Albuquerque, NM
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 38% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did okay.
⭐ 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 cover a wide range of topics, including inquiries about specific health issues in New Mexico, motivations for pursuing medicine, experiences with diversity, clinical experiences, healthcare challenges, strengths and weaknesses, and potential solutions for healthcare problems at both state and national levels. The interviews may have been conducted in an MMI format, with some respondents possibly being subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the nature of the questions asked.
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"what is a health problem that specifically affects New Mexico?"
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If you don't get accepted this round, what will you do?
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What are some of the major health concerns facing New Mexico?
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What are the biggest public health issues facing New Mexico and how would you change them?
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What are the factors that make it difficult for PCPs in rural areas? Asked related to presence and retention
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of New Mexico School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including patient scenarios, ethical dilemmas, healthcare system challenges, personal attributes, and future goals. Some responses suggested that the interview format may have been an MMI with tailored questions specific to the school, while others mentioned open-ended questions related to healthcare issues in New Mexico and beyond, showcasing a holistic approach to evaluating applicants.
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How many schools have you applied to, and what is your top choice? (not exactly questions I believe should be asked during an interview)
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If you had a patient who received a concussion during football, what would you say to his parents? What are your personal opinions about concussions and football?
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n/a
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Do you see yourself working in a community or academic setting?
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How do you think you would do in a rural setting?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of New Mexico School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including health care policy, end-of-life conversations, alternative career paths, advancements in medicine, clinical experience, handling paperwork, healthcare legislation, technology's impact on rural areas, personal regrets, and dealing with rising obesity and diabetes rates. Some responses indicated an MMI format with a focus on personality and ties to New Mexico, while others mentioned nondisclosure of specific questions and emphasized the importance of preparing for healthcare-related inquiries.
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Many questions. Was grilled on health care policy and factors relating to the roles of doctors, insurance agencies, and hospital administrators. The interviewer wanted to know the exact statistics.
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I was asked specifically what types of conversations I had with family members of hospice patients concerning end-of-life. It was a little out-of-left-field, and definitely not something I was prepared for.
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N/A
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If you could not become a physician, what career would you pursue?
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What do you think is the most important advancement in medicine and why?
🤝 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 2 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.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
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did not fly
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I would use ABQ
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El Paso
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Albuquerque Intl.
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ABQ
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?
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my house!
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did not stay in a hotel
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Quality Suites on Gibson
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Plaza Inn
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La Posada
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 reviewing their application materials, reading up on healthcare issues in New Mexico, conducting mock interviews, practicing answers out loud, utilizing resources like SDN and school websites, and seeking advice from current students or healthcare professionals. Suggestions include researching the specific programs and curriculum of the institution, discussing public health issues with others, and ensuring comfort and confidence through mock interviews and practicing speaking responses out loud.
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re-read my primary and secondary, looked up health issues in NM
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Read a lot of books on health administration, looked over New Mexico's state public health plan
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Spoke with a current UNM student, read all about UNM, read An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal, prepared outlined answers to 200+ typical interview questions/questions listed on this website that are specific to UNM, found interview clothes that are comfortable and wore them in advance to ensure comfort, practiced my hairstyle in advance, did a mock interview in my interview outfit, practiced interview answers OUT LOUD (it makes a huge difference than just writing them down on paper or computer. Make sure to practice speaking!), etc.
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n/a
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SDN interview questions, NM Department of Health website, read Healthcare Handbook (latest volume available), UNM SOM website (for school specific questions), advice from current students
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness of staff, faculty, and students, the school's culture, facilities, early clinical exposure, problem-based learning, personalized attention, and the emphasis on collaboration and community outreach. Many also appreciated the new buildings and upgrades to the campus, the focus on patient contact, and the welcoming and encouraging atmosphere during interviews.
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They matched me really well with one of my interviewers ie interested in her specialty, went to undergrad at the same place, seemed like they wanted me to interview with someone who would get along with me very well
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Cost of school, cadaver lab, new facilities, extensive clinical experience, generally happy and adventurous students,
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The students, faculty, and staff were all so friendly! I love the culture at the school.
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Not a whole lot other than the fact that the people I ran into were really nice.
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Students seem really passionate, students seem very engaged with campus activities, admissions office staff was very friendly.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative feedback about disorganized and unprofessional interview experiences, lack of enthusiasm from interviewers, insufficient facilities and tours, and a perception of the school being a last resort for students. Suggestions included improving communication, enhancing interview experiences, providing more engaging tours, and addressing issues with facilities.
