For instance, you might describe your dedication to both personal and professional growth. For each strength, list as many pieces of evidence as possible. It’s also your opportunity to see if the school’s learning environment and culture is a good fit for you. What was the most memorable achievements of your college career? Need help with medical school interview questions? Since you’ve made it this far, you can feel confident that the medical school is impressed by your qualities and credentials. We’ll also share tips on answering 10 of the most difficult. However, it is a good idea to be aware of the points you would like to mention. 655 K Street, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC, 20001-2399. Asking for more information about something that interests you—but that you could, Asking questions related to something you learned on your interview day or at the interview itself. There are 1,000 candidates applying who are equally qualified. Why did this book interest you? Your interviewer may say something along the lines of, “So, you want to help people. On the other side, make a list of bullet points that you would like to mention in relation to the question. After answering far more complex questions successfully, however, it often throws candidates off guard. Emphasize that you’re certain medicine is the career for you and that you will reapply if you don’t get into medical school this year. The tone of an interview is usually set in the first few seconds. Brainstorm a few questions beforehand and write them on your index card, and be open to inspiration that may occur during your interview. This is just rude! If the United States adopted universal healthcare, would your plans to be a physician change? Preparation is the key to putting your best foot forward. Is there a moment where you’ve seen medicine change someone’s life? You should already know some of the courses and activities that you’d like to participate in and how this school can uniquely prepare you for a successful career in medicine. Make sure you’ve done your research on the school and … As you answer this question, be sure that your excitement and passion for the school resonate with the interviewer. Have you ever encountered a moral dilemma? Tell me about some books, films, or other media that have been important to your non-medical/non-science education. But if you’re ready to talk about the topics listed above with honesty, poise, and enthusiasm, you’ll greatly increase your chances of earning an acceptance letter. If you are not part of a minority group, how do you plan to meet the needs of a diverse patient population? Make sure it’s a professional or academic scenario and not something too personal. Brainstorming potential responses to this question now will keep you from panicking and drawing a blank during the interview. What have you learned from these experiences? But if you do have a preference then this piece of advice is especially for you. If you come from an economically disadvantaged background, how do you think this adversity has shaped you? What do you think you might lose by having to make this choice? Like asking about weaknesses, this question is designed to give the interviewer insight on your ability to reflect and learn from mistakes. Do you know other students or family members who have attended this school? Dwelling too much on the stress of it all or … When you are done with your medical school interview (or any interview for that matter), you are going to want to take some time to craft a thank-you note. whether you get into your #1 choice for medical school. Most importantly, your questions should indicate that you’re sufficiently knowledgeable about the school and genuinely interested in attending. The interviewers want to find out more about you and whether you are suited for their medical school. If you’d like more help from me in preparing for your medical school interviews, check out the following resources: My book all about the medical school interview, The Premed Playbook: Guide to the Medical School Interview. What is it about being a doctor that is more appealing to you than any other career? One of the most important phases of the application process is your interview. Sample Medical School Interview Questions and Answers. The best way to do so is by emphasizing what appeals to you about being a physician more than anything else. You might say, “I’m in favor of euthanasia in certain circumstances, like when a patient is terminally ill and mentally capable of making a decision about assisted suicide.”. I was complete early-mid September. How would you handle working with a terminally ill patient? See articles and resources that will help you navigate toward a career in medicine. However, most questions will fall into these categories. Say you will ask for feedback and use your initial experiences to strengthen your application and make it more competitive for next time. If you're interested in seeing sample answers to the bolded questions, check out How to Ace the Medical School Interview. As in the previous question, it’s important to avoid criticizing other candidates when you answer this question. Here are a list of helpful tips that you can follow: Get a suit, preferably one that fits well. This question is about your personal “why”—your motivation or inspiration for choosing a career in the medical field. What it’s Like to Participate in Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), AAMC Video Interview Tool for Admissions (AAMC VITA™), Managing Your Finances During Medical School, Choosing a Specialty with Careers in Medicine®, Researching Residency Programs and Building an Application Strategy, ERAS Tools and Worksheets for Residency Applicants, ERAS Tools and Worksheets for Fellowship Applicants, Training Opportunities for Residents and Fellows, Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR). Now, what about discussing your weaknesses? If you’ve visited campus before, mention your experience. Do you have alternative career plans? Interviews are the third and final component of the medical school application process. Do you have a role model or family member involved in medicine? I need to learn more about that.”