Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low 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 medical ethics, such as handling ethical dilemmas involving patient care or professional conduct, assessing personal strengths and weaknesses, discussing influential figures in the decision to pursue medicine, and describing experiences that demonstrate character and problem-solving skills. Some respondents mentioned being asked multiple ethics questions, indicating a focus on ethical decision-making in the interview process, potentially in an MMI format where a nondisclosure agreement may have been in place.
What are some important principles of medical ethics and why do you think medical ethics is important to prioritize
Given a scenario of a child who'd experienced an injury and later died at the hospital due to a mistake and then asked how I would handle the situation as 1. The Parent, 2. The Nurse Responsible and 3. The Hospital. No wrong answer, but it shows your character and train of thought (specific to my interviewer)
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment and why?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why UCF?
Ethical questions which I'll explain below in difficult questions
The first interviewer asked me a series of questions that were on a piece of paper and he kept filling out my answers which made it a little distracting. Questions like do you have anything bad on your record?
Hypothetical Situation: You are an intern, and your resident reports to his attending that he did rounds on a patient even though you know he did not. What would you do?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Central Florida College of Medicine discussed a variety of topics, including talent show performances, influential books or movies, roles in a team, FIRE projects, ethical dilemmas, career aspirations, personal challenges, and the impact of technology on healthcare. The interviews may have been in an MMI format with a nondisclosure agreement, as some responses referenced ethical questions and the FIRE project.
If you were in a talent show what talent would you perform?
You are a doctor and you have to give bad news to a patient. Basically the patient is 70 years old and the news you give her is that she is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. You tell her that she only has six months to live. She tells you that her grand-daughter will be born in 7 months and she begs you to keep her alive until the daughter is born. What issues would you discuss with the patient?
Students said the most difficult questions asked at University of Central Florida College of Medicine discussed various ethical dilemmas, justification for pursuing medicine, attributes for a team, handling situations where authority figures act unethically, and scenarios involving patient care decisions. The interviews possibly followed an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements, as multiple responses hinted at specific ethical questions and situational challenges.
Specifically asked if I'd interviewed at a specific school which is higher ranked and in-state for me (I had) and it made me feel very uncomfortable. Not difficult to answer but I definitely felt like they were trying to yield protect pretty early in the interview.
You are a third year student rounding with a resident. The resident tells the attending that he completed an exam/test that you know he did not do. How do you handle the situation?
You are a medical student working with a resident who reports to the attending that a patient needs an appendectomy based on his physical exam findings. You know that the resident did not complete the physical exam, and really do not believe the patient has appendicitis. What do you say or do?
Most diffcult questions were ethical dilemmas
What do you do if you are in an elevator and a patient is there and 2 other physicians. The two physicians are badmouthing a patient. Not particularly the patient in the elevator but a patient in general. How do you react in such a situation?
You are the 3rd year med student and a resident has diagnosed a patient with appendicitis butyou were just in there comforting the patient and didn't notice symptoms of such. You know the resident never actually checked on this patient. The attending has 2 min. to make a decision on the situation and asks you whether surgery is needed. The resident says yes but you know they didn't see the patient and think the answer is no. What do you do?
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?
Many applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their applications, researching the school, practicing with mock interviews, and seeking advice from current students or online platforms like Student Doctor Network. Some also focused on anticipating and preparing answers for common medical school interview questions.
SDN, attended the current students zoom call, research from website, read over secondary and my application, researched faculty members doing the research I want to do
I read the available information on the website. Other than that, I did not prepare. I'm someone who is comfortable talking and letting conversation flow freely.
Reviewed AMCAS, secondary questions, researched the program and school mission/values. Stayed with a student host the night before, and she gave valuable advice.
looked at SDN, talked to my student host, read about all of the great programs the school offers, and had an idea of what my FIRE research project might be.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and welcoming atmosphere of the school, faculty, and students. They highlighted the school's focus on student wellness, transparency in the admissions process, innovative facilities, collaborative culture, and opportunities for hands-on experience in a positive light. Suggestions included continuing to prioritize student well-being, maintaining transparency, and enhancing the integration of technology in the curriculum and facilities.
