Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 24% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
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 revolved around the applicant's motivations for pursuing medicine, study habits, future career goals, experiences, strengths and weaknesses, interest in osteopathic medicine, and specific details from their application such as academic performance and extracurricular activities. While some interviews were in MMI format with nondisclosure agreements, the majority focused on personal attributes, study techniques, experiences in medicine, and reasons for choosing the profession and the school.
This was specific to my application, but they asked about my experience working for a DO who is a dermatologist and how that influenced my opinion/exposure to the osteopathic career.
Why WVSOM? Most stressful aspect of going back to school (I am non-traditional student)? With all my healthcare experience, what's the biggest problem with healthcare? Explain why I have a gap in my application? What aspect of my previous professional education will help me with school and what aspects will hurt me?
Why WVSOM? Why DO? Have you applied to allopathic schools as well?
Do you want to go into primary care? (or something to that effect...I do not recall specifically)
A question about some research I did as an undergrad. Again, glance at your application before the interview to make sure you remember everything on there!
They asked about how i learn, what i do to study. (based on which tracked would i choose, SBL or PBL) then they asked ''what if i told you that med school was double your heaviest load in undergrad''
Tell me about the patient contact you have had. Why did you choose _____ for your research topic (followed by many questions relating to the research)? What field of medicine would you like to go into?
Tell me about yourslef. Why osteopathy? What do you like todo for fun? Your average MCAT score does not reflect your high GPA, why is that? What was your most difficult undergrad semester, what would you do differently if you could go back to it?
What are your strengths and weaknesses? What other schools did you apply to and why? Did you apply to any allopathic schools? What is your criteria for picking a medical school? Are you interested in PBL?
Do you feel they will ever find a Unified Field Theory? (This was asked as a follow-up to a comment that I made in answering a question about my interests and how I deal with stress. I had commented about being interested in Quantum Physics, Superstring Theory, and Chaos Theory. The interviewers were definitely quick on their feet...so be able to back up anything that you say.)
Do you feel you will be able to handle the demands of a 38 credit load? (One of the interviewers gave the analogy of having your lips sealed aroung the end of a firehose and cranking the flow to it's maximum flow rate)
Why did you chose DO instead of MD since I could most likely get into any school I applied to? (not trying to brag here...anyway I chose DO school for the simple fact of the WAY DO's are trained and practice)
Would you be interested in our PBL pathway? Questions were quite boring, I was disappointed. However, I feel that if you were really interested in the school, they would be more challenging and specific.
How do you have fun; What was your hardest semester, therefore how do you plan to handle the medical school information; Why did you choose the schools you did
Personal questions: They asked about why I made several long distance moves around the country, about my musical experiences, and to give more details about one of my volunteer experiences.
Students said most interesting question asked at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine discussed various aspects, including medical ethics, studying strategies, specialty preferences, ER experiences, and handling challenging medical scenarios. While some responses alluded to Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) and nondisclosure agreements, the questions primarily focused on personal experiences, ethical dilemmas, specialty interests, and problem-solving abilities in medical settings.
What's an issue in medical ethics that you feel strongly/passionate about?
How was your trip over here? (I'm from Seattle and I told them about how it was an adventure, taking 3 planes, eating alligator, and driving an SUV for the first time ever :P)
How did you manage to get along in the Czech Republic the first couple of weeks where their simplest word is "ahoj"? (This was based off my application)
Two patients are brought into your ER in respiratory arrest. They have the exact same vital signs. Your nurses are busy with another critical patient and you have one ventilator. What do you do?
(I feel that I may have been asked this question as I am an EMT and had mentioned my interest in emergency medicine.)
You're a doctor in a small rural town, in a hospital of about 100 beds. You're in the ED, all other nurses are busy. You have one respirator. Two patients are being brought by an ambulance, both in critical condition with respiratory distress. Both are unstable with the exact same vitals. The ambulance driver has no medical training. What do you do?
Everything seems pretty basic. They asked my why i was taking botany and ecology my senior year and it was because i had to fulfill my biology reqs and they asked me abou tmy undergrad school because they never heard of it, and when i told them it was a womens college and they geared the education toward the way women learn, they asked me how women learn
Recent survey indicated that sixty percent of the doctor would have choosen different profession, if they were given another chance. Why do you want to be a doctor?
Interesting? All of the questions asked of me where direct and to the point. Probably the most "interesting" was a discussion concerning my family and my ability to handle Med School.
Nothing really...I practiced what was on the this website. It was a very relaxing interview so when he asked me why do you wanna be a doctor and why osteopathy? I was caught by surprise, but it was good overall. Very relaxing and friendly people.
Well they didn't get to ask me alot of questions because I basically asked them so many questions about osteopathic medicine and how it would positively affect the way I practice medicine.
What was your hardest semester in undergraduate? "answered" followup... How do you plan to make it all the way through medical if it's said that med school is a lot harder than anything you've overcome in undergraduate school.
If all MD and DO programs that I applied to accepted, which one would I choose and why? What would be the selection criteria for picking the one program?
Students said most difficult question asked at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including personal challenges, future aspirations, academic performance, and motivations for pursuing medicine. While some mentioned specific questions about grades or test scores, many responses indicated a conversational and exploratory interview style, with no universally challenging questions identified.
Tell us about a time you had to have a difficult discussion with someone.
Cannot think of any. Just remember that when they ask about your MCAT or your grade, they are not there to mess with you. They just want to know what happened in general.
What is something about medicine that you don't like but will have to just get through? Something like that. I think they meant like regarding insurance stuff
Tell me about the difference in your science GPA and overall GPA (with follow up questions because I didn't quite understand what he was asking apparently)
None. They really don't want to try and trip you up or fluster you. They just want to get to know you. ZERO stress. Seriously, I didn't believe it before I interviewed, but it's true.
''We notice you have very high grades... we find that our students with high GPA's tend to do poorly their first semester in medical school- does that concern you?''
Why you want to be a DO. Shouldn't have been hard, but they came at it from a differnt way than I was prepared. Make sure you have every angle covered.
They didn't ask any questions I wasn't prepared for. All of the questions were pretty general and all were already listed on this website so none of them were difficult.
What do i think i will have the most problem with in school and what i think i will do the best in, coursewise. i said biochem as the worst and one of the interviewers laughed and said, ''that's what everyone says!''
No questions were very difficult. The interviewers were very nice and really seemed like they wanted to get to know me. The interview was very dynamic and most of the questions they asked me stemmed from conversation. I was very pleased with the interview and actually had fun during it.
Recent survey indicated that sixty percent of the doctor would have choosen different profession, if they were given another chance. Why do you want to be a doctor?
I see you took the MCAT three times, starting two years ago. Did you apply to allopathic schools in the past? Are you applying to allopathic schools now?
the questions were not difficult, however they were very nebulous....i guess to give me a starting point to talk. for instance: how did you decide you wanted to become an osteopathic doctor?
What is most rewarding--financial stability or patient security? (meaning would you rather see 60 patients/day 5 min a piece or 35/day 15/20 min a piece?)
No difficult questions; They did ask which semester in undergrad was the most difficult, which was a hard one to answer since no semester seemed any more or less difficult.
There was no really difficult question. I guess the only one that I hadn't thought through already was: What do you like best about the doctor who wrote your recommendation?
You told us about your ideas on pulmonology in rural areas. Perhaps you could elaborate why a town of 600 would be in the need of the services of a pulmonologist? (this was the dour interviewer that asked me this)
None in particular... Just know your application and be prepared to elaborate on your experiences. One girl, who had been an EMT, was given a scenerio in which she had to triage patients. The other interviewees were given similar questions relating to their background.
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 reviewing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN) and the school's website, practicing interview questions, and reading over their applications. Many also engaged in mock interviews, talked to current students, and researched the school's curriculum and mission to be well-prepared.
Read over my primary and supplementary applications and researched the school website. They didn't ask me about anything not covered in my applications.
I read standard med-school interview questions online, and formultaed ideas for answering those questions. I did not rehearse most of the answers because I didn't want them to sound staged.
relaxed, was most nervous for this one since it was my top pick. But everyone is nice and the school is all i thought it would be. so relax and be yourself.
SDN interview feedback, poured over the school website, reviewed my application, personal statement and secondary to the school, D.O. medicine website.
Took all the questions off SDN and anwsered them in one paragraph. I had a total of 6 pages and was fully prepared for any question they ask. I spent about 2 weeks everyday going over these with my gf.
I reviewed my AACOMAS application and my secondary. I read WVSOM's literature and website. I was given a pamphlet by a professor that helped too. It listed questions to ask yourself before you interview.
SDN feedback. I have already interviewed, so the most important thing I did was relaxed. I think if you are relaxed then most interviewers will relax as well.
Reviewed the school's Internet site and walked around the town talking to shop owners and residents. You are almost certain to meet some first and second year students in the coffee shops during the evening hours. Everyone I met seemed to be really enthusiastic about the school and the small town setting in which it is located.
SDN, Mock intervied with friends and professors, talked to friends who interviewed already, read up on current news and info relating to DO programs and the profession. Read Dr. Fulford's Touch of Life...amazing book and gave me a greater insight into osteopathic medicine.
created a list of questions from sdn, and drafted answers. Turned out i probably didn't need 2 go through all that -- the interview was very laid back and conversational
Read SDN, which was way helpful, and that is why I'm filling one of these out too! To hopefully help someone like it helped me. I went over some things in my own head but I didn't want to sound rehersed when I went in there, so I just kinda went for it.
Lots of practice interviews! I spent time interviewing with a 2nd year hematology-oncology fellow. She gave me great pointers and helped me by pointing out areas I needed to work on for the real interview.
Re-read my supp app essays, got a good night's sleep in a great little historic inn down the road (The General Lewis Inn- stay there, the breakfast is right there in the morning so all you have to do is dress and walk down the hall)
I looked thru the website, read up about OMM or OMT
KNOW what PBL (Problem Based Learning) vs. SBL (System Based Learning) tracks are for the school. They do tell you about it, but I maybe useful to know about and think about it for the interview.
