Renaissance School of Medicine - Stony Brook University

Cite any current or future problems concerning health care in the US?

Explain you current research?

Tell me about growing up in Brooklyn?

My perception of other cities I have lived in compared to NYC (where I was born and raised).

Cite any current or future problems concerning health care in the US

Hung out with a friend who is an MS2 therefore I pretty much saw everything I need to see to know about SB.

The faculty, the facilities, the students (not super competitive), the class size (about 100)

The overall location (it's not NYC), the lack of hospital affiliates that are located in NYC.

N/A

The interview day begins at 9 am although some interviews are conducted as late as early afternoon. However, this is not a problem because during the “down-time” current students (mostly MS2’s) drop in to give you some perspective on the Stony Brook experience. My interview began roughly as scheduled (around 10 am) and lasted for 2 hours (2 separate one hour intervals: 10am-11am and 12pm-1pm). Overall, it was the best interview any applicant could ask for. The interviewer was generally interested in knowing more about me in terms of my experiences both prior to college and after matriculating. At no time did I feel that I was merely rehashing information provided by my AMCAS application, which left me appreciating the sincerity of my interviewers interest in me as a “total-applicant”. Many of the follow up questions that were asked addressed my research and experiences after graduating from college (I am a non-traditional applicant). Here is a tip which I feel helped clinch my interview : be able to concisely explain you research without stressing upon details (although at times details may be needed). Know the goal of your research and any valuable lessons learned which can be applied to the field of medicine. Another great thing during the interview was the fact that my interviewer let the phone in his office just ring. I’ve often heard about how other applicants find it very disrespectable of their interviewers to be talking on the phone during their interviews. This was not the case here. After an hour of casual conversation my interviewers had to leave due to a prior obligation. Realizing that I still had more to say, he invited my back to continue our conversation later in the afternoon. I obviously took him up on the offer. Prior to the remainder of my interview (which as stated before lasted another hour :12-1pm) a tour was given of the facilities. The tour guides (more MS2’s) seemed very enthusiastic about being at Stony Brook and often commented on the cohesiveness of the class. They also commented on the how refreshing it is to be in a “non-cut-throat” environment that many of us pre-meds have seen in undergrad. As for the facilities: classrooms are pretty much standard, the gross anatomy lab was large and accommodating (4students/cadaver), the entire building is wireless, and the health sciences library is open for a good portion of time (unfortunately it is not 24 hrs). One big perk is the fact that the University Hospital is located adjacent to the health sciences center. My overall impression of Stony Brook SOM is that it will provide any student an excellent education at a great price. The only negative thing I can seem to say is about SB general location (far out in L.I thus a car is a must) but for me it’s perfect as I am far enough away from NYC not to get distracted but close enough (an hour drive or 1.25 train ride via LIRR) to go into NYC during the weekends to visit family and friends (and of course party).