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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.

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.

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.
🤝 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.

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.