West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Morgantown, WV
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 31% 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 ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.8
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 429 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (82%)
Negatively (7%)
No change (12%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (41%)
Good (42%)
Average (15%)
Poor (1%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process at WVU to be rushed and not very conversational, with concerns about the brevity and lack of depth in the interactions. Some appreciated the school's sense of community and opportunities, while others felt underwhelmed by the overall experience and the facilities.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Too short of an interview to get to know me truly. Half the time was spent reviewing negatives on my application (MCAT and institutional action from my freshman year of college). Felt like I was rushed and did not feel conversational. Great school and program though!
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WVU is great and qualified students attend every year. Their GPAs and MCATs are on par with a lot of other MD schools
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Interviews were too short and our discussions were cut short due to lack of time.
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The whole day just did not feel welcoming. The students didn't really know where to take us half the time, we didn't get to speak with any faculty until the interview, and no one working there seemed like they were taking us very seriously.
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As expected
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
33 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.9 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
78% One-on-One
22% Group Interview
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File Type:
98% Open-File
2% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
WVU-SOM-COMP interviews are an average of 33 minutes, with an average of 1.9 interviews. 78% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 2% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include "Why medicine and why this specific school?", "Tell me about yourself", "Tell me about your research", "How did you prepare for the MCAT?", and "What are your strengths and weaknesses in relation to medical school and being a doctor?" Some respondents mentioned being asked about MMI format, which may involve questions related to nondisclosure agreements regarding specific interview questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about yourself
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Why medicine and why WVU?
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Why do you want to go into medicine
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How did you study for the MCAT?
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Why did you go into medicine
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center School of Medicine discussed a variety of topics ranging from favorite body parts to personal experiences influencing their desire to practice medicine. While the interviews were primarily standard, some respondents mentioned questions related to unique aspects of their applications, such as hobbies, research, and personal experiences, indicating a diverse range of inquiries. Additionally, some responses hinted at the possibility of an MMI format due to references to nondisclosure agreements, suggesting a structured interview process that may have included scenario-based or situational questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They asked me a lot about unique aspects of my application, including hobbies and research unrelated to medicine which was cool
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None. It was mostly standard questions.
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Favorite part of the body?
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Honestly it was pretty dull, boiler-plate stuff
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What one experience have you had that made you say "that's how I want to treat me patients"
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their primary and secondary applications, practicing with mock interviews, researching the school's website, and reading sample questions. They also utilized resources like SDN, Dr. Gray's Premed Playbook, and online mock interviews to prepare adequately.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Re-read my secondaries.
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Read my primary and secondaries, think of potential questions and have semi-prepared answers
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Mock interview, practiced questions talking aloud
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Dr. Gray's Premed Playbook Guide to the Medical School Interview, watching YouTube video mock interviews, lots of mock interviews with friends and premed advisors, reading over my application and the school's website
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Mock interviews, read about the school
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including institutional actions on their records, future healthcare implications of elections, weaknesses in their applications, and memorization techniques for drug mechanisms. The interview format may have been an MMI, as some responses alluded to nondisclosure agreements, while others focused on standard questions about academic performance, career goals, and personal attributes.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Asked me about institutional action on my record and how I would like this presented to the admissions committee.
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What would you like admissions committee to know that’s not on application?
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What are you most looking forward to and most worried about in medical school?
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Don't remember
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What do you think WVU mission is
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were particularly impressed by the friendliness and enthusiasm of the students, faculty, and staff, as well as the collaborative and supportive environment of the school. They also appreciated the modern facilities, resources, and opportunities available, along with the personalized and conversational interview experiences.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The school's resources and the way they were presented
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Everyone was kind, loved the school, so many different opportunities, and they want you to succeed. They did not make any big deal when I had to leave the room at the beginning of my interview to get my ID (oopsie on me).
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My interviewers really put me at ease and I could tell they wanted to actually have a conversation with me as a person. They asked hobbies and interests questions and they were smiling and laughing a lot. Everyone on the interview day, including students, faculty, and staff, all raved about the collaborative environment there.
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The facilities are incredible, all of the medical students seem really happy
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Student host program; scenery around campus
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were commonly unimpressed by rushed and interrogative interviews, lack of organization and enthusiasm, outdated facilities, limited information provided, minimal diversity, and disinterested tour guides. Suggestions included improving interview structure, enhancing facility tours, increasing diversity, and providing more thorough information to applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The interview felt incredibly rushed and somewhat interrogative in nature. I wish the interview was two 25 minute sessions with one interviewer at a time as opposed to one 25 minute interview with two panelists.
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Nothing :)
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Not enough time for my questions.
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The info session gave a lot of info that I could have just found online
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Nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly expressed that they wished they had known more about the different campuses and the process of ranking them on interview day. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of being well-prepared for the interview questions and the relaxed and friendly environment of the interview day.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Don't stress so much! And know your application, both primary and secondary, really well.
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How much walking was involved in the tour--maybe bring flats if you are in heels
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That it would be SUCH a relaxed and friendly environment. It would have calmed my nerves a bit more.
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N/a
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Almost all out of state applicants will be wait listed, have faith many will get accepted later
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
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.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants suggested increasing the length or number of interviews, providing more detailed information on research opportunities and programs, improving communication about financial aid, offering clearer directions to the admissions office, and enhancing the overall interview experience with better communication and amenities like water and coffee during waiting periods.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Make the interview longer or increase the number of interviews done
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When I came for the interview I was excited to learn more about their research opportunities. However, I could not get a solid comment from either faculty or the students as to the specific projects and programs that are available.
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Nothing, keep being amazing and friendly. It was such a great environment on my interview day.
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Students should be prepared to give tour. They were quite confused about which floor is which.
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If tour guides could speak up, that would be awesome so everyone could hear! Otherwise it was a great experience
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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PIT
76% interviewees used PIT (PIT), with 14% using Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) and 5% using RIC (RIC) and 5% using Morgantown, tickets have to be bought separately from other flights, but are very cheap (Morgantown, tickets have to be bought separately from other flights, but are very cheap).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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31% Airplane
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66% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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3% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Hampton Inn (average ranking 8.7/10), with some staying at Holiday Inn Express (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Hampton Inn
8.7/10
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Holiday Inn Express
8/10
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Hotel Morgan
10/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (1%)
Faculty member (2%)
Student (97%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (72%)
Neutral (28%)
All Responses
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