FAU COM Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is a newer medical school known for its community-focused, patient-centered approach to education. The program emphasizes a humanistic philosophy – training future physicians to prioritize compassionate care and community well-being medicalschoolhq.net. Its curriculum is innovative and integrated with early clinical exposure, and the school’s small class size fosters a close, collegial learning environment. The interview experience at FAU is regarded as low-stress and conversational studentdoctor.net, aligning with the school’s supportive culture. In preparation for interviews, applicants should familiarize themselves with FAU’s mission and values, understand the program’s unique features, stay informed on relevant healthcare issues in Florida, and reflect on their personal experiences that illustrate the qualities FAU seeks fau.edu.

FAU’s College of Medicine utilizes a multiple mini-interview (MMI) format in its admissions process. In recent years, the interview day has been structured around a series of short scenario-based stations rather than a traditional panel interview forums.studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net. (Previously, the school had included one open-file traditional interview alongside an MMI, but it appears the format is now exclusively MMI.) The MMI scenarios are designed to be behavioral and situational, often asking candidates to discuss past experiences or respond to ethical challenges in a conversational tone studentdoctor.net. Interviewers or evaluators typically do not have access to the applicant’s full file during MMI scenarios, keeping the focus on your responses, though some stations or components may touch on your background if indicated. Overall, student feedback indicates the interview experience is friendly and low-pressure – many candidates describe the atmosphere as welcoming and relatively relaxed studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net.

Each interview day at FAU is a comprehensive event, usually lasting a full day with tours and information sessions in addition to the interviews fau.edu. Interviews are scheduled from mid-September through February of the application cycle fau.edu. The admissions process is rolling, meaning acceptance decisions are made continuously throughout the season fau.edu. Historically, FAU’s interview invite-to-acceptance ratio suggests that once you’re interviewed, your chances improve significantly – for example, in one recent cycle about 302 applicants were interviewed for roughly 62 spots in the class mededits.com. Initial admission offers are typically released around mid-October (in keeping with the national October 15 notification date) forums.studentdoctor.net, and further offers continue on a rolling basis. Understanding this format and timeline helps applicants prepare by practicing concise, scenario-based responses and being ready for an early notification, all while staying patient through the rolling admissions period.

The mission of FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine centers on improving the health and well-being of its community through patient-centered care, collaborative research, and the training of humanistic clinicians and scientists medicalschoolhq.net. In essence, the college seeks to produce physicians who are not only clinically competent but also compassionate and attuned to the needs of diverse patient populations. FAU prides itself on being an "integrated learning organization" that delivers “high-touch, high-tech” education – pairing personal, community-engaged learning with cutting-edge science medicalschoolhq.net. The school is dedicated to translating discoveries into better patient care and to addressing local community health needs as part of its academic mission medicalschoolhq.net. This is reflected in FAU being recognized for its commitment to serve diverse patient populations in South Florida criticalrace.org.

FAU’s core values underscore how it approaches education and healthcare. The official values include innovation, collaboration, compassion, respect, lifelong learning, and engagement medicalschoolhq.net. These principles guide everything from the curriculum design to student conduct. For example, collaboration and respect point to FAU’s emphasis on teamwork and mutual trust in both the classroom and clinical settings criticalrace.org. Compassion and engagement highlight the expectation that students will empathize with patients and stay involved in the community. Lifelong learning signals that the school encourages continuous personal and professional development. During interviews, applicants may find that questions and discussions indirectly touch on these values – interviewers often look for evidence of an applicant’s alignment with humanistic care, community service, and teamwork. Demonstrating an awareness of FAU’s mission and values (through your past experiences or in how you discuss the role of a physician) can subtly show that you are a good fit for the program’s ethos.

The Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU is one of the newest medical schools in the United States, welcoming its inaugural class in 2011 criticalrace.org. Despite its relative youth, the program has quickly established a reputation for innovation and excellence. FAU achieved full LCME accreditation by 2015 and is considered a fast-growing and rapidly rising medical school, even earning national recognition for its mission-driven approach criticalrace.org. Below are some key features and facts about the program:

• Class Size and Structure: FAU maintains an intentionally small class size – recent entering classes are under 80 students (e.g., 79 students in a recent cohort) fau.edu. The small class environment creates a supportive atmosphere with a low student-to-faculty ratio, enabling close mentorship and a tight-knit community fau.edu.
• Community-Based Education: FAU is a community-based medical school with no own university hospital, partnering instead with local hospitals and healthcare organizations. It has affiliations with three major health systems in Palm Beach County, giving students exposure to a variety of clinical settings drnajeeblectures.com. In total, the college partners with over 300 community organizations from Miami-Dade County up through Vero Beach to serve the region’s needs fau.edu. This broad network provides students with diverse patient encounters and community engagement opportunities throughout medical training.
• Innovative Curriculum: The M.D. program uses an Integrated Patient-Focused Curriculum (IPFC) that weaves basic sciences with clinical application from day one criticalrace.org. Students begin interacting with patients early in the first year, and the curriculum includes a Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) model in the third year fau.edu. Instead of traditional block rotations, FAU’s LIC means students work with the same group of physicians and patients over time, covering all core specialties in an integrated manner. This approach, along with problem-based learning and limited lecture time, reflects FAU’s focus on active learning and early clinical experience.
• Research and Dual Degrees: As a growing academic center, FAU offers research opportunities and dual-degree programs for interested students. Options include an M.D./Ph.D., which leverages partnerships like The Scripps Research Institute in nearby Jupiter, as well as M.D./M.B.A. and M.D./M.H.A. programs for those looking to integrate medicine with business or health administration studies fau.edu. Students are encouraged to pursue scholarly projects, and the curriculum provides "white space" time during third year for electives, research, or other personalized learning pursuits fau.edu.
• Clinical Training and Special Programs: The college’s clinical training is tailored to regional needs. For instance, South Florida’s large elderly population means students gain experience in geriatric medicine and have access to a Geriatric Medicine fellowship and other residency programs FAU sponsors in the area fau.edu. In fact, since 2014 FAU has developed several residency programs (in fields like emergency, internal medicine, surgery, etc.) with the goal of training and retaining physicians in Florida to address local physician shortages drnajeeblectures.com fau.edu. These initiatives indicate FAU’s commitment not only to undergraduate medical education but to improving healthcare capacity in its community.
• Student Life and Facilities: FAU’s medical campus in Boca Raton offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a cutting-edge Simulation Center and resources for student wellness. The atmosphere is often described as collegial and “high-tech, high-touch”, meaning students learn with advanced technology (like simulation, electronic resources) while maintaining a personalized, hands-on educational experience. The school also boasts a tight-knit student community with opportunities to join speciality interest groups, engage in service learning projects, and contribute to the surrounding community through health fairs and clinics. Many of these aspects can serve as talking points or areas of genuine curiosity for applicants – for example, you might ask your interviewers about mentorship in a small-class setting, how the LIC model works in practice, or what community health initiatives students participate in.

In an interview setting, demonstrating knowledge of these program features can set you apart. Interviewers appreciate when candidates have done their homework: for instance, noting FAU’s partnerships or unique curriculum can naturally lead to thoughtful questions. Think about areas of the program you’re truly curious about – you could inquire about how the integrated clerkships benefit students’ learning, what research opportunities are available with local institutes, or how the school’s growth is impacting the student experience. Such questions not only yield valuable insights for you as an applicant, but also show the interviewers your genuine interest in FAU’s program.

Medical school interviews often touch on broader healthcare issues, and at FAU this can include topics pertinent to Florida, the surrounding region, and national policy trends. Being aware of these policy topics will help you engage in informed discussion if they come up during an interview or in MMI scenarios. Here are several policy-relevant themes that are especially germane to FAU’s context in 2025-2026:

