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What to Expect

Student invited for an interview will be given a tour of the FIU campus and the College of Medicine facilities. They will also be introduced to faculty and administrators who will give them an overview of the Admission process including:

• The history of the College of Medicine including the accreditation process
• The unique curriculum
• Hospital affiliations
• Current and future facilities
• Learning Communities
• Counseling resources
• Financial Aid resources

The Interview Committee will be made up of faculty members who will be charged with the task of assessing an applicant's interpersonal skills, empathy, demonstrated commitment to the community, volunteer activities, and motivation to attend FIU. The college will use a blinded interview process.  None of the interviewers will have access to the applicant's file prior to the interview and prior to submission of their report. Interviewers will make their assessment based on the applicant's individual responses to questions and discussions during the interview process.  Each applicant will be interviewed concurrently by two interviewers who will each submit an Interview Evaluation Form.

A pool of basic standardized structured questions and unstructured topics has been generated. These questions and topics will be rotated throughout the interviewing sessions.

We interview students:

• To learn more about the candidate
• To evaluate a candidate's motivation, energy, tolerance for stress, analytical abilities, decisiveness, initiative, knowledge of the profession, intellectual ability, as well as personality
• To provide the opportunity for the applicant to elaborate further on their application and qualifications
• To determine if the applicant fits the mission of the FIU College of Medicine.

Interview Tips

• Dress in formal business attire: suits and ties for the men and suits for the women. Women may wear pant suits and/or skirts (skirts should not be short). Dress as conservatively as possible; avoid excessive jewelry.
• Arrive early for the interview, so that you have time to collect your thoughts and be more relaxed for the interview.
• Interviews typically last approximately 30 minutes to one hour.
• Be yourself. This may be the most important hour of your life.

Possible Question Topic Areas

Questions will be asked that probe personal characteristics, commitment to a career in medicine, and knowledge of health and ethical issues

• Motivation
• Energy
• Tolerance for stress
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Academics
• Self awareness
• Commitment to the medical profession
• Health care and medical ethics