SUNY - Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine (Brooklyn)

Positively 🙂

5 out of 10

I went to SUNY Downstate with an open mind and was pleased with the interview process. The staff ushered me to a waiting room where I met a few morning interviewees who were waiting for their tour and lunch. Most interviewees were generally reserved and quiet but I spent a lot of time chatting with a fellow interviewee. Then the associate dean of admission entered and gave his informal and "matter-of-fact" speech regarding SUNY Downstate's qualities. He admitted to not having experience working with students and was rather defensive over SUNY Downstate's shortcomings. The tour guide consist of three 2nd/3rd year students. The anatomy lab was a well-lit and spacious space (typically 4 person per cadaver). The lecture hall and student center (gym) were outdated, but the students stressed that Downstate emphasizes curriculum and clinical care over appearance of the infrastructure. Lunch consisted of a variety of wraps, chips, and soda. Morning interviewees have plenty of time to relax afterwards but I had only five minutes to eat!! My interviewer was fantastic partly because we went to the same undergraduate institution. He clearly have gone through my file as he recalls activities and courses that I mention without flipping through. He also kept eye contact and never wrote anything down, so I kept my answers brief since he won't remember the details anyway. He was clearly passionate about his work and environment which I had several opportunities to ask about. On the way out, he escorted me to the exit, passing by the ER/trauma room. I walked away with a smile.

10 standard interview questions: Research experience? MCAT preparation? Studying habits? Hobbies? Why Medicine? When did you decide Medicine? Why Downstate? What are you doing now? Where do you see yourself in 10-15 years? How did you like [undergraduate institution]?

What do you want to know?

Mock interviews, AMCAS, NYTimes, SDN, SUNY Downstate Website

What else do you want to know?

Students leading the tour were hard workers and never missed their classes. Staffs were eager to assist. Interviewer was cordial and attentive.

Feeling out of place on the streets of Brooklyn.

I had to eat my lunch in 5 minutes.

Student