Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest
Lebanon, OR
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include scenarios about personal successes and challenges, ethical dilemmas like witnessing cheating, motivations for pursuing medicine, experiences with diversity, and advocacy instances. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format, where questions were standardized, and there were references to nondisclosure agreements, indicating a structured interview process and confidentiality requirements.
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Describe a time in your life when things were going very well for you and you were very happy and describe why. Name a time when things weren't going well, you were unhappy, and why.
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What would you do if you saw your friend cheating during an exam?
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Why DO?
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The questions they asked were the same ones at the Pomona campus. They did not deviate from the questions which make it feel less personal.
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Do you have any questions for us?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest discussed a variety of topics including qualities desired by future patients, challenges in medical school, role-playing scenarios, opinions on healthcare policy, and the future of osteopathy. The interview format may have included an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) with role-playing scenarios, possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on respondents' mentions of specific interview content.
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What qualities would you hope your future patient would use to describe you?
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What do you think you'll have a difficult time with in medical school?
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All were interesting
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How can Western help you achieve your goals?
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An impromptu role-playing scenario that was specific to my work experience and that pretty much re-created my deepest, darkest fear. They didn't know this, and I managed to do well, but boy did I sweat!
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest discussed a variety of challenging topics including overcoming struggles, ethical dilemmas, advocating for others, and dealing with mistakes. Several responses mentioned an MMI format with nondisclosure requirements, indicating that the interview may have been structured as a Multiple Mini Interview where specifics cannot be disclosed.
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MMI 2nd station (cannot disclose)
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What will be your biggest challenge in medical school?
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What is the hardest life experience you have been through?
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The MMI with the cancer patient was horribly uncomfortable.
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See above. They also asked me about a time when I had to sacrifice/work hard on someone else's behalf (can't remember the exact wording).
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 4-6 hours traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by airplane to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Eugene Airport (EUG)
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Portland
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PDX
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ODX
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Eugene, OR
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Eugene Airport
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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Shanico Inn
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Rodeway Inn in Albany, OR. Had everything I needed and was an easy 15 min drive from the school. The continental breakfast is toast and instant oatmeal.
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Phoenix Inn in Albany
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Phoenix Inn
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Pheonix Inn (free breakfast!)
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing common interview questions, researching the school, seeking advice from online resources like SDN, and discussing healthcare-related current events. Many emphasized the importance of practicing aloud, seeking feedback from others, and staying informed about medical news.
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I reviewed my application and talked through some basic questions.
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Read responses on SDN's interview feedback, watched youtube channels for MMI tips, read a book on interview tips, interviewed at other schools, wrote answers to common/expected questions and read them out loud the night before the interview.
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Looked over my application. Read over the school website.
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Looked at this website and the most commonly asked questions.
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Had an interview before this one which helped. Read and practiced questions online, read general MMI strategy, thoroughly reviewed by primary and secondary apps.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the welcoming and supportive atmosphere of the school, highlighted by the dedication and friendliness of the faculty and staff. They appreciated the small class sizes, student-oriented approach, and the strong sense of community both within the school and in the surrounding area. The positive interactions during the interview process, the enthusiasm of the students, and the unique amenities and opportunities offered by the school were also major points of praise.
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The quality of the interviewers and their questions and they all seemed very happy. Impressed with the location and small-town feel.
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The garden wall and fountain.
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The staff is dedicated to the students. Since it is a smaller school, you are able to talk to the professors/staff/admin easily and things can change. They talked about a student that wanted a nutrition education and a professor created an extracurricular program/powerpoint to fulfill that need.
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Very student oriented, listen to feedback from students and interviewees.
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I was pleasantly surprised that I felt more at home here than I did at Western-Pomona. It shouldn't have been a surprise since I am from the NW. Still surprised by how I actually felt a difference in fit.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the length of the interview process, the small campus size, reliance on distance learning from another campus, lack of faculty presence, rural location, and limited diversity. Suggestions included reducing downtime, improving campus facilities, increasing interview time, and enhancing the food quality.
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It was extremely long - which is fine, but there was a section of coming up with a group name that didn't make sense to me at all.
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How small the campus is. I like to hide. Also a lot of OMM kool-aid. Trying to squeeze in the tour between the traditional interview and the MMI.
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They kept asking if this was what I wanted to do (be a physician). It was an odd question because to me if I didn't want to be a doctor, I wouldn't have spent the time going through the stress of applications.
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The schools location isn't amazing, but Corvallis is close
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Might be a little too isolated as a school
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the MMI format is unique and not easily prepared for, to think carefully before answering questions, to dress slightly more formal for certain events, and to expect nerves during the interview process. Additionally, they recommended being aware of transportation challenges, bringing warm clothing, and being prepared for a more relaxed atmosphere during the MMI.
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That the MMI is not traditional. They basically make their own mini version and the prompts are essentially impossible to 'prepare' for. Act natural.
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That you should't Uber there because you can't get an Uber out.
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I put my foot in my mouth at one point because I failed to see the true aim of one of the questions. Think before you answer.
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n/a
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To bring a warm jacket (came from CA). Also, the MMI's are not as scary as I thought they would be.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive impressions of the school, emphasizing its supportive and friendly atmosphere, strong community relationships, and opportunities for success in both academics and personal growth. The interview experience was described as relaxed and welcoming, with interviewers showing genuine interest in getting to know the candidates.
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Felt like I was my best self on interview day, felt like I nailed both the traditional interview and MMI, was excited to receive a swift acceptance. Top choice school.
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This school really impressed me. I also interviewed at OHSU (the other OR school) and Western impressed me more.
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I really liked the school, great relationship with the community, very nice and positive faculty.
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Western is a mix of traditional panel interview and MMI. Split into 2 sections. Details are made available by school website. Pretty standard interview. I felt like they took fewer notes than my interviewers in Pomona. Hopefully a good sign?
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They really seemed like they wanted you to do well and wanted to get to know you.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants suggest that the admissions office should improve communication before interview day, schedule campus tours after interviews, consider holding interviews earlier in the day, and provide more information upfront about additional events like the pizza dinner. They also recommend notifying acceptances through email or phone instead of snail mail and ensuring clarity on communication channels between different offices.
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Please schedule the campus tour after both the traditional interview and MMI. It was hard to act not anxious and engage with the tour guides when all you care about is getting the MMI over with. I really appreciated the effort the adcom made to help us relax, though, and I enjoyed the morning presentation, coffee and the lunch provided.
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Thought they did a great job, really enjoyed my experience and the school.
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Communicate more positively and clearly before the interview day, especially about the pizza social and extra events available to interview candidates. Also make it more clear that some communication has to go through Pomona and others through Lebanon, it gets confusing about who handles what.
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Email or call for acceptances, instead of snail mail.
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Perhaps hold the interviews earlier in the day to alleviate stress.
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