. As such, I had the opportunity to see, first hand, the admission process and partake in interviews with prospective medical students. This is a stressful situation. Double Major vs. Dual Degree: Which One Is Better? The people interviewing you want to see what you will bring to the medical school’s community, not just what you bring academically. Note that this list is unlikely to include. You may find more research or clinical experiences, retake the MCAT, etc. If you have not dealt with someone in crisis, how do you think you would handle this situation? Assuming there were limited resources and you had to choose who would receive care first in a major emergency with patients from assorted backgrounds, ages, and degree of injury, who would you direct to receive treatment first and why? First, write out the guiding principles that you apply in ethical dilemmas. The last thing you want to think about during a medical school interview is the possibility of not getting into medical school, but this is a commonly asked question. Land somewhere in the middle with a more nuanced response. This is not the … They’re also honest, so don’t respond, “I’ve never really failed.”. Make it clear that you would be thrilled to attend this school and that you plan to be actively involved on campus, taking full advantage of available resources and opportunities. What do you feel is the purpose of medical school, and what do you hope to gain from this experience? What do you feel are the social responsibilities of a doctor? To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of 75 of the most common medical school interview questions. There are several medical school interview questions that you should be prepared for. What does “success” mean to you? This isn’t some big secret you’re exposing. Why should we offer you a spot at our medical school? Describe a situation in which you demonstrated initiative. Kathleen Franco, M.D. You might have been fine, but the other people interviewing were better. Its members are all 155 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; more than 400 teaching hospitals and health systems, including Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and more than 70 academic societies. Behavioral medical school interview questions let the admissions board find out more about how you think, act, and, well, behave, typically in a professional context. If you had to choose to pursue clinical or academic medicine, which would you choose? In a medical school interview, your interviewers will assess (1) whether you are a good fit for their institution, and (2) whether you will be a good physician. Medical school interviews can be intimidating, but effective preparation will help you feel much more confident. Discuss the failure itself only briefly, then focus on. How do you feel about medically assisted suicide/euthanasia? Getting specific eliminates the possibility of being cliché, because specific details are unique to you. After 20 years in the medical field, what sort of “success” would you like to have achieved? Tell me about a time you were disappointed in a coworker or teammate. Do you have a specific anecdote you can share that cemented your decision to work in medicine? Describe the moment and your desire to create similar moments for others. Is there anything we have not covered in this interview that you would like to share with us? Acknowledge that being a doctor is very competitive, and all physicians will experience failure or setback at some point in their career. What do you think is the most important social problem facing the United States today? Do you know how to prepare for a medical school interview? What skills do you hope to gain from medical school? We got you covered. Tell me about a time when you were angry with another person or faced a conflict. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? This question is not asking what you like about medicine or what skills you have that are related to medicine. Don’t fight the stress of it all! What do you do for fun? If you’re sitting across from an interviewer, you’ve successfully completed two application rounds. The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) is a not-for-profit association dedicated to transforming health through medical education, health care, medical research, and community collaborations. Practice saying, “That’s a great question. As interviewers, we’re amazed by the quality of today’s applicants. This is the time to show who you are and what makes you unique. The interviewer already knows you’re not perfect. We’ve grouped some of the most common medical school interview questions into several “buckets” or categories. Share an honest experience you’ve had with failure (but not an extreme mistake that might make a school hesitant to admit you). I'm getting really nervous; how bad is my situation right now? Answering, “I like science and helping people,” is an extremely generic answer that is probably true of every medical school hopeful. Remember, when you get invited to interview, be confident since you’ve already impressed the medical school with your application. Tell me about a current event that interests you and why. How might your ideal medical school achieve this outcome? Most of us do not have a preference in which medical school we want to go to as long as we get accepted. For example, tell yourself that you were invited to interview because the medical school screened applications and determined you have promise for medicine and many of the characteristics and experiences they seek. Using the previous example, find good transitions between your Mexico mobile clinic, research, and your interests (both clinical and non-clinical) in medical school. Why? What will you do if you’re not accepted to medical school this year? One major error that a premed should never make during a med school interview is behaving … Why do you think some doctors are unhappy practicing medicine? Its perfectly OK to be honest with the interviewer and tell them you don’t know. If you’re truly stumped by a question, don’t panic or throw out a random (and potentially disastrous) answer. The AAMC serves and leads the academic medicine community to improve the health of all. or What do