The medical school interview allows you to be your own representative. You should have a strong, well rehearsed story of your abilities and your reason for becoming a physician. Any deficiencies in your record should be clearly explained but illustrate your personal responsibility for your record.

Dress: Dress as if you already are a professional. Many items need to be dry cleaned or taken out of storage so ensure that everything is ready a week before the interview.

Women should dress conservatively. Low heeled, dark shoes, suit, skin tone hosiery, conservative jewelry, no perfume, short nails, and good hygiene. Hair should be short or pulled back. Hair should not fall in your face.

Men should not wear cologne, wear suit and tie, comfortable shoes (preferably black), and black socks.

Qualities Assessed: The admission committee is looking for the following qualities:

• Maturity and Responsibility
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
• Confidence
• Integrity
• Self Awareness 
• Emotional Strength
• Judgment

Tour: While you are touring the medical facilities, be sure to carry yourself well.   In an informal situation such as a tour you are definitely being observed. Once you enter the school you are being assessed. You want to appear relaxed and confident.

Preparation: As in any work situation, you should have a good pitch which summarizes your abilities and the reason you would be an asset to the medical school. After your grades and MCAT scores, each school wants to inevitably know the type of contribution you will bring to the medical school.  

The interviewer wants to see the applicant's thought process. It is important to give intelligent answers with rational explanations. If they sense you are not informed then they will think you did not do enough preparation. They want to see you answer the question confidently, maturely and enthusiastically. Try to avoid beginning answers to questions with "I feel", "I believe", and "Um." It shows a lack of confidence and it makes your statements appear subjective. Review the website of each school, speak with students of the school, and know your application/secondaries. We strongly encourage researching health related topics well in advance of the interviewing process. During your last two years in undergraduate school, you should stay abreast of current events not only for interview purposes but also for the verbal portion of the MCAT.  Additional information for answering interview questions can be found under Student Resources and Related Links.

Types of Interview:

Group interview:
Convey through your actions that you are a team player
Do not expect others to incorporate you in the conversation, show initiative
Refer to others' answers when making your own comments/answers
Don't appear too serious
Find ways to incorporate others into the conversation

Closed
Interviewer never sees the application folder. They interview you as you are presented and make notes accordingly.

Semi-Open
See the personal statement. Don't have access to GPA and MCAT scores.

Open
Interviewer has complete access to your application.

Important topics of 2003-2004:

• With discussion about SARS, monkey pox and the high incidence of AIDS there may be a focus on public health issues.  
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) has been strongly enforce to maintain patient confidentiality, maintain standards of health care information and eliminate discrimination against patients. (i.e computers with patient information must be logged off after use and faxes including patient information must be accepted immediately)
• Also, bioethics will be an increasingly important issue given the economic and health care insurance climate that we are in. Many students overlook this topic in their interviews.
• Universal health care will be an important issue with the decrease in health insurance coverage. Many consumers are considering flexible spending accounts to reduce their costs.

General Interview Questions:

1. Why do you want to be a doctor?
2. How did you first become interested in medicine?
3. What is your best quality? Possible Response: Empathy
4. How do you deal with stress?
5. Who do you rely on for emotional support?
6. How important are grades to you?
7. What are your favorite hobbies?
8. What is your favorite movie and why?
9. If you could cure any disease what would it be and why?
10. What life experience made you a better person?
11. What are your three greatest achievements?
12. If I gave you $10,000 and you can save any money what would you spend it on?
13. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
14. Tell me about yourself?
15. You stated in personal statement ?..what did you learn from that,
    "              ?what did you mean by that?
16. A professor in your recommendation said you are a hard worker, what did you do that showed diligence?
17. Why choose medicine instead of other careers in health? Public health?
18. Why do you want to study medicine?
19. Where would you like to go to medical school?
20. Are you aware of the difficulty of medical school? Can you handle that kind of pressure?
21. Can you handle the sacrifice of time?
22. If you could have dinner with three people in history who would you pick and why?
23. How do you think malpractice could be reduced? Possible Response: The majority of malpractice claims are due to adverse drug reactions from prescribed medications according the American Medical Association. To reduce malpractice claims, it is necessary to implement a systematic information system which provides physicians with all patient progress notes and medications.
    Furthermore, malpractice could be reduced if patients are more informed of treatment options, had longer appointments with physicians and  did not feel intimidated by their physician. Once a patient feels they are not in control of their health care, then they begin to question the competency of the physician which leads to more malpractice claims.
24. How would you deal with a non-English speaking patient?
25. You receive a malpractice claim in the mail. How do you react?
26. What is your favorite book and why?
27. Do you feel you are prepared to enter medical school?
28. What are your weaknesses?
29. Can you describe yourself in three adjectives?
    Possible Response: Ethical, Empathetic, Charismatic, Diligent etc..
30. What do you consider a good income?
    Possible response: I live a modest lifestyle, so a good income is defined as enough money to provide a suitable standard of living for my family and I. I definitely prioritize a meaningful career as a physician and job security over financial compensation. 

