Columbia, SC
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
⭐ Overall Impressions
How did the interview impress you?
Positively 🙂
What was the stress level of the interview?
4 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
What are your general comments?
I really enjoyed the interview day at South Carolina. From the time you arrive, they do a good job of making sure you are calm. You can talk with some current students (who are not part of the committee), then they serve a laid-back lunch in the student lounge. A professor talks about the school, the curriculum, boards, etc. for 30-45 minutes, and then they take you to the first of your two interviews. Both interviewers try to learn more about you and what makes you unique. Then we heard a speech about financial aid and were taken on a tour of the school before being dismissed.
💬 Interview Process
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Why do you want to be a doctor?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Researched the school's website, and also consulted the Student Doctor Network forums and interview feedback.
What was the most difficult question?
Nothing too difficult. Just prepare well and you have no reason not to be confident.
What impressed you positively?
The school seems very close-knit, and I got the feeling that the administration, faculty, and staff are very supportive of the medical students. The campus, although old, seems somewhat charming once you're there.
What impressed you negatively?
Not knowing that the infamous "mingle" would only last 10 minutes. I had heard that the mingle on other interview days lasted an hour, so I was surprised when they called time after about 10 minutes. Rather than a bunch of "hi" and "bye" encounters, I recommend having some good conversations with several people on the committee. Quality over quantity, if you ask me.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Basically, that the interview is not worth stressing over. This was my first interview, and I was nervous on my two hour drive to the campus. Prepare well, be confident that you can do a good job of selling yourself, and look forward to learning more about whether or not you might want to spend four years there.
📍 Travel and Logistics
Who was the tour given by?
Student
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