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Advancing through the medical school application process and getting into medical school is a lot of hard work. However, with the right interview tips and preparation, you can attend your medical school interview confidently, stress-free, and prepared to wow the admissions committee.
In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive list of common medical school interview questions, plus tips and examples for how to answer the questions you’re most likely to hear. We’ll give you the tools to stand out as the top interviewee of the day!
Prepare for traditional and MMI interviews with our Physician Advisors and former AdComs.
Most Common Interview Questions
Every medical school interview will vary in format and content. The sample questions below represent those asked during a traditional panel interview (generally with 1-3 faculty members and/or students on the program’s admissions committee).
Check out our free guidebook for your med school interviews. Get sample MMI questions, dress code advice, thank-you note templates, and more.
Education Questions
- How have your previous jobs, volunteer, or extracurricular activities prepared you for a medical education and career in medicine?
- Can you share more about your undergraduate research experience? How have those helped prepare you for a career in medicine?
- Why did you choose your undergraduate major?
- Share more about the W (course withdrawal) that appears on your transcript.
Character and Motivation Questions
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What do you look for in a physician for yourself?
- Tell us about any travel and/or experience with other cultures you’ve had.
- How do you handle stressful situations?
- Why did you choose medicine and not another field where you could help others? Why not pursue a career as a nurse, physician’s assistant, or something else requiring less time and financial commitment?
- What does success look like to you?
- What do you do for fun?
- Tell us about your experience working with sick individuals and what you’ve learned from it.
- What would you do if you couldn’t be a doctor?
- Are there any role models or influential people who contributed to your decision to pursue medicine?
- Tell us about a challenging experience you had in your life and how you overcame it.
Read Next: The Medical School Personal Statement: How To Stand Out
Medical Profession Questions
- What do you think are the most important qualities for a good doctor to have?
- How do you plan to balance your personal and professional life while practicing medicine?
- Where do you see your career in a few years? Are you interested in academic medicine or more community-based work?
Diversity Questions
- How do you plan to contribute to the diversity of the medical school community?
- How might you meet the needs of a multiethnic, multicultural patient population?
- If you are a woman, how has your gender impacted your decision to pursue a medical career?
- If you are a minority candidate, how do you feel your background uniquely prepares you to be, and will influence your role as a physician?
NOTE: Due to a 2023 SCOTUS decision, most higher learning institutions have eliminated the use of questions related to race-based diversity in the interview process. Still, other questions related to diversity may be asked in your med school interviews, and you should be able to provide thoughtful responses as to how your background and experience will help you create a diverse student body (related to your race, cultural background, gender, or any number of other factors).
Societal, Ethical, and Current Event Questions
- Describe a time when you faced an ethical dilemma. How did you handle it?
- How do you feel about our current healthcare system? Should the United States move to a universal healthcare system?
- What is your stance on euthanasia? Should patients be able to undergo physician-assisted suicide?
- How would you feel working with a patient with HIV?
- Please discuss some current medical ethics issues you feel passionately about.
- Have you been a part of any moral dilemmas?
- Describe a current healthcare issue that interests you and how you think it could be addressed.
Read Next: Medical School Letters of Recommendation: Who and How To Ask
Expert Tips & 12 Example Answers
As with any other interview process, it’s important to be prepared to answer questions thoughtfully and honestly. Keep in mind that the medical school interviewers are trying to get to know you and assess your fit for the program, so be yourself and try to relax.
These three general interview tips apply to every question below:
- Be specific. Admissions committees speak to hundreds of students each year. It’s easy for your name to disappear into a list of names when you give broad answers. Take every opportunity in your interview to be as specific as possible. This won’t just make you more memorable; it will also help your interviewer understand how you, as a healthcare provider, will best fit into the field of medicine (and how they might help you along the way!). Examples of too-broad answers include: “I want to help people,” “I’m a hard worker,” or “I want to be a successful doctor.” Instead, follow up any broad statements with nuanced statements. For example, “I want to help people understand how to manage conditions that impact their metabolic health and weight so they can reach goals they previously thought impossible.”