The interviewers were extremely chill. This was a virtual interview, so I was not able to see the school. There was a virtual Q&A session with current students the night before, which was very nice. According to the students, the administration is very receptive to student feedback. Many opportunities to work with underserved Hispanic communities. The admissions office was very friendly and hopped onto all of the calls to make sure that there were no technology issues.
How extremely accommodating this school is to its students. They focus immensely on student wellness and they have free textbooks available for rent, a food pantry, walking desks, nap pods, a vegetable garden, gym, extensive rec room, and a vast amount of study spaces on campus. All of the students were normal, positive people who were more than willing to answer all of my questions. The admissions and admin are very transparent about everything. I fell in love with UCF!
Admissions at UCF are more open than any other school I've been to, which is very nice. The students also all seemed very friendly, and I love their walking desks. They also gave us food, which was appreciated :).
EVERYTHING! I loved this school! The admins were amazing and so invested in the day, we always had a faculty member or student with us, they have a homestay program with a dinner the night before so we can meet current students and interviewees to ask questions, they provided breakfast and lunch at the interview, they gave us rides to the airport after the interview if we needed them, the interviewers actually had personality, beautiful facilities, passionate students...overall it was spectacular.
The school's vision for their students and their facilities. Student wellness initiatives were huge here. Available resources and facilities as well as overall environment were very impressive.
UCF seemed friendly, enthusiastic, grounded, and highly innovative, I think this is quite unique! Also, they made the application process as painless as possible... no games, no ego, just transparency and sincerity.
Everything! The students and staff were so incredibly welcoming. The College of Medicine building was beautiful. I loved the integration of tech into the curriculum, buildings, and campus.
Where do I begin? EVERYTHING. I absolutely loved this interview and school. Faculty, staff, students were all kind, friendly and extremely open. Dean German has a very ambitious vision and it is clearly coming to life. The school and surrounding "medical city" are growing and improving rapidly. Facilities are brand new, very high-tech and beautiful. Wide variety of teaching hospitals/environments for clinical years. Lots of time with students both the night before at a pre-interview dinner, during my home stay, and on the day of the interview. One of the most impressive things about the interview day was the level of transparency from the admissions office - REL told us exactly how and when admissions decisions are made.
UCF COM is amazing. Dean German and all of the admissions staff and faculty truly care about the students. Every part of the medical school was created with students as first priority. Traveling to Celebration Hospital was a great experience on interview day. Incredibly laid back and stress-free. Wonderful school.
So I interviewed here last friday and I was blown back. It was the most well organized and thorough interview I have attended to date, and I just have to write a review. This will be deja-vu for those who interviewed but those who are wondering whether to make the trip, I highly recommend you read this before you decide.
The day started really early which I came to realize was because they had many many things in store for us. After arriving from seemingly the middle of nowhere the immense and impressive buildings appeared tall and proud. The inside was equally impressive and after a small breakfast and orientation, a general overview was given, standard fare. REL and his colleagues were extremely welcoming and very funny to listen to. The interviews were afterward, and although they were very nice and relaxed it was comparable to other schools. I did like how they gave some direction to the interviewers using standardized questions (which is also great for assuring a similar interview from student to student), but allowed the interviewers ample time to ask additional questions or let the conversation take its course.
After the interviews we were shuttled to nearby Celebration Hospital where we were given a thorough tour of the facility lead by REL and a concierge from the Hospital. The tour was very impressive but the amazing part was when we were allowed to watch a minimally invasive robotic prostatectomy performed using the da Vinci machine. We were able to watch the entire surgery and afterwards the surgeon came out to meet us. As if this wasn't enough, we were then taken to a room full of da Vinci Trainers as well as laproscopic surgery trainers. We were then able to actually dive in and try our hands at 3 of the modules. This was above and beyond what any school has done, and especially for someone who is considering surgery, made a fantastic impression.