you think is the most exciting research currently going on at your school? There’s no easy way to say it: with a large number of medical schools, a similarly substantial number of medical school applicants, and no truly universal timeline for application review, interview invitations, and acceptance offers, U.S. medical school applicants should anticipate a potentially-year-long application process. For questions that you find challenging or that are especially complex, create a notecard. Using an anecdote is a great approach to this question. First Impressions Matter. Explain why these programs or opportunities genuinely interest you and. Tell me what you know about current trends in our healthcare system. Today, I’ll offer insights for successfully answering some of the most common medical school interview questions encountered during the medical school interview. What is your typical decision-making process? Do you stay up to date with current events? There’s no way to prepare for every single question that will come your way during the interview. questions to answer. How do you think the U.S. should address the physician shortage, especially primary care doctors in rural areas? Traditional, open-ended Tell me about yourself. It also means the school would much prefer … Illustrate opportunities you’ve sought to improve your practice as a doctor and your personal skills such as communication and organization. Mention a few key aspects about the school that make it one of your top choices. Technically, this is not supposed to change your chances of getting into medical school. How will it influence your practice of medicine? Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC leads and serves America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals and their more than 179,000 full-time faculty members, 92,000 medical students, 140,000 resident physicians, and 60,000 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the biomedical sciences. You can also explain that you’d like to learn more about these specialties before making a decision. What would your best friends say about you? Simply helping others can’t be your sole motivation for becoming a doctor, because there are many other helping professions. Adding supporting evidence to your response will strengthen your answer and help you stand out. What are some of today’s most pressing health issues, in your opinion? – Me: To be honest, I don’t read a lot of books. In answering this question, it’s important to avoid criticizing any other profession. Science/Medical Station: In this station, you will not be expected to have detailed knowledge of medical processes. Where have you traveled, and what exposure to other cultures have you had? Do you have role models or family members in the medical field? I was excited when I learned that you have clinical rotations in X field, since I’ve had some experience and exposure in that area. This is the time to show who you are and what makes you unique. Although you should describe what interests you about the school, make sure you don’t sound like a brochure. In your answer, acknowledge the pros and cons of each side to show that you’re open-minded and willing to consider other perspectives. Read over these questions and bullet points in the weeks leading up to the interview, and even give the cards to a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview. What would you do if you got in everywhere? Don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t know something: If an aspect of the Affordable Care Act comes up in your interview, which you are not knowledgeable about, do not try to make up an answer. Who has been influential in your decision to work in medicine? If you haven’t thought about this before, now is the perfect time. Tell me about a time when you had to get creative to solve a problem. No Medical School Interview Invite Tip: Remember, don’t just tell the school you will be in the area. What’s important is how you respond to these setbacks. When did you decide to become a physician and why? Create the impression that you’re confident, friendly, and enjoying the conversation, and you’ll go a long way toward making a positive and memorable impression on the interviewer. What do you think you will need to give up to become a doctor? Say something like, “Of course, I would have to take the law into account and act accordingly.”, Finally, avoid giving an answer that is overly black or white. How do they demonstrate these qualities? Explain your guiding principles and how they relate to the dilemma, discuss the pros and cons of both issues, arrive somewhere in the middle, and explain that you would observe the law, regardless of your personal beliefs. Demonstrate that you’ve spent time imagining yourself on campus. You may have to discuss how you’d respond in a particular scenario, or how you’ve reacted in the past to a specific kind of incident. Describe how you deal with someone in crisis. Choose a real weakness (not, “I’m a perfectionist!”) that will not destroy your ability to be an effective physician. Mistakes to Avoid During Medical School Interviews. What was the situation and how did you handle it? Did you witness an excellent physician help you or a family member through illness? For instance, you wouldn’t want to say that you struggle with empathy or that you freak out in stressful situations. Before going to your interview, think through a few specialties that intrigue you and why you find them interesting. Why this school? Set a foundation for a successful career and pursue the best professional opportunities. My 13-video course about the Medical School Interview. What makes [this medical school] desirable to you? To help make your interview day a success, here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind as you prepare. On one side of the card, write the question. What have you done since then to investigate the field and confirm your choice? Again, specifics are key. When asked, “Why medicine?” start by sharing these uniquely personal stories. And unfortunately, saying that you don’t have any questions about the school can make you appear uninterested. You can’t control what questions you will be asked, but you can prepare answers