In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive list of common medical school interview questions, plus tips and examples for how to answer the questions you’re most likely to hear. We’ll give you the tools to stand out as the top interviewee of the day!
Every medical school interview will vary in format and content. The sample questions below represent those asked during a traditional panel interview (generally with 1-3 faculty members and/or students on the program’s admissions committee).
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NOTE: Due to a 2023 SCOTUS decision, most higher learning institutions have eliminated the use of questions related to race-based diversity in the interview process. Still, other questions related to diversity may be asked in your med school interviews, and you should be able to provide thoughtful responses as to how your background and experience will help you create a diverse student body (related to your race, cultural background, gender, or any number of other factors).
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As with any other interview process, it’s important to be prepared to answer questions thoughtfully and honestly. Keep in mind that the medical school interviewers are trying to get to know you and assess your fit for the program, so be yourself and try to relax.
These three general interview tips apply to every question below:
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Now, let’s get into some specific mock interview questions and how to best answer them (plus common mistakes to avoid).
The “tell me about yourself” question is commonly asked at the beginning of a medical school interview. Take this opportunity to give the interviewers a concise overview of your background, experiences, and interests relevant to pursuing a career in medicine.
A few tips for answering:
Sample answer: I’m from Long Island, New York. I’m an avid traveler, and I enjoy baking and scuba diving during my free time. I just came back from a clinical volunteer trip in Nicaragua, where the organization I was working with distributed vital medical care to communities in need. A fun fact about me is that I was voted homecoming king my senior year of high school. I’ve always been interested in the sciences, and I’m drawn to help others. I volunteered at a local hospital when I was in high school, and that solidified my desire to pursue a career in medicine. Since then, I’ve taken a number of relevant courses and gained valuable clinical experience through internships and shadowing opportunities. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue my education through medical school.
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The second most common question is also the most obvious to be asked: “Why do you want to be a doctor?” or “Why did you choose medicine?”
Don’t be afraid of this question! You should be excited to answer it. It’s an opportunity for the interviewers to understand your motivation for pursuing a medical career and how you see yourself fitting in.
Tips for answering this “Why medicine?” interview question:
Sample answer #1: Seeing my grandfather take countless medications when I was younger instilled a seed of curiosity in me to want to know what he was taking and what it did to him. As this seed grew, I began having a passion for biology and became fascinated with learning about the human body. My fascination with the human body translated to wanting to help people with diseases affecting their bodies. Medicine is constantly growing and offers lifelong learning opportunities, something that I deeply admire and want to be a part of.
Sample answer #2: I’m fascinated by the complexity of the human body and the ways we can help others through medicine. I volunteered at a clinic during my premed years, serving underserved populations, which solidified my desire to become a doctor. I’m particularly interested in working in primary care and serving rural or underserved communities. I see medicine as a way to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives by addressing health concerns that can create obstacles in the way of a thriving life.
This traditional job interview question still pops up from time to time and can trip up even the most confident. But rest assured: You are not expected to have your entire career or specialty mapped out at this point in the process.
This question is an opportunity for the interviewers to understand your long-term goals and how you see yourself fitting into the field of medicine.
Tips for answering the “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” medical school interview question:
Sample answer: In 10 years, I see myself completing a residency program and starting my career as a physician. I’m particularly interested in working in an established primary care setting to serve underserved populations in a metropolitan area of the Midwest. While I have specific goals in mind, I’m also open to discovering new areas of interest as I study medicine full-time. I know that no matter what specialty I choose, I want to be directly involved with patients, particularly children, as I truly feel that they are amazing bundles of joy.
AdComs ask this because they want to know you’ve done your homework and can articulate how you’ll contribute to their institution specifically. Another version of this question is “There are 1,000 applicants just as qualified as you. Why should we offer you a spot?”
Talk about how your goals and interests align with the school more than those of the next applicant. Tell them why you specifically should get into medical school.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer #1: What sets me apart is my personal journey and how it has shaped my passion for medicine. Growing up, I had the unique opportunity to volunteer at free clinics in underserved areas, where I witnessed firsthand how meaningful healthcare can be to those who have limited access. This experience didn’t just give me technical skills; it helped me understand the social determinants of health, which I believe are crucial in today’s healthcare landscape. I know your medical school emphasizes healthcare access and providing care for the underserved, so I’m excited to continue my work here.
Sample answer #2: In addition to my academic record and clinical exposure, I think I would fit into the culture of innovation at your medical school. Through research on heart health in underserved communities and finding ways to improve patient outcomes in less reachable populations, I have constantly sought out ways to push the boundaries of my local healthcare system. I believe your school will provide the perfect environment for me to grow and learn, while contributing to the community on a larger scale.
While this question isn’t the most encouraging, don’t read into it negatively. Interviewers want to know that you take yourself and your future plans seriously and that you have a firm grasp of what you need to accomplish before applying again.
In fact, about 56% of medical school applicants were rejected in 2023. That’s a daunting statistic, but if you’re serious about a career in medicine, having to try again next year isn’t the end of your journey. You’re not alone!
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer: If I’m not accepted into medical school this year, I will take it as an opportunity to further prepare myself for a medical career and strengthen my application. I would first reach out to the schools where I was interviewed, and based on their feedback, I’d try to identify areas for improvement. For instance, while my shadowing and research experience are strong, I know I could invest more time in clinical work. If I weren’t accepted this year, I would probably take an EMT course and try to find employment as an EMT to gain more clinical experience before reapplying.
Create an honest list of what you think are your strengths or weaknesses, and then pinpoint a few that you can remember. Remember our earlier tip on authenticity, and sprinkle in some healthy self-reflection.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer: One of my weaknesses is that I can be a bit disorganized. I sometimes struggle to manage my coursework and involvement with different activities. To better prioritize my tasks and reach my goals, I’ve begun using a physical planner and time blocking each day. Using a calendar and setting deadlines for myself has really helped me keep up with my different responsibilities.
