I looked over the Case website, AMCAS app, Secondary App, my research work, feedback questions on this site, informational sheets provided by The Career Center at U of M, and a website on my interviewer (they tell you who you are interviewing with). I was also running out of time, so I voice recording important info. into my MP3 player to listen and memorize during my 3 hr. drive to Case (yes, I give you permission to laugh at me, but it honestly helped).
What impressed you positively?
The cohesiveness of the students mainly created by the cooperative, as oppose to competitive, atmosphere of the school. The first 2 years are strictly P/F without the ranking of P/F students that some med schools use, which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of having a P/F curriculum.
What impressed you negatively?
The tuition is very expensive. ($37,000)
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Case is building a brand new simulation center to train students for medical procedures, which will be up and running for the incoming 2005 students. They have also extended the PCT (Patient Care Track) to all students and is no longer just for primary care students. In the PCT program, you learn from the patients themselves through their feedback on what makes you a better physician.
What are your general comments?
Make sure to know why you want to become a physician, why you chose Case Med, and definitely go over your applications. The interview is VERY conversational, and you have the power to avoid certain topics and bring the conversation to more familiar topics. So, make sure you know some ideas that will impress the interviewer (about stem cell, healthcare policies, insurance, etc.), and lead the conversation towards that direction.