UND SMHS Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

The University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (UND SMHS) interview prep guide provides a comprehensive overview of the school’s interview process, values, and expectations for applicants. It begins by detailing the interview format, explaining that UND SMHS uses a panel-style interview with multiple interviewers in a generally welcoming and conversational setting med.und.edu studentdoctor.net. The guide then reviews the school’s mission and values, emphasizing UND’s focus on training physicians to serve North Dakota’s communities – particularly rural and Native American populations – and how this focus influences what the school looks for in applicants med.und.edu med.und.edu. Next, it outlines key program features and facts, such as the small class size, community-based training across the state, and unique offerings like the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) program und.edu und.edu, and connects these features to potential questions candidates might ask during their interview. The guide also discusses current policy topics relevant to UND SMHS’s mission and region, including rural healthcare access, physician workforce initiatives, and indigenous health disparities med.und.edu med.und.edu. Additionally, it highlights the non-academic selection criteria that UND values – for example, leadership, community service, cultural competence, ethical judgment, and research or creative experience – linking these to the school’s holistic admissions approach med.und.edu med.und.edu. The guide then relates competency frameworks, noting that UND’s expectations align with national standards like the AAMC core competencies (e.g., service orientation, teamwork, resilience) and the school’s own technical standards for medical students students-residents.aamc.org med.und.edu. It also identifies common themes in past interview questions, observing that UND interviews often cover an applicant’s motivation for medicine and UND, personal experiences (including healthcare or rural experiences), ethical scenarios, and understanding of patient care studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. A timeline of key dates for the 2025–2026 application cycle is provided, from application deadlines to interview season and final admissions decisions med.und.edu med.und.edu. In conclusion, the guide underscores the importance of understanding UND SMHS’s mission-driven approach and being prepared to discuss one’s fit with the program’s values throughout the interview.

UND SMHS conducts virtual panel interviews approximately 45–60 minutes in length, featuring a three-member team from the Admissions Committee (typically a basic science faculty member, a clinician, and a medical student) med.und.edu. One interviewer serves as the lead, but all panel members participate in asking questions med.und.edu. The interview is open-file, meaning the interviewers have access to the applicant’s AMCAS application and background information during the conversation studentdoctor.net. The style of the interview is generally described as conversational and low-stress – past candidates have reported a relaxed atmosphere with a stress level around 2 out of 10 studentdoctor.net. Interviewers often give applicants ample opportunity to talk about themselves and their experiences; in fact, one interviewee noted that it was “the most thorough interview” they had experienced, allowing them to share their story in depth studentdoctor.net. While questions are structured and relevant to the applicant’s file, the tone tends to be friendly and aimed at genuinely getting to know the candidate rather than trying to trip them up. Post-interview, admissions offers are made on a rolling basis to outstanding applicants even before the interview season concludes med.und.edu, with the remaining decisions released after all interviews are finished – the overall post-interview acceptance rate is not officially published, but given a class size of 78 and UND’s selective ~4-5% overall acceptance rate und.edu, a significant proportion of those interviewed will eventually secure a spot.

UND SMHS’s mission is rooted in serving the healthcare needs of North Dakota. The primary purpose of the school is “to educate physicians and other health professionals for subsequent service in North Dakota and to enhance the quality of life in North Dakota,” with an additional commitment to discovering knowledge that benefits the people of the state med.und.edu. This means the school’s culture and admissions priorities heavily emphasize students who are likely to practice in North Dakota’s communities after graduation. UND SMHS is also dedicated to addressing the needs of a diverse and rural population – the school’s values include a longstanding commitment to American Indian communities and to students from rural backgrounds in North Dakota and neighboring states med.und.edu. It prides itself on preparing physicians who will serve in underserved areas, which is reflected in the fact that a very high proportion of its graduates go into primary care fields and practice in rural areas (UND ranks in the top percentiles nationally for graduates entering primary care and practicing in rural communities) med.und.edu. This mission-driven focus is explicit in the admissions process: for example, the secondary application asks applicants to explain how their experiences and career goals align with the school’s purpose of improving North Dakota’s health med.und.edu. Interviewers are therefore likely to evaluate how well an applicant’s values and goals fit UND’s service-oriented mission – candidates should be prepared to discuss their interest in working with rural populations, commitment to underserved communities, and understanding of North Dakota’s healthcare challenges as part of demonstrating “mission fit.”

