Hattiesburg, MS
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
Faith-Based
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 38% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low 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 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 include inquiries about the candidate's motivation for pursuing medicine, their interest in a specific school or program, desired specialty, qualities of a physician, ethical scenarios, leadership experiences, and knowledge of osteopathic medicine. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement given the prevalence of questions related to the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format in these interviews.
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Tell me about yourself
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What is your motivation? What will help you push through when it gets hard to study?
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Why do you want to go to school here? Why primary care?
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Why DO?
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Why William Carey?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical scenarios tailored to preferred specialties, comfort levels in professional attire situations, and reflections on healthcare observations during shadowing. The interview format may have been an MMI, as some responses alluded to nondisclosure agreements, with questions also touching on volunteer experiences, future medical practice locations, and knowledge about the institution and its mission.
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Fun, specific question about one of my activites in my application.
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Tell us about your leadership experience
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Do you have any pets?
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What do you know about WCUCOM and Mississippi?
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Why DO?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed ethical scenarios such as physician-assisted suicide, blood transfusions for Jehovah's Witnesses, and prescribing birth control to minors, along with questions about handling academic challenges and ethical dilemmas in medical practice. Some responses hinted at an MMI format or non-disclosure agreement due to the mention of tailored ethical questions and the absence of specific question details.
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What is one weakness/ strength you have?
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Ethical question
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Ethics-based question about insurance
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N/A
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How would you handle a situation where a depressed patient is wanting a physician assisted suicide
🤝 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 3 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 Admissions staff personnel
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 2-3 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 New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
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Pine Belt Regional (PIB)
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New Orleans (MSY)
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New Orleans
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N/A
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MSY (New Orleans International Airport)
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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don't remember
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Residence Inn
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Northgate Inn Magnuson
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N/A
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Microtel near USM
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
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 average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
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Virtual interview
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Stayed in an Air BNB outside of town
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Do not recommend very highly; however, if you are on a budget, it is sufficient and it is only 15 minutes away from WCU.
✅ 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?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing Student Doctor Network (SDN) for common questions and feedback, practicing mock interviews, reviewing their application materials, and researching the school's website and mission. Some also engaged in mock interviews with friends or advisors to improve their interview skills and confidence.
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Wrote out my answers to the most common questions, practiced saying them outloud, practiced smiling and listening
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SDN, prep answers
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Sdn, Dr. Gray's interview prep book, mock interviews
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studied the questions on SDN
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SDN, watched a couple of youtube videos, mock interview with school's pre health team
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendliness, kindness, and professionalism of the interviewers and staff at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. They appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, personalized interactions, and the genuine care shown by faculty and students, as well as the emphasis on integrated curriculum and clinical training. Suggestions for improvement were minimal, with some mentioning a desire for more information on certain aspects of the program like discipline-based learning.
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The interviewing staff seemed really nice
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Interviewers were super kind
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Enjoyed the small group of interviewees and that we got to eat lunch with the students. Everyone I encountered was very friendly.
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The friendliness and professionalism of the interviewers.
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Their politeness and smiling throughout the interview. It felt very conversational.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were frequently unimpressed by outdated application forms, lack of conversational rapport during interviews, quick transitions between questions by interviewers, emotionless feedback, limited information on extracurricular activities and campus life, and issues related to campus size and facilities. Suggestions included updating application processes, encouraging more engaging interviews, providing clearer feedback, and offering more comprehensive tours and information sessions.
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The application form seemed a bit out-dated
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Interviewers were friendly but not super conversational, I would try to build some rapport and mostly got blank stares.
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nothing
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Nothing really
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The interviewers took no time whatsoever to discuss any of my answers. They immediately went on to the next question after I was finished answering.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known more about the interviewers' research interests, the low-stress nature of the interview, and the importance of arriving early. Additionally, many noted the need to not stress excessively, be prepared for ethical questions, and understand the interview format and setting beforehand.
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More about what the interviewers research interests were
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How it was not that stressful
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Nothing
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I was ten minutes early but 15 minutes out they called me and asked if I was still coming! SO definitely get here super early.
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While Mississippi is a rural state, Hattiesburg is an urban city.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the school to be welcoming with friendly staff and a tight-knit community. However, some expressed concerns about facilities, teaching staff, and overall expectations not meeting their initial perceptions.
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Seems like a great place
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N/A
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Great interview overall !
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I honestly had little interest in this school and it was my "safety" but I left feeling like it was a strong contender for my possible school I attend! They were so kind, the tour really highlighted both good and bad aspects of the buildings, and the dean took time to talk to us about what they were improving or what they had struggled with. I felt like the school felt like a happy family.
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Enjoyable interview overall, I just wish I was given a bit more time to breathe between questions.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested making the application process online-only and more streamlined, while also improving communication and clarity on requirements such as letters of recommendation. They also recommended having current students involved in the admissions process, offering online secondaries, and providing more detailed campus tours and presentations.
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Make the application online-only, and more up-to-date with the process for other medical schools. Don't be so picky about who you want letters of recomendation from. I submitted one from a Neuroscience professor, and a Psychology professor I did research with, and they informed me that neither of them counted as a "core science" faculty member, so I would need to get a new letter before they'd process my application- so I had to scramble last minute to get one from my Biochem professor
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They could not have been any friendlier or kinder. I left feeling a strong connection to them and the school.
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N/A
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Nothing! I loved the process
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Have current COM students talk with applicants
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