When it comes to your medical school interview, preparation is the best antidote to anxiety. But there are better ways to prepare than just churning through sample questions. Over the next six days, our new series will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for the traditional medical school interview. Check back daily as we discuss the six question types you can expect.
Wildcard Questions
In any interview you should expect something… unexpected. It could be a fun question about what makes you special, or it could be a logistical question like: "How will you pay for medical school?"
As with all interview responses, how you back up an answer matters more than the answer itself. So, even if the question is something like "What do you do for fun?" it should subtly hint at one or two of your finer qualities. You don't have to say, "I study extra hard for fun! All I love is studying because I am a serious person!" That's disingenuous. But if you say, "I take salsa classes," share why in a revealing way: "I take salsa classes. I love Latin music and I am nothing but present on the dance floor. Having a partner reminds me to be attuned to her. And having a place to be every Tuesday night makes me even more diligent at work. I've come in early a few times just so I know I can be out the door by 5 PM to make it to my 6 o'clock class."
Questions you may be asked:
Teach me something.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
How would your best friend describe you?
Who is someone you admire? Why?
What do you do for exercise?
Do you think the MCAT is a good measurement of one’s readiness for medical school?
How do you think you did during this interview?
What will you do if you're not accepted to medical school? (Oof, right? Is your plan to gain more clinical or research experience and try again? Try a post-bacc or Master's program and try again?)
Related:
What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Lead with a Confident Introduction
What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Situation, Action, Result Responses
What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: “Make a Claim and Back it Up” Responses
What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Why Our Medical School?