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Medical school interviews are a part of the admissions process that allows your personality to shine through. A bit of preparation goes a long way in providing you with the tools and confidence needed to shine on interview day.
I’ve served on medical school admissions committees and as the Director of Advising for MedSchoolCoach, so I’ve seen what AdComs look for and what students need the most to prepare.
What does it mean if you get a medical school interview? Getting an interview invitation means that (1) you’ve met the requirements for admission to that medical school, (2) your application caught the eye of their admissions committee, and (3) the AdComs want to find out if you’re a good fit for their program. Getting an interview is a good sign, but it’s far from a guarantee of acceptance.
What percentage of med school interviewees get accepted? The percentage of med school interviewees who get accepted varies from program to program. Some schools accept up to 50% of the applicants invited for an interview, while other schools accept between 25% and 30%.
Read Next: Applying to Med School as a Non-Traditional Applicant
What’s the purpose of the med school interview? Admissions committees use interviews to determine a candidate’s ability to:
- Communicate well.
- Carry themselves with authority befitting a doctor.
- Think under pressure.
- Show compassion.
- Demonstrate resilience.
- Reinforce the “polish” that came across in their written application.
- Excel beyond just GPA and good MCAT scores.
Preparing for your interviews? Get our free downloadable guide created by former admissions committee members to walk you through the process step-by-step.
Medical School Interview Types
There are four basic types of medical school interviews: panel or “traditional” interviews, Mini Multiple Interviews (MMIs), group interviews, and one-on-one interviews. You may be asked to attend an in-person interview, although post-pandemic interviews are much more often virtual and/or asynchronous. In some cases, students are given the choice to attend in person or virtually.
Traditional (Panel)
During a traditional interview, you’ll speak with a panel of between 1-3 people on the school’s admissions committee, often including faculty members and sometimes a student.
Similar to a job interview, the committee members present will ask you questions to understand your personality, your drive for practicing medicine, and what potential weaknesses they should know about you.
More and more schools are moving away from the traditional interview format, opting for MMIs instead.
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
In multiple mini interviews (MMIs), you’ll visit 6-10 structured stations over the course of two hours, where 1-2 admissions interviewers man each station.
MMIs use a combination of acting and non-acting interview questions. You’ll answer some questions just as in any traditional interview (“What is your greatest weakness?”), but you’ll roleplay your responses in other scenarios (“You just learned that your patient must be given a terminal diagnosis. Enter the room and speak with her.”).
MMIs and traditional panels are sometimes used alongside one another, but most medical programs use one or the other.
Our physicians and former admissions committee members have helped 1,000s of students stand out in interviews. Learn how 1-on-1 interview prep from MedSchoolCoach can help you secure the acceptances you deserve.
Group Interviews
In a group interview, you’ll be assigned to a small group of other premeds being interviewed to complete tasks, solve problems, or answer questions together. This format may be mixed with MMIs or traditional interviews as a way to see how you can demonstrate your interpersonal competencies and ability to collaborate in a team environment.
One-on-One Interview
This is exactly what you might expect from the name. A one-on-one interview puts you with a single AdCom, faculty member, or physician connected with the program to talk through your application.
In general, these are almost always used as one part of a larger interview process. Some schools might have you do multiple one-on-one interviews with different evaluators. Others might have you participate in other formats, like MMIs or group interviews.
Expect to Get These Common Questions
In my experience, here are a few of the most frequently asked medical school interview questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to go to this school?
- Why did you choose your undergraduate major?
- How have your work experiences, volunteer opportunities, and extracurriculars prepared you for a medical education and career?
- What are the most important qualities of a good doctor?
- Why do you want to be a doctor?
- What is your best quality/strength?
- What is your greatest weakness that may impact your future medical career?
- What do you do for fun?
- What would you do if you couldn’t be a doctor?
- How will you contribute to the diversity of this school of medicine and healthcare at large?
- Describe an ethical dilemma you faced and how you handled the situation.
- In your opinion, what’s the biggest problem facing our healthcare system?
Because of the format, MMI questions are dramatically different from traditional panel interview FAQs. Check out our list of sample MMI questions here.
