LSU New Orleans Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans (LSU New Orleans) is a public allopathic medical school founded in 1931 with a mission of training outstanding physicians to care for the people of Louisiana medschool.lsuhsc.edu. Its interview process is traditional in format – typically one-on-one conversations rather than MMIs – and generally open-file, meaning interviewers have access to the applicant's file studentdoctor.net. The school emphasizes service to the community and excellence in education, research, and patient care medschool.lsuhsc.edu, values which are reflected in its curriculum and selection criteria. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the interview format, the institution's mission and values, key program features, relevant healthcare policy topics, and the qualities and competencies LSU New Orleans seeks in applicants. It also highlights common themes from past interview questions and outlines the admissions timeline for the 2025–2026 cycle, helping applicants understand what to expect and how to align their preparation with the school's expectations.

The LSU New Orleans School of Medicine uses a traditional interview format, not an MMI. The style is generally conversational and open-file (interviewers can review the applicant's full application) studentdoctor.net. Interviews are often described as low-stress and friendly, focusing on getting to know the candidate. In recent cycles, interviews have been conducted virtually via video conferencing studentdoctor.net, although in-person interviews in the past included campus tours and interactions with students. Key details of the interview format are outlined below:

• Length and Structure: Most interviews last about 20–30 minutes studentdoctor.net. Applicants frequently meet with multiple interviewers – many report being interviewed by three individuals (often one interviewer at a time) studentdoctor.net.
• Interviewers: Panels typically include faculty members, administrators, and sometimes students, reflecting a range of perspectives. The atmosphere is usually one-on-one (each interviewer speaking individually with the applicant) studentdoctor.net rather than a large panel firing questions simultaneously.
• Open vs. Closed File: The interview is open-file, so interviewers will have your AMCAS and secondary application in hand studentdoctor.net. They may reference your personal statement, experiences, or academic record, allowing for tailored questions about your background.
• Format and Setting: The conversation is generally relaxed and conversational, often described by past applicants as low-pressure studentdoctor.net. With the pandemic, virtual interviews became common studentdoctor.net, though LSU may return to on-site interviews; traditionally, on interview day candidates also tour facilities (usually led by enthusiastic medical students) studentdoctor.net.
• Post-Interview Outcomes: LSU New Orleans admits a significant portion of those interviewed. In a recent cycle, about 521 applicants were interviewed and 192 matriculated into the first-year class medicalaid.org. This roughly 35–40% post-interview matriculation rate means securing an interview is a strong step toward acceptance. Final admissions decisions are made by committee on a rolling basis, typically within weeks of the interview or later in the cycle for some applicants medschool.lsuhsc.edu.

LSU Health New Orleans' mission centers on serving the state and region through excellence in medical education, scientific research, and compassionate patient care medschool.lsuhsc.edu. A defining element of the school's identity is its commitment to Louisiana's communities – especially the underserved. From its founding, LSU New Orleans has aimed to train physicians to care for the underserved populations and to provide high-quality healthcare for the people of Louisiana medschool.lsuhsc.edu. This dual focus on service and excellence shapes the school's culture and values.

Key values evident in the mission include humanism, community service, and professionalism. The school strives to produce "competent, caring physicians" who will practice effectively in any healthcare system and continue lifelong learning medschool.lsuhsc.edu. There is an expectation of academic excellence (pursuing new biomedical knowledge and research breakthroughs) alongside a strong ethos of service – providing a model of excellent, community-oriented care for Louisiana's diverse population medschool.lsuhsc.edu. Compassion, commitment to the community, and integrity are emphasized as core values. Understanding this mission is important for interviewees: many questions or discussions may indirectly probe how your experiences and goals align with serving others, addressing health disparities, or contributing to medical knowledge, all of which are pillars of LSU's philosophy.

LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans offers a robust training program with deep ties to the state's healthcare system. The campus is located in downtown New Orleans within a large academic medical center complex. Each entering class is around 190–200 students, and the school heavily favors Louisiana residents (the majority of seats are filled by in-state students) medicalaid.org. As a state-funded institution, LSU's mandate is to educate physicians for Louisiana's needs – something evident in its broad clinical training network and branch campuses.