for the most common types of interview questions. This question often stumps students because they don’t want to sound cliché. What would you discuss at the dinner? Women do not have to wear suits but they must dress professionally. Why? 940 25th St. NW Suite 103 Washington, DC 20037, Sign up for the The Admissions Strategist newsletter to get the latest information on college and career success, Greek Life & Extracurriculars in College: 6 Key Benefits, The Best Pre-Med Schools: 16+ Schools for Future Doctors, How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply To? The only thing more uncomfortable than talking about your strengths is talking about your weaknesses. Some ideas include: Did you always want to practice X specialty? I don't believe that any job interview is on a par with a med school interview. What experiences have you had working with diverse populations? How will it impact your practice? What are some current controversies in the area of medical ethics? I am just wasting my time trying to prove that I can be a doctor. Mention a few key aspects about the school that make it one of your top choices. As a member of the medical school admissions committee, I’ve interviewed many amazing applicants. Effective physicians are reflective in their practice and able to learn and grow from mistakes. But at medical school interviews, you’ll often be asked to discuss both. A Future Doctor's Guide. What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Do. How would you assess your compassion and empathy? Focus on some of your good qualities and how they are related to medical school and a career in medicine. Discuss a book that you’ve read for pleasure. Think about the medical school interview as a conversation to determine whether you and the school are a good fit for one another. Name anything you witnessed that made a lasting positive impression on you. Whether you are preparing for a multi-mini interview (MMI) or a traditional one, a lot of the questions can be quite similar. The medical school interview time frame varies a lot by school- some schools may give you an answer in October, while some might not have a decision for you until April. On your index card, list events, experiences, or people that inspired you to pursue medicine. What are some ethical issues that our society considers in relation to teenage pregnancy? Perhaps you’ve taken multiple personal development workshops annually, or you’ve taken advantage of any chance to gain exposure to other cultures and backgrounds. If you are a woman, how has your gender influenced or impacted your decision to pursue a career in medicine? It’s your chance to demonstrate your communication and interpersonal skills, judgment, maturity, and the qualities that are important for a future physician. It might not have been you. What reservations do you have about working in the medical field? 1-on-1 mock interviews with me. Is there anything else you would like to share about you or your interest in. Whatever weakness you choose, you will also need to explain how you’re actively working to better yourself in this area and have made some improvement. Then, record a list of points you’d like to mention in your response. By following the steps below, you can answer this question confidently and avoid offending your interviewer, regardless of his or her beliefs. These interviewers likely have as much influence on your admission as faculty members. Here’s what I wish I could say to them: 1. AAMC for Students, Applicants, and Residents. Get important information, resources, and tips to help you on your path to medical school—delivered right to your inbox each month. See upcoming events, webinars, deadlines, and MCAT test dates. While we recommend not memorizing answers, because this makes you sound like a robot, it’s important to think about these questions and their answers prior to your interview. This demonstrates that you’re a reflective, introspective individual who consistently works toward self-improvement. If you are being interviewed by a medical student or other non-faculty staff, don’t let down your guard and say something ill-advised. I really liked the question you asked earlier about X. It’s a complex topic, and I was interested in hearing your ideas and learning from someone with more experience or I heard at the interview dinner that your school plans to start X program next year. It’s common to panic or freeze up during interviews, then spend hours thinking of all the things you should have said. Choose the three most convincing strengths to discuss during your interview. Ultimately, it is not your stance on the issue that’s important. After all, anyone can rattle off a list of impressive strengths. What experiences have you had in a medical or clinical setting, and what have you learned from these experiences? Write common interview questions that you find complicated or challenging on index cards. If you could go back and start your college career again, what would you do differently? This is a crucial quality for any physician, so be clear on this point. Your interview performance is critical. If you could have dinner with any four people, who would you choose? Students often panic when asked for their opinion on controversial issues like medically assisted suicide/euthanasia, abortion, cloning, or stem cell research. Find out here! How do you spend your free time? I am especially intrigued the student run clinic where I could work to continue helping the underserved as well as the public health student research opportunities. How did you handle it? Some questions will be similar to what you’d answer in any other interview (i.e., "tell us about yourself"). If so, what were they and why did they happen? Is business administration a good major? The key is to choose 2-3 strengths (unless you’re only asked to name one) that will help you be successful in the medical field. Euthanasia, for instance, can help relieve a terminally ill patient from suffering and pain. Why do you want to attend medical school… Make sure you’ve done your research on the school and can name unique opportunities, experiences, professors, or even courses that this school offers.
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