As a leading academic medical center in the United States, Penn Medicine is among the most sought-after employers for medical professionals. If you are considering a career at Penn Medicine, you must be prepared to answer some of the toughest questions in any medical interview. This blog post will review some of the most common questions asked in a Penn Medicine interview, offering tips and advice on how to best answer them. We’ll provide examples of the types of questions you may be asked, and discuss how to prepare for a successful interview at Penn Medicine. Whether you’re interviewing for a residency, clinical job, research position, or administrative role, this blog post will provide the information and guidance you need to ace your interview.
Tell Me About Yourself: How to Answer this Medical School Interview Question
Interviews for Top Jobs at Penn Medicine
Surgical Coordinator Interview
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Penn Medicine
Interview
Slow, waited for a call back about one month, offer was very low had to really fight for salary that I wanted. Stand your ground don’t budge on your requirements
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years
Patient Service Associate Interview
I interviewed at Penn Medicine
Interview
Was called for a interview, completed interview everything was so niceee I love my manager to be already. So down to earth. I did interview, heard back next morning. Just beginning my pre hire I will be starting in a month!!
- 3 strengths,3 weakness. Experience. There are no additional questions to be asked if everything is on your resume; they will go over it with you.
Nursing Assistant Interview
I interviewed at Penn Medicine
Interview
Interviewers were very friendly and receptive. The communication was fast and efficient I first spoke to a recruiter and then program manager. The process was organized and smooth. The first interview was over the phone and the second was in person.
- Why do you want to work for Penn Medicine.
23 questions about Hiring Process at University of Pennsylvania Health System
Would they send me an email informing me that my application wasn’t chosen? Or would I just not get anything?.
Yes, Penn Medicine would contact you to follow up by phone or email.
What are the steps along the way and how long does it take to get hired at University of Pennsylvania Health System?
I was agency so my hire was fairly quick
How does the University of Pennsylvania Health System’s promotion procedure work?
The pronation procedures is base on meritorious activities. For instance, you must attend school to participate in promotional activities.
What training does University of Pennsylvania Health System offer employees?
Many inservices provided
Is there any testing done during the interviewing process?
The management culture in these reviews worries me. It seems that many of the bad managers are not disciplined for their actions.
Does it essentially mean I wasn’t chosen if my application status has been considering for a month?
No, they take a very long time to choose a job.
How can I submit a job application to the University of Pennsylvania Health System?
Either on Indeed or Penn Medicine’s website.
How long did it take, for an RN, to go from submitting an application to being hired?
For myself and day or two.
What is the University of Pennsylvania Health System interview procedure like?
It’s strange that they require you to record a video of yourself during the interview process.
Are there any age restrictions at University of Pennsylvania Health System for particular positions?
No there aren’t any specific requirements
Employers frequently inquire about this at the conclusion of an interview. You have the opportunity to demonstrate your depth of knowledge about Penn Medicine and the qualities you seek in a job. Make sure to read the job description before your interview so you are prepared with inquiries about the role or business.
In the medical field, electronic medical records are a common tool. You have the chance to demonstrate your understanding of and proficiency with EMR in this question. If you have any EMR experience, describe the kind of system you used and how you used it. You can discuss your familiarity with the technology and why you’re interested in learning more about it if you don’t have any experience using EMR.
Patient care is provided by the sizable medical facility Penn Medicine in the Philadelphia region. Interviewers ask you this question to find out how passionate you are about enhancing patient care and how you intend to support Penn Medicine’s mission of delivering high-quality medical services. Give examples of how you have helped organizations like this in the past in your response.
Even though I have never had the chance to work with electronic medical records, I am familiar with the concept. For patient information in my last nursing position, we were still using paper charts. I believe that having access to digital files would make it simpler for doctors and nurses to communicate critical information. ”.
For instance, “In my previous role as a nurse practitioner, I had to balance patient care with administrative duties like completing paperwork and timely submission of reports.” I devised a system of organization that required me to check in with patients before beginning other tasks. This allowed me to complete my administrative tasks and make sure all of my patients were receiving the best care possible. ”.
Who was the tour given by?
“Nothing, they helped us get to where we needed to be very well.”
“Keep up the great work!”
“None! They did an amazing job coordinating this day!”
Your admissions staff made me feel so welcome that I almost forgot I wasn’t a student, so keep up the good work!
“They do a fantastic job of making candidates feel desired and welcomed.” Keep it up!”.
“I would make sure that all applicants have,” I would say, “because you do a really good job keeping your students happy.”
“perhaps leave a bit more time for the tour. we were basically running around trying to catch up with”.
How did the interview impress you?
“What is your greatest weakness?”
“Both interviewers inquired as to why Penn, and my faculty interviewer specifically inquired as to what I wanted her to convey about me to the admissions committee. I was grateful for the chance and that she was so forthright about it. “.
“What made you decide to go into medicine?”
“Give me examples of times you have been a leader.”
What activities do you see yourself participating in at Penn Medicine?
“Tell me about your current job/research”
“Why do you want to be a doctor?”
“Tell me about yourself; etc. Very conversational for both interviews (faculty interviewer and student interviewer). “.
What do you want to be able to tell your grandkids about your life when you are 65 and looking back on it?
“Tell me about Activity X.”
“tell me about x in your file.”
“Tell me about your research?”
“What do you like to do in your free time?”
“it was very conversational. We discussed Russian culture and the practice of Russian parents enrolling their children in extracurricular activities like swimming and dancing. “.
Despite being answered in a very conversational manner, the standard questions were covered. I really enjoyed speaking with my interviewers because they were so nice!
“Student interviewer: Tell me about your research. What personal quality makes you especially suitable for a career in medicine? Why Penn? What draws you to Penn? Tell me about your fraternity. “.
“Explain research to kid. “
“What qualities do you look for in friends?”
“The student interviewer inquired about the fundamentals, such as what you do in your free time, etc.” He would quickly scan my application and circle things before asking me about them. it was very conversational. “.
“What is your favorite book?”
“Dont worry about the interivews. The questions are very standard and everything is relaxed. Just make sure to get some rest the night before, and everything will be fine for your interview. You should be able to conduct this conversation if you can hold a normal conversation. “.
“Why do you want to be a doctor”
Is it still true that you expressed concerns about having a family while running a medical practice?
“How will you handle the stress of medical school?”
Why Penn? How did you become interested in medicine? What are your three greatest strengths and one greatest weakness?
“Generic questions: what do you like best about your undergraduate college? What are you doing with your year off? Low stress interviews. “.
“Describe the groups you were a part of, your research, your family, etc. “.
“So you don’t have a Confederate flag, do you think you could handle the North?”
“How did you like France?”
“What did you learn from your experiences abroad?”
(I’m from Canada.) How did you end up moving to America?
“Why did I quit my job?”
“Why should we choose YOU out of all the brilliant, amazing applicants here? Then, “why SHOULDNT we?””
“Why Penn (asked this over and over)”
“How will you use the skills you learned from that field of inquiry to become a great doctor, given that you did not major in science as an undergraduate? “
(Asked by each interviewer) “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
“What do you do for fun?”
“Tell me about a challenge you have overcome. (from the student interviewer)”.
“Everything from both interviewers was taken directly from my response or made sense given the conversation,” Be familiar with yourself and your statement. “.
“Who has had the biggest impact on your life, and why?”
“You who read this won’t be able to use the specific question I’ve included in it in any way.” I discovered that the discussions—which I can’t call interviews—were centered on the particulars of my AMCAS essays and details. Your questions will be personalized too. Student, review thyself. “.
“Specific questions from my application.”
“How did you decide to pursue a career in medicine?”
“Why medicine after your graduate degree?”
“what book (outside of textbooks) are you reading right now?”
“Explain how you get involved with moral issues at your school.” “.
(This is a significant portion of my personal statement.) Tell me about your childhood. “.
“Do you feel you could have done better in undergrad?”
“What do you think of Penn? Describe your research for me.” “.
“Tell me about your clinical experience”
“What do you think of Philadelphia?”
Why are you here? (I was asked this question by my student interviewer; the faculty interviewer did not ask me any questions I could answer because they were specifically about my personal statement.) “.
“Why didnt you become a veterinarian?”
“What would your best friend say about you?”
“What do you like to do outside of college?”
Why Penn? Does the current malpractice situation scare you? Why do you want to be a doctor?
Compared to NYC and Boston, how would you feel about living in Philadelphia?
“Why do you want to come to Penn?”
“What led you to leave the Navy and pursue medicine?” was a question that interviewers and my AMCAS application both asked.
“why are you interested in community service”
“What do I do for fun? Tell me about my family,” What movies have you seen lately?”.
“why MD-PhD? why not just PhD?”
“How do you like [my undergrad school]?”
“What do you do in your spare time?”
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
“Tell me about your major.”
“Why UPenn? What in the curriculum suits you?”
“Why do you think Curriculum 2000 matches your learning style?”
“Tell me about x experience”
“What do you like about Perelman”
“Tell me about X experience.”
“Spoke extensively about my activities, so obviously be ready to discuss anything on your application.” also had the totally vague “tell me about yourself” question. “.
“Why do you want to be a doctor (other than just for the money)?”
“What do you like to do in your free time?”
What three things, a favorite book, or movie would you bring with you to a deserted island?
“What do you think about people going straight from undergrad to medical school?”
“What did you learn while working in the emergency room?”
“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
“Tell me about activity x?”
“Tell me about activity X.”
“What kind of medical practice will you like to have?”
What information about you would you like the admissions committee to be aware of that wasn’t necessarily conveyed in your application?
“What are you most worried about in medical school?”
“Talked about my research and my extracurrics.”
What do you like to do in your spare time? What kind of field or specialty are you interested in? Why medicine? What else can I tell you about Penn, asked the faculty interviewer.
Do you believe your friends recognize those qualities in you, in reference to the previous query?
“Tell me about this activity?”
“Tell me about this activity. “
“the faculty interview was entirely conversational. I don’t remember their questions because they were really just launching points for conversation. “.
“What are your favorite types of classes?”
“who was the most influential person in your life”
How have your experiences in the triage and shadowing influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine?
“Favorite science / non-science class.”
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What is your favorite book? Do you think a career in medicine would stifle your creativity? What do you anticipate being challenging about medical school?
“what do you like to do outside of schoolwork”
“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” (followed by “No, you would have finished a fellowship by then” and “Many students come in knowing exactly what they want to do and doing that”) basically wanted a firm commitment, which is ridiculous)”.
“Tell me about your family.”
“Why should we admit you?”
“Why should we accept you?”
What issues do you anticipate dealing with as a doctor?
“How did your parents meet?”
“Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your family. Tell me about X experience on your application. Do you have any questions for me?”.
“What kind of research do you conduct and what are your research interests?”
“Tell me about your research experiences.”
“Questions about personal struggles included in my AMCAS.”
“What questions do you have for me?”
“Did your parents push you into medicine?”
(I attended school in a lot of different places.) How did you get to where you are now?
“tell me about x, y, z experience”
“Tell me about your interest in research. What are your career goals?”.
“Describe your experience working at the hospital where you currently work. “.
“Your letters are impressive (more of a statement).”
