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.
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.
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:
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).
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 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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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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
There are many ways we can work to improve the healthcare system, but it will require a multifaceted approach. Some potential solutions include:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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?”
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:
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
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.
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