Philadelphia, PA
Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
⭐ Overall Impressions
How did the interview impress you?
Positively 🙂
What was the stress level of the interview?
4 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
What are your general comments?
It was a nice experience. They tried really hard, even though the school sells itself, and that meant a lot to me. The interviews themselves were low stress, so I guess the stress came more from worrying about keeping my suit nice until the afternoon, not being comfortable because the buildings were hot, and worrying about getting in.
💬 Interview Process
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Why didn't you become a veterinarian?
What was the most interesting question?
"Do you know what one thing would most significantly improve global health? Potable water." (I suppose this was more of a comment by my faculty interviewer. It underscores the nature of our conversation, though - infectious diseases, preventive healthcare, etc.)
How did you prepare for the interview?
Read info on their website, talked to my host, read about their curriculum.
What was the most difficult question?
(by student) "We get so many qualified applicants and the admissions decisions are somewhat arbitrary. So, what could you contribute to this medical school?"
What impressed you positively?
The admissions people really did a great job of showcasing the school, and they tried to make it as low key as possible. It was Halloween, so the admissions director wore little devil horns and her assistant wore cat ears. Penn is just a great school, it's integrated with the main campus, the students are really unique and accomplished, the curriculum is accelerated so you get much more time in the hospitals. There's a lot to like. Also, my faculty interviewer was very well matched to me - uncannily so.
What impressed you negatively?
Nothing, really. It made me a little nervous hearing the other applicants talk about the interviews they'd had, where they'd heard from, where they'd been rejected from.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Philly trains do not run that often. I left Penn at 4:30 to get to a stop about 10 minutes away and did not catch a train to the airport until 5:15. Leave early if you have to. Also, they will offer you the chance to spend 40 minutes in Anatomy lab with the first year students. Take your chances with the smell.
📍 Travel and Logistics
Who was the tour given by?
Student
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