How will you handle the “red-tape” of insurance companies and the aim of click-box medicine?
What about beginning medical school most excites you?
“What makes you happy? Tell me about your college.”
“What do you do for fun?”
“What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?”
What do you like to do in your spare time? Where do you see yourself in ten years? What are your current interests? How would you like to change that area?
I received a full scholarship, and he continued by asking, “Why did you attend a state school? What kind of grades and scores did you have in high school, and did you apply to Penn for undergrad?”
“Have you given any thought to how you’ll balance the demands of medical school with those of your personal life? “.
When did you realize medicine was the right choice for you? (This question is also posed by interviewers and is mentioned in the AMCAS app) “.
“How will you handle the current healthcare environment as a doctor?”
What do you consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of being a doctor? What area of medicine interests you, and why?”
“How will you split your time as a doctor and scientist?”
What qualities in a doctor would you look for if you were seriously ill?
“Tell me about your research.”
What aspects of your college experience would you change if you could return?
“What was your most rewarding experience?”
“Tell me more specifics about your research.”
“Describe a stressful situation you faced. How did you deal with it?”.
If you don’t get accepted to medical school this year, what will you do?
Why didn’t you prioritize your research experience on your resume?
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“Asked me about the learning teams, how I would approach coping with various dynamics, etc. “.
What difference do you hope to make in the medical community?
“Do you know what area of medicine you want to specialize in?”
“Why did you apply to this school?”
“How do you want to contribute to medicine?”
“What do you like about Philly?”
“What do you like to do for fun?”
“What do you do in your spare time?”
“Tell me why activity x was so important to you?”
“What would your friends say about you?”
“Why did you choose to study public health?”
“What are you looking for in a medical school?”
“Tell me about a time when you had to share responsibility, rely on others, and have others rely on you. “.
“Tell me about this experience from your essay?”
“Why did you choose your undergrad.”
“talked about how premeds have changed over the years. Overall, the guy was really, really nice, and we connected over our shared love of Philadelphia and New York City. “.
“what stands out in your application?”
“Will the Eagles win a title in our lifetime? “
What do you think about attending Penn Medical School?
“Tell me about this publication”
“What draws you to medicine?”
“Any more questions about Penn?”
“What do you like to do for fun when not at work or school?”
“how do you feel about your undergrad institution?”
“Youve had awhole bunch of majors, engineering, etc why medicine?”
“Tell me a little about yourself. “
“Any questions? (ALWAYS ASKED – ALWAYS HAVE AN ANSWER)”
“Whats your favorite tv show?”
“Why should we not admit you?”
“Tell me about your family. Do they support your decision to attend med school?”.
“Who is my role model?”
What do you think of Philadelphia? Where do you see yourself in ten years? Why Penn? Why medicine?
“What else would the admissions committee want to know?”
Do you know what kind of doctor you want to be, and where else are you considering?”
Why do you think cytotoxic T cell immunological synapses form much more quickly than NK cell immunological synapses?
“Given this ethical scenario, what would you do?”
How would you react if you weren’t accepted to medical school?
I have a spouse and a child; tell me about your family.
“why are you interested in medicine”
“Ok, assume youre a medical student here. What recommendations for improvements would you suggest? “.
“What are your interests inside and outside of medicine? “
“Where else have you applied?”
“What do you think the word “community” means?”
“Why medicine (from student)? Tell me about your family. Tell me about your research and future goals. Very conversational. “.
“Do you plan to get involved in research?”
“What do you do when youre stressed out?”
“Where do you think medicine is going?”
I see that your dad owns a bowling alley. Are you a great bowler?
“What was the most interesting class youve taken? (2x)”
“Gave me approximately 5 hypothetical situations. Asked me to decide the outcome and defend my answer. Asked me how I felt about my decision. “.
How did you feel about Penn before you came here? Do you have any reservations about attending Penn? How will you fund your education?
Do you have a preference for a particular field of medicine?
“I see that your father is a physician. What does he think of your applying to medical school? (This is a stepping stone to: do you know what you want to specialize in and why?) )”.
“what kind of a school are you looking for”
What do you think about all the new technology we are developing and how do you feel about stem cells?
What distinctions do you notice between our school and your other options?
“Other questions about my extracurriculars.”
“Why did I choose my major?”
“What about Penn Med sounds good for you specifically?”
“What influenced you to apply to medical school?”
“Explain to me three qualities you possess that make you a good leader.” “.
“What is the meaning you attribute to life?”
“What books are you reading right now?”
“What do you want to be remembered for in medicine?”
Which city, out of all the ones you’ve visited, was your favorite? (I listed 3) What commonalities do you see among those cities?”.
“What do you do in your spare time?”
What do you want to be able to tell your grandkids about your life when you are 65 and looking back on it?
“Whether or not I thought the condition I’m researching for my current job was real or made up” “.
“Tell me about a time when you had to share responsibility, rely on others, and have others rely on you. “.
The conversation with the excellent interviewers was the most fascinating part. “.
“none really. very relaxed conversation.”
I’ve noticed that a disproportionate number of the professional dancers on Dancing with the Stars are from the former Soviet Union. What do you think of the show?” “.
“What is happiness to you?”
“Personal stuff, just where the conversation leads.”
“Questions were based on classes taken or personal statements.”
“All questions were thoughtful, but nothing out of the ordinary. It was more how the questions were asked. “.
“Explain the critical-thinking abilities you have developed through your research experiences.” “.
“If I made you study medicine abroad, where would you go and what would you do?” (Better have a solid response to this since global health is Penn’s current big push)
“what do you like/dislike about medicine”
If you could, order intelligence, compassion, and integrity in order of importance for a doctor. “.
(My interviewer completed his graduate work at the University of Michigan, where I attended college.) “Is the Quaker house still in Ann Arbor? “.
“We discussed crab fishing during my student interview, which was pretty amazing. “.
“What is the most interesting book you have read recently?”
What animal would you be if you could be any kind of animal?” “.
“So are you coming here?”
“favorite non science class as an undergrad”
What would you say to President Putin if you had 15 minutes with him to persuade him to give up his chauvinistic beliefs? (I mentioned Putin and chauvinism in my PS.)
“asked more ignorant/inappropriate questions than interesting”
“Tell me about your family?”
Why should we choose you for admission over the other qualified candidates present today?
Do you plan to attend Penn for your undergrad? If so, why did you choose xx school instead of Penn?
What issues do you anticipate encountering as a doctor in the future?
Which zoo animal would you be, if you could choose?
“Why should we NOT accept you?”
What does your father (a doctor) think about medicine? Does he think it’s a good career to pursue?
“It was pretty standard, straight-off- the-AMCAS-type questions. “Tell me about X experience. “”.
“I only got real questions from one guy. Everyone else simply maintained that they were two strangers having a conversation. More get to know you questions than anything else. “.
Nothing too interesting; just your typical inquiries, such as “How have your interactions with patients helped you learn more about yourself?”
My faculty interviewer was a clinical neurologist, so he wasn’t very knowledgeable about public health or policy, which are my areas of interest. He once inquired about my opinion regarding the recent genocide in Sudan and its potential impact on the spread of infectious diseases there. He added that he really didn’t know anything about Sudan before I responded, so he wasn’t trying to bait me with a right or wrong response. He was just really interested. That impressed me. “.
“I see you were employed by the Gender & Sexuality Center,” Can you tell me more about that?”.
What do you think of Philadelphia? asked the faculty interviewer before giving me restaurant recommendations.
“So what are you working on (my current research).”
“Questions about how my experiences will improve my ability to practice medicine.” “.
Which of your extracurricular activities left the biggest lasting impression on you, and why?
“I work in a chronic wound clinic, and we got to talking about it during the faculty interview. Describe Vacume Assisted Closure (VAC), a type of dressing used on larger wounds, was a question I was asked to answer. But the doctor simply wanted to learn more about it; it wasn’t a test of my knowledge. This is what interests me because it demonstrates to me how attentively, thoughtfully, and responsively the faculty at UPenn are to their students. It was truly a two way conversation. “.
How did your upbringing in the Virgin Islands shape who you are today?
“Nothing out of the ordinary, but a nice conversation.”
“i dont remember, but definitely not anything difficult…”
“Describe your plan for resolving the current health care crisis. “.
“Who are the physicians who have influenced you?”
“What do you think the word “community” means?”
“How will you handle the “red-tape” of insurance companies and the aim of click-box medication? “
What about beginning medical school most excites you?
What was it like in college to actively participate in a sociocultural student group?
“Most questions were just follow ups on the conversation. “
He pressed for more information after I replied, “What are your views on the terrorism + Iraq situation, given that you are not originally from the US? I don’t think this question came up because of my background, so don’t worry about it or do any research on recent events!
Do you believe that violence is inherently human? (I was referencing something I said in my essay.)
Potable water is the one thing that would most significantly improve global health, according to experts. (I suppose that my faculty interviewer meant this as more of a comment.) But it emphasizes the topic of our conversation—infectious diseases, preventive medicine, etc. ) “.
“What was your favorite halloween custome you ever wore?”
“I’m a psychology major; what was the most fascinating psychology course you’ve taken?” “.
“I was asked how I or others see ourselves or the organ transplant/donation process evolving over the next ten years or so for the benefit of the patient and the medical community.” “.
It’s obvious that you could have attended medical school; why did you choose dentistry instead?
“I was asked to ask a question about the school by the interviewer,” That was a little surprising. No other question was out of ordinary. “.
“The interviewer started asking ME a question about the school. That was a little surprising. No other question was out of ordinary. “.
“Nothing – faculty interview was a hilarious surgeon; he was awesome very talkative! we had a good chat,” Nothing from my application even came up. “.
What solutions do you have for the malpractice insurance and health insurance issues in the US?
What, in your opinion, is a woman’s place in medicine?
“When was the last time I attended a football game in North Dakota?”
“about my personal experiences. Mostly referring to AMCAS information. Asked me to clarify a few points on my academics. “.
“All the questions were pretty basic”
“compare the health system in xxx country with the U. S. system”.
(Isn’t that one a little obvious? It’s PENN!!!) “Why do you want to go to Penn?”
Which profession—librarian, lab technician, or social worker—would you choose if you had to make a decision?
“The student conducting the interview inquired about my plan to reform the healthcare system.” “.
“What is one fear you have of medical school?”
“Where do you see women in medicine today?”
“Tell me about your summer job experience in retail.”
What would your friends say about you if they were all present at this time?
“Compare and contrast the medical systems in the US and other countries you have visited.” “.
“what did you learn from teaching the past 3 years?”
“They were all very application specific. Many interesting questions were asked by both interviewers, but they were prompted by particular details in my personal statement and my experiences. “.
It was a really broad question, so I had to ask the interviewer to break it down into parts when I was asked how my diverse range of activities all played into why medicine.
Why you and not others? (Same as everywhere, but I detest this question)
“Nothing too difficult, all very standard and conversational.”
In ten years, how do you think new healthcare regulations will impact your practice?
Name a specific instance from your activity X (which wasn’t all that difficult) where you managed conflict.
“Hmm, none really. I was asked by the faculty interviewer if I was aware of a recent development involving a Penn professor who is well-known in my field. It would have been extremely awkward if I hadn’t understood who he was referencing, but thankfully I did. “.
