SDN Logo
 
 

University of Virginia School of Medicine

Charlottesville, VA

Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 16% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low 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 low 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 revolve around personal experiences, motivations for pursuing medicine, challenges faced, ethical scenarios, clinical and research experiences, and long-term goals. Some respondents mentioned being asked specific questions tailored to their applications, while others highlighted inquiries about patient interactions, qualities important for a physician, and potential challenges in medical school. Notably, references were made to MMI format interviews with nondisclosure agreements possibly in place for some respondents.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at University of Virginia School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including qualities important in a physician, cultural contexts of patient care, balancing patient care with business aspects, ethical dilemmas, and personal passions. The interviews varied from specific questions related to applicants' files to scenario-based inquiries, with some applicants also discussing faith, ethics, and patient interactions in their responses.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at University of Virginia School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical dilemmas, personal reflections, and scenarios related to patient care. Respondents mentioned facing questions about patient treatment preferences conflicting with medical consensus, handling challenging supervisor expectations, and addressing issues in healthcare such as patient trust and system improvements, among others. Additionally, some responses indicated the interview format may have been an MMI with nondisclosure agreements, as multiple respondents referenced being asked sensitive or scenario-based questions.
🤝 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 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 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 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.

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.

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 good.
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 responsive.

How did you prepare for the interview?

Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by reviewing their application materials, reading interview feedback on platforms like Student Doctor Network, researching the school's website, practicing with mock interviews, and studying topics related to healthcare and medical ethics. Suggestions included revisiting personal statements, secondary essays, and practicing responses to common interview questions to ensure a thorough understanding of their application and the school's program.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were consistently impressed by the welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and students, beautiful campus, facilities, innovative curriculum, and Charlottesville's charm. They appreciated the conversational interviews, quick decision-making process, and opportunities for community engagement and extracurricular activities. Suggestions included continued emphasis on the school's strengths, maintaining the collaborative and supportive learning environment, and providing more information on financial aid and housing options.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the lack of diversity among students, limited patient interaction in early years, traditional curriculum, small-town location of Charlottesville, and the need to travel for clinical rotations. Suggestions include increasing diversity, enhancing early clinical exposure, improving facilities, and providing more information on extracurriculars and financial aid.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly mentioned that they wished they had known ahead of time about the relaxed and low-stress nature of the interview process at the University of Virginia, as well as the importance of comfortable shoes for the campus tour. Many also highlighted the positive aspects of Charlottesville and the quality of the lunch provided during the interview day, while some shared insights about the diversity of patient experiences and the small interview group sizes.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interview day at UVA to be well-organized and informative, with friendly interviewers who made the process conversational and low-stress. They appreciated the emphasis on student happiness, the new curriculum, and the supportive atmosphere of the school. Some concerns were raised about specific interviewers and the city of Charlottesville, but overall, UVA was viewed positively as a great medical school with impressive programs and facilities.
  • Good luck!
  • The interview was mostly pretty chill; I was disappointed that one of my interviewers did not practice at the school and other students were interviewed by an M4 and I was not. UVA would be awesome. They are interdisciplinary and the evnrionment is unbeatable.
  • I would choose this school immediately if it was cheaper. It's an awesome school in a great location (college town, but close proximity to other areas), with great academics and a focus on student happiness.
  • The interviewers had thoroughly read through my file. know your app well
  • The admission staffs at UVA were so great, you should definitely use the student host program they provide. You learn a lot about the school through this.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly praised the admissions office for their exceptional friendliness, professionalism, and overall positive experience. Some suggestions included implementing a more user-friendly electronic application process, providing a more extensive tour of the facilities, and enhancing communication through email updates.