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the school, with many highlighting the kind and genuine nature of the staff, faculty, and students. The state-of-the-art facilities, beautiful campus, and charming town of Lewisburg were also commonly praised, along with the personalized attention given to each student and the innovative educational approaches like problem-based learning. Suggestions included more information on the curriculum and student life, as well as providing opportunities for outdoor activities in the surrounding area.
interesting interview questions, also asked about hobbies/interests outside of academics, beautiful campus
Everyone was so nice and welcoming. We got to have lunch with first year students and learned a lot regarding their policies, curriculum, housing situation, etc.
Both of my interviewers were clearly enthusiastic about the school, as were the student's with whom I spoke, and were eager to tell me about all of the great changes taking place at the school.
Being an old military campus, WVSOM was absolutely beautiful and the additions they add on really makes it feel like a traditional college campus. They also noted that it was the only medical school in West Virginia without an operating deficit.
All of the staff were incredibly warm and welcoming. The interviewers were very sweet, and even though I knew I was rambling at times they seemed very interested in what I had to say. Everyone I met was very kind.
EVERYTHING! The staff was incredibly helpful and nice, the students were so friendly, and the school's facilities are top-notch. The interview was very well organized and despite the rainy-snowy weather the tour was fun and awesome.
The people are extremely genuine and nice. Even the staff and interviewers made sure you were comfortable and relaxed. The Dean came and spoke to us and he seemed like a real, caring and genuine person unlike others that I have encountered. The surrounding town is small, but charming. The surrounding environment is amazing if you love to hike, rock climb, white water raft...basically be outdoors. AND, rent is very cheap (or at least much cheaper than what I'm used to).
School feels like its designed to give students the best experience possible, others schools feel like their designed to take you in, fill you with knowledge and spit you out.
The technology including anatomy lab and the simulation robots. I thought the facilities were top notch. Large beautiful campus. Everyone was very positive and seemed happy.
This is the #1 D.O. school in the country! They are extremely advanced. There is no dress code for lectures, you get your own seat for the whole year, they have 15 SIMs (one of them is a little boy that randomly gets up on his own- scary). The medical school is the only thing that is on the campus- no dental, etc. I liked it a lot!
Pretty much everything. The Dean took 10-15 minutes to talk to us on the tour and individually shook our hands and wished us luck. Nice guy! The anatomy lab is awesome!! They were done with anatomy when we toured but there was no stench at all, they have an amazing ventilation system set up and the whole thing is top notch. They also have a new center for simulated patient practice and its completely up to date and high tech. The gym facility is awesome!!! Nice weights and cardio machines. One of things that I liked the most is that everything (except the main portion of the library) is open 24/7 to students. You can study anatomy at 2 in the morning if you have a test coming up. If you feel the need to lift some weights in the middle of the night you can do that too. Your ID card gives you access to everything at all hours.
Everyone at the school seems genuinely interested in your well being and the admission staff are amazingly nice.
You may find the area slightly boring. But you're there to go to med school, not party, so its not a big deal. The area is full of history and very pretty.
1) Friendliness of admissions staff; there was a real down-home feel to the school and the town.
2)The students seem happy. Everyone has their own little space in lecture hall that they've personalized. The anatomy lab was nice but very crowded when I was in there. It was interesting that they showed the prospective students cadavers on interview day, but I appreciated seeing what anatomy lab really looks like.
3) Plenty of parking.
4) The area. The mountains of West Virginia are beautiful and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
The hospitality of everyone at the school, they don't try to intimidate you, the anatomy lab and other facilities, the faculty really cares about the students, the area is beautiful
The school is beautiful. The campus buildings have an "old" ivy league feeling to them like you're at Georgetown or Harvard... until you get inside anyway. The surrounding area is pretty in the fact that its in the mountains. The facilities are nice, one of the best anatomy labs I've seen. I loved the group lecture halls and the fact that every student had a little personalized desk area for lectures and study time.
Everyone is kind and I mean everyone. School is an actual campus and not just one building. Anatomy lab and OMT facilities are amazing. On-campus clinic. ALCS certified in second year, begin clinical exposure in first year. Soon to be 10 robotic simulators (currently 4). Beautiful campus, town and state.
The state of the art labs, lecture halls, library, and fitness center- the campus is beautiful. There has been no crime on campus in 8 years, very secure campus. The Dean and admissions committee are so down to earth and friendly.
The beauty of this school, the exceptional facilities, the warmth of the admissions staff, the friendliness of the interviewers, the happiness of the students, and how ideal Lewisburg is to live and study medicine
Everything. The surrounding area and campus are beautiful. The staff is incredible. It's not possible to find a more friendly group of people. Of course the facilities (labs, patient sims, etc) are as good as it gets as well.
The people are super friendly. Not just the staff or students at the school, but the residents of the town too. The campus is awesome, and the lab...the lab...it was odor free. They ventilation system was incredible!
Everyone is really nice and the interview was super laid-back. I sat in on a PBL session and afterwards, the students sat and talked with me for a few minutes.
THE FACILITIES. the campus is VERY nice. incredible OMM lab. those funky robots used for clinical practice. the new anatomy lab wing: clean, fresh smelling, well-planned area. tons of cozy and private study nooks. the safety of campus and surrounding area (people leave their stuff in the study rooms all the time). the librarian who cooks for students. THE STUDENTS: uber friendly, honest, and humorous. very cute/quaint downtown area. the faculty seems very student-friendly as well. the fact that one student said his biochem prof would tutor him personally several times a week was also impressive.
The friendliness of just about everyone I encountered at the school and in the town. There's a lot more to do and see in Lewisburg than I originally thought.
The school is beautiful, the staff are warm and friendly, the manequins are a great way to learn, the anatomy lab that DOESN'T smell like formaldehyde, and the clinic across the street.
how extremly nice everyone was, how beautiful the area was, and how helpful and encouraging the faculty and stuff is to the students (we had lunch with few students so i was able to see the school from their perspective)...they bend out backwards to help you succeed.
The staff and students were warm and welcoming. The campus is beautiful and up-to-date with patient simulators, lecture halls with microphones at each chair, and the anatomy lab!
The anatomy lab. Plenty of room and natural lighting. Each lecture hall seat has a microphone that you speak into when asking a question so the entire class can hear you. Students can 'customize' their desk in the lecture halls. Friendly campus, friendly town (it was quite odd at first since I'm not used to that where I am from, but it was a great feeling).
The facilities are amazing and the people are so friendly. The dean of the school invited us into his office and skipped part of a meeting to talk to us. The students who we ate lunch with were very helpful, too.
How each student was treated with extreme respect, all the other students seemed really happy with their decision to attend WVSOM, and the facilities are amazing.
The way all of us who were interviewing were treated. The students were happy and very friendly. They didnt seem like they were selling a program, but that they genuinly cared about providing a quality medical education in a comfortable enviornment.
The students seemed genuinely happy to be there. The small town atmosphere would definitely focus you attention to your studies. There would not be much else to do in Lewisburg. The anatomy labs and OMM rooms are very modern and new looking. They also have started the problem based learning path which at least shows that they are willing to try new things.
State of the art anatomy lab, new facilities to include the new fitness center that was awesome, first and second year students are allowed to personalize their desk space by setting up pics, flowers, file cabinets, etc. Students were happy to be there!
The technology the school had. They have these robots that simulate medical situations. They students were great. They really loved the school and you could tell.
The school is very nice. They have recently updated the entire campus. The anatomy lab is gorgeous. It is truly state of the art. The classrooms are great, everything is new. They have 2 patient simulators right now and are in the process of getting 4 more, including an infant.
The Dean of the school is very nice. He invited us to his office and told us about the school. The admission staffs were very welcoming. The students were helpful in answering the questions. The anatomy lab is very clean and odorless.
The facilities were much nicer and larger than I expected from the website. I was really impressed by 24/7 library and the nice cadaver lab. Even though it's a small town, there's still some nice places around, like a sports bar some of the guys at the interview were at the night before.
The Dean seems very genuine about making you a great physician and encourages an open-door policy if any student has a problem or suggestions. The faculty will come in and teach overtime to help the students review before important exams. The campus is beautiful and very clean. The gross anatomy lab and lecture hall looks brand new and both are simply amazing. The residents of Lewisburg seem very proud of their town and speak well about the school and its students.
The staff and the students were really friendly and eager to answer questions. The lunch with both PBL and SBL students was extremely valuable. Angela Bowyer is the nicest admissions representative on the face of the planet.
The Admissions Staff was extremely enthusiastic and seem to really love working at WVSOM and living in Lewisburg.
Campus is beautiful and the gross anatomy lab is one of the best I've ever seen.
The facilities are amazing, and the campus is beautiful. They emphasized how available the faculty is to the students, and the students seem to be a pretty close-knit group of colleagues.
Everyone was incredibly nice, and Lewisburg is beautiful with lots of places hiking/biking. Nice lecture rooms & anatomy lab. You can download all lectures.
Everyone was extrememly nice and extremely laid back. I was highly impressed with the ventilation system in the anatomy lab. I loved the human patient simulator
Absolutely everything. I have been to several schools and the atmosphere, campus, not to mention lab/anatomy facilities are TOP NOTCH. The school is considered one of the top medical schools in the country.
The laid back nature of the school as a whole. it is very condusive towards a positive learning environment in a small, rural town in WV. Everyone seems to truly love it there.
everyone is friendly! a student walked up to me and gave pointers for the interview. tons of pictures on the wall of social events. everyone seemed happy. intermural sports, lots of clubs.
How friendly and genuine everyone was. I was lost on the way to the admissions office and one current student got out of her car and answered all the questions I had which included where the admissions office was and what program she was part of, etc.
Everyone was super friendly, especially the admissions staff. Also, the other people being interviewed were fairly chatty; it eased the tension for a while.
The faculty were incredibly nice, one even took the time to give me a personal tour when I was wandering around. They really treat you like an equal, and friend. It was an incredible environment to learn in. The students say that some faculty even invite you to hang out at there house as well. Their interaction with the students I noticed was the same as my experience. The whole day was FIRST rate. And the admissions people were so kind, I really appreciated that. They expressed sincere interest in everyone. Even the people in town would say hi to me on the street, even though they had no idea who I was.
Very laid-back, open, friendly student, staff, and admissions people. Had lunch with female OMSII doing PBL; said that all students are Type A but that cooperation, mutual learning experiences were key at school.
