Interview Process
Step-by-Step Candidate Primer (Cycle 2026)
Step 1: Receive an Interview Invitation
Interview invitations are sent on a rolling basis, beginning on July 28, 2026, after your application has completed committee review and been selected for interview consideration.
The invitation email includes:
- Instructions for scheduling your interview
- Guidance on choosing an in-person or virtual format
- Preparation guidance (especially for virtual interviews)
Step 2: Select Your Interview Format and Date
When invited, you can log in to your applicant portal and select an available interview date.
- For Cycle 2026, applicants may choose either an in-person interview or a virtual interview.
- Both formats are offered throughout the cycle.
- Regional candidates are encouraged (but not required) to attend in person if feasible.
- Interview dates automatically close once all available seats are filled.
Step 3: Understand the Interview Structure
All candidates—whether interviewing virtually or in person—complete the same interview structure. There are two interviews total. Each interview lasts up to 45 minutes.
- One full-file interview
- Conducted by a faculty or admissions committee member
- Your entire application is reviewed
- One partial-file interview
- Conducted by a faculty member, admissions staff, or current medical student
- Academic metrics (MCAT, GPA, transcripts, letters) are not reviewed
Step 4: Prepare for Interview Day
Prepare for your interview thoughtfully.
- Review your entire application carefully
- Reflect on:
- Your motivation for medicine
- Your readiness for medical training
- Alignment with Stritch’s Jesuit mission, service, and social justice values
- Prepare thoughtful questions for faculty interviewers and student panels
- If virtual, follow the technical and environmental recommendations provided in your invitation
Step 5: Participate in Interview Day Orientation
All interview days begin with a formal orientation session, which includes.
- Welcome from Admissions
- Overview of the following:
- The Stritch mission and holistic admissions philosophy
- What the committee looks for in candidates
- The structure of the interview day
- The difference between full-file and partial-file interviews
- Lunch with alternative options for dietary restrictions
- Tips for the day and how to get to your interview location
Step 6: Complete Your Interviews
You will complete two interviews, scheduled during the day.
- Interviews are back-to-back and separated by other activities (panels, tours).
- Interviewers are assigned in advance; you do not choose them.
- You are expected to be punctual and professional, and engage thoughtfully and authentically.
Step 7: Engage with Students and the Community
In addition to interviews, interview days include opportunities to learn about student life and the learning environment.
In-person interview days include:
- Lunch among students and staff
- Student panels
- Campus and hospital tours
- Informal conversations throughout the day
Virtual interview days include:
- Flexible interview scheduling
- Live virtual chat with current students
- Virtual engagement related to financial aid and campus tours
- Structured breaks between interview sessions
Step 8: Wrap-Up and Checkout Session
All interview days conclude with a wrap-up / Q&A session, which covers:
- What happens next in the admissions process
- Expected timelines for decisions
- How to submit updates, letters of interest, or letters of intent
- Financial aid overview and next steps
Step 9: After the Interview – Committee Review
After interview day, your application proceeds through additional committee review stages. Stritch asks candidates to allow approximately four to six weeks for a status update.
Possible outcomes include:
- Acceptance
- Continued consideration (waitlist)
- Final decision (not accepted this cycle)
Step 10: Stay Engaged While Awaiting a Decision
- Candidates may submit:
- Application updates (academic, professional, or personal)
- Letters of interest or intent
- Updates are submitted through the applicant portal and may be submitted multiple times
- Demonstrated continued engagement is encouraged
In the 2026 interview cycle, Stritch interviewed applicants from a broad geographic pool:
- In-state: 159
- Out-of-state: 455
- Non-Visa International: 4
Total candidates interviewed: 618
(Source: interview data provided by the medical school)
Step-by-Step Candidate Primer (Cycle 2026)
Step 1: Receive an Interview Invitation
Interview invitations are sent on a rolling basis, beginning on July 28, 2026, after your application has completed committee review and been selected for interview consideration.
The invitation email includes:
- Instructions for scheduling your interview
- Guidance on choosing an in-person or virtual format
- Preparation guidance (especially for virtual interviews)
Step 2: Select Your Interview Format and Date
When invited, you can log in to your applicant portal and select an available interview date.
- For Cycle 2026, applicants may choose either an in-person interview or a virtual interview.
- Both formats are offered throughout the cycle.
- Regional candidates are encouraged (but not required) to attend in person if feasible.
- Interview dates automatically close once all available seats are filled.
Step 3: Understand the Interview Structure
All candidates—whether interviewing virtually or in person—complete the same interview structure. There are two interviews total. Each interview lasts up to 45 minutes.
- One full-file interview
- Conducted by a faculty or admissions committee member
- Your entire application is reviewed
- One partial-file interview
- Conducted by a faculty member, admissions staff, or current medical student
- Academic metrics (MCAT, GPA, transcripts, letters) are not reviewed
Step 4: Prepare for Interview Day
Prepare for your interview thoughtfully.
- Review your entire application carefully
- Reflect on:
- Your motivation for medicine
- Your readiness for medical training
- Alignment with Stritch’s Jesuit mission, service, and social justice values
- Prepare thoughtful questions for faculty interviewers and student panels
- If virtual, follow the technical and environmental recommendations provided in your invitation
Step 5: Participate in Interview Day Orientation
All interview days begin with a formal orientation session, which includes.
- Welcome from Admissions
- Overview of the following:
- The Stritch mission and holistic admissions philosophy
- What the committee looks for in candidates
- The structure of the interview day
- The difference between full-file and partial-file interviews
- Lunch with alternative options for dietary restrictions
- Tips for the day and how to get to your interview location
Step 6: Complete Your Interviews
You will complete two interviews, scheduled during the day.
- Interviews are back-to-back and separated by other activities (panels, tours).
- Interviewers are assigned in advance; you do not choose them.
- You are expected to be punctual and professional, and engage thoughtfully and authentically.
Step 7: Engage with Students and the Community
In addition to interviews, interview days include opportunities to learn about student life and the learning environment.
In-person interview days include:
- Lunch among students and staff
- Student panels
- Campus and hospital tours
- Informal conversations throughout the day
Virtual interview days include:
- Flexible interview scheduling
- Live virtual chat with current students
- Virtual engagement related to financial aid and campus tours
- Structured breaks between interview sessions
Step 8: Wrap-Up and Checkout Session
All interview days conclude with a wrap-up / Q&A session, which covers:
- What happens next in the admissions process
- Expected timelines for decisions
- How to submit updates, letters of interest, or letters of intent
- Financial aid overview and next steps
Step 9: After the Interview – Committee Review
After interview day, your application proceeds through additional committee review stages. Stritch asks candidates to allow approximately four to six weeks for a status update.
Possible outcomes include:
- Acceptance
- Continued consideration (waitlist)
- Final decision (not accepted this cycle)
Step 10: Stay Engaged While Awaiting a Decision
- Candidates may submit:
- Application updates (academic, professional, or personal)
- Letters of interest or intent
- Updates are submitted through the applicant portal and may be submitted multiple times
- Demonstrated continued engagement is encouraged
In the 2026 interview cycle, Stritch interviewed applicants from a broad geographic pool:
- In-state: 159
- Out-of-state: 455
- Non-Visa International: 4
Total candidates interviewed: 618
(Source: interview data provided by the medical school)