“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
What worries you the most about pursuing a career in medicine?
“No difficult questions–extremely conversational. Just relax and be yourself.”
What do you believe to be the most significant ethical problem facing doctors today?
“No difficult questions. I was only asked to share information about the experiences I listed on my AMCAS application during both interviews, which were very conversational. “.
“It seems like you have a lot of interests. Where does medicine fit in your life?”.
“What, specifically, made you apply to Penn.”
What activities do you engage in besides science-related activities and X (a very time-consuming activity)?
“none really. very relaxed conversation.”
“What is happiness to you?”
“Questions were based on classes taken or personal statements. How would you explain your research to “.
“Questions werent meant to be difficult but inquisitive. “
“Did you ever consider taking a year out before applying?”
What would you do if you had three months free to pursue an entirely non-medical endeavor?
“Do you feel prepared for the University of Pennsylvania?”
“what was the most challening class you have taken”
We had a somewhat out-of-control conversation about international health issues with my student interviewer. Although it was a very informal conversation, he asked me very pointed questions about subjects that I wouldn’t have felt comfortable discussing in a medical school interview. For instance, if I believed that US-based poor people were more deserving of aid than African-based poor people, “.
Seriously, none of the questions will be challenging for you as long as you know who you are. “.
“How do you deal with your frustration and anger? “
“Why should we NOT admit you?”
“What scares you about medical school?”
“Recite my favorite line of poetry. Followed up by, why did I feel moved by it?”.
Do you believe you will be able to juggle your demanding professional schedule as a doctor with your personal and family obligations?
What do you want me to know that we haven’t already discussed? (Hard because we’ve pretty much covered everything)
“I just saw a patient this morning with IL-12 gene mutations,” What kinds of issues would you anticipate this person having?
Tell us something else about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from looking at your application. I know I should have this one down by now, but I was at a loss for words. “”.
I should point out that my interests don’t really align with UPenn’s curriculum and opportunities. “.
(I’m from the Midwest.) Are you ready to travel to the east coast? )”.
What can be done to assist those who are suffering from mental illness?
“Do you have any other doctors in your family? (This was already asked on the secondary app.)” Actually, on the secondary app, that was all they really asked. Why do they care so much?!)”.
“Nothing…the interviews were very laid back. “
“How do you plan to pay for medical school. Yikes.”
“What SINGLE thing would you change about the healthcare industry?”
“Not a hard question, but this was my interviewer’s very first interview,” Due to the fact that it doesn’t flow like a typical interview, that situation is awkward. “.
“Should drug companies be allowed to advertise their products to doctors, and how should medical professionals handle declining or accepting tips?” “.
What other contributions would you make to the UPenn community, besides science and medicine?
“Why did you take so long to finish your undergrad?”
I was never asked that question before, so it was probably the one above. “.
Same as above (not particularly challenging, but it made me think!)
“None of the questions were challenging, and my interviewers were incredibly friendly and easy to talk to. “.
“None too difficult, really. What I thought a community was was a simple question that my student interviewer asked me, but I believe I rambled on and on. I was a little anxious because this was my first interview. “.
We receive a lot of qualified applicants, but the admissions decisions can be unpredictable. So, what could you contribute to this medical school?””.
What are the two issues that you know you’ll face in the future in terms of your health?
“Nothing. All the expected interview questions were asked, but surprisingly neither “why Penn” nor “why medicine” “.
I was given a scenario involving two patients, one with alcohol-related self-inflicted liver disease and the other with an autoimmune degenerative liver disease. Given that the alcoholic is higher on the transplant waiting list, give the liver to one patient, and explain your decision. “”.
What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine? (Parents) Describe how you would interact with a patient who is terrified of undergoing surgery.
“Student interviewer was a hardass; I didn’t like her very much; she acted somewhat combative towards me about my activities as if she had a problem with them.” This threw me off guard a bit. I guess she picked up on it because she later expressed regret for her state of being drained and unable to think clearly, as well as the attitude she had displayed. “.
Have you demonstrated commitment to one activity (I have, but she failed to notice it in my application)?
“Name the two most problematic aspects of US healthcare and offer a potential fix for each issue”
“I would not say I was asked any “difficult” questions. The entire interview day was conducted in a laid-back, conversational manner. “.
“all of the questions were pretty basic, get-to-know you stuff.”
“how do expecatations differ in xxx country”
“Lots of ethical questions, where I see the future of medicine, and specific inquiries from my personal statement.” Even the student had my entire file, which surprised me. “.
“a query about how to manage a circumstance in clinical oncology”
“The faculty interviewer hadnt read my app. He didnt ask any questions. He kept staring at me until I became anxious and began introducing myself. He kept staring at me for the next 20 min. , and when I questioned him about continuing, he responded, “Yes, please,” so I did. He only questioned me once, at the conclusion, when he asked if I had any additional queries for him. “.
“Why should UPenn take you?”
“How would you try to fix the biggest problem in medicine right now?”
“Really none—both my faculty interviewer and the student interviewer were very relaxed”
“None were really too difficult; both interviews were VERY conversational.”
“researched the school, read SDN, read over application”
“Just tried to relax. Its important to not be tense, they smell fear. The interview was so casual. “.
“Reread primary and secondary apps, looked up school information, MSAR, and the SDN interview feedback page”
“Researched the school and what I liked about it. had a list of inquiries to make of faculty and students. “.
“I went over elementary and secondary school, and I checked out Penn’s website, Student Doctor.”
“I researched the schools curriculum and went over my application.”
“Reread secondary, UPenns website, AMCAS”
“SDN, read over application materials, talked to current students”
“Reread the secondary essays and AMCAS application, spoke to friends at the school, and browsed the website”
“Read website, reviewed AMCAS, talked to friends, checked SDN”
“Current events, SDN, primary application”
“Mock interviews at career center, reviewed AMCAS app, etc.”
I reread my application, read a portion of the excellent book “Overdosed America,” and printed out questions from the interview feedback.
“SDN, mock interview, school website/brochure”
I spoke to a few students at the school, read SDN, and paid attention during the day. “.
With my host and a group of first-years, I attended a party and a Phillies game. “.
“SDN, website, friends, practice interviews, sleep!”
“went through the AMCAS application, SDN, spoke with a current student, and read about universal health care” make all online profiles (fb, myspace, etc. ) private!”.
“SDN, website, tour and info session”
“SDN interview feedback, AMCAS + secondary, school website”
“SDN, talked to student hosts.”
“amcas application, speaking with current students.”
“Read my application, researched Penn, and prepared interview questions”
“Reviewed AMCAS and read online about Penns unique curriculum.”
“SDN, read the Penn Packet, and once I got there, research the background of my interviewer”
“read Penn website some, reviewed MSAR stats”
“Read my AMCAS, looked over the research, and if you’ve already had interviews elsewhere, just follow the normal procedure,” “.
“Read RDN, read UPenn website, went on 6 interviews before.”
“read their website, talked to a few Penn Medical students, read my Amcas, SDN, “
“reread AMCAS, read about the school, and attended the presentations and tours in the morning”
“sd, reread amcas, read their website, read up on ethics”
“Read SDN, penns website, my application, research goals, meditated.”
I went over my personal statement and the applicant information book to make sure I had any questions ready. Additionally, you can access all of the details on their website. “.
“researched upenns cirriculum 2000. “
“Looked over the school website.”
“Looked over the booklet they sent in the mail”
“SDN, school website and brochure”
“Read the Penn website, looked over AMCAS, and spent the previous night with a student.”
“SDN, school website, stayed with student host”
“SDN, talked to student hosts, Penn website”
“SDN, read over my AMCAS. Dont sweat this interview, its low-key. “.
“My last interview so I didnt do much prep.”
“Read research papers by my interviews. Practiced enthusiasm.”
“Read studentdoctor. I browsed the internet, read the AMCAS essay, and spoke with Penn MS2”
“I went to school in the Philadelphia region, so before I went, I knew a little about UPenn Med. I looked over their website. “.
“I read SDN, my application, the website, and spoke to my friend who is a first-year Penn Medical student.” “.
“Read the Penn website, SDN feedback, and had lunch with a second-year friend the day before.”
“Chatted with a friend at the school, read the PennMed quarterly magazine, and visited the school website.” “.
“SDN, Penn brochure, reread AMCAS app.”
“Perused the website, reviewed my application. “
Google, SDN review, the UPenn pamphlet, and arriving a day early to volunteer with MoveOn org to get out the vote for John Kerry. Heh, at least it worked in Pennsylvania. “.
“I looked at their website, SDN, interview feedback, and my AMCAS and secondary data.” “.
brochure, website, and conversation with the medical student I was lodging with, SDN
“went to numerous other interviews before this one”
“Printed stuff online. Found driving directions.”
“Read over UPenn brochure, read up on policy. “
“Read everything I could. Became fluent with my application. Mock interviews. “.
“Read through the application, SDN, and all the information in the UPenn brochure.” “.
“Re-read the old AMCAS, read about the school, and offered a bull to the Penn Gods”
I spoke with my student host and read about the SDN’s distinctive curriculum on their website. “.
“Read SDN and U Penn websites”
“looked at AMCAS, interview reports, PENN secondary”
“SDN, schools’ website, read up on healthcare (no questions of this nature were posed) and ethics books (again, the subject was not even raised) “.
“I talked to my host, read information on their website, and learned about their curriculum.” “.
“this website, ethics books, talked to current penn students”
“SDN, read application and schools materials”
“Read the information on the website and what was sent. Read information on SDN. Read news religiously. “.
“I simply knew myself and what I was about after reading the material.” Penn is more interested in the person, not just scores”.
“Read feedbacks, and relaxed. ensured that all preparations were made in order to arrive on time “.
“their website, sdn, talked to students”
“Read brochure, talked to students”
“I thoroughly researched Curriculum 2000, went over the website, and edited my AMCAS essay.” “.
“read over essay, CV, Interview Feedback. Someone said review international health policy — DONT BOTHER!!!!”.
“Read about curriculum 2000. Checked this website.”
“Looked over the web site, handbook”
“Read through the guide Penn sends all applicants.”
“Read the UPenn website, re-read my essay.”
“Reviewed UPenn admissions bulletin, website, curriculum”
“reviewed my AMCAS, learned about Curriculum 2000 from their website”
“I looked at the Penn website, received mailers, and talked to current Penn students who attended my undergraduate institution.” “.
“Both the faculty and the students expressed great enthusiasm for the institution and the opportunities available to them.” Many students came by to speak with us; it was very hospitable. “.
“Really nice facilities. The opening of a brand-new medical school, which is expected to be beautiful, is next year Additionally, the school places a lot of emphasis on teamwork and small-group instruction. “.
You interact with students frequently (mostly M1), and they genuinely want to make you feel welcome and important. Students are very approachable; everyone will inquire about your needs and make an effort to get to know you. Although interviews are very informal, they are still meant to get to know you. Both of my interviewers were knowledgeable about my file, had prepared questions, and were eager to hear my responses. They responded to my inquiries, and overall, it appeared to be a conversational interview. Students really love this school. I mean, REALLY love this school. Sincerely speaking, it seemed a little propagandistic at times, which brings me to my criticisms. “.
