Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 25% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
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 inquiries about explaining grade trends, fitting into the school's qualities, recent reading material, free time activities, challenges and benefits of rural medicine, future practice location, patient scenarios, motivations for medicine, strengths and weaknesses, and interest in rural family medicine. Additionally, many responses mentioned the MMI format, indicating a structured interview style with questions focused on assessing interpersonal skills and ethical reasoning, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
Explain these lower grades and why you didn't retake them.
What would you do if one of your patients came up to you on the street before a long weekend and asked for their prescription? Their only other option they have is a $300+ emergency visit.
What do you think the social life of a rural family physician is like? Do you really think you'll be able to be friends with your patients/have friends in the community?
Tell me about your hobbies. What do you do in your free time? What do you like to read? It felt like a conversation; it did not consist solely of them asking questions of me and my responses.
Lot's of stuff from secondary/AMCAS: Tell me about your Americorps experience. What did you learn from you shadowing experience? Were you satisfied with you MCAT scores?
Tell me about your skiing? What kind of music do you play? Tell me about yourself? Tell me about your family? What are some specific roles you see yourself playing in your community? Do you plan to have a family (my guess is they're thinking: family practice doc=like family for yourself)?
Why primary care? Why rural medicine? Where do you see yourself after residency? Envision your future practice? What is the ideal GPA and MCAT of a rural family practice physician?
Do you really call your mother everyday? (My interviewer totally took this out of context from my secondary because she started looking over my file when I got into the room!)
Let's say you are in a state with the '2-physicians agree' rule. If two physicians agree to take a patient off of life support, would you do it or not?
A patient comes in to see a doctor for a smoking-related lung illness for the third time, and it's clear that he's not been in compliance with the doctor's suggestions. The doctor looks at him and says "I've seen you three times and you've never done what I've told you to. You're probably going to die of this. I don't want to see you in here again, because I have other patients who will be compliant with whom I can better spend my time." What is your response to this exchange?
Be prepared to answer hypothetical situation questions.
My interviewer asked me questions such as, "if you were a doctor and a young boy came in with bruises on his chest" what would you do?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Minnesota Duluth Medical School discussed a wide range of topics including future aspirations, ethical dilemmas, integration of faith into practice, and hypothetical patient scenarios. Notably, the interview format may have been an MMI based on references to non-disclosure agreements, while questions also touched on personal values, professional conduct, and healthcare delivery to diverse populations.
A lawyer comes to for care and find out she is pregnant. She returns home and a week later calls and demands to why everyone throughout the town knows that she's pregnant. You know that you did not disclose this... and you are left to look only to your nurse of 13 years...What do you? (the answer confirmer by interviwer: if you indeed determine she violated HIPPA, you must terminate her)
Asked me my view on a situation in which the interviewer had heard a well respected physician threaten his patient that if he didnt quit smoking, he didn't want to see the patient for the same smoking related illness anymore.
nothing really...they seemed to really focus on flushing out what I wrote about in my secondary and AMCAS as well as confirming my interest in primary care and rural MN.
"My job is to advocate for you to the admissions committee. Tell me what I should focus on in order to advocate for you to the best of my ability."
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Minnesota Duluth Medical School discussed a wide range of topics including patient interactions, healthcare challenges, personal failures, and career aspirations. While some mentioned specific scenarios like handling stubborn patients or discussing health care reform, others described more traditional interview questions like explaining one's passion for medicine or addressing challenges in healthcare systems.
Give an example of a meaningful patient interaction
What role does science play in medicine? (this seemed obvious to me, but my interviewer went off on a very different tangent than what I was thinking).
What, of all of the service that you have done, was the most meaningful to you? [It surprised me; I had never really thought about this before... I thought for a bit and put something out there]
What are the difference in rural practice between working for a small independant practice or working for a large health system managed clinic. Why would you prefer one over the other? How do each effect the health system? (I frankly had no clue an made sure to admit it, and interviewer admitted their was no right answer...though he kept persisting, even after my disclaimer... gave my uneducated opinion.
Since you have a master's degree how do we know that you won't want to get a PhD and do research after you are done with medical school. (they want rural physicians).
nothing very difficult. they threw out the "biggest problem in healthcare" deal but that's not really difficult if you've thought about answering it before.
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?