- Be sincere. Avoid the people-pleasing tendency to say what you think the people across from you want to hear, and choose to be as honest as you can. Don’t present yourself in a certain way to be impressive or self-deprecating. Accurately describe your experiences, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. AdComs look for candidates with a high sense of integrity, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to personal development and growth.
- Don’t be a robot. Don’t memorize complete answers word-for-word – this just makes you sound like a robot to the members of your admissions committee. Instead, you could memorize bullet points. You want the interview to be a natural, professional conversation.
- Do practice. It may be obvious to some, but you need to practice answering these sample interview questions before you’re actually at the med school interview day. Feel free to practice by yourself at first or in the mirror. But before your big interview, I recommend delivering your answers to a family member, peer, or colleague so you can actually practice saying these answers to a real person.
Watch This Free Webinar: Med School Interview — What To Expect and How to Stand Out
Now, let’s get into some specific mock interview questions and how to best answer them (plus common mistakes to avoid).
1. Tell Me About Yourself.
The “tell me about yourself” question is commonly asked at the beginning of a medical school interview. Take this opportunity to give the interviewers a concise overview of your background, experiences, and interests relevant to pursuing a career in medicine.
A few tips for answering:
- Keep it brief: This is not the time to describe your entire life story in great detail. Keep your answer concise and focus on the information relevant to your pursuit of medicine.
- Highlight your strengths: Use this opportunity to highlight your strengths and experiences that make you a strong candidate for your chosen school of medicine. For example, you could mention your passion for medicine, relevant coursework, research experience, or any relevant volunteer or clinical experiences you have had.
- Avoid regurgitating stats (GPA, MCAT scores, Casper results): This is not the place to start spewing your academic credentials – that data is already available to your interviewers on your AMCAS or AACOMAS. The purpose of meeting them in a conversational format is to go beyond who you are on paper. Let your personality shine.
Sample answer: I’m from Long Island, New York. I’m an avid traveler, and I enjoy baking and scuba diving during my free time. I just came back from a clinical volunteer trip in Nicaragua, where the organization I was working with distributed vital medical care to communities in need. A fun fact about me is that I was voted homecoming king my senior year of high school. I’ve always been interested in the sciences, and I’m drawn to help others. I volunteered at a local hospital when I was in high school, and that solidified my desire to pursue a career in medicine. Since then, I’ve taken a number of relevant courses and gained valuable clinical experience through internships and shadowing opportunities. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue my education through medical school.
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2. Why Do You Want to Be a Doctor?
The second most common question is also the most obvious to be asked: “Why do you want to be a doctor?” or “Why did you choose medicine?”
Don’t be afraid of this question! You should be excited to answer it. It’s an opportunity for the interviewers to understand your motivation for pursuing a medical career and how you see yourself fitting in.
Tips for answering this “Why medicine?” interview question:
- Think about why other careers won’t suffice: There are other ways to help people besides medicine, like various career options for students who like science. Articulate why medicine is the only route that makes sense for you. One way to brainstorm for this question is to determine why you want to become a physician rather than another healthcare professional, such as a nurse or physician’s assistant. (Hint: Being a physician involves leadership.)
- Reflect on your motivations and experiences: Think about your experiences and how they have shaped your desire to pursue a career in medicine. Did personal health issues inspire you to become a doctor? Is there a particular healthcare provider or mentor in your life that you look up to? Did you have an impactful clinical experience that solidified your motivation to become a doctor? Don’t be afraid to talk candidly. If you or a family member overcame a personal tragedy that led you to medicine, talk about it (just keep the tone professional and not over-emotional).
- Talk about how you’ve already contributed: One of the best ways to prove your commitment to medicine is to show that you’ve already contributed to the field. Mention the clinical experiences that you’ve had and explain how you’ve grown as a healthcare provider. Research is also a great thing to bring up here. How have you already contributed to the growing field of medical knowledge?
- Get excited: Medicine is a challenging but monumentally rewarding career. Make sure an appropriate level of enthusiasm and anticipation comes through.
