Don't be shy about asking questions! The medical school interview is one of the most valuable sources of information that can help you decide where to matriculate. Medical schools, like individuals, are very different. Identifying the medical schools where you can be happy and successful can be challenging. While this list is by no means complete, it can help serve as a base for your own questions.
Be sure to research each medical school before your interview so you can ask informed questions.
- Curriculum
- Evaluations
- Counseling/Student Support
- Facilities
- Financial Aid
- Student Involvement
- Policies
- Residency
- Questions to Ask Yourself
Curriculum
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Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted?
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Please tell me more about the integrated curriculum.
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What modalities are used for student lectures?
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What are the opportunities for research? What are the policies for taking time off for research opportunities?
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How do students get assistance if an academic need arises?
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Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
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Are standardized tests used such as the NBME shelf exams?
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Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
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How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the medical school assist students who do not pass?
Evaluations
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How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
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Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
Counseling/Student Support
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What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
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Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors—faculty members, other students, or both?
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How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic/cultural minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and women?
Facilities
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Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e., housing and athletic/recreational facilities). Is designated study space available?
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Are students required to have a laptop?
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What type of clinical sites—ambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settings, international—are available or required for clerkships? Does this medical school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
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Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?
Financial Aid
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What is the current tuition and fees? Is this expected to increase yearly? If so, at what rate?
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Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial amounts of university/medical school endowment aid available to students?
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Are there students who have an "unmet need" factor in their budget? If so, how do these students come up with the extra funds?
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Are spouses and dependents/children covered in a student's budget?
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Are there services/staff available to assist students with budgeting and financial planning?
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Does this medical school provide guidance to its students and to its graduates/alumni on debt management?
Student Involvement
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What medical school committees (e.g., curriculum committee) have student representation?
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Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
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How active is the student council/government? Are there other active student organizations?
Policies
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What is the student medical insurance coverage, and what is the cost to students?
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Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases?
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Does this medical school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needlestick or accident?
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Is disability insurance provided to cover exposure?
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Is there a medical school honor code? Is there a grievance process/procedure? Are the students involved?
Residency
- May I see a list of residency programs to which this medical school's recent graduates placed/matched?
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Does this medical school have strengths in the type of medicine (primary versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice environment, academic medicine versus private practice) that I will want to practice?
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Would I be happy at this medical school for at least the next four years?