“Openness/relaxed atmosphere of the interview”
How enthusiastic everyone was, even passing medical students who stopped to wish us luck and inquire about Penn
“The curriculum, the faculty’s friendliness, the setting, the school’s reputation, and the residency matches”
“Students were happy, the curriculum was excellent, there was flexibility, life balance, and a great city”
“Great school! Able to see cadavers, dummys, simulations. Fun time!”
“Terrific interview day. Several students from all years (1st, 2nd, and 4th) were encountered during the tour, lunch, and pre-interview gathering. was able to talk to first-year students in the anatomy lab there. I learned a lot from the introductory meeting and enjoyed seeing the facilities at the simulation center. Interviews were conducted with a student and a faculty member; both interviews were cordial and amiable. The interviews at the end of the day, following the tour, lunch, class, etc., was also appreciated. because painted a complete picture of academic and student life. “.
“1. A MD was teaching four students some anatomy after five years of basic science and the first-ever lung transplant.
“Everyone was so happy and loved the school!”
The admissions office put a lot of effort into ensuring that applicants interact with students a lot. We watched an anatomy lab and talked to the students for an hour. Everyone I spoke to, who All Seemed Normal, Friendly, and Happy, Was Really Into Penn!”
“Great setting, and the students all seemed to genuinely love the school.” Group tests and starting clinicals in the 2nd year. “.
“Fantastic interview day! It was extremely organized. The fourth-year tour guides were so polished, and the students were dancing to music during anatomy class. “.
“It was amazing. There was no competitive environment because everyone was so happy and the students got along. The curriculum is excellent, and second-year clerkships are fantastic. They did a great job of giving us the impression that we were making the choice, not the other way around. Additionally, I thought it was great that both the faculty interview and the student interview counted equally. “.
“Everything! The UPenn SOM community is so friendly, and the majority of the interviewees were cool,” We engaged in conversation and exchanged sincere good wishes. “.
“friendliness of students, interviewers, and admissions staff. Structure of the interview day. Schools facilities”.
“The students and how happy they were. It’s one of the few times I’ve seen people who actually seemed content to be where they were. “.
“The admissions office really wants the students to ENJOY medical school. The students are so happy and enthusiastic.” “.
“just about everything! I loved it!”
“I really enjoyed the large campus and the city of Philadelphia. Everyone was so friendly, the facilities are great, and the curriculum seems to have been well thought out.” They also offer almost every joint degree possible :)”.
“the students were very relaxed. Given that Penn is such a great school, I definitely anticipated them to be more competitive. but everyone just seemed friendly and very down-to-earth. “.
“the facilities, the welcoming environment, the students, and the admissions staff’s respect for everyone invited to an interview” The only college where the admissions director congratulated students on being accepted into medical school We are confident that all of you will start medical school the following year. More importantly, you need to find the right fit for you. Penn is one of the nation’s top medical schools, if not THE best. I highly recommend this school; it should blow you away. “.
“UPenn is a world-class medical school. Penn’s health system is ostensibly very well-endowed, its location is excellent (if you like Philadelphia), and somehow the university does a good job of attracting intelligent, modest, hard-working, and enjoyable students. Fourth years chill. “.
“The campus is beautiful. The undergraduate campus, dental school, school of nursing, law school, etc. are all nearby the Penn Med School. The students seem very happy. The school reportedly has the best national board scores. “.
“Great interview schedule. Wonderful experience. “
“This was the perfect interview day schedule. Arrival at a respectable morning hour, and the day is not too far gone. When you have your interview, the admissions office will treat you well. even enquire online about any special dietary requirements for your lunch The students were excellent, but I knew that because I am a Penn undergrad. After the interview day, my opinion of Penn Medicine was even more favorable. “.
“The students were incredibly personable and grounded for such a smart and motivated group of people,” They were all enthused about their city, their classmates, and their school. I’ve never before had such a great time hanging out with medical students. “.
“This is the most amazing school. 1. After five years of classes, you will have six months to complete electives before the Match, allowing you to firmly decide what you want to do and obtain letters of recommendation. Additionally, everyone appears to be having a great time and the students are friendly. I would love to come to this school. It is my top choice without a doubt. Please, please let me in. “.
Only one and a half years of classes are required before beginning clinical rotations, and the fourth year is entirely free for electives. Excellent student-friendly curriculum
Facilities are excellent, small sections were friendly, and I had the opportunity to handle some patients with diseased lungs. “.
“global health initiative, students, city, administration, everything.”
“The opportunities at the school are incredible. They have an entire department devoted to global health, and last year, over 120 students received funding to participate in international projects. “.
“Everything. Their campus, curriculum, interview day, students, facilities. There really is no place like penn. In my mind its off the charts”.
“Amazing hospitals, amazing campus. They really sell dual-degrees. They promote travel abroad and arrange for your financial support. Only 1. 5 years of basic sciences and 2. 5 years of clinical. “.
“How friendly and outgoing the students were, and how down to earth they were.”
“Penn is apparently the place to be. They seem to have a well-designed, student-friendly curriculum. The facilities’ high caliber, the students’ friendliness, and the admissions office’s sincerity and warmth all impressed me. “.
“The way PennMed caters to its students. In addition, a new clinic is being built in West Philadelphia for the area’s uninsured residents; I mean, what school provides bagels to students prior to each exam? PennMed participates in community service and offers numerous opportunities, but some students struggle to take advantage of them. “.
Numerous extracurricular activities, certificate programs, the curriculum, and opportunities (#1 children’s hospital in the nation! ), are all taken part in by students.
The group of applicants was very social, and we had a great time chatting during breaks. Everyone was very positive and outgoing.” “.
“The facilities are nice, the curriculum is good, and the students were friendly and enthusiastic.”
“My interviewers were AMAZING. I expected Penn to have excellent facilities and enthusiastic students, but I was surprised by how laid-back and normal both my faculty interviewer and student interviewer were. “.
“Curriculum 2000 is awesome. The faculty & dean presentations were excellent. The integrated med/undergrad campus”.
“They put on a great show; the facilities are fantastic, the campus is lovely, and the chances for dual degrees seem fantastic.” “.
“Every single student I spoke to was incredibly happy and wouldn’t consider attending any other medical school,” Additionally, it appeared that the faculty genuinely loved teaching their students and running their school.
“Students were so excited, the facilities are excellent, and there is a ton of funding available,” “.
“Many welcoming students, and the chance for an additional six months of clinical time” It’s undeniably a huge draw, but it also comes with packing the first half of the school year into just one day. 5 years. “.
“Amazing facilities, 1. Students are happy and friendly, there are excellent joint degree programs, and the campus is integrated with Wharton and ugrad. The five-year science curriculum seems great.
The LEAP program is cool, the facilities are amazing and beautiful, Philly is a cool city, the students are smart, the curriculum is creative and well-thought-out, and there are tons of opportunities for research and travel (i) e. a lot of money; excellent clinical exposure; a long day but one that is well-organized with little downtime; delicious lunch “.
“Most efficient interview day I’ve ever experienced, with little downtime or unnecessary information.” “.
“They definitely try to sell you on Penn the entire time; whether it’s a facade or not just to persuade you to go, I have no idea.” Everyones extremely nice and organized. Philadelphia is not nearly as bad as people portray it to be. “.
Penn is incredibly well-organized; there is a thorough overview of the program, methods, and mission, a class observation, a succinct financial aid presentation, and a send-off as you depart. “.
“Almost everything. The facilities are good, and the students were really friendly. The school didn’t feel embarrassed to market itself, but it also didn’t push too hard. “.
“So much! My faculty interviewer was amazing! He clearly took the time to review my application and spent our time in conversation asking about topics that I care about. It was very conversational and comfortable. My student interviewer and I grew close quickly, so that went smoothly as well. Everyone at Penn seems thrilled to be there. Students kept approaching me to talk to me and tell me about Penn because I was wearing a suit, making it clear that I was conducting an interview. Additionally, we were able to visit the trauma room and anatomy lab. Other tours have been more basic. “.
“The faculty interviewer was really cool and down-to-earth. All day long, the students were very cordial, helpful, and pleasant. During the tour, we were able to see the anatomy lab, which was neat. “.
“The administration seems VERY responsive to students. The students seem generally happy, particularly with the 1. 5 yrs of preclinical coursework. “.
“Everything. The campus and facilities are outstanding, and the people are incredibly friendly. “.
“The students attitude of cooperation. Someone once told me that attending medical school with smart classmates who want to see you succeed produces better doctors overall. Additionally, UPenn’s emphasis on experiential learning really aligns with my perception of what medical school students should learn. Their curriculum has 1. condensed five years of science instruction into just two years 5 yrs of clinical experience. Brilliant!”.
“The current students were extremely laid back, friendly, and interesting. The facilities are well-kept, and students seem to like the curriculum design. “.
“Penn rocks. Amazing school, great facilities, good research. 3 semesters of class!! how awesome is that??”.
“Nice setup for the interviews. Very organized day, a bit long though. I enjoyed meeting the students and observing the anatomy labs in action. Additionally, this school has special events just for minority applicants, which is a unique feature. “.
“Everything! Everyone was super-friendly, the students who gave the tour and interview were really friendly, the minority department contacted me and asked me to stay for a “meet and greet,” philadelphia is a great city, penn is just awesome! Interviews are conversational, not stressful at all. lunch and breakfast provided, got to attend a class”.
“The interview went well because the person I spoke with asked good questions”
“The dean of admissions! See comments.”
The day was very well planned and organized, which was indicative of the entire PennMed operation. Everything they do is well-planned and very efficient. “.
“Philadelphia was beautiful. With a student discount, there is excellent Indian food just down the street. The “.
“I loved this school. The students were all very friendly and had wonderful personalities, and the staff was also very nice. We were allowed to observe a small group session, and it astounded me. The case they were studying was a part of the virtual curriculum, which meant that all the slides and information were on the web and projected onto a screen during class as well. There were two faculty facilitators present to ensure that everything was covered. In January of your second year, you can begin your clerkships. The hospital was nice, the curriculum seems ideal, and my student interviewer was outstanding. need I go on?”.
“EVERYTHING! Penn is an incredible institution. This is not a doctor factory, and talk about an endowment. Their curriculum is very innovative, the students are HAPPY, and the faculty and staff are very supportive of the students and encourage them to do whatever they want. Penn is a progressive university dedicated to assisting its students in achieving success and happiness. The university provides a wide range of opportunities for research, volunteer work, dual degrees, international medicine, and non-medical opportunities (you can take any class at UPenn). I would almost sacrifice everything to attend this impressive school. “.
“holy crap PENN ROCKS. The faculty really listens to the students, the facilities are nice, the VIRTUAL CURRICULUM, undergrad-grad-med campuses (campi?) are all together, allowing you to meet/interact/work with many different types of people, 1 1/2 years of basic science=early clinical rotations=kick a** boards, financial aid committee that’s willing to work with you, and the students seemed to love it there.
“The faculty and staff were very personable. They were so welcoming and kept checking on us throughout the day’s numerous presentations. “.
