A huge part of preparing for your medical school interviews involves honing your ability to answer their questions. But, there’s one easily forgotten question that many hopeful students don’t think to practice answering: “Do you have any questions for me?” I went into my first interview completely unprepared for that question, so I just said “No.” And I immediately regretted it.
Don’t miss this opportunity to stand out in your interview! This guide will help you prepare focused, intelligent questions to ask during your medical school interview so you can learn more about the school, demonstrate your interest, and leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.
This post is all about questions to ask medical school interviewers.
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Right Questions To Ask Medical School Interviewers
Why You Should Ask Questions in Your Interview
Your medical school interview is your opportunity to showcase your personality, passion for medicine, and interest in the school in a way that your application alone just can’t express. And, when it comes to demonstrating interest, there’s nothing better than asking questions.
Have you ever had a really bad first date where all the other person did was talk about their own life without asking you anything about yourself? If so, I’m willing to bet you didn’t end up seeing that person again. Why? Because they didn’t show their interest in you by asking questions.
Your medical school interview is like a first date between you and your school of choice. Your interviewer needs to get to know you to see if you will be a good fit for the school, but you also need to get to know the school to see if it will be a good fit for you.
It only makes sense that both sides should ask each other questions to make sure everyone gets the information they need to make the right decision. Plus, if you say you don’t have any questions, your interviewer might feel like you did on that bad first date – like you aren’t really that interested in the school.
Your interview is also a great way to learn details about the school that you won’t be able to find on the website. By asking the right questions, you can learn more about things like the vibe of the school, what student life is like, and how the school supports its students. These are all vital details that will help you narrow down your choices and make the best decision for your future.
How and When to Ask Questions
But, how do you know the right time to ask your questions? Is it possible to ask too many questions? Don’t worry – I’m here to answer all your questions about questions!
How Many Questions Should I Ask?
In your interview, you should aim to ask around 3 or 4 questions. Keep in mind that some of your questions may be answered throughout your conversation, so you should prepare a couple extra in advance. I’d recommend going in with at least 5.
Depending on who your interviewer is, they may not be able to answer all your questions. Therefore, prepare a variety of questions so you will have something meaningful to ask your interviewer no matter who they are.
For example, a student you meet on your interview day may not know as much about financial aid whereas faculty may not have as much knowledge about certain aspects of student life. Prepare a variety of questions so you will have something meaningful to ask the people you meet based on their expertise.
When Is the Best Time to Ask Questions?
Oftentimes, your interviewer will ask you at the end of the interview if you have any questions for them. In that case, this is the best moment to go ahead and ask them.
However, there are occasions when the interviewer may not outright prompt you to ask questions. That’s when you have to be a little creative about slipping your questions into the conversation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in return as they come up! A lot of the time, asking questions can help the conversation flow more naturally back and forth.
If you leave your interview without having asked all your questions, don’t fret! It’s more than likely that the interviewer was engaged in your conversation and simply ran out of time.
Can I Ask Questions in a Group or MMI Interview?
Yes, you can! Group interviews are an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to collaborate with others by asking questions that also pertain to others in your group.
MMIs can be a little tricky because they are usually very short, so you might have to pick out just one top question to ask in order to stay on track.
Questions to Avoid Asking
While it’s important to have fun and learn as much as you can in your interview, you should maintain a professional and respectful atmosphere. To do so, avoid asking questions about controversial topics, including politics and religion. Instead, focus on demonstrating how you will be an excellent fit on campus.
You should also strive to ask relevant questions in your interview that show you have more than just a superficial interest in the school. Keep away from unhelpful questions that don’t tell you much about what it’s really like to attend the school or that could be easily answered through online research.
Controversial Questions to Avoid
- What is the school’s stance on the use of medical marijuana?
- Do you believe that healthcare should be a universal right?
- Should religion be a part of modern medicine?
- What do you think about current healthcare policies?
- Who did you vote for in the last election?
Unhelpful Questions You Can Research Online
- What is the average class size?
- Are there extra credit opportunities?
- What are the average test scores of accepted students?
- Do lecturers make their materials available online?
- What are the graduation requirements?
Example Questions to Ask Medical School Interviewers
Now, onto the main event – actual examples of questions you can ask in your medical school interviews. The possibilities are endless, so you don’t have to restrict yourself to just the options on this list. Use your imagination to brainstorm additional questions that prioritize the information you will find most helpful in making your decisions.
Stay tuned to the end of the list to see my top 3 questions!
Curriculum Questions
- Is the curriculum pass/fail?
- Are students ranked?
- Is active learning emphasized or is it mostly traditional lecture?
- Is research or a scholarly project required to graduate?
- Is the school known for any special programs?
- How do students usually perform on the National Board of Medical Examinations?
- How are academic and clinical evaluations performed?
Student Support Questions
- Are students paired with mentors early on?
- Are mentors typically other students, faculty members, or both?
- Are students provided with mental health services?
- What support is offered if a student is struggling academically?
- Are there support services for students from underrepresented groups?
- How do staff help students maintain a healthy workload?
Financial Aid and Expense Questions
- What is the current cost of attendance? Is tuition expected to rise?
- How do students cover unmet need in their budgets?
- Are there financial planning services available to students?
- Do student budgets also cover spouses and children?
- Are students required to have a car for clinical rotations?
- Are students required to have a laptop?
Student Life Questions
- What do students do for fun in this city?
- Where do most students live?
- Is the culture/vibe at the school collaborative or competitive?
- Are there community service opportunities for students?
- What are the most active student organizations?
- Are there designated study spaces on campus for students?
- How diverse is the student body?
Questions to Ask Students
- What made you decide to matriculate here?
- Has the school grown or changed since you started attending?
- How has the school supported you and helped you overcome challenges?
- Do you have any tips or advice for a new student?
- Which extracurricular activities would you recommend joining?
- What was your first day or week of medical school like?
- What do you do for fun around campus or in the area?
- Do you feel prepared for residency?
Questions to Ask Faculty
- What helps a medical student stand out on rotations?
- What is your favorite thing about being a physician?
- What was one thing that surprised you in medical school?
- What excites you about working in medicine?
- What other skills do you think physicians need outside of medical knowledge?
My Top 3 Questions
- What was your experience with the ____ (student run free clinic, rotation in a rural community, scholarly project and/or research, etc.) like?
- Does the school ask for feedback often? What is an example of something they changed based on feedback?
- What is one thing you feel this school could change/improve upon?
Plan Ahead with Interview Question Worksheets
Heading into your own interviews soon? Grab my free interview question worksheets to help you brainstorm ideas and finalize your own end-of-interview questions! Use them to organize your thoughts and keep track of your notes about each question all in one convenient place.
If you want to come in super prepared and confident, join my Ultimate Guide to Medical School Interviews for step-by-step guidance on how to get ready and offer up your unique, perfect responses without sounding rehearsed.
If you take the time to prepare now, you’ll be able to wow your interviewers and actually have fun in the process. You got this!
Final Thoughts
I hope the list above gave you an idea about right questions to ask medical school interviewers. They will definitely give you an opportunity to stand out from the other applicants. Gather data will also help you in making decisions which will be beneficial as you continue your journey to medicine.
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