Having interviewed at other schools I can compare my experience. Enthusiatic and helpful staff and students at WVSOM. You get a feeling that they want you to be part of their family. The atmosphere reminded me of my private high school. A lady student was very informative about the PBS program during lunch. We had a good tour of the facilities. I got to see the head of a cadaver in the anatomy lab, and I did not freak out! The interview was conducted in a warm but professional manner, unlike some schools that treat you like a "worm" during an interview. Overall, the experience was good.
Everyone is incredibly friendly! Not only were the admissions staff, the interviewers and the faculty, but 4 or 5 students randomly introduced themselves in the hallways and chatted until all questions were answered.
I'm a history buff so I loved Lewisburg's Civil War heritage.
SBL or PBL, the prof teaching the class I sat in on, lunch at the general lewis was really good.. best cheeseburger and fries I've had in a lonnng time
The campus was excellent and had a GREAT atmosphere! Everyone I met was excited to talk with me, and talk to me about anything concerning the University.
Everyone was really nice and friendly. Random people would stop and talk to you and answer any question you have. The OMT lab room was really nice as was the anatomy lab and the rest of the facilities. That the town was so rich in history and was gorgous.
Everything about the school was awesome. The school is adding new classrooms which will be wireless in 2006, the library is nice, the school is soooooo beautiful. They also have a workout facility.
The staff was awsome, people were friendly and helpful. I would say that even if you have to drive like 16 hours to come to Lewisburg, DO IT!!
Its worth it for sure. The school has a charm to it that others dont. Plus all of the interviewers were very social and helped me connect well to the school's mission.
You have tons of opportuntiies in the school and PBL and SBL path means that their circiculum is modern.
JUST DRIVE AND GO, dont postpone because this school is one you have to go to inorder to experience. the town is safe and has a history to it. its better than any WV school for sure....dont miss it.
It's located in a small town. The facility looks relatively modern and up-to-date. Constructions were going on, which means they are doing well as an institution.
The school is fantastic. There is a new addition being added on for lectures and will look great when completed. The anatomy lab is great! The staff and interviewers were nice and easy to talk too. Lewisburg, though far away, is wonderful and historic.
Everyone had a really positive attitude. The fact that wvsom students are more sought after by area hospitals than those from other schools in the state.
The faculty and staff are incredible, the dean stopped and spoke with me in the hall before my interview just to say hi - which I just thought was cool. The students truly seem to love the school and what they are doing!
The classes are taped for personal viewing, the classrooms are the nicest I've seen, they have the best gross anatomy lab, and they have the most friendly staff of the 5 interviews I've been on (2-osteopathic, 3-allopathic)
There were several students in individual rooms studying and the professors were with them answering all of their questions outside of their normal office hours or class time. The staff, including the professors I saw, were all very helpful and available to the students.
The facilities were quite impressive - the gross anatomy lab, the OMT lab, and the lecture rooms were just unreal. Lewisburg is nestled in the appalachians, definitely a beautiful setting. The New River Gorge is only 45 minutes away...endless potential for rock climbing, hiking, whitewater kayaking, etc. The students, staff, and faculty had nothing but positive things to say about the school...definitely an impressive group of people. Angie in admissions was outstanding.
Everyone at WVSOM is so geniunely nice! I loved the small town atmosphere. Students and faculty members would walk right up to you and introduce themselves, and ask you about the interview. All the students had great things to say about WVSOM.
The students!! They all seem very happy to be and very willing to answer any and all of our questions. For the most part, the facilities were outstanding. All the SBL seats and PBL rooms had full ethernet capability (no wireless though). The gross anatomy lab, multiuse lab, and and OMT room were outstanding.
The School's facilities. I've interviewed at alot of MD schools and none of these schools have as nice of a facility than WVSOM. The anatomy lab is state of the art and everyone has ethernet hook-ups in the many classrooms. This place is teeming with technology even though it's out in the middle of nowhere.
The facilities were awesome. The people are friendlier than any I met. The choice of PBL or SBL tracks is really cutting edge. Rotations in 3rd and 4th year are done throughout the Appalachian region, but you keep in touch with the schol via weekly reports that are available to the students when choosing a core hospital for years 3 and 4. It's really an advanced way of doing rotations.
I was very impressed with my whole visit. I could not believe the facilities (TOP NOTCH)that were nestled in a small town in the mountains of WV. I thought the town was very quaint and had a very friendly feel. Perhaps there might not be much clubbing going on, but how much free time will one have in med school?
Abosolutely everything. I almost didn't apply to WVSOM because it was in WV (never been there but heard stories-ha)but was close to where some family live in Virginia. I had also heard from a friend that it was considered to be one of the hardest to get into and a highly respected school. I interviewed at Edward Via in Virginia the next day. All I can say is, I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am on the waitlist, this is my top school of choice and I have interviewed at six Osteopathic Schools. I have been accepted into all but two. My credetials are top notch, this lets me know that WVSOM is definetly hard to get into. I can't say enough about the facilities, the people and the town (I come from a huge city and was not brought down by the very small town atmosphere). I loved every minute I was there. ESPECIALLY my stay at the General Lewis Inn. Fabulous.
I was impressed with everything- the people, the school, the town. Southern hospitality is incredible! I felt so incredibly welcome. The facilities are fantastic, the students and staff are very friendly. The school is well respected both in the local community and across the country.
the facilities are very modern/advanced (anatomy labs), the students were all very positive and there seemed to be a strong sense of comraderie among them. Perhaps it is b/c interviewees stick out like sore thumbs, but all of the professors and staff either stopped and smiled or wished us luck and tried to alleviate our nervousness.
The sense of camaraderie of everyone in the program, including the faculty. There really is a "family" type of feel. No gunners. PBL pathway seemed like it was well planned.
Lewisberg is a nice, quaint town. Students were friendly and very nice and did a nice job of answering questions. We were able to sit in during lectures.
I met some students the night before my interview who were kind enough to show me around and give some advice! I loved the family feel of the school and the quaint mountain town-it was gorgeous. The school seems to really take care of its students.
How friendly everyone really is! Random people came up to us throughout the day and talked to us. I sat in on a problem based session...mixed emotions which need to be further clarified if I were accepted. Definitely a learning atmosphere. I want to practice in rural areas and WVSOM has national rankings in primary care.
The admissions staff knows everyone--even the janitors and all the students. Also the gross anatomy lab is great. The campus is very uniform (all the same brick and architecture) it is a very pretty campus. It helped that is was 75 and sunny that day.
Loved the small atmosphere of the school. The fact that they have a PBL. How friendly the staff was and organized the day was. The clinical education office (for years 3 and 4) are REALLY good. They work very hard to get you where you want. They're very flexible.
In the lecture halls, each student had their own seat that was decorated with their own pictures and other keepsakes. No dress code. Very relaxed atmosphere. Great anatomy lab--natural lighting--each cadaver is individually ventilated.
I loved the peopel at WVCOM. I liked there was a clinic right on campus. I also liked that I heard from them realitively quickly about my status( I got accepted). We also got to sit in on classes, which was an awesome touch many schools don't do. Also I loved that we were taken out to breakfast and lunch at a restaurant. Also the surroundings are beautiful. The anatomy lab is awesome and the OMM lab is beautiful.
The staff and students were very friendly. If you go, make sure you meet Angie in the admissions office--real nice woman. I got to see the problem based learning group in action because the systems' kids were taking their block tests. The anatomy lab sounds great.
Students and staff were VERY friendly, introduced themselves, and offerred assistance and info all day. Anatomy lab is top-notch, with great ventilation system. One professor told me flat-out that this was the best medical school, and I should go here. Students seemed very pleased with their choice of school. Problem Based Learning track as an option.
The extreme beauty of the West Virginia mountains. I was also impressed by how quaint the town was, yet it is large enough to have a Super Walmart! Yay! The classes are held in historical buildings (I believe it was once an academy?), however the best parts of the history have been maintained while keeping the facilities state-of-the-art. Apparently their anatomy lab is so advanced that other schools (Edward Via Virginia and others) have mimicked it. And similar to what seems to be the case at most Osteopathic schools, the students and staff were extremely friendly and helpful! Oh yeah, there is no dress code.
The town and the school is very nice, the students were extremely friendly and cheerful..they were interested in talking with us even though they were in exam week.
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the high out-of-state tuition costs, the small town and rural location of the school, lack of information provided during the interview day, and the lack of diversity among students and faculty. Suggestions included improving communication about the curriculum, enhancing the interview format, addressing the high tuition fees, and increasing diversity within the school community.
Not a very good format for interviews. I had 2.5+ hours between my individual interview before we met as a group. The interview contained almost no information about the school or its curriculum.
I was the last of four people in my group to interview. I wasn't stressed out at all when I first got there but my hands were shaking after I had to wait for two hours.
Some students were told to show up for a morning interview slot, but weren't actually interviewed until the afternoon. This didn't happen to me, but that seemed a little unorganized.
The town is very small and old and there is not a lot to do. Also you have to fly into Roanoke and drive for 2 hours. If you are scared of heights this is not the place for you lol.
Nothing. I'd like to address a posting about no cafeteria on campus. If you are concered, don't be. First, there is an hour break for lunch. Plenty of time to drive the 3 min it takes to get home, to a restaurant or store. Also, in talking with staff and students, food is often available on campus for presentations, etc. as well as througout "block week" while students are testing. It is very apparent to me that the staff really care about the students, a more important aspect of the school than a cafeteria.
Nothing really... I wish the school weren't so far away. The interviewers may not seem super duper enthusiastic, but they are certainly not rude or negative.
1)Like most DO schools, there is no affiliated hospital, so you have to move third year to another site in WV.
2)The whole place seemed a bit generic. There was nothing particularly special or interesting about the campus. For example, there hardly any pictures on the walls. Something about it just struck me as odd. It feels like they just moved in yesterday. Very strange.
3)Staff referring to female applicants/students as "girls." This might be picky of me, but they are women seeking/getting a professional education, not high school students.
Honestly, through one of the halls there was a really strange odor. I know that sounds kind of weird but I really didn't like walking through that hall.
The school is in the middle of nowhere and the students reflect that. One of the interviewers even bragged that he was born and raised in Lewisburg and had lived there his whole life. I wondered how anyone could stay in that town for so long. Also, the tuition is way too high.