“Everything! U Penn is a great school. Students are REALLY happy there. The people I met while staying at a medical fraternity house were amazing. they advised me on how to ace interviews, but it turned out that they were very laid-back and conversational instead. NO HARD QUESTIONS at all. “.
They are VERY well-organized and provide a wealth of information to help you comprehend their curriculum, among other things. Attending a class is neat, and the students are very spirited. Additionally, the previous night I spent with a first-year student, who was very helpful and important in helping me form such a favorable opinion of the school.
“The campus is beautiful. The students seemed really excited to be there. The facilities are incredible. “.
The admissions staff really did a great job of showcasing the school, and they made it as understated as they could. The admissions director wore miniature devil horns in honor of Halloween, and her assistant wore cat ears. The students at Penn are exceptionally talented and unique, the school is integrated with the main campus, and the curriculum is accelerated to give you more time in the hospitals. Theres a lot to like. Additionally, my faculty interviewer and I were remarkably well matched. “.
“It was cool how everyone was so willing to help or answer any questions.”
“The students were very approachable and genuine,” There seems to be a good amount of free time at Penn, especially in the fourth year (many students finish their clinical rotations early) and the fact that everything is on the web is very nice. “.
“The students and admissions people are great. all very laid back. Research opportunities are everywhere. The idea of a single university is wonderful because everything is conveniently located there. Philly is a great city. Hospitals are top-notch. “.
“EVERYTHING. Interviewed at the other Ivy schools, Penn was just cooler. People are SUPERNICE and the facilities are incredible. The students are given the same respect as doctors who are still in training. Penn also treats the applicants like gold. I wanted to give the students a deposit right away because they are SO approachable and friendly.
“The admissions staff. They are the nicest Ive met. Additionally, they had information about the subjects of their interviews. “.
“EVERYTHING! cool students, well-organized, excellent training, absurdly flexible curriculum, they have LOTS of money, which results in nice facilities, abundant resources (which you can access as a student), campus is so much fun – lots of other graduate + professional students, great city with three classy martini bars within 50 feet of each other – this is my kind of city,” “.
The school is very wealthy, and they treat graduate students much better than undergraduate students do. For instance, the school offers breakfast to the medical students prior to each exam and a snack following it. Also, the curriculum is pretty sweet. It compels the students to be laid back. Actually, among all the medical students in Philadelphia, Penn students are known for being the most chill. “.
The Curriculum 2000 program appears to offer more opportunities to sample various medical specialties before submitting a residency application. Also, the options for joint degrees are amazing. HUP and CHOP (the hospitals) are very impressive. Philadelphia has a big city feel and can satisfy a wide range of interests. It was a lot safer than I expected. “.
“The RAH-RAH-PENN!!! attitude of all the students I talked to. Everyone there is ecstatic about the school and absolutely adores it. “.
“The administration and students were incredibly kind and tried to make us feel at home.” The curriculum is excellent, and they place a lot of emphasis on it. It is a nice blend of conventional and problem-based, clinical learning. “.
“The sheer size of the hospital”
“the resources penn has to offer, nice student interviewer”
“PENN IS AWESOME!!! Everyone, including the current students and other applicants I met, LOVES PENN! Its advantages are far too numerous to list, but it really rocks,” “.
“philly, penn students, research facility, faculty”
“Their students are enthusiastic about the school. They didnt seem too stressed out. And the class had lots of bonding. “.
“Overall enthusiasm of everyone. The environment is very supportive. The facilities are also wonderful, especially HUP and CHOP. “.
“The presentation by the dean on Penns curriculum.”
“The students seemed more relaxed than I expected.”
“Tight integration of university, hospitals, and medical school. All students were very enthusiastic, and forthright about UPenn. “.
“Everything! The faculty, students, and administration are incredibly friendly and laid-back, the curriculum is fantastic, and the research is superb!”
“The faculty and staff at the medical school’s willingness to sincerely assist each student (and applicant) The proximity of the medical school to the undergraduate campus and other graduate programs (Wharton, SON, Law) makes the setting ideal as well. “.
“I’ll agree with what others have said about how most students and interviewees attend Ivy League schools or other prestigious institutions. Penn is not the most diverse undergraduate institution or geographic location (many people seem to be from the northeast), though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Some people won’t be interested in this, but I believe it’s fair to inform those who are It’s a long day overall with all interviews taking place in the afternoon. Personally, I prefer morning interviews to get them over with. “.
My faculty interview was delayed by 15 minutes due to a mix-up. Consequently I couldnt get my full 30 minutes to interview. “.
“The lack of emphasis on primary care”
“I hear the weather is bad here. (minor complaint) Today was quite pleasant”.
I regret not having enough time to learn more about the work of the faculty interviewers. I suppose I’ll just have to visit Penn to carry on the conversation:)
“There are not that many black professionals in Philadelphia…”
“Some of the buildings were older.”
“Nothing really. Its a little cold, but thats what layering is for. “.
“Philly is kind of a crappy town.”
“Nothing at all, although all of my fellow interviewees were fairly tense and withdrawn the entire time because the interviews were at the end of the day. “.
“nothing except maybe the other interviewees. students seemed cool though.”
“thats its not in NYC.. haha but thats it. “
“Philly has really crammed roads. “
“Oh yeah, the airport SUCKS. Unless you enjoy waiting for your luggage for 30 to 40 minutes, bring everything with you. “.
“Before the interview, I had a very high opinion of Penn, so even though I’m sure their resumes were flawless, some of the current students came across as petty and immature.” Despite having no legitimate reason to be jealous of Harvard, Yale, or Columbia, students at Penn University mentioned an inner-ivy league envy for those institutions. The library for biomedical sciences is not up to par with the other facilities. Students bad-mouthed other Philly schools. Although admissions does a good job of representing the school, it comes across as forced or desperate. “.
“Nothing really. The weather, I suppose, but it wasn’t particularly cold; it was just rainy. “.
“Maybe the student interviewer, hard to read her. “
Philadelphia has a significant inferiority complex toward New York City, as does the faculty of the schools with Harvard, Hopkins, and Yale. My faculty interviewer was also pretty pompous. He mocked my career goals and said that if I were to answer his question, “Where do you see yourself in 20 years?,” he would prefer to hear, “Be in charge of the CDC, NIH, or UN AIDS Council.”
I suppose the lecture hall wasn’t as luxurious as Wash U “.
“Considering it is a top-rated school, the average graduation debt is 116k, which is rather high.”
Although the campus itself is beautiful, the areas around Penn are not particularly attractive.
“Philly was depressing, and I’ve heard from some Penn grad students that they don’t really want to stay for another four years for Penn Med because of the location.”
“Some of the students seemed a little nerdy.”
that it would take five months for me to find out if I had been accepted “.
“Rain. But thats the east coast for you.”
“Some of the faculty seemed a little cocky about how great the school is,” said one admissions officer.
“absolutely nothing. except that every other applicant came from an Ivy League university. “.
“Ok its about to get long. 1. The students appeared to be spoiled by the institution and to take advantage of its kindness. For instance, many of them complained about the LEAPP program, claiming that no one takes advantage of the opportunity to enroll in courses offered by other departments at the school. And a student actually told me once that you can’t teach someone empathy. My host, a student, was rude and antisocial. God bless his roommate who pretended to be my host. Additionally, aside from the fact that PennMed was a good school (i.e., highly ranked), most people I asked why they chose PennMed did not have any other compelling arguments. A second-year ambassador who joined us for lunch seemed incredibly resentful of everything. I am aware that neither I nor the other interviewers required that energy. “.
“The city outside the campus (it’s undoubtedly a city, and I’m sure it’s fairly safe)” “.
“Nothing really. Although the tour wasn’t as in-depth as at some other locations, I didn’t mind that. “.
The best school in the nation was mentioned at least ten times during the morning admissions talk, according to me. The amount of shameless self-promotion that was present really offended me. “.
“I thought they were exaggerating Penns assets. They made getting an MD/MBA sound simple, but a friend of mine at Penn Med told me that getting into the program without prior business experience or at the very least a background in economics is very difficult. Additionally, they appeared to be making an excessive effort to refute rumors that Penn students are competitive or under pressure despite the H/P/F grading system. “.
“Not much, I absolutely loved Penn”
“financial aid talk was a bit scarry.”
“The intensity of the students. Most were very friendly, but it was obvious that they were VERY into the rigor of their work. One of the girls criticized me for being careless because I spent some time that day attending a sporting event for a few hours. This seemed typical of the academic culture there, EIGHT days before a test, Yikes. “.
Housing is a bit far from the medical school (the majority live in Center City, a 30-minute walk away).
“I got the impression that the pre-clinical years are very stressful, even with the pass-fail Module 1 exams. Compressing all the pre-clinical coursework into a year and a half would be fine if Penn didn’t throw so many tests at you. Additionally, I was reminded of the neurotic, anal, and excessively intense pre-meds from college by the brilliant students. There will always be those types of students in medical schools, but Penn seemed to have a disproportionate number of them. However, I also encountered some really cool students who weren’t like that, so perhaps I was simply exposed to an unrepresentative sample of the student body. The first- and second-year students appeared extremely anxious and stressed out, despite the fact that the students claimed to love Penn and to be very happy. However, because the clinical years are flexible and really great, the third and fourth years seemed to be having a great time. So I guess it all evens out. “.
“Since it was my tour guide’s first time, he wasn’t particularly good,” “.
“Nothing. The only minor issue I can recall is that I met with two faculty members from New York who utterly disparaged my hometown of Boston. But everyone was so accommodating. “.
“Although I had heard that Penn’s students are very laid back and chill, a few I met weren’t – but I suppose every class has a couple gunners, right?” “Also, it was obvious that my faculty interviewer had only poorly skimmed over my application – he knew little-to-nothing about me, my motivations, etc. – so I had to do a lot of explaining, clarifying – and I felt pressed for time because “.
“Almost nothing, save that almost all the other interviewees were from the Ivies, which raises questions about how these schools choose applicants for interviews,” “.
In the very large interview group, some of the other candidates came across as a little snobbish. A group of Harvard/Yale students formed a small group and began discussing the houses/colleges they were in as well as the houses/colleges their fathers, grandfathers, etc. had attended. had been in. However, according to my friend who visits, the majority of them will not be admitted, so that’s not so bad. “.
“The compressed curriculum seems to make the first 1. 5 years pretty hellish. There weren’t many students I met who had free time to do anything besides study. “.
I’ve been attempting to think of something negative, but I can’t. The Black Key was the only thing I had to return, even though I really wanted to keep it. “.
There were too many potential students present on one day, preventing much interpersonal interaction. No big deal, though. “.
“i cant think of anything”
Some of the other interviewees were irritable and had high blood pressure. My faculty interviewer was a bit aloof and unprepared. “.
“I was the only non-Ivy interviewee that day. I thought the interviewees were a little bit stuffy. However, I did not get that impression from the students. “.
One of the students said she felt under pressure to participate in research and do more than “just family practice” because housing is a little pricey.
“some people were really pompous jackasses. this one neuroscience professor couldnt stop cracking jokes about prostitutes. I bet he bangs them regularly. “.