The Doctor of Medicine program at UND is a community-based medical education program with a relatively small class size and a focus on serving the region. Each year, 78 medical students are admitted, which makes for tight-knit class cohorts; admission is competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of only about 4–5% of applicants und.edu. UND SMHS is the only medical school in North Dakota (established in 1905), and it has played a key role in the state’s healthcare workforce – roughly half of the physicians currently practicing in North Dakota are graduates of UND studentdoctor.net. The program is structured such that all students spend the first ~20 months (the first two academic years) in Grand Forks on the main campus for foundational sciences and early clinical training, after which students disperse to regional clinical campuses in Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, or remain in Grand Forks for clerkships during their third and fourth years und.edu. This distributed campus system allows students to train in a variety of hospital and clinic settings across urban and rural North Dakota. UND’s curriculum is known for being integrated and student-centered – it employs elements of problem-based learning and early clinical exposure. Students benefit from a modern, 325,000-square-foot health education facility (opened in 2016) that houses a state-of-the-art simulation center, anatomy labs, and interprofessional learning communities und.edu studentdoctor.net. The program’s accolades include being ranked among the Top 10 programs in rural medicine nationally by U.S. News & World Report und.edu. In line with its mission, the school’s training emphasizes primary care and family medicine; in fact, UND SMHS is recognized for producing a very high proportion of graduates who go into primary care, family medicine, rural practice, and care for Native American communities und.edu. UND offers unique initiatives such as the Rural Opportunities in Medical Education (ROME) program, which places students in extended rural clinical experiences, and the Indians Into Medicine (INMED) program, a pathway that has trained approximately 20% of all American Indian physicians in the U.S. und.edu. Students also have opportunities to pursue dual degrees – for example, an M.D./Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (through a seven-year combined program for those interested in research careers) or an M.D./Master of Public Health, which can be completed in five years und.edu. Despite its small size, UND SMHS maintains active research and scholarly programs, being in the top quartile of community-based medical schools for research funding und.edu. Another notable point is affordability: thanks to state support and philanthropy, the cost of attendance for in-state students is comparatively low (in the bottom 10th percentile nationally) and student debt levels have dropped significantly in recent years und.edu. These program facts not only highlight UND’s strengths but also can serve as conversation points during interviews – demonstrating awareness of what makes UND unique will show your genuine interest.

These distinctive program features can also inspire thoughtful questions for you to ask your interviewers. Inquiring about specific aspects of the program not only helps you learn more, but also shows the panel that you’ve done your research on UND SMHS. For example, you might consider asking questions along the following lines:

• Rural training experiences: Could you tell me more about the ROME program and how students are selected or prepared for extended rural rotations?
• Clinical campuses: How are students assigned to the different clinical campuses in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot, and what unique experiences does each site offer?
• Simulation-based learning: What opportunities do medical students have to use the SMHS Simulation Center during their training, and how does it enhance clinical skills?
• Indigenous health initiatives: How does the INMED program support American Indian medical students or educate all students about serving Native American communities?

Because of UND SMHS’s strong focus on community health and its regional context, certain healthcare policy topics are especially pertinent to this program. Interview discussions or MMI scenarios (if utilized) may touch on broader issues that connect to the school’s mission. Being aware of these can help you demonstrate informed interest and the ability to engage with current challenges in healthcare.

