Interviewing at the Feinberg School of Medicine

Interview Process

The Feinberg School uses a combined interview process. Applicants participate in an individual interview that lasts 15-20 minutes with an admissions dean or a faculty member. During this interview, applicants: are asked questions about their interests and motivation to medicine, can add updates to their admissions files, and are also expected to ask the interviewer questions about the medical school.

The Feinberg School also employs a panel interview. The panel interview format is derived from the structure and design of Feinberg’s small-group, interactive, problem-based learning curriculum. Thus, unlike a traditional one-to-one interview, the panel interview is participative and group oriented. Two medical school faculty members and a fourth-year medical student, all specially trained in the process, serve as interviewers. Three to four candidates are interviewed together for one hour and fifteen minutes. The interview is conducted “blind” which means that the interviewers have not seen candidates’ application files; they know only the prospective students' names and general biographical data. 

During the interview, the interviewers ask questions and observe applicants to assess each one's personal characteristics such as maturity, professionalism, empathy, and interpersonal skills, including cooperativeness, oral expression, and attention to others. Interviewers also ask questions to determine candidates’ motivation for and knowledge concerning a career in medicine. Problem-solving skills are evaluated during a collaborative group activity.

Candidates selected for an interview are emailed an invitation that directs them to the secure applicant Web site to schedule their interview and learn more about their interview day.  Candidates are expected to schedule an interview as soon as the invitation is received.  

From Interviewers

“I greatly enjoyed the whole experience. It was amazing how each panel had a somewhat different flavor.”

“It was a great experience to be a member of the panels…it was exciting to be part of the…process.”

"I was surprised at how laid back and enjoyable the panel was."

"This truly was a great interview. It was fun and informative..."

"The panel interview was surprisingly comfortable and informative...splitting the interview time between three applicants allowed me to learn more about the people I could potentially go to school with..."

"Loved it, [the panel interview was] invigorating...great way of learning about how people socialize and use teamwork to solve problems."

"Very fair questions. They did a good job of asking each applicant different questions. The combination of a panel interview and an individual interview is a great idea."

From Feinberg Students

“I appreciated the opportunity to respond to individual questions about my actual experiences—information that I may not have presented in my application materials.”

“I consider it a fairer interview than most I attended. Interacting with three interviewers gave me a greater chance to 'click' with someone than at the schools where I met with only one interviewer, or one at a time.”

“I had fun. The three interviewers on my panel had three totally different types of personalities and interests. This afforded three different kinds of interactions and gave me a wider idea of what kinds of faculty members and students Northwestern attracts.”