University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Davis, CA
Veterinary Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 7% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
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 scenarios related to euthanasia, ethical dilemmas in veterinary practice, views on animal research, motivations for pursuing veterinary medicine, and personal experiences and future goals in the field. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement as the interview format seems to be the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) based on the diversity and depth of questions asked.
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Cannot disclose
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A client shows up with her cat asking for it to be euthanized. Her child was scratched by the cat and the family pediatrician insists that the cat be put down. What do you do?
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Pick a disease and explain how the concept of One Health would apply. (I was intent to pursue public health).
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What percentage of emerging diseases are zoonotic?
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Views on use of animals in research
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including difficult client interactions, defending animal research to PETA advocates, favorite movies, and ethical dilemmas in veterinary practice. Many responses referenced the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, where questions were tailored to individual experiences and career goals, with some respondents indicating constraints due to nondisclosure agreements.
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Cannot disclose
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What type of clients were the most difficult for you to work with at the emergency hospital?
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How would you defend the use of animals in research to PETA advocates?
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Tell us about an interesting medical case you assisted on, and the prognosis.
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What did I do last Sunday.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical dilemmas like justifying pet healthcare costs, using primates in research, and euthanizing animals. Some mentioned specific scenarios like handling client requests for euthanasia, while others faced questions on lifelong learning, drug administration, and unfamiliar topics like food animals or stem cells.
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Cannot disclose
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How do you justify people spending exuberant amounts of money of veterinary care for their pets when many third world countries lack basic human healthcare?
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Ethics of using primates in research vs. other animals
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Scenario: your largest client has you out at the farm and his wife asks you to euthanize a Rhodesian ridgeback puppy that was born without a ridge. What do you say? (This was my only ethical question)
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Tell us about a recent event that will show us you are a lifelong learner.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 0-1 hour traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent less than $100.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
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sac
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Sacramento, CA
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Sacramento Airport
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Sacramento
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SMF
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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hallmark suite inn
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Motel 6 - Vacaville
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Howard Johnson
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Hotel Davis
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Econolodge
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), mock interviews, and reading sample questions. They also focused on reviewing their application materials, researching current issues in their field, and practicing answering questions out loud with friends or family.
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SDN, watching videos, mock interviews
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Reading about med school MMIs, strategies for answering MMI questions, answering mock interview questions
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SDN
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SDN prep, read Bernard E. Rollin's "An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics", looked up interview questions online, found Medial School MMI questions online and used them as guidance, etc
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Went to interview workshop. Studied current issues in public health. Reviewed my research/personal statement.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and professionalism of the interviewers, faculty, and staff, as well as the welcoming and low-stress atmosphere during the interviews. Additionally, the new and modern facilities, tailored questions that showed genuine interest in the applicants, and opportunities for hands-on learning were commonly highlighted as positive aspects of their experience.
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Some questions seemed very tailored to my experiences and application.
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The variety of questions asked
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Professionalism
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All the interviewers and faculty were very positive, supporting, encouraging, and warm. They all understood the confusing and new nature of the MMI and kept saying "there are no right answers", which made it a LOT less stressful. I was very impressed with how down-to-earth the faculty was and weren't trying to be intimidating at all. They really seemed to listen to and respect the interviewees/applicants.
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The interviews had some challenging questions, but all were fair. I feel like the interviewers really took the time to get to know me as a person.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed disappointment with the lack of warmth and support from other applicants and current veterinary students, as well as the limited or outdated tour experience. They suggested enhancing interactions between interviewees and providing more engaging and informative tours to create a more welcoming and informative environment during the application process.
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Some questions were very out there.
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Tour - the facilities look very outdated
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Stress and stigma
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I was actually a little disappointed with the other applicants and the current veterinary students, as well as how limited the tour was (didn't get to see a lot of the school). It was probably because of the environment and that we're all competing for a position at the school, but some of the other applicants seemed very competitive and not that supporting. The current veterinary students also did not go out of their way to welcome and talk to the applicants, which was very surprising to me because my undergraduate experience was very different. I was also disappointed with how neutral the students giving the tour were. They weren't super enthusiastic, focused, or warm towards the applicants. Yes, they were polite but there's more to that.
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nothing.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known to approach each interview as a fresh start, with no expectations from previous ones. They also mentioned the importance of being prepared to discuss their ambitions and experiences, rather than focusing on technical veterinary medicine knowledge, and noted the casual and friendly nature of the interview process.
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Go into each interview as if the last one did not happen.
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That none of the questions are things you could really expect them to ask
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That we had to take pictures. I don't exactly like having my picture taken...
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I was told to pause before answering questions and wait before answering. I wish I had listened to this advice more...there were times where I definitely felt like I rambled. Don't feel like you have to fill all the space in the interview. Also, if you have less straightforward career goals such as public health or research make sure you have a concrete plan of how your DVM complements these goals and what steps you will need to get there.
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Questions were more ethics-specific than general "getting to know you" (i.e. I was never asked "tell me about yourself" in general terms.)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience positive and relatively relaxed, with a focus on tailoring questions to their backgrounds and fostering a conversational atmosphere. Suggestions included being yourself, preparing for questions about experiences, and taking advantage of opportunities like orientation and mentorship.
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The interview passed by very quickly, and I liked the MMI format. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to gather your thoughts.
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I wish the confidentiality didn't extend to family as well because sometimes I like to talk about my experience at the interview because talking to my family helps ease my nerves afterwards (and the majority of the interview experience was the questions) especially in terms of like "how I should've responded", etc.
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I wasn't asked anything about topics I had zero experience with (i.e. cows) - they really tailor questions to candidates' backgrounds, so the best thing you can do is avoid stressing!
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I'm really grateful to my interview mentor for showing me around and answering my questions. I definitely recommend that you take Davis up on that opportunity.
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Interview was great. We even laughed and talked about meat recipes. I know I missed a few technical questions but I feel like as long as you are easy to talk with and show them youre a real human/not an academic drone, that you should be fine through the interview.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office improve communication by providing more updates and utilizing an online status check system. Additionally, they recommend enhancing customer service by being more responsive to emails, improving training for tour guides, and increasing availability for scheduling interviews online.
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Train your tour guide better so they seem more enthusiastic!
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Actually take the time to read people's questions they send you in emails. Replying with a link to your website that they clearly state they have looked at is terrible customer service. I haven't once emailed the admissions office and had a helpful response.
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Perhaps have compost bins especially for the lunch/food. Clearer directions for the bins - the difference between recycling and the bottles/cans was very confusing.
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no MMI!
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NONE
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