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My first interviewer asked very biased questions. He also couldn't figure out zoom format and I could barely hear him. UNM seems very disorganized/unprofessional as an institution. This school feels like a last resort for many people. During the med student Q&A someone asked why they chose UNM and every single person said it was the only place they got into.
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My second interviewer clearly did not care about the interview, took no notes, arrived 15 minutes late, and only spoke to me for about 15minutes. She asked me about my top choice and then left.
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The school did not seem to really care about the interview experience. Seems like they do a lot more for the 2nd look visit.
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The issues with safety and the lagging technology (UNM is very inexpensive, so they aren't at the forefront of medical school technology)
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Most of the interview day. It started in a dinky little classroom where we were welcomed by someone who went over some of the highlights of the school. She did not have a presentation. She just sat at the same table as us and talked for a half hour. Next, we had lunch. Not that this matters, but it was by far the worst lunch I had at any interview. We got to ask med students questions at lunch, but they were MS-I's (even though their average age was probably almost 30) and I interviewed in early Sept., so they really didn't know a whole lot about the school. Next, we went on a tour of the school with the MS-I's who already were talking poorly of some of their experiences here after 5 weeks of starting school. They took us to two places for about 15 mins on the tour then decided they really didn't have to take us anywhere else because we would get to see everything if we went there. Then, we were supposed to have a curriculum overview but the person who normally did it couldn't be there so they just didn't have the curriculum overview. They told everyone to find a place to do nothing for an hour until the interviews would start since they weren't gonna even try the curriculum overview. So we did. We just waited for an hour by ourselves in a lobby we found. Oh, did I mention they are starting a new curriculum this year? And they didn't even tell us what it was. Then the interviews started. Both interviewers kept me for longer than they were supposed to. They were pretty nice interviews and not terribly stressful but don't expect it to be a walk in the park like most places. Then that was the end. Thoroughly unimpressed.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about potential free time between activities to bring a book, the importance of clinical experience with a US doctor, and to wear comfortable shoes for walking around campus. They also expressed a desire to know their interviewers in advance and suggested bringing money for lunch due to limited options with the provided voucher.
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That I would have 2 hours of free time between activities. I would have brought a book to read so I didn't look like I was sitting on my phone scrolling through Facebook.
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Nothing really.
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That one of my interviews was on Skype. I had little time to prepare for a Skype interview and feel that it did make a slight impact.
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Nothing-- previous feedback prepared me well
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To come up with an answer about the best medical invention. There were just so many rushing through my head that I literally froze.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly mentioned the emphasis on primary care and New Mexico residency, as well as the conversational and laid-back nature of the interviews. Suggestions included improving directions for out-of-state applicants, providing clearer itineraries, and ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all interviewees.
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don't apply unless you're a New Mexico resident or interested in primary care. Doesn't seem like they have great opportunities for other specialties beyond primary care
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The interviews are basically conversations and they will ask you about your specific experiences and to elaborate on the answers you provide. If you put it in your app be prepared to explain it. Not only why you did something, but why you didn't, so look for what could be missing/ low in your application.
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Hopefully they will stop using the second interviewer I had because she did not cast a good light on the school or on the application process, especially since she spoke badly about her students during the interview.
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The interviewer wanted very specific answers. Told me it was going to be the hardest interview of the cycle. They made a point to interrupt me throughout the entire interview, cutting off my answer if they were not interested. Wished I would've seen it coming and not been as flustered.
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This is a really neat program! I think the culture is what makes UNM stand apart from other schools. I think UNM receives less credit than its due, and anyone would be fortunate to attend here!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office should improve communication consistency regarding timelines and updates, provide more detailed and accurate information for interview schedules, and consider enhancing the overall applicant experience by ensuring buildings are accessible and staff are supported.
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Don't send VITA invites to people in MD only. Be consistent with dates- they told me that "if you haven't heard back by Dec assume its a rejection," but i talked to another person and they were told a different timeline
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Send out a more thorough interview day schedule. The schedule I received via email did not have certain activities listed that were listed on the schedule I received day-of.
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Admissions office was the most positive element of my interview day experience. My suggestion: give the staff a raise, they've earned it.
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Make sure the buildings are unlocked so applicants can see the inside of them!
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The receptionist was incredibly helpful and friendly. My interviewers were very different, so it was
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