Students benefit from diverse clinical experiences. LSU New Orleans is affiliated with multiple hospitals, including University Medical Center New Orleans (a large teaching hospital that replaced the historic Charity Hospital) and the adjacent Veterans Affairs Medical Center, among others. There is also a Baton Rouge branch campus: through a partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LSU students can complete core clinical rotations there lsu.edu. This expansion increases exposure to different patient populations (urban and more regional) and is part of LSU's strategy to address physician workforce needs across Louisiana.

In addition to the MD program, LSU New Orleans offers dual degrees and special tracks. Students interested in research or public health can pursue an MD/PhD or MD/MPH dual degree medschool.lsuhsc.edu. There are also focus programs in primary care and others (for example, rural scholars programs or honors in research) medschool.lsuhsc.edu. The curriculum is traditional but evolving – the school has been undertaking curriculum renewal efforts to integrate modern pedagogical practices and team-based learning. State-of-the-art resources like the Clinical Simulation Center support students in developing hands-on skills with high-fidelity patient simulators.

These program features can provide excellent talking points during an interview. An informed applicant might ask about curriculum changes (showing interest in the educational approach) or about opportunities at the Baton Rouge branch campus (demonstrating awareness of LSU's statewide presence). If you have research interests, you could inquire about how medical students get involved in projects or the MD/PhD program. Noting LSU's partnerships and initiatives – for instance, its role in building a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Louisiana – could prompt a question about how students partake in major research or community health initiatives. By asking about aspects of the program that genuinely interest you (clinical rotations, mentorship, unique programs), you not only get valuable information but also show interviewers that you have done your homework on what makes LSU New Orleans unique.

Given LSU New Orleans' focus on training doctors for Louisiana, awareness of regional healthcare issues and policies is important. Interviewers may explore your perspective on medical challenges in the community and nation. Some relevant policy and healthcare topics include:

• Healthcare Access in Louisiana: Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, extending coverage to over 500,000 low-income residents apnews.com. This improved access to care, but the state still faces challenges with provider shortages. For example, many newly insured patients struggle to find primary care doctors, especially in rural areas. Discussions might touch on how to ensure access with limited resources, or the impacts of policy changes (like Medicaid expansion or Medicaid renewals) on public health.
• Rural Health Disparities: Louisiana has significant rural populations with poorer health outcomes. A lack of healthcare infrastructure and physicians in rural parishes has prompted initiatives to bolster the rural workforce. LSU is involved in solutions like telemedicine and incentivizing physicians to practice in underserved areas. An interviewer could ask about your thoughts on addressing rural healthcare gaps or about any experience you have with medically underserved communities.
• Health Outcomes and Disparities: The state consistently ranks near the bottom in national health indicators (such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease rates). There are notable health disparities along lines of socioeconomic status and race. For instance, Louisiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country apnews.com. A conversation might arise about contributing factors to these outcomes and what healthcare professionals or systems can do to improve them.
• Women's Health and Policy Changes: Recent policy developments, such as restrictions on reproductive health services, have impacted healthcare access. In Louisiana, the closure of certain clinics (e.g. Planned Parenthood facilities) due to funding and political pressure has reduced resources for services like STI screenings and contraception apnews.com. This, combined with strict abortion laws, has sharpened the focus on women's health access. Be prepared to discuss how such policies affect patient care and how physicians can navigate these challenges while advocating for patients.
• Medical Education and Workforce Diversity: On a broader policy level, there is an effort to increase the number of physicians and improve diversity in the medical workforce. Louisiana is even establishing a new medical school (Xavier University in partnership with Ochsner Health) aimed at addressing healthcare inequities and training more minority doctors apnews.com. Topics around physician workforce, diversity, and training (for instance, culturally competent care, or retaining doctors in-state) could be relevant given LSU's mission to serve the community.

Staying conversant with these issues can help in an interview – not to debate politics, but to show you understand the context in which LSU physicians operate. When appropriate, you might weave in your insights or experiences related to these topics (for example, discussing any volunteer work with underserved populations or interest in healthcare policy). This demonstrates to interviewers that you are thinking about the real-world environment of medicine in Louisiana and the U.S., aligning with LSU's focus on producing socially accountable physicians.

