University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School

🙂

How did the interview impress you?

Positively 🙂

What was the stress level of the interview?

5 / 10

0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress

What are your general comments?

My first interview was a pressure interview. The interviewer didn't look at me for more than a few seconds at a time, checked his pager, picked at a pastry and sipped a drink, interrupted me mid-sentence at least 5 times, and upon hearing the name of my second interviewer, said "Really? I thought he died years ago." He intensely challenged each assertion I made by making me justify each point with evidence. He asked what exactly I do in my lab research, pushing me for detail until I laid out the precise protocol of my experiments, and he asked specifically whether my research has been included in publications or grants. This was intimidating at first, but once I realized the interviewer was probably intentionally pressuring me, I relaxed. During the last 5-10 minutes of the first interview my interviewer became friendly and asked if I had questions. The second interviewer was very kind and made me feel at home (the difference reminded me of good cop/bad cop). The second interviewer let me lead the discussion, and asked for my thoughts on some current events related to the health care system and my extracurricular activities, after which he asked if I had questions for him. He answered my questions honestly and in great depth, which I appreciated. The student-led tour of the facilities was helpful. Ask to see the carrels and the trains. Overall I left with a positive impression and would be very happy to attend Southwestern.

Interview questions they asked

Tell me about your research.

I was asked this too

What was the most interesting question?

What are the challenges your generation of physicians will face? Interviewer made me propose a number of broad categories of future challenges, and then asked me to list and analyze several specific challenges within those categories.

I was asked this too

What was the most difficult question?

See above.

I was asked this too

How did you prepare for the interview?

Read TMDSAS and secondary, looked at website.

What impressed you positively?

Brand new student union, including study area and gym. Nice first year lecture hall. Children's Hospital is very nice. Dallas is a great place to live.

What impressed you negatively?

Southwestern has a letter grading system rather than P/F. No clinical experience till 3rd year. Parkland is a public hospital and could use some color/renovation. No invitation to stay with current students.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Curricular changes are in the works, according to my second interviewer. The changes, which may affect our entering class, will add more problem-based learning. Most students do not live within walking distance to campus, but parking is available and relatively inexpensive.