Sample answer #1: Seeing my grandfather take countless medications when I was younger instilled a seed of curiosity in me to want to know what he was taking and what it did to him. As this seed grew, I began having a passion for biology and became fascinated with learning about the human body. My fascination with the human body translated to wanting to help people with diseases affecting their bodies. Medicine is constantly growing and offers lifelong learning opportunities, something that I deeply admire and want to be a part of.
Sample answer #2: I’m fascinated by the complexity of the human body and the ways we can help others through medicine. I volunteered at a clinic during my premed years, serving underserved populations, which solidified my desire to become a doctor. I’m particularly interested in working in primary care and serving rural or underserved communities. I see medicine as a way to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives by addressing health concerns that can create obstacles in the way of a thriving life.
3. Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?
This traditional job interview question still pops up from time to time and can trip up even the most confident. But rest assured: You are not expected to have your entire career or specialty mapped out at this point in the process.
This question is an opportunity for the interviewers to understand your long-term goals and how you see yourself fitting into the field of medicine.
Tips for answering the “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” medical school interview question:
- Consider your interests: Think about your interests and how they specifically align with your long-term goals. Are you looking to provide a financially secure life for your family on a 9-5 schedule by establishing a primary care practice? Do you want to learn cutting-edge surgical techniques or become the top OB/GYN in Florida? Do you hope to travel abroad to provide basic services for impoverished international communities?
- Be realistic: While it’s admirable to have ambitious goals, it’s also important to be realistic about what you can achieve in 10 years. Consider the training and experience that will be necessary to reach your goals, and make sure your plans are feasible.
- Be open to change: Remember that your goals and plans may change over time, and that’s okay. It’s important to be flexible and open to new opportunities as they arise, especially when discussing potential specialty preferences. AdComs expect you to change your mind and broaden your horizons through medical school.
Sample answer: In 10 years, I see myself completing a residency program and starting my career as a physician. I’m particularly interested in working in an established primary care setting to serve underserved populations in a metropolitan area of the Midwest. While I have specific goals in mind, I’m also open to discovering new areas of interest as I study medicine full-time. I know that no matter what specialty I choose, I want to be directly involved with patients, particularly children, as I truly feel that they are amazing bundles of joy.
4. Why Should You Be Accepted Into Our Medical School?
AdComs ask this because they want to know you’ve done your homework and can articulate how you’ll contribute to their institution specifically. Another version of this question is “There are 1,000 applicants just as qualified as you. Why should we offer you a spot?”
Talk about how your goals and interests align with the school more than those of the next applicant. Tell them why you specifically should get into medical school.
Tips for answering this question:
- Research the school: Before your interview, research the school to understand its mission. Use the school’s website, social media, and the social media accounts of current and former students to learn more about the program.
- Don’t do an “infomercial” on the school: Researching the medical school, its curriculum, and its mission is an important step in answering this question. However, you shouldn’t just list the specific features of the school when faced with this question in an actual interview. Your interviewer will know way more about the school than you do, so if you just rattle off things you read on the school website, they’re guaranteed to lose interest.
- Tie the school’s attributes to your experience and goals: Instead of regurgitating what you found on the school’s website, talk about how the school’s program aligns with your goals and experiences. For example, if the school is known for its medical research, be sure to bring up your own research experience and then explain how you plan to continue that experience as a student at the school.
- Talk about diversity and equity: Another great strategy here is to discuss how you will contribute to the school’s commitment to diversity in medicine. What unique background or attributes do you bring to the table as a prospective doctor?
- Focus on your strengths, not others’ weaknesses: When answering this question, focus on your best qualities rather than putting down other applicants. Don’t generalize about the med student population or, worse, the medical profession. (e.g., don’t say, “Most doctors don’t care like I do.”) Focus on why you are a great candidate, not why others aren’t.
Sample answer #1: What sets me apart is my personal journey and how it has shaped my passion for medicine. Growing up, I had the unique opportunity to volunteer at free clinics in underserved areas, where I witnessed firsthand how meaningful healthcare can be to those who have limited access. This experience didn’t just give me technical skills; it helped me understand the social determinants of health, which I believe are crucial in today’s healthcare landscape. I know your medical school emphasizes healthcare access and providing care for the underserved, so I’m excited to continue my work here.
