Medical School Mock Interview
Excel in your medical school interview with 50 essential questions covering ethics, clinical scenarios, and motivation.
Question 11 of 50
If you could meet anyone in the history of medicine, who would you choose and why?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
How to Answer
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
This is more of a personal interest question, and you cannot give a wrong answer. Your interviewers ideally want to bring medical students who are naturally curious into their program. This question is a great way to gauge the historical curiosity of the students they are considering.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"If I could meet anyone in the history of medicine, I would go back to the very beginning and meet Hippocrates. I find it fascinating that he was the first to believe that disease and death were not a result of the anger of gods. I would ask him about that first conversation when he said that disease is not caused by superstitious beliefs. He would have had to have faced so many roadblocks, yet, he continued to believe in his work."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Think back to any of the founding fathers (and mothers) of medicine and who has a story that resonates with you the most. Talk about this person and why you would choose to meet them. It's also a great idea to think of the most burning question you would have for that individual. Be sure to add passion to your answer so the interviewers can sense your interest.
"I would meet Dr. William Osler. He basically established the current concept of medical residency, where residents rigorously train within the hospital prior to professional practice. Of course, back then residents lived on hospital grounds, demonstrating absolute dedication to the field."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Anonymous Answer
It would be my great grandfather, who was a physician during World War One. I admired his strength while he treated patients in a time when people were starving and dying of treatable illnesses. I would love to know how he encouraged his patients to keep trying for their life during a time when things seemed hopeless.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer is so heartfelt and memorable, a stand-out response. Very good approach.
Anonymous Answer
I would choose to meet Robert Hooke, the first person to see cells by designing his microscopes. I would ask him about what that first experience was like seeing living organisms all made up of single cellular compartments, and how he described it to others. Since the basis of so many studies is how cellular function and regulation, it would be awesome to meet the man who discovered the cell and talk to him about his hypothesis about what they were and their function compared to what we know now.
Rachelle's Feedback
That would be so cool! And, you have some really insightful questions to support your answer. Well done!
Anonymous Answer
I would choose to meet Andrew Taylor Still. As an aspiring osteopathic physician, I would like to learn more about the founder of this branch of medicine. I have read about his life and the struggles he had with his wife and children being sick. As a physician, he was unable to save them with traditional medicine during his time. I would like to ask him about his experience and how he came to start the osteopathic branch of medicine.
Rachelle's Feedback
It seems you would have some exceptional questions for him. Very good response.
Anonymous Answer
I really would like to meet Jean-Martin Charcot due to his interest in neurological conditions. I have had extensive experience with Alzheimer's disease, and it would be interesting to pick his brain on the affects or prophylactic measures of dementia. I would love to hear his feedback about how culture has changed since he studied neurological cases and today.
Rachelle's Feedback
Perfect response! You show a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm for his work.
Unlock All 50 Medical School Questions
Prepare for ethics questions, MMI stations, and panel interviews that admissions committees use.
Get StartedJump to Question