Like most medical schools, LSU New Orleans uses a holistic admissions process. The Committee on Admissions evaluates each applicant across three broad areas – humanitarian qualities, overall excellence, and life experiences medschool.lsuhsc.edu – not just GPA and MCAT. In practice, this means the school is looking for well-rounded individuals with strong personal attributes and accomplishments beyond the classroom. Some of the key non-academic criteria considered include:

• Service & Humanitarian Qualities: Evidence of empathy, compassion, and a commitment to serving others (for example, through community service or volunteer work) aligns with the school's mission medschool.lsuhsc.edu.
• Leadership & Teamwork: Leadership roles or significant teamwork experiences (such as leading a student organization, team sports, project groups, etc.) demonstrate collaboration skills and initiative.
• Extracurricular Involvement: The breadth and depth of activities outside academics are assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively medschool.lsuhsc.edu. This can include clinical experiences, volunteering, research projects, shadowing, employment, or other pursuits that have occupied your time and interest. Consistent involvement and meaningful roles in activities signal passion and time-management skills.
• Honors and Achievements: Any special honors, awards, or recognitions you have received are noted medschool.lsuhsc.edu. This might range from academic honors to awards for service or leadership. Such distinctions can highlight areas where you excel and show dedication and excellence.
• Unique Personal Attributes: Your individual characteristics and background matter. The committee considers unique personal attributes you bring medschool.lsuhsc.edu – for instance, resilience in overcoming challenges, cultural background and language skills, or other life experiences that shape your perspective. Even hobbies and interests are taken into account medschool.lsuhsc.edu, as they paint a fuller picture of your personality and help assess your work-life balance and interpersonal skills.
• Letters of Recommendation: While technically part of your application file, strong letters of evaluation speak to your non-academic qualities – such as character, work ethic, and how you work with others medschool.lsuhsc.edu. LSU places weight on letters from professors or supervisors who know you well. These testimonials can corroborate your humanitarian qualities and excellence beyond grades.
• Interview Performance: Finally, impressions from the interview itself are critical medschool.lsuhsc.edu. Interviewers will be gauging traits like communication skills, maturity, sincerity, and alignment with LSU's values. How you articulate your experiences and motivations in person can significantly impact the committee's decision.

In summary, LSU New Orleans seeks applicants who are more than just good students – they want promising physicians who have shown leadership, service to others, diversity of experience, and personal growth. As you prepare for the interview, reflect on how your own experiences demonstrate these qualities. Interview questions will often probe these areas (for example, "Tell me about a meaningful volunteer experience" to gauge service, or "Describe a challenge you overcame" to assess resilience). Having a clear narrative about your non-academic journey will help convey that you fit the profile of the compassionate, well-rounded physician LSU aims to train.

LSU New Orleans aligns its admissions expectations with the AAMC's core competencies for entering medical students, an official framework that many U.S. medical schools use. These competencies outline the personal and intellectual attributes expected of incoming medical students students-residents.aamc.org. Familiarity with them can give insight into what the interview and admissions committee may be looking for in your responses and behaviors. The core competencies are grouped into several domains:

• Interpersonal Skills: This includes strong communication skills, the ability to work effectively as part of a team, and cultural competence/humility – appreciation for diversity and the ability to collaborate with people from different backgrounds. Given LSU's focus on serving a diverse community, demonstrating these skills is crucial.
• Intrapersonal Traits: Attributes such as ethical responsibility, reliability and dependability, and resilience/adaptability fall here. The school will value evidence of your honesty, integrity, and capacity to overcome setbacks or adapt to new situations (for instance, how you handled the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in school or work).
• Thinking and Reasoning: Competencies in this domain include critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and scientific inquiry. LSU will expect that you can analyze problems, interpret data, and think logically – skills that are tested in your academic history and may also come up in interview questions (e.g., tackling an ethical scenario or a healthcare issue by reasoning through it).
• Science Knowledge and Skills: A strong foundation in the natural and social sciences is expected – from biology and chemistry to understanding human behavior and social structures. While your coursework and MCAT primarily demonstrate these, you might be asked in an interview about a research experience or to discuss a scientific topic of interest, which can reflect your scientific mindset.

LSU's admissions website explicitly references these AAMC core competencies medschool.lsuhsc.edu, signaling that the school evaluates applicants holistically on these qualities. In an interview context, you can expect both your behavior and your answers to showcase these competencies. For example, being punctual, courteous, and professional demonstrates reliability. Providing a thoughtful response about how you handled a moral dilemma shows ethical responsibility and integrity. By understanding this framework, you can better appreciate what your interviewers might be assessing and subtly highlight those attributes in your responses.

