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Penn State College of Medicine Medical School Interview Guide

Interview Format

A one-on-one or panel interview lasting 30–60 minutes. Interviewers ask open-ended questions about your experiences, motivations, and character. Depth and authenticity matter most.

What Penn State College of Medicine Looks For

To improve the health of the people of Pennsylvania and beyond through excellence in medical education, research, and clinical care. Penn State Hershey Medical Center is the academic medical center of the Commonwealth, with strengths in translational research, cancer biology, and rural and community medicine.

Key Themes to Prepare

·Two traditional open-file interviews at the Hershey, PA campus — one faculty, one student.
·Penn State Hershey's central Pennsylvania location is rural by comparison to other academic medical centers — interviewers value genuine comfort with and interest in non-urban practice and community medicine.
·The Penn State Cancer Institute is a major research enterprise.
·Penn State's Millennium Scholars Program and HSLC (Health Sciences Learning Center) reflect innovation in medical education.
·Expect questions about your career goals in a practice context where rural and small-city medicine is common.
·Penn State's history with the ACGME and graduate medical education makes it a strong match for applicants interested in academic medicine in community settings.

Common Question Topics

·"Why medicine?" and your personal journey
·Meaningful clinical and research experiences
·Healthcare policy and systemic challenges
·Strengths, weaknesses, and personal growth

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