Vancouver, BC
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 19% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.3
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 131 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?
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 were neutral about their interview.
Positively (48%)
Negatively (18%)
No change (33%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (27%)
Good (35%)
Average (35%)
Bad (4%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants had mixed experiences with the MMI format, with some finding it relaxed and enjoyable while others felt it was stressful and intimidating. Feedback included a desire for more interaction from interviewers, varied panel experiences, and the importance of staying positive and professional throughout.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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MMI based interviews - 10 mini-interviews with 2 minutes to read a prompt and 7 minutes to respond to that prompt to an interviewer. Prompts can be anything, but generally fall into the following categories: ethical, critical thinking, role-playing, health-care system knowledge, rural care knowledge
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I was relaxed and gave full answers. I wanted them to see my personality and I believe they did. The interviewers seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. We finished the standard questions in 40 minutes and chatted until it was time to go . . . we ended up talking about the Simpsons!!
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It's a big crapshot. Some of my friends had very accomodating interviewers; others, like me, were not very fortunate. UBC seems to be looking for different qualities from most other schools.
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Very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. NO question opportunity for the interviewee as the interviewers are not school reps.
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Interviewers were not very friendly - a family member who came with me even commented that when she saw me exiting the interview space with them, they seemed a lot colder than the others. This made it kind of difficult to talk to them, and the interview had a few stony silences.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
43 Minutes Average
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Number:
3.2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
29% One-on-One
71% Group Interview
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File Type:
82% Open-File
18% Closed-File
UBC-FOM-COMP interviews are an average of 43 minutes, with an average of 3.2 interviews. 29% of interviews are one-on-one, and 18% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include defining integrity with examples, discussing qualities of a good doctor and demonstrating them, and explaining the importance of honesty and truth-telling in medicine. Many respondents mentioned being asked about integrity, qualities of a good physician, and their motivations for pursuing a medical career, indicating a focus on ethical standards and personal attributes in the interview process. Some responses suggest an MMI format with a possible nondisclosure agreement in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Define integrity. Give an example where you showed or failed to show integrity. What did you learn from it?
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All questions are already mentioned in past students' reviews.
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Why do you want to be a doctor?
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Define Integrity, example of you demonstrating integrity
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Signed confidentiality agreement.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine discussed a variety of topics, including personal values like integrity, explaining complex concepts in layman's terms, and ethical dilemmas like patient confidentiality. The interview format may have been an MMI, as some responses alluded to an Integrity series and unique scenarios, possibly involving a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None. It was just boring standardized questions.
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They asked me about a technical term from piano, which I play and mentioned in my application
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Why do you want to work in the community that you volunteer in?
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What does ischemia mean? (the word was in my essay = do not use medical words in med school application forms)
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What's a local, national or global non-medical issue that you're passionate about?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing common interview questions with friends or through mock interviews, researching current events and healthcare issues, and reflecting on their experiences to be able to provide thoughtful answers during the interview. Many also sought advice from current medical students, read bioethical texts, and utilized online resources for interview preparation.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Didn't. Had some interviews before this one, but this was my first and last MMI.
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Knew my essay and resume inside and out. Thought of a few key stories, examples that could answer a variety of questions. Asked current med students for advice. Prayed!!!
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This was my 7th and last interview, so I slacked a bit.
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I practiced some standard interview questions. I did a couple mock interviews with friends.
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Current events (CBC health web/radio), Macleans mag, interviewed some docs, reflected on my resume/application, practiced my answers, thought about ethical dilemmas and framework for solving them....
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine discussed a variety of scenarios, including explaining research in layman's terms, discussing conflicts and resolutions, addressing community involvement, and defining and demonstrating integrity. Additionally, respondents mentioned an Integrity series and a multi-part question on qualities of a good physician, potentially indicating an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Cost-benefit analysis of situations.
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Talk about a time you were involved in a conflict, how you resolved it and what you learned.
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They asked me to explain my research in laymen's terms...and then kept on pressing me about the details of site-directed mutagenesis which was a trivial part of my research.
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Describe a time where you had to deal with conflict and what you learned from it.
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I found all of the questions pretty straightforward and had prepared for all of them.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness and welcoming attitude of the interviewers, students, and volunteers, which helped to alleviate stress and create a relaxed atmosphere during the interview process. Additionally, the top-notch facilities, well-organized program, and emphasis on early clinical exposure at UBC were highlighted as impressive aspects that stood out to many applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing at all. But I do appreciate some of my interviewers for ''breaking the rules'' and having somewhat of a conversation with me.
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The whole interview process was very well organized.
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The facilities and students... but then being a UBC ugrad they weren't any surprises.
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Vancouver is an amazing city. Also, the new building is beautiful and top notch.
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New facilities, nice interviewers and very nice students.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions of the University of British Columbia's MMI interview process, citing it as impersonal, structured, lacking in genuine interaction, and overly standardized. Suggestions included encouraging more conversational-style interactions, allowing for individual expression, and providing opportunities for follow-up questions to demonstrate interest in applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I wish UBC will get it into their thick heads that the MMI is just a popular trend. I thought it would be better than the panel, but no, nothing much has changed, except maybe they've taken out some bias factor (but interviewers are human, there's always bias). It's still impersonal, they still don't know anything about you, and they can't have a normal conversation with you. The interview experience was the most awful one I've ever had. The interviewers don't know anything about you, and it doesn't seem like they want to. Several of my interviewers apologized to me for being so cold because they were instructed not to show any emotions to prevent ''treating applicants unfairly.'' Each station is 8 minutes, and if you finish your piece early, you are not allowed to talk to your interviewers, you are supposed to sit there in awkward silence. ''Be yourself''?! That's total BS in this interview format.
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Can't think of anything!
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Pretty much everything else. My interview panel was very stiff, didn't bother to make much eye contact with me or make me comfortable in any way, and even cut me off in one of my answers (which didn't even go beyond a minute and happen to be to the question ''Why medicine'').
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The whole interview process was very impersonal. The interview itself was very stiff.
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The subsiduary programs seem very good but I'm not thrilled with having to start out at UBC for first 4 months, then have to move over Christmas to IMP or NMP.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known not to stress if asked if they have anything more to say, not to take rejections personally, to arrive on time, to dress formally, to simplify their research explanation, and to not worry too much about preparing for specific scenarios. They also recommended being calm, expecting supportive interviewers, bringing a picture ID, and focusing on current events for discussion.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Don't stress if they keep asking you if you have anything more to say or anything else to add. Just say no if you don't. UBC admissions is crapshoot, so don't take it personally if you don't get in. Try again.
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Do not go early!! I arrived five minutes before my slot. Other applicants had been sitting there stewing for 30 minutes.
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Nothing
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Leave your jacket, portfolio, umbrella, and other things at home - go into the lobby wearing only your interview suit and carrying minimal things (one purse max!) Oh, make sure to dress up too. Everyone is in formal business attire - pretty much dressed to the nines.
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Nothing.
🤝 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 moderately 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 suggest that the admissions office should consider making changes to their process, however, they acknowledge that changes may take time to implement since the office recently adopted the MMI format.
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Many, but things will unlikely change since they've only adopted the MMI this year. Let's wait a fe
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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YVR
100% interviewees used YVR (YVR).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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23% Airplane
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42% Automobile
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23% Train or Subway
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12% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the La Quinta Inn (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at UBC West Coast Suites (average rating 9/10). (Top 2 displayed)
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La Quinta Inn
10/10
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UBC West Coast Suites
9/10
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 Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Other (20%)
Student (80%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (82%)
Neutral (18%)
All Responses
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