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?
1 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
How you think you did?
10 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
7 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
7 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What are your general comments?
I arrived very early. The interview day began at noon, but I wanted to be there before anyone to guarantee they'd remember me. They have a modified good cop/bad cop system. The first interviewer really knew my AMCAS app. and commented on just about every activity, while my second interviewer was strictly by the numbers.. MCAT, GPA trends, Organic Chem grades... They provided lunch first (at noon) and then the Associate Dean of Admissions gave a 45-min overview of the program. What I really liked about their system was that they allow you to mingle with the remaining members of the admissions committee after the interviews so that you are able to kinda sell yourself to the entire group. Following this, the entire committee meets immediately to discuss your acceptance/hold/rejection/etc. Following the mingle period, two second year students give a breif tour and the day ended around 4 PM
💬 Interview Process
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Questions are very standard... in fact, they used some that I remember seeing in the Princeton Review Best 162 Medical Schools.
What was the most interesting question?
I was asked to describe my research in laymans terms (as if this can be done).
How did you prepare for the interview?
SDN, Interview Feedback Questions, Focused on being myself. I did not memorize any answers to any questions, but rather "shot from the hip" and remained extremely honest.
What was the most difficult question?
Strangely enough, I was asked the "What if Medicine doesn't work out for you, what will you do?" question. I told the truth... medicine is the only option.
What impressed you positively?
The class is only 80 members, so its definately good opport. for 1-on-1 interaction. The library is 24/7 and they had an excellent admissions staff.
What impressed you negatively?
The facilities seem pretty old and the VA hospital is limited on the type of patients you will see in clinical rotations. There is another General Hospital locally but the VA hospital is right on campus.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Their hallways are really hot! Be warned, and well-hydrated! Another thing... this is actually concerning the whole process... although this is risky, it may be a good idea to leave a couple of minor attributes OFF of your AMCAS because this makes good conversation about something they didn't already know about you.
🤝 Campus and Facilities
How do you rank the facilities?
7 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this school's location?
8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
📍 Travel and Logistics
Who was the tour given by?
Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Enthusiastic
What is your in-state status?
In state
What were your total hours spent traveling?
2-3 hours
What was your primary mode of travel?
Automobile
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
< $100
Where did you stay?
Hotel
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Hampton - rate should be $65 plus tax
How would you rate the hotel?
8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
yes
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