• Rural Healthcare Workforce: North Dakota faces physician shortages in rural areas, and UND SMHS is a key player in state initiatives to address this. The school’s Healthcare Workforce Initiative, for instance, expanded the medical class size and emphasizes retaining graduates for in-state practice med.und.edu. This ties into policy discussions about incentivizing providers to serve underserved areas (through scholarships, loan forgiveness, etc.) and the importance of training doctors with rural skill sets. You should be familiar with challenges of rural healthcare delivery (like geographic barriers and provider shortages) and how programs like UND’s RuralMed (tuition forgiveness for service in rural ND) aim to mitigate them med.und.edu med.und.edu.
• Medical Education for Underserved Regions (WICHE): As part of a regional approach to healthcare, North Dakota participates in the WICHE program (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) to accept a small number of students from nearby states that lack their own medical schools (such as Wyoming and Montana) med.und.edu. This is a policy where those states sponsor students to attend UND at in-state tuition rates, addressing physician distribution across the region. Understanding this collaborative education model – and the obligation these students might have to return to their home state to practice – provides context on how states work together to improve healthcare access.
• American Indian Health Disparities: UND SMHS has a special focus on American Indian health through programs like INMED and even a Department of Indigenous Health that offers the nation’s first Ph.D. in Indigenous Health med.und.edu. This reflects policy commitments to improving healthcare for Native populations, both regionally and nationally. Being aware of issues such as disparities in health outcomes for Native American communities, the role of the Indian Health Service (IHS), and culturally informed care is highly relevant. An interview might probe your understanding of or experiences with caring for indigenous or other minority populations, given the school’s mission to educate physicians for these communities.
• Telehealth and Rural Innovation: With North Dakota’s widely dispersed population, telemedicine has become an important strategy to deliver care. UND SMHS has integrated telehealth training and initiatives to “bring the clinic to the patient” in remote areas med.und.edu. On a policy level, telehealth expansion raises questions about technology access, insurance reimbursement, and training healthcare professionals in telemedicine. It’s useful to consider how telehealth improves rural healthcare access and what limitations exist (for example, broadband infrastructure or licensure across state lines). Demonstrating familiarity with how telehealth is impacting healthcare aligns well with UND’s forward-looking approach to serving rural communities.

Like most medical schools, UND SMHS uses a holistic admissions process, meaning that beyond strong grades and MCAT scores, the personal qualities and experiences you bring are critical to your evaluation med.und.edu. In interviews, the committee will be gauging these non-academic factors to see if you align with the school’s values and if you have the competencies to thrive as a medical student and future physician. UND’s mission and secondary application prompts give insight into the key traits and experiences they value.

