Perspectives from the Interviewees

Believe it or not, my interview weekend at UC was actually fun. I came to UC in April after a string of interviews for other M.D./Ph.D. programs. For the most part, I found most interviews everywhere to be pretty much the same. Outside the interviews, however, I got a feel for what the program was really like. UC stood out in that they offered more student interaction compared to other programs. This interaction begins with the interview process itself. In addition to three faculty interviews, two current PSTP students conduct an interview that carries the same weight as the others. In the evenings - after the interviews, tours, and presentations - we got a chance to relax and get to know the current students on an informal basis. The evening social events at other schools usually consisted of a fancy dinner with one applicant per two or three students, which to me felt like another interview. At UC all the applicants stayed in the same hotel and went out together (dressed casually - a nice change from formal interview clothes!) with a group of current M.D./Ph.D. students. The informal gatherings on Friday and Saturday evenings allowed me to see what the students were really like and to ask relevant questions I probably wouldn't have thought of in a more formal setting. Saturday night also provided informal faculty interaction during a dinner at PSTP Director's home.

While I was not given the option to interview with a faculty member in my field of interest (which has been changed thanks to the efforts of me and my fellow students), I was able to get a feel for the strengths of the research programs at UC. On my second visit, however, I spoke exclusively with faculty members I had chosen. After that visit, I had pretty much decided that UC was the right place for me. Now that I've been here a while, I now understand why there is such a strong student presence during the interview process - the students of the PSTP play a major role in organizing the interview weekends.

-- Margaret Balfour

When I came to interview at Cincinnati, I was not sure whether I wanted to enter an MD/PhD program or an MD program. By the end of the interview weekend, I knew that I would accept an offer to join the PSTP if I received one. During the interviews with faculty members, I was asked challenging questions which allowed me to demonstrate my knowledge and critical thinking skills. The fact that there was also a student interview showed me how involved the students are in the direction and growth of the program.

Outside of the structured interviews, the weekend provided many opportunities to become acquainted with both students and faculty members informally. I found the evening social events offered the best opportunity to ask questions and get honest feedback about the program. It also gave me the chance to sense how I would fit in at UC. By the end of the weekend, I felt confident that the PSTP program offered everything I was looking for: a strong academic environment, excellent research opportunities, and a flexible, student-oriented program.

-- Ellen Air

Throughout the interview process (both first and second), I was impressed by the efforts of the PSTP to make the applicants feel welcome and like special guests. We were taken to nice restaurants and night spots, invited to the program director's home, and taken around town. It made the interview weekend not just a job I had to do, but also a fun experience.

What I liked most about my interviews last year was the dinner party with faculty and students at the program director's home. It was an opportunity to meet not only my interviewers in an informal setting, but also other faculty and students involved with the PSTP. I really enjoyed interacting with the people in the comfortable and relaxed environment. I came away with the sense that there truly was great rapport among all the members of the faculty and students and I felt welcome in becoming a part of it. Needless to say, Dr. Harmony (the former PSTP director) is a terrific hostess.

During the interviews, I found my interviewers to be interested and curious about me. While I know they must have been evaluating my potential as a candidate for the PSTP, I did not really feel that I was being interrogated or tested. I particularly like the "creative" interview. I liked the fact that for this interview, the interviewer had not seen my application so he did not know my academic or personal background. He knew as much about me as I did about him (nothing) so it was a process of discovery for both of us and a process of building rapport. I also appreciate the fact that there was at least one interview that focussed on more than just my academic or professional background.

I think that the only thing missing from my interview experience was not being able to meet any of the senior students-those close to finishing the program. It would have been nice to talk to somebody who has actually gone through just about the whole MD-PhD training process and get their view on things. Now that I'm in the program and have met the students in the clinical phase of their training, I understand why their busy schedules may have kept them from meeting the interviewees, however I believe the students in the clinical years still maintain a great deal of interaction with other members of the PSTP.

As a result of the tour of the campus, I was able to see first hand the facilities that are part of the university. I was particularly impressed by the continued expansion of research facilities. With the ongoing construction of new research buildings (Cardiovascular Center and Vontz Center for Molecular Studies) and the expansion of existing ones (Childrens Hospital Research Foundation), I got a concrete sense that medical research at the University of Cincinnati is growing and has an excellent future. Furthermore, during the tour, I was also informed of the influx of a number of established scientists from around the country as well as of many young scientists. I feel very good about choosing to become part of a biomedical community that continues to get bigger and better. I think that this is one the important things that makes UC stand out among other academic medical institutions.

-- Han Lee

The interview processs at University of Cincinnati was very enjoyable and informative. I really liked the interaction between the PSTP committee faculty members, current PSTP students, and the prospective students in both formal and informal settings. I had six interviews, none of which were particularly intimidating. In addition to asking questions, the interviewers were very willing to describe their own research interests and/or answer any general questions about the program, the medical school, and the graduate school. In the evening, the interviewees attended an informal dinner hosted by one of the PSTP faculty members. The food was excellent and it was a good chance to meet several of the other professors and students. Following the dinner, the PSTP students took us to a jazz bar and a club in Mt. Adams (a big hill overlooking Cincinnati where all the beautiful people live). The night out was a relaxing end to a long day and it was nice to confirm to myself that MD/PhD students have a lot of fun too.

Over the course of the two days and the many activities planned, I was encouraged to ask questions to both faculty members and students. I recieved candid answers that helped me to make an informed decision and judge if this program was right for me. University of Cincinnati's interview process is very well designed to provide a mutual exchange of information. During the two days that I spent at UC, I realized that the dual degree program is rigorous, but has many rewards. In addition, the program presented me with a wide variety of interesting clinical and research opportunities. And most importantly, I felt that the program was very flexible and most attentive to its students needs.

-- Fatima Rangwala