“The weather was a bit harsh. “
“The school seemed a bit stiff. Alot of students require remedial coursework to pass. “.
“You’d have to look hard to find something wrong with UPenn,” Since I’m from California, it was a bit of a shock that it was freezing when I went. Additionally, the cost of the school is somewhat high, and it will be difficult to wait until March for a decision. “.
“The elevators are awful. Really, really awful.”
“Kinda pricey. and it was colder than a witches areola. thats about it”.
“I tried to mentally prepare myself in advance because I had read from other students’ interview experiences that the day would be very long. However, I was still worn out by the end of the day, so be warned (ladies, avoid wearing high heels if you can!)
My faculty interviewer’s question (see above) had the effect of making me feel like my acceptance depended on how I specifically responded to that politically charged question and whether he approved of it. Other than that, very little negatively impressed me. “.
It was a really long day because we were there from 9:30 to 4:30. By the time the orientation is over, you are exhausted and really lack the energy to sit and listen to the final section (where some students come down to talk about themselves after the interviews). “.
“Nothing, really. Hearing the other applicants discuss their interviews, who they heard from, and who rejected them made me a little uneasy. “.
“Our tour was off to a great start with our fourth-year tour guide, but she then spent the entire time talking to one person on a personal matter, so I said, “Hello, how about the rest of us tagging along”.”
“That theres a required research project (Im not into research).”
“My interview with the faculty member was somewhat ad-lib. Clearly, she didn’t read my application, but perhaps that was the intended outcome. The interview went very well, nonetheless. The interview with the student took me by surprise. He was very polite, but started asking me some challenging questions without a clear right or wrong response. It definitely kept me on my toes. The interview went well overall, but I doubt he could have gotten a thoughtful and accurate response without having taken a lot of medical professionalism courses and having a lot of clinical experience, both of which Penn has. “.
“I detest the waiting before interviews, as I do with other interviews.” They were only a few minutes long, but they were still very stressful. “.
“Cost! Decent financial assistance, but not as good as say Dukes “.
“Penn students don’t have a very high match rate for some reason,” Im not sure why this is so. I’m a student who is constantly trying to get ahead, so something like this is kind of important. If Penn’s students were a little bit more successful, it would be my top choice. “.
“Students appeared to be slightly more stressed than at other locations I’ve interviewed at.” “.
I entered with no expectations and left thinking, “I WANT PENN!”
“I feel like all the students are made of the same stuff,” e. ivy league schools”.
“Nothing” (well, our lunch wasn’t the best, but that’s irrelevant). )”.
“the program didnt pay for my visist”
“The neighborhood. West Philadelphia is dominated by Penn for many blocks, but beyond that, it isn’t very nice. Housing on campus (even if not university-owned) would be nice. “.
We were shown around the school on the tour, but it was very brief and we didn’t see much of the hospitals. “.
“The facilities, while nice, fell short of my expectations”
“The interview day seemed a little disorganized.”
“Parking Difficulties, inner city Philadelphia”
“The scary stories of safety concerns about living in Philly.”
“During the student interview, there was plenty of time to ask questions, so we still had time after I had asked roughly seven questions.” “.
“How long the day would be, it was 9-4:30”
“The interviews were so relaxed. My sixth interview went better than any other school interview I’ve ever had. My advice is to remain calm because these are only conversations. “.
90% of HUP students are unaware of the location of Stemmler Hall, much less Suite 100. Its easier go around the hospital rather than through it. “.
“the thing ends at 4 not 3”
Wear comfortable shoes; I walked 5 to 6 miles that day while I was staying in Center City. “.
You can change your interview date if necessary; the admissions office is very friendly. “.
“That it would be such a laid-back day. Seriously, do not stress over this interview. Relax and just enjoy the people around you. Although it was my first, I can’t imagine having a simpler interview. My interviews for undergrad were WAY more formal. “.
“Not to wear heels. Lots of walking!”
“How much I would love the school.”
“how relaxed the interviews would be. did not feel as out of place as the SDN members who suggested they were an Ivy Leaguer “.
“How much I would LOVE Penn.”
“Lots of interviewees a day, ~25 people.”
“The bit about the airport.”
I ended up asking the student interviewer more than a dozen questions in order to pass the time. She may not have had enough interviewing experience, but she believed I could have conducted a better interview. “.
“How inbred the program seems. On the day of the interview, if you are not from an Ivy League institution, you will feel out of place. “.
“That after visiting the campus and getting to know the students, this would be by far my top choice.” “.
That I couldn’t swing a stick without striking a Harvard student It was pretty inmidating. “.
“I entered thinking that Penn was by far my top choice, but they were simply so much more impressive than I could have ever imagined, so I was pretty starry-eyed the entire day. Additionally, I stayed with a friend in the medical school who was wonderful and went above and beyond by inviting people over to talk to me. however, I wound up sleeping on the floor and didn’t get much sleep, which I believe affected how I performed in my interviews. “.
“That Harvard, Hopkins, or Columbia was the alma mater of everyone in the room “.
“that despite the fact that I may not have attended Hopkins or an Ivy League school, I wasn’t any less qualified than the other applicants who were interviewing”
“that penn loves people from california and yale.”
“That just because something is scheduled for the day before your interview, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will happen.” “.
Most students do not appear to worry excessively about grades. :)”.
“Be ready to be bored from 9:30 until 4:00”
Even though they give you a lot of information about the school, be ready to ask your interviewers the same questions again.
that the faculty interviewer had already decided to stereotype me and would not be listening to a word I said; that he would spend the majority of the interview trying to persuade me that Penn isn’t right for me; did he just waste my time? (i) e. What was the point of flying there if he was going to write that and I wasn’t going to get in?)
The undergrad, Wharton, law, and other Penn campuses are all close to the Penn Med campus. “.
“Instead of a taxi ($26), I could take the train for $5 from the airport straight to the school. 95 flat rate). “.
“that I needed to be able to recite Shakespeare.”
The train stops at the second stop (10 minutes away), and it costs $5 to travel to Penn from the airport. 50. “.
There are less expensive options than Amtrak to get from New York to Philadelphia. Apparently, you can ride NJ Transit from Penn Station to Trenton, where you can then transfer to the SEPTA. “.
“Theres no stress at all. “
How much input students have regarding the curriculum, student life, etc. The administration just seems awesome. “.
“UPenn doesnt have many public health and/or policy opportunities. If you’re interested, you can pursue this training after medical school. “.
“The interview group was enormous; I’m used to 7 to 10 people, but this group had about 30 people.” “.
“The interview day is super-long. They force you to attend numerous info sessions and lengthy tours. Also, there is no coffee at lunch. “.
“That CHOP was on the school campus.”
“Stemmler Hall’s admissions office is kind of difficult to find; instead of fumbling around, take a map or ask someone right away.” “.
“How welcoming and carefree the entire interview day would be.” At such a prestigious school, I was anticipating an interview day that would be more trying. “.
The campus is more difficult to navigate than you might think (possibly because they were working on a road there when I went, but i’m not sure)
“UPenns strong record of responding to student feedback.”
“Philadelphia is actually a nice city.”
The interviews are in the afternoon, so by that time you’ve already been bombarded with information for five hours. “.
“Get help; the rail system is not bad, just confusing if you don’t know your way around.” However, taking the train is the least expensive option, so learn where the stations are. Although they are expensive, you can call a taxi by dialing 215-333-3333.
When I applied, I was unaware that UPenn was a renowned or well-known institution. I figured that out a week after my interview. Also, I didnt know about their curriculum until the visit. “.
“Clinical resources seem pale in comparison to other Ivy schools.”
“That the students would be so cool. We could have talked for hours during my student interview, and about an hour after I left, she sent me an email to let me know she had a good time. “.
Not much, but be warned that Philadelphia can get very cold during the winter, especially if it’s windy. “.
“Don’t stress too much about the interviews because they are informal and brief compared to the rest of the day. “.
“U Penn is the best!”
“interviews are very late in the day. earliest i think is at 2:30. They usually last 45 minutes, so when my student interview was over, I hardly had time to catch my breath before the admissions secretary led me to my faculty interview.
Everyone advises you on how to behave, sit properly, and how to dress. which makes you stressed out and really nervous. I really ought to have been at ease because worrying makes you seem insecure. “.
“Philly trains do not run that often. I left Penn at 4:30 to travel to a station ten minutes away, and it wasn’t until 5:15 that I boarded a train to the airport. Leave early if you have to. Additionally, they will give you the opportunity to spend 40 minutes in the first-year students’ lab for anatomy. Take your chances with the smell. “.
Finding Stemmler Hall and entering the building is VERY challenging. Stay in Penn Tower if you can because it offers discounted rates for students and has a bridge to the hospital. From there, its not too difficult to find Stemmler. Simply exit where the large pyramid is outside after following the signs to Rhodes Pavilion, then proceed 50 feet outside to Stemmler. I didnt know this and tried to cut through hospitals. dont even try this because the security is tight. Also, both the faculty and student interviews are open-file. I’ve never participated in an open-file student interview, so this was interesting. “.
It’s a little challenging to enter Stemmler Hall without a keycard. Find someone to let you in. “.
I wished I could have stayed longer and visited with a dental student. “.
“The route from the hospital entrance to the building and the admissions office “.
“I knew the school was wealthy, but when I actually saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes.” If you’re a gym rat like me, ask your tour guide to show you the brand-new gym they built. I promise. “.
“Leave time to roam around Philly and explore the city:)”
If you’re driving into Philadelphia, be aware that I-76 is often congested during the standard rush hours. “.
“The campus is kind of confusing. Arrive early. “
“The interview are late in the day ~3p.m. “
You must exit the turnpike at the 476 sign if you are traveling from the West because otherwise, 76 will magically turn into 276 (there are no signs!) and you will end up in New Jersey. “.
When you arrive, they will inform you that only patients may park in the Penn Tower parking lot, despite their claims to the contrary. “.
“Getting up at 5:30 in the morning to take a train to Philadelphia is not fun.” If I could, I would invite a student to stay with me. “.
“How to use the subway properly”
“that I would be so impressed with Penn”
They appear to be particularly interested in learning why you can see yourself succeeding at UPenn and with Curriculum 2000. Know why UPenn is appealing to you. “.
“Seems like an amazing school, I was really impressed!”
“Everyone here loves Penn. Their catchphrase appears to be “everything sunny all the time, all the time.” “.
“Good experience :)”
I enjoyed the interview day and loved the school.
“Great school, I would love to go here. This school is fine; the only thing I wish was different is that the Pass/Fail system had lasted longer than the first six months. “.
“The interviewers’ occupation and interests may have been coincidental, but they matched my background,” The student interviewer let the conversation flow. The faculty interviewer asked a series of short, standard questions. Overall, I had a good time. “.
“Great interview day, great school, and happy students.”
“Great school, great day of interviews.”
“By far, this was my best interviewing experience to date!”
“I didn’t list any questions above because both interviews (faculty and student) were completely conversational and informal. There were no tricky questions. They simply wanted to learn more about me as a person and determine whether or not I would fit in well at the school. “.
Compared to the faculty interviewer, the student interviewer had less information about my file. “.
“Has become by far my #1 choice.”