• Service Orientation and Community Engagement: Demonstrated commitment to serving others – for example, substantial volunteer work, community service initiatives, or involvement in underserved communities – is highly regarded, as it shows alignment with UND’s goal of producing physicians dedicated to improving community health med.und.edu. Experiences that highlight altruism, compassion, and a desire to help vulnerable populations will reinforce your fit with a school focused on rural and primary care service.
• Leadership and Teamwork: UND looks for applicants who have shown leadership potential and the ability to work well in teams. Whether through leading a student organization, taking initiative in a project, or collaborating in healthcare settings, these experiences indicate you can coordinate with others and take responsibility. In fact, one of UND’s secondary essay questions specifically asks about an “impactful leadership or team experience” you’ve had med.und.edu, underscoring the importance of this attribute. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve exercised leadership (formally or informally) and what you learned about working with others towards a common goal.
• Ethical Responsibility and Integrity: Medical professionals must navigate difficult ethical decisions, and UND’s admissions process probes for ethical reasoning and integrity. Applicants are expected to have a solid moral compass and the ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas. For instance, the application asks you to describe a personal ethical dilemma and how you resolved it med.und.edu, highlighting that the school values honesty, responsibility, and sound judgment. In interviews, you might be asked about scenarios that test your ethical decision-making or to give examples of how you handled a situation requiring integrity or courage.
• Cultural Competence and Empathy: Given UND’s diverse stakeholder community (including Native American and rural populations), the admissions committee values applicants who can demonstrate cultural humility and an ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. You should be able to discuss experiences where you interacted with individuals of cultures or life experiences unlike your own – reflecting on what you learned and how it challenged any preconceptions med.und.edu. Traits like empathy, respect, and communication skills in cross-cultural situations are part of this criterion. In interviews, questions about how you would work with patients from backgrounds different from yours, or examples of inclusion and sensitivity, speak to this quality.
• Research and Scholarly Curiosity: While UND is primarily known for rural and primary care training, it also values intellectual curiosity and experiences in research or other scholarly work. Engaging in research (whether bench science, clinical research, public health, etc.) or other academic projects (like a thesis) demonstrates problem-solving skills and a desire to advance knowledge. You may have had to describe any research experiences in your secondary application med.und.edu. In the interview, you could be asked about your scholarly work – not to grill you on science content, but to see your enthusiasm for inquiry, critical thinking skills, and perseverance in the face of setbacks (common in research).
• Innovation and Creativity: UND SMHS even gives attention to creative endeavors and innovative thinking. One of their essay prompts invites applicants to discuss a time they demonstrated creativity or innovation (be it in the arts, entrepreneurship, or any significant project) med.und.edu. This signals that the school appreciates well-rounded individuals who think outside the box and bring diverse talents. If you have a unique hobby, artistic pursuit, or an example of solving a problem in a novel way, this can be an asset to discuss. It shows personal depth and the ability to approach challenges creatively – qualities that can translate into adaptability and resourcefulness in medical training.

UND SMHS’s expectations of applicants align closely with the core competencies defined for entering medical students by groups like the AAMC. The AAMC’s competency model for pre-medical students – encompassing categories such as professionalism, interpersonal skills, thinking and reasoning, and scientific knowledge – is a useful reference when reflecting on your own readiness students-residents.aamc.org. Although UND may not explicitly list these 15 competencies on its website, the qualities we discussed (service orientation, ethical responsibility, teamwork, resilience, cultural competence, etc.) map directly to that national framework. You can assume that the interviewers will be implicitly evaluating these areas through the questions they ask. For example, “Service Orientation” and “Social Skills” might be gauged by questions about your volunteer work or patient interactions, while “Critical Thinking” or “Capacity for Improvement” could be inferred from discussions about your academic challenges or research work. Being conversant with the language of these competencies can help you frame your answers effectively, but the key is to have authentic examples from your life that demonstrate each attribute.

In addition to these soft competencies, UND SMHS (like all accredited medical schools) has a set of Technical Standards that define the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required to complete the medical curriculum med.und.edu. This isn’t usually a major part of the interview discussion, but it’s good to be aware that upon acceptance, students must certify they can meet these standards (with reasonable accommodations if needed). The technical standards include things like observation and communication skills, motor function, intellectual-conceptual abilities, and professional conduct. Essentially, they ensure that admitted students can safely and effectively participate in all aspects of training. While you won’t be quizzed on the technical standards, understanding that medicine is a demanding profession both intellectually and physically might come up in conversation (for instance, talking about how you manage stress and workload, which relates to the “Resilience and Adaptability” competency). Overall, keeping the core competencies in mind, and understanding UND’s expectations, will help you target your responses to what the program values in a future physician.

By reviewing feedback from previous applicants, we can identify common themes and topics that UND SMHS tends to cover in interviews. While exact questions vary by applicant, interviewers often draw from a predictable range of subjects to understand each candidate holistically. Below are some prevalent themes in past interview questions: you should be ready to address these areas with specific examples from your own background.

