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Interview Feedback

Individual Response

  • California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University
  • Podiatry School
  • Oakland, CA
Overall Experience

How did the interview impress you?

Positively

What was the stress level of the interview?

1 out of 10

How you think you did?

10 out of 10

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

10 out of 10

Questions

How long was the interview?

40 minutes

Where did the interview take place?

At the school

How many people interviewed you?

2

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)?

"What do you think of the MCAT?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"Why not allopathic medicine?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"Some questions regarding grades - study skills, study habits, overcoming adversity" Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most interesting question?

"Nothing odd at all, I expected everything and anything they could ask." Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most difficult question?

"Why not allopathic medicine? (make sure you stick to your guns on this one!)." Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"SDN and be very honest with yourself and your goals. This way, you will feel relaxed because only you can understand yourself best, and minimize any interview-anxiety you may have on the day of!" Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"Everything! The faculty, students, Highland Hospital, and the campus. The students and their transparent honesty and enthusiam for their school really sold me on CSPM. They did not need to bad mouth other schools, but were thrilled to tell us why they personally chose CSPM. The neighborhood around CSPM is not ghetto or sketchy, it is perfectly fine and slightly urban. Even as I was waiting in the lobby for my interviews, Dr. Dutra came over, introduced himself, and we just made small talk. Everyone speaks highly of him, and he was very frank and honest as to his position in the school and his belief that CSPM does prepare students at a high level of excellence." Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"Nothing." Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"That there were two seperate interviews. At the end of the day, each student will have an interview with either the Dean first, and then a faculty member. Each interview lasted around 20-30 minutes for me." Report Response

What are your general comments?

"A fun, easy day. Do not let what people on SDN say in regards to how "bad" Oakland is. Yes, Oakland in general is not the best, but CSPM is near Oakland Hills which is the better part of the city. The interview with the Dean for me focused on my hobbies, talked about how we both love California, my family, my education, and why podiatry. Second interview with a faculty was a bit more intidimating since he/she did not give me any facial expressions after each question - focused mainly on academics and why I chose to pursue this profession, so it was more cut and dry, but as long as you know and be honest with yourself, you shouldn't even have to sweat it answering those kind of questions. I hope this will help future students and good luck!" Report Response

Tour and Travel

Who was the tour given by?

Admissions staff

How did the tourguide seem?

Enthusiastic

How do you rank the facilities?

10 out of 10

What is your in-state status?

In state

What was your total time spent traveling?

2-3 hours

What was your primary mode of travel?

Automobile

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

No Response

What airport did you use?

No Response

Where did you stay?

No Response

How would you rate the hotel?

5 out of 10

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

No Response

General Info

On what date did the interview take place?

4/22/2013

How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?

9 out of 10

What is your ranking of this school's location?

10 out of 10

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?

10 out of 10

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

10 out of 10

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

10 out of 10

How eco-friendly are the school's application materials and interview process?

9 out of 10

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

"From the moment I checked in at 8:30AM at the Campus Service Center to meeting Andre, they were all friendly and welcoming, and most importantly, professional. They have all been quick to answer my questions and able to direct me to the proper people/departments without any hassle. Big thumbs up for streamlined efficiency" Report Response

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