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University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine

Birmingham, AL

Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit

Application Cycle: 2009-10

⭐ Overall Impressions

How do you rank the facilities?

9 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

8 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above

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

9 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above

What is your ranking of this school's location?

8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

9 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

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

8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
💬 Interview Questions

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

Why UAB? (I'm from Tennessee)

What was the most difficult question?

Probably #3. I didn't know what else to say. Honestly, all three of the interviewers were so congenial that I didn't feel like I was being interviewed at all. I could pretty much control what I wanted to talk about. It was on of those experiences that really make you feel confident in yourself when you leave.
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions

How long was the interview?

25 minutes

How did the interview impress you?

Positively 🙂

How many people interviewed you?

3

What was the stress level of the interview?

2 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress

How you think you did?

9 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

What was the style of the interview?

One-on-one

What type of interview was it?

Closed file

Where did the interview take place?

At the school

How did you prepare for the interview?

I looked over my secondary application and checked out the UASOM website a little bit. I also had a pre-professional practice interview at my undergrad university. Plus I rocked out to some tunes before, did my devotional, and called my best friend. It's important to unwind right before, especially if you get anxious about these sorts of things (like me). I really didn't do any hardcore preparation. Be yourself.

What impressed you positively?

The people. My first interviewer told me that he could tell I had put my heart into my personal statement and into the secondary essays. It meant a lot to me that he had read them in detail, since I worked so much on them. The second and third interviewers also went out of their way to get to know me and convey that they were glad I was there. On another note, I'm kinda an art kid at heart, so the interior design of the building impressed me. (kinda weird, I know.) It's a really aesthetically pleasing place compared to a lot of the other schools and hospitals. A good learning environment.

What impressed you negatively?

Absolutely nothing, to be perfectly honest.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

That they weren't going to give me a sressful interview. And that there were going to be about 20 other interviewees there alongside me for the day. (I had interviewed 2 days prior in Memphis, and there were only 5 of us.)

What are your general comments?

Take the essays seriously if you haven't done them yet. I really think that's what helped me get accepted as an out-of-state applicant so quickly. A great mcat score and gpa only go so far. All they know about you is what you tell them, and you might get an interview based on how well you communicate your genuine passion to them. Also, it helped me to talk to the other interviewees throughout the day. We all opened up and encouraged one another as we went in for interviews. By the end of the day, I felt like I had known a few of them for forever. This really dispels anxiety and puts you in a good mental state for the interviews.
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Student

How did the tour guide seem?

Enthusiastic

What is your in-state status?

Out of 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?

< $100

Where did you stay?

Hotel

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

Howard Johnson (don't stay there)

How would you rate the hotel?

2 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

Would you recommend the hotel?

no