Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 35% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did okay.
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 appear to be in the format of an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), with respondents mentioning the need to sign nondisclosure agreements due to the confidential nature of the questions presented. While specifics are limited, the MMI typically involves addressing scenarios or situations and may include a more traditional one-on-one interview as well.
In addition to the MMI, there is a traditional, open-file, one-on-one interview with a member of the admissions committee. He/she asks typical questions about data from your primary and secondary applications.
Signed non-disclosure agreement. Multiple Mini-interview (MMI) format. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_mini_interview) (Also, search "multiple mini interview" in PubMed for published articles and lists of sample questions.)
The MMI cannot be discussed because of a Non-disclosure agreement. However, the tradition 1 on 1 interview that also occurs on interview day was very typical.
Students said most interesting question asked at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine discussed the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, with respondents mentioning confidentiality agreements (NDA) related to the MMI questions, indicating a focus on non-disclosure.
Students said most difficult question asked at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine discussed MMI format questions, with references to confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements.
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?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by practicing MMI scenarios, reviewing their application, researching the school and patient population, reading up on bioethics, and preparing to discuss ethical scenarios. Additionally, many candidates emphasized the importance of familiarizing themselves with the school, practicing MMI questions, and learning about healthcare topics to enhance their interview performance.
Practiced a ton of MMI scenarios, be ready for complex but interesting prompts
I read all I could about MMI format and sample questions. I carefully read US Health Care Reform, Medicare, and Medical Ethics articles on Wikipedia. These helped tremendously. I also found that researching the medical school, Carilion Hospital system, and the surrounding area helped me to better appreciate the experience and help me imagine living there.
Did research online for the MMI. Prepared for the traditional interview by learning as much as I could about the school and reading through my applications.
Applicants were consistently impressed by the warm and inviting faculty, brand new and beautiful facilities, high STEP scores, emphasis on research opportunities, and the dedication of the staff and administration. They also appreciated the small class sizes, the personal and professional interview process, the unique curriculum design, and the commitment to student success shown by the school.
Facilities are brand new and beautiful. They really do a lot to prepare physicians who have a strong foundation in research, and out of all the schools I've interviewed at they have the most opportunity to do legitimate research. Also liked that they have weeks off between each block, and that the area was beautiful! The hospital is incredible and every specialty you can imagine is present in the Carilion Clinic
Nearly everything: the interview process was both personal and professional. The faculty and students are clearly dedicated and passionate workers. The structure of the interview experience allowed the interviewees to get to know one another, the school, and the neighborhood well. Everything has been planned and purposely designed for student success - because there aren't any laurels to rest upon here (unlike the big Ivys who couldn't care less if TAs taught oversized classes) - they have shown commitment to each individual.
The school, a clean slate, and it it being built by the right people. They want their students to become great physicians, and they leave little doubt that they will succeed.
Applicants were negatively impressed by the lack of diversity among interviewees and students, long MMI process, limited amenities in the surrounding area, the school's new and unestablished reputation, uncertainty about the curriculum, and concerns about being part of a new program. Suggestions included increasing diversity, improving communication during interviews, and providing more clarity on the school's future plans and success.
Low diversity of interviewees and students (ethnicity and more); only a couple students came to talk with us at lunch (though the Friday night reception was quite good and helpful)
Since it is so new still the area directly surrounding the school and hospital doesn't have a ton of stuff. Outside of school and hospital cafes there is currently just a Starbucks and a Moe's right across the street from what I saw.
Still determining the curriculum, might changed third/fourth year around... but haven't decided how or if they will... makes me feel very uncertain about the entire program.
Being a new school, they have a lot of programs packed into the basket for their students. But what looks good on paper, may not succeed when the ball is rolling. Charter classes will be guinea pigs.
Many applicants expressed that they wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process would be more pleasant and low-stress than anticipated. They also recommended not stressing too much, bringing only essential items like a pen, and being prepared for a positive experience.
Applicants generally praised the welcoming atmosphere and friendliness of the school and interviewers, with positive comments about the interview experience and facilities. Some mentioned concerns about the school being new or its location, while others highlighted the unique aspects of the MMI style and the potential of the institution.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere of the school and students seemed very happy
I loved this school. They gave us a bus tour of Roanoke which was nice because you could be spending 4 years there! Other schools I've interviewed at I was only able to see the school and nothing else. Definitely go to the reception, talk to students, but also talk a lot to fellow applicants. I live in a major city now but really enjoyed the Roanoke area and the mountains right down the road. This was also probably the best hospital I've seen that has an associated medical school.
New medical schools, in general, are a breed apart. It's natural to be cautious and wary of a yet "unproven" school, but consider that millions of dollars and decades of research have gone into forming the most modern undergraduate medical educational experience yet. Established schools in the upper echelons of US News & World Report Rankings aren't ranked on the happiness of their students either. In a positive environment that fosters imaginative thinking and learning, tomorrow's leaders might come from a place you didn't know the name of yesterday.
All of the facilities we were shown were beautiful, new, and sophisticated. We also got a very extensive tour of the hospital with its director, and were served a pretty tasty catered lunch. I left with the sense that this school will go far and soon become one of the top medical schools.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested implementing virtual interviews and improving the professionalism of the interview process to enhance the admissions experience.
Have virtual interviews and a better professional interview process