Out-of-state tuition however, they are constantly building and updating their program. Bringing in 6 more robotic simulators and adding onto the recreational center. I'm not going to try and convince you it's worth it but, your tuition is not being wasted.
Their questions were so vague and it only took them 10 minutes to ask them. My questions took another 10, and I was determined to use up the full 30 minutes, so I conversed with them for the last 10. Don't be discouraged if you can't read them. I couldn't, but they did offer me a spot, so my worries were for nothing.
The high tuition for out-of-staters. The students kept saying "you get what you pay for." Well, I am going to pay for a great education. Will I get one out of WVSOM? People say that it is what you make of it, but if I wanted to go to a medical school just to learn the material myself, I would go to the cheapest place just as long as I could be certified to be a doctor. WVSOM just left too many unanswered questions for me. But maybe I did not investigate enough. You will love the school however!
it was bitterly cold the day we went. though the snow flurries were kind of a treat, coming from CA.
the surrounding ''neighborhood'' is definitely either to your taste or not. wasn't a big fan of the fact that the Walmart seemed to be the lifeblood of the town.
no cafeteria or student housing.
the evident NEED for a car while you're living there.
student body (from what i saw) is not as diverse as i'm used to.
It seemed that the school only cared about money and not education. The facilities were practically few renovated stables called classrooms/medical school. During the tour I actually saw one of the faculty wearing cowboy boots/hat and a belt buckle while teaching the class. Call me old-fashioned but I just don’t think that’s appropriate for a medical school. The big “selling point†for the school was how “relaxed†their students were… I don’t need to pay $40,000 to be relaxed. The students who gave us the tour talked nonstop about how they party all the time, I don’t know if that’s typical but it sure didn’t impress me.
If you go to West Virginia, be prepared for a VERY rural setting. The rotations would probably require some moving around. That would not bother me at all if I were a swingin single.
How there is absolutely nothing to do in Lewisburg. Apparently the students there go to the local bowling alley to have fun. I'm sure if you're used to a small town this wouldn't be a problem, but I've always lived in or close to a big city and I think I'd go stir crazy!
The only bad thing is the out of state tuition rate which is approximately $38K and due to go up by 7% next year. The chances of applying and getting in state tuition are slim to none! Expect to be almost $250K in debt after completing a medical degree here.
The town in kinda small, i'm from a big city and i dunno how well i would adjust. They have problems with housing and one of the students told us that people had to live in hotels their first few months. The school is expanding faster than the town is.
The town is such a small town with population of 3,500 but I can live there. They have Walmart, Applebees, and Arby's. No Taxi service in the town but there is a shuttle available to/from the airport.
The school charges three-thousand dollars to reserve a spot if accepted. The fee is non-refundable; however, it is used towards your tuition. The school is also very expensive for people who are not West Virginia residents.
72,000/yr!!! currently no real technology or enough computers. buildings are old in appearance but they are building 3 new buildings with wi fi, technology, patient simulator...etc. nothing close to the area except lowes and wal mart. 3rd yr rotations are only in WV due to limited slots, did I mention 72,000
Nothing really, the current lecture hall seemed to be a bit old, however, they are building a larger lecture hall for next year so that isn't even a problem at all.
A lot of unanswered questions; not really sure what they are going to do with all the new students coming in (uping their class size from 100 to 180 approx.)I am not sure the OMM lab could handle that many more kids and the gym def. cannot. The price tag for out of staters, 72 grand, makes me want to faint.
The campus was dark and dingy, inside of the buildings run down. school is WAY too expensive and the low cost of living in WV does not make up for it, they're taking on twice as many students this year and don't know where they are going to put them in class or in housing... nothing was thought out in detail about how they're going to accomidate these new students, the anatomy lab was poorrrrrly ventilated
The D.O. in the interview seemed a little put out about halfway through the interview. I wasn't really able to get a read on her. Also all the interviewers were female
The roads around the school and in some parts of Lewisburg. Many are one way only and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bit of congestion during the morning.
Day was organized rather poorly. There were no signs in the Alumni Center directing us where to go. The admissions staff seemed to be planning everything on the fly.
No Wireless around full campus, but they have wireless in new buildings and also have many computer places. overall, i did not find anything bad because people were very friendly.
Not as high tech school as I would have thought. Their anatomy lab was less high-tech than my Undergraduate University human anatomy lab. Very rural! No cultural life what so ever. No student Housing.
The main facility is actually an old military school, and they haven't kept it that up to date. The classrooms are nice, but everything else looks just like my old middle school.
I felt that the interviewers were just firing questions off at me and not really interested in what I had to say. I also felt like they were cross examining me.
I wish I could have spent more time in Lewisburg. Unfortunately, the interview ended around 3 pm, and I was so exhausted from the little bit of sleep I had the night before. I was not able to check out the town, because I had a 5 hour drive home.
The only thing that negatively impressed me was the library. It was pretty small as college libraries go. Apparently, the school does have online subscriptions through EBSCO and MD CONsult, though.
At first, Lewisburg was kinda a downer because it was so small. However, after receiving my acceptance letter to WVSOM I went up there to find a place to live and it really isn't so bad. There's golf and horseback riding and skiing and everything you really need. Beckley is about 45 miles to the West and Snowshoe, WV is just a short drive up hwy 219. The people are super friendly towards the students and I urge you to try to find a better Hardees than the one that Lewisburg has. You can't, best fast food breakfast I've ever had. :P That's important when you know you'll be dragging arse every day to class!
The lunch with the med student was so awkward and the tuition is crazy expensive. The budget for next year is $67,000, and for ever $1 you borrow you pay back between $2-3 so by the time you were done you could have to pay back almost a million dollars.l That would take a while in rural primary care which is what they want you to practice.
There was one student at lunch that was particularly negative and a bit cynical, but most likely because it was hell week for exams. I was still highly impressed.
The financial aid meeting disclosed that the price of the school increases about 7.5%/year and next year's tuition is $40,000 for out-of-state students.
the location of the school. the town is not part built around a college , so there is no "college town" atmosphere, nor is there really any "quaintness." it is simply a very small town, however, that is not to say that it doesnt have potential. a large metropolitan area it is not, however, i doubt there are tumble weeds blowing through the streets either.
It is located in a fairly isolated location. I completely disliked the style and distance of the 3 interviewers- they did not crack a smile- but rather very stoic. The cost for out of state is incredibly high- almost 40,000 for tuition.
how small the town was--I like bigger cities (since I got accepted though I may overlook that since the school was really good)
they also had a low board passing rate this past year for some reason
no diversity, almost fell on my face when I heard that board passing rate for class of 2003 was 17% (another interviewer actually asked that question during her interview)
Didn't get to see the anatomy lab because of the tests. While two of the interviews were nice, the other was rather dry/dour. Never smiled--but I just kept right on going.
In previous years the school boasted an impressive board passing rate. However, for some reason this last year their passing rate dropped below 80%! (Although it is easy for statistics to jump considering their relatively small class size) They do maintain a 98% "finish rate" though. Apparently 98% of those who start there, finish with their D.O. degree (took boards twice?). Nonetheless, 80% is a very low passing rate. They have the new PBL track now and that seems promising.
Not a large study space in the library, I believe they are working on setting up an affiliation with one or more hospitals (current locations for yr 3 & 4).
all students are in class at the same time, exam week, and grades posted for all to see. The school was large but did not offer a lot for classrooms. There are only vending machines on campus.
Most applicants wished they had known ahead of time about the amount of walking required during tours, the relaxed and conversational nature of the interview, the rural setting and surrounding town, and the need for comfortable shoes. Additionally, they highlighted the need to not stress, ask questions during the interview, and be prepared for a long day.
How much walking we'd be doing on the tours (definitely wore the wrong shoes)
I wish I would have known that interviews are not that scary. They just want to get to know you. They are curious about them and are also very normal people themselves.
Not much, these surveys prepared me 100%. So hearing from everyone that the day would be laid back made me not nervous at all..and it in fact was as laid back as it could possibly be.
DO NOT take the VA 311, it is the scariest road ever. You end up almost sideways on top of a mountain with no safety railings on the sides. Know as much as you can about osteopathic medicine. Try to get an afternoon appointment so you can talk to the current students before your interview!
that i could relax a little bit more. it was one of the least stressful interviews i had and i felt like they really wanted to get to know me beyond mcats and my gpa
That it would rain. haha. But they had umbrellas for everyone when we went on the tour so it wasn't that bad.
It was out of my control, but the travel was super expensive. I had to make three connections to get to Roanoke and then I still had to rent a car and drive an hour and a bit. Just know that. If you're coming from far out-of-state I would be sure to leave the morning before the interview so you have plenty of time to get there.
If you get there early and noone from admissions is there yet, the doors unlock automatically at 7:30 am so you don't have to wait outside in the cold...
I took a quick peak at the school and town when I visited in Sep. for a rafting trip on the N. Gauley. Size of Lewisburg will surprise you if you are unfamiliar with WV.
How great the General Lewis Inn would be. You should definately stay there. You get a student discount ~ $ 89.00 per night and this place is a museum in itself, not to mention the excellent food and service.
I discovered much more about their problem-based learning track. I had many questions by the time I left. Luckily, I left with contacts that I could ask.
I had forgotten it was a panel interview, so 3 interviewers and yourself sitting at a table. Also, the jury is out because I have received mixed answers about this, but the fact that once you are paying OOS tuition you can change it, even if your spouse is employed and paying WV taxes.
I knew what I was getting into before hand since a friend of mine already goes there. I knew the town was small and out of state tuition was ridiculous. The campus and staff more than make up for it.
That the facilities were so amazing - the lecture halls and the anatomy lab were simply the best I have come across. I was honestly taken aback. I have no idea how such a quaint community supports such an amazingly-modern medical school. I grew up in a small rural town, and I could not imagine a medical school being located there. VERY impressive to say the least.
3rd yr rotations are only in WV, school is expanding to 200 students/yr. not enough housing. . you have to submit a letter to request to enter PBL. not everyone gets it. they didn't offer kaplan to study for boards here. have to drive 3 hrs away
That I didn't need to freak out about the interview because it's purpose was to get to know you as a person. I wish I wouldn't have worried about the increased class size because they are definitely ready for it. It isn't going to be an issue, the staff are very willing to talk about it, and I think some people have blown it up to be an issue when it's not.
