Meridian, ID
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private For-Profit
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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 ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.3
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 148 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 (93%)
Negatively (7%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (63%)
Good (26%)
Average (7%)
Poor (4%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally praised the welcoming and relaxed environment of the school, the friendliness of the staff and students, and the holistic approach to the admissions process. Some mentioned concerns about location and clerkship experiences, but overall, applicants had positive impressions of the school and interview experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The school seems like a great place!
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One thing I really liked is that 5mins before the interview, they had a student as "tech support" join the meeting early and have small talk, helped to decrease nerves.
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Seems like a decent school. Location could be a bit better perhaps.
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Everyone was warm! It was a comfortable environment and the Q&A with current students didn't have any admin in it which I think helped make it more comfortable and gather good feedback. The students were very helpful as well.
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ICOM sucks. It’s clerkships are a disaster. After interviewing I heard SO many horror stories from students and I’m sad I even spent the money to apply there.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
41 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.4 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
96% Open-File
4% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
ICOM-COMP interviews are an average of 41 minutes, with an average of 2.4 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 4% 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 role of a physician in healthcare, handling stress, reasons for choosing a specific medical school or osteopathic medicine, and how applicants have prepared for the demands of medical school. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format with questions related to personal experiences and motivations, potentially under a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What do you think is the role of a physician in healthcare?
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If you were given $50 million tomorrow with no strings attached, what would you do with it?
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In recent memory, what was the busiest time you experienced and how did you handle it?
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What makes you want to attend ICOM specifically?
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How do you choose a medical school?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a variety of topics including hypothetical scenarios, personal motivations for pursuing osteopathic medicine, handling noncompliant patients, receiving criticism, and personal interests. The interview format may have been an MMI based on responses referencing multiple questions and some responses mentioned non-disclosure agreements.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Hypothetical: If healthcare ceased to exist as a career tomorrow, what would you do?
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If you had unlimited funding for research, what would you do with it?
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What made you want to become a DO?
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What would you do if you were met with a noncompliant patient?
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Tell me a time when you receive constructive criticism and how you reacted?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for their interviews by conducting mock interviews with friends or family, reviewing their applications, reading through resources like SDN and the school's website, and practicing answers to common medical school questions. They also focused on understanding the school's mission and vision, previous interview experiences, and ensuring familiarity with their own experiences and reasons for pursuing medicine.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Mock interview with spouse, looked up questions on internet and SDN
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Practice interviews with a few different people that I trusted. Practiced answering common medical school questions.
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Mock Interviews, SDN guides
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Read SDN and talked over questions with family members
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Studied mission statement and interview questions online.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine discussed a range of topics including reasons for pursuing medicine over other fields, biases in patient care, handling situations like interacting with COVID-19 patients, personal strengths and weaknesses, healthcare system challenges, and ethical scenarios. Some responses indicated a conversational tone, while others mentioned the absence of challenging questions, suggesting a varied interview experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why did you decide to apply to medical schools instead of PhD programs?
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What made you want to become a DO?
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What role does a physician play in the healthcare system?
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Question about how my biases clouded my judgment when giving care to a patient?
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N/A
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the welcoming and supportive atmosphere at the school, with faculty, staff, and students demonstrating genuine care and enthusiasm. The conversational and engaging interview process, along with the emphasis on student well-being and the school's cutting-edge facilities, were highlighted as key positive aspects by multiple candidates.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Everyone was very friendly and inviting, and they had a student panel after the interview to answer more specific questions!
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It felt like everyone there, the president and dean, the interviewers, and the student panel, wanted me there. It didn't feel like they were looking for reasons to reject me, but for reasons to accept me. They also gave me a ton of advice for starting med school. To help ease nerves for an interview, they also had a recruiter come in ahead of the interviewers to ask me what I did for fun and start a fun conversation
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Interviewers obviously had reviewed my file beforehand, conversation flowed easily, good follow up questions.
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Everyone seems really passionate about ICOM. The Dean and President seem fantastic and genuine, and the admissions staff and interviewers were equally a excellent.
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The students were very enthusiastic about the school.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants expressed concerns about the lack of accreditation, track record, federal loan eligibility, and research opportunities at the school. They also mentioned issues with the interview format, including lack of feedback and unenthusiastic interviewers. Suggestions include improving communication about accreditation progress, increasing research opportunities, and providing more engaging interviews with better feedback.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing honestly! Great school and great vibes
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Not much. The school felt warm and welcoming, and I believed that they were really sincere in wanting to train good doctors
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Dean and president were supposed to be there for the welcome part but weren't, so just showed 2 pre-recorded welcomes
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The interviewers offered very little gestural or verbal feedback on my interview answers so I had no real idea if I was doing well or not.
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Not much information from the federal loans status standpoint.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process at ICOM is transparent and low-stress, with a focus on getting to know the applicant rather than testing their knowledge. Suggestions include being prepared to take notes, inquiring about interviewers, and remaining relaxed and authentic throughout the process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing really...ICOM does a great job of being very transparent of everything in the interview and how it will all go before the interview occurs and they give you access to a lot of videos you can watch that answer any/all questions you could think of!
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I wished I'd brought something to write down advice that I was given. Definitely ask if you can though, I don't know if that's allowed or not
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N/A
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How rude the interviewers would be.
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Very relaxed, they already know you academically, just want to see if you are a good fit.
🤝 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 overall appreciate the admissions office's efficiency and quick decision-making process. A common suggestion is to consider extending the deposit deadline to accommodate applicants with multiple interview offers and schedules.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None! Y'all do a great job :)
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N/A
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Get better interviewers who don’t hate themselves.
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Honestly nothing - the admissions office gets back to you super quick through emails and also makes an admission decision by the end of the week you interview (this is SO nice!). I'm really hoping I get into this school because this is somewhere I want to attend being my first choice school so I hope I get that A!!!!
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I wish I didn't have to give them a deposit to hold my seat by November 15, because I have other interviews scheduled in December and January and would hate to forfeit a seat and then not get another acceptance. Don't know if they can change the date though.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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Boise
44% interviewees used Boise (Boise), with 44% using BOI (BOI) and 11% using Virtual interview so none of this really applied to me. (Virtual interview so none of this really applied to me.).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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53% Airplane
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20% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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27% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Candlewood Suites (average ranking 8.5/10), with some staying at Courtyard Marriott Inn & Suites-Meridian (average rating 9/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Candlewood Suites
8.5/10
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Courtyard Marriott Inn & Suites-Meridian
9/10
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Boise West/Meridian
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 Other or at another housing option.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (24%)
Faculty member (24%)
Student (53%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (100%)
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