Applicants generally found the interview experience at MSUCOM to be positive and stress-free, with interviewers being welcoming and engaging in conversations rather than formal questioning. Many appreciated the sense of community and the supportive atmosphere at the school, while some expressed concerns about the high out-of-state tuition and the older facilities.
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Great interview setup. Liked that it was closed file and that I had to think on the spot. Really impressed myself with my answers.
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Go in with an open mind and stay loose.
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Great impression on the school. Very expensive OOS tuition.
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The people are so genuine and helpful. I am looking forward to a community where everyone works together to get better.
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It was a low key day because I didn't do an interview. It began with a talk with financial aid which is depressing if you're from out of state...I'd be in debt by $332,000 by the end of my time there! Then you go on a tour and have lunch, followed by a talk with the assistant dean and someone from admissions who answer any and all of your questions!
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I am already accepted so I didn't need to interview....Overall, I was very impressed. The range of active student organizations and electives is very impressive. before I visited I knew that I liked the school, but my visit really confirmed my interest. This is definitely one of my top choices.
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Overall, relaxing environment and thorough explanation. Good thing I went to check it out.
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Started at 11:15, which was awesome. Met with a financial aid advisor for 1 hr, toured with a med student and had lunch in the student cafeteria, met with the Associate Dean for 1 hour, and then with the Student Services director for about an hour and a half. Very relaxed, helpful and nice faculty/students.
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The interview was completely stress-free and my interviewer was awesome; however, i don't feel as though the school is on the leading edge of technology compared to other schools...i got accepted, but hopefully i won't have to go there
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I recieved a letter offering me admission without an interview due to the "completeness of my application and the quality of my achievements."
I had visited the school on multiple occasions and spoke with various people at the institution. Good luck to anyone who interviews at MSUCOM.
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Overall nice day at MSU! I look forward to possibly attending :)
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The people were all great, I felt completely at home there. I totally fit into the atmosphere of the school. They emphasized how they chose their students based on community service and that, due to that, the whole class was very enthusiastic about helping each other and just being a team. There is no competitive atmosphere whatsoever, as all the classes are pass/fail. This is the school I want to go to!
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Zero stress
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The entire day was very personalized and stress free. I met with financial aid, went on the tour, had lunch, met with Dr.Falls, and then had my interview. Everyone I met was very friendly and excited for me to be there. The interview was very conversational. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'm proud to say I already got accepted.
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The interview went very well. Not stressful at all. The interviewer made me feel comfortable, making it more like a conversation, rather than an interview. The students are real friendly and you get results fairly quickly about acceptance. I'm proud to say I got accepted this past week.
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Not bad. The people that I met were all really nice. Waiting for an hour in the waiting room before my interview was no fun though. The interviewer was really nice though. I just wish that he had asked more straight forward quesitons since that is what I had prepared for.
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The day was the least stress free a day could possibly get. The tour students were so nice the prospective students were so nice, the interviewer was so nice and so on. It was relaxed and stress free.
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The day was great! overall, my experience was not stressful, and everyone was willing to answer all question I had about their school. as for my interview, it was interesting and my interviewer was thought provocking, and it flowed like a conversation.
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It was a very relaxed, free-flowing interview. The interviewer asked me a few questions about my passion for DO and if there were doctors in my family. He then noted a few of my activities and moved from there. When the interview ended I didn't realize I had been interviewed.
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Overall, it was a very positive experience for me. My interview was more of a conversation than a structured interview. Everyone involved was helpful. I was never really asked a question that was extremely difficult or controversial. They were honest with their information and in their discussions.
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My interviewer was amazing. she was so friendly and made me instantly feel comfortable. she runs the medical spanish program, so once I told her I spoke spanish we really hit it off. about half way through she told me she was going to stop asking questions, so that I could ask her some.
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It was as good as an interview can possibly get. Informal type - just a discussion of some current topics and and a few personal questions. Lady who interviewed me was extremely nice.
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Fantastic! My interviewer clearly had a few ideas of what an MSUCOM student should be able to bring to the table and worked to find out if I fit her criteria. She was enthusiastic about my concerns and questions. This was the best interview I've had since high school. The interview was very laid-back and informal.
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It was a really relaxed atmosphere. The interview flew by. It was more like a conversation rather than an interview.
