Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 38% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did okay.
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 areaโs cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
๐ฌ Interview Questions โผ
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, specialty interests, ethical scenarios such as patient confidentiality, qualities of a good doctor, leadership experiences, and reasons for choosing a specific medical school. Some respondents mentioned being asked a variety of questions related to why they want to be a doctor, why they are interested in osteopathic medicine, and why they selected a particular institution like William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM). Notably, several responses hinted at an MMI format, potentially involving nondisclosure agreements due to the nature of the questions asked.
They asked me an ethical question related to HIV where you had both the husband and wife as your patient. If the Husband had HIV, would you tell the wife without the husbands permission?
Students said the most interesting question asked at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a variety of topics including ethical dilemmas, comfort levels in professional settings, and personal experiences related to medicine. Some respondents mentioned questions about providing birth control to minors, handling ethical scenarios at parties or in medical settings, and their fit with the institution's mission, while others were asked about their leadership, volunteer experiences, and knowledge of the school and its location. Some responses indicated the interview format may have been an MMI, and respondents might have been under a nondisclosure agreement.
Fun, specific question about one of my activites in my application.
Would you be comfortable with your male classmates being shirtless and female classmates in sports bras (in a purely professional environment) for OPP/OMT classes?
A family friend who you haven't seen in a long time time comes to you as his internist, with HIV refusing to tell his wife, what do you do? What about HIPPA?
If the manager in the doctors office is a cousin and one day you find her stealing narcotics ,what will you do ? she pleads to you and says she will commit suicide ? in 2 days you will stop your clinicals and come back to william carey and will never have to work with the doctor again ?
Students said the most difficult question asked at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed ethics scenarios, including handling situations like physician-assisted suicide and blood transfusions based on religious beliefs. The interview may have been in an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements, focusing on ethical dilemmas, commitment to practice, and academic scenarios like GPA and MCAT comparisons.
A family of three is brought into the ER following a car crash. The parents are both comatose and the child is awake but is suffering from profuse blood loss. The parents are confirmed to Jehovah's Witnesses, and their religion does not allow for blood transfusion. However, the child is in critical condition, and only a blood transfusion can save their life. No other family members are available to give consent for the operation. What do you do?
A family friend who you haven't seen in a long time time comes to you as his internist, with HIV refusing to tell his wife, what do you do? What about HIPPA?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 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?
The most common feedback and suggestions shared by applicants on how they prepared for the interview include practicing common questions, using resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) and mock interviews, researching the school and its mission, reviewing application materials, and ensuring a good night's sleep and relaxation before the interview for a confident and authentic performance.
Wrote out my answers to the most common questions, practiced saying them outloud, practiced smiling and listening
Spent time reflecting on things, skipped rocks over a pond, thought about all those stars in the sky and how many might well be the solar centers for little green men that are staring right back asking themselves the same questions about how badly they want to become an alien doctor and then going over the most winning responses for their culture's medical profession. Plus I read a book on osteopathic medicine's history that I got for free at the AOA's annual conference. Outside of learning more about osteopathic medicine there wasn't much of a serious process that I used when preparing. Just try to be yourself and don't polish so much that they miss the real applicant for the robot we all believe schools seek.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness, kindness, and professionalism of the interview staff and current students. They appreciated the welcoming and conversational atmosphere of the interviews, as well as the genuine care and enthusiasm displayed by everyone they encountered throughout the process. Many were also positively impressed by the school's integrated curriculum, facilities, and commitment to providing primary care physicians to underserved areas.
How laid back and nice they were. I was worried about coming off as stressed but ended up laughing quite a lot and the men who interviewed me were so nice. Also, hearing what each of them were proud of William Carey for was my favorite part of the whole interview.
The interviewers were very nice and informative. The medical students and faculty highlighted their integrated curriculum which was the most impressive thing.
Faculty seemed enthusiastic about program. They also promise a very quick turnaround for admission decision. Good simulation program and clinical training.
Friendliness of absolutely EVERYONE in the COM. From the facility who stopped and talked to the applicants while we waiting, to the students who spent time answering any and every question we could pose.
I was really impressed with the Mission of WCU-COM plans to provide primary care physicians to their target area. They are very diligent in sticking to their plan
Everyone was nice, interview group was small (6 people, other interviews are 30+), interview was actually about me (Had some interviews where it was obvious that they did not review my file enough and would just ask one type of question over and over). Clinical years.