Applicants commonly prepared for their interviews by thoroughly reviewing their application materials, researching the school, utilizing Student Doctor Network (SDN) for insights, practicing mock interviews, and staying updated on current events in healthcare. Suggestions included reflecting on personal experiences, strengths, and goals, as well as seeking guidance from current students or physicians, and engaging in practice interviews to enhance preparedness.
Looked over my supplemental and AMCAS applications, used this site, did research on health care reform, had help from friend already in the UMD Med School
Reviewed AMCAS, and secondary. Reviewed SDN. Read "The Medical School Interview: Secrets and a System for Success" by Jeremiah Fleenor. Talked with current students. Prayed and had family pray.
Read SDN; most everything is straight from their secondary and somehow deals with rural medicine or the probability that the interviewee will eventuate in rural medicine.
studentdoctor.net, mock interviews at school, worked through typical questions in the Kaplan workbook, talked with physicians, talked with current students there that I knew, researched the schools website and literature
Student Doctor Network, reviewed my AMCAS and supplemental applications, caught up on current events (both medical and political), the school's website, personal reflection of strengths/weaknesses/interests
Duluth's web site has been in less than full swing for some time now, and few interview feedback postings for Duluth appear on SDN. I spent the car ride up thinking about the various aspects of rural medicine and how I could best address rural health concerns in MN. That turned out to be quite useful.
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendly and welcoming environment at the school, including the approachable staff, faculty, and students. They appreciated the small class sizes, sense of community, and the dedicated support from faculty and administration. Many also highlighted the relaxed atmosphere, the emphasis on hands-on learning, and the positive interactions during the interview process.
Intimate environment and approachable staff/faculty.
Friendliness of staff, and especially of the students. Almost all that I saw wished me good luck or asked me how the interview went. I'm sure I was a dead giveaway in my suit! Also the city of Duluth is beautiful.
The interviewers made the interview seem more like a conversation than a sequence of question after question. Everyone seemed friendly and excited to be doing what they do there.
Everything!!! The class size of 60 was impressive enough. The familiarity between student and faculty. The professors truly want to help you become the best physician you can be. The staff were always very helpful and polite. The students all seemed to love attending UMD. Most importantly, the interviewers truly wanted to get to know me. They didn't just ask standard questions and move on, they were truly interested in the application beyond the paper.
The intimacy of the school is great. Everyone seemed so nice and eager to help. The 2 students who gave the tour were genuine and sincerely enthusiastic about the school.
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about feeling out of place for not being rural enough, rudeness from interviewers, limitations in facilities and student life activities, small and old facilities, being stuck indoors due to cold weather, and a narrow focus on rural practice. Suggestions included improving interviewer professionalism, enhancing facilities, expanding student life activities, and broadening the program's focus beyond rural medicine.
Made me feel out of place for not being "rural enough", despite growing up in Duluth and having been mentored by physicians who went to UMD. PhD interviewer did not ask any questions that would gauge my abilities as a physician, but instead felt the need to dissect my imperfect GPA and said "you wouldn't be the top of your class in med school but you'd do ok" How was that a productive comment?
My student tour guides weren't the brightest, sorry to say. They couldn't answer basic questions about technology and the curriculum. The facilities are small, and not as nice as other schools I have visited.
The focus on rural practice in MN felt really narrow to me and I wished they could be more accepting of other interests that compliment rural health care such as getting an MPH etc...
Many applicants wished they had known ahead of time about the conversational nature of the interview, the importance of researching the interests of the professors, being prepared to discuss health care reform, the emphasis on commitment to rural and family medicine, and the significance of shadowing a rural family practice physician. Additionally, some mentioned the unique aspects of the school, such as the small class size and the necessity of finding parking early.
How laid back the interview would be - it was very conversational.
Really do your research on health care reform and be prepared with an educated answer to what change you want to see. You will almost certainly get asked about it.
There are no other established allied health professional schools at Duluth. I found it difficult to believe that a solid educational foundation could be laid in a context devoid of professionals and students from pharmacy, PT, nursing, social work, etc. -- they all go hand in hand, and the education in a vaccuum idea rubbed me the wrong way.
Duluth is better than my first impression. Also, UMD is very high rated for primary care, one of the tops in the midwest, especially for a public university
Applicants generally provided feedback that the interviews were conversational and stress-free, with many expressing positive impressions of the school's atmosphere, friendliness of staff and students, and community feel. Some mentioned the focus on rural and family medicine, while others highlighted the small class sizes and supportive environment as key factors in their interest in the school.