6 Expert Tips for Interview Preparation
During your interview, your goal is to win AdComs over with your personality, communication skills, passion, and character. Below are my top medical school interview tips on how to ace your interview and set your mind at ease by being prepared.
1. Learn About the Program
Gaining background information on program-specific details helps you ask your interviewers informed questions, improve your interview performance, and project your sincere interest.
Most information about a school can easily be found on its website. This is a simple way to locate interesting details, like their curriculum, teaching methods, student body, and more.
You should also strive to know about the school’s:
- Facilities
- Hospitals for clinical rotations
- Mission
- Reputation
- Resident placements
- Student initiatives
2. Research the Interview Itself
If you know anyone who has interviewed at the school, reach out to express your interest and seek their insight on the application process and the interview experience. If you’re given the names of the AdComs you’ll be talking with, take the time for a quick Google search to learn a bit about who they are.
If you’re not sure of the interview format, check out the current MSAR report by the AAMC. It contains information about upcoming interview structures by medical program. (Here’s the current report for the 2024/25 cycle.)
Here’s what you want to know:
- Is this an in-person or virtual interview?
- How many interviewers will be present?
- Have the interviewers already seen your application, or are they blind to your application when they meet you?
- Will the interview format be a traditional interview or Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)? Or will it follow a different format, such as a group or one-on-one interview?
- Who will be interviewing you? What is their background like? (If this information is provided)
3. Review Your Application
Unless it’s a blind interview, your evaluator will review the documents you presented in your medical school application and ask questions based on the information you provided. Not reviewing your application can present a major pitfall since you likely submitted it months ago, and your memory of the details may be hazy.
Go through your AMCAS or other applications (TMDSAS or AACOMAS), especially the sections on:
- Clinical experience
- Shadowing
- Research
- Other work and extracurricular activities
- Your personal statement
- Your secondary application essays
Your interviewers are most likely to ask questions about the above topics. Factors like your GPA, MCAT, and Casper are unlikely to be the focus of your interview day.
Brush up on your research experience, if applicable, so that you can explain it simply and concisely. Assume that, although your interviewers may be MDs or DOs, they may not have intimate knowledge of your research area.
Read Next: The Medical School Personal Statement: How To Stand Out
4. Review Current Events in the Medical Field
In the world of modern medicine, research is everything, and you can learn a lot in a short time.
As a prospective medical student, you should be up-to-date with the current research and discoveries that pertain to the world of medicine. Reading medical journals and blogs or even talking to researchers and resident doctors you meet while working or volunteering are all great sources for current medical events.
Review publications such as The New York Times for an understanding of health policy and current events
Sharing this information during your interview is a good way to impress your interviewer. They will take note of your ability to form informed opinions based on information while also displaying your passion for the medical world.
5. Prepare Your Answers
Don’t go into the interview without practicing your responses — you should generally know what to expect, so be prepared to receive these questions. Start by reviewing common medical school interview questions and outlining compelling answers.
You don’t need to write out a response, word for word, for each question. Prepare just a few bullet points to avoid sounding overly prepared or robotic.
Phrase your answers with the understanding that the program has your secondary application. They know your competencies. The best interviewees briefly cover the details of their CV and academic record, but spend most of their answer time explaining why medicine is their passion.
You may likely have to answer questions concerning end-of-life matters. Your interviewer may ask you to share your views on medical ethics issues like euthanasia, abortion, or stem cell research. Know that interviewers will judge your ability to make an educated, coherent, and informed opinion rather than judging your stance itself.
For each practice question, come up with one example related to current research or events in the field of medicine and a second, more personal example related to your individual experience or accomplishments. Try not to repeat your examples too much over the course of the interview.
This exercise will likely be harder and more time-intensive than anticipated — but well worth it. You will learn a lot about yourself and create a plethora of invaluable examples you can have at your fingertips throughout the interview season.
If you have multiple examples for any one question, choose the best example. Remember, it’s not about giving an example — anyone can do that — it’s about providing the best example, so do your best to identify it and be ready to share it on interview day.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice!
Some students don’t think you need to do much to prepare for medical school interviews. Maybe they’ve had some job interviews or looked at common questions, so they feel ready.
