Kansas City, MO
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 42% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.1
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 123 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 as average compared to other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (74%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (19%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (25%)
Good (54%)
Average (21%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally provided feedback on the interview process, including positive experiences with the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, interactions with interviewers, and the overall structure of the interview day. Some expressed concerns about specific aspects of the program, such as facilities or the interview atmosphere, while others highlighted the friendliness of the faculty and students. Suggestions included arriving early, preparing for interview questions, and being confident during the interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The interview overall went smoothly; however, I feel like interviewees did not have the chance to make connections with the interviewers.
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I really enjoyed the MMI process, I thought it went very smoothly
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I felt more comfortable with the MMI than a regular interview.
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MMI isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I stressed out a lot more than was necessary.
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A current student told me to go to another school if I get in somewhere else, because the student has not had the greatest experience with this school.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
43 Minutes Average
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Number:
3.4 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
96% One-on-One
4% Group Interview
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File Type:
75% Open-File
25% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
UMKC-SOM-COMP interviews are an average of 43 minutes, with an average of 3.4 interviews. 96% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 25% 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 diversity, motivation for studying medicine, ethical dilemmas, strengths and weaknesses, leadership qualities, personal accomplishments, and future goals in medicine. Many respondents referenced an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format, indicating a structured interview style where specific questions are not disclosed due to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What's your opinion on diversity in the world today?
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MMI style
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MMI (Can't say specifics)
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I can't tell specific questions but it was an MMI style interview.
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What motivated you to study medicine?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine discussed a variety of topics such as social justice, personal values, reading preferences, self-reflection, and hypothetical scenarios related to professionalism. The interviews seem to encompass a range of thought-provoking questions aimed at assessing character, critical thinking skills, and future aspirations, with no explicit mention of an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What does social justice mean to you
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Tell me about your most valuable life experience.
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What type of books do you read?
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What kind(s) of books are you reading these days?
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What do you like most about yourself?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing sample MMI questions, practicing with mock interviews, researching the school's website and curriculum, and staying updated on current healthcare topics. Many also utilized resources like SDN, online forums, and books to practice answering potential questions and sought feedback from medical students or professionals to refine their responses.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I looked over MMI-styled questions. I honestly didn't really practice.
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Youtube, SDN
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-reviewed the website for the qualities the school emphasizes -looked over sample MMI questions and answers
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Read through ethics MMI questions.
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Printed out materials from the school's website. Mock interviews with a doctor completing fellowship, and a faculty member.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine discussed various scenarios such as handling unfair criticism, motivations for studying medicine, biggest healthcare problems, facing authority, and challenges in healthcare delivery. Additionally, respondents mentioned an MMI format where questions covered personal experiences, ethical dilemmas, and critical thinking, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Describe a time where you were critiqued and you thought it was unfair. How did you respond?
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After asking about a book I've read recently (The Namesake), I explained that the character's lives closely paralleled my parent's life as immigrants. The interviewer told me that immigrant parents often push their children into certain careers and asked if that was my case. I said no. So he asked, if my parents didn't motivate me, what did motivate me to study medicine?
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Is there anything else about you that you would like us to know?
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What is the biggest problem with health care delivery?
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When was one time you went against authority?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were mostly impressed positively by the friendliness and helpfulness of the students, faculty, and interviewers, as well as the unique and organized structure of the program. They appreciated the thorough information sessions, the hands-on training opportunities, and the focus on clinical rotations. Some suggested improvements in terms of organization and facilities, but overall, the positive interactions and unique aspects of the program left a lasting impression on them.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The type of questions that were asked.
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Cost, exposure, team oriented
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MMI wasn't was terrible as I had anticipated.
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Interview system was organized, interviewers were easy to talk to.
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There was a thorough information session about the school's curriculum, schedule, and structure.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about timed and scripted interviews, large group sizes making the process intimidating, lack of organization in scheduling and interview structure, and concerns about residency placement and location. Suggestions included more personalized and natural interviews, better organization of the interview process, and more transparency about the program's outcomes and surroundings.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Our interviews were timed (we had 6 minutes), and some of the interviewers were late to the Zoom room by at least 1 minute.
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Large class size, interview felt scripted each interviewer asked 10 questions written down before hand it didn't feel natural or conversational.
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There were a lot of interviewees present. The large group made the process seem more intimidating.
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N/A
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Having to wait between interviews for up to one hour.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about specific school policies, such as AMCAS withdrawal implications and the inability to withdraw applications once enrolled. They also emphasized the importance of dressing professionally for interviews and being prepared for program costs.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Our AMCAs would be withdrawn from other schools if we decided to drop the program.
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That you cannot withdraw your application to UMKC once you start school. Your AMCAS is automatically withdrawn from all other schools.
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I was not sure if there would be events designed to allow candidates to mingle with current students aside from the student-run tour of the school. I scheduled an extra night in my travel just in case, but this was not necessary.
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Nothing.
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OK. There's no test at all that you have to take, so don't sweat it. I don't why some people previously posted that on here. Because I apply for the MD-only program, if I'm in, I will have to deal with whole bunch of high school kids. Oh god, can it get worse than this?
🤝 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 friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office improve communication by providing clearer directions, advanced notice for interviews, and consistent use of the preferred communication method. Additionally, they recommended enhancing the applicant experience by offering opportunities to interact with current students and gaining insights from MD students in order to better understand the student life experience.
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Give people directions about parking, give people more advance notice of interview date, don't send a pointless thank you card to interviewees, AMCAS fee waiver yet still charged for secondary, specifically stated snail mail communication yet used email for final decisions, some of your admission staff is kind of rude.
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We didn't get to meet with many current students or ANY M.D. only students which left a little to be desired as far as understanding what it is actually like to be a student there.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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MCI
71% interviewees used MCI (MCI) , with 14% using mci (mci) and 14% using KCI (KCI) .
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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37% Airplane
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53% Automobile
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11% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Hyatt (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Holiday Inn In Westport (Semi near the School) (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Hyatt
10/10
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Holiday Inn In Westport (Semi near the School)
8/10
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Courtyard Marriot
8/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (30%)
Faculty member (4%)
Student (65%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (76%)
Neutral (24%)
All Responses
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