The interview felt very much like they wanted me to prove my worth. There was no sense of "seeing if the school is a good fit". Almost every question from one interviewer was directed at my flaws and wanting me to explain why I'm good enough, rather than if I'm a good fit, and if they are a good fit for me. Very interrogational at moments and was def my least positive interview experience.
I love this school and city. This is my top choice because of what I have already talked about. The teachers are great, the students are friendly, and they have a pretty nice facility.
It was relaxed, more of a kind of get-to-know you experience rather than trying to stump you with hard ethical dilemmas. The admissions people were very friendly, seemed like they knew a lot about me already, listened and I had good conversations.
Very conversational, both interviewers asked me further questions about my application, my commitment to rural medicine, interest in family medicine. Quite stress free as far as interviews go.
Two interviewers, 1 on 1, each for an hour. At first, I thought an hour would be excessive but it was perfect because it allowed me to show the staff my true potential. I interviewed with Ms. Wirta and Dr. Ward, both were absolutely amazing at reducing stress of the interview and reciprocating in the conversation. The interviews were an incredible experience. After the interviews, they reinforced my positive attributes and also gave me advice on improving my negatives.
It was pretty relaxed. My second interviewer was respectably tough...but somehow managed to not make me feel uncomfortable even though he did ask some high pressure questions. First interviewer was great...was like having conversation with a friend.
Excellent experience. Interviews were great. I thought that the school's facilities were very nice, but its definately a small school with small classes, so it's not for everyone. Inevitably you will talk about rural and family medicine.
I had two one hour interviews. Then I had lunch with a student, she then gave me a tour. I was the only person interviewing that day. Everyone was very nice and welcoming.
I had Dr Forbes, who teaches neuroanatomy. She talked a lot. She would ask me a question, I started to answer, and then all of a sudden we were talking about her grandson. I also had Nick Patromis, a community member and the owner of all the Burger Kings in Duluth. He would ask questions rapidly, not giving much time for an answer.
Spoke with financial aid officer, took tour, had lunch, two interviews, one with a faculty member and another with a community member on the Adcomm. My second interviewer was a non surgical orthopod/sports medicine doc at a local hospital.
It was a great experience. I came away feeling great about the school, the education they give, the ideals the teach, and the environment bestowed on the students by the faculty.
It was great! I really liked the interviewers and I interviewed them as much as they interviewed me. However, I was very disappointed in their facilities.
My interview experince was great. The first person I interviewed with was very laid back and it didn't even feel like an interview. It was if I had known him for years.
It was a good experience overall. Absolutely know why you are interested in rural medicine because that is the kind of physician they are looking for. Both interviewers asked me about my rural medicine interests and challenged me on whether I had did my homework.
I was really tired when I got there because I drove up from the twin cities that morning. However, the faculty, staff and students were really friendly and encouraging. They immediately put me at ease and I felt very comfortable. The facilities were more impressive than I thought they would be. The interviews themselves were fairly grueling, because there are two back to back. Overall it was a positive experience.
chill, you'll be fine, everyone's ridiculously nice and my interviewers seemed to really just want to clarify and expound upon things I offered up about myself. None of that whole "tell me about yourself" "what are your weaknesses" BS.
The interview is very quick and relatively painless. Parking can be a pain, so get there early. I have lunch first with another interview student and two med students. Everything is really laid back and they were trying to be very honest--not trying to sell the school bur rather give you a good idea of what one can expect.
My advice is to interview the school as much as the school in interviewing you. Ask questions. The two interviews were really great. We found ideals and attributes that we shared and really just conversed about them. I didn't want to leave because I was having such a good time.
Overall, Duluth is a great place to learn and get one-on-one attention (there are only 53 students in the class) I have been accepted there and will probably attend next fall.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should prioritize character over numbers in interviews, provide more support and opportunities for local students, improve communication by emailing letters, and enhance the overall candidate experience by being more impressive and organized.
You want empathetic and grounded physicians, yet you focus on numbers rather than character in your interviews. Students from the Duluth area have very limited opportunities on the pathway to med school, yet their own local med school looks down on them for not being rural enough. Shadowing is barred from local hospitals. You seem to have no desire to support your own community and aspiring physicians.