The truth is, during the actual interview day, the stakes are high and you will be much more nervous. To combat the nervous energy, practice your answers with multiple mock interviews beforehand.
At the interview, you might speak with someone who is the easiest person to talk to or the most intimidating person you have ever met. The only way to do well is to practice with as many people and professionals as possible. That way, you’ll be ready, no matter who walks into the room.
Do not underestimate the power of your delivery and your nonverbal communication. How you share your examples will likely be at least as important, if not more, than the actual words you use. Ask a trusted advisor for honest feedback on how your communication comes across.
On the other hand, avoid sounding too rehearsed by attempting to memorize your answers word-for-word. As a physician, you’ll need to be able to conduct yourself well in communication with peers, other healthcare professionals, and patients — this interview is one of your first chances to show that you’re capable of this.
How to Present Your Best Self on Interview Day
Professionalism is an absolute must-have for prospective medical students. Put your best foot forward on interview day!
When meeting with students as a member of an admissions committee, I was most compelled by those who carried themselves with a high degree of professionalism and presented themselves as someone I’d personally enjoy working with.
Below are the best tips on presenting your best self on the day of your medical school interview.
1. Dress Appropriately
Wearing a suit or business attire conveys a level of professionalism and respect for the interview process. It also shows that you are taking the opportunity seriously. This is not the time to make a statement with your clothing or appearance. Avoid clothing that may be perceived as immodest, overly casual, or polarizing in any way.
In terms of specifics, it is generally best to wear a suit jacket or blazer with dress pants or a skirt — dark or neutral colors only. Underneath the top layer, wear a collared shirt or blouse, and make sure the shirt is clean and wrinkle-free. Wearing a tie is a good idea for men.
Also, pay attention to your grooming and accessories. Make sure your hair is clean and styled, with minimal makeup and jewelry. If you wear facial hair, trim it neatly.
Be comfortable in your clothing choices. A certain level of formality is necessary, but also make sure you’re comfortable in your outfit, as this will allow you to focus on the interview itself rather than worrying about your appearance.
Dress in layers because the temperature in the interview room may vary.
2. Show Your Personality
Don’t let the interview setting detract from your personality. For example, if you are a funny person, feel free to insert some humor (in good taste) as you address the interview questions.
Smile, relax, make eye contact, and enjoy your moment.
After all, you’ve made it to the interview — your application already demonstrates that you possess the skills to succeed in that particular program. Much of the interview is actually about finding a good personality fit. Do not underestimate the power of your personality.
3. Be Friendly Towards Everyone
Anyone could put in a bad word, so be kind, courteous, and professional with everyone you encounter.
If a school incorporates a current medical student interviewer, count yourself lucky! Sometimes this sort of interview is in a formal one-on-one setting. In other cases, it’s more casual, over lunch or a campus tour.
Be on your best interview behavior with the medical student interviewer like in the rest of your interviews, but don’t be afraid to ask questions that matter to you. At the end of a long interview season, it may be hard to remember the pros and cons of each institution, so make use of any time with current medical students — and make a note of anything you learn in real time.
Here are some insights I recommend you gather during your time with current medical students:
- What do they have to say about the professors and physicians who teach them?
- Are the instructors reliably available by email and sensitive to student concerns?
- Are there plenty of volunteer and research opportunities?
- How do the students feel about the program’s grading system?
- Is there a community atmosphere? Even if it’s a competitive environment, do students support one another or get along?
- Try to picture yourself with the current students. Would you fit in?
4. For Virtual Interviews: Prepare Your Atmosphere
If you’re appearing in virtual live or asynchronous interviews, prepare your space in advance to ensure you’re in a professional-looking environment without distractions. Here are a few things I recommend to students I advise:
- Make sure that your family, roommates, or anyone else around knows that you are not to be interrupted during a specific timeframe. Ask other people you live with to keep noise levels low.
- If you have a pet, especially one who likes to bark or jump on your desk, consider asking someone else to watch your pet during your interview day.
- This is not the time to video chat while sitting on your bed. Find a secure, private table or desk where you can do your interview.