Sample answer #2: In addition to my academic record and clinical exposure, I think I would fit into the culture of innovation at your medical school. Through research on heart health in underserved communities and finding ways to improve patient outcomes in less reachable populations, I have constantly sought out ways to push the boundaries of my local healthcare system. I believe your school will provide the perfect environment for me to grow and learn, while contributing to the community on a larger scale.
5. What Will You Do if You Are Not Accepted to Medical School This Year?
While this question isn’t the most encouraging, don’t read into it negatively. Interviewers want to know that you take yourself and your future plans seriously and that you have a firm grasp of what you need to accomplish before applying again.
In fact, about 56% of medical school applicants were rejected in 2023. That’s a daunting statistic, but if you’re serious about a career in medicine, having to try again next year isn’t the end of your journey. You’re not alone!
Tips for answering this question:
- Be honest: You’re allowed to be honest about how upsetting it would be to not get accepted. But also have an alternate plan in place, in case of rejection.
- Outline steps: Outline the steps you would take to gain more clinical or research experience and enhance your application before reapplying.
- Ensure your answer doesn’t sound like giving up: If your first response sounds like you’d pursue a different career path altogether, AdComs might interpret this to mean you aren’t committed to becoming a physician. This is a big red flag, so develop an answer that clarifies that you’ll still pursue medicine despite the setback of not succeeding on your first application cycle.
- Ask for feedback if you’re not accepted: If you’re not accepted at the medical school after your interview, I recommend reaching out to your interviewer and the admissions committee to ask what they would recommend working on for your next application. As long as you keep your communication mature, this is a great way to demonstrate your continued interest across application cycles.
Sample answer: If I’m not accepted into medical school this year, I will take it as an opportunity to further prepare myself for a medical career and strengthen my application. I would first reach out to the schools where I was interviewed, and based on their feedback, I’d try to identify areas for improvement. For instance, while my shadowing and research experience are strong, I know I could invest more time in clinical work. If I weren’t accepted this year, I would probably take an EMT course and try to find employment as an EMT to gain more clinical experience before reapplying.
Try our free Virtual Shadowing program to get a first-hand look into specialties like neurology, dermatology, surgery, and more. You’ll get a certificate for these online clinical hours so that you can add them to your application.
6. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
Create an honest list of what you think are your strengths or weaknesses, and then pinpoint a few that you can remember. Remember our earlier tip on authenticity, and sprinkle in some healthy self-reflection.
Tips for answering this question:
- Don’t disguise a strength as a weakness: If you say something like “I care too much about people” or “I’m a perfectionist,” it can come off as disingenuous or like you lack self-awareness. Instead, pick a real weakness of yours.
- Choose a weakness that is not a deal breaker: You shouldn’t present a strength as a weakness, but you should also steer clear from severe weaknesses that could impact your success in medicine. For instance, if you have trouble showing empathy or prefer to work alone without collaboration from others, you may not be cut out to be a physician or healthcare provider.
- Show how you’re addressing your weakness: It’s important to show that you’re aware of your weakness and are actively working to improve it. For example, if you struggle with time management, mention that you’re using a planner and setting specific goals to help you stay organized.
- Keep it relevant: Choose a weakness relevant to your career in medicine. For example, if you struggle with anatomy, you could mention that you’re working on improving your understanding of the subject by reviewing your notes and seeking additional resources.
Sample answer: One of my weaknesses is that I can be a bit disorganized. I sometimes struggle to manage my coursework and involvement with different activities. To better prioritize my tasks and reach my goals, I’ve begun using a physical planner and time blocking each day. Using a calendar and setting deadlines for myself has really helped me keep up with my different responsibilities.
7. What Are Your Strengths?
Now is the time for interviewers to understand your strengths and how they will contribute to your success as a medical student and future healthcare provider.
Tips for answering the “What is your greatest strength?” medical school interview question:
- Use real-life examples: Don’t just give blanket adjectives. It’s helpful to provide examples of times when you have demonstrated your strengths. For instance, you could mention a time when you were able to work well under pressure or when you were able to communicate effectively with patients or colleagues.