Applicants commonly expressed negative feedback regarding outdated application forms, lack of interviewer engagement and feedback, unenthusiastic interviewers, and insufficient information provided about student life and campus facilities. Suggestions included updating application processes, improving interviewer rapport and feedback, and enhancing campus tours to provide more comprehensive information about the school and its amenities.
They seemed emotionless and very aloof the whole time. They were nice and polite but I couldn't gauge their reactions to my answers and didn't get a good read as to whether they liked me or not
Everything - Interview was awkward. They apologized to me for their poor academic and board performance during my interview. They told me that many of their students are unprepared heading into residency. Mandatory lectures. The Dean isn't a physician ...
The undergraduate WCU is a little different then what I expected and we did not hear much about it and its interactions with the COM. The area around WCUCOM was a little run down.
I wish the presentation tour gave information about: Services on campus, detailed information about hospitals in clinical hubs. I also wish the tour was longer and gave more information about WCU and not just the medical school. I think the tour would be better if it was given by a student and more planned/structured and not as casual. It would also help students if there were signs put up indicating where the interview was.
Applicants commonly wished they had known more about the interviewers' research interests, that the interviews were not as stressful as anticipated, and to arrive early for interviews. Additionally, many applicants mentioned feeling nervous unnecessarily and emphasized not stressing too much about the interview process.
More about what the interviewers research interests were
Interviews are at the end of the day and the sooner you go the sooner you get done with the interview day. Volunteer to go first!!!!!!m Or bring a computer to entertain yourself for a few hours.
Applicants generally found the interview experience at the school to be welcoming and relaxed, highlighting the friendly and kind nature of the staff and students. However, some expressed varied opinions on the facilities and overall impressions of the school, with a few feeling underwhelmed compared to their expectations.
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.
They were all very kind people and try very hard to make you feel comfortable. Just be yourself during the interview and remember to be kind and respectful and they will be sure to like you.
Good school, nice people. What you picture for Southern hospitality. Students seem happy, large multifaceted cafeteria that can feed any diet. Campus is nice, updated for the most part and clean. Small but coming from a large undergraduate school, I don't see it as a disadvantage, makes getting where you need to go easier. Students study wherever on campus, many in the main COM admin building where professors can be easily accessed.
This was the most relaxed interview I have had. Easy, traditional 3 on 1 interview that took less than 30 min per person. Felt comfortable to be myself and was not stressful at all. There were only 6 applicants interviewing my day also which was more intimate.
Heard some bad things about this school before I went, so I had low expectations. WCU blew me away with out unimpressive everything was. Said they had some of the best facilities in the country - LOL - my undergrad's nursing program has better facilities. Didn't get to see anatomy lab. OPP lab looked cheap. Students seemed oblivious. Mandatory lectures? No thanks. Clinical skills taught by non MD/DO's? For real?
The school was very nice. Nice facilities which are very well thought out. The facility has an average of 25 years of teaching experience. Or so we were told. The COM is very small and intimate.
Very clean, state-of-the-art facilities; students are very friendly and have nothing bad to say about the school; the faculty has all taught 25 yrs of med school minimum and they're all happy to be there and excited to teach....
LOVED this interview and the school
I would say arrive a little early, since WCU has an undergrad/grad, there are other buildings that are not related to the medical school, so it can be a little tricky to find.
Disappointed. Not what I expected it would be. Everyone raved about how friendly the staff was, but I did not find that to be true. Perhaps it was a fluke thing, but I have had several more pleasant interview experiences at established, highly-ranked schools.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest making the application process online-only and more streamlined, while also recommending more flexibility with letter of recommendation requirements.
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
I feel that the tour could have been better. I would have liked to tour the entire campus (nonmedical buildings). I believe that WCUCOM is unique because they have Undergrad/Grad programs, school sports, etc and they should talk about it during the interview. I also would have liked a more detailed presentation about our clinical years. WCU-COM uses a hub system, so students do not have to move a lot, but I would've liked detailed information about the hospitals (XYZ Hospital, XYZ beds, XYZ services, etc). I do not think the tour/presentation showed the school as best as it could have. (I liked the school, but the presentation could be improved).