• Personal Motivation and “Why UND”: Many candidates are asked to introduce themselves or explain their journey to medicine, which can include the classic “Tell me about yourself” opener studentdoctor.net. Interviewers almost always explore your motivation for pursuing medicine (e.g., “Why do you want to be a physician?” or “What experiences led you here?”), as well as why you want to attend UND’s program in particular studentdoctor.net. Expect to articulate what draws you to UND SMHS – such as its mission, curriculum, or focus on community – and how it’s a good fit for your goals. Showing knowledge of UND’s unique attributes (for example, mentioning the rural emphasis or a program like INMED if relevant to your interests) can strengthen your answer.
• Experiences and Reflections: The interview panel will often delve into your past experiences, especially those involving healthcare exposure or service. Applicants have reported questions about activities noted in their application – for instance, if you worked as a CNA or EMT, “Tell us about your experience as a CNA” might come up studentdoctor.net. Be prepared to discuss what you did, what you learned, and how it confirmed your desire to do medicine. Additionally, interviewers may ask about significant extracurricular involvements or jobs (teaching, research, leadership roles) to gauge what skills and insights you gained. Another common query is about challenges or tough situations you’ve faced; for example, some have been asked about dealing with a patient’s death or a personal failure and how they coped studentdoctor.net. These questions examine your resilience, emotional maturity, and capacity to learn from difficult experiences. Overall, UND’s interview tends to be very applicant-specific – they will pick up on interesting aspects of your application and invite you to reflect on them.
• Ethical and Hypothetical Scenarios: Given UND’s emphasis on integrity and patient-centered care, it’s not surprising that interviewers sometimes pose ethical dilemmas or situational questions. Past interviewees have described questions like, “If you were the physician of a 15-year-old girl who is pregnant and she asks you not to tell her parents, what would you do?” studentdoctor.net. This kind of scenario assesses your ethical reasoning, understanding of confidentiality vs. duty to protect, and how you prioritize patient trust. When tackling ethics questions, interviewers want to see that you can consider multiple perspectives (patient, family, legal requirements, etc.) and explain your decision-making process. Other hypothetical questions might involve professional boundaries or teamwork challenges – anything that probes your judgment and values. While UND’s interview format is traditionally a panel rather than an MMI, these scenario-style questions can still appear in a panel interview to evaluate how you think on your feet.
• Interpersonal Skills and Role-Play Topics: Some questions aim to uncover how you would interact with patients or colleagues. For example, candidates have been asked “How do you make a patient feel cared for?” studentdoctor.net, which assesses empathy and communication skills. You might also be asked how you’d handle explaining a complex medical issue to a patient, or to describe a time you resolved a conflict in a team. These queries are about your soft skills – compassion, clarity in communication, teamwork, and the like – all of which are crucial for a physician. UND’s focus on producing caring, community-oriented doctors means the interview will pay attention to how you relate to others. Use examples from your clinical volunteering, shadowing, or team projects to illustrate your interpersonal strengths.
• Future Plans and Decision-Making: Interviewers sometimes inquire about your plans and thought process regarding your medical career. A frequently reported question is, “If you are accepted to multiple medical schools, how will you decide where to go?” studentdoctor.net. They may also ask what you’ll do if not accepted this cycle (which tests your determination and realistic planning). When answering these, it’s wise to reiterate your genuine interest in UND while also honestly discussing the factors important to you in a medical school (curriculum, location, opportunities, etc.). The panel is looking to see that you have thought carefully about your future and that you’re making a purposeful choice in applying to UND. They might also touch on your career goals – for example, asking if you have interests in particular specialties or if you see yourself practicing in North Dakota long-term. It’s fine if you’re open-minded about specialty, but showing an inclination toward the school’s strengths (like primary care or rural medicine) can subtly reinforce that you belong at UND. Finally, be ready for a wrap-up question like, “Do you have any questions for us?” This is where the thoughtful questions you prepared about the program’s features will come in handy, so don’t hesitate to bring those up.

