Vermillion, SD
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 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 include inquiries about how applicants would have approached their undergraduate career differently, defining a successful career, preparing for the MCAT, demonstrating compassion, advocating for diversity and inclusion, handling conflict, and their motivations for pursuing medicine. While some responses mentioned MMI or Multiple Mini Interview format and nondisclosure agreements, the majority focused on personal qualities, experiences, and future aspirations relevant to a career in medicine.
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How did you study for the MCAT?
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How would you define your own successful career?
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What would you have done differently in your undergraduate career?
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Give me an example of a time when you showed compassion.
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How have you advocated for diversity/inclusion?
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, from personal qualities to healthcare challenges. While some interviews delved into specific scenarios and research details, others focused on personal interests like Star Wars episodes and philosophical backgrounds. It appears that the interviews were varied in nature, with no clear pattern emerging regarding commonly asked questions in the MMI format or under a nondisclosure agreement.
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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?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, from the importance of diversity in medicine to personal motivations for becoming a doctor. Some respondents mentioned challenging questions about healthcare crisis solutions, influential historical figures, academic performance discrepancies, and the role of insurance companies in healthcare, while others highlighted conversational interviews focusing on life experiences and goals in medicine.
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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!
🤝 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 another location.
📍 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 Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD)
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Sioux Falls Regional
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Omaha
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OMA
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FSD
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?
No responses
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 average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as average.
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 conducting mock interviews, reviewing their application materials, researching the school, practicing common interview questions, and staying updated on current events in healthcare. Suggestions included utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), speaking with current students or faculty, and familiarizing oneself with the school's mission and interviewers.
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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 impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the welcoming and supportive atmosphere created by enthusiastic current students, friendly interviewers, and staff. The new building and facilities were also highlighted as positive aspects, along with the relaxed and conversational nature of the interviews.
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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 were negatively impressed by issues such as uninterested or difficult interviewers, the inconvenience of interview locations and timing, lack of tour opportunities, underwhelming facilities or construction, and concerns about the rural setting. Suggestions include improving interviewer quality, providing better directions, enhancing campus tours, and addressing concerns about the school's location and facilities.
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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?
Applicants commonly wished they had known that interviews would be relaxed and conversational, with an emphasis on personal experiences rather than intimidating questions. They also suggested being prepared for questions about diversity, the importance of scores and volunteer work, and the focus on South Dakota residents interested in primary care in rural areas.
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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.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly mentioned that the interviews were generally relaxed and conversational, with varying levels of intensity depending on the interviewer. There was a mix of positive and negative feedback about the interview experience, highlighting the importance of being prepared to discuss rural medicine and primary care as well as personal motivations for pursuing medicine.
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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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office streamline the presentation by focusing on financial aid for matriculants, start interviews earlier in the day, ensure competent English language speakers for interview advocacy, and maintain high levels of responsiveness and accommodation throughout the admissions process.
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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.
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