“It was a great, relaxed interview. Everyone was wonderful; engage the students as much as you can because they are what makes this place worthwhile. It will be agonizingly painful to have to wait until March to find out. “.
“ask lots of questions. try to stay after for the activities they offer. Stay with the student as much as you can so you can ask questions. “.
The day began with a tour and financial aid presentation, and everything was very planned out.” A great time to interact with students from various years was during lunch. Interviews followed. Overall, a very packed day but very informative. “.
“Faculty interview is completely open. Student only had personal statement and activities, but no scores. “.
“Nice place. Very conversational interviews.”
The interviewer was cordial, friendly, and genuinely interested in the candidate. Standard interview questions were asked, but they were presented in a way that made them particularly interesting. What a great guy!”.
“One of the top medical schools in the world” “.
“The day was well-planned, and the interviewers were friendly and laid-back.” They simply want to get to know you, like all interviewers for medical schools do. During the financial aid presentation, which is extremely embarrassing, I dozed off a little. However, the dean who had been giving the presentation just came over to me and kindly asked if I needed any coffee because she understood how difficult traveling across the coast can be. “.
There were a lot of interviewees, but overall, the day was organized well enough that it was not a problem. Be relaxed, youll learn much about Penn. We even got to go to a brain dissection class. “.
“Stayed with students in Center City the previous evening, attended class with them at 8 AM, then participated in the official day’s info session, anatomy lab, tour, lunch (phenomenal view), and two interviews.” While the second interview was much more formal and with a faculty member, the first was extremely informal with a student. The faculty probably only glanced at your AMCAS application, whereas the student will have carefully read it. “.
“great school- large hospital system, very friendly admissions staff. student interview seemed awkward though. Statistics show that last year, out of 5,700 applicants, 840 were interviewed and 220 were admitted to the 150-person graduating class. “.
“I had the most at ease interview of the season during my faculty interview at Penn.” We recently discussed medicine, surgery, Penn research, daily life in Philadelphia, etc. Although it was more structured, my student interview was still informal and friendly. Both clearly read my AMCAS application because they asked relevant questions. “.
“student interviewer was very interesting and relaxed. the faculty interviewer was the most relaxed I have seen. He acted more like a peer than a professor because he was a resident. “.
“The city, the people, the culture, the campus, and the school left a very good impression on me. The facilities are beautiful. The possibilities for funded research and faculty access are unparalleled. The curriculum is also very flexible. One aspect of the financial aid presentation that I didn’t like was how it almost seemed to be selling UPenn as a reason why it was so expensive. “.
“Just wonderful. It was a well-planned, educational, busy day with excellent presentations, and everyone helped you get around everywhere. Just a great experience “.
“The admissions representative’s morning presentation was really strong and sold the school,” We spoke with first-years for about an hour in the anatomy lab. The tour was great, taking us through the hospitals. Then we had a faculty and student interview. My faculty interview was great and really intelligent. My student interviewer had spent time reading through my file and probing me directly about my application. Everyone was nice and loved the school. Great experience overall. “.
“Overall, it is a really long day. You get there really early in the morning. I regret being so intimidated by the fact that Penn was there. But as the day went on, I became more and more at ease, and by the time my interview rolled around, I was completely at ease and I believe I nailed it. “.
“My faculty interview was very relaxed and conversational. To judge whether or not I was doing a good job, I wasn’t really able to read him very well, but I believe it might have just been his personality. “.
“It was extremely well-organized, and your interviewers were selected with care.” You’ll go there and see what I mean, but the students seemed to have forgotten that they were at Penn for goodness sakes! The lunch was good, the information sessions were thorough, and the faculty seem to be very nice. “.
Breakfast, a chance to mingle with the other interviewees (about 20 of us), info sessions, attending an M2 class, a tour, lunch, and interviews were next. Everything was very laid back. Friendly staff and students were on hand to help you have a stress-free day. Student interview was very relaxed (the girl asked me essentially no questions). We conversed, but primarily about Upenn rather than me or my experiences. Faculty (clinician) interviewer was soooo nice. Probably my most enjoyable interview yet. Asked me easy questions and really seemed to like upenn. “.
The interview day begins fairly late, with breakfast and time to socialize with other candidates from 9:15 to 10:00. After that, there was a thorough and instructive overview presentation. The student-led tour and financial aid discussion followed. I appreciated the staff’s candor regarding debt and how to deal with it. Following lunch with the students, there were three 45-minute blocks of instruction. One was for a student interview and the other was for a faculty interview. I really enjoyed talking to both the student and faculty interviewers because they were both very nice people. The student conducted the interview by asking fairly standard interview questions, but in a way that made the exchange completely informal. Both interviewers appeared genuinely curious to learn more about me and determine whether I would fit in with the school community. I thought the interview went very well. “.
“both interviews were very laid back. Even though the interviews come after a day-long session where the school tells you everything there is to know about it, be prepared to ask both interviewers questions about the school. You may need to re-ask a question. “.
Throughout the somewhat lengthy day (9:30–3:30), they really make an effort to sell you on Penn. It’s a fantastic institution with outstanding faculty, but I didn’t think the students there were particularly impressive. I think the additional six months in the clinics are fantastic, and the students can pretty much match wherever they want. “.
“Overall great day, save for my ridiculous faculty interview, as I’ve already mentioned,” I relished the conversation with the friendly and enquiring student interviewer. “.
“Up until the interview stage, I had absolutely no interest in Penn. Before the tour and lunch, there is a lecture by a faculty member and information about financial aid. I wasn’t loving how wonderful everyone thought they were throughout it all. Lots of cocky attitudes. Therefore, by the time I arrived at my interviews in the afternoon, I wasn’t loving Penn. I somehow got the nicest and most fascinating faculty and student interviewers in the world. Great rapport, great conversation, no stress. All around wonderful. I had a different perspective when I left Penn than when I had arrived. “.
“Penn was great. They went above and beyond to ensure that the day was jam-packed with educational sessions and that there was little downtime. Still, it all seemed useful and worthwhile. The tour guide I had was excellent — possibly the best I’ve ever had anywhere. There were about 30 interviewees there in total. Student interviewer was very easy going. “.
Penn certainly gave off a good impression, but I believe this may be overstated They emphasize the dual degree opportunities in particular, but I believe they are exaggerating how simple it is to enroll in these programs. “.
“Guys truly dont worry about this interview, everyone is great. You get to pick the classes you want to attend with students, and they are all so kind and happy. I believe that Penn offers one of the best experiences available, and the people there do a great job of making you feel at home. The undergrad campus has a great vibe because the medical school is integrated into it. “.
“very positive, laid back, enjoyable.”
“Nice, organized day. The interview group is HUGE though–like seriously, enormous. The size of the group made me feel a little less engaged in the day, especially during presentations, which then felt like lecture class. All day long I kept looking at other interviewees and wondering, geez, have I even seen you before. It was great to go to anatomy lab with the students, and my interviewers were both wonderful. However, they were undoubtedly my shortest interviews ever—one lasted only half an hour, and the other was barely 15 minutes—so I felt a little hurried. All in all, though, a good day. “.
You will be interviewed by a faculty member and a student separately. Each is about 30 minutes long. There is no interrogation; they are simply trying to get to know you. The questions are easy-to-answer, and the whole process was very informal. I was even offered a diet Coke from the fridge in my faculty interviewer’s office, which I thought was pretty cool. Just relax and be yourself. “.
“Penn really has my attention; I can’t wait to hear from them!”
“This interview was a totally exciting and amazing experience. Out of about 20 kids, everyone is more accommodating than you could ever imagine, and I didn’t know anyone who had a bad experience. It was a group of faculty trying to win you over and a group of devoted students. “.
“My interview experience was great. Nothing was stressful because the day was very well planned out and organized. It was a very long day, but well worth it. The day began with breakfast and coffee, followed by the dean’s ppt presentation about the school, a class observation, a financial aid presentation, a tour (the tour guide was AMAZING; animated, knowledgeable, and cute), lunch (very nice! ), interviews, and good-bye. Now that I feel like I know a lot about Penn, it really does seem wonderful. “.
“I loved UPenn. If admitted, I will probably attend. Its a great school with great students and great facilities. It’s in a really interesting part of Philadelphia, but it’s close enough to other exciting, younger neighborhoods that you don’t have to live there. I cant sing its praises enough. “.
“Penn is fabulous. The faculty is passionate, the students are engaged and friendly, and the curriculum is distinctive. I would love to come here. I won’t know until March because they don’t have rolling admissions. “.
“I really enjoyed my time at Penn, but the more I pondered it afterward, the more anxious the students seemed.” The interviews themselves weren’t a big deal; they were casual and conversational. “.
“I was completely blown away by Penn. Because of the school’s stellar reputation, I was anxious going into the interview, but they did a wonderful job of creating a relaxed atmosphere. We had the opportunity to attend a class (an anatomy lab or a small group course), go on a tour (a quick overview of CHOP, HUP, and the neighborhood nearby), and eat lunch with a fantastic view. My tour guide was fantastic; she was a third year who was very knowledgeable. We had lunch with current students so that we could ask them questions. After lunch were the two interviews. There was sufficient time to speak with the other interviewees, all of whom were highly accomplished, affable individuals. Overall, I would have to say that Penn’s program puts together the most pleasant day I can think of. Additionally, the curriculum is effective and well-planned, allowing for 1 5 years coursework, 2. 5 clinical. “.
“Good student interactions through hosting experiences, attending classes, campus tours, and lunch conversations” The admissions staff was extremely organized and helpful, and the interviews were casual and enjoyable. Penn left a great impression!”.
“I was very impressed with Penn. The interview day was very well-organized and fun. “.
“It was amazing, and if I get in, I’ll probably attend the school there,” “.
It’s a fantastic school with a wide variety of pupils and teachers, I found it to be supportive and self avowidly “touchy-feely”. They are looking for students who will make an effort to learn in a setting that is very unstructured. The interviews were relaxed and conversational. “.
“The interview group is larger than most–30-35 kids. You have plenty of time to tour the facilities, talk to current students, and attend a class. Overall, the day was very well planned. One interview is with a student. The other is with faculty. “.
“Penn is an amazing place with fantastic facilities and opportunities. The school, students, and tour impressed me tremendously. This is a fantastic location to learn good medicine. “.
Penn is a fantastic institution that continues to promote the course of study. The pre-clinical portion of the curriculum has been shortened to 18 months, which gives you more time for electives, research, etc. later on. The campus and facilities are stunning, and the majority of the students appeared to be very content. The only drawback was Philadelphia, which is undoubtedly a less desirable city than other NE cities. “.
“It was fantastic! My faculty interview went very well, and the interviewer was very nice. The entire day was very relaxing. Being able to attend a class was wonderful, and the tour was very helpful and not overly drawn out. everyone is friendly and helpful. it was just a great day!”.
Well, I took the wrong exit and spent an additional two hours driving around Philadelphia. Despite the fact that my interview day began at 9:00, I arrived at Upenn at 11:00. I was a little irate when I arrived because Upenn had posted the incorrect exit signs. Anyway, I got directions to the university from someone there. When I arrived, I was greeted by a woman who offered to get me some food and coffee while the student tour was leaving for the day. aid. I must say that the hospitality at UPenn was phenomenal and it gave me a good impression of the school. Later, I found out that she was the Dean of Admissions. “.
