Blacksburg, VA
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
💬 Interview Questions
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Why do you want to be a physician?
What was the most interesting question?
Nothing remarkable or unexpected. All questions were straightforward, fair and directed towards my application information.
What was the most difficult question?
N/A. Again, all questions were straightforward and fair.
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions
How long was the interview?
30 minutes
How did the interview impress you?
Positively 🙂
How many people interviewed you?
3
What was the stress level of the interview?
3 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
What was the style of the interview?
One-on-one
What type of interview was it?
Open file
Where did the interview take place?
At the school
How did you prepare for the interview?
VCOM website, SDN and reviewed my application.
What impressed you positively?
Everything. The admissions director is an extraordinary person. As well, the staff and faculty are great. Top-notch program and facilities. Students are required to take the USMLE. The education and training emphasizes primary care in the rural setting. Professional-casual dress code. Students are encouraged to work together for a common goal. The program is tough but the staff and faculty make themselves available to assist you any way they can. Clinicals are offered at affiliated sights throughout Virginia. Blacksburg is a charming town and not too far away from metropolitan areas.
What impressed you negatively?
N/A
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
N/A
What are your general comments?
The interview day went well and was well organized. The day started with an overview of osteopathy and VCOM. About 30 minutes later the interviews started. There are three interviews, 30 minutes in length and they are given in succesion. My interviewers consisted of two Ph.D.s and one M.D. The interviewers were professional and personable. The interviews were conversational for the most part. After the interviews, a campus tour was given by a staff member. The facilities and technology are incredible. Every school boasts about their anatomy lab, but VCOM should be reserved the right. Seriously, the anatomy lab is state-of-the-art and has many windows that provides increased light and a nice view. After the tour, lunch was served. At the start of the day, I was allowed to select my lunch, which is ordered from a local cafe. Needless to say, lunch was great. I had lunch with a student and gained a wealth of information about the medical school experience. After lunch, a tour of Blacksburg was given by the admissions director. This tour provides opportunity to learn which living facilities are good and which to stay away from. The day ended with the registrar and financial aid director giving their presentations.
This school is great. When coming to interview at VCOM, leave your nervousness/anxieties at home. The staff and faculty have a genuine professionalism, cordialness and are friendly down-to-earth people. I believe this school is and will continue to be in a class of its own. My thoughts and impression is that they are not looking for those with the highest g.p.a. or MCAT. Rather, it seems they are interested in mature candidates who are academic sound, understand the osteopathic tenets and are interested in primary practice in the rural setting. If offered a seat at VCOM, I will accept it. VCOM has an added depth to it that distinguishes it from other programs. To understand completely, you will need to experience it.
📍 On-Site Experience
Who was the tour given by?
Admissions staff
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