Selection interview for medical studies

In many cases, a selection interview can decide whether or not an applicant receives the coveted place to study human medicine. In the interview, the selection committee wants to make sure that you have the necessary motivation and personality for this demanding degree programme and for dealing with patients later on.

What is a selection interview?

A selection interview is an important part of the selection process for medical studies. Colleges and universities assess the suitability of applicants. During such an interview, various selection criteria and information about the applicant - such as motivation and certain ethical values - are scrutinised in detail. One-to-one interviews make this much easier than a written application, for example.

What is the point of a selection interview for the universities?

The aim of a selection interview is to select students who are really suitable for the degree programme and thus keep the drop-out rate low. In addition, the universities naturally want to ensure that the applicant's personality enables him or her to become a good doctor later on and to be there for patients in the best possible way.

At which universities do selection interviews take place?

Selection interviews for medical studies are common at some universities in Germany. These include, for example

• University of Greifswald
• HMU Potsdam
• University of Göttingen
• MSH Medical School Hamburg
• Private Medical University of Nuremberg
• Brandenburg Medical School
• Witten/Herdecke University
• The model degree programme at TU Dresden

While private universities can largely set their own criteria for admission, the selection interviews at state universities take place as part of the university selection procedure (AdH). As the AdH quota for the centralised allocation of study places, which is carried out by the Foundation for University Admissions via the Hochschulstart portal, is 60 % of study places, the importance of the selection interview is high.

Selection procedures at universities in other countries

In many other countries, universities rely much more on individual interviews and interviews and less on the Abitur grade, which is often decisive in Germany.

If you are interested in a Studying medicine abroad it is therefore important to know the admission criteria of the university in question and to prepare yourself as well as possible for the interview.

How does a selection interview work?

Selection interviews for medical degree programmes can vary greatly depending on the university. It is best to obtain the specific information from the student services department of the university in question by email. Typical forms for a selection interview include

• Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
• Individual interviews with members of the selection committee
• Group discussions
• Scenarios for assessing social skills
• Reflection discussions on personal career goals

Typical questions in the selection interview

The selection committee asks specific questions during the interview in order to draw conclusions about the applicant's suitability from the answers. Typical questions include

• Why would you like to Study medicine?
• What motivates you to become a doctor?
• How did you prepare for this degree programme?
• What strengths do you bring to the medical degree programme?

Thorough preparation for these questions is crucial in order to achieve the best possible result. You can usually find good information online from students who have already taken the selection interview at the university in question.

Unexpected questions

Unexpected questions crop up time and again in interviews during the medical selection process. The main purpose of these is to test your reaction to unexpected situations and how you deal with them. Therefore, always remain calm and realise that it is important to always remain confident and find spontaneous solutions in such an interview.

Preparation for the selection interview

To ensure that you have the best possible chance of success when it comes to the allocation of study places, it is important that you prepare well for the selection interview. Prepare yourself specifically for the typical topics and also practise how to react if an unexpected question should arise. In the following, we will show you what applicants should always bear in mind when taking part in selection interviews.

Be aware of why you want to study medicine

An essential part of your preparation is to make it clear to yourself why you want to study medicine. Think carefully about what exactly fascinates you about this field. Make sure that you immediately have an authentic answer to the question about your motivations, as almost every applicant is asked this question during the selection interview. Make sure that your passion for studying medicine is clear.

Talk about your experiences

Experience in the medical field is an important selection criterion and a real plus point for you in the interview. If you have completed internships, are or have been a volunteer in the medical field or have even completed training in the healthcare sector, be sure to mention this to the selection committee. Don't just give an overview of your qualifications, but also show what exactly about these activities has inspired you.

Know the university

Before applicants attend the selection interview, they should do a lot of research on the university in question. Show that you know exactly why this university is the right choice for you. Name one aspect that made you choose this university over the others. This should not necessarily be your place of residence. It is better if you focus specifically on a selection of the programme's plus points or research specialisms.

These mistakes should be avoided during selection interviews

There are some typical mistakes that many potential medical students make in the selection interview and that drastically reduce the applicant's chances.

A common stumbling block is insufficient preparation. Therefore, inform yourself thoroughly about the university and the degree programme in advance. Avoid appearing unclear or indecisive. 

Under no circumstances should you be late, as this will leave a bad impression right from the start that will be difficult to rectify. Self-confidence is important, but make sure you don't come across as arrogant.

Places to study medicine are not allocated exclusively in the selection interview

In Germany, the Abitur grade still plays an important role in the allocation of university places. However, with other qualifications and a convincing selection interview, it is quite possible to gain a place at university even without an Abitur.

If you are applying to a German university that conducts selection interviews or if you would like to start your medical studies at a foreign university, it is important to take the tips from this article into account and prepare yourself thoroughly. Only then will you have a good chance of realising your dream of studying medicine.