- Choose strengths relevant to medicine: Consider the skills and qualities that are important for a healthcare provider to have, and choose strengths that align with those. Some examples might include problem-solving skills, empathy, communication skills, or teamwork.
- Don’t sound arrogant: You can be confident without being off-putting, which is something your interviewers are on the lookout for. Explain why such a strength will make you a great healthcare provider instead of how it makes you a great person.
Sample answer: One of my greatest strengths is my ability to communicate effectively with peers and colleagues. I think this will translate very well to patient care. I’ve had the opportunity to work in a number of clinical settings, and I’ve found that my ability to listen actively and explain medical concepts in a clear and concise manner is helpful in building rapport with patients and working effectively as part of a healthcare team. I also consider myself to be a compassionate and empathetic person, and I believe these qualities are essential for building trust and rapport with patients.
8. Let’s Talk About [Specific Point on Your Application].
If there’s any point on your application that needs clarification, this might come up in the interview. Maybe you took extra time away from school, or your grades have a weak point. This is an opportunity for the medical school admissions team to follow up and get further information.
Tips for answering this question:
- Be prepared: In the days before your interview, review your medical school application and look for gaps or areas that may prompt a clarifying question. Expect them to ask for background information without the character limit imposed by essays.
- Don’t get defensive: Don’t speak poorly about another person whom you might blame for this or that. Such behavior may reflect poorly on your character, which is an important element of this interview.
- Be honest and look forward: Balance professional candor with future optimism. Hopefully, you can explain why there’s a specific point on your application that needs clarification and how you’ve already been addressing the problem. If you haven’t yet fixed the issue, you can talk about how you are going to rectify the situation going forward.
Sample question: Let’s talk about your GPA. In your last year, you were able to bring it up to a 3.4, but that’s still below the average of our matriculants.
Sample answer: I’m glad you brought that up. While GPA is important, I don’t believe it fully reflects my potential as a future physician. I’ve faced some challenges along my educational path, particularly during my sophomore year when I let myself focus more on social experiences than classwork. However, those experiences showed me that an unregulated social life is not what really matters as you continue down your career path. I also realized during my junior and senior years that I didn’t have to sacrifice a healthy social life to get good grades. Overcoming that misunderstanding of social vs. educational balance taught me valuable lessons in determination, time management, and prioritization, which I believe are critical traits for a physician.
9. What Are the Current Challenges in Healthcare & What Improvements Can Be Made?
This question will be asked, and you must have an answer. Read New York Times articles, The Economist, and other publications beforehand to understand the current healthcare climate and policy so that you can better answer this question during your medical school interview.
Consider these examples of problems facing our healthcare system:
- Access to care: Many people, particularly those in underserved or rural areas, have limited access to healthcare services. This can be due to a lack of healthcare providers, financial barriers, or other factors.
- Affordability: Healthcare costs, including insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, continue to rise and are a burden for many families and individuals.
- Quality of care: Despite advances in medical technology and treatment, there are still significant disparities in the quality of care that people receive (both in the U.S. and worldwide). These disparities are often caused by factors such as income, race, and location.
There are many ways we can work to improve the healthcare system, but it will require a multifaceted approach. Some potential solutions include:
- Increasing funding for healthcare: More funding could be used to increase access to care (particularly in underserved areas) and to improve the overall quality of care.
- Improving healthcare affordability: This could involve initiatives such as lowering the cost of prescription drugs, increasing transparency in pricing, and expanding financial assistance programs.
- Promoting healthcare innovation: Encouraging the development of new technologies and treatments can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system.
- Increasing the healthcare workforce: Steps could be taken to attract more people to careers in healthcare, such as offering financial incentives or expanding training programs.
- Focusing on prevention: Investing in preventative care, such as public health initiatives and preventative screenings, can help reduce the need for more expensive, reactive care later on.
10. How Will You Support and Contribute to Diversity in Medicine?
Whether you come from a diverse background or not, you can still communicate how you will support and contribute to diversity in medicine. When asked this question, show how you understand the value of diversity and how you have the skills and experiences that enable you to support different communities in meaningful ways.
