The medical school interview is a critical and exciting opportunity, as the outcome will be the most influential factor in your admission success. It is your chance to showcase your personality, drive, and commitment to a medical career as well as those characteristics that will benefit your medical school class and future patients.
Scheduling the Interview
Most medical schools have rolling admissions, so we recommend scheduling your interview as early as possible in the interview season, which runs from the fall to the spring. Before solidifying your travel plans, you should contact nearby schools where you have applied to let them know you have an interview in the area and when your interview is scheduled. This serves the dual purpose of letting the other school know that you are ‘in demand’ while also showcasing a strong interest in their program.
What the Interviewers are Looking for
Most medical schools will offer prospective students one or two 30-minute interviews with faculty members or students. The interviewers are looking to assess your interpersonal traits, your commitment to and aptitude for medicine, your potential contributions to the school and your class, discuss and resolve any red flags and finally ensure that your interview is consistent with your application.
Interview Types
The Multiple Mini Interview: While this type of interview has been used mainly in Canada, it is growing in popularity within the United States. This interview format consists of multiple “stations” through which each applicant rotates. At each station, you are given a scenario, asked to role-play, or asked to do a team exercise. You are provided a couple of minutes to read each exercise and prepare, then you must have a discussion with the interviewers in the room or perform the team task.
The scenarios are designed to evaluate your values by presenting a dilemma to which you must respond. Be sure to carefully consider the various sides of the dilemma and to address them all. Role playing exercises test your communication skills and team tasks test your communication skills and ability to work others. Some stations may be clinically based while others are not.
The Traditional One-on-One Interview: This interview is the most common. Each interviewer has his/her own style of interviewing to which you should respond appropriately. Most commonly, in an “Open File” interview, the interviewer will have access to your submission materials. However, it is important not to assume that your interviewer knows anything about you as he/she may not have had time to review your file. In a “Closed File” interview, the interviewer will have limited access to your application. These interviews, therefore, offer a greater opportunity to drive the discussion content.
The Group Interview: This situation involves several interviewers and interviewees. The objective is to see how you interact with and respond to others. Be sure to listen attentively to everyone’s answers and showcase your ability to be a team player.
The Panel Interview: Typically, the panel includes multiple interviewers with just one interviewee.
Apply Point’s Tips for Success
- Take responsibility for the interview content, by creating and driving your own agenda.
- Outline the key points and experiences you would like to discuss within the interview. Take responsibility for bringing up these points, even if they are present in your application. To do this, review all your application materials, and highlight your most relevant stories and experiences.
- Speak about any recent accomplishments or events not included in your application. Continue to improve your candidacy even after you’ve submitted your application.
- Be proactive about bringing up red flags or weaknesses in your application. Address these head-on during the interview because they will inevitably come up within the admission committee discussions. Rather than make excuses, talk about what you’ve learned and/or how you will combat weaknesses going forward.
- Think about and practice telling your story aloud. This will help you feel more comfortable connecting the dots between various aspects of your life when asked to elaborate.
- Give complete answers and use segues to transition to other related topics you want to discuss. For example, if you are asked why you selected a particular internship, explain not only the why, but also include the when and the what.
- Keep the conversation moving; don’t talk any longer than three to five minutes on a given topic.
- Research the school where you are interviewing as well as the interviewers.
- Provide specific reasons why the program appeals to you and practice speaking to why you would be a great fit.
- Be conversational and demonstrate intellectual curiosity with good questions, but don’t interview the interviewer. Be sure that your questions at the interview’s conclusion showcase your interest in the school.
- Voice your appreciation for the interview’s time and the opportunity to interview.
- At the end of the interview, thank your interviewer, reiterate why you have a superior fit with this medical school and let him/her know that you would be honored to matriculate.
- Send hand-written thank you notes. The note should be short, but should include interview highlights, repeat your interest in the school, and thank the interviewer for his/her time.