MD-PhD Mock Interview Questions

MD-PhD Interview

  1. Describe your research.
  2. Why are you interested in a combined program, versus one or the other?
  3. How do you feel you are prepared to enter an MD-PhD program?
  4. If you had to choose between the MD and the PhD, which one and why?
  5. What aspects of our MD-Phd Program are you interested in?
  6. What sort of career do you envision yourself having in the future?
  7. Is there a faculty member and/or research center on campus you’re particularly interested in?
  8. Tell me about your research?
  9. Have you had any leadership positions? Please describe your experience.
  10. Why did you use this technique?
  11. What would you do next if you were to continue this project?
  12. What kind of medicine do you want to do in the future?
  13. How do you hope to combine your research interests with your clinical interests?
  14. Why did you choose to work on this project/lab?
  15. How did you choose your major?
  16. Please tell me about 2 articles in the past year that were most exciting to you.
  17. What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
  18. If there were no MD/PhD programs, would you go to graduate school or medical school?
  19. How do you feel about healthcare, managed care, and the impact it may have on doctor’s salaries?
  20. How do you feel about the length and commitment required of an MD-PhD candidate?
  21. What kind of patient care do you want to do?
  22. Who have been some of your mentors?

MD Interview

  1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
  2. Tell me about a significant experience you have had in your life?
  3. What are your positive qualities and what are your shortcomings?
  4. Who/what influenced you the most in becoming a doctor?
  5. What do you think are the most important qualities a physician should have?
  6. What are your thoughts about working with “sick” people everyday?
  7. What are some current topics in the world of medicine that interest you?
  8. Medicine has made several advances throughout the centuries. In thinking about the changes over the last 200 years, what do you consider to be the biggest advance? (Think broadly on this one)
  9. What do you think about the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) and the changes taking place in medicine?
  10. Do you feel your academic transcript adequately reflects your ability to be successful in medical school? If not, why?
  11. Do you think you could live in this city?/Why are you interested in X school?
  12. Discuss a book that you have recently read for pleasure. Why does this book interest you?
  13. Why would you convince someone not to pursue medicine? Despite these reasons, why are you pursuing medicine?
  14. What will you do if you don’t get into medical school?
  15. Why should we choose you over other applicants?

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