- Find the right background. In general, I don’t recommend using a virtual background for your interviews as they can be unreliable. (You don’t want your pile of dirty clothes popping in and out of view behind you.) Instead, try to find a clean and tidy space that looks professional on camera. Photos, art, and bookshelves are okay — but avoid things in the frame like other people, controversial statements, inappropriate imagery, and so on.
- If you don’t have an appropriate place to interview at home, see if your local library has some quiet room you can reserve for free.
- Test your camera view ahead of time. Ensure your full face is in the frame, your face is well-lit (like by window light), and the background is free of anything you wouldn’t want your interviewer to see.
Dress and get ready as you would for an in-person interview. Yes, it’s funny to know that some professionals wear sweatpants and button-up dress shirts to be “video-chat ready,” but this is not the time to half-prepare. If you wouldn’t wear your gym shorts to an IRL interview, don’t wear them during your virtual interview either.
What to Do About Inappropriate Questions
Although interviewers may ask tough questions to gauge your communication skills under pressure, this does not give them the right to ask inappropriate questions. The AAMC encourages interviewees to report inappropriate situations to an admissions officer.
According to the AAMC, it is inappropriate to ask about your age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, income, home value, and credit score.
Other inappropriate questions may include:
- What’s your opinion on abortion?
- Where’s your accent from?
- Do you observe any religious holidays that may interfere with your studies?
- Did you vote for [political leader]?
- Do you have any children, or do you plan to have children while in medical school?
- How do you plan to pay for medical school?
- Do you have any disabilities we should know about?
- Have you ever been arrested for drug use?
- Can you show me your social media?
You can answer a question by stating you are uncomfortable answering or by clarifying what they are asking that is relevant to your candidacy.
Ask Your Interviewers Questions, Too
It reflects poorly on you if they ask you, “Do you have any questions?” and you shrug your shoulders, saying, “No.”
Don’t worry — I’ve got you covered. (Don’t ask all of these; just pick a few.) Below are some great questions to ask your interviewers:
- What makes this school unique?
- How has the school evolved in recent years?
- Can you tell me about any research opportunities available for students?
- What mental health resources do you offer for students?
- Do you offer study resources for USMLE or COMLEX?
- Are there a lot of financial aid or scholarship opportunities here?
- What are the best clubs on campus?
- Does this school work within the local community?
- What is something about this school that people don’t really know about?
If you know who your interviewers will be before the interview, do some online research on them beforehand to get an idea of their background and interests. If it feels appropriate, you can ask them questions about their research, specialty, or involvement on campus.
Don’t Forget to Send a Thank-You Letter
The faculty members who serve on the interview committee have volunteered their time. It is essential to send a thank you note to each interviewer you meet. They will be among your strongest advocates for communicating directly with admissions officers.
A thank-you letter for a medical school interview should contain a few key elements:
- Expression of gratitude for the opportunity to interview and the interviewer’s time.
- Specific aspects of the interview that you enjoyed or found particularly valuable.
- Any additional highlights, including relevant experiences or qualifications you may have omitted during the interview.
- A professional and sincere tone.
Here is an example medical school interview thank you email example:
Dear Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones,
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to interview at ABC Medical School. It was a pleasure to meet both of you and learn more about the program. I particularly enjoyed the discussion we had about the clinical experiences available to students at ABC Medical School. It is clear to me that the program places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, which is exactly the type of medical education I am looking for. I also wanted to take this opportunity to clarify a point I made during the interview about my involvement in research. I mentioned that I have participated in several research projects, but I neglected to mention that I have also presented my work at two national conferences. I hope this additional information will be helpful in your decision-making process. Again, thank you for the opportunity to interview and for your time. I am extremely interested in attending ABC Medical School and hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Try the Thank You Note Generator from ProspectiveDoctor for a foolproof way to communicate with your medical school interviewer.
Get Help from the Experts
I’ve helped hundreds of students like you ace their med school interviews. If you’re looking for help getting into your dream school, schedule a meeting with our enrollment team to discuss our advising services.
96% of clients who do three or more mock interviews with MedSchoolCoach get accepted to medical school. Sign up for 1-on-1 practice sessions with a Physician Advisor and get interview-ready today!
Renee Marinelli, MD
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.