Interviewees at LSU School of Medicine – New Orleans have reported a wide range of questions. Many are common medical school interview questions tailored to the applicant's experiences, while others relate to LSU's mission or healthcare in Louisiana. Based on past feedback, you should be prepared for topics such as:

• Motivation for Medicine and "Why LSU?": Nearly every interview will explore your reasons for pursuing medicine and why you have chosen LSU New Orleans specifically studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Expect to discuss what draws you to medicine as a career, what you hope to contribute, and perhaps what about LSU's program or mission appeals to you. ("Why do you want to be a doctor?" and "Why our school?" are fundamental questions to nail down.)
• Personal Background and Accomplishments: Interviewers often ask questions like "Tell me about yourself" or "What accomplishment are you most proud of?" to get to know you beyond your application. They may probe significant experiences from your resume or essays. Be ready to talk about key life experiences or activities that have shaped you – whether that's a leadership role, a unique hobby, or a challenge you overcame. These allow you to highlight qualities the school values, such as perseverance or initiative studentdoctor.net.
• Teamwork and Leadership Experiences: Given the emphasis on collaboration in medicine, you'll likely get questions about working with others. For example: "Tell me about a time you were part of a team" or "Give an example of a leadership experience." Some have reported questions on interpersonal conflict, like how you handled a disagreement in a team setting studentdoctor.net. Think of examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate and resolve issues while maintaining good relationships.
• Handling Adversity or Failure: Interviewers frequently ask about challenges or failures to assess your resilience and growth mindset. You might be asked, "Describe a difficult situation and how you dealt with it," or "Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned." LSU interviewees have noted questions about overcoming adversity and handling stress studentdoctor.net. Answering these candidly – focusing on what you did and what you learned – will show that you can maturely navigate setbacks.
• Ethical and Hypothetical Scenarios: Ethics questions have been a theme in some LSU interviews. These could be hypothetical patient scenarios or policy questions. For instance, one applicant mentioned being asked an ethical question about evaluating a drug's efficacy studentdoctor.net. You might also be asked how you would handle a sensitive situation, like a patient refusing treatment or a colleague doing something unethical. These questions assess your moral reasoning and judgment – it's less about having the "right" answer and more about showing you can think through dilemmas with compassion and principles.
• Professional Values and Vision: Some questions delve into your definitions or values – "How do you define success as a physician?" or "What does professionalism mean to you?" have been reported as challenging prompts studentdoctor.net. You could also face "strengths and weaknesses" questions or be asked to discuss what qualities you bring to the medical profession. Reflecting on your core values and how they align with being a doctor (and with LSU's values) will help in articulating thoughtful responses here.
• Research and Healthcare Interests: If you have research experience or stated specific interests (like an MPH or a particular specialty), anticipate questions in that vein. Past interviews have included discussion of the applicant's research projects or questions about healthcare issues in the community studentdoctor.net. For example, if you did a thesis on diabetes management, be ready to talk about it in simple terms and perhaps why it matters in Louisiana. This is a chance to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and commitment to improving health.
• Personal Insight Questions: Interviewers sometimes ask unexpected personal questions to gauge your self-awareness. One intriguing example shared by a past applicant was, "What is a misconception people have about you?" studentdoctor.net. Such questions don't have a single correct answer – they are meant to make you reflect and reveal something genuine about yourself. It's okay to take a moment to think in the interview if you get a curveball like this. The key is to be honest and self-reflective, which shows maturity.

Overall, the themes that consistently emerge are: your motivation and fit for LSU, how you've demonstrated the qualities they value (teamwork, leadership, service, resilience), and your ability to think ethically and critically. The interviews tend to be open-ended and conversational, so follow-up questions will depend on your responses. Interviewers often start with broad prompts and then explore details from your answers or application. Thus, it's important to know your application well and be ready to discuss anything you've included. By practicing responses to the above types of questions, you can walk into your LSU New Orleans interview ready to share your story and engage in a thoughtful dialogue.