The tuition for out-of-state students is ~$43K/year. With cost-of-living from housing, insurance, food, car payments, etc., school estimated that total costs would be around $72K/year.
that the general lewis was haunted =0 Me and another interviewee were sitting in the lounge at 1 am talking and the lights went out and the fireplace turned on and then 3 seconds later things went back to normal! We freaked out.
That Lewisburg isn't as rural as some wold lead you to believe. That or most people haven't been in a really rural area. Lewisburg has a Wal-mart, applebeas, and several other restaurants and shops so its not that bad. I come from a town that doesn't have anything nicer then a fast food restaurant and a Wal-mart is 30 minutes away so I thought Lewisburg was great.
The interviewers were very laid back and friendly, they were very calming. Also the surrounding area is not that rural, they have lots of stores and places to eat, not as secluded as I thought it would be.
STAY AT THE GENERAL LEWIS INN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to agree with M.M.S, (hey M.M.S. you can contact me at [email protected]) make sure you have a lot of questions to ask them. I asked them three questions but they kept on asking is there anything else you want to ask? I said no cuz I couldn't think of anything else. Negative impression?
Third year rotations need to be conducted in WV but are not close to the school. Most people have to pick up and move for the third and fourth year rotations.
The fact that the tuition will be increased by 7% each year over the next few years and that the class size will be increased significantly over the next few years. This seemed to be a concern with some of the staff because there might be some growing pains associated with accommodating such an increase in the student population. This also might have the potential to compromise some of the strengths that WVSOM has come to be known for...although I hope that is not the case.
You cannot gauge how your interview will go based on the comments of other students that interview before you. A student that interviewed before me felt that he was drilled with tough questions and insinuations were made against him that he would not be a good doctor because of bad grades he recieved his freshman year. I didn't feel any of the questions were particularly difficult, and I thought my interviewers were very nice.
It's 3000 bucks to reserve your spot. Of course I put it on my credit card but also be prepared...it is a buttload of money to go here. You're looking at a 245,000 loan if you are from out of state. But hey, you want to be a doctor, it's worth it. trust me, I have 3 degrees in computer science, philosophy and chemistry. The corporate world sucks, be a doctor and do what you like no matter what the cost! WVSOM seems like money well spent.
Lewisburg is not a small town if you are from a small town. I am from a tiny place with no redlights and they have both a Super-Walmart and a Super K-mart so thats pretty big by comparison. If you are from a larger place you better enjoy outdoor activities because that is all there is to do in Lewisburg.
How truly friendly southern folk are. I quite really never new. I felt like I had been adopted by strangers all of a sudden. I loved the staff and students. So nice.
I wish I had known more about the Problem-Based Learning track that WVSOM is now starting to offer. You can read about it on the school website. I showed great interest in it and hope to be admitted into it if I am accepted.
I probably should have realized how expensive the school was by checking out the website. Be wary of the Rodeway Inn- didn't sleep a wink due to the loud noises coming from faulty heating/air conditioning unit.
How much WALKING you have to do--my feet were killing me! Also, I wish someone would have told me that you have A LOT of time to yourself to just roam around campus.
I thought the place would be in the woods by how most people describe the place. I thought the place was an average size town with more stuff than most.
I was pretty well prepaired. Though you should be friendly to the people you are interviewing with since you'll spend every moment with them from breakfast til lunch and the tour and everything.
If you get accepted you have to put down about $3000 (out of state) before you matriculate ($2000 in Dec and another $1000 in March) You cannot get financial aid for this.
Definitely stay at the General Lewis Inn. Normally, it's over $120/night but as an interviewee you get a special rate. It's especially convenient since breakfast starts there at 7:30am. Go to the breakfast to meet some of the staff and the rest of your interviewing group.
That there was no need for me to be so nervous about the interview. It was very laid back just like everyone told me. Be ready to ask them questions and it will take the heat off you. They will talk and talk.
How quaint the town is. People will let you out on the roadways (except near the Super Walmart). People in the town are very friendly, especially to the students there. Also, the town's main road is a perpetual traffic jam. Oh, and stay at the General Lewis Inn--absolutely wonderful place--wished I had stayed there.
I wish I had realized how open they were to nontraditional students and out-of-state students, especially if you're truly interested in family and/or rural medicine.
Applicants generally found the interview experience to be positive, relaxed, and conversational, with friendly and welcoming staff and students. Some mentioned the beautiful campus and facilities, as well as the enthusiastic and supportive atmosphere. Concerns were raised about the high out-of-state tuition, the rural location, and the lack of diversity among students.
Overall it was a great experience despite being remote and not seeing the campus in person. I could tell that they were all excited to have us there and their enthusiasm was infectious (faculty and students)!
I absolutely loved this school. The students seemed genuinely happy, the admissions people were so nice, and the curriculum and facilities were top notch. I just wish it was closer to home for me.
Don't underestimate West Virginia! It is beautiful and full of great natural fun - the houses are a bit delapidated on the drive in, but that is no indication of the campus - picturesque!
This was the most relaxed out of all my interviews even though they asked a couple difficult questions. Ms. Angie is so incredibly nice and the whole staff actually are just so welcoming that you don't feel stressed at all.
The people here are wonderful. The admissions staff is extremely nice, helpful, and honest. The people in the town are very nice also. If you are ok with rural areas, this school is great! Angie gave everyone a hug before we left- how rare is that!!
Everyone at this school is amazing. From the students to the staff, they are all there to make you the best doctor you can be. I made it a point to ask as many students as i could what you hated about the school, and most said something like, the town nightlife sucks or studying for boards takes up a lot of time. All of which had nothing to do with the school, whcih means the students really love the place and its legit
WONDERFUL! I can't say enough good things about this school! The people were outstanding! The admissions people were wonderful! Very nice and very kind! I was really nervous at first and they did a great job of making me feel comfortable. My interviewers were also very nice and had many interesting things to say. I could go on and on, but to sum it up, it was a great day at an excellent school with exceptional people.
Relax. This school is going to be one of the most laid-back interviews you will ever have. I was accepted 4 days after the interview, so they have a great response time!
Awesome school. Ten years ranked as a top medical school, and it shows. They want you to succeed and will help you reach your goals. You will love this school. Stress level on interview day is ZERO!!!! They just want to meet you and get to know you. They interview around 600 and offer acceptances to slightly over 500. Unless you seriously botch it and are nothing like you say you are in your application, you have a good chance of getting accepted once offered an interview. I freakin' love this place.
Be relaxed and it will show. These guys are amazing. I found out within 2 days of interviewing that I was accepted. Just check their web site for updates.
Overall, a positive experience. The interview panel was polite and friendly. One of the interviewers turned the heat up a little bit. I think this school has everything in order and students going here will get a solid education. I also learned quite a bit more about OMT from being here and am more interested in it than before I interviewed.
The interviewers are hard to read. It was hard to tell if they were interested in what I was saying. I heard other applicants says it's like a conversation in the interview, but it was not for me. I felt like they just asked me a few specific questions and that was it, so I was worried at first. It turned out well in the end though so don't be discouraged if you don't get a good vibe from them.
Be relaxed but be confident. The interviewers seemed like they could sniff out unease from a mile away. They may seem like they're trying to play good cop bad cop but they're really all just good cops.
The school and the facilities are nice. The campus is beautiful and I love the serenity of a mountain town, however I don't see myself fitting into such an isolated place. Maybe because I live in a city I'm used to more diversity, but diversity is something that is important to me and I think beneficial to anyone who wants to be a doctor. The fact that students get shipped out to even more isolated areas of WV for their 3rd and 4th year scares me even more. The tuition is way too high, even for a really great program. I would have to seriously weigh my options if I chose to go to school here over anywhere else.
Relax, this school doesn't play around with you. They don't interview for laughs, they really truly want to get to know you. Smile, be polite and yourself, and I'm certain you will do just fine. Good luck!
The campus is so beautiful and everyone there is so enthusiastic and friendly. We came across 4 students at different times throughout the tour and everyone of them emphasized how lucky they are to have a school like wvsom.
I loved it here, but there were other D.O. schools that felt more like I fit there better. The price is an issue for me (especially with today's economy). Good luck. You will do fine if you know your application inside and out, and if you can elaborate on it.
Great school, great tour and interview process. The admissions are extremely nice and very helpful. Pretty laid back interview for myself but others thought it was slightly more intense. They provide water and snacks along with a good lunch at the General Lewis Inn. The ruben looked great but I got a salad due to nerves!
I felt like I was in a good cop, bad cop situation throughout the interview. It was not a comfortable conversation like I had read in other postings. I felt like I was being interrogated. I went home feeling discouraged, with no hope, but three weeks later I was accepted.
From beginning to end, it was a very pleasant experience. The tour of the school was great, they treat you to lunch where you get to talk to current students, and the interview was so personal. It was more than just the, why do you want to be a DO, but they take the time to read your application before you go in, and actually get to know who you really are.
They want to get to know you, therefore they try to make it as relaxing as possible. They are proud of their school and rightfully so. The students seem very happy. Interviewers said we should hear something in about 2 weeks.
My interview experience was extremely positive. I was relatively relaxed and I had enough exposure to the school and students to be able to ask informed questions during my interview.
I was the first to go which was great because I was done at 9am and then just enjoyed the day. We had a tour and lunch with students then had a talk with the PBL dean or assistant dean.
It went well, I got in. The interview is very personal and not stressfull. They want you to be yourself to see what kind of physician you will be. They really look to test bedside manner. Shy and closed individuals will have a difficult time.
this was my very first interview so i was nervous as hell. but as luck would have it i was able to connect with two other interviewees at the airport, as well as two first year students, who took us under their wing, gave us a private tour and insider info :wink: and hung out with us the night before. with their help, i felt like i was already a student at the school, which gave me a much more clear feeling of whether the school would truly fit me or not. the tour guide annette was great but it was the coldest day they've had in a long time so walking outside was pretty painful. the interview was as relaxed as everyone said it would be..so dont stress out like i did. this school has wonderful resources and a great demeanor, but i think the cost and lack of help with the cost from the school might be the deal breaker for me.
