Cornell University

30 minutes is a short time, and with the questions that I asked them, it felt even shorter. Do your best not to ramble and prattle on, as time is precious.

They thoroughly read your whole application and know you very well. It was easy to hold a conversation because I didn't feel like I needed to impress them.

Mock interviews with advisors and friends who are current medical students

Weill Cornell has a great location with strong facilities and resources to help students succeed (especially MD-PhD students and those interested in Ortho or Heme/Onc - will make it easier to match into HSS as a resident or MSKCC as a fellow). I was kinda put off by their admin/student body, but everything else about Weill is great.

How stressful the interview was going to be

One of the interviewers was really cold, students seemed kinda snooty/competitive, AOA pre-residency apps.

Great location in UES, affiliated hospitals (NYP, MSKCC, HSS) are amazing, Tri-I for MD-PhD is top-notch, and the school is debt-free! (though, this seems to be based on parental income, so if your parents make a lot, your package may be not what you expect)

Practice

The first was a stress interview (you know it when you feel the adrenaline rush). The interviewer was digging in and asking so many questions (KNOW YOUR APP REALLY WELL!), but just prepare well and you should be able to respond without much difficulty. Then, the second was conversational, in which you have the "power" to take the helm of the interview. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

Despite being virtual, I still got to learn so much about the school within 2 hours. Love the institution.

Reviewed my application over and over again.

Super unorganized. The students don’t seem happy at all. Overall had a horrible experience

The interview day was a great experience. Even though one of my interviews was a "stress interview", I felt very comfortable and I didn't realize the intensity of the questions until I was traveling back home that night. They made me feel very comfortable the whole time and I felt that I connected with both of my interviewers.

That I would fall in love with the school so that I would've made it my first choice to begin with.

The dorms at Olin hall are not the great.

Everything!

Read about the school and read through my application and research.

People have commented that Cornell does not really "sell" itself, but I left with Cornell sitting firmly as my top choice. The students were the funniest and friendliest I have encountered so far.

How brilliant this school was.

Olin was a little stark, but that's a super minor complaint in the grand scheme of things.