Interviews & Admissions Decisions
Interview Preparation
Interviews are an important part of the health professional school admissions process, giving programs an opportunity to learn more about you beyond your written application. They are designed to assess your communication skills, professionalism, motivation for the profession, interpersonal qualities, and overall fit with the program. Interviews also provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the school and determine whether it aligns with your goals and values.
Explore the resources below to help you understand the interview process and prepare for your upcoming interviews.
Receiving an interview invitation is an exciting milestone in your journey to a health professions program. It signifies that you have successfully moved beyond the initial application review and that the admissions committee is eager to learn more about you beyond your academic achievements and experiences. In the video below we describe the health professional school interview season, why interviews are important, and what to do once you receive an interview invitation.
Each individual health professional school may use different interview formats and approaches to evaluate applicants, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the process before your interview day. In the video below, we describe the four common interview types (traditional, MMI, group, and pre-recorded) and how much your interviewer might know based on the interview style (open-file, closed-filed, or semi-open file).
Once you know what style of interview you will have, you should begin preparing for your interview day. In the video below, we advise how to approach your interview preparation by reviewing your primary & secondary application, reflecting on your own motivation, values, and understanding of healthcare, and researching the program you will be interviewing for.
Interview preparation is most effective when you practice regularly. Northeastern University offers several opportunities for active applicants to health professional programs to receive interview practice and support. Below, you’ll find university resources designed to help you build confidence and prepare for interview success.
We also encourage you to practice independently with family members, friends, mentors, or peers. Rehearsing your responses aloud can help you become more comfortable discussing your experiences, motivations, and goals. Whenever possible, practice in both in-person and virtual settings. Many health professions programs continue to conduct interviews online, so becoming comfortable speaking on camera can be just as important as preparing for an in-person conversation.
PreMed & PreHealth Advising Mock Interview Service
The PreMed & PreHealth Advising Program offers Mock Interviews (traditional and MMI format) for active applicants to health professional schools. Applicant may schedule a Mock Interview AFTER receiving an interview invitation from a health professional program. Mock interview booking information will be shared via cycle communication emails. If you have received an interview invitation and have not yet received booking information from our office, please reach out to your prehealth advisor for assistance.
Applicants are limited to one Traditional (1:1) and one MMI Mock Interview per application cycle (two total practice interviews). These sessions will last for 30 minutes and include both interview practice and feedback.
Our mock interviews are designed to provide structured, actionable feedback that reflects the competencies health professions programs seek in applicants. We use standardized evaluation rubrics for both traditional and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) formats to assess key areas such as communication, organization, critical thinking, professionalism, interpersonal skills, and overall interview performance. Following your mock interview, you’ll receive individualized feedback highlighting your strengths and offering specific recommendations to help you improve before your admissions interview.
Experiential Education & Career Development
Northeastern University Experiential Education & Career Development offers a number of interviewing resources (such as Big Interview). We encourage applicants to health professional programs to utilize these resources for support as well.
Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (Physician-Scientist Applicants Only)
Northeastern University Undergraduate Research & Fellowships offers additional mock interview support for applicants to MD/PhD and DO/PhD programs. Active physician-scientist applicants may book an additional mock interview with Undergraduate Research & Fellowships.
- Below you’ll find links to question banks and resources designed to help you prepare for a variety of interview formats. While some questions may be written for specific health professions, the underlying themes are broadly applicable—adapt the wording to fit your profession, and you’ll gain valuable practice in the process.
- Demo of two MMI scenarios – by representatives from Duke and CWRU Medical Schools
Health Professional Program Resources
NU Applicant Interview Feedback Database
The PreMed & PreHealth Advising Interview Feedback Form includes a database of insights and experiences shared by Northeastern students who have previously completed health professional school interviews. This peer-generated resource provides valuable perspectives from students who have recently been through the process, helping future applicants prepare more effectively. *Access is limited to Northeastern students and requires NU credentials.
Once you have completed your interview preparation, you should turn your attention to interview day itself, where small things like timing, presence, and professionalism leave a big impression. In the video below, we advise tips for the day before your interview, and why professionalism matters, and how to navigate test day nerves and technology glitches.
Your interview is an important milestone, but there are a few steps you can take following the interview day to support your decision-making process and demonstrate professionalism to admissions committees. In the video below, we explain how to follow up your interview experience and leave a positive final impression.
Navigating Admissions Outcomes
The application cycle is a lengthy process, and applicants may receive a range of admissions decisions, including interview invitations, deferrals, waitlist placements, acceptances, and rejections. Each school evaluates applicants independently, and a decision from one institution does not predict an applicant’s outcome at another. Admissions timelines also vary considerably, with interviews often continuing into the spring.