Staying on top of deadlines is essential in the medical school application process. Below are the key dates and timeline specifics for the 2025–2026 cycle at UND SMHS (note that all deadlines refer to Eastern Time):

• May 2025: AMCAS application opens for 2025-2026; applicants can begin working on their primary applications med.und.edu.
• July 2025: AMCAS starts transmitting verified applications to UND, and UND SMHS begins sending out secondary application invitations (UND does not pre-screen; every AMCAS applicant receives a secondary) med.und.edu. Secondary applications are sent on a rolling basis starting this month.
• October 15, 2025: AMCAS primary application submission deadline for UND SMHS med.und.edu. You must submit your AMCAS by this date to be considered. (Letters of recommendation and MCAT scores can follow slightly later, but the primary must be in by Oct 15.)
• October 31, 2025: Last date for AMCAS to receive all required official transcripts for your application med.und.edu.
• November 1, 2025: Secondary application deadline. Your UND secondary, application fee, MCAT score, and all letters of recommendation must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST on this date med.und.edu. This is a firm deadline – incomplete applications after Nov 1 will not be reviewed.
• September–December 2025: Interview invitations are sent on a rolling basis starting in early September, shortly after applications are complete med.und.edu. Invitations can go out as late as December. Keep a close eye on your email (and spam folder) during this period and respond promptly (within 2-3 business days) to schedule an interview if invited med.und.edu.
• October 2025 – January 2026: Interview season. Interviews are held on select Fridays and Saturdays, from mid-October through late January med.und.edu. (UND’s interviews are virtual, so you won’t need to travel to campus, but you should still dress professionally and find a quiet, uninterrupted setting for the video interview.)
• Late January 2026: All interviews will be completed by about mid to late January, and final admissions decisions are released by the end of January for all interviewed candidates med.und.edu. UND notifies accepted students via email; some particularly strong candidates may hear of acceptances earlier on a rolling basis, but by late January everyone should know their status (accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted).
• February 2026 – June 2026: Waitlist activity period. Applicants placed on the waitlist may receive offers between February and early summer as spots open up. UND updates waitlisted applicants on their status through June med.und.edu. It’s a good idea for waitlisted individuals to send a letter of intent or interest (if UND allows it) by spring, emphasizing their continued enthusiasm for UND.
• April 30, 2026: By the end of April, per the AAMC’s traffic rules, applicants holding multiple acceptances should narrow their choices to no more than three schools. This helps schools manage their waitlists. If you’re accepted to UND and two others at this point, you should decide if UND is in your top three.
• May 15, 2026: Commit to Enroll deadline for UND SMHS. By this date, admitted students must select “Commit to Enroll” for UND in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School tool and withdraw acceptances from all other institutions med.und.edu. This signals that you are firmly joining UND’s class. Missing this deadline could result in your acceptance being rescinded to offer the spot to someone on the waitlist.
• June 29, 2026: Orientation and first day of classes. UND’s new medical students will begin with an “Intro to Medicine” week starting on this date med.und.edu, kicking off the first semester of the M.D. program.

Preparing for an interview at UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences involves more than practicing generic interview questions – it means truly understanding what makes UND unique and aligning your preparation with the school’s mission. In this guide, we reviewed the format of the UND interview, which is a relatively low-stress panel conversation geared toward getting to know you as an individual. We discussed UND’s strong community-oriented mission and how it permeates the program’s focus on rural health and serving North Dakota’s people. We also highlighted the distinct features of the UND SMHS program – from its small class size and statewide training model to special programs like INMED – and connected those features to meaningful talking points or questions you can bring up. Awareness of relevant healthcare issues (such as rural physician shortages and indigenous health) can further demonstrate your fit with UND’s values during the interview. Moreover, reflecting on your own experiences in light of the non-academic qualities UND seeks (leadership, service, ethics, cultural competence, etc.) will enable you to provide compelling, authentic answers. By familiarizing yourself with the key themes past interviewees have encountered and keeping track of the application timeline, you put yourself in a strong position to succeed. In summary, showing that you understand UND SMHS’s mission and can envision yourself contributing to it is crucial – if you can convey your passion for medicine in North Dakota and back it up with your experiences, you will leave a positive impression on your interviewers.