Chapel Hill, NC
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
AI Advisor
Ask questions about this school. Answers use aggregated data and are subject to error.
👋
Hi there! How can I help?
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 17% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.0
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 601 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
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
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiring about extracurricular activities, volunteering experiences, weaknesses, favorite and least favorite aspects of past roles, traits for self-improvement, family background, book preferences, and reasons for pursuing medicine and attending a specific school. Some respondents also mentioned questions about the MMI format, nondisclosure agreements, and specific questions related to personal experiences and future goals.
-
Tell me about extracurricular?
-
What was your most important volunteering experience?
-
Why UNC?
-
Why medicine?
-
What is one of your weaknesses?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal qualities for being a good physician, future career aspirations, favorite books, family dynamics, and ethical scenarios. While some interviews were structured as engaging conversations about medicine and experiences, others delved into specific scenarios like ethical dilemmas and hypothetical situations.
-
None.
-
Tell me about your interests.
-
What 3 sentences do you want me to write down for your file?
-
What personal qualities do you have that will make you a good physician?
-
2 part question: What do you think makes a good doctor, and in what ways are you unique?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, challenges in healthcare, personal regrets, and reflections on past experiences. The interviews were described as conversational, with some unexpected questions about personal decisions, academic performance, and future goals.
(Note: The responses varied widely and did not specifically mention MMI or nondisclosure agreements.)
-
Why a low Mcat?
-
Is there anything else you want to tell me about yourself?
-
What three sentences should I tell the admissions committee?
-
Describe a time you were on a team, but not leading it, and had a disagreement with another team member. How did you handle it?
-
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing you as a medical student/doctor?
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 40 - 50 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
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.
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.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their applications, reading interview feedback on SDN, researching the school's curriculum, and practicing with mock interviews and friends. Suggestions include studying common interview questions, staying relaxed, and approaching the interview as a friendly conversation to showcase qualifications confidently.
-
SDN, MMI practice, review of bioethics, researched the school's curriculum
-
SDN interview feedback, talking to current students, and researching the school
-
SDN, reviewed my application
-
Reread my application, read the website
-
Read SDN advice, reached out to M1 student for details about student life through SDN, practice interviews with friends/family
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and positive atmosphere at UNC, with mentions of approachable interviewers, happy and supportive students, excellent facilities, and a welcoming campus community. Many highlighted the emphasis on community and primary care, the conversational interview style, the passion of faculty and staff, as well as the school's commitment to student well-being and success. Suggestions included continuing to improve facilities and maintaining the current supportive and collaborative environment.
-
Great school for both primary care and research, dedicated to the community
-
Everything! It was efficient and organized.
-
My interviewer was very casual and nice. It felt more like a conversation than anything. We discussed my hometown and job. We were enjoying the conversation so much that someone had to come and end tell us time had ended.
-
My interviewer was clearly passionate about the curriculum, ensuring quality instructors, and being responsive to student feedback. The videos we watched had student testimonials that seemed like they genuinely felt very supported by the faculty and administration, academically and personally. All the students I met were enthusiastic and honest.
-
The interviewers had taken a lot of time to read through my file before the interview. Their questions were thoughtful. I felt like they really wanted to get the best possible picture of who I am, and were not trying to grill me.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative feedback regarding the disorganization and lack of structure during the interview day, including delays, rushed interviews, minimal information about the school, and insufficient tours of the campus and facilities. Suggestions included improving scheduling, providing more thorough presentations on curriculum and resources, and enhancing the overall organization and efficiency of the interview process.
-
The interview day was very disorganized and rushed. My interviewer showed up late and didn't bother to read my file in advance, so they spent a lot of time asking me to give a complete summary of my application. We saw practically none of the campus, and even the students didn't have many positive things to say about the facilities and ongoing construction. I left having learned almost nothing about the school, including its financial aid, diversity, research, and student life. I guess they expect you to learn all this information from the current students, but even they wouldn't know all the details of it.
-
The construction and parking challenges
-
Didn't get to see much of the school, (no tour, just different rooms used for the intro, MMI, one-on-one, and "break" room) and what we did see was older and not particularly impressive. They explained the main building for classes would be renovated soon.
-
I missed the lunch and dean lecture because they didn't have enough interview slots and I interviewed during lunch.
-
The interview day itself was pretty disorganized. There was no presentation on the curriculum, the research opportunities, financial aid, or the office of diversity. I'm used to schools trying to sell me on their strong points, but UNC didn't do that at all. I guess they figured that their reputation should speak for itself.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the level of detail interviewers may delve into, parking logistics, the lack of coffee and small lunch offerings, how relaxed the interview day would be, and the importance of being oneself during the interview. Suggestions include bringing reading material for downtime, being prepared for potential changes in interview schedules, and being aware of the school's programs and facilities.
-
Not to rely on the interview day to give me much valuable info about the school.
-
Nothing.
-
Where to park, and that public transportation was available.
-
I wish I had more thoroughly versed myself in the ins and outs of the curriculum. One of my interviewers helped develop it, and wanted to talk about the little details of it.
-
That there wouldn't be coffee (there was only decaf tea) and that the lunch would be super small. They served cookies but I probably would have brought a snack to supplement the lunch.
What are your general comments?
Applicants provided feedback on their interview experiences at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Most felt the interviews were conversational and low-stress, with friendly interviewers who mainly focused on getting to know them and their motivations for medicine. Some mentioned disorganization in the interview day schedule, while others praised the supportive atmosphere, facilities, and the positive experiences with faculty and students, despite variations in interview styles.
-
Really disappointed with my day here. I went in ready to fall in love with the school and left with a bad taste in my mouth about it. They seemed like they didn't care about giving a good impression.
-
I had a very positive experience and enjoyed interacting with everyone.
-
The facilities are pretty old, but the students seem to get along well, and Chapel Hill in general is a great town.
-
Overall UNC is an amazing school. The tour was short and there's not really anything special about the physical hospital that's impressive looking, but they certainly have extensive facilities and the atmosphere is so supportive and positive. I think the greatest attribute about UNC is its culture, and Chapel Hill is a great community as well.
-
Phenomenal school.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should provide a more thorough tour of the medical school facilities, include detailed information about financial aid and the curriculum, and ensure a well-structured and informative interview day schedule for prospective students. Some also recommended more organization, clarity, and transparency throughout the admissions process, including better communication regarding cancellations, additional informative sessions during interview days, and updates on available spots.
-
1) Include a thorough tour of the medical school and facilities 2) Have well-prepared and enthusiastic interviewers 3) Give more information about financial aid, curriculum, research, diversity, and student life
-
1) Give students a schedule with times and locations in their packets at the beginning of the day 2) Include a short Q&A with the financial aid office on the schedule, or perhaps include more materials on the financial aid process in the interview folder 3) Include an optional student tour of the hospital and various medical school buildings
-
Nothing!
-
Mini interview sections should be slightly longer. I feel like my interviewer and I were cut off during each rotation.
-
Show off the facilities/campus more, or at least give interviewees the option to walk around campus with a student before/after the interview. The new MMI format felt like it was a lower stress way to show my genuine self. Not sure if it was on purpose, but the instructions were pretty vague so I think we all were doing our best despite being stressed from the uncertainty.
📍 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.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
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 Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
-
RDU
-
Raleigh Durham (RDU)
-
Raleigh-Durham
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is "Holiday Inn Chapel Hill".
-
Courtyard Marriott
-
Days INN
-
Holiday Inn
-
Holiday Inn - Chapel Hill
-
Holiday Inn Chapel Hill
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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.