The overall effort and final product of the interview day made it hard to believe this was only their 5th interview season as a medical school. They made every thing go so smoothly, and promptly took care of any problems that arose. On the way, our bus' A/C broke. It is Florida so it was a bit warm, REL apologized and said they'd have a new bus for the way home. Sure enough they did, and the ride was very enjoyable.
The lunch was more than just thrown together sustenance, but was actually good food, well prepared and thought out. There was ample room and time for discussion with medical students during lunch and afterwards we had a tour of the facility. We were actually shown the majority of the campus, and this was the first interview for me where our tour guides had appropriate access to the areas of interest such as the anatomy lab. Believe it or not all of my previous tours the anatomy lab was either not intended for the tour (hrmm) or our guides didn't have badge access (understandable, but bummer). During the tour the facilities were very impressive, state of the art facilities with ample projectors and TV screens in classrooms, histology labs, anatomy labs, etc.
Of interest was the obvious significance the administration provided in making learning as easy or enjoyable as possible. They have treadmills specifically designed for walking and reading/studying strategically positioned overlooking the nature preserve. The library fitted with plenty of couches as well as traditional tables with ample outlets/lighting. Also it is equipped with a white noise makers in the general area, as well as a large quiet area. Near the couches are plenty of lap cushions for your laptop with cup holders. The student lounge is big and well furnished, with pool table, ping pong, video games, kitchen, tables, counter, etc.
The library has very few books (which means more seating) because all the books are available 24/7 online. The school provides you with an iPad and a laptop, preloaded with all the books you'll need for your courses. This is more impressive when you notice that the tuition and fees do not see a noticeable bump to cover these amenities, compared with similar schools that do not offer such things. Speaking of which, their combined tuition and fees are currently under 27K, which is astonishing without even considering the saved money on books. One final comment on money, the cost of living here is pretty cheap.
Overall, I was clearly very impressed with the campus and the program.
The awesome new facilities, the transparency of the admissions process, and the ability to build up the program for ourselves. Interviews were done first thing in the morning, so we were pretty relaxed on the tour and during the rest of the day.
I was interviewed by a physician that was new to the school who has been a residency director in a competitive field for 10 years. Seems like they have put together an impressive faculty. All cadavers are CT scanned before being dissected, all imaging is available one flat screens at end of dissection table. Facilities are beautiful, would be a nice environment to study in. Admissions committee is honest, up front on policy, and say it like it is. Dean German has a huge vision and it is being realized. A lot has already happened and a lot is going to happen in coming years. Good amount of prep time for step 1.
EVERYTHING. The facilities, curriculum, technology, staff, etc. Oh, and particularly the other interviewees--they were all people I could see myself being friends with.
Facilities, esp. gross anatomy labs. The awesomeness that is REL larkin director of admissions and his friendly attitude towards students. The interviewers who both seemed chill but were both surgeons in the community. The celebration hospital tour and witnessing of live robotic prostatic surgery.
The admissions staff was AMAZING! The tour was AMAZING! the facilities are AMAZING! The anatomy lab is top-notch. The dean of the school came in and gave a speech to us interviewees which was very inspirational. The med students who we had lunch with were really nice and helpful. Celebration Hospital is beautiful- doesn't feel like a hospital more like a Disney hotel. The school is very open with how they base admissions decisions and keeps you updated on your status frequently unlike other schools. Once this school becomes accredited, it will definitely become the top medical school in the state. It's just the attitude the school has which is full of passion and drive.
Pretty much everything; Everyone was friendly, the school is moving very quickly with 2 new hospitals being built and the newly constructed medical school and research building. Also, playing with the da Vinci robot and the opportunity to see surgery was really cool.
The organization of the information (especially for a first year class). The frankness of the admissions adviser who travels with you the entire day. Celebration hospital and the da vinci robot demonstration and practice.
EVERYTHING... How welcoming the faculty is, the technological opportunities that will be available, the beautiful (interior) design of the future COM building.
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the isolation of the campus, limited nearby amenities, the necessity of traveling to hospitals for rotations, uncertainty about residency opportunities due to the school being new, and the incomplete construction of the medical school building. Suggestions included addressing the isolation through increased amenities and transportation options, providing more information on residency opportunities, and expediting the completion of the medical school building to enhance the overall experience for students.