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I arrived the night before and stayed at the Clarion. When I woke up I ate breakfast and spent about 10 minutes reviewing what I had written in my applications. I then went to my interview, had a group discussion about financial aid and then toured the building. I left directly after lunch. They notify you within two weeks of your acceptance.
My interview was long (90 minutes) but the interviewer and I had a lot in common and discussed many things outside of the typical interview. I started the conversation by commenting on a painting hanging in the office. That helped establish common ground and a more comfortable environment.
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I LOVED my interviewer. he was really nice and humble. even though he asked me a lot of tough questions, he asked it in such a way that i didn't feel intimidated or nervous. my interview could have went on longer than an hour and a half, but i was the last interviewee for the day, and i wanted to go already
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I had a great interview experience at MSUCOM. I waited for just 10 minutes in a little "waiting area" with other students who had their interview today as well. Then when I went to my interviewer's office, he immediately started making easy conversation and I felt a little calmer as the time went on. He smoothly transitioned into asking "real" questions related to the interview. I noticed he had a paper with some handwritten bullet points that referred to my personal statement and I figured out that he was interested in hearing about those points in particular. So, instead of waiting for him to ask me questions, I would answer one question he asked and include 2 or 3 of the bullet points that I could read in my response. This way, the interview felt more like a conversation than a questions and answer experience. At the end he asked what did I want to know about MSUCOM, and I took that as my chance to ask all the questions I had about the school, the program, etc... and we spent about 15 minutes talking about my concerns. Then we had a talk with the financial aid person for about 30 minutes which was informative, but she talked really fast and assumed that we already knew everything about subsidized and unsubsidized loans etc... Then we went on a tour of Fee Hall with 2 M1 and we had lunch. That was a great opportunity to ask tons of questions about the classes, professors, textbooks, etc... I asked everything I had questions on to the students because they were very opened to questioning and they were honest too. Then we were done but I had met another M1 student the day before at a coffee shop, and I was able to know other buildings in the school where the lectures are held for example, and where the exams take place and that was really cool. I wish they would show you the Anatomy Lab during the tour and some of the other buildings in addition to Fee Hall.
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Great interview, no problems. Interviewer had read my personal statement and asked questions. Being in the medical field, discussions were focused around the hospital settings and how to improve patient care.
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Overall it was a good experience at MSU, I was only there 3 hours but it was just enough to see Fee Hall, have lunch and ask Qs to students and interview.
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MSU-COM is an awesome school. It feels like a real community. The students were awesome and I loved it.
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When I arrived at the school we waited in the office to be lead to our interview. There were 6 of us (I think). I was the last one to return to the office by over 20 minutes. Then Kathie, the admissions director, talked with us, and next financial aid. Then students came in and took us on a tour, where basically all we saw was the OMM lab. My advice would be to attend an open house, you get to see a bit more. I have also attended the doctor patient relations class with one of my friends, which was helpful. They don't really show you much, and quite honestly if I didn't know this was such a great osteopathic school, I don't think I would have been impressed what so ever. As I said before, my interview was super intense... and I was asked questions that were not posted on this site, and were about as opposite as I have heard from current students at MSUCOM. I was anxious as hell for about a week and a half, but I was accepted last Friday.
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My interview experience was very good. The interviewer was very informal and the interview was relaxed: more like a conversation than an interview. My interview lasted about 1hr 45min because we really became engrossed in the conversations and issues of the discussion.
The school also tries to pick its class by the end of December, so interviews after that are usually for the alternate list. The admissions committee meets every Wednesday, so you can usually find out if you are admitted fairly quickly (my interview was on a Wed. and I was accepted a week later)
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The interview was very stressful because of the person who I interviewed with. I am pretty sure that she was not allowed to ask me about past and present relationships, but she spent a lot of time on this subject. I think that it might have been more of a stress interview, because although the interview was not positive (or at least not as positive as others I have been on), I was accepted a week later :)
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Overall, positive. It was very personalized. The tour was good, they showed me pretty much everything in Fee Hall and surrounding area. I didn't get to go in the Gross Anatomy lab because of some regulations.
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They do a very good job of making you feel at home, my interviewer was very laid back and interested in getting to know me, it was very conversational. The students all seem very happy there, and a few of them even went out of their way to come in and answer questions from us.
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It was the most laidback interview I have had. It you get Dr. Gorbis (one of the OMM instructors), you are very lucky. This man is very kind and gentle in the interview. In fact, it was so stress free, I had to wonder "whats the catch?" But there was no catch, I was accepted a few days later.
