Albuquerque, NM
Allopathic Medical Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 38% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.2
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 184 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (72%)
Negatively (13%)
No change (15%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (28%)
Good (56%)
Average (14%)
Poor (3%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly shared feedback about the emphasis on primary care opportunities at the school, the conversational and laid-back nature of the interviews, the welcoming and friendly culture of the program, and the focus on community involvement. Some applicants mentioned the need for clearer communication about the interview day itinerary and travel arrangements, as well as varying experiences with interviewers' styles and the facilities.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Don't apply unless you're a New Mexico resident or interested in primary care. Doesn't seem like they have great opportunities for other specialties beyond primary care
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The interviews are basically conversations and they will ask you about your specific experiences and to elaborate on the answers you provide. If you put it in your app be prepared to explain it. Not only why you did something, but why you didn't, so look for what could be missing/ low in your application.
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Hopefully they will stop using the second interviewer I had because she did not cast a good light on the school or on the application process, especially since she spoke badly about her students during the interview.
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The interviewer wanted very specific answers. Told me it was going to be the hardest interview of the cycle. They made a point to interrupt me throughout the entire interview, cutting off my answer if they were not interested. Wished I would've seen it coming and not been as flustered.
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This is a really neat program! I think the culture is what makes UNM stand apart from other schools. I think UNM receives less credit than its due, and anyone would be fortunate to attend here!
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
55 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.1 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
74% Open-File
26% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
UNM-COMP interviews are an average of 55 minutes, with an average of 2.1 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 26% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the major health issues facing a specific region, such as New Mexico, reasons for choosing medicine or a particular specialty, strengths and weaknesses, and how applicants would address healthcare challenges. Some responses suggest an MMI format where questions on diversity, talents, and hypothetical scenarios are presented, possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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"what is a health problem that specifically affects New Mexico?"
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What are some of the major health concerns facing New Mexico?
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What are the biggest public health issues facing New Mexico and how would you change them?
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Why do you want to practice medicine in New Mexico?
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What are some current healthcare problems that New Mexico faces and what can we do to fix them?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of New Mexico School of Medicine discussed various topics such as handling concussions in football, ethical scenarios involving patient care, the integration of personalized genomic medicine to reduce costs, and the challenges of healthcare in New Mexico, with some tailored questions based on individual applications. The interview format may have been MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) due to the diverse range of questions, and respondents may have been under a nondisclosure agreement based on the nature of the questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How many schools have you applied to, and what is your top choice? (not exactly questions I believe should be asked during an interview)
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If you had a patient who received a concussion during football, what would you say to his parents? What are your personal opinions about concussions and football?
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N/a
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Do you see yourself working in a community or academic setting?
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How do you think you would do in a rural setting?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by re-reading their primary and secondary applications, researching healthcare issues in New Mexico, reviewing the school's website and specific programs, practicing common interview questions out loud, and seeking advice from current students or healthcare professionals. Many also utilized resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), read books on healthcare administration, and engaged in mock interviews to feel more confident and prepared for the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Re-read my primary and secondary, looked up health issues in NM
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Read a lot of books on health administration, looked over New Mexico's state public health plan
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Spoke with a current UNM student, read all about UNM, read An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal, prepared outlined answers to 200+ typical interview questions/questions listed on this website that are specific to UNM, found interview clothes that are comfortable and wore them in advance to ensure comfort, practiced my hairstyle in advance, did a mock interview in my interview outfit, practiced interview answers OUT LOUD (it makes a huge difference than just writing them down on paper or computer. Make sure to practice speaking!), etc.
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N/a
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SDN interview questions, NM Department of Health website, read Healthcare Handbook (latest volume available), UNM SOM website (for school specific questions), advice from current students
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of New Mexico School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics such as health care policy, end-of-life conversations, career choices outside of medicine, advancements in medicine, handling paperwork in clinical settings, influencing legislation on healthcare reform, technology's impact on rural healthcare, and personal reflections. The interview format may have been an MMI with some respondents mentioning nondisclosure agreements, while others emphasized the importance of preparing for questions related to healthcare in New Mexico specifically.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Many questions. Was grilled on health care policy and factors relating to the roles of doctors, insurance agencies, and hospital administrators. The interviewer wanted to know the exact statistics.
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I was asked specifically what types of conversations I had with family members of hospice patients concerning end-of-life. It was a little out-of-left-field, and definitely not something I was prepared for.
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N/A
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If you could not become a physician, what career would you pursue?
