by Beth
(Augusta, Georgia)
Initially, when researching anesthesia programs, I was drawn to Wake Forest for its high national ranking and its well established history of producing well trained anesthesia providers. For these reasons among others, Wake Forest topped my list of prospective programs to attend before I even interviewed. Of course, I was equal parts elated and nervous when I received an invitation to interview for my first choice program.
Throughout the interview process, I was made to feel at ease not only by the director, faculty members, and current students, but also by the personal nature of the interview process. The interview day began with presentations on the history of academic excellence of the program as well as it’s focus on community and global outreach. The interview portion of the day included both a personal and clinical interview. Interviews are inherently stressful, but I feel that this was all self-imposed stress. The faculty members, staff, and current students that participated in the interview were all friendly, welcoming, and genuinely interested in getting to know me and how I would fit with the program. The day concluded with a critical thinking/writing exercise.
The main impression I walked away with after the interview was that although Wake Forest has a history of excellence and a current high ranking, they are not satisfied with resting on their laurels. They are always trying to improve themselves and how they train their students.
My other main impression is that while this is a high intensity, demanding program, it is also a close knit group of people that genuinely want to see each student succeed! After my interview, I was even more nervous than I was before because I knew at that point, Wake Forest was by far my number one choice program, and even more so, I truly felt like I belonged in the program. Of course, I was ecstatic to be offered a position in the program, and I can’t wait to see what the next 24 months have in store. I’m so proud to be part of this program!