• Physician Workforce and Retention: Florida faces ongoing physician shortages, particularly in primary care and in underserved areas. FAU’s creation of local residency programs is a direct response to this issue drnajeeblectures.com. Interview discussions might explore how to attract doctors to high-need communities or the importance of training physicians who will stay and practice in Florida. An understanding of this regional challenge – and how medical schools like FAU aim to address it – will show that you’re thinking about the healthcare system as a whole.
• Healthcare Access and Insurance: Florida has a higher-than-average rate of uninsured residents (about 13.9% of people under 65, one of the highest rates in the U.S.) axios.com. A key reason is that the state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many low-income adults without coverage axios.com. As a result, hospitals and providers in Florida often contend with issues of access to care and healthcare affordability. In an interview, you could be asked your thoughts on healthcare access or how to improve care for uninsured populations. Being aware of Florida’s insurance landscape – and perhaps the spike in ACA marketplace enrollment that has occurred as an alternative axios.com – provides useful context for such discussions.
• Care for Aging Populations: South Florida is known for its large retiree and elderly population. This raises policy questions about geriatric care, Medicare, and long-term care. For instance, how should the healthcare system prepare for an aging population? FAU’s curriculum and local training emphasis on geriatrics reflect this demographic reality. If prompted, you might find yourself discussing topics like improving quality of life for seniors, managing chronic diseases, or the strain on healthcare resources from aging demographics. Notably, Florida’s healthcare planning often centers on these challenges, as “an aging population” drives demand for services transcendtomorrow.fau.edu.
• Reproductive Health Legislation: In recent years, Florida has implemented laws significantly restricting abortion access – notably a six-week abortion ban (effective 2024) that severely limits options for women in the state edition.cnn.com. Such state-level policies have broad implications for patient care, physician practice, and ethical decision-making. An interviewer could gauge your awareness of how legislative changes (like abortion laws) impact healthcare delivery or ask how physicians should navigate patient care within legal constraints. While these are sensitive topics, having a thoughtful, informed perspective (e.g. on balancing personal beliefs, patient rights, and law) is important. Even if not discussed outright, this context is valuable for understanding Florida’s healthcare environment.
• Diversity and Health Disparities: South Florida’s population is racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, and includes many immigrant communities criticalrace.org. Additionally, there are economic disparities across the region. This means topics like cultural competence in medicine, language barriers, and addressing healthcare disparities are highly relevant. FAU itself emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its mission and student body – it’s the most diverse institution in Florida’s state university system criticalrace.org – which aligns with a broader push to eliminate disparities in care. In preparation for your interview, consider the importance of understanding patients’ backgrounds and the social determinants of health. You may be asked about experiences working with diverse groups or your thoughts on improving health equity, both locally and nationally.

Staying conversant with these policy issues will help you demonstrate a well-rounded perspective during interviews. You don’t need to be an expert on each topic, but you should be able to discuss how such issues might affect patients, physicians, or medical education. Showing that you are informed about the context in which FAU operates – from state healthcare regulations to community health needs – signals to interviewers that you’re thinking beyond the textbook and are ready to engage with real-world challenges in medicine.

Like many medical schools, FAU uses a holistic review process in evaluating applicants, meaning that non-academic factors play a significant role in admissions decisions. Beyond strong GPA and MCAT scores, the admissions committee looks closely at an applicant’s personal qualities, experiences, and attributes fau.edu. Understanding what FAU values in its applicants can help you highlight those elements in your interview narratives (and also reassure you that you are more than just numbers to them). Key non-academic selection criteria at FAU include:

• Sustained community service: A track record of volunteering and service is highly regarded. The committee will notice if you have meaningful experiences helping others, especially in underserved or community settings fau.edu. Be prepared in your interview to discuss why those service experiences were important and what you learned – this can demonstrate your alignment with FAU’s community-oriented mission.
• Demonstration of leadership and teamwork: FAU values applicants who show initiative and the ability to work well with others. Leadership can be formal (holding an office in an organization) or informal (guiding a team project, mentoring, etc.), and teamwork experiences (like collaborating in research or service projects) are equally important. The ability to guide or contribute to a group effort speaks to your potential as a physician working in care teams.
• Personal values and integrity: The admissions evaluators are interested in your personal traits – things like empathy, ethics, resilience, and communication skills fau.edu. They will glean these through your stories and demeanor. For example, an interview scenario might probe how you handled a morally challenging situation (revealing integrity) or how you overcame a personal obstacle (showing resilience). It’s wise to reflect on instances that highlight qualities such as compassion, honesty, adaptability, and dedication, as these align with FAU’s humanistic values.
• Breadth of life experiences: Candidates who bring diverse life experiences or unique perspectives enrich the class. Whether it’s a second career, significant travel, overcoming personal adversity, or an unusual hobby, these experiences can set you apart. FAU’s holistic review specifically considers the “breadth of life experiences” you’ve had fau.edu. Don’t shy away from discussing non-traditional aspects of your background during the interview if they’ve been important in shaping you. Such conversations can underscore qualities like cultural competence or maturity.
• Research and scholarly curiosity: While not a strict requirement, having research experience is seen as a plus, especially at a university that encourages integrating discovery with patient care. If you have done research (bench science, clinical research, social science, etc.), be ready to talk about your role and what you learned. This demonstrates curiosity, diligence, and the ability to handle scientific inquiry – traits that tie into the school’s value on lifelong learning. Conversely, if you lack research experience, you might emphasize other scholarly endeavors or a desire to engage in research at FAU, given its many opportunities.
• Clinical exposure and patient contact: FAU looks for applicants who have sought out experiences with patients or in healthcare environments. Whether through shadowing, medical assisting, EMT work, hospice volunteering, or other hands-on patient care, such experiences demonstrate that you understand what working with patients is like and confirm your commitment to medicine fau.edu. In interviews, expect questions like “tell me about a meaningful clinical interaction you had” – having a thoughtful example ready can illustrate your empathy and practical understanding of patient care.

Additionally, FAU requires applicants to complete the CASPer exam (a situational judgment test) as part of their application drnajeeblectures.com. This signals that the school places importance on personal competencies such as ethics, communication, and decision-making. Your performance on CASPer isn’t something you directly control during the interview, but it aligns with the type of non-academic traits the interview will also evaluate. During your interview prep, think about examples from your past that showcase the above qualities. The goal is not to recite a checklist of traits, but to be ready to share genuine stories that convey who you are beyond your grades – stories of you leading, serving, learning, and caring. That’s what FAU is listening for, given their holistic approach.

FAU’s curriculum and evaluation methods are built around a set of core competencies that align with national standards for physician training. In fact, the College of Medicine has explicitly adopted the AAMC’s Physician Competency Reference Set (PCRS) as the foundation for its program objectives fau.edu. This means that FAU expects its graduates to demonstrate proficiency in the same broad competencies that are emphasized across U.S. medical education. The eight competency domains FAU highlights are:

• Patient Care
• Knowledge for Practice
• Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Systems-Based Practice
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Personal and Professional Development

These competencies cover all aspects of a physician’s capabilities, from clinical skills and medical knowledge to teamwork, ethics, and self-improvement fau.edu. For example, Systems-Based Practice involves understanding healthcare systems and seeking to improve them, and Interprofessional Collaboration means effectively working with healthcare team members – both areas that FAU integrates into its training (such as through community health projects and team-based learning). The presence of these frameworks in FAU’s program suggests that your interviewers may be evaluating you along similar lines. An MMI station, for instance, might be aimed at assessing professionalism or communication skills, while a traditional question about a challenge you’ve faced might illuminate your personal development and resilience (tying into the personal/professional development domain). Being aware of the PCRS competencies can help you recognize what a particular interview question is trying to get at. It can also guide you, in preparation, to ensure you have examples or talking points that touch on each of these areas – demonstrating that you have the foundational qualities needed to thrive in medical training. In short, FAU is looking for well-rounded candidates who show potential in all eight competency areas, not just raw academic talent.

Students who have interviewed at FAU report a variety of question types, but several common themes stand out. Broadly, you can expect the interview to probe your personal experiences (especially via behavioral questions), ethical reasoning, motivation for medicine, and understanding of a physician’s role. The use of MMI format means many questions are scenario-based or "Tell me about a time when..." style prompts. Based on past interview feedback, here are some themes and examples that have frequently arisen at FAU interviews:

• Ethical Dilemmas: Be prepared for questions that put you in a moral or ethical scenario. For instance, one past MMI scenario described a situation where a patient’s family asks the doctor not to tell the patient about a serious diagnosis – and the candidate must discuss what they would do. This tests your integrity, empathy, and understanding of patient autonomy. Other ethical topics might involve fairness in treatment, handling confidential information, or navigating healthcare laws. FAU’s interviewers have posed questions about honesty with patients and ethical decision-making in clinical situations studentdoctor.net, so it’s wise to think through your principles and a strategy for approaching such scenarios (e.g., consider medical ethics principles like autonomy, beneficence, etc., in your reasoning).
• Behavioral and Personal Questions: Many questions are geared toward learning about you through your past actions. Commonly, candidates have been asked things like “Describe a time you had to prioritize someone else’s needs over your own”, or “Tell me about a time when you faced a conflict or disagreement in a team and how you handled it.” studentdoctor.net These behavioral questions often start with “Describe a time when…” and can cover areas such as leadership, teamwork, dealing with failure or stress, and overcoming challenges. FAU interviewers have even noted that their questions were "all behavioral" rather than general get-to-know-you in some cycles studentdoctor.net. To prepare, reflect on key experiences in your life that highlight traits like cooperation, adaptability, empathy, and problem-solving. Use the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your thoughts so you can deliver a concise story with a clear lesson or outcome.
• Motivations and “Why Medicine” Questions: You should anticipate questions exploring your motivation for a medical career and your fit for FAU. Examples reported include being asked “What was the pivotal event that made you decide to become a doctor?” or “Why do you want to attend FAU’s College of Medicine?” studentdoctor.net. The interviewers want to see genuine passion and a well-considered path. When answering, it helps to tie your motivation to specific experiences (e.g., a formative clinical encounter or long-term volunteer work that inspired you). Also, connecting your goals to FAU’s mission – such as valuing community engagement or patient-centered care – can reinforce that you are a good match for the school (just be sure your reasons are sincere and specific, not generic praise).
• Qualities of a Good Physician: Another theme is discussing the attributes that make a competent and caring doctor. You might be directly asked, “What is the most important quality for a doctor to have?” studentdoctor.net. This kind of question assesses your understanding of the profession’s core values. There’s no single right answer – candidates have talked about empathy, integrity, communication, teamwork, etc. – but whatever you choose, be ready to justify it or provide an example of why it’s important. Sometimes this can segue into personal reflection (e.g., which of those qualities you already embody or are striving to develop). It ties back to FAU’s focus on humanistic medicine; they want to see that you appreciate the non-technical side of being a physician.
• Application-Specific Discussions: Interviewers at FAU will often reference your application – especially if part of the day includes a traditional interview component or a station where they’ve reviewed your file. Past candidates noted getting questions about particular activities or research they listed, or being asked to elaborate on an interesting hobby or experience from their AMCAS application studentdoctor.net. This means you should re-familiarize yourself with everything you wrote. If you did a significant research project, know it in enough depth to talk about the goal and what you learned. If you have unusual experiences or red flags, be prepared to discuss them openly. Even in the MMI setting, some stations might be designed to prompt you to talk about yourself (for example, “Discuss an activity you’re passionate about”). Any detail you provided could be fair game for conversation, and being able to confidently expand on your own story will show consistency and honesty.

It’s clear that FAU’s interview is not out to trick you with obscure medical trivia; instead, it seeks to understand your character, your interpersonal skills, and how you think through real-world situations. The overall tone, as reported by many, is friendly and allows you to share who you are. When preparing, focus on practicing behavioral questions and ethical scenarios out loud. Consider having a few key stories in mind that can answer a variety of questions. Also, stay up to date on healthcare issues (as noted in the policy section above), because an MMI prompt might touch on a current event or controversial topic. By recognizing these common themes – ethics, personal experiences, motivations, understanding of a doctor’s role – you can enter your FAU interview ready to engage thoughtfully on whatever questions come your way.