“Very casual, and yet highly informative. Through the tour, lunch, presentations, and the class you sit in on, I had the opportunity to get to know a lot of students, which was great because they are all nice and approachable. The opportunity to observe a class, in particular, was wonderful. “.
“My interview was focused more on my weaknesses than accomplishments. Even though my GPA is in line with their average, I was asked to explain my marginal grades. “.
“I loved UPenn. This school far exceeded my expectations, even though I kind of expected it to be less than it had been made out to be. A quick breakfast is followed by a discussion of the curriculum, a visit to a class, a tour given by a third- or fourth-year student, a financial aid discussion, lunch, faculty and student interviews, and finally a wrap-up. The day is very long, but well worth it. I loved UPenn and would love to get in there. “.
“Outstanding. Gaye and Gail Morrison speak at breakfast (they are wonderful!). You attend a lecture, learn about student loans, and go on a tour. Your tour concludes with lunch with other students while you enjoy views of the Philadelphia skyline. After the faculty and student interviews, there is a wrap-up. not really informative kind of nice but kind of pointless. It’s been a long day, so be ready to be exhausted when it’s over. “.
Without a doubt, after interviewing there, I was very impressed with Penn (see my incredibly long list of favorable impressions below). We were warmly welcomed by the faculty, which is a significant improvement over some of the other east-coast universities I interviewed at. I left the house after a long day drooling and saying, “mmmmmm, Penn.” Best interview experience ever”.
Philadelphia is a thriving city, and UPenn is a really good university. Parking is extremely challenging here because so many people live here, and parking permits are exorbitantly expensive! Rent is expensive, so living a little further from school might be more cost-effective (many students reported living in Center City rather than West Philadelphia). The medical school is integrated with the undergraduate campus, though I didn’t get to see much of the campus. Talk to as many current students as you can, including those who serve as tour guides or just drop by for lunch. They are a great source of information and will share both their positive and negative opinions of UPenn. The faculty and staff are very friendly and warm. I asked a question about clerkships during my faculty interview, and he escorted me to the admissions office to get a definitive response. Even after my interview was over, he came to greet me and gave me his card so I could get in touch with him if I had any other queries. Although my student interviewer was actually very ill, he made an effort to respond to my questions as fully as possible. A group of fourth-year students gave the tours, which were very educational as well. It seems that beginning your clinical rotations in your second year’s second semester will give you more time to apply for and schedule interviews for residency programs. But I’ve also heard that the curriculum can be challenging at first because many traditional courses are taught over shorter time periods. We got to walk through the anatomy lab and sit in one of the second-year discussion classes. Overall, I would say that the day was excellent, despite being quite long. “.
“My impression is that the interviews served more to introduce students to Penn than to introduce Penn to us.” I’m unsure if this is a good or bad thing. In both of the interviews I attended, the interviewers spoke about Penn for more than half of the time. My faculty interviewer was particularly friendly. He provided me with information on where to eat and places to visit in Philadelphia. How cool is that? He even drew me a map showing how to get to all the famous Philly cheese steak joints.
“UPenn is a great school. The interview day is very well planned and gives you the impression that the effort they put into getting you an interview is equal to what you put into applying. My two interviewers (one faculty member and one student) were both quite talkative and had excellent conversational flow. I only felt slightly pressured on that last one. Overall, I am very impressed with the school and the students were great. They appear content there, which is always a positive sign. “.
“My student interviews was great. At the beginning of the interview, I was so anxious that my cheeks were burning; however, by the end, we were chit-chatting like old friends. She shared her thoughts on the school with me, both the good and the bad, which I appreciated because few people there talked about the drawbacks of attending U Penn. My faculty interview was definitely strange. As I entered the room, the interviewer offered me a piece of gum because he was chewing one. He then asked me a few questions from my application, but at times I thought he was being dismissive of what I had written in my personal statement. After that, we spent the entire time talking about Alaska (he had lived there and I had spent a few summers there). He gave me ten minutes of “my time” at the end and explained that he preferred not to call it “questions time” because that would encourage students to ask him questions that are typical of prospective students and to which they are likely already aware of the answers. So, we talked about Alaska the last ten minutes. I wasn’t expecting this interview, so I was surprised. No questions like why medicine, why Penn. By the end, I was genuinely unsure of whether the interviewer was genuinely fond of me or just making fun of me. it was hard to tell from his attitude. “.
“It was a nice experience. Even though the school sells itself, they made a lot of effort, and that meant a lot to me. I suppose the stress was more from worrying about keeping my suit nice until the afternoon, being uncomfortable because the buildings were hot, and worrying about getting in as the interviews themselves were not particularly stressful. “.
“The interviews were very relaxed. I conducted my interview on Halloween, which added to the eerie atmosphere. I found my student interviewer’s inventive questions about Halloween to be quite entertaining. The faculty interview was more serious, but not stressful. Simply understand why Penn and why medicine, and everything else will fall into place.
“Penn really impressed me. I entered the situation with some preconceived notions about the students’ level of competition and some unfavorable ideas about the curriculum. Dont believe the stereotypes. Penn University students are anything but competitive, and the program is excellent. Despite the fact that the fundamental sciences are condensed into just two years, students perform incredibly well on the USMLE (roughly 1 5 SD above the mean). At least not any more than they would feel after two years of basic sciences, they don’t feel like they’re being thrown into the clinics unprepared. Although the tour was relatively brief, the guides were fourth-year students, so we learned a lot. I cherished the fact that we had the option of attending either an anatomy lab or a dermatology lecture during our 45 minutes of class observation. Regarding the interviews themselves, they were very informal and conversational. no stress, no ethical questions. Basically, they pose a query and then build on your answer. Lastly, because my interview was on Halloween, it was fun to see the admissions staff dressed up, and we received free candy during lunch. “.
“Overall the interview experience went very well. The level of stress was a little higher than I had expected, but I suppose I should get used to it. No big problems. Great campus, opportunities, and people. I cant wait to go. “.
“Penn is awesome. Philly rocks and there is plenty to do. It’s great to be right between NYC and DC, but Philadelphia has so much to offer. “.
“I’ve been accepted and will undoubtedly attend because it’s a really nice school.” The staff and students I interacted with were very pleasant. It seems like a nice environment to be. “.
“I (heart) UPENN!!! Please take me! i love you. After visiting this school, I now consider it to be my top choice, even though I hadn’t given it much thought before partly because I didn’t think they’d consider me and partly because I didn’t know enough. “.
If only they had a slightly higher match rate, it would still be a great school and show what a little money can do. Penn is a (not the) top choice of mine. Anyone would be very happy to be there. “.
“The faculty interviewer was very friendly and made me feel at ease.” She had a thorough understanding of my application and asked me a few stimulating but not demanding questions. The conversation wasn’t as easy as it was with the faculty member because the student interviewer didn’t seem to know what we should talk about. It seemed like she wanted to clarify a few minor details from my application, but they weren’t particularly connected. The student interview was only ~15 minutes. Although there were many candidates for interviews that day, the admissions office staff was well-organized and effective. “.
“The entire interview was extremely relaxed and non-confrontational. It felt more like two conversations than two interviews. DO NOT SWEAT THESE INTERVIEWS. The entire day is spent trying to convince you to attend Penn (which, given the curriculum, is an easy sell), and it seems like they want you to use the day to decide if Penn is a good fit for you. If you have taken time off after college or have some special or unique experience (e.g., military service), please explain. Both of my interviewers used questions directly from my AMCAS app. g. military, like me) then expect to discuss it. Additionally, Penn seemed to go out of its way to pair me up with a student interviewer who was also unconventional and a faculty member who attended my alma mater, suggesting that they make an effort to pair you up with interviewers who share a characteristic with you. “.
You must have a thorough understanding of the teaching methodology and class structure at UPenn before enrolling. Otherwise, it was a pretty laid back day. “.
“Penn puts on an impressive show. The curriculum is very flexible, and the teachers are committed to helping the students. At Penn, one is free to pursue any interests they have, and the university will make every effort to facilitate this. A self-motivated student could study medicine there in a great environment. “.
“It was awesome. My top choice is Penn, so I was anxious throughout the interviews. Although they were polite, the questions were quite difficult in comparison to the casual conversations I’ve had at other schools. Make sure you know how you feel on healthcare issues. “.
“it was ok. some questions were pretty tough but fair. Make sure the information in your essays is supported by evidence.
“Faculty interview was kind of stressful.”
If the questions are compared to other interviews, the interview was generally good, perhaps even great. One 30-minute meeting with a student was actually a little more tense than a subsequent 30-minute meeting with a faculty member. The selection of the faculty member did not seem to be arbitrary. The questions asked did not seem evaluative. The faculty member only inquired about my interests and wanted to ensure that I was fully informed about the school. The student only wanted to see consistency with my personal statement. In my experience, the interview was merely an informational meeting with little to no evaluation, so I don’t think it will play a significant role in deciding who to keep and who to let go. “.
“This was a wonderful experience. Definitely a full day. The unique curriculum was explained well. Both my faculty and student interviews were wonderful, very relaxed. The facilities are excellent, and new construction is constantly taking place. And they offer full merit scholarships, so I suppose I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed for that. “.
“This was my fourth interview, and of all of them, the Penn people read my application the most thoroughly.” Almost every question I got was personalized. I fielded inquiries regarding my personal statement, my religion, and my experiences. Interviewers were definitely the most friendly and thoughtful Ive had. “.
“The interview day went well; it was very relaxed and educational.” The dean of admissions seems to genuinely want you to have a good time. “.
“Considering that this was my first interview, the day was overall very low stress, which was nice.” I had the impression that they were more interested in selling me on UPenn than I was in establishing my qualifications. “.
“The Admissions staff were very enthusiastic and helpful. THe faculty interviewer was very relaxed and converstational. The school and its curriculum are outstanding. Medical students are very welcome in the affiliated hospitals. “.
“Penn is great! I cant wait to start in August!!”
The interview program is among the best I’ve ever attended, being extremely thorough. It gives a great impression of the faculty, students, and facilities. Everyone was incredibly open to answering inquiries regarding Penn and medical school in general. “.
FAQ
How long is the hiring process at Penn Medicine?
The hiring process at Penn Medicine takes an average of 30 days when taking into account 201 user-submitted interviews across all job titles, according to the company’s FAQs on interviews.
What are 5 questions I might be asked at an interview?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Walk me through your resume.
- How did you hear about this position?
- Why do you want to work at this company?
- Why do you want this job?
- Why should we hire you?
- What can you bring to the company?
- What are your greatest strengths?
What are 3 strong interview questions you may ask at an interview?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why do you want this job?
- In five years, where do you hope your career will be?
- What’s your ideal company?
- What attracted you to this company?
- Why should we hire you?
What are the 3 most popular questions asked at any interview?
- What Are Your Weaknesses? …
- Why Should We Hire You? …
- Why Do You Want to Work Here? …
- What Are Your Goals? …
- Why Did You Quit Your Job (or Why Are You Quitting It)?
