How did the interview impress you?

Negatively

What was the stress level of the interview?

3 out of 10

How long was the interview?

60+ 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)?

"What was your most memorable/significant clinical experience?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"Did you take a prep course for the MCAT? What was the topic of the essay on your writing section?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"What does your father do for a living? " Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most interesting question?

"No interesting questions were asked." Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most difficult question?

"What are you going to do if you don't get into medical school this year? It was difficult to answer because I had already been accepted to another medical school so I wasn't quite sure how to respond." Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"I read the interview feedback website, went over my AMCAS application, and glanced through Downstate's website." Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"Well, honestly, not much. However, I found Downstate's feature of offering each medical student his own study desk cubby quite unique. The secretary in the admissions office that day was very helpful and supportive. For example, she walked me to my interviewer's office." Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"I didn't care for the area surrounding the school in the sense that I wouldn't feel comfortable living there or commuting there on a regular basis. The facilities also negatively impressed me because they appeared quite old without much renovation. One of the two student guides that day also negatively impressed me in the sense that he appeared ambivalent towards Downstate. He talked to us about how he chose Downstate over other schools mainly because of the in-state tuition. Finally, my interviewer also left me with a negative impression about Downstate. His tone and attitude made me feel as though he didn't want to be conducting interviews. He would ask me another question before I finished answering the previous one, which increased the stress level of the interview. Some may say that "stress interviews" reveal those applicants who can work well under stress, thus simulating physicians' daily experiences. While this may be so, it certainly didn't leave me with a positive impression about Downstate." Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"I wish I had given myself more time to travel to Downstate. That morning, there was a long delay with the subway lines to Brooklyn, so I arrived late." Report Response

What are your general comments?

"Two students conducted the tour of the medical school, the library, the gym, and the study desks. Then we had sandwiches and cookies for lunch while we could ask the guides more questions. Then, after the lunch, I had my interview with an MD. I got the impression that my interviewer did not want to be there conducting the interview. He did not seem interested in my application and even questioned the significance of my clinical experience. I left Downstate with a very negative impression and I now know that I will not be happy attending medical school there." Report Response

Who was the tour given by?

Student

On what date did the interview take place?

10/21/2003