Staying on top of the application timeline is an important part of the interview process – after all, you can’t get to the interview if you miss a deadline. For the 2025-2026 cycle, key application deadlines and milestones for FAU’s College of Medicine are as follows:

• May 2025: The AMCAS primary application opens around the beginning of May (May 30 in the previous cycle). This is when applicants can start filling out their common application and request transcripts. You should aim to submit as early as feasible once it opens in May or June med.fsu.edu, since FAU reviews applications on a rolling basis.
• Mid-June to July 2025: Verified primary applications are transmitted to FAU (and other medical schools) starting in the summer, typically late June. Once FAU receives your primary application from AMCAS and if you meet their basic requirements, they will automatically send you a secondary application invitation via email fau.edu. (FAU does not pre-screen applicants for secondaries; they invite all verified applicants to complete the secondary, accompanied by a $30 fee medicalschoolhq.net.)
• Primary Application Deadline – ~November 15, 2025: FAU’s AMCAS submission deadline is usually in mid-November medicalschoolhq.net. For this cycle it is expected to be around Nov 15, 2025. This means you must submit your primary AMCAS application by that date in order to be considered. Waiting this long is not advisable due to rolling admissions, but it is the last possible date to apply.
• Secondary Application Deadline – December 31, 2025: All secondary application materials must be submitted by this date medicalschoolhq.net. FAU allows secondary submissions until the end of December. If you apply late in the cycle, ensure you turn around the secondary quickly so as not to miss this cutoff. (For those who applied early, it’s better to have your secondary in long before December to be in the first waves of interview consideration.)
• Interview Season – September 2025 to February 2026: FAU conducts interviews in roughly this span of time fau.edu. In the 2025-2026 cycle, interviews will likely begin by mid-September 2025 and wrap up by late February or early March 2026. They are typically held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. If you are invited to interview, you’ll be able to schedule on one of the available dates in that window (slots can fill up, so responding promptly to an invite is wise).
• Admissions Decisions – Rolling from October 2025 onward: FAU follows the AAMC traffic rules for offers. This means the first batch of acceptances will be released on or just after October 15, 2025 (the earliest date med schools can notify accepted students) forums.studentdoctor.net. After that, FAU uses a rolling admissions process fau.edu. Applicants typically hear one of three outcomes following their interview: Acceptance, Waitlist (Alternate List), or Rejection fau.edu. If you interview early in the season, you might receive an acceptance call as early as mid-October; those interviewing later might hear decisions in subsequent waves (e.g., November, December, etc.). The Admissions Office continues to make offers through winter and spring as spots open or as they decide on the alternate list. Remaining waitlisted individuals and final decisions are usually resolved by late spring 2026.
• Matriculation – Summer 2026: Accepted students will need to make a final decision and commit to enroll by late April or early May 2026 (per the AAMC guidelines on holding multiple acceptances) med.fsu.edu. FAU typically holds orientation for the new M.D. class in late July or early August. For example, the Class of 2026 will likely have orientation and a White Coat Ceremony by early August 2026. At that point, the 2025-2026 admissions cycle concludes, and those matriculants begin their journey as FAU medical students!

For timely applicants, the main takeaway is to apply early and stay organized with these deadlines. Submitting your primary application in June and your secondary soon after invitation (ideally within 1-2 weeks) can improve your chances of being interviewed earlier in the cycle, which in turn gives you a better shot while spots are plentiful. However, if you find yourself applying later, don’t despair – just ensure nothing is late or missing by the stated deadlines. Throughout the process, keep an eye on your email (including spam folder) for the secondary invite and interview invitation. If you receive an interview, you’ll get instructions about scheduling, and you can expect to have several weeks’ notice before your actual interview date. Knowing this timeline should help you map out your preparation schedule, so that you’re ready for each step – from written applications to the interview and beyond.

Preparing for an interview at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine involves a combination of self-reflection, research, and awareness. By understanding the school’s mission and values (and thinking about how your own experiences resonate with them), you’ll be better equipped to demonstrate fit. By studying the program’s format and unique offerings, you can speak knowledgeably about why FAU appeals to you and even pose insightful questions to your interviewers. By staying informed on healthcare issues relevant to Florida and the nation, you show that you’re engaged with the world of medicine that you aspire to join. And by reviewing the common themes of past interview questions and the qualities FAU looks for, you can practice articulating authentic stories that highlight your character and readiness for medical school. All of these elements come together in the interview. The overall aim is to convey a genuine, well-rounded picture of yourself – one that aligns with what FAU values in future physicians – and to do so with confidence and clarity. With thorough preparation and an understanding of the points outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a successful interview day at FAU’s College of Medicine.