Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest Interview Feedback Summary
Lebanon, OR
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 20% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as average.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the applicant's motivation for choosing that specific institution, their experiences with Osteopathic medicine, their definition of diversity, how they have overcome challenges, their understanding of accountability, and their biggest mistake and how they handled it. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format or nondisclosure agreement, suggesting a standardized set of questions and a requirement to maintain confidentiality about the interview process.
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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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Why WesternU?
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Why Western?
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How many DO schools did I apply to?
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, impact of affordable health care, and the future of Osteopathy. Multiple responses indicated the presence of an MMI format with impromptu role-playing scenarios tailored to individual experiences, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement due to the specific nature of the questions asked.
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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 most difficult question asked at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest discussed Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) scenarios, including questions on personal challenges, ethical dilemmas, overcoming struggles, mistakes, patient care, and advocacy experiences. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the nature of the MMI format where specific questions and scenarios 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 Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by reviewing their application materials, practicing common interview questions, researching the school, and seeking advice from online resources like SDN. Many also emphasized the importance of practicing aloud, staying updated on current events, and seeking feedback from professionals or individuals with interview experience.
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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 positively impressed by the friendly and supportive atmosphere created by dedicated faculty, staff, and students. The emphasis on student well-being, personalized attention, and community integration were highlighted as strengths of the institution, along with the engaging interview process and the school's commitment to providing a comfortable and welcoming environment.
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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 lengthy interview process, the small campus size, the heavy reliance on distance learning from another campus, and potential discomfort with the rural location or lack of support for certain student groups. Suggestions included shortening the interview day, improving campus facilities, providing more on-site faculty, and addressing concerns about online learning and campus diversity.
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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 act naturally and think before answering. They also recommended bringing a warm jacket, being aware of transportation issues, and not underestimating nervousness during the interview.
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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 high praise for the school, citing positive impressions from the interview experience, faculty, community relationships, and location. Many highlighted the welcoming atmosphere, emphasis on student success, and opportunities for personal attention and growth as key factors in their positive views of the institution.
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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 commonly suggest scheduling campus tours after interviews, improving communication about events and processes, providing clearer instructions, and considering alternative methods for acceptance notifications. They also recommend providing information about events early on and organizing interviews earlier in the day to reduce stress and enhance performance.
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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.
📍 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.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
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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Eugene
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Eugene Airport
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Eugene, OR
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ODX
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PDX
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel among the responses is **Best Western Premier Boulder Falls Inn**.
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Best Western
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Best Western Premier Boulder Falls Inn
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Best Western Premiere, Boulder Falls
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Best Western- Boulder Falls Inn
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Holiday Inn Express
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 are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
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