not everyone gets nice interviewers. The majority of people I talked to who had had an interview with UAMS said that their interview was extremely laid back. One even said that they talked about snowboarding the entire time... That was definitely not my experience.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should transition to digital processes, such as online/email supplemental applications and electronic secondary applications. They also appreciated the friendly and supportive approach taken by the office to make the application process less stressful.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing.
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Online/email supplemental application
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They do an amazing job of trying to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. They know it is a stressful process and seem to take steps to make sure it's as friendly an office and application process as possible.
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Go digital.
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Should introduce themselves before the Dean's Welcome speech. Great people though.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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LIT
78% interviewees used LIT (LIT), with 11% using Adams Field (Adams Field) and 11% using Little Rock National Airport (Little Rock National Airport).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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28% Airplane
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67% Automobile
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3% Train or Subway
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3% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the The Peabody (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Legacy hotel (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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The Peabody
10/10
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Legacy hotel
10/10
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Guest House Inn
10/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Faculty member (2%)
Other (2%)
Student (96%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (78%)
Neutral (22%)
All Responses
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