Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus Interview Practice Questions

Tell me about yourself.

Why medicine?

Why Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus?

What challenges do you anticipate in medical school?

What would you do if hospital billing delays emergency surgery for an uninsured patient?

What clinical experiences have you had?

Should physicians be ethically obligated to practice in underserved South Carolina communities if they received state-funded medical education or participated in programs like MUSC's rural health initiatives?

What specifically attracted you to Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus over other osteopathic medical schools?

Given South Carolina's high maternal mortality rates and limited access to obstetric care in rural counties, should the state require medical students to complete rotations in maternal health regardless of their intended specialty?

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 productivity quotas that compromise quality of care?

How does VCOM-CC's emphasis on rural and underserved healthcare align with your career goals?

South Carolina's refusal to expand Medicaid leaves 38% of Black residents and 52% of people of color at risk of falling into the coverage gap, unable to qualify for either Medicaid or ACA premium assistance. What ethical responsibilities do physicians have to advocate for Medicaid expansion when treating uninsured patients who fall into this coverage gap?

Why did you choose your undergraduate institution?

Should medical school be tuition-free in the US?

What was one personally touching volunteer experience you had?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

What do you know about VCOM-CC's systems-based curriculum and how does it match your learning preferences?

What would you do if a patient refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs?

What specialty are you interested in?

How should South Carolina address the ethical implications of using international medical graduates to fill physician shortages in rural areas while domestic medical school graduates struggle to find residency positions in the state?

Tell me about a time you failed.

Should the US transition to a single-payer healthcare system?

How would you contribute to the collaborative learning environment that VCOM-CC promotes?

Teach me something.

How do you work in groups?

How would you approach a situation where a patient's DNR order conflicts with family wishes?

What was your most challenging experience?

Do physicians have an ethical obligation to provide care to uninsured patients beyond emergency stabilization?

What aspects of living and studying in Spartanburg, South Carolina appeal to you?

Should physician reimbursement shift from fee-for-service to value-based models?

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 you notice a colleague treating patients differently based on gender?

How does VCOM-CC's mission to improve healthcare in Appalachia and rural communities resonate with your personal values?

What are physicians' ethical obligations when hospital policies prioritize revenue over patient welfare?

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

Should the US implement stronger regulations on pharmaceutical pricing?

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

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

What do you understand about VCOM-CC's early clinical exposure and how will this benefit your medical education?

What would you do if you suspect child abuse but the explanation seems plausible?

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

What are the ethical obligations of physicians when pharmaceutical companies offer payments for prescribing or promoting their medications?

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

Should there be federal regulations limiting the growth of corporate ownership of physician practices?

How would you take advantage of VCOM-CC's research opportunities and community service initiatives?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

What is your worst habit?

How would you allocate limited medication supplies among multiple patients who need treatment?

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

Is it ethically acceptable for physicians to operate concierge practices that charge annual membership fees, effectively creating two-tier care?

What draws you to osteopathic medicine specifically at VCOM-CC rather than allopathic medical schools?

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

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?

How do you see yourself fitting into VCOM-CC's close-knit student community and supportive learning environment?

What are physicians' ethical obligations when insurance companies deny coverage for treatments physicians deem medically necessary?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

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?

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

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 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus's values?

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

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 Spartanburg?

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

What negative feedback have you received?

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

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 doctor?

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 role should technology and AI play in the future of 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?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

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

How do you handle stress?

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

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

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

What are your strengths?

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

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 teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

What are your weaknesses?

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

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

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

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Can compassion be taught?

What community service activities have you done?

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

What do you do for fun?

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

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.

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

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

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

What do you think are important qualities for a doctor?

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

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?

Who is your role model?

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 regret?

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?

What makes you special?

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 your biggest fear?

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?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

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?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

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?

What is your learning style?

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

How do you study?

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?

How might the transition to medical school affect you.

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

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

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