Vermillion, SD
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 38% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.3
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 158 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (71%)
Negatively (9%)
No change (21%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (47%)
Good (33%)
Average (13%)
Poor (7%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interviews to be relaxed and conversational, with varying experiences based on the interviewers. Feedback included positive impressions of the faculty, concerns about the emphasis on rural medicine, and the need for more information about the school and its locations.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Three thirty minute interviews: two with faculty (open file) one with a current student (closed file). Over Zoom.
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Great school. Great faculty. Terrible location but it's only 2 years in Vermillion.
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It seems like a really great school and everything. Time will tell.
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Do not get too worked up! The interviewers were very kind and just want to get to know you and your plans! My second interview was different than I expected...it was with a physician, and she pretty much talked the whole time...about her job, life, the healthcare system, stories...it was incredibly interesting. She only asked me a few questions, which I thought was odd, but i just listened and added my input when necessary.
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Would love to got to the school. Not sure it that is possible after a few comments from an interviewer.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
47 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
97% One-on-One
3% Group Interview
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File Type:
100% Open-File
0% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
USDSM-COMP interviews are an average of 47 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 97% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 0% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about handling conflicts, describing oneself as a TV or movie character, reflecting on undergraduate career choices, explaining reasons for pursuing medicine, envisioning future medical practice, and discussing academic performance and motivations for becoming a doctor. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format interview with nondisclosure agreements in place, indicating a structured interview process focusing on various scenarios and ethical dilemmas.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What would you have done differently in your undergraduate career?
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If you could describe yourself as any TV or movie character who would you choose and why?
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How do you handle conflict?
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Tell me about your mentored research experience.
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What types of books have you read recently?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including graduate research, personal qualities of a physician, favorite Star Wars episode, and hypothetical scenarios. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as some responses alluded to nondisclosure agreements, while others detailed questions related to personal experiences, ethical dilemmas, and future healthcare challenges.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about your graduate research.
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What is one thing you are hoping I won't ask you?
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My interview gave me a situation and asked what I would do
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What was your favorite Star Wars episode?
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In your opinion, what qualities make a good physician?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews, reading over their applications, researching the school, and practicing common interview questions. They also utilized resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), spoke with current students, and stayed updated on current medical topics to be well-informed during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Mock interview
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Mock interview and research
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University Pre-med resources, online readings.
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Studied SDN material, my resume, and internet sources.
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I didn't
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine discussed a range of topics including the importance of diversity in medicine, solutions to the healthcare crisis in America, personal motivations for becoming a physician, and influences on the 20th century. Some respondents mentioned a conversational tone in the interviews, while others highlighted specific challenging questions related to academic performance and career choices. It appears that the interviews may have been in MMI format, with a possibility of nondisclosure agreements in place, as some responses alluded to restrictions in sharing specific questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why is diversity important in medicine?
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Why do you see yourself in South Dakota?
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There was nothing too difficult. Very straight forward
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How will your major help you in medicine?
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None were really too horrible. The interview was mostly just conversational and the interviewers were very very friendly. Although I was prepared for the healthcare crisis question that I mentioned before, I still wasn't exactly sure to say because I knew the physician I was talking to know a lot more about it than me!
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the enthusiasm and camaraderie among current students, as well as the welcoming and personable nature of the interviewers. Additionally, the new building and facilities, supportive staff, and relaxed interview atmosphere were commonly highlighted as positive aspects of the program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Current students were enthusiastic about the program and they showed a clear bond between one another.
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Interviewers were very nice and personable! They made me feel welcome!
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How relaxed my interviewers were
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Friendly admissions office.
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The new building.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about issues such as uninterested or difficult interviewers, inconvenient scheduling, lack of tour opportunities or incomplete facilities, and concerns about the rural setting. Suggestions included improving interviewer training, ensuring accurate scheduling information, providing comprehensive campus tours, and addressing concerns about the school's facilities and locations.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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One of the interviewers seemed uninterested, short, and did not understand a question I asked at the end.
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One of my interviewers was foreign, non-physician faculty and could hardly understand his English. And he didn't try very hard to help me understand. And I don't think he was processing what I was trying to say very well himself.
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I had to skip lunch to make it to my second interview on time.
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The first interviewer was late.
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Vermillion
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Many applicants wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews would be laid-back and conversational, focusing more on personal experiences rather than intimidating question-answer sessions. Additionally, some regretted not being aware of the emphasis on certain criteria like GPA, MCAT scores, volunteering experiences, and the preference for in-state students interested in primary care in rural areas.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Have an answer when asked about diversity in general.
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I was the only student to interview on that particular day.
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That I would receive a tour of the school with another applicant.
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N/A
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That I would not be fed lunch.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office should consider streamlining the financial aid information for matriculants, starting interviews earlier in the day, ensuring competent English language speakers for interviews, and maintaining impressive responsiveness and accommodation for all applicants.
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The financial aid portion of the presentation should be kept for matriculants. I feel it was unnecessary for interviewees. Beginning the interviews earlier in the day would have been nice, as it was a very long day.
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Because this school places so much weight on the interview and the advocacy of the interviewer for the applicant when admission decisions are made, I would suggest competent English language speakers.
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The Admission Office was amazing!! They were so helpful and incredibly accomadating. I was so impr
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None.
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The Admissions Office was impressively responsive and accommodating.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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Omaha
40% interviewees used Omaha (Omaha), with 20% using FSD (FSD) and 20% using OMA (OMA) and 20% using Sioux Falls Regional (Sioux Falls Regional).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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25% Airplane
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54% Automobile
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17% Train or Subway
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4% Other
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (23%)
Faculty member (9%)
Other (9%)
Student (59%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (68%)
Neutral (32%)
All Responses
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