Applicants are encouraged to remain patient and optimistic throughout the process. A lack of communication or an unfavorable decision from one school does not necessarily reflect their overall competitiveness or likelihood of admission elsewhere. Understanding how to navigate different outcomes, communicate appropriately with admissions committees, and evaluate next steps is an important part of the application process.
Applicants should be thoughtful and intentional when communicating with admissions committees throughout the application cycle. Applicants should not contact schools simply to inquire about the status of their application or request updates on admissions decisions. Admissions timelines vary by institution, and a lack of communication does not necessarily indicate an unfavorable outcome.
Applicants should monitor their email and application portals regularly for updates and respond promptly to any requests from admissions offices. Additional correspondence should generally be limited to significant application updates, school-requested information, or other communications explicitly permitted by the institution.
Update Letters
Applicants may consider submitting an update letter when they have significant new accomplishments or experiences that add meaningful information to their application. Updates should provide a new perspective on an applicant’s candidacy rather than simply confirm activities or plans already described in their application.
Update letters are generally most appropriate once interview season is well underway, approximately 4–5 months after submitting a primary application. They are typically recommended only for schools where an applicant has not yet interviewed and should be the exception rather than a routine part of the application process. Before submitting an update, applicants should confirm that the school accepts additional correspondence and follow its submission guidelines.
Congratulations on being accepted to a health professional program! This is a significant accomplishment and an exciting milestone in an applicant’s pre-health journey.
Applicants holding multiple acceptances should carefully evaluate their options before making a final decision, considering factors such as cost and financial assistance, campus and community culture, and overall alignment with each program’s mission, curriculum, and opportunities.
Admissions Traffic Rules and Decision Deadlines
Health professional programs have established admissions timelines and traffic rules that guide when applicants receive offers of admission, respond to offers, and make final enrollment commitments. These policies vary by profession and, in some cases, by individual program.
| Health Profession | Acceptance Timeline | Key Decision Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (MD) | Acceptances begin October 15 | April 15: Narrow to three acceptances. April 30: Narrow to one acceptance and follow school-specific enrollment requirements. |
| Osteopathic Medicine (DO) | Rolling admissions | Deposit deadlines vary by offer date. May 1 is a key deadline for holding one DO acceptance. |
| Dental Medicine (DMD/DDS) | Acceptances begin December 15 | Generally 30 days to respond to early offers, with shorter response periods later in the cycle. |
| Podiatric Medicine (DPM) | Rolling admissions | Generally 30 days to respond through January, 14 days from February through May, and shorter deadlines beginning in June. |
| Optometry (OD) | Rolling admissions | Acceptance and deposit deadlines vary by program. |
| Physician Assistant (PA) | Rolling or program-specific admissions | Acceptance and deposit deadlines vary by program. |
| Veterinary Medicine (DVM) | Generally winter through spring | April 15 is the traditional national decision deadline for participating U.S. veterinary schools. |
Applicants should review the official admissions policies for their intended profession, including:
- AAMC Application and Acceptance Protocols (MD)
- AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines (DO)
- ADEA AADSAS Traffic Guidelines (Dental)
- AACPMAS Traffic Rules (Podiatry)
Applicants are responsible for following all school-specific requirements, including response deadlines, deposits, enrollment commitments, and withdrawal procedures. Applicants should promptly withdraw acceptances from programs they no longer intend to attend so that those opportunities may be extended to other candidates.
Navigating Deferred Decisions
Some applicants may receive a deferred decision, indicating that an admissions committee has postponed making a final decision on their application. A deferral is not the same as being placed on a waitlist, although an applicant may ultimately be waitlisted later in the cycle. A deferral does not necessarily indicate an unfavorable outcome, and applicants remain under consideration as the admissions cycle progresses.
Applicants receiving a deferred decision should carefully review any instructions provided by the school and continue monitoring their application portal for updates. Applicants should not contact admissions offices simply to inquire about their decision timeline. If a school accepts additional correspondence, applicants may consider submitting an update letter when they have significant new accomplishments or experiences to share.
Navigating Waitlists
Applicants placed on a medical school waitlist may consider submitting a letter of intent to communicate their commitment to attending a particular school if offered admission. A letter of intent should only be sent to one school and only when an applicant is prepared to accept an offer of admission.
Letters of intent are generally most effective later in the application cycle, when schools begin making offers from their waitlists, approximately 8-9 months after submitting a primary application. Applicants should confirm that the school accepts letters of intent and follow any school-specific instructions before submitting one.
Applicants who do not receive an offer of admission should take time to reflect on their application experience before deciding whether to reapply. A successful reapplication typically requires meaningful improvements to an applicant’s candidacy rather than simply resubmitting a previous application.
Students and alumni considering reapplication should meet with their PreHealth Advisor to discuss their readiness and next steps.