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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 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 by teaching you how to address difficult ethical questions and how to explain why medicine is the only career choice for you.
Check out our free guidebook for your med school interviews. Get sample MMI questions, dress code advice, thank-you note templates, and more.
Most Common Medical School Interview Questions
Every medical school interview will vary in format and content. The questions below are representative of those asked during a traditional/panel interview (generally with 1-3 faculty members and/or students on the program’s admissions committee).
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.
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?
Medicine and Medical Profession Questions
- What do you think are the most important qualities for a doctor to have?
- How do you plan to balance your personal and professional life as a doctor?
- Where do you see your career in a few years? Are you interested in academic medicine or more community-based work?
Personality, 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 have.
- 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 that would take 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.
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?
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.
Tips & Example Answers to 12 Common Medical School Interview Questions
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 tips actually 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 want the interview to be a natural, but professional, conversation.
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.
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 an overview of your background, experiences, and interests that are relevant to pursuing a career in medicine.
A few tips for answering:
- Keep it brief: This is not the time to go into great detail about your entire life story. 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 or research experience, or any relevant volunteer or clinical experiences you have had.
- Practice: It’s a good idea to practice answering this question beforehand so you feel more comfortable and confident during the interview.
- Avoid regurgitating stats (GPA, MCAT scores, Casper scores, etc.): This is not the place to start spewing your academic credentials. That data is available to your interviewers already — 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 career in medicine 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 and other career options for students who like science. So be sure to articulate why medicine is the only route that makes sense for you. One way to brainstorm for this question is to think about why you’re interested in becoming a physician rather than another healthcare profession, such as a nurse or physician’s assistant. (Hint: being a physician involves leadership.)
- Reflect on your motivations: 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).
- Tie it back to your experiences: One of the best ways to prove your commitment to medicine is to show that you’ve already contributed to, or explored, the field. Mention the clinical experiences that you’ve had and explain how you’ve grown as a healthcare advisor. 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 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.
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: Keep in mind 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 speciality I choose, I want to be directly involved with patients, particularly children, as I truly feel that they are amazing bundles of joy.
4. There are 1,000 applicants as qualified as you are. 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. Do your goals and interests align with the school more than the next applicant? Tell them why you specifically should get into medical school.
Tips for answering this question:
- Research the school: Before your interview, look up the school to understand its mission. Use the school’s website, social media, and the social media accounts of current and former students there to understand a bit more of what the program is all about.
- 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. But 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 guarenteed 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 their 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 good qualities, not others’ bad qualities: When answering this question, focus on your strengths rather than putting down other applicants. Don’t generalize about the med student population or, worse, the medical profession. 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. Interviewers want to know 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, trying again next year won’t be the end of your journey.
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.
- Ask for feedback if you’re not accepted: If you’re not accepted at the medical school after your interviewer, I recommend reaching out to your interviewer and the admissions committe 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 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.
6. What is your greatest weakness?
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.
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 disengenous 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 upon 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 that is 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: 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.
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.
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 examples: Don’t just give blanket adjectives. It’s helpful to provide examples of times when you have demonstrated your strengths. For example, 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 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.
8. Let’s talk about [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: Take a look at your medical school application in the days leading up to your interview, 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 who you might blame for this or that. Such behavior may reflect poorly on your character, which is an important element of this interview.
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 social life is not what really matters as you continue down your career path. I also realized my junior and senior year that I don’t have to sacrifice my 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, and what can we do to improve the field?
This question will be asked, and you must 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:
- 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 US 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 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 to 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 might you best meet the needs of a multiethnic, multicultural patient population?
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, 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.
NOTE: The SCOTUS’ 2023 ruling on affirmative action influences the way AdComs may ask applicants about their racial and cultural backgrounds. You, as an applicant, can absolutely 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 experienced issues (or have loved ones who have) 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 important to be able to communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds. Discuss any experience you have that helped you develop strong communication skills or that 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.
- Discuss 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 Whiteall 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. [Insert an ethical question here.]
Ethical questions are common during medical school interviews, and we didn’t choose any specific ones 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:
- Understand the principles of medical ethics: Familiarize yourself with the frameworks and principles of medical ethics, such as 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 important 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.
- 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, healthy 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?”
What To Do If 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.
Consider these tips when struggling to think of your answer:
- Pause and collect your thoughts. It’s okay to take a few seconds to gather your thoughts and compose yourself.
- Ask for clarification. If you’re not sure 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 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.
Read Next: Your Medical School Secondary Essay Guide with 4 Real-Life Examples
Questions to Ask Your Medical School Interviewer
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:
- 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?
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.
Read Next: The Best Medical Schools for Non-Traditional Applicants (2025)
