Edinburg, TX
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 40% 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 as average compared to other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most rank this school as average compared to 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 the applicant's background, motivation for pursuing medicine, ethical scenarios such as witnessing cheating, reflections on personal weaknesses, and experiences that have shaped their journey towards becoming a doctor. While some respondents mentioned specific questions like 'Tell me about yourself' and 'What would you do if you saw another student cheating?', the presence of phrases like 'MMI', 'Multiple Mini Interview', or references to nondisclosure agreements indicates that the interviews may have been conducted in an MMI format with potential nondisclosure requirements.
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How do you know if you can trust information?
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How has experiences prepared you to become a doctor?
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Tell me about yourself
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What is your biggest weakness?
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Why medicine?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Texas Rio Grand Valley School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including surgical experience at a young age and ethical dilemmas faced by physicians. There were also mentions of questions related to ethical dilemmas and hands-on procedures, which might suggest an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
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Tell me more about your surgical experience and how you were able to perform so many hands-on procedures at a young age.
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I was asked a handful of ethical/dilemma questions. Like what would you do if you were the physician and your patient...
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Texas Rio Grand Valley School of Medicine discussed scenarios testing trust, reactions to weaknesses, and concerns about multiple MCAT attempts affecting performance in medical school. These questions suggest a focus on ethical decision-making, self-awareness, and academic preparedness during the interview process.
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How do you know if you can trust someone?
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Threw multiple scenarios at me about how would I react based on my weakness. Kept bringing it up.
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Do you think you're multiple MCAT attempts will foreshadow you struggling in medical school?
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 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 a closed 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 7+ 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 between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
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San Antonio
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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Best Western Plus. Make sure you park before 9pm because the parking lot fills up because of a food truck there.
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 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 moderately responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews and researching the school thoroughly, including details about the curriculum, culture, and involvement opportunities. Many also leveraged their prior knowledge or experiences with the institution to enhance their preparation.
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Mock interviews
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I visited their website for details about the medical curriculum. I am a UTRGV Alumni so I knew most of the details of the school beforehand.
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Research the school and how involved they are. Know the culture that surrounds the school.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the engaging and encouraging interviewers, the kind admissions staff, the variety of rotation locations, the abundance of opportunities for volunteering, research, and internships, and the school's commitment to serving the community. They appreciated the supportive and growth-oriented environment provided by the school.
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One of the interviewers was very engaging and encouraging me throughout the responses.
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The kind admissions staff and positive attitude of the students.
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The wide range of rotation locations all throughout the RGV.
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The school is new and growing. Tons of volunteer, research and internship opportunities readily available. The school really aligns to their mission statement of serving the community.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed dissatisfaction with the small size of the campus and facilities, as well as concerns about the surrounding community. Suggestions include expanding campus facilities and addressing safety and community issues to improve the overall experience for students.
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Very small campus. But it is growing.
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The small building where the classrooms were located.
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The surrounding community is not the best but it is very affordable.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the varying interview formats, the competitiveness of acceptance rates, and the full duration of the interview day.
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One would be closed and one would be open interview
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The small class size/acceptance rate.
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The whole interview day runs from 8 am to 5 pm.
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly praised the school for its laid-back and family-oriented atmosphere, emphasizing the benefits of small class sizes and close relationships between students and staff. Many also appreciated the growth and opportunities available within the program, along with the assurance that class sizes will remain small.
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The school has a laid back and very family orientated vibe. The small class size means the students and staff know each other well and overall everyone is caring for one another. The program is getting new buildings and growing. Opportunities are everywhere and the small class size is never going to reach over 70.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should provide timely updates to waitlisted applicants to avoid leaving them in limbo without communication. This feedback highlights the importance of maintaining transparency and responsiveness throughout the admissions process.
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Please keep your waitlisted applicants up to date on WL movement. Sucks being in limbo and having no responses to my emails.
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