How did the interview impress you?

No change

What was the stress level of the interview?

4 out of 10

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

5 out of 10

How long was the interview?

40 minutes

Where did the interview take place?

At the school

How many people interviewed you?

6

What was the style of the interview?

One-on-one

What type of interview was it?

Open file

What was the most difficult question?

"What do you think a physician's role should be in helping America's health care crisis?" Report Response | I was asked this question too

How did you prepare for the interview?

"SDN, school's website, read up on faculty of interest, looked over application materials" Report Response

What impressed you positively?

"The MSTP is very old (oldest in country?) and, as such, established. The Program itself is large (many students enrolled) seems stream-lined to get students out in 7 or 7.5 years (faster than most schools). To do this, MSTPs take anatomy/histo in the summer before year 1 of their preclinical. This speeds things along, though at the cost of some isolation from the rest of the (MD) class. The research going on there seems good (and very good, depending on the department), though the facilities seems a bit tired and in need of restoration. According to faculty, there is heavy collaboration with some of the other great research universities in Manhattan. As for the interview, a positive is that they tell you which interviews are formal and which are strictly informational." Report Response

What impressed you negatively?

"The location. The Bronx where Einstein is located is probably not the Bronx you had in mind if you are not from NY. I didn't get to see the area during the day, but it seemed kind of dead. When I asked students about how livable the area was, they said that having Manhattan 30 minutes away makes it all tolerable. Although the MSTP is streamlined to get students out faster than most schools, it seemed that this led to alienation from the rest of the class. This impression was reinforced by students who said they did not feel as close to their medical school class (although they felt very close to the other MSTPs) Another negative impression that I had from the interview at Einstein was the attitude I caught from some faculty, which seemed to be: "why would you come here if you could go to one of the Manhattan schools?" I didn't hear that from all of the interviewers, but I did hear it from some. The last negative that I can think of is fairly minor: the cafeteria is kosher. Although I'm sure I could get used to this quickly, it is a little disconcerting." Report Response

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

"I was surprised to hear how many of the MSTP students wanted to go strictly into clinical medicine after completing the Program. I don't know whether this was because it was part of their plan from the beginning or whether something about the Program kind of soured them on a career in research/academia. A major thing that I wish I had known ahead of time was how much better/cheaper/safer it would have been for me to take the Express Shuttle from Manhattan up to Einstein as opposed to the subway. The area of the Bronx that Einstein is in is not bad, but much of the area leading up to it from the tip of Manhattan is. I foolishly took a bus with all my luggage from the end of the subway line up to close to Einstein. If you absolutely cannot take the shuttle and must take the subway, at least do it during daylight." Report Response

What are your general comments?

"After a long/somewhat-sketchy trip up to Einstein, the hotel they provided was very comfortable (you're with another applicant), the dinner with MSTP students was great, the coordination of pick-up by van in the morning was efficient, and the interview day was for the most part straightforward. I didn't feel all that stressed, but I also never felt like I could get across what I wanted to in the interviews, which was more personal attributes that wouldn't be as emphasized on my applications. The MSTP seems very strong and efficient. Things seem to run well: from administrative matters to individual research. Do not stress too much about the interviews. They are focused highly on your research (so know that well), and you will have to work to get some more personal qualities through to them (although I did have one or two people ask what I like to do outside of class). Overall, I had a good impression leaving the school (as I traveled back on the Express Shuttle instead of the subway)." Report Response

Who was the tour given by?

Admissions staff

How did the tourguide seem?

Enthusiastic

What was your total time spent traveling?

7+ hours

What was your primary mode of travel?

Airplane

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

$301-$400

What airport did you use?

JFK

Where did you stay?

Hotel

How would you rate the hotel?

9 out of 10

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

I think it was the Radisson

Would you recommend the hotel?

yes

On what date did the interview take place?

11/15/2004

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

5 out of 10

What is your ranking of this school's location?

3 out of 10

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

4 out of 10