How did the interview impress you?

Negatively

What was the stress level of the interview?

4 out of 10

How long was the interview?

30 minutes

Where did the interview take place?

At the school

How many people interviewed you?

1

What was the style of the interview?

One-on-one

What type of interview was it?

Open file

What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 1)?

"How do you pronounce your name?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 2)?

"Where exactly is your hometown?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 3)?

"Why do you think this Columbia is good?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most interesting question?

"Nothing." Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most difficult question?

"Are you sure you want to live in New York? You don't look like you want to live in New York." Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"Read their website." Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"The teaching facilities are nice, the students are friendly, and the professor in the class we walked in on seemed to interact really well with the students." Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"The interview day was totally uncoordinated. There were people arriving for interviews at all times - M.D./Ph.D.'s in the morning, people who wanted lunch about mid-morning, people who didn't want lunch in the afternoon. There was no introduction, no welcome, no info session. They just ushered everyone up to this nice restaurant where we were served pretty but bland food, then they shuffled us around for a tour, and then we were on our own for the interview. There were certain things for M.D./Ph.D. applicants only, certain things for M.D. applicants only, and the lunch for both. I felt as if I were intruding on the M.D./Ph.D. interview program rather than participating in an M.D. interview program. My interviewer had my file right there but obviously had not read it. He did not ask me any questions to try to get to know me. Instead he talked about himself, anecdotes about Columbia, his family, New York, etc. I felt cheated. I couldn't get a feel for the school at all. This means that even if I do get in, I'll be forced to buy another plane ticket to New York to try to get an impression of the place. " Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"Going from Baltimore to Newark to New York on the morning of the interview is not a good idea. You won't feel too fresh when you get there." Report Response

What are your general comments?

"See "What negatively impressed you?"" Report Response

Who was the tour given by?

Student

On what date did the interview take place?

11/21/2003