Ottawa, ON
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 8% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.6
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 45 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (80%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (13%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (60%)
Good (20%)
Average (20%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interviews to be positive experiences, with friendly interviewers who focused on getting to know them personally and assessing their critical thinking skills. They emphasized the importance of showing their true personalities, knowledge, and problem-solving approaches while staying confident but not arrogant.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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It was a good first and only interview for me. I put a lot of effor into preparing, was focused and not nervous. In an afterthought, i think I could've done better if i was more alert and thought more carefully, but given the situation i've done my best
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Really great ppl, calm and very fun to talk with. You get in, you talk about personal stuff. They want to know you. You get out...Easy as that...but its up to you how well you present yourself.
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I loved it. The interviewers really wanted to see how you ticked. they asked simple questions and seem to watch not only wat i said but how i said it. their reactions after i answered questions were also very honest. if i said something they weren't impressed with they would hint it with their facial expressions. Time passes quickly in an interview. make sure you show them who you really are. personality and knowledge and critical thinking. show them how you think through problems (ethics).
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All were very friendly. I was quite nervous for the first few minutes, but settled in and relaxed quickly.
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I thought a few of my answers were not so good and left feeling ambivalent.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
44 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.9 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
47% One-on-One
53% Group Interview
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File Type:
36% Open-File
64% Closed-File
uOttawa-COMP interviews are an average of 44 minutes, with an average of 2.9 interviews. 47% of interviews are one-on-one, and 64% are closed-file.
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 pursuing medicine, their personal qualities relevant to being a doctor, challenges faced in life, and unique contributions they can make to the program. Some respondents mentioned being asked about their knowledge of current events, experiences related to healthcare, and self-reflection on negative influences regarding a medical career. Additionally, references to MMI or Multiple Mini Interview format suggest a structured interview process where respondents may be subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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1st tell us about yourself, 2nd why you wanna be a doctor
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Any questions a would say couldnt really help you...just asks yourself questions...why you wanna be a doctor...why you think you can make it...why why why...ask yourself questions...read the news..read on ethic topics...and come up with a special way to do or say it
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Why medicine, why not nursing, why not social work...etc.
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Tell us about yourself, other than academics?
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--why medicine --qualities in a Dr.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine discussed various topics such as banning certain things, ethical dilemmas, patient communication scenarios, and personal influences. The interview format may have been an MMI based on the diverse range of questions, and respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the nature of the questions asked.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What would you ban?
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Why you ?
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How does construction make you a better doctor? (i mentioned I worked construction in highschool summers)
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Do you think that refusing smokers cancer treatment could effectively deter people from smoking?
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How would you tell a patient that there is a 2 year wait for an MRI?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews, researching current events and ethical issues, practicing with friends, reading newspapers and school materials, and reflecting on their motivations for pursuing medicine. Many also sought guidance from current students, participated in interview workshops, and engaged in introspection to articulate their strengths and weaknesses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Everything - reading on healthcare, ethics, mock interview with meds and career center, reading on world issues, reflections, getting focused...
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Mock interview, google search on ethics questions, read the news
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Read news, watch news, read ethics, talk to students, 2 mock interviews.
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Websites like this, read the paper for current events, went to interview workshop at my school, thought out answers to common questions, practiced with friends who were also interviewing, learned about the health care system
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Practice interviews (2 video recorded), list of common Q's, pre-thought out answers for a couple of Q's
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine discussed a range of topics including leadership, human cloning, ethical dilemmas like euthanasia, and reasons for choosing medicine over other professions like nursing or physiotherapy. Additionally, some respondents mentioned encountering challenging follow-up questions and discussions on ethical scenarios, hinting at a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format where nondisclosure agreements may have been in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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All pretty standard and expected questions. There were a lot of focus on the autobiographical sketch activities. ''what does leadership mean to you?''
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If you werent accepted...what would you do ?
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Name a time when someone said no to you.
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What are your thoughts on human cloning?
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An ethical Q that went on and on. After one of my answers, the scenario changed, and the Q got worse (harder). It never seemed to end.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendliness of the staff and students, the advanced technology integrated into the curriculum, the organization of the interview process, and the positive and relaxed atmosphere of the school. Many highlighted the enthusiasm of students, the professionalism of the interviewers, and the overall welcoming environment of the institution.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The entire hospital complex is just so dynamic, plus i love the city, people are extra friendly
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How everything was done at a very professional level. Technology is a very strong point of this school. They seem to form doctors to answer to today's health problems, but also prepare them for the furtur of healtcare. Every student gets there own laptop and learn very quickly to get friendly with the technology of healthcare. To my knowledge, it's one of the best school i've been interviewed in, period.
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The organization of the process. very organized and professional, yet not intimidating.
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The info session was done really well and got me pumped up for my interview. the students were all really enthusiastic as well.
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Relaxed atmosphere, sincerity of staff and students, very good atmosphere.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were generally disappointed by time constraints leading to rushed experiences, disorganization during tours, lack of engagement or personal attention during interviews, and missed opportunities to interact with current students. Suggestions included extending the schedule, improving organization, and ensuring interviewers prioritize attentiveness and communication with candidates.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing
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I wish i could have spent more time in the interview...but time is limited.
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The tour guides by the 1st yr meds were enthusiastic, but very unorganized... I didn't get much out of the tour...
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I went in the morning for the info session and tour, but I had about 2.5 hours to kill before my afternoon interview...that was brutal. My fault really.
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--was told by interviewers that I had a "very good chance," but didn't even get waitlisted
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the relaxed atmosphere, the potential questions about current events, and the low level of stress. They also mentioned the need to be prepared for ethical questions and the importance of thinking quickly and logically during the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The tour involves a tour of anatomy lab involving looking at corpse, don't do that right before your interview if it may bother you. It's pretty relaxed atmosphere prior to your interview, meds actually sit there to talk to you and help you relax
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That it was gonna be relax. I would not have stressed myself as much
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Everything went to plan/instructions
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Nothing
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--how hard it is for 3rd year undergrad students to get in, no matter their interview performance
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was unfriendly.
No responses
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was unresponsive.
No responses
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
No responses
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the days inn i think (average ranking 7/10). (Top 1 displayed)
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days inn i think
7/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (8%)
Student (92%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (100%)
All Responses
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