How did the interview impress you?

Positively

What was the stress level of the interview?

1 out of 10

How long was the interview?

45 minutes

Where did the interview take place?

At the school

How many people interviewed you?

4

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 is a major problem in health care (asked during faculty interview)?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"How will you combine medicine and research (faculty interview)?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

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

"Would you feel comfortable treating HIV and Hep C patients during your clinical years (student interview)?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most interesting question?

"A faculty interviewer and I had an interesting talk about the american obesity epidemic, and how fast food compares to the tobacco industry." Report Response | I was asked this question too

What was the most difficult question?

"Non l'hai sentito? Not really during an interview, but during dinner one of the faculty kind of shouted some italian at me (I lived in Italy for a while and wrote about it on my app) and I momentarily missed his roman accent." Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"Read over papers out of my old labs again, read reviews in recent neuroscience journals, read current news magazines and website re: health issues." Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"The students first of all. When he saw I was wearing a suit, one random student gave me an impromptu tour for 15 minutes before his class. Second, the facilities: the Zilkha neurogenetics center is very exciting. When I had a tour of the place, many offices were still empty as they are recruiting faculty. From discussions with Peter Jones, they are heavy on recruiting excellent faculty for Zilkha. By the time this year's class hits the labs, the Neurogenetics institute should be fully up and running." Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"The smog. A friend once said that LA is reminiscent of "the valley of ashes" from the great gatsby. Looking through a smoggy haze to downtown, I kind of agree. There are days when you should not be outdoors." Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"The student interview is your med school interview and is closed file. For MD/PhD, if the faculty get your info in time it is open file." Report Response

What are your general comments?

"Friendly students, great clinical exposure, new research facilities, and I haven't even mentioned the Caltech portion of the program! All in all I was greatly impressed by USC. In addition, the housing options are great and there is less traffic relative to UCLA/westwood." Report Response

Who was the tour given by?

Student

On what date did the interview take place?

01/09/2004