The application process for LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine follows the typical AMCAS cycle, with some school-specific timing. Below is an overview of key dates and deadlines for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle (for the class entering Fall 2026), as well as what to expect after you apply:

1. Primary Application (AMCAS): The AMCAS application opens in late May 2025. Submission deadline for LSU New Orleans is usually November 1, 2025 for the regular admissions cycle medschool.lsuhsc.edu. (Note: If you are applying Early Decision Program (EDP), AMCAS must be submitted by August 1, 2025 medschool.lsuhsc.edu.) It's advisable not to wait until the deadline – applying earlier in the cycle can be advantageous since LSU uses rolling admissions.
2. Secondary Application: Once your AMCAS is verified and sent to LSU, the secondary application process begins. LSU New Orleans automatically grants secondary application access to all Louisiana residents and academically competitive out-of-state applicants medschool.lsuhsc.edu. You'll receive an email with instructions to complete their secondary (which typically includes essays and a fee). The secondary, along with all required letters of recommendation, must be completed by December 1, 2025 to be considered medschool.lsuhsc.edu. It's best to finish this as soon as possible – interview offers can only be made after your file is complete.
3. Interviews (Fall 2025 – Early 2026): LSU New Orleans extends interview invitations on a rolling basis, starting as early as late summer or September 2025. Interviews typically run from roughly September through February of the following year (and possibly into March 2026 if needed). For the 2025–2026 cycle, interviews are expected to be held virtually via an online platform (as they have done in recent years) studentdoctor.net, though the format is subject to change. Interview days often include an orientation and virtual tours; if in-person interviews resume, expect a half-day on campus with tours given by students studentdoctor.net. Early Decision applicants will interview in the summer, with decisions by October 1, 2025.
4. Admissions Committee Decisions: LSU New Orleans uses rolling admissions. The Admissions Committee meets approximately every 3 weeks to review interviewed candidates medschool.lsuhsc.edu. After your interview, you could be notified of an acceptance or rejection within a few weeks. However, some applicants may be held without final decision – placed on a kind of "hold" or waitlist for later consideration medschool.lsuhsc.edu. The committee continues to make offers until the class is filled. If you are put on hold, you might receive an acceptance as late as March or April 2026, depending on how the cycle progresses. (The class is usually fully finalized by late spring of the admissions cycle medschool.lsuhsc.edu.)
5. Post-Acceptance and Matriculation: Accepted students will be notified via email or phone (make sure your contact information is up to date in AMCAS) and will typically be given a timeframe to respond (in line with AAMC traffic rules). A seat deposit may be required to hold your spot (applicants often have until May 15 to decide on multiple offers if not in EDP). LSU also participates in the AAMC's Criminal Background Check process – incoming students must clear a background check as part of matriculation medicalaid.org. The academic year 2026–2027 for first-year LSU medical students is expected to begin in July/August 2026, with orientation activities preceding the start of classes. Key dates like orientation will be communicated in the acceptance package and are usually posted on the school's academic calendar.

Throughout this timeline, remember that earlier is better due to rolling admissions. Submitting your AMCAS in June or July and returning the secondary promptly can improve your chances of an early interview while spots are plentiful. LSU New Orleans being on rolling admissions means those accepted earlier will start filling the class—if you interview later in the season, fewer spots remain (though the school does reserve some space and uses waitlists, so it's not over if you don't hear early). If LSU is your first choice and you are a strong in-state applicant, consider the Early Decision Program to get a guaranteed early outcome (but be aware you cannot apply anywhere else during that time). Otherwise, aim to complete all application components well before the deadlines. By knowing these key dates and the flow of the cycle, you can plan accordingly and reduce stress during the admissions process.

Preparing for an LSU New Orleans School of Medicine interview involves a combination of understanding the school's ethos and knowing your own story. By reviewing LSU's mission to serve Louisiana's communities medschool.lsuhsc.edu and the qualities they seek in applicants, you can connect your experiences to what the program values. The interview will likely feel like a conversation – an opportunity for you to demonstrate your fit with the school's culture of service, learning, and teamwork. Remember to be yourself and let your genuine motivations shine through. A successful interviewee will convey not only why they want to be a doctor, but why they want to be a doctor at LSU New Orleans, contributing to its mission and taking advantage of its unique opportunities. By using this guide to inform your preparation – from the interview format and common question themes to the school's priorities and timeline – you'll be well-equipped to make a strong impression on interview day.