Note: The SCOTUS 2023 ruling on affirmative action influences the way AdComs may ask applicants about their racial and cultural backgrounds. As an applicant, you can answer questions about diversity in a student population by highlighting how your background has allowed you to grow as an individual or how it has shaped your ability to serve a multicultural population.
Tips for answering this question:
- Pull from your experiences: If you’ve had positive or negative experiences in the medical field based on your background, share how these experiences have impacted your motivations to become a doctor. Whether you’ve dealt with discrimination or worked with a provider sensitive to your unique needs, this sort of storytelling can help solidify your unique perspective. You may be able to pull from a secondary essay question about diversity that you’ve already submitted to the program, but be sure to offer novel information that wasn’t already in your secondaries.
- Discuss healthcare issues specific to your diverse background: For instance, if you are a person of color, you may have (or your loved ones may have) experienced issues related to inaccurate racial bias in pain treatment. If you are a member of the transgender community, consider discussing your experiences in finding gender-affirming care. Talk to your interviewers about how your history has shaped the way you can work with others who share your background.
- Highlight your commitment to diversity: Discuss any initiatives or activities you’re involved in that demonstrate your commitment to diversity, such as volunteering in underserved communities or participating in cultural events.
- Discuss your communication skills: As a healthcare provider, it’s crucial to be able to communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds. Discuss any experience you have that helped you develop strong communication skills or exposed you to diverse cultures and communities.
- Focus on your potential to contribute: While it’s important to highlight your past experiences, it’s also important to show you have the potential to contribute to the diversity of the medical school community in the future. Discuss any plans you have for continuing to learn and grow as an advocate for diversity.
Sample answer #1: As a minority applicant, my background has provided me with a unique perspective and empathy towards individuals from diverse backgrounds. Experiencing first-hand the barriers and challenges faced by underrepresented minority communities in accessing quality healthcare has driven my passion to pursue a career in healthcare. This drive has been further strengthened by witnessing the positive impact that culturally competent physicians can have on significantly improving health outcomes in minority populations. I am committed to using my diverse experiences to provide culturally sensitive care to patients from all backgrounds. And I hope to one day bridge the gap between minority poverty-stricken communities and readily accessible healthcare.
Sample answer #2: I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer in underserved communities and have worked with patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds. I’m committed to continuing to learn and grow as an advocate for diversity. I’ve looked into the diversity programs at [this medical school] and look forward to getting involved.
11. Describe Your Research Experience.
While you’ve already provided this information in writing, don’t assume an interviewer will remember every detail of your application. They’ll ask this to learn about your scientific competencies and fluency. Your extracurricular activities will also point them toward your areas of interest.
Tips for answering this question:
- Prepare to discuss research projects thoroughly.
- Be upfront about your level of involvement.
- Talk about why you chose the projects you did.
Sample answer: My research experience has been a key part of my academic journey. It’s helped shape my analytical and problem-solving skills, not to mention my collaboration skills. I had the opportunity to work on healthcare data management innovations under the supervision of Dr. Jane Whitehall at Johns Hopkins. The focus of our research was measuring public health improvements based on different administrative streamlining methods. My role involved organizing different hospitals’ responses into spreadsheets, which allowed me to develop communication and technical skills that will help me as a physician to better contribute to the healthcare community.
12. [Any Ethical Question]
Ethical questions are common during medical school interviews. Medical schools want to ensure you have a strong foundation in ethical principles and are prepared to handle ethical dilemmas that will inevitably arise in your career.
See our sample ethical questions above.
Tips for answering ethical questions during a medical school interview:
- Understand the principles of medical ethics: Familiarize yourself with the frameworks and four principles of medical ethics: beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. When answering a question, consider using a framework that lays out the relevant principles.
- Consider the context: When faced with an ethical dilemma, it’s essential to consider the specific context and all of the relevant factors presented to you. This may include the patient’s values and preferences, the potential risks and benefits of different courses of action, and any legal or professional obligations.
- Be transparent: Be open and transparent about your thought process and explain how you arrived at your conclusion. Show your work, as it were.