The interview and the whole day was very relaxed and easy-going. So don't stress out about it. A few people who were interviewed earlier in the day were asked about their grades or MCAT scores though. Angie and Annette in the Admissions Center are incredibly nice and friendly. The students at lunch were also nice and honest. One student was married and said that there's a campus organization for the spouses and significant others of students, which is pretty nice. If you have time before your interview, check out the downtown area. I'm from a metropolitan area so I'm used to having a lot of options for entertainment, shopping, arts, dining, etc. but I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of little shops and restaurants as well as a theatre, a movie theatre, and a Carnegie Hall.
I was really nervous since it was my very first interview so I wish I could have done better and elaborate more in the interviews. However the admission staff and students are SUPER friendly. I made a few minor mistakes here and there during the interview...such has mentioning USMLE as the boards instead of COMLEX, but I did correct myself. Anyhow, I was accepted!
loved the school...very happy i applied there and was accepted. interview wasnt bad, the adcoms were extremly supportive and made it more like a conversation style then putting you on the line...
You'll be interviewed by a current physician, a member of the science faculty, and someone from the admissions office. Believe what everyone tells you- it is pretty laid back. Know your file (they sure will!), know why you want to go into osteopathic medicine and why you are attracted to WVSOM. Other than that just let it roll. Be yourself and you'll be alright. Have a few questions ready too. I heard their decision in a week.
Overall, it was a great day. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and positive. The atmosphere was pleasant, not intimidating, and I felt like they really just wanted to get to know me during the interview.
I really liked it. The school was amazing and the admissions staff was wonderful. The interview was stressful at first, but I must have said something they liked because they let up and the second half was easy. That, plus I got in a week later.
It was overall a great experience, the faculty and admissions staff all were so nice. Besides that, there was a student oriented feel to the entire college; the faculty really cared about the success of their students. The only concern I have is whether my husband could find a job in the area. A great overall interview experience and visit to the West Virginia area.
Everyone was really nice. They gave different arrival times for the interviewers, so I freaked out a little when I arrived and a bunch of people were already there. The tour guide was really excited and helped calm the interviewees. Med students took us to the General Lewis Inn for lunch--one student who went with us was on the PBL track. The interviewers spoke to me more about how I felt about the surrounding area than why I wanted to be a physician, which seemed odd to me.
I was skeptical about the institution. After I stepped on campus and met faculty/staff and saw their facilities I was completely blown away. What spoke volumes to me was the way in which every person was treated. Current students as well.
I was a bit reluctant about the city, however upon my arrival, I found everyone to be very kind and helpful, even the Gen. Lewis Inn Limo. driver knew alot about the school, their mission and their rankings in the states. He also gave me a few tips, and made me feel at home. The staff, as well as students that took us on the campus tour were very helpful in answering questions and reassuring us. They also seemed confident and proud of their remarkable facilities and rankings in primary care. The interview was pretty laid back, although I did freak out, 'cos I was the last to interview that day, and I got to interview for like 40mins. However, everything must have gone o.k, as I got accepted.
The interview went really well. Was supposed to have 3 interviewers but one couldn't make it so I only had a professor and a admissions committee staff member. No clinician. It was really laid back and very comfortable. People complain about the location but it's a perfect area to be in med school; no big distractions.
It was not positive. They charge HUGE out of state tuition, then force you to teach yourself in PBL, and do not even have a major teaching hospital to learn in.
The interview was pretty laid back. I interviewed with two women, a professor and a woman on the admissions staff. There was supposed to be a third to-be-determined interviewer, but he/she was a no show.
Three people interviewed immediately in the morning and then we were joined by people who were scheduled to be interviewed in the afternoon. We were then taken on a tour by a woman from the admissions staff and then taken out to lunch by three students at a restaurant. After that, we had a presentation from the PBL track dean and a presenation from the clinicals director. We were then given packets about financial aid. The three people who interviewed in the morning were free to go (around 1:30) while the afternoon interviewees stayed.
The whole process was pretty laid back. Annette Moore who gives the tours is awesome. She was really enthusiastic despite the icy cold weather. The campus and facilities are top notch and the anatomy lab is immaculate. You could barely smell anything due to their high tech ventilation system. I went to the interview thinking I wouldn't really be interested in going to the school because of the location, but I left really considering it as an option. Overall it was a very positive experienc.
The interview went very well and was an enjoyable experience from start to finish. They have a very good institution and place the success of the student as top priority. However, if you don't think you could survive
It was VERY laid back. Of course i was nervous, but once i got in the room with the interviews it was a very comfortable atmosphere. I was the first to interview and that was nice because i wasn't anxious during the tour, it was nice to get it out of the way. Everyone at the school is so nice. I had a great experience
The interview was held with a professor, DO and admissions staff. It was only 30 min. long and was very generic. I felt like I spent a lot of money and time traveling to West Virginia and that the school had little interest in really getting to know who I was. The people where very nice however, I was just very surprised at the lack of interest in my application.
The town is nice though, rural but with cute shops, coffee and bakery shops, gallery's etc...The greenbrier river trail is gorgeous. I was there in October so it was just beautiful.
It was a very pleasant interview experience...especially it being my first. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. No stress at all. The only thing that caught me off guard was that they asked me what I do for fun twice in a row...
Overall experience is great. Low stress. Amazingly, I got accepted in a week. however, during the interview I felt a little bit of a rush by the interviewers. I had to wrap up my answers quickly because another interviewer seemed ready to move on to the next question. I thought the interview was very short( felt like 10 mins) but in fact it was 30 mins. May be because I have a lot to say. SDN questions are very very helpful I thinks they have guideline on what questions to ask. They were filling out the answers on a sheet of typed paper while I was answering their questions.
The interview was very nice. Low stress with easy questions. Every one I met, from students to faculty and staff, was very nice and said hi. The president normally had students into his office to chat. The students who gave us the tour were nice and all the facilities were really good.
They try to make you feel relaxed. New lecture hall and lab looks good. Able to sit in on PBL class. Students seem willing to talk to you and help if they can.
It was my first interview so I was pretty nervous but the admissions staff kept telling me not to worry. My interview was more of a conversation rather than rapid fire questioning. We went to lunch w a PBL and SBL student which was very informative and went on a tour. It was a really good day and I'm glad I had such a great first interview experience.
The interview experience was my first, so I was nervous without having interviewed previously. That said, the interview was extremely laid back and Ms. Bowyer was excellent as a tour guide and admissions rep, and she made every effort to make us feel welcome and comfortable throughout the day.
After a tour and an introduction to the PBL curriculum, the students provided an invaluable means of information when they took the interviewing group out to lunch at the General Lewis Inn. After that, we watched a video about clinical experiences. OH, and I have to mention ''Otto'' which simply amazed me... it was a robotic patient that responds to treatment and can be used to practice clinical stuff before using real humans (They have 3 robots total including a child robot for pediatrics). The anatomy lab was devoid of formaldehyde smell and it was extremely open with skylights! I can't emphasize enough how much I enjoyed my visit to WVSOM and how positive the interview experience was.
everyone was very nice and very positive... the dean was like you have an interview this early you are going to be getting in some where and have decisions to make... I was like settle down big guy I need to stay grounded... ive been to WSU and IU and OU and this school is really great and ppl care and I liked the area and i was glad not to see a starbucks for once and actually coffee shops with good coffee
Interview was great! Very friendly, very low stress, and obviously did pretty well because i got accepted. The interviewers genuinely wanted to get to know you, which is lacking in many other schools. They wanted to know who you were and your reasons for becoming a DO. They didn't try to catch you off guard with their questions, nor did they try to really emphasize your low points. They made an active effort to really strengthen their view on you as an applicant to present the strongest case possible to the admissions committee.
Staff and the admissions committee there who interviewed were one of the friendliest and most enthusiastic people. They genuinely wanted you to come to their school. IT was just a nice and refreshing way to conduct an interview.
The entire day, including the interview, was welcoming and laid-back. I liked my interviewers, and they seemed very receptive to what I was saying. Many of their questions went off of my responses, or were based on my application. WVSOM is wonderful and the faculty and students (some of whom you get to meet when you go out to lunch with them)are very kind and open to any questions that you might have. Everyone is easy to talk to. I hope that others have the great experience that I had.
The interview and other interview candidates were both better than expected. Low stress, but take it seriously. It was obvious that the interview was not just a formality but they were not asking difficult questions rather trying to find out more information about the candidates.
Everyone was extremely helpful and extremely friendly. It was a wonderful experience. They didn't ask any questions that put you on the spot or anything that didn't come naturally to answer.
I never thought my big city ways would want to end up here, but the overall experience was amazing. I felt such a peace while I was there. The students were very helpful and all seemed very happy, not fake whatsoever. I plan on taking my acceptance and attending in the Fall. I am looking very forward to it.
It was a little more stressful that I had anticipated. one of the interviewers was pretty darn stoic and didnt open up till the end when he told me to have a safe trip back home. THey asked basic questions but seemed serious and asked them in a "grilling" nature.
great interview! startd at 8 but mine wasn't until 10 so walk around, I sat in on a pbl class. easy to talk to, laughing, gave good feedback during the interview. then a few things about pbl, finance, nice tour. got accepted a few days later!!! the students are definitely a positive driving force for the school. the lunch with students reinforce that. despite paying the hefty fee, they all say it's worth it. there are 3 clnics to practice OMT on campus.
Very friendly atmosphere. The interviewers wanted to get to know me on a personal level and understand what kind of medicine I am interested in practicing. They also showed an emphasis on training physicians for West Virginia. Although they are not very intimidating, they expect you to take initiative and iterate all your positive traits and how they relate to being a successful physician specifically at WVSOM. They seemed to like that a lot and I think thats what got me my spot.
The interviewers didn't give me a lot of feedback on my answers. They will ask if you have questions, but then seem almost bored when they give the answers. They also practically shut the door on my coat as I left the room.
Awesome experience and I loved the people I interviewed with!!! I didn't know how advancded the school was with all the cool technology. We had a chance to sit in on a freshman lecture and right as we walked in everyone started to laugh...it just so happened that they were talking about the male sex organs and viagra...so that was funny. Everyone was so nice and wanted to help answer questions. Lunch was AWESOME! I also got to see my first cadaver in the anatomy lab. Seems like a really close knit school.
