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.
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.
Where do you see yourself in 15 years? What do you consider a small town? So, which age group of people would you like to work with...kids, the elderly?
They didn't really ask questions. Rather, they brought up things from my application and we chatted. They were interested in learning things from me far from anything medical-related. It was fun just to chat.
What can you tell me about yourself that's not already in your application? How did you study for the MCATs? Why do you think ________ was your lowest scoring part on the MCATs?
Would you be a good candidate to work in an underserved community? Give me your sales pitch as to why you should get into medical school? Read any good books lately?
Where do you see youself in 10 years? (They REALLY want family practice/rural so be ready to answer this question especially if that isn't what you want to do)
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.
Tell me about your husband and how he feels about all of this. Is he willing to move with you?
Where do you get spontaneously hypertensive rats? (referring to my research)
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.
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 was your involvement with the "Nonviolent Alternatives" student group? (The group is an anti-war group that identifies with oppressed peoples. The interviewer who asked works at the VA. Yipes!)
"why do you want to be a physician?" Not the hardest question, but to EVERYTHING I said one interviewer said "doesn't a nurse do that, doesn't a nurse do that?" It's like I couldn't win.
My interviewers didnt ask any tricky or ethical questions, just wanted to get to know me, they asked me about my life experiences and how they reinforced my goal to become a physician, and that was about it.
I was drilled by one interviewer about why I want to be a doctor and why I would be interested in working in an underserved community. That is all we talked about.
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.
SDN, practice interview questions, reviewed my applications, researched my interviewers, reviewed my research, looked at personal statements, prepared to defend any part of my application or to explain activities and such, school website and mission, current medical issues, the US healthcare system, political views on healthcare
Mock interview, read SD.net feedback, re-read my applications, read generic interview questions, wrote-down my own list of questions, bought a new suit from Macy's.
SDN (not much help there). Researched my interviewers since they tell you well ahead of time who they will be. Contacted students who are friends of mine that attend USDSM.
SDN, reviewed my application, personal statement and secondary, thought of answers for commonly asked questions, searched internet for commonly asked questions
This website, practice interviews, looked over website, researched my interviewers. I also went to the hospital the evening before the interview and found where I needed to be the next morning.
Re-read my application materials, looked online at several possible interview questions and thought about what answers I'd give, made sure I was up-to-date on current events, etc.
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.
Current students were enthusiastic about the program and they showed a clear bond between one another.
The school...every aspect! The new building is amazing. The admissions office staff were incredibly helpful throughout the whole process and are definitely there for the students. The curriculum and opportunities are just want I am looking for. The location is perfect for my situation!
Everyone, including the interviewers, were very, very supportive and friendly. The new building will be gorgeous, and I've heard only positive things about the curriculum. Patient contact in the first year.
The new medical school building is really nice.
My interviewers were great and answered a lot of my questions. They were genuinely interested in getting to know me and were very kind. They had a lot of good things to say about their program and their students.
The doctors who interviewed me were open, really nice and not out to get you. I was impressed to learn that the stats of entering studends are in the lower 25%, at the 50% for the USMLE 1, and at the 75% for the USMLE 2! Something is being done right here.
Small class size. Female student that I ran into took the time to talk to me and made a good impression. Admissions staff was awesome. I love rural South Dakota... kind of gives you that frontier kind of feeling. The brand new facilities that are under construction are a big plus.
The first interviewer was very friendly and told me that even though the school looks for people to go into family practice in rural south dakota, they don't take you out back and shoot you if you choose to do something else
The 1st interviewer - was down-to-earth, very friendly, really supported the school/"talked it up", very helpful and positive - interview lasted at least an hour.
I found out that the school accepts people with an MCAT average below the national average, but those students score above the national average on the board exams. The school is also remodeling.
The relaxed nature of both of my interviews. It was very conversational and none of the questions were particularly difficult. Both interviewers were eager to answer any questions I had.
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.
One of the interviewers seemed uninterested, short, and did not understand a question I asked at the end.
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.
I would have liked to talk to students and get more of a tour of campus. The admissions office could definately improve their interview days by planning the day for the interveiwie (sp?) and selling their program more. Instead the day only consisted of 2 personal interviews and a brief tour of the med school building.
Since the school is under construction, I was not able to tour the facilities. I have heard really good things about the new facilities from people I know that work for the school.
The facilities are really weak. One other thing that did NOT impres me was the second interview. I interviewed with an allergy doctor in the city of Sioux Falls. He asked me what my future plans were, I said I didn't know. He then pretty much attacked me for nto wanting to live in rural podunk SD for the rest of my life. Hello, where are you? Why aren't you out on the prairie if its so great?
I try not to dwell on the negative, but I guess to some, the rural setting would not be desirable. But like the plains and it couldn't be a better location. Rural-yes, but state funding makes it nice.
My letter of confirmation told me the wrong place to go for my first interview. They had me scheduled for an interview with one person while the letter said someone else.
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.
Have an answer when asked about diversity in general.
Nothing really...after the interview, I realized that I was probably overprepared, but I don't regret that at all. The interview was not an intimidating question/answer session...it was comfortable and conversational. One interviewer asked about my MCAT score, but mostly just about how I studied and that sort of thing. So, I guess I wish I would've known how relaxed the interview would be.
That the interviews would be so laid-back. I was way too worked-up over the combative horror stories listed elsewhere, and I should have been working on better jokes.
