Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Interview Practice Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why veterinary?

Why Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine?

What challenges do you anticipate in this school?

What would you do if a client cannot afford emergency pet surgery and your clinic requires payment upfront?

What clinical experiences have you had?

With AI increasingly used in veterinary diagnostics and record-keeping, how should New York veterinarians balance technological efficiency with the responsibility to verify AI-generated recommendations?

How does Cornell's One Health approach to veterinary education align with your career goals?

Given the high cost of veterinary education and consolidation of practice ownership, should New York regulate practice acquisition by corporate entities to preserve independent veterinary medicine?

What are you reading right now?

If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?

Tell me about your research.

How would you handle corporate pressure to prioritize expensive treatments and meet revenue targets?

What specific aspects of Cornell's Problem-Based Learning curriculum appeal to you?

How should New York address the ethical implications when wealthy urban pet owners can afford advanced veterinary procedures while rural livestock operations struggle to access basic veterinary services?

Why did you choose your undergraduate institution?

How should New York veterinary schools balance training for companion animal practice versus the critical need for food animal veterinarians to support the state's agricultural economy?

What was one personally touching volunteer experience you had?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

How would you take advantage of Cornell's teaching hospital being one of the largest veterinary facilities in the world?

What would you do if a client wants expensive end-of-life treatment for their pet but is financially struggling?

What specialty are you interested in?

Should New York veterinarians practicing in specialty areas like oncology or cardiology be required to provide pro bono services to maintain their licenses?

Tell me about a time you failed.

Should New York create alternative licensing pathways for foreign-trained veterinary faculty who are board-certified but never took NAVLE exams?

What draws you to Cornell's emphasis on research integration throughout the DVM curriculum?

Teach me something.

How do you work in groups?

How would you handle suspected animal abuse when reporting might result in euthanasia?

What was your most challenging experience?

What are veterinarians' ethical obligations to pursue optimal care when comprehensive diagnostics are financially impossible for owners?

How does Cornell's location in the Finger Lakes region support your interest in veterinary medicine?

Should the US fund programs providing free basic veterinary services to low-income pet owners?

What do your parents do?

What is your favorite movie?

Tell me about a time you experienced a team conflict and how you resolved it.

What would you do if a client requests euthanasia for a healthy, adoptable pet?

Which of Cornell's specialized centers like the Animal Health Diagnostic Center interests you most and why?

Is it ethically acceptable for veterinarians to perform convenience euthanasia for healthy animals due to behavioral issues or owner circumstances?

How would you keep yourself up-to-date on veterinary education once you begin practicing?

Should the federal government impose stricter animal welfare standards for agricultural animals?

Tell me about a time you changed your mind after learning new information.

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

How would you contribute to Cornell's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine?

How would you prioritize care when multiple critical cases arrive simultaneously?

What is one thing you want to highlight about your application?

What are veterinarians' ethical obligations when they suspect animal abuse but lack conclusive evidence?

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a teammate, supervisor, or friend.

Should the US create a federal program providing veterinary care to low-income pet owners similar to Medicaid?

What aspects of Cornell's clinical rotations structure appeal to your learning preferences?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

What is your worst habit?

How would you handle a situation where treating an injured wild animal means lifetime captivity?

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for someone who wasn’t being heard.

What are agricultural veterinarians' ethical obligations when farm economics dictate animal welfare decisions?

How does Cornell's mission to advance animal and human health through education and discovery resonate with you?

Should there be regulations limiting veterinary practices' ability to require upfront payment for emergency care?

How would your friends describe you?

If your life were a movie, what would the theme?

Tell me about a time when you were impacted by miscommunication.

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

Why is Cornell's collaborative environment between the veterinary college and other Cornell colleges important to you?

What are veterinarians' ethical obligations regarding breeding practices when treating breed-related health problems?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Should there be federal regulations restricting breeding practices that compromise animal welfare?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

What do you think makes our program unique?

What do you do if a colleague has a substance abuse problem?

How do you handle failure?

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected others. What did you do?

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

How do you relate to our mission?

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

Where do you plan to practice?

What would you do if someone in a group project falsified data?

Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex scientific concept to someone without a science background. How did you approach it?

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

What are Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's values?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

What are your values?

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural differences in a team or work environment.

What would you do if a group member isn't doing their part?

Why do you want to go to school in Ithaca?

Should healthcare institutions implement mandatory unconscious bias training for all staff and students?

What negative feedback have you received?

Do you think pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to advertise drugs to consumers?

Describe a time when you identified an unfair policy or practice and took action to address it.

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

What ethical issues do you think will impact you as a healthcare professional?

Should patients have the right to request a healthcare provider of a specific gender, race, or cultural background?

Describe a time you had to respect someone's autonomy even when you disagreed with their choice

What are your thoughts on the role of private vs. public healthcare?

What does “success” look like to you?

What would you do if a patient's family requests you not tell the patient about their diagnosis?

Tell me about a time when you recognized a personal limitation or weakness that was affecting your performance. What did you do about it?

What do you think about stem cell research?

Do you consider yourself culturally competent?

Do you believe diversity is important in a healthcare setting? Why or why not?

Describe a moment when you connected with someone who was going through a difficult time.

What would you do if a coworker is taking credit for your work on a group project.

How willl you contribute to the diversity of our school?

Who should receive an organ transplant: a convicted felon or an uninsured mother?

Describe a situation where you had to maintain professionalism under difficult or frustrating circumstances.

What role should technology and AI play in the future of healthcare?

How do you handle stress?

What would you do if a team member isn’t contributing on a group project?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

Do you think it's ever ethical to lie to a patient?

What are your strengths?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

Walk me through a period when you were overwhelmed with responsibilities. How did you use to get through it?

What would you do if a colleague comes to work smelling of alcohol?

What are your weaknesses?

As AI becomes better at diagnosis than human doctors, should we rely more on AI decision-making?

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?

What would you do if a teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Should people with unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., smokers, heavy drinkers) have reduced access to certain treatments?

What community service activities have you done?

What would you do if your employer forced you to work over Thanksgiving weekend, interfering with your family plans?

What do you do for fun?

Can compassion be taught?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

What would you do if a colleague of yours made a mistake and doesn't want to tell the patient?

Tell me about a skill or knowledge area where you've shown significant improvement over time. What was your learning process?

Should healthcare workers strike if working conditions are unsafe for them or their patients?

What do you think are important qualities for a healthcare professional?

You're at a party and a friend insists on driving herself home, even though she has been drinking. What do you do?

What are three words people who know you would use to describe you?

Should students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive preferential admission to health professions programs?

Who is your role model?

While volunteering at a community center, a family refuses to vaccinate their children due to religious beliefs. The father quietly tells you he disagrees but fears community backlash if he consents. What do you do?

What is your biggest regret?

You’re working in a research lab when you discover that your supervisor has failed to report a conflict of interest—he’s consulting for the company funding the study. You depend on him for a strong reference for grad school. What do you do?

What makes you special?

A colleague you respect makes a dismissive comment toward a patient from a marginalized background. You know confronting them could damage your working relationship. What do you do?

What is your biggest fear?

A grateful patient leaves a $100 gift card and a thank-you note at the front desk addressed specifically to you. What do you do?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

You’re walking out of a coffee shop when you notice someone drop their wallet. You pick it up and realize there’s a large amount of cash inside, but no ID. You also notice the person quickly leaving in a taxi before you can call out. What do you do?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

Your roommate confides in you that they have been struggling with depression and occasionally use prescription medication that was not prescribed to them. They ask you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

What is your learning style?

You’re catching a ride home from a friend who begins texting while driving. When you ask them to stop, they brush you off and say, “Relax, I do this all the time.” How do you respond?

How do you study?

A close friend in your study group admits they copied answers from another student on a recent exam but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

How might the transition to this school affect you.

You see a friend post misleading health information on social media that’s getting lots of attention. How do you handle it?

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

You accidentally receive an email from your supervisor that contains private performance evaluations, including criticism of a close friend. Later that day, your friend mentions feeling anxious about whether management trusts them. What do you do?

What will you do if you do not get into this school?

A patient you've been working with for months asks you out on a date. How do you handle this?