University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School Individual responses

⭐ Overall Impressions ▼

How did the interview impress you?

Positively

What was the stress level of the interview?

2 out of 10

How you think you did?

8 out of 10

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

6 out of 10

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

8 out of 10

💬 Interview Questions ▼

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

Refresh me on your reasons for becoming a doctor and what you expect out of medical school. / (In response to my having taken the MCAT twice) Why do you think you did so much better the second time around? What was the difference? / Do you have any questions for me?

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What setting do you see yourself practicing in, as a doctor? Why? / What is a strength of yours? / What would your friends say is a strength of yours? (yes, asked again) / What would your friends say is a weakness of yours? / If you had anything you could do over, what would it be? / Who is an inspiration to you? / If you could choose any one person, living or dead, to have dinner with, who would it be? / What would you do if you saw a classmate cheat? / What would you do if, as a practicing physician, you saw a colleague abusing drugs? / What would you do if that colleague were siphoning drugs off -- not for personal abuse but for the benefit of a clinic's patients (i.e., a community clinic)? / Do you have any questions for me?

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What was the most interesting question?

No responses

What was the most difficult question?

No responses

🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼

How long was the interview?

25 minutes

How many people interviewed you?

2

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?

Student

How did the tour guide seem?

Enthusiastic

How do you rank the facilities?

No responses

What is your in-state status?

In state

What were your total hours spent traveling?

4-6 hours

What was your primary mode of travel?

Automobile

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

$101-$200

What airport did you fly into?

No responses

Where did you stay?

Hotel

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

Hyatt Summerfield Suites

How would you rate the hotel?

5 out of 10

Would you recommend the hotel?

yes

What is your ranking of this school's location?

5 out of 10

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

2 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?

8 out of 10

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

8 out of 10

How did you prepare for the interview?

SDN, reviewed TMDSAS application, practiced responses to "standard" questions (e.g., why do you want to become a doc?)

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What impressed you positively?

(1) It's been said before a million times but for a good reason -- Parkland! The community spirit here, as well as the impressive number of beds and scope of clinical training opps available, are unparalleled; (2) The "College" system (100% positive feedback from all students currently involved); (3) Each student gets a study desk in first and second year; (4) The supportive and very personable faculty members, who obviously value their students; (5) The new-ish student center with gym, complete with a track, new workout equipment, "free" courses like yoga (included in med student tuition) - also has a grand piano available for play in the lounge; (6) The research tower - beautiful art and city-wide view on top floor. Don't know how much time students can actually spend here, though.

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What impressed you negatively?

4 out of 5 first and second year students, when asked, "Are you happy here?", made a sour face in response to the question. Personal happiness appears to be a uniquely belated benefit of attending Southwestern; third and fourth years seemed very well-adjusted and said all the "torture" and "hell" of the first two years were immediately put into perspective, and made retrospectively tolerable, when clerkships (particularly at Parkland) began. The grading system also apparently induces copious amounts of stress, although there is mixed emotion about how good/bad this is for students. For now, it appears to be here to stay.

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What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

If you tend to get lost driving in new areas, DO NOT stay in the area immediately around the American Airlines Center (~2.5 miles southeast of the school), unless you are prepared to deal with annoyingly circular roads, which are also a mishmash of one-way/two-way and one-lane/multi-lane streets, on your way to your interview. Harry Hines Blvd is also a strange hybrid of a highway and "regular" road. If you use google/yahoo/mapquest maps, be sure you realize where you can actually exit/enter Harry Hines. Also, beware of directions suggesting you take some tiny off-shoot road. They are very difficult to get through to.

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What are your general comments?

Both days are very well organized, and the information packet is extremely sleek compared to those provided by other schools. The faculty that present information are incredibly down-to-earth and approachable. The Friday program ends early (~7pm), leaving you with a full evening free, prior to your interviews. Interviews are a combo of open and closed (one interviewer has personal statement only, the other has the entire application). Plenty of snacks to keep you energized in down times (cookies/soda on Friday and popcorn/soda on Saturday). Saturday lunch -- the veggie sandwich option is actually delicious: a pleasant surprise at a BBQ-centered event. Every effort is made by students, staff, and faculty to keep the event as stress-free as possible.

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What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

No responses

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Medical School

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