I had known that USD really wants kids to stay in state, do family practice and live in small towns...but I had no idea to what extent. My advice is to lie through your teeth because if you don't want to do that your file will basically be put at the bottom.
Scores are very important their average is 9's so they want you to have no less than a point or two below their average. They want somebody that has a broad range of study and volunteers a lot of their time so put everything you volunteer for on your application.
You likely will have to travel to 2 seperate towns for your interviews, Sioux Falls and Vermillion. They are about an hour away from one another, but they allow plenty of time for travel.
The interviews are really conversational and not heavily directed toward medicine. They just want to learn about you. Oh, based on how many people applied this year, more than 1/3 of the applicants will get in!!!!
They give priority to South Dakota residents -- I assumed this was true, but as I understand they do not even allot a certain percentage of their class to out of state students. Also, they are looking for students who are interested in primary care in the rural areas of the state.
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.
Three thirty minute interviews: two with faculty (open file) one with a current student (closed file). Over Zoom.
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.
If you look beyond spending two years in a wheat field and two years in suburbia, this is going to be a great school. It has a small class size with accessible lecturer and promises a solid background for any specialty.
I interviewed MD/PhD. The first interviews were on the Sanford Campus at Sioux Falls. These consisted of a panel interview with three interviewers that lasted about an hour. Following this, I met with the Dean of the Medical School. Then at the Vermillion campus, there was a financial aid presentation, lunch, and then a tour. Following this there was a panel interview with six interviewers which lasted about an hour.
I interviewed at USD almost last during my interview trails. I interviewed at a lot of top programs, Georgetown being one of them, and out of all my interviews, USD's was the hardest because of the varied questions I was asked.
I did get accepted into the program.
Being from South Dakota, and knowing that this is one of my top choices due to cost and location, I really wanted to nail this interview. I felt I had a really positive experience although I did not learn a lot about the medical school because I know a lot about it due to the fact I have spent my undergrad years here.
My interviewers were great--really kind and interested in getting to know me as a person. People seem to know each other well and have a good medical community.
I wish I got to know the school a bit better, but luckily had friends from home who showed me around town.
The interviews were pretty laid back and not stressful. Most of the time was just spent chatting. They went through my file and asked a few of the typical 'why do you want to be a doctor' questions, but did not grill me on any ethical issues or whether or not I wanted to practice rural medicine.
There were 2 interviews - one at the actual school with a researcher and one in Sioux Falls with a physician. The first interview was unbelievably laid back...we barely even discussed my file at all so I'm sure it was hard for him to defend me on my credentials. I discussed the second interview above a little bit...he played devils advocate. Everything I said he contradicted to the point that it was ridiculous and we were getting no where. He was a fairly nice guy and he said he was doing that on purpose, but if you have an allergen specialist in SF as your interviewer be prepared for that. Lie Lie Lie! You DO want to live on the reservation and work in family practice! If you do not have any ties to keep you in a small SD farm, be ready to strongly defend your reasoning for wanting to practice in one.
Much like the others have reported. Two interviews held in different places. One in V-town and one in SF. First interview was with a Vascular Surgeon. Very nice man, wasn't affraid to be real with me - he didn't emphasize the much-talked-about state mandated rural primary care. He just kind of rolled over it for formality sake. Im not suprised since his specialty is as far from primary care as it gets. He represented the school very well. Interview wasn't easy, but it was definately fair to me.
Very laid back and friendly. Maps to get to the locations were excellent and made finding the places easy. Overall, was relaxed and more like casual conversation with the occasional interview question interjected into the conversation.
As others have stated, the interview was split into two separate locations with plenty of time to travel. The first interview was pretty easy going but the second was more intense. The interviewer really wanted me to sell myself to him so that he could defend me to the committee. He seemed very interested in my grades and MCAT scores. There was not as much emphsis on lifetime experience or past degrees.
Two interviews, 1 PhD, 1 MD. Both friendly and interested in my background and committment to rural medicine. Both very open to me asking them about the program and the school.
The two different interviewers were completely different. The first was really friendly and seemed like he really wanted to get to know me. The second one did not show much enthusiam and seemed as if i was inconviencing him by being there.
The school is very old. They should have the new medical school building built by the time I would have graduated. If you can wait a couple of years, it will probably be a very nice place to go to school.
They really want and need people to go to rural SD and practice - they know that everyone that applies "says" they will go into family practice and then go to rural/underserved SD and practice but they don't. I know for a fact they don't because I live in the northwest/central region and work and none of our providers have graduated from USD. So the Dean is really cautious of this. I wasn't shown around - which there isn't much to see in Vermillion anyways. The 1st interviewer was great, he really bragged up their school, the different locations, which location would fit you the best, etc. He was really positive. The 2nd interviewer wasn't so great didn't talk much of the school or the other locations - he was short and to the point and didn't do much for the outlook of the school. The interviews were given in Vermillion and in Sioux Falls, they give you lots of time to get from one place to the other.
Both of my interviews were relaxed in nature. They started out by asking where I was from/how I grew up and then went into questions on why I was interested in medicine. Both interviewers asked about what questions they could answer. During my first interview, we spent the last 5 or 10 minutes chit-chatting about places we'd traveled, etc. Very conversational and comfortable.
Overall, I had a good experience at this interview. The atmosphere was totally relaxed. Most of my questions were about my weaknesses, low scores, or low grades that they saw.
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.
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.
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.