Students with low GPA

    Don't appear defensive when answering this question. Be honest    
    but show your improvement or explain extenuating circumstances for an
    aberration in one semester.

1. Why was your GPA low in undergrad? You did so well in your master's program.
   Possible Response: I acknowledge that I could have performed better during my undergraduate years at (university name-especially if it is prestigious).  However, I did improve my record over the four years at (university name). I was slightly unprepared for the emotional circumstances that surrounded me during college and living far from home for the first time did not help me.  I expected to do well in my graduate program to prove that I have mastered upper level science material and to provide a strong foundation for medical school.  I'm convinced my diligence will be helpful in medical school.
2. I understand your unusual circumstances which would cause a low GPA for a couple of semesters but for two years?
3. Why should I give you acceptance into our medical school when other students with higher qualifications are interested in being in our school? Possible Response: Being a successful medical student requires high performance in upper level science courses, ability to work well with others, and ability to apply theoretical medical information to real world circumstances.  I believe my graduate level work has consistenly proven my ability to excel in advanced science curriculum. My ability to handle the science courses in medical school is evident in my work in the past two years. I have concentrated this time strictly in  science courses such as immunology, biostatistics and upper level science courses which I managed very well. I have had many opportunities to apply my core science knowledge in real life circumstances in my research at... I want to practice in low income area because there is a need and I would gain the greatest career satisfaction. The composite of these qualities and aspirations leads me to be an ideal candidate for medical school at _____. 
4. Do you think grades are a good indication of whether a student will do well in medical school?
5. What do you think makes a good medical school candidate?
6. How would your academic progress change after starting medical school?
7. What is a good way to judge potential medical school candidates?
8. Do you think a student with a C- should be admitted to medical school?
   Possible Response: High grades in all science courses are not a true indicator of success as a physician. 
9. Do you feel the basic sciences are your strongest asset? Do you think you need remedial work in the sciences? How are we sure that you have mastered the important science subjects?
   Possible Response: In the advanced science courses I took after college, I was tested on biology, biochemistry and chemistry. I would not have been able to excel in those courses without a strong science foundation. The challenge of learning science and applying it in every day situations is a priority in my life. I have immersed myself in the curriculum and I'm consistently interested in scientific challenges. I honestly don't think remedial work would be beneficial to strengthening my knowledge further.  

Medical School related

1. How will you pick a medical school if you only visited the school once?
2. Why would our medical school be suitable for you?
3. What other schools have you applied to? What schools have you been accepted to?

