Med School Interview

Interview Guides & Resources

Advising Bites

Before the Interview

  • It depends. Some schools have a specific question bank they expect all interviewers to use. However, many schools will also expect interviewers to use questions that are more personalized to you.

  • They can be found online or in the Interview Feedback through SDN. Remember that questions can change, and many questions are specific to each applicant.

  • Doing so is generally recommended. Depending on what you ask, it can show genuine interest in the school or the interviewer. Good questions are not questions you can find online but are sourced from within the interviewer. For example, you could ask the interviewer their opinion on an aspect or part of the school.

  • No, as doing so comes off as ingenuine and robotic. It's better to remember key points you wish to discuss or have general knowledge of specific events you know you can use as examples. Do not memorize answers to every expected question.

  • Through mock interviews. Request that others ask you typical interview questions, be it from family, friends, or mentors. The more you practice, the more natural it will be for you to come up with answers. Through receiving their feedback, you will discover what works and what doesn't.

  • As usual, it depends on the school. Some schools prefer conversational interviews that resemble discussions between friends. Others prefer a more traditional job interview style in which they will ask you multiple questions in succession. Some schools utilize a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, which is best viewed through a video example rather than described. Medical school interviews have many different permutations, with various lengths, number of simultaneous interviewers, and number of simultaneous interviewees, etc. It's best to do specific research regarding the school that sent you an interview invite.

  • It depends again. Some schools have faculty interviewers, physician interviewers, or even student interviewers from the class. Usually, the school will specify who will be your interviewer and may even provide you with their details prior to the interview.

  • Potentially. Many schools have open-file interviews where the interviewer asks questions about your application. Know your application!

  • Dress formally and conservatively. As long as your outfit is appropriate, your outfit is unlikely to make a huge difference.

  • Focus on eye contact. Be clear and easy to converse with. Your answers should be appropriate, yet thoughtful.

  • It depends. Some schools have interviews in-person where some schools have interviews online. If your interview is online, be prepared with an appropriate location and functioning technology.

During the Interview

  • It depends. A safe bet will be a minute to a few minutes per question. Go with the flow!

  • Try your best! Your best answer will always be better than nothing. It may even be worth it to preface your answer with "I'm not entirely sure, but..." It's ok to admit when you aren't certain.

  • Above all else, answer the question. The interview is not the time to hijack the question and say what you wish. If the interviewer provides you with a specific question (e.g. "Tell me a time you experienced resilience"), then ensure you answer the question. Many interviewees make the mistake of not really answering the question.

  • By being reasonable and showing empathy. Whatever your belief toward a controversial question, you are entering a helping profession. Answers that are not empathetic will hurt you, regardless of the topic.

  • You should not unless the interviewer explicitly asks.

  • Provide genuine, specific reasons for why you wish to attend. Your answers should not be obvious.

After the Interview

  • If you wish, it is a nice gesture. Do it because you feel genuine gratitude, not out of a hope to increase your "score." Ensure you follow a school's policy on thank you notes.

  • It depends on the school. Many schools will use some sort of evaluation system to rate applicants.

  • Typically, wait a few weeks before a school responds. After that, you may follow-up if they provide no response.