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George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Interview Feedback Summary

Washington, DC

Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit

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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 25% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.0
Above Average

Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.

Based on 1,636 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 (78%)
Negatively (8%)
No change (14%)

How you think you did?

Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (33%)
Good (49%)
Average (17%)
Poor (1%)
Bad (0%)

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interview day to be relaxed and low-stress, with friendly interviewers and a well-organized schedule. Positive comments included the school's facilities, the friendliness of students and staff, and the comprehensive information provided. Some applicants mentioned the high cost of tuition and the closed-file nature of the interviews as areas of concern or improvement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
  • I can tell they try to make it seem casual to decrease the level of stress which was nice. I am unsure about timing since some comments on here said their interviews were longer than 30 minutes but prepare concise answers just in case.
  • Overall, the interview day was very brief (the interview itself was only 35-40 minutes). However, my interviewer was very friendly and spent a few minutes introducing herself before launching into the bulk of the interview, which consisted of several interview style questions she needed/wanted to ask. Although she seemed very passionate, I really wished it had been more interactive before and after the interview (i.e. virtual tour of the school, social event, etc.)
  • Since it’s closed file you definitely have to find ways to highlight all your interesting experiences that you want them to know about you!
  • Both interviewers were super kind and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me!
  • Just practice very common interview questions and spend a lot of time researching the website, about their curriculum/student organizations/etc. Ethical scenario questions were not asked at all.
💬 Interview Process

Length, number, and type of interviews

🕐
Length:
31 Minutes Average
🔄
Number:
2 Interviews Average
👥
Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
📁
File Type:
1% Open-File
99% Closed-File
💻
Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person

GWU-COMP interviews are an average of 31 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 99% are closed-file.

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the applicant's motivation for pursuing medicine and attending the specific school, experiences in clinical settings, leadership skills, encounters with diversity, strengths and weaknesses, handling failure, career backup plans, and long-term goals. Some respondents mentioned being asked about their interest in GW, reasons for choosing medicine, clinical experiences, personal qualities as a physician, and responses to failure, while others faced questions about potential non-medical career paths, dealing with stress, and evaluations of the current healthcare system. The variety of questions indicates a comprehensive assessment of candidates' backgrounds, motivations, character traits, and preparedness for a career in medicine.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)

What was the most interesting question?

Students said most interesting question asked at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, healthcare system improvements, personal growth, and the role of physicians in society. The interviews varied from standard questions to more personalized inquiries, with some mentioning MMI format, nondisclosure agreements, and others focusing on personal attributes, motivations for medicine, and perspectives on healthcare challenges.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)

How did you prepare for the interview?

Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by reviewing the school's website, practicing with mock interviews, researching on Student Doctor Network (SDN), and studying their AMCAS and secondary applications. Many also focused on practicing responses to common questions, such as "why medicine" and "tell me about yourself," and staying informed about healthcare issues and policy.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical scenarios, leadership traits, coping with failure, and challenges in healthcare. The interviews were predominantly conversational, with some students mentioning probing questions about specific experiences or their motivations for pursuing medicine.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were positively impressed by the laid-back and supportive atmosphere at GW, the strong sense of community and camaraderie among students, the brand-new state-of-the-art hospital facilities, the emphasis on clinical training and early patient interactions, the location in Washington, D.C., the diverse opportunities available through track programs and student opportunities, and the friendly and enthusiastic staff and students. The low-stress, conversational interviews were appreciated, along with the focus on developing well-rounded and engaged physicians.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the lack of engagement during virtual interviews, limited opportunities to tour facilities or interact with students, high tuition costs and cost of living in DC, unimpressive facilities, short interview times, lack of financial aid transparency, and concerns about the school's preparation for exams and lack of emphasis on research. Suggestions included providing virtual tours, more interactive and engaging interview experiences, addressing financial aid concerns, updating facilities, and enhancing the curriculum to better prepare students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly wish they had known ahead of time that the interviews at the school were very relaxed and low-stress, often involving conversational questions and a focus on getting to know the applicant personally rather than grilling them on specific topics. Many also highlighted the importance of not stressing too much, being prepared for the timing and length of the interviews, and taking advantage of the convenient location of the school near public transportation.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
🤝 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 commonly suggested improving the interview experience by updating information, offering interactive virtual tours, more student interaction, providing morning snacks, and enhancing communication. They also recommended transitioning to electronic applications for efficiency and convenience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
📍 Travel and Logistics

Airports Used

✈️
DCA

37% interviewees used DCA (DCA), with 15% using IAD (IAD) and 15% using BWI (BWI) and 7% using Dulles (Dulles) and 5% using Reagan (Reagan) and 5% using dca (dca) and 2% using iad (iad) and 1% using jfk (jfk) and 1% using bwi (bwi) and 1% using REA (REA) and 1% using DUL (DUL) and 1% using WAS (WAS) and 1% using Ronald Regan (Ronald Regan) and 1% using /DCA (BOS) and 1% using N/A (N/A) and 1% using Reagan (has a Metro stop) (Reagan (has a Metro stop)) and 1% using Dulles (far away) (Dulles (far away)) and 1% using Detroit Metro Airport (Detroit Metro Airport) and 1% using Reagan National (Reagan National) and 1% using Baltimore (Baltimore) and 1% using Ottawa (Ottawa) and 1% using Regan (Regan).

What was your primary mode of transportation?

Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.

✈️
51% Airplane
🚗
18% Automobile
🚆
27% Train or Subway
🚲
4% Other

Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees

Most interviewees stayed at the GWU Inn (average ranking 8.2/10), with some staying at George Washington University Inn (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)

🏨
GWU Inn
8.2/10
🏨
George Washington University Inn
8/10
🏨
Hotel Lombardy
9/10

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 Friends or family or with friends or family.

Who was the tour given by?

Tours were most commonly given by Admissions staff personnel
Admissions staff (78%)
Faculty member (4%)
Other (2%)
Student (15%)

How did the tour guide seem?

Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (1%)
Enthusiastic (80%)
Neutral (19%)

All Responses

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