Ethical Questions

1. What is something that you have done in the past that you regretted?
2. What are your views on abortion?
3. What do you feel about animal research? Possible Response: Animal research has paved the way for the pharmaceuticals we use today. Many FDA clinical trials of pharmaceuticals require a primary phase of animal research to test for efficacy and safety. Without the research, the government would only be able to rely on clinical trials which is limited. Many patients who are interested in volunteering for human trials are low income families. Their involvement in new pharmaceuticals without animal testing could put them at risk. Although I enjoy animals and mean them no harm, I believe animal research is necessary for the betterment of society.
4. If a 15 year old comes into your office in need of birth control pills what would you say?
5. What do you think of euthanasia? Possible Response: It is a person's individual choice to live or die.  Some patients live excrutiating painful lives due to ailments and wish to end their life. However, I agree with the American Medical Association's position against physicians administering agents to cause patient death. Not only, is it against the Hippocratic oath, it is a conflict of interest for a physician to be responsible for the death of a patient when they are expected to heal lives. 
6. What is your opinion on fetal tissue research?
7. Are admission quotas fair?
   Possible Response: It is important to give extra consideration to students who are underrepresented in the medical field.  Patients typically respond better to medical doctors who come from similar backgrounds.  However, the student should meet certain qualifications in order to be placed in medical school. It is an injustice to the students as well as the profession to allow students into the class who will struggle to stay competitive.
8. How do you feel about treating a patient with HIV?
   Possible response:  I do not consider someone with HIV an "HIV patient". I consider them a patient of mine which I must respond to with proper care. As with all patients, I would use universal precaution procedures.  I would institute the same precautions (i.e proper handling of needles, double gloving etc..) in treating HIV patients as I do with other patients. I would be sensitive to the needs of the patient, obtain a full medical history and do my best to provide optimal treatment. I would expect my auxillary staff to do the same.
9. How do you feel about treating indigent patients?
   Possible response: My reason for becoming a doctor was to be an advocate for the underserved patient population. (Insert: your background giving proof to this statement) Presently, the insurance landscape makes it more difficult for lower class people and now even middle class people to receive optimal health care due to more employee contributions to insurance funded programs and HMO insurance programs. Many elderly patients are fleeing to Canada to fill prescriptions because they cannot afford the increased costs of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, many doctors are increasingly opening boutique practices so they can reduce their patient load and spend more time treating patients.(which typically are wealthy patients) Slowly, those who have access to healthcare will only be the wealthy.  I believe there is more satisfaction in helping those less fortunate. From my past experience I found them to be very appreciative of my efforts. I welcome the opportunity to help indigent patients.
10. What would you do if someone cheated on an exam?
    Possible response: I would ask the cheater to tell his/her instructor he/she cheated. If he/she refuses, I would grudgingly let the student know that I will have to tell the professor myself. Inherently it is wrong to cheat but in addition, grades are typically done on a curve. The cheater may a) continue to cheat and/or b) upon hearing of this incident, prompt others to cheat to stay competitive.  If one person cheats and continues to do so, it could become a widespread transgression throughout the class. The system of grading students competence based on exams would no longer be valid and the educational system is compromised.
11. What is your opinion of patients and physicians discussing healthcare choices and making treatment decisions together?    
12. What do you think of the priority system for organ recipients?

Technology

1. If you receive patient sensitive information via e-mail, how would you handle it?
2. Do you think medicine is too impersonal with the advent of technology?
3. What do you think will be the greatest medical development in technology?
   

Health Care Questions

1. What are three problems facing health care? Possible response: Difficulty incorporating technology while maintaining patieent confidentiality, rising cost of malpractice insurance and lack of access to care.
2. How can the government improve healthcare?
3. Where do you think health care will be in 10 years?
4. How do you feel about socialized medicine?
5. Do you think health care is a right or a privilege?
6. How do you feel about Universal Health Care?
7. What do you think of HMO's in health care?
8. How do you think managed care will influence your practice of medicine?

When asked if you have any questions for the interviewer:

    Always answer yes to the question, "Do you have any questions for us."

1. Describe the schools curricular innovations? Then follow by adding, I ask because I'm interested in ?.
2. Does your medical school focus on problem based learning as an educational approach?
3. How do your students perform on the USMLE Part 1 and 2 board exams?
4. How well do graduates fare in the residency match program?
5. What research opportunities are available?
6. Does your alumni typically reside in the area after completing medical school?

Thank you cards

Definitely remember the write the names of your interviewers (even the person who conducts the tour) and obtain business cards if possible. The cards should be sent the day after the interview to successfully leave a favorable impression.

Waitlisted

If you find that after your interview you are waitlisted, continue to send updated information about your achievements. Any publications, transcripts or work related experiences which occurred after the interview should be forwarded to the committee.

Also, you should definitely state your strong interest in the medical school. The school should be convinced that you would definitely accept an admission to the school.

Some students are accepted into medical school the day before the first term begins! Many circumstances may change so never assume you will not gain admission until after the class has been determined.


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