Now is the time for interviewers to understand your strengths and how they will contribute to your success as a medical student and future healthcare provider.
Tips for answering the “What is your greatest strength?” medical school interview question:
Sample answer: One of my greatest strengths is my ability to communicate effectively with peers and colleagues. I think this will translate very well to patient care. I’ve had the opportunity to work in a number of clinical settings, and I’ve found that my ability to listen actively and explain medical concepts in a clear and concise manner is helpful in building rapport with patients and working effectively as part of a healthcare team. I also consider myself to be a compassionate and empathetic person, and I believe these qualities are essential for building trust and rapport with patients.
If there’s any point on your application that needs clarification, this might come up in the interview. Maybe you took extra time away from school, or your grades have a weak point. This is an opportunity for the medical school admissions team to follow up and get further information.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample question: Let’s talk about your GPA. In your last year, you were able to bring it up to a 3.4, but that’s still below the average of our matriculants.
Sample answer: I’m glad you brought that up. While GPA is important, I don’t believe it fully reflects my potential as a future physician. I’ve faced some challenges along my educational path, particularly during my sophomore year when I let myself focus more on social experiences than classwork. However, those experiences showed me that an unregulated social life is not what really matters as you continue down your career path. I also realized during my junior and senior years that I didn’t have to sacrifice a healthy social life to get good grades. Overcoming that misunderstanding of social vs. educational balance taught me valuable lessons in determination, time management, and prioritization, which I believe are critical traits for a physician.
This question will be asked, and you must have an answer. Read New York Times articles, The Economist, and other publications beforehand to understand the current healthcare climate and policy so that you can better answer this question during your medical school interview.
Consider these examples of problems facing our healthcare system:
There are many ways we can work to improve the healthcare system, but it will require a multifaceted approach. Some potential solutions include:
Whether you come from a diverse background or not, you can still communicate how you will support and contribute to diversity in medicine. When asked this question, show how you understand the value of diversity and how you have the skills and experiences that enable you to support different communities in meaningful ways.
Note: The SCOTUS 2023 ruling on affirmative action influences the way AdComs may ask applicants about their racial and cultural backgrounds. As an applicant, you can answer questions about diversity in a student population by highlighting how your background has allowed you to grow as an individual or how it has shaped your ability to serve a multicultural population.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer #1: As a minority applicant, my background has provided me with a unique perspective and empathy towards individuals from diverse backgrounds. Experiencing first-hand the barriers and challenges faced by underrepresented minority communities in accessing quality healthcare has driven my passion to pursue a career in healthcare. This drive has been further strengthened by witnessing the positive impact that culturally competent physicians can have on significantly improving health outcomes in minority populations. I am committed to using my diverse experiences to provide culturally sensitive care to patients from all backgrounds. And I hope to one day bridge the gap between minority poverty-stricken communities and readily accessible healthcare.
Sample answer #2: I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer in underserved communities and have worked with patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds. I’m committed to continuing to learn and grow as an advocate for diversity. I’ve looked into the diversity programs at [this medical school] and look forward to getting involved.
While you’ve already provided this information in writing, don’t assume an interviewer will remember every detail of your application. They’ll ask this to learn about your scientific competencies and fluency. Your extracurricular activities will also point them toward your areas of interest.
Tips for answering this question:
Sample answer: My research experience has been a key part of my academic journey. It’s helped shape my analytical and problem-solving skills, not to mention my collaboration skills. I had the opportunity to work on healthcare data management innovations under the supervision of Dr. Jane Whitehall at Johns Hopkins. The focus of our research was measuring public health improvements based on different administrative streamlining methods. My role involved organizing different hospitals’ responses into spreadsheets, which allowed me to develop communication and technical skills that will help me as a physician to better contribute to the healthcare community.
Ethical questions are common during medical school interviews. Medical schools want to ensure you have a strong foundation in ethical principles and are prepared to handle ethical dilemmas that will inevitably arise in your career.
See our sample ethical questions above.
Tips for answering ethical questions during a medical school interview:
Sample question: If you had two patients who were being considered for a kidney transplant, one who is 35 but a former drug dealer. The other is an 86-year-old kindergarten teacher. How do you decide who gets the kidney?
Sample answer: In this situation, as the health-care provider, I must be guided not by my own biases, but by medical ethics. Negating my biases in this situation means I cannot take into account a person’s profession when deciding if they are deserving of life-saving medical interventions. The question comes down to the health of the two individuals who may receive the transplant. The person who would be most likely to live a longer, healthier life made possible by the transplant would be the person I’d give the kidney transplant to.
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If you can’t think of an answer during a medical school interview, stay calm and don’t panic. You’re human, and so are the other applicants. It’s more natural than you think to take a silent second to determine the best way to continue your answer.
Below are my top tips for when you are struggling with an answer:
Remember, it’s normal not to know the answer to every question during an interview. The key is to be honest, and calmly show that you’re willing to learn and think critically.
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Asking questions to your interviewer(s) during your medical school interview is a good opportunity to learn more about the program and to demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest in that school.
Be respectful and professional when asking questions. Avoid asking questions that were already answered during the interview, or that are easily found on the school’s website.
Some good questions to ask during a medical school interview include:
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There are two main ways that a med school might interview you:
Many of the questions you’ll encounter are similar between the two interview types, but MMI interviews include a broader range of question types.
Looking for how to nail your multiple mini interview (MMI)? Consult this guide for more on MMI interviews and our list of the types of questions that may come up.
Knowing these sample med school interview questions and the tips on answering them has already boosted your odds of getting accepted. Now there’s one final step to increasing your chances of nailing the medical school interview.