Had our presentations, lunch (really good), then tour, then interviews. There was just enough downtime to calm me down, but no more than I've had at other interviews. Everyone was very forthright and honest.
The interview was very relaxed. The only problem was that the interview day was not structured. We sat around talking to one another until we were brought in for an interview. Then, we sat around somemore until everyone was finished and then, finally, started the day (about 2 hours later). The three interviewers were really nice though. No hard questions were asked and they just wanted to hear all about you. They even gave positive feedback for your questions. I felt like I was welcomed at the interview, def. moved it to one of my top choices.
This was my first interview, so understandably, I was a bit nervous. The drive from Western NY where I'm from was a little crazy, especially in the dark and fog. I was really impressed by how nice all the students, staff, and faculty were - very chill ppl. Interview was very conversational, very fluid, and will probably be my easiest (have interviews coming up at KCOM, NYCOM, and NSUCOM). Be prepared to explain in detail about your motivations and background (goes without saying).
Went to lunch with some MS1s, MS2s; really interesting discussion about SBL/PBL tracks. Not too sure about PBL since it seems a bit unorganized, but lunch at the General Lewis was excellent. Finished with a tour of campus; saw Otto the human patient simulator, 24-hr study areas, library, bookstore, and g. anatomy labs. Anatomy labs were pretty impressive; apparently they were faculty-designed and have a unique ventilation system that works well.
A M. D. who teaches at the college interviewed me. This pleasant person lowered my stress level to "zero". I feel we had a good discussions on principles of osteopathy. It was interesting to discuss osteopathy with an M. D. I hope I get selected, for this is the college of my choice.
This is just in response to a person who left feedback on 11/9/2005: There seems to be some concern as to where all the new students are going to go. Although the construction on campus is pretty obvious and the new building is big perhaps this person didn't see it. However, the new classes are going to be in a brand spanking new building which will well accomondate all the students. There are also new apt complexes being built in surrounding areas. Though not in walking distance from the school. However, there are still quite a few housing options near the school anyways.
As far as anatomy ventilation goes -- it's one of the better ventilated anotomy labs around. Not only that but because of the new class size increasing a large part of the anatomy lab space will be new next year.
That is all.
Went in and they were very nice, interview was SO relaxed and I couldn't tell how I did because they pretty much wanted you to talk. I guess I did OK because I got in. It was very very laid back. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THEM!!! At the end they want you to ask some, so come prepared.
It was nice. Nice, new admissions center although there was no sign outside. The school has been around for about 30 yrs so the facilities were quite extensive although you could definitely tell which parts of the building were originally part of the transformed military school.
I was the first interview in the morning so I did not have to sit around and wait. The interview was very relaxing, more like a conversation than an interview.
The whole day was fantastic. My group was not very lively, but everyone was really nice. The class I sat in on was male urogenital diseases, so that was very interesting. I believe I am sold on PBL though. Although the school is expensive, living in a very safe place makes up for it. I really hope I get in there.
The interview was very relaxed. They really weren't trying to trip you up or confuse you, they just want to talk. I was very impressed by the way they stand by their school...great loyalty. Dr. Leach is incredibly nice. I asked the interview board about reasons for expanding their program, and their first answer was money...apparently their funding has been slashed. That was a little concerning, but overall, a blip on the radar.
I showed up in the afternoon and we went over the logistics(funding, programs on campus) and then we went on our campus tour. After this we went and ate at a restaurant with students, and then we had our interviews.
Our day started at 8 where we were given a schedule of the day and what times we were to interview. The interview was very relaxing and conversational. They truly seemed to just want to get to know you. When we weren't interviewing we were free to look around and sit in classes. We met with fin. aid, a PBL instructor, and the clinical director. We had lunch at the General Lewis Inn with some students and then we had a tour of the school. If we had interviewed in the morning we were free to leave. The students interviewing in the afternoon didn't have to be there til 11:30.
Overall, the interview was very relaxed and enjoyable. I wasn't nervous in the least, which surprised me. The key is to go in and be yourself. Answer the questions to the best of your abilities and let God do the rest. I received my acceptance from the school today, only 3 days after the interview :) and trust me, if I can do it, you can do it!
Two of my inteviewers were really nice and asked me the less difficult questions; why osteopathy, what field of medicine etc. The third guy was more aggressive, he was not unfriendly he just asked the more difficult questions. Someone has to do this, it would be strange if they didnt challenge you in the interview, so expect it. The made it really easy to be as relaxed as possible anyhow. Just be yourself.
Stay at the General Lewis, its close and gives you a feel for what the town is about.
I was the last one to interview from the morning group (out of 5 guys). We were there at 8:00AM as instructed and were given the option to fill a form agreeing to have our pictures taken (individual pictures). The interview was more relaxing than the waiting part but it helps if you find something to do or someone to hang with to keep your mind off of it. I seem to connect really well with one of my interviewers. She backed me up on a lot of my reponses. I connected with the microbiology professor from the beginning until the last question. Damn! As for the other one she was nice but caught me off guard with a few comments/questions based on my previous reponses. Choose your words wisely!
I arrived at the admissions office at 8 am; I was the first applicant there. They give you juice, fruit, coffee, water, and crackers to eat while waiting for the day to begin. They then give you a sheet of paper with your interview time. Before and after the interview, you are free to walk around campus, sit in on classes, and talk with whomever. The interview was with three committee members - the Dean of Admissions, a clinician, and a professor. It was a very laid-back, easy going conversation with three knowledgable people and myself. Everyone at WVSOM is friendly, and they all convey that family demeanor! After the interview, we were given a short presentation on financial aid, third and fourth year rotations, and the PBL track. Then it was off to lunch at the General Lewis Inn with current medical students and a walking tour with Angie! Then we were done. If you are called for an afternoon interview, your day begins with the presentations and continues on in the same order, with your interviews ending the day! Good luck!
Overall, great interview. They wanted to know about me as a person and didn't try to intimidate me at all. They generally wanted to get to know me and I was quite comfortable.
Well I was second to last to go, so I had 2 1/2 hrs to walk around the very small campus. There was nothing to do except get more nervous, also sat in a lecture. The Professor had a long pony-tail and was a male. Didn't give a great professional experience. The interviewers didn't seem to personal to me. They weren't until they said do you have anything else to add at the end and I just put in all the stuff I felt like they should know like my strengths and stuff that I thought they would have asked me, but didn't. They did seem pleased when I took initiative, So if they don't seem personal at first just say what your going to say. Gotta fight for your spot!
Overall the interview went really well. I had the interviewers laughing so it made things a little bit less stressful. I was myself and did not try to say what they wanted to hear, I answered each question honestly and to the best of my ability. They asked me a lot about the things in my application. It seemed like they memorized it!! Overall I would say that it was pretty laid back despite my high level of stress.
Very low key. It was my second interview and I heard it was a casual conversation between you and two retired faculty members which is exactly what it was.
Everyone was extremely hospitable and friendly. Although it is hard to imagine that a panel interview could be relaxed and conversational, this one was. Unlike the "no feedback" policy most med schools seem to adopt, they were very responsive and encouraging.
Stay at the General Lewis. It's really cute there, and it just makes it easier. You meet and have breakfast there at 7:30am, then you go to the school and meet some admissions people. Then the interviews are conducted, while it isn't your turn you are free to roam the building and sit in on lectures, which was cool. Then you go for lunch one on one with a student, which is good to get to know the school from a student's view. Then you go back and take a tour of the school. It's pretty basic, but it's really relaxed. They don't want to make you feel intimidated. Hope this helps!
Everything was great, they do their best to help you feel as relaxed as possible. If you can go to breakfast, do it, it makes a great icebreaker, and is a good way to learn about the school in a relaxed atmosphere.
It was pretty stress-free. They told me the interviews would be like a conversation but that wasn't entirely accurate. It was a boardroom setting with me against three faculty members. They just asked questions and I answered them. Not a conversation at all, but they were easy, "Get to know you" kinds of questions. Later we got to check out the facilities and classes while they were in session. It was a nice day overall. Unfortunately, some things aren't that high-tech. They don't have wireless yet, and they don't have some facilities like at Kirksville and Des Moines where they bring in actors for you to be practice patients.
The interview was friendly, and they really wanted to get to know you. One of the interviewers was actually an MD. The students are informative and friendly.
Overall, I was impressed with the school and their welcoming attitude. During my interview, I tried to be myself and show them that I was intelligent and capable of doign the work but that i was also personable and able to interact well with people. Just be yourself and you'll do great. I think that's a lot of what they were looking for in their interview.
Overall, I don't feel like I did very well on this interview, I felt that the interviewers were bombarding me with questions, and that I didn't always have the right answer. Also, they have taken a long time getting back with me.
On the whole it was a relaxed day. Stay at tbe general lewis (thats where you will meet somebody from the school and have breakfast). The interview was a little harder than what i had experienced so far. But overall, it wasnt that bad.
The interview was laid back and comfortable. Nothing to get stressed about. One of my connecting flights was canceled due to severe weather and I was re-directed all over the country and didn't get into Charleston until 2am and then didn't get into Lewisburg until 4:30am on the morning of the interview. So, I ended up getting about 45 minutes of sleep before the day of the interview...not an ideal situation. Yet, it didn't seem to matter because the interviewers really made the interview comfortable and conversational. The three interviewers seemed genuinely interested in who I was as an individual. I was definitely impressed by the faculty there. I did think it was slightly strange that I wasn't asked about my reasearch because I have several solid stem cell research publications, yet as I think about it research really isn't a prominent focus at WVSOM. To be honest I didn't think I did all that well in the interview, yet I must of done better than I thought because I was accepted yesterday.
Great school, they have 2 tracks. Everyone is so nice. Interview was more like get to know you, they asked me how the drive was to calm me down, it worked, lots of laughs, no hard questions. They give a response quick in 1-2 weeks. :-) I am def. going to consider it, but my first choice is NYCOM.
My interview was supposed to be with a doctor, a scientist, and a member of the admissions staff. The scientist was ill, so I only had two interviewers. Both of them were very nice and easy to talk to. I was a little nervous at first, but soon I felt like I was just having a discussion with some close friends.
