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University of Minnesota Twin Cities Medical School

Minneapolis, MN

Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 19% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low 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 revolve around personal experiences demonstrating resilience, creative pursuits, ethical dilemmas, reasons for pursuing medicine, qualities of a good physician, and familiarity with the healthcare system. Many respondents mentioned being subject to a nondisclosure agreement in an MMI format interview where questions about specific scenarios were asked, emphasizing the importance of preparing by reviewing one's application and considering core competencies.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at University of Minnesota Twin Cities Medical School discussed a wide range of topics, including addressing suffering, healthcare costs, future career goals, ethical dilemmas, personal experiences, and opinions on healthcare systems. While some responses mentioned MMI or nondisclosure agreements, the questions primarily focused on the applicants' motivations for pursuing medicine, ethical reasoning, experiences in healthcare, and perspectives on current healthcare challenges.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said the most difficult question asked at University of Minnesota Twin Cities Medical School discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical scenarios, healthcare reform, personal attributes, and challenges in the healthcare system. Some respondents mentioned encountering questions about ethical dilemmas in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, potentially subject to a nondisclosure agreement, while others faced challenging inquiries about their motivations, problem-solving skills, and views on healthcare policies.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.

How many people interviewed you?

Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.

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 Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

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?

Applicants commonly prepared for their interviews by practicing with mock interviews, reviewing their applications, researching the school and its mission, reading interview feedback on platforms like SDN, and staying updated on current medical topics. Many also sought advice from current medical students, identified their strengths and weaknesses, and prepared answers to common interview questions.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were positively impressed by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere of the school, as well as the enthusiasm and genuine happiness of the students and staff. They appreciated the emphasis on student well-being, the diverse opportunities available, the flexibility in the curriculum, the campus facilities, and the supportive learning environment. Many highlighted the personal interactions, one-on-one interviews, and informative tours that contributed to a comprehensive and positive impression of the school.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants commonly expressed negative feedback about the following aspects: technical difficulties during the interview day, lack of diversity, outdated facilities, disorganization in the interview process, long waiting times, and a perceived lack of enthusiasm or preparation from interviewers and tour guides. Suggestions included improving communication, updating facilities, enhancing diversity, and providing a more engaging and informative interview experience.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants overwhelmingly wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews were relaxed and conversational, not designed to be challenging or to throw them off. They emphasized the importance of not stressing, being themselves, and enjoying the experience while also highlighting the need to be prepared for potential downtime and the campus layout.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the University of Minnesota interview process to be low-stress and conversational, with a focus on getting to know the applicant. Some applicants mentioned positive experiences with faculty and students, while a few mentioned concerns about communication from the admissions committee and the interviewers' level of preparedness.
  • Very pleasant staff, low stress interview, interesting MMI questions
  • On Zoom. 20 minute interview followed by MMI. Lots of breaks. You get the questions at the start of the day and don't know which one you'll answer until you are in the breakout room.
  • Be prepared but don't freak out. Be professional.
  • The admissions committee at this school has poor communication with applicants. Applicants are encouraged to ask questions, but answers are often too vague to provide any relief during a difficult and long process. Other schools are more responsive to feedback and give more meaningful information.
  • LOVED the interview day. The MMI was honestly pretty fun and interesting. Everyone was really nice and friendly.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly suggested improving communication and responsiveness from the admissions office, implementing more varied and realistic MMI questions, providing clearer website navigation, offering breakfast during interview days, and enhancing overall organization and timeliness in the admissions process.