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What do you think is the most important advancement in medicine and why?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and enthusiasm of the students, faculty, and staff at the school. They also appreciated the emphasis on early clinical exposure, problem-based learning, state-of-the-art facilities, and the supportive and collaborative atmosphere among students and faculty. Suggestions included further promoting the unique aspects of the program and enhancing facilities to accommodate future growth.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They matched me really well with one of my interviewers ie interested in her specialty, went to undergrad at the same place, seemed like they wanted me to interview with someone who would get along with me very well
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Cost of school, cadaver lab, new facilities, extensive clinical experience, generally happy and adventurous students,
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The students, faculty, and staff were all so friendly! I love the culture at the school.
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Not a whole lot other than the fact that the people I ran into were really nice.
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Students seem really passionate, students seem very engaged with campus activities, admissions office staff was very friendly.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were consistently unimpressed by disorganization, lack of professionalism, and a perceived lack of care for the interview experience at UNM. Suggestions included improving interview preparation and organization, providing more informative tours, and enhancing the overall professionalism of the admissions staff and faculty.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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My first interviewer asked very biased questions. He also couldn't figure out zoom format and I could barely hear him. UNM seems very disorganized/unprofessional as an institution. This school feels like a last resort for many people. During the med student Q&A someone asked why they chose UNM and every single person said it was the only place they got into.
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My second interviewer clearly did not care about the interview, took no notes, arrived 15 minutes late, and only spoke to me for about 15minutes. She asked me about my top choice and then left.
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The school did not seem to really care about the interview experience. Seems like they do a lot more for the 2nd look visit.
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The issues with safety and the lagging technology (UNM is very inexpensive, so they aren't at the forefront of medical school technology)
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Most of the interview day. It started in a dinky little classroom where we were welcomed by someone who went over some of the highlights of the school. She did not have a presentation. She just sat at the same table as us and talked for a half hour. Next, we had lunch. Not that this matters, but it was by far the worst lunch I had at any interview. We got to ask med students questions at lunch, but they were MS-I's (even though their average age was probably almost 30) and I interviewed in early Sept., so they really didn't know a whole lot about the school. Next, we went on a tour of the school with the MS-I's who already were talking poorly of some of their experiences here after 5 weeks of starting school. They took us to two places for about 15 mins on the tour then decided they really didn't have to take us anywhere else because we would get to see everything if we went there. Then, we were supposed to have a curriculum overview but the person who normally did it couldn't be there so they just didn't have the curriculum overview. They told everyone to find a place to do nothing for an hour until the interviews would start since they weren't gonna even try the curriculum overview. So we did. We just waited for an hour by ourselves in a lobby we found. Oh, did I mention they are starting a new curriculum this year? And they didn't even tell us what it was. Then the interviews started. Both interviewers kept me for longer than they were supposed to. They were pretty nice interviews and not terribly stressful but don't expect it to be a walk in the park like most places. Then that was the end. Thoroughly unimpressed.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants wished they had known about potential gaps in their schedule to bring something to occupy their time, such as a book. They also highlighted the importance of being prepared for a Skype interview and the significance of having clinical experience with a US doctor. It was suggested to bring comfortable shoes for walking around campus and to be mindful of the limited lunch voucher provided.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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That I would have 2 hours of free time between activities. I would have brought a book to read so I didn't look like I was sitting on my phone scrolling through Facebook.
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Nothing really.
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That one of my interviews was on Skype. I had little time to prepare for a Skype interview and feel that it did make a slight impact.
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Nothing-- previous feedback prepared me well
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To come up with an answer about the best medical invention. There were just so many rushing through my head that I literally froze.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested that the admissions office should improve consistency in communication and timelines, provide more detailed interview day schedules, and ensure that buildings are accessible for applicants to explore. Additionally, there was positive feedback on the helpfulness and friendliness of the admissions staff.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Don't send VITA invites to people in MD only. Be consistent with dates- they told me that "if you haven't heard back by Dec assume its a rejection," but i talked to another person and they were told a different timeline
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Send out a more thorough interview day schedule. The schedule I received via email did not have certain activities listed that were listed on the schedule I received day-of.
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Admissions office was the most positive element of my interview day experience. My suggestion: give the staff a raise, they've earned it.
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Make sure the buildings are unlocked so applicants can see the inside of them!
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The receptionist was incredibly helpful and friendly. My interviewers were very different, so it was
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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ABQ
70% interviewees used ABQ (ABQ), with 10% using did not fly (did not fly) and 10% using Albuquerque Intl. (Albuquerque Intl.) and 10% using El Paso (El Paso).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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33% Airplane
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59% Automobile
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4% Train or Subway
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4% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Kirtland Inn at Kirtland AFB (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Homewood Suites at Sunport (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Kirtland Inn at Kirtland AFB
10/10
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Homewood Suites at Sunport
10/10
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La Posada
9/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Friends or family or with friends or family.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Other (3%)
Student (97%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (5%)
Enthusiastic (82%)
Neutral (14%)
All Responses
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