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The interviewer made me feel very comfortable yet did ask some challenging questions. Everyone was so laid back in the office and administrators came to chat with us while we waited. Seemed to be a very liberal environment.
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A great experience, a great school. It does have a slightly older building, but the students seem to love it there and they had nothing but great things to say about the faculty
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Overall, the school and it's programs are impressive, but personally I would prefer a school of a smaller, cleaner scale.
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I was interviewed by an MD, which was a little distressing. I had to watch my wording a bit - For instance, saying you want to look at patients as "more than just signs and symptoms" may be a little insulting to an MD...
However, don't be nervous if you are interviewed by an MD. I already was accepted, so I know that an MD's opinion is weighted equally with any DO's opinion.
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Everything was conversational.
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Overall it was very positive and the interviewer wanted me to feel comfortable and at ease.
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It was completely stress free. They are very good at making you feel comfortable at their school.
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Of course I came down with a terrible cold the day before the interview, but my interviewer was very understanding with all my sniffling. He wasn't really looking for any answers, just trying to see my thoughts on the profession. It was pretty laid back and he had a lot to tell me.
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It was a piece of cake---I was nervous for the "ethical" or philosophical questions, but I ended up not having a single such question! Make sure that you formulate questions to ask your interviewer---that is mainly what we talked about, since his main question was "do you have any questions to ask me?" That was about the extent of difficulty of my interview (ie very easy!).
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It was very relaxing. My interviewer wanted to know me and how i think.
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Easy, easy, easy. The day was stress free. The admissions staff truly is really nice. Nothing to worry about at all. Had a tour, lunch, interview... in that order. My interview only lasted about thirty minutes and not the hour I expected (this is normal according to the admission's office). I got interviewed by a pHD so he didn't ask me any questions about why medicine, why DO, or what do you think about healthcare. He asked me straight forward questions like did you do research or do have teaching experience. He wrote down notes from my responses and at the end of the interview, he told me he had more than enough info to represent me to the committee. This is why I think the interview was shorter than usual.
My interviewer was so nice- he was casually dressed (sweats and sneakers)... this put me at ease. Also, I could be wrong about this since I can't remember who told me... but I heard the interviewer does not have your academic record (so no questions regarding your mcat score or grade in certain class). But the interviewer does have your secondary application, personal statement, etc.
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I wasn't overly impressed by the school; the only reasons I would attend if accepted are because it is near home and they are ranked well.
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The interview itself was by far the best experience I have had (i've had 2 others) I was totally relaxed and she actually appreciated my "butt-wiping" jobs unlike other schools. She said I would be an asset to the school and profession! I felt very positive when I left the interview, but being January, I was put on the alternate list.
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It was great...>I enjoyed the atmosphere up there.....Very short day, you should be done by 12:30........If you get Dr. Mohr as your interviewer you are set...he is a great guy....
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MSUCOM is a very good school, if you are in-state. You only have one interview, w/ a faculty member, and it runs about 45 minutes. There are ~three people interviewing a day, so you do have a lot of attention on you. The tour is pretty quick, and half the rooms are locked so you can't even see them! I think this school is really geared towards Michigan residents. I ended up being accepted out-of-state, and the admissions counselor who called me to tell me I got in said, "I realize there is little chance that you are coming here since you are from out-of-state."
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Be yourself, be moderate in answers, be reasonable and rational when explaining your view. The person you are talking to might be so nice, yet don't forget that he/she is there to mark your behaviors, so don't break the barriers.
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Other people seemed happy at MSU, but I clearly didn't feel like I belonged there. Quite a difference from PCOM, UHS and especially KCOM.
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As mentioned above, my overall interview experience was positive. The facilities are lacking as is the city of E.Lansing, however with the funding available I do think MSUCOM has done an incredible job training their students.
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The interviewer was extremely friendly, and it felt like a conversation with an old friend.
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Summarized above in the "What negatively impressed you during your visit?"
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Interview was great/friendly, school is great. It's a bit spendy, but I could definitly see myself there.
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Great school. You couldn't ask for a better atmosphere. Everyone is willing to help everyone.
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I was taken to a conference room, sat for five minutes, then interviewer came and asked me a few questions, then let me ask questions. She talked for 15 imnutes to ELABORATELY answer my questions. Almost seemed to get the impression that she was recruiting me! But you can never be too sure.
