University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture College of Veterinary Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Knoxville, TN
Veterinary Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 19% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.3
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 164 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 were about the applicant's motivation for attending the specific institution, their communication skills, their career choice rationale, challenges facing the field, program-specific interests, personal background leading to the career choice, and knowledge of veterinary-related topics such as zoonotic diseases and common injuries. Some responses indicated an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
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Why do you want to attend UT?
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Give an example where my communication failed.
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Why I wanted to be a veterinarian
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What does the human-animal bond mean?
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What is the biggest problem facing veterinary medicine right now?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture College of Veterinary Medicine discussed various topics, including infectious diseases, research projects, cost of the degree, ownership of exotics, public health roles, similarities between different veterinary fields, personal interests like team roping and barrel racing, and ethical questions such as horse slaughter and meat production methods. Some interviewees may have experienced an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements due to the diverse and unexpected nature of the questions asked during the interview process.
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If you could be any infectious disease, what would you be and why?
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Specific questions about my research project
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Do you know how much this degree will cost?
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How do you feel about the ownership of exotics? (I have an exotic interest on my application)
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What role do veterinarians play in public health?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture College of Veterinary Medicine discussed various topics, including uniqueness and diversity contribution, weaknesses, leadership experiences, compassion fatigue, sacrifices in vet school, veterinarian roles in public health, ethical dilemmas, and application strengths. A few responses indicated an MMI format, potentially involving nondisclosure agreements due to references to specific questions and scenarios.
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What makes you unique and how would you bring diversity to our school?
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Why am I a good choice for UTCVM?
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What is my biggest weakness?
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Explain a time when you had to show leadership and how you went about it.
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We were talking about the most difficult issues in the practice where I work and it basically led to how I plan to deal with compassion fatigue.
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 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 in a group 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?
Many applicants prepared for their interviews by reading through their applications and personal statements, researching the school, practicing with mock interviews, and reviewing common interview questions from platforms like SDN. They also emphasized the importance of being specific about their interest in the college and its programs, staying up-to-date on current events in veterinary medicine, and having questions prepared for the interviewers.
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SDN, researching the school, mock interview, searching possible interview questions
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Read practice questions, SDN, and prepare answers to standard interview questions. Do your research on the college and what programs they have to offer, be specific, and also have questions prepared.
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looking at online prep questions
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Read SDN, read my application and PS
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Study questions, prepared answers for anticipated questions, mock interviews.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere created by both the interviewers and current students, the high level of support and accessibility of faculty and staff members, and the state-of-the-art facilities, especially the large animal hospital. Many also appreciated the conversational and laid-back interview format, as well as the emphasis on hands-on learning experiences.
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The interview felt more laid-back and conversational.
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The interview was very easy going, and it flowed like a normal conversation.
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The interview format was organized while still being relaxed and not super stressful. The whole process was handled very professionally and communication was great.
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The brand new facilities
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The large animal hospital was AMAZING. All indoors, beautiful facilities, hyperbaric chambers, cleanliness of the hospitals.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about scheduling conflicts impacting interview times, limited exposure to active classes and facilities during tours, and some encounters with unprofessional behavior from current students. Suggestions included improving the organization of interviews, providing more comprehensive tours, and ensuring that student representatives are enthusiastic and welcoming.
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There were some technical difficulties that pushed my interview time back two hours.
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Nothing!
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Nothing
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That the interviews are so much later than any of the other vet schools. It didn't really leave a lot of time to make a decision before the VMCAS April 15th deadline.
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We did not see many students in active class. And we did not get to see many classrooms to get an idea of a "day in the life" (otherwise we saw EVERYTHING else on our tour).
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known specific details about the interview day logistics in advance, such as parking arrangements, location of interviews, and the fact that interviewers do not have access to academic files. They also highlighted the importance of arriving early, being prepared for inclement weather, and taking advantage of opportunities to interact with current students and faculty.
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NA
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I kinda wish they had someone outside handing out parking passes instead of having us park, pick up the pass, then take it back to the car. No a huge deal, but a little annoying.
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I felt very informed about everything..
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That they weren't going to be asking specific questions to my application.
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I wish I had known what questions I would be asked so that I could prepare more articulate, less panicked answers, but that isn't possible.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly expressed positive feedback about their interview experiences, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere, conversational nature of the interviews, and the friendly demeanor of the faculty and students. Suggestions for improvement included better organization of the interview day, more proactive engagement from students in promoting the school, and addressing any potential awkward timing issues between the tour and interviews.
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If you want to make a good impression ask questions about their programs so they know that you have done your research. This was my favorite interview so far.
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They looked at my packet and highlighted areas that I felt were important that other schools looked over. I appreciated that the interview was more of a conversation than a question-and-answer session. Even if I don't receive an invite (OOS school for me), I really enjoyed my time there.
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I was very impressed with both the school and the city.
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The equipment and facilities of the school were very nice. The interview and student tour were both very positive experiences!
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My interviewers were wonderful! I loved visiting with the students until time for my interview. Dean Brace was very helpful with questions I had. The facilities were quite impressive!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office provide more detailed information about interview schedules to help with planning, and to expedite the decision-making process to allow for more time before the due date. They also recommend sending more frequent updates and information to keep applicants informed throughout the process.
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It would have been very helpful if in the interview offer they mentioned how long the tour was going to be. That way students could have planned better when to arrive at the school for the interview and tour.
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I wish the process would occur a little sooner so we could hear an admissions decision more than ten days before our due date to decide. I wish interviews were in early March or February to give us more time to make our decisions.
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N/A
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Send more updates and information: I received much more from other schools.
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None! Everyone I have communicated with at UTCVM has been helpful, encouraging, and friendly.
📍 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 out of state students.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 4-6 hours 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 McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
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ATL
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CHA
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Chattanooga
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TYS
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knoxville airport
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Based on the responses provided by the users, the most commonly mentioned hotel is the "Holiday Inn."
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Best Western
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Best Western Cedar Bluff Inn
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Four Points Sheratin
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Hampton Inn
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Hampton Inn Downtown Knoxville
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
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