SDN Logo
 
 

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Pomona, CA

Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit

⭐ Overall Impressions

How did the interview impress you?

Positively

What was the stress level of the interview?

5 out of 10

How you think you did?

10 out of 10

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

9 out of 10

How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?

9 out of 10
💬 Interview Questions

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

Expect these three wherever you interview: 1) Why this school, 2) Why medicine 3) Why Osteopathic medicine
Please explain to me how NMR works and the current hyperpolarization technologies used to enhance signal/imaging (don't worry about this one, it was directly related to my research).
What is the structure of succinate and tell me what Krebs Cycle intermediate comes after it (prompted because I had straight A's in my undergrad science courses, including Biochem, and both interviewers were Biochem professors). Answer: I drew succinate for them; fumarate

What was the most interesting question?

How do you think you will fair coming from a small private school with a larger body of more competitive students from many top universities? Answer: Very well. My success academically speaking is not dependent on my classmates, but on my determination and personal commitment to achieving my goals.

What was the most difficult question?

What enzyme converts succinate to fumarate? Answer: Succinate Dehydrogenase, but please don't ask me to draw it, it's an enzyme for crying out loud. (By the way, humor really seemed to ease the tension in my interviews, especially after answering tougher questions. And from what others have told me, my questions were abnormally challenging)
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

45 minutes

How many people interviewed you?

3

What was the style of the interview?

One-on-one

What type of interview was it?

Open file

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

No responses

Where did the interview take place?

At the school
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Admissions staff

How did the tour guide seem?

Enthusiastic

How do you rank the facilities?

8 out of 10

What is your in-state status?

In state

What were your total hours spent traveling?

0-1 hour

What was your primary mode of travel?

Automobile

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

< $100

What airport did you fly into?

No responses

Where did you stay?

No responses

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

No responses

How would you rate the hotel?

No responses

Would you recommend the hotel?

No responses

What is your ranking of this school's location?

8 out of 10

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?

10 out of 10

What are your comments on where you stayed?

No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

10 out of 10

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

10 out of 10

How did you prepare for the interview?

Reviewed my research literature, westernu.edu, SDN, mock interviews at my university. Took beta-blockers (propranolol) before my interview (highly recommended!!!)

What impressed you positively?

Everything. The school's facilities are much better than many say. The area of Pomona is nowhere near as bad as it's made out to be. The curriculum is now systems based and there is a new interprofessional emphasis in training that utilizes team care (DO, PA, Nurse, Podiatrist, Pharmacist, etc) with the DO as lead care provider. This model is really cool because it helps the student develop their skills in leadership and differential diagnosis.

What impressed you negatively?

Some people mentioned the lack of restaurants on campus but I found that the Shoppes at Chino Hills have a ton of restaurants including: Yardhouse, CPK, a sushi place, lots of fast food places, etc. and it's less than ten minutes away.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

It's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I went thinking that I would not take an acceptance at this school just because of the location (and because I was already accepted at a couple of great out-of-state schools) and decided on going here after the interview.

What are your general comments?

Dean Adams is great. I'm really impressed with the school, with the students, and am very happy to be starting here this August.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Everybody in the administration has been so helpful. Keep up the good work!