One of my interviewers continuously brought up his child and asked questions implying I wouldn't go to UCF. He also implied that a refugee group I work with aren't really refugees because of where they come (they are legally refugees) which seemed discourteous.
Nothing really. I think the only disadvantage is that this program is relatively new. On the contrary, it seems like the staff is doing everything possible to spread the word about UCF and ensure that all students succeed.
Lake Nona is somewhat isolated from the rest of Orlando. I needed gas after the interview, closest gas station is 3-4 miles away. Clinical sites are in downtown, most students move to downtown for 3rd and 4th years, but I would really prefer not to have to move.
As with USF, it requires traveling for a lot of hospitals where you will have rotations and is not like the NE where you can do without a car. Still rather undeveloped in the surrounding areas. Thus too quiet at times. If u are a Northeastern person it may bore u the quietness of the school. But other then that nothing. The school has mostly positive vibe about it.
Since this school is new, the specific residency opportunities/ match results are uncertain, but I have no doubt the school will definitely pull through for its students.
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the two interview format (one with a student and one with a faculty member), the importance of attending the pre-interview events, and the potential for a more laid-back first interview followed by a more intense second interview. They also suggested being prepared for challenging questions and a stress test during the second interview, bringing a change or SunPass for tolls, and booking return flights after 6 PM due to the interview day schedule.
Definitely go to the pizza party the night before if you can! I ended up making it and had a blast talking to an M1 the whole evening. Even had a beer.
The first interview was chill. The second interview as NOT chill. The second person was a devil's advocate so be prepared! I was not expecting a stress test, but I'm fairly certain that I experienced a purposeful stress test. So keep your composure, but be aware that you might be questioned and get a button pushed.
Applicants generally expressed high praise for the school's facilities, program, and people, with positive remarks about the collaborative and innovative environment. Some noted concerns about the school's reputation and competitiveness in residency placements, while emphasizing the engaging and supportive interview experience.
It totally depends (as always) on who you get as your interviewers. One of my interviewers was super nice and I enjoyed talking with her, but the other was very intense and seemed to be searching for faults.
This school may not be older but I got the impression that administration, faculty, staff, and students all were extremely receptive to feedback/improvements. The environment was both collaborative & innovative.
Prepare well. Try to relax as much as possible. The interviews will be done within the first couple of hours, so the rest of the day is laid back and informative.
It's a very new and not very well known med school, which poses a question about how competitive UCF COM graduates are in getting into residencies.
With that said, they seem to have a very well thought through, developed, integrated curriculum + high step performance + high level of student satisfaction and happiness during me school
Can't say enough good things about UCF. As an OOS candidate, I am really hoping for the best here and would have a hard time saying no if offered a position!
I was very impressed with the school. It was great to have the Dean to come and speak with us. Also, the office of admissions gives you advice on the medical school application process in general - very helpful!
I recommend the homestay program, it was a great, eye-opening experience and the students are very nice. They show you what it's like to be a student there. My whole experience at UCF was very impressive! I was very impressed with the direction of the school, its curriculum, staff, and facilities.
Everyone was sooo friendly to us and excited for the COM to begin. I was very, very impressed throughout the whole day. The interviewers aren't part of the admissions committee; they are actual clinicians in the community. I heard from the students that all of their interviewers, especially my two, were very laid back and just wonderful. Definitely did not feel like an interview, more of like a conversation.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants overwhelmingly praised the transparency and professionalism of the admissions office, with many suggesting to continue their current practices and procedures. Some minor suggestions included providing more information about new processes, such as virtual interviews, and offering clearer directions to the admissions office for in-person visits.
Because virtual interviews are so novel, it may help calm interviewees' anxieties if the admissions office sent out an email with information about the new interviewing process.
N/A; The admissions office is the most transparent of any I have ever interacted with. I fully appreciated this and felt more confident about UCF because of their process' transparency.
No suggestions -- Mr. Larkin was wonderfully kind in making the whole application process smooth for every applicant. He was such a delight to work with!