Overall, a great experience! The day starts with breakfast at the General Lewis Inn. They rotate faculty for this, so you don't know who you're going to get. It is a great way to break the ice, though. Next they take you to the admissions office where the director goes over your file and any missing requirements. Next you get to set in on the PBL and SBL sessions while the interviews are going on. The interview itself wasn't too bad. There were three comittee members including the Associate Dean for Admissions. After everyone has interviewed, you have lunch with several 1st and 2nd year students, all of whom are very courteous and helpful. Finally you get the grand tour of all the facilites. Overall, it was a great experience. You get a LOT of unsupervised access to the students, which I think speaks very well of the school. The Lewisburg area is absolutely beautiful (I'm sure it didn't hurt that the leaves were at the peak of their color when I was there). Be prepared though: the area is very rural. If you absolutely live for the breakneck pace of a Mega metropolis like DC, New York, or Chicago this is probably not the place for you. If you want somehwere that is quiet and the students and faculty are tight-knit, then you should definitely check out WVSOM.
Very good day. Although it was a little long, we sat in through 2 of the med students classes. The atmosphere was positive and stress free. I really liked this school and hope to get in. The average time to find out your status is 2-3 weeks after the interview.
Great experience! If you go, stay at the General Lewis Inn; it is very charming and relaxing. The overall interview process is low stress and they do a great job of making you feel like you belong there.
This is in reference to the previous post...
I am a student on waitlist waiting to get into WVSOM. I have been accepted into two other school and
'incidentally' have a 30 on the MCAT. If you look at the other previous posts, no one has had any high stress in their interviews and have had very pleasant experiences...whether from a big city or not. It seems like this person felt unsure enough about themselves to be immature and slandering on a site where they are just supposed to give simple opinions, not hate messages. Hopefully their self-esteem will improve later on in life. I can assure you, as many people have in their reviews here of WVSOM and their records state (have been in the top medical school in the country for in Newsweek for 10 of their 35 years as a school) that WVSOM has a highly respectable interviewing process, is unbiased and provides a quality education...if not, I wouldn't have turned down two other schools to risk getting off their wailist. Best of luck to you.
Positive. The staff are very friendly as are the students. You will eat breakfast at the General Lewis Inn, then go in for interviews at the school. Afterwards you get a tour of the school and then a financial aid session. Whole process took me from 8AM till 3PM. All I can say is don't be turned off by WVSOM because of the small town. It's better than it seems and the school is state of the art. The staff really cares about their students and they even have a Problem Based Learning Track. Once you are in you are family.
Overall it was good. The day seemed kind of rushed, but they were trying to get everything in by lunch because a girl had an early flight out of Roanoke and the weather was horrible. The mornng began with a review of your file with the director of admissions and she was also one of my interviewers along with a DO and a PhD. All 3 people were at one conference table and I sat at the head and they took turns asking questions. I thought this was so scary upon entering the room, but surprisingly this was my most relaxed interview so far. There is nothing to be nervous about! Then there was a tour of the facilities in the rain, but they provided umbrellas so that was a nice touch. The school is so nice and modern. Evrything has been remodeled and the facilities are top notch. You no longer have breakfast at the General Lewis Inn with admissions people, but it is still a really nice place to stay and you do have lunch there one on one with a student. My first year was not very talkative so I was struggling to make conversation and she seemed to get really offended whan I asked if the PBL students learn as much as the systems based group, but the food was really good so that was a definite plus. Our interview day ended after lunch.
The interview was one of the best I've had. I have been accepted into an MD and one other DO, but suprisingly want to go here as my number one choice. I hope I hear something soon. I do wish I hadn't applied so late. I was trying to cover all my bases, yet I am glad for the experience if nothing else. If I get in I would very much like to attend the PBL track. It would be amazing.
The interviewers were very interested in what I had to say, we got into some deep topics after the initial questioning. Every single student I say was happy. Is that possilbe? In med school? Every other place I went to people were grumpy! Ha.
Being from Boston, I wasn't sure what to expect from a school located in such a small, rural town. But I was completely blown away! They have incredible facilities, a great faculty-student rapport, and a real heart for osteopathic medicine. Definitely tied for my top choice.
Stay at the General Lewis INN (~$60 after interview discount. It is a quaint, bed-and-breakfast place. The admissions office is very friendly, and the students and faculty make you feel at home. The facilities are modern (the school is not very old), and the workout center is an added bonus. Overall, if you are looking for a school focused on primary care and rural medicine, and aren't concerned with the high tuition rate, the school is a fabulous fit.
the day starts out with breakfast at the general lewis inn. the inn is very quaint and has a historic ambiance. the breakfast was delicious and a great way to start out the day and get to know some of the other potential candidates. from the get go, you get the sense that the interview will not be overly competitive, and the two faculty at breakfast wanted us to speak candidly and offered to answer any and all questions. i interviewed third out of four people, so i had the chance to attend the second years lecture on GI pathology. to be honest, the majority of the class seemed unenthused, however, they had the powerpoint slides as handouts and could probably find better ways to spend their time. the interview itself, was what i expected, typical how and why type questions, but nothing off the wall. the tour was great and very informative.
the school is in its first year of a pbl (problem-based learning) curriculum, and the students (21) that are members, all seem to love it. they seem enthused and yearn to learn more. the tenets of this type of learning make sense and the program seems very well organized, however there is no data on the success of the students as of yet.
This interview was a learning experience. Practice, if you will, for other interviews I have in the next few weeks. It confirmed my belief that I don't want to live in WVirginia.
I think it really is a great school for the right student. I really got the impression that you will have a successful and complete education, and will learn what you need to have a great career. I personally don't feel that I belong there. I'm very much a bigger city type of person. Would likely go crazy in this type of environment.
Stay at the General Lewis Inn! You have to meet there at 7:30am anyway, and it was full of character. Like a true colonial Inn. It felt like I went back in time to the late 1700s. Interviewee rate is way cheaper than normal rate, and totally worth it.
The worst of my many interviews by far. The interviewers were very distant and impersonal. The woman giving the tour, however, was pleasant as well as the students we met.
This was the first interview that I have participated in. I was very nervous going into the interview, but found the interviewers to be very friendly and they made it quite comfortable. They interacted with me, and were very receptive to my responses.
I thought it was a pretty good experience overall--the interviewers don't show much emotion during the intervie so that is a little intimidating. Also don't be afraid if your interview didn't last the whole 30 minutes--none of the people who interviewed with me did either.
This school is keeping on top of things to ensure they are one of the best DO schools out there. They're expanding in both the facilities and the curriculum. If I accepted, I'm going.
I enjoyed my day in West Virginia. The Lewis Inn is really nice. It was was relaxing to start the day with two faculty members. They just got us talking and I'm sure they read our files prior to the breakfast cause they seemed to target each interviewee about somethign or the other. My actual interview felt stressed. I felt my answers didnt measure up to their expectations.
I met 2 really other interviewiees at the interview whom i thought were really cool. Other than that there is a huge lack of diversity, someone stated earlier that there is only 3% minority. I saw one non caucasian student on campus, which is the basis of me giving it a no change status. the town is very small, 3000 people including the students and it is a very personal school. IE the school gives to the surrounding community etc. I'd go there.
The school is really small and friendly. The problem-based learning track is new and very cool. The facilities are all relatively new and updated. The staff and faculty were very friendly. Oh, and the town closes down at 6pm. Also, there are not many sidewalks and absolutely no edge to the road so if you decide to go for a run or walk--stick to the downtown area where there are sidewalks!
A Great school and a great curriculum! A little too far away from everything else, but if you don't mind doing lots of traveling to get anywhere. Far, any questions PM me: jonb12997.
It was a truly great experience, BOOK EARLY AT the GENERAL LEWIS INN or you'll end up at an econolodge! The people are great, the staff was friendly and the students generally seemed to enjoy what they were learning.
It was a nice day. Breakfast with the faculty gives you a chance to calm down. The interviewers were friendly and laid back, not grilling you at all. I love this school and the area so much. I found out today that I was accepted, and I am definitely going to go there next fall!
Pretty good. Don't let the dour interviewer get to you. All the questions are straightforward if you prepare. The interview is not meant to stress you, it is just for them to get to see your personality. And meet the students and the Graduate TA's, because they can give you great information.
The interview was fairly laid-back. I didn't feel that I really connected to any of the interviewers, but I didn't feel that I was being grilled, either.
It was very low stress. I suggest going to the breakfast before the interview to get to know the other applicants. It was my first interview and I was just accepted, woohoo! Now to go check out the competition.
Very friendly staff and student body. The glaring interviewer was obviously playing a part in trying to increase the stress level, although it really wasn't that bad. All of the interviewees commented on his demeanor, though. Besides that, it was a positive and laid back experience overall.
unstressful and it was my first, faculty and students were very helpful, admissions staff was great
full exposure to school and town, thorough interview day
I felt very comfortable. The fact that it is in a small town really lets you concentrate on studies if you are one who is easily distracted. Although students said if you want to go out for a good time its possible. I was fed two meals, breakfast and lunch. WVSOM is not affiliated with a single hospital. Rotations are done all over the state. Overall it was a good experience. Im considering going there if I get accepted.
I was very much impressed with the school and students. The faculty is dedicated to the students and will assist them at anytime. The interviewers were very nice and friendly and tried to get to know you and offer as much information about the school as they could.
I was greatly impressed with the school. And I love the small class size. The small town is quite active and even has a community college. Best of all, they notified me in 10 days that I had been accepted! What a way to begin the interview season! But my decision is now made. WVSOM Class of 2007!
Everyone was really friendly and the interview was so laid back. No questions were difficult to answer or inappropriate. It was an all around good time.
Provide an individual that will talk through all the information on the powerpoint, make the powerpoint available to interviewees, and/or provide a packet of information
Please ask questions not asked in the supplemental application. I had many experiences and opinions I wanted to discuss but could not because of the very general nature of the interview questions.
Please be more understanding and lower your deposits. You have to realize that students are probably waiting on other schools and to demand $3000 is just unreasonable and contradicts your "focus on the student" attitudes you shared on interview day.
While admissions was extrememly laid back and friendly, the interview itself was stuffy and formal - please warn students to snap back into serious mode! It's easy to feel like the whole day is going to be a breeze with the helpfulness of the staff but we need to put our business hats back on!