Colton, CA
Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 30% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiring about challenging college courses, teamwork experiences, ethical scenarios, contributions to diversity, personal statement highlights, research experiences, motivations for medicine, study habits, and financial plans for medical education. Some respondents mentioned MMI type questions, indicating they may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement during the interview process.
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What was the hardest course you took in college and how did you do with it?
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What do you think makes a good medical school? How do you think CUSM incorporates these values?
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How would you rate your ability to work in a team?
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What are you currently doing for healthcare experience?
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Why CalMed?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at California University of Science and Medicine discussed various topics including the hardest college course taken, reasons for choosing CUSM, experiences with teamwork, personal philosophy, preference for practicing in the Inland Empire, and the amount of scholarship money that would influence their decision. These questions provide insight into applicants' academic challenges, values, interpersonal skills, career motivations, and financial considerations during the interview process.
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What was the hardest course you took in college and how did you do with it?
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What about CUSM is attractive to you?
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Tell me a time when you engaged in teamwork. How do doctors perform teamwork?
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From your application I can tell you enjoy philosophy. What is your personal philosophy of life?
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Why would you want to stay in Inland Empire to practice?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at California University of Science and Medicine discussed a range of topics, including specifics about their application experiences, achievements, working with underserved populations, personal upbringing, areas for improvement in medical school, and concerns about losing love for people in the medical field. Some respondents mentioned encountering MMI format questions, particularly ethical scenarios, possibly indicating a nondisclosure agreement due to the nature of the interview.
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None, they were all straight forward
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Basically went through my entire app and asked me specifics about every experience - make sure you know your entire app and how to distinguish your experiences from volunteering, healthcare, and research (they put them into those categories) and try to know the hours too
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What achievement are you most proud of in your life.
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What is your experience working with under served populations?
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Tell me more about your upbringing.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had an open file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Faculty member
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
How do you rank the facilities?
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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ontario airport
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Ontario
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Los Angeles International Airport
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LAX
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Other or at another housing option.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
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Motel
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Hilton
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DoubleTree by Hilton
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would not recommend/strong> their hotel.
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by conducting mock interviews, researching the school thoroughly, reviewing their application, and practicing common interview questions like "why medicine" and "tell me about yourself." Additional strategies included seeking advice from current students, utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) and the school's website, and focusing on first impressions and body language. Some applicants also emphasized the importance of being well-prepared and confident, while others mentioned the value of reviewing previous year threads and staying informed about the school.
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mock interviews, researched the school
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practiced these questions: why cusm? why medicine? tell me about yourself? i was well prepared. i also talked to current students
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Mock interviews
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I researched their website, found videos on youtube, and looked on SDN's previous year thread.
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Reviewed information on SDN
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the school's modern and engaging curriculum, focus on group work, supportive faculty, dedication to student feedback, and emphasis on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Many also mentioned the school's potential for growth and innovation, as well as the positive and relaxed interview experience. Suggestions for improvement were not prominently mentioned.
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My interviewer wanted to make it the least stressful as possible and it really felt like a chill conversation
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the curriculum is modern and will make sure you retain the info better (it's a flipped classroom with an emphasis on group work)
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The team based aspect
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Even though it's a very young school they are very serious about listening and implementing student feedback. They also present their curriculum in a way that is engaging and makes you take ownership of your learning.
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The faculty's support for their students and their program.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the disorganization and constant changes due to the school being new, limited research opportunities, lack of federal loans, and the temporary facilities not meeting expectations. Suggestions included improving organization, providing more stable opportunities for research, securing federal loan options, and enhancing the temporary facilities to create a better impression for applicants.
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The whole day was a little disorganized
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it's a new school so things are constantly changing, also doesn't have loads of research opportunities
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nothing
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Nothing except that it is a very young medical school so there is some inherent risk in completing my medical education there.
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Lack of federal loans, for now.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the relaxed nature of the interview process, the importance of preparing good questions, the availability of scholarships, and the need for website updates to ensure accurate program information. They also mentioned the lack of significance of the personality test in the admissions process and highlighted the timelines for loan approvals and campus completion as crucial points to be aware of.
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Some of the programs that I had prepared questions for no longer exist and the website is just not updated. They need to update the website
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how chill and laid back the interview was - it's just a conversation and it's nothing to be a nervous wreck over
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It was very chill, my interviewer was very friendly and the interview was conversation-based. About half of the time was for me to ask questions, so come prepared with good questions to ask.
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N/A
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The personality test is not used in admissions, it is used for sorting students into small groups ("colleges")
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive impressions of the school, highlighting its impressive faculty, supportive student community, potential for growth, and opportunities in the medical field. Some recommended giving the school a chance due to generous scholarships, dedicated faculty, and the school's potential success.
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Overall, it was a great experience
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this school really impressed me and the faculty really seems to care about the students and their well being, and the student body seems to be really close and supportive of each other
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It seems like an excellent up and coming medical school and I am very excited to potentially be a part of its new legacy here in San Bernadino, CA!
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This seems like a fantastic program, which I'm sure will have an exceptional reputation once it is fully running.
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Great school! Is above UCR, Loma Linda, CA Northstate, and UC Davis. Has great potential and Inland Empire Drs average 300k/year because it is an underserved area. Plenty of Public Loan Service Opportunities in the area. Great dean!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office improve communication and organization, such as updating the website regularly. Some also noted the need for better food choices for lunch during visits.
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there needs to be more organized communication
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N/A
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Nothing, they were so great! (but I also have not contacted them for anything..)
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Please update the school website regularly
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Nothing. Best Admissions Office experience.
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