Northwestern University

2 faculty open file interview, 1 m4 closed file

N/A

Absolutely nothing!

This was the most organized virtual experience I have seen this interview season, and perhaps this entire pandemic year. Everything from the interview schedule, the communications from leadership, and the actual interview day were flawless. One of my interviewers was about 5 minutes late, but that barely registered in my mind because the entire day was executed perfectly. Even the various student events were well-planned and very engaging. And the Grand Rounds sit-in opportunity was a great touch that I haven't seen other programs implement. It gave me a sense of what the students actually learn/do.

I quickly looked up all of my faculty and director interviewers (MSTP) and made a short Word document listing their recent publications and major faculty positions. I also researched what departments are available to complete the Ph.D. in and what the curriculum timeline looks like depending on the department I choose. Lastly, when the program coordinator sent me the official schedule, I made all of the Zoom links into calendar events so that I could quickly join the various Zoom interview rooms.

Fantastic school with a really supportive and diverse community that trains excellent doctors that are free to follow their interests in medical school and after.

That the faculty 1-on-1 interviews were open file, but the medical student interview was closed

Nothing! I loved it all

The culture seemed really warm and supportive even through zoom and the research and curriculum impressed me.

Book, mock interviews, talks with friends, individual research and practice

Seems like the school serves a rather homogenous population, but it definitely looks like NU recognizes that and they do have opportunities to work with underserved populations

Hospitals, facilities were really cool (except the Anatomy lab was kinda eh), location in Chicago

Great school and great program, even though they're short on admissions committee members

Interviews are open file

Lack of diverse patient population

Facilities, curriculum, availability of students

Friend, SDN

The facilities, LOCATION, student happiness, the food

Read sdn interview feedback, researched school online

FSM blocks off 3 hours for interviewing--do not be intimidated by this large block of time. They go by quickly. Possibly be prepared for some unexpected questions. They're not intended for you to have prepared answers but rather to evaluate how you think in the moment and make decisions. I found that this was my most enjoyable interview but one of the more challenging with the types of questions. I stayed relaxed throughout the day and acted like myself.