Are you a medical school hopeful preparing for your upcoming interview with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)? The interview process can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, as you compete with other qualified applicants for a coveted spot in the program.
One of the key factors in determining your admission is the VCOM interview acceptance rate. With so much riding on this one event, it’s essential to understand the factors that contribute to a successful interview and maximize your chances of acceptance.
In this article, we’ll explore the VCOM interview acceptance rate, highlight common pain points for applicants, and provide practical solutions to help you ace your interview and secure your spot in the program.
What is VCOM Interview Acceptance Rate?
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) has an interview acceptance rate of 53%. Every year, VCOM interviews 300 applicants, and only 160 interviewed applicants are accepted into the program. While this is a pretty decent acceptance rate, it is important to note that admission to VCOM is based on a variety of factors beyond just the interview.
There are a variety of things that are considered during the VCOM interview process. In this article, I will show you what the VCOM interview questions are like, how to be fully prepared, and some important details to keep you in the 53% of applicants that get accepted after their interview.
VCOM Interview Questions
The following is a list of VCOM interview questions that you may be asked when you go for the interview:
Questions about your personal life
- Tell us about yourself
- What challenges have you dealt with in the past and how did you overcome them?
- Have you held any leadership roles before? How did you fare?
- What’s your strategy for dealing with stressful situations?
- What is your learning style?
- What’s your definition of success?
- You got a “B” in this [course example], did you struggle with the course? What did you learn?
Questions about career and osteopathic medicine
- Why do you want to study osteopathic medicine?
- What other options would you go for aside from osteopathic medicine?
- What do you think makes a great physician?
- Why do you want to become a physician?
- What was your favorite/least favorite academic class in undergrad?
- Tell us about the research you conducted during your undergraduate days
- If a parent refused a blood transfusion for their child due to religious purposes, but the child would die without it, what would you do?
- Why did you pick your undergraduate major?
Questions about medical school
- Why did you apply to VCOM?
- Aside from VCOM, geographically, what school would you rather go to?
- How did you hear about VCOM?
- What’s the best way for medical schools to educate potential doctors?
- What experience do you have with OMM?
- What is your support system been like on your journey to medical school?
- What do you think society expects from physicians?
- How do you see yourself fitting into the mission of this school?
Questions on Healthcare
- Are you curious about the most effective ways for physicians to handle non-compliant patients?
- Have you ever wondered about the biggest challenges currently facing the healthcare industry?
- Do you think healthcare providers should adopt a multicultural approach to medicine, or is a one-size-fits-all approach still effective?
- Are you interested in exploring solutions to improve the quality of healthcare in the United States?
- What do you think a doctor should NOT do as a community leader?
- Suppose you were shadowing a resident as a pre-med student and witnessed any unethical behavior, what actions would you take to address the situation?
Please note that these questions are not based on your interviewer’s perspective, desire, and your responses, these questions can be changed or presented in a different format. The questions are to help you prepare but not in a totally-dependent format that suggests the exact questions you’d be asked.
While rehearsing the questions is a great way to prepare for your VCOM interview session, there are a couple of things you should do to be better prepared.
Things to do Before and During your VCOM Interview Session
Aside from the VCOM interview questions I have outlined above, there are other things you should do before and during your VCOM interview session to get yourself fully prepared. These include:
- Studying about VCOM
- Discussing some of the questions with established professionals for personal insight
- Be punctual
- Dress properly
- Be confident and don’t slouch
- Answer thoughtfully
Studying About VCOM
It’s important to research and learn as much as you can about Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) before your interview. This includes understanding their mission, values, curriculum, and any notable achievements or initiatives. This will help you answer questions more confidently and show that you are genuinely interested in attending VCOM.
Discussing Questions with Established Professionals
If you have access to healthcare professionals or students who have gone through the VCOM interview process, consider discussing some of the potential interview questions with them. This can provide personal insights and experiences that can help you better understand what the interviewers are looking for and how to answer effectively.
I’d personally recommend that you talk to medical practitioners, especially about questions that border around ethical practices, the medical profession, and healthcare.
Be punctual
Arrive early to the interview to avoid any unnecessary stress and demonstrate that you respect the interviewers’ time. Being late or arriving just on time can make a negative impression and suggest that you are not taking the interview seriously. The medical profession requires promptness and coming early sends that message across.
Dress properly
The way you dress is the way you’d be addressed. You would have to dress in a professional and appropriate manner for your VCOM interview. This shows respect for the institution and interviewers, and can also help you feel more confident. I hardly feel comfortable in an interview when I am not properly dressed, even though I answer the questions well.
Be confident and don’t slouch
During the interview, maintain good posture and speak clearly and confidently. This can help you come across as competent and self-assured, which can positively impact the interviewer’s perception of you.
Answer thoughtfully
Take your time to consider the questions before answering, and make sure your responses are thoughtful, articulate, and relevant. This shows that you are reflective and analytical, and can also help you stand out from other candidates. Don’t be in a hurry to answer no matter how sure you are of the answer. However, do not be too slow. Speak smartly and ensure your answers are thought-driven.
What potential biases should interviewees be aware of when attending an interview at VCOM?
One major bias I got from people who have gone through the VCOM interview process is the fact that the interview session is usually centered around the student’s personality more than their educational qualification. Although it is common for interviewers to focus on your personality at interviews because your qualification already brought you to that point.
What you need to know is that interviewers want to know you and not just the MCAT, GPA, and ACT you present to them. The medical profession deserves people of quality in character and integrity. So for your interviewers at VCOM, who you mean the most to them at the interview stage and not your educational qualifications?
They want to be sure that they are about to admit quality candidates with the overall aim of improving healthcare in the country.
FAQs
How many people does VCOM interview yearly?
VCOM schedules approximately 250 – 300 applicants for interviews. These applicants are interviewed for a class size of 160 students.
What is the average MCAT score for VCOM?
The average MCAT score for VCOM is 500. In the last admission window, VCOM accepted students that had MCAT scores around the range of 500 to 510.
What is the average GPA for VCOM?
The average GPA for VCOM is 3.5 to 3.6. You stand a good chance of getting admitted to VCOM if you have a GPA that’s above 3.6.
Conclusion
The interview process at VCOM is an essential step in the admissions process that helps the institution identify the most qualified candidates for their programs. While the acceptance rate for VCOM interviews may seem good, it is essential to remember that the admissions committee evaluates each candidate holistically and considers multiple factors, such as academic performance and personal attributes.
By thoroughly preparing for the interview, being aware of potential biases, and presenting your best self, you can increase your chances of receiving an acceptance letter from VCOM. Remember, the interview is an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and demonstrate why you would be an excellent fit for the institution, so embrace the process and approach it with confidence.