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It was a wonderful experience
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Very relaxed interview (mostly friendly conversation), great school, great program, friendly faculty, staff, and students. Would love to come here.
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I loved every part of it. The student body seemed as if they were very close and everybody wants everyone else to succeed. East Lansing is a great city too!
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Overall, this is an excellent school. I thought the admissions department was very nice (everyone was extremely helpful). The campus is huge though, something like 48,000 students on campus and two golf courses, so if you are looking for a smaller, family environment it may be difficult to find that here.
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The school, staff and students were all nice. great school with a lot of school spirit. the east lansing area is a college town. The interview was laid back...no stress...very nice. It was more of a conversation. we ended up talking for about 1 hr 20 min. The school doesn't really take about its coursework. I had to probe the med students about that.
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The interview was great; it was like having a conversation. I really hope to get accepted to this school.
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The interviewers do not have your academic record, so it's all about getting to know you and see what you're about. The interviewer I had was wonderful and we got to talk about different topics (like music lessons and Korea) at different points in the interview, which was super nice (not a constant focus on why-do-you-want-to-be-here, very directed, questions).
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The interview went very well, however I was put on the alternate list. I don't know why.
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I was not terribly impressed by the interview itself. My interviewer asked me thought-provoking questions, but was very brisque and not very welcoming. Other than that, I still have an overall positive opinion of the school because the other people are just so incredibly friendly, and the campus is really a nice place.
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I really though MSUCOM was a great school, but I don't think any school is worth $62,000 a year; especially when they're raising tuition 10% next year. The people were very nice and the campus was great.
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The overall interview process was so stress free, it was amazing. My interviewer had a kind face and was very friendly and understanding. Her questions were thought provoking and were the kind that had no right or wrong answer.
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In general I was turned off by everything buy my actual interview. All the other school I interview at I felt a sense of welcome and community that was definelty lacking at MSU. In addition, I was not impressed by the facilities, especially with the price of tution being so high.
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Good interview. Just relax and be yourself. Oh yeah, I was accpeted.
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Would not go here if accepted.
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Very positive, I was accepted and will be attending MSUCOM
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I had a great time at MSUCOM. My interviewers were real cool. I felt welcomed there. I got accepted and will attend MSUCOM.
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MSU was a great undergrad. school. The campus is nice and the city/nightlife is great. However, the poor recruiting job done by the admissions staff turned me off from it. I have several friends who have gone through the program and are doing great, the reputation it good for a DO school. However, for being such a strong primary care school, they should think about working on the communication skills. The only reason I am still debating going there is because of the tuition. Not to give a sales pitch for another school but if you are interested in getting a personal touch to admissions, check out university of Health sciences, I've interviewed at 6 schools and it was the nicest. PS I got in at state
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I think I got off on the wrong foot during my day at MSUCOM. I met one of the staff members of the admissions office, and the first thing she said to me was "Just to let you know, we don't regard your undergraduate school with as much prestige as other people around the country might." Wow- not sure what I did to deserve that. She went on to comment on my research experience and how animal surgery is "too academic" as an approach to medicine and that volunteer experience in a hospital setting is more important. I went on to learn that, in the past, almost everybody interviewed is accepted. I don't care for that system. I think the interview experience is an important part of selecting your student base, regardless of the length of the secondary application and how much information they think they can get from that. In the end, I did not come away with a good feeling from the interview. It was basically from my one encounter in the admissions office, but sometimes that is all it takes. This is not to say MSUCOM is not a good school, because I am sure that it is. It is just not a place for me. This is my fourth interview, and one thing I am learning is that the fit between your personality and the school is a key factor in the decision of where to attend. If accepted, I would not attend this school.
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I had a great experience there. It is an awesome school. The best advice I can give you is to know why you want to be a doctor, and relate everything back to this idea using your healthcare experiences.
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It's wonderful school and the kids and staff are great. Everyone tried really hard to keep you relaxed and able to enjoy your day.
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Great experience that was MUCH better than interviewing at the allopathic program (interviewed with a first year student there who had been in the program less than two months, whats the point of that?). Informative and low-stress day, enjoy!
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Overall I enjoyed my interview. Everyone was nice and very open to questions, even tough ones I asked about disparities between MD's and DO's.
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They sound like they have a really great program. The bad side is that it goes year-round, but that way the course load is slightly less than at other schools. It sounds like there is a lot of student life, which is nice.