- Be open to feedback: Be open to feedback and be willing to reconsider your position if new information becomes available or if you receive input from others, especially from your interviewer. Most questions are open-ended, and you won’t have all the information you really need. Don’t be afraid to ask for that information from the interviewer.
Sample question: If you had two patients who were being considered for a kidney transplant, one who is 35 but a former drug dealer. The other is an 86-year-old kindergarten teacher. How do you decide who gets the kidney?
Sample answer: In this situation, as the health-care provider, I must be guided not by my own biases, but by medical ethics. Negating my biases in this situation means I cannot take into account a person’s profession when deciding if they are deserving of life-saving medical interventions. The question comes down to the health of the two individuals who may receive the transplant. The person who would be most likely to live a longer, healthier life made possible by the transplant would be the person I’d give the kidney transplant to.
Learn More: How to Answer “What Is the Biggest Healthcare Problem?”
When You Can’t Think of an Answer
If you can’t think of an answer during a medical school interview, stay calm and don’t panic. You’re human, and so are the other applicants. It’s more natural than you think to take a silent second to determine the best way to continue your answer.
Below are my top tips for when you are struggling with an answer:
- Pause and collect your thoughts: It’s okay to give yourself a few seconds to gather your thoughts and compose yourself.
- Ask for clarification: If you’re unsure what the interviewer is asking, ask for more information or context. This can help you better understand the question and come up with an answer.
- Always be honest: If you genuinely don’t know the answer to a question, it’s better to admit it rather than trying to bluff your way through an answer. You can say something like, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know the answer to that question. However, I’m always eager to learn and would love to research the topic further.”
- Offer a relevant example or personal experience: Even if you don’t know the answer to a question, you may be able to provide an example or personal experience that illustrates your knowledge or skills in a related area.
- Use the opportunity to show your critical thinking skills: If you’re asked a complex or open-ended question, try to approach it with a critical and analytical mindset. This can help demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet.
Remember, it’s normal not to know the answer to every question during an interview. The key is to be honest, and calmly show that you’re willing to learn and think critically.
Read Next: Your Medical School Secondary Essay Guide with 4 Real-Life Examples
Questions to Ask Your Medical School Interviewer
Asking questions to your interviewer(s) during your medical school interview is a good opportunity to learn more about the program and to demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest in that school.
Be respectful and professional when asking questions. Avoid asking questions that were already answered during the interview, or that are easily found on the school’s website.
Some good questions to ask during a medical school interview include:
- How would you define a successful student? If accepted, in other words, by the time I graduate, what qualities and achievements would you hope to see from me?
- What are the strengths of your medical school, and what distinguishes it from other programs?
- How does your medical school support students during their education and training?
- What opportunities are available for students to get involved in research or other experiential learning opportunities?
- Can you tell me more about the clinical training opportunities available to students?
- How does your medical school support students as they transition into their residencies and careers?
- How does your medical school work to promote diversity and inclusivity within the student body and faculty?
- How does the curriculum at your medical school prepare students for the challenges and demands of the profession?
- Can you tell me more about the community service or outreach opportunities available to students?
- How does your medical school support the development of leadership skills in its students?
- What is the average class size and student-to-faculty ratio at your medical school?
Read Next: The Best Medical Schools for Non-Traditional Applicants (2025)
MMI vs. Traditional Formats
There are two main ways that a med school might interview you:
- Traditional panel format: On your interview day, you will meet with one (or two, on occasion) panel of several interviewers. Traditional format interviews may take 30-60 minutes.
- Multiple mini-interviews (MMIs): On your interview day, you will have 6-10 shorter stations with 1-3 interviewers at each one. Many MMIs are 5-10 minutes each.
Many of the questions you’ll encounter are similar between the two interview types, but MMI interviews include a broader range of question types.
Looking for how to nail your multiple mini interview (MMI)? Consult this guide for more on MMI interviews and our list of the types of questions that may come up.
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Knowing these sample med school interview questions and the tips on answering them has already boosted your odds of getting accepted. Now there’s one final step to increasing your chances of nailing the medical school interview.
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