Advancing through the medical school application process and getting into medical school is no easy feat. However, with the right interview tips and preparation, you can attend your medical school interview feeling prepared to wow the admissions committee.
In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive list of medical school interview questions — plus, tips and examples for how to answer the most common ones.
What are the best ways to prepare for a medical school interview? To prepare for a medical school interview, be ready to share the stories about your life and experiences that best represent who you are and why you want to be a doctor.
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 want the interview to be a natural, but professional, conversation.
Look for common themes among sample questions to identify which stories and facts to share. Whether you share information about your extracurricular activities or an experience with a good doctor that inspired you, be yourself and be passionate!
This interview question guide will help you down the medical school admissions path towards gaining an acceptance and becoming a healthcare professional. We’ll give you the tools to stand out as the top interviewee of the day, whether by teaching you how to answer difficult ethical questions or just explain why medicine is the right career choice for you.
Still looking for more? Schedule a meeting with our enrollment team to talk about our advising services to help you get into medical school the first time.
Every medical school interview will vary in format and content. The questions below are representative of those asked during a traditional interview. Traditional interviews are one-on-one, typically with a physician advisor. We’ll get more on how to answer some of the most common of these a little later.
Looking for how to nail your multiple mini interview (MMI)? Consult this guide for more on MMI interviews.
Here are some of the most common questions asked during a traditional med school interview:
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 two tips actually apply to every question below:
Now, let’s get into some specific questions and how to best answer them (and common mistakes to avoid).
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The “tell me about yourself” question is commonly asked at the beginning of a medical school interview. Take this opportunity to give the interviewers an overview of your background, experiences, and interests that are relevant to pursuing a career in medicine.
A few tips for answering:
Sample answer: I’m from Long Island, New York. I’m an avid travler, and I enjoy baking and scuba diving during my free time. I just came back from a clinical volunter trip in Nicagrauga where the organizaton I was working with distrubuted vital medical care to communiteis in need. A fun fact about me is, 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.”
The second most common question is also the most obvious to be asked. Don’t be afraid of this question! Instead, you should be excited to answer it. It’s an opportunity for the interviewers to understand your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine and how you see yourself fitting in.
Tips for answering this question:
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 fasciation with the human body translated to wanting to help people with diseases affecting their bodies. Medicine as a field collectively, is constantly growing and offers the opportunity for lifelong learning. 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.”
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 this question:
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 speciality I choose, I want to be directly involved with patients, particularly children, as I truly feel that they are amazing bundles of joy.”
Create an honest list of what you think are your strengths or weaknesses and then pinpoint a couple you can remember. Practice your responses so that they sound natural and you are prepared for the question on your actual interview day.
Remember our earlier tip on authenticity, and sprinkle in some healthy self-awareness. Your greatest weakness shouldn’t actually make you look better or as if you can’t honestly examine yourself (like “I care too much about people”).
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer: “One of my weaknesses is that I can be a bit of a perfectionist. I sometimes struggle with balancing the need to be thorough with the need to be efficient. To better prioritize my tasks and reach my goals, I’ve begun using a physical planner and time blocking each day. I’m also trying to be more aware of when I’m being overly critical of myself and to focus on the progress I’m making rather than dwelling on any mistakes I may make.”
Looking for a firsthand experience to understand the work of a physician and get your required shadowing hours?
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 this question:
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 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 important for building trust and rapport with patients.”
This question will be asked, and you need to have an answer. Read NYTimes 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:
There are many ways we can work to improve the healthcare system, but it will require a multifaceted approach. Some potential solutions include:
Medical schools value diversity and seek to create a diverse student body that reflects the communities they serve. If you come from a minority background or are otherwise part of an underrepresented community, you may have a unique perspective relevant to your future career.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample Answer: 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 improving health outcomes in minority populations. I am committed to using my diverse experiences to provide culturally sensitive and effective care to patients from all backgrounds. And I hope to one day bridge the gap between minority poverty stricken communities and readily accessible healthcare.
You don’t have to be a member of an underrepresented community or come from a diverse background to support and contribute to diversity in medicine.
When asked this question, aim to show that you understand the value of diversity and have the skills and experiences that enable you to contribute to the community in meaningful ways.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer: “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.”
Ethical questions are common during medical school interviews, and we didn’t choose any specific one because they vary quite a bit. Medical schools want to ensure their students have a strong foundation in ethical principles and are prepared to handle ethical dilemmas that will inevitably arise in their careers.
Tips for answering ethical questions during a medical school interview:
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, healthy life made possible by the transplant would be the person I’d give the kidney transplant to.”
If you can’t think of an answer during a medical school interview, stay calm, and don’t panic.
Consider these tips:
Remember, it’s normal to not 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.
Asking questions during your medical school interview is a good opportunity to learn more about the program and to demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest for that school.
What are some good questions to ask in a medical school interview? Some good questions to ask during a medical school interview include:
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.
The best way to be prepared for your interview is to practice! MedSchoolCoach physician advisors can help you prepare for medical school interviews through mock interviews and an assortment of other ways. Contact us today!
Dr. Marinelli has practiced family medicine, served on the University of California Admissions Committee, and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school. She spearheads a team of physician advisors who guide MedSchoolCoach students.
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