Many schools utilize one-on-one interviews with individuals on the admissions committee. These are often three 45 minute interviews with a faculty member, student or admissions staff member. The interviewers may have a scripted list of questions that is used for all applicants or the questions may be more free-flowing. Interviews may be in open or closed formats. If open, the interviewer will have access to your application and supporting materials. If closed, they may not have any information about you beyond your name. There are also variations within closed formats where the interviewer may have access to your activities and personal statement but not your MCAT or GPA. If you are invited for an interview, the schools will typically inform you about the interview format. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses. For example, if they have already read your personal statement, then you want to be sure to address other topics and not restate what they have already read.

An increasing number of health professional schools have been implementing the MMI format for their interviews. As the name implies, in an MMI you will have a larger number of very short interviews with different individuals. Each interviewee will be asked the same questions and rated by the same interviewer. In some cases, the questions are very similar to a one-on-one interview and ask information about you. In other cases, the questions are scenarios or problems that you need to solve. By asking each applicant to answer the same question or solve the same problem, the interviewer can then evaluate all of the applicants with the same standard. These types of interviews have been shown to reduce bias and also provide good insight into an applicant’s critical thinking and problem solving skills. 

Some schools utilize a group interview format with a number of applicants participating in the interview at the same time. These types of interviews are usually centered around a problem that the group needs to solve and the interviewers are looking for the applicant’s ability to collaborate and work as part of a team. These can be some of the most challenging types of interviews as you want to be sure your voice is heard but also need to ensure that everyone else is able to give their input as well. Rest assured that if one person is monopolizing the conversation and not allowing others to participate, the interviewer is not impressed and that student is not making a good impression. However, you need to speak up when possible to be sure you aren’t lost in the shuffle. 

Most medical schools are currently interviewing in a virtual setting so your location will not be an issue. If a school does require an in-person interview, ask if they can schedule it when you will be home on break. If you explain your situation, they will often try to accommodate you. 

Yes - if you have an unavoidable conflict, you can ask for a different interview time. Try to find the earliest time that fits your schedule so that you can be considered early in the cycle.  

Typically this doesn’t mean anything at all. Each school has its own schedule for responding to interview candidates. While some may provide offers shortly after the interview, others wait until they interview a large number of candidates before notifying anyone. Some will offer seats to a select few immediately after the interview but not make a decision about the majority of the applicants until they have interviewed more. We recommend you research each school to determine their policies.

Unfortunately, there is little that you can do at this point. However, if you feel that you have had a significant addition to your application, you may want to inform the school if they allow updates. Be aware; providing an update of little significance or contacting schools to ask for an interview is likely to negatively impact your application rather than strengthen it.