Ask questions about this school. Answers use aggregated data and are subject to error.
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 35% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 142 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional8–8.9 Very Good7–7.9 Good6–6.9 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 average.
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 average.
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 are part of the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, where respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the confidential nature of the questions asked. Some respondents mentioned facing scenarios to address and a traditional 1-on-1 interview as part of the process.
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 MMI format, with respondents potentially under a nondisclosure agreement. Questions were confidential and similar to traditional MMI prompts experienced by students.
Students said most difficult question asked at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine discussed Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, where respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement for confidential questions.
Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 5 or more 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 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.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application, researching the school and its values, and practicing MMI scenarios. Many also focused on bioethics and healthcare topics, while some found it helpful to practice with a partner or read through sample MMI questions.
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 positively impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the faculty, the modern and beautiful facilities, the emphasis on research and student success, as well as the unique curriculum and small class sizes. Many expressed admiration for the dedicated faculty and staff, the engaging interview process, and the overall commitment to providing a supportive environment for students to thrive in.
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 commonly expressed concerns about the lack of diversity, long MMI process, limited amenities in the surrounding area, uncertainty about the curriculum, and the school being new with potential risks for students. Suggestions include enhancing diversity, improving the interview process, providing more information about the curriculum stability, and ensuring support for the inaugural class.
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.
Applicants commonly wish they had known ahead of time that the interview process would be less stressful and more pleasant than anticipated. They also suggest avoiding unnecessary stress, bringing essential items like a pen, and being aware of specific instructions like not bringing a bag or purse during interviews.
Applicants generally appreciated the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the school and its interview process, while some expressed concerns about the school's location and the uncertainty of their performance during the interview. Suggestions included being more transparent about the interview format and providing more information about the school to applicants.
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.
