WFUSM Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) is a mission-driven institution that emphasizes "health for all" and a culture of compassion, teamwork, and innovation school.wakehealth.edu school.wakehealth.edu. Its MD program spans two campuses (the main site in Winston-Salem and a new campus in Charlotte) and features a modern, patient-centered curriculum with early clinical exposure and interdisciplinary learning newsroom.wakehealth.edu school.wakehealth.edu. The interview process at WFUSM reflects a holistic approach: applicants encounter a multi-format virtual interview that assesses personal competencies alongside academic metrics school.wakehealth.edu studentdoctor.net. In the following sections, we synthesize key information about the interview format, the school's mission and values, program highlights, relevant healthcare policy topics, selection criteria, competency frameworks, common interview question themes, and the timeline for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle.

The Wake Forest School of Medicine interview is currently conducted virtually and involves multiple components. Invited candidates complete an asynchronous one-way video interview (similar to a recorded multiple mini-interview) followed by a synchronous virtual session school.wakehealth.edu forums.studentdoctor.net. The virtual session includes an informational meeting and, in recent cycles, a teamwork-oriented group exercise that reflects the school's use of the MMI (Multiple Mini-Interview) format forums.studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net. This structure allows the admissions committee to evaluate applicants’ responses to scenario-based prompts as well as their interactions in a team setting.

Notably, WFUSM’s interviews have evolved from the traditional open-file format used in the past to the current MMI-style approach mededits.com studentdoctor.net. In earlier years, interviews were "open-file" (interviewers had full access to the applicant’s file), but under the new MMI system much of the assessment is standardized and scenario-driven, meaning interviewers focus on responses rather than reviewing academic files mededits.com studentdoctor.net. This often makes the interviews closer to a "closed-file" experience for the evaluators, although some personalized discussion can still occur during the process.

The overall interview atmosphere at Wake Forest is considered applicant-friendly and relatively low-stress. In survey feedback, most candidates described the interviews as conversational and felt they were able to present themselves well studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. The school’s interview day has been rated in the top quartile by past interviewees, who appreciated the cordial, engaging style of the interviewers and the efficient organization by the admissions staff studentdoctor.net. Despite the multiple components (video responses and live session), the tone remains welcoming, aiming to put applicants at ease and encourage open discussion.

Receiving an interview at WFUSM is a significant accomplishment given the school’s selectivity. Only about 4% of applicants were invited to interview in a recent cycle, and roughly 1–2% of total applicants ultimately matriculated shemmassianconsulting.com. For the entering Class of 2028, for example, 12,139 people applied, 498 were interviewed, and 145 matriculated (approximately a 29% yield from interviews) shemmassianconsulting.com. In other words, while an interview offers you a much-improved chance of admission, the post-interview acceptance rate is still around one in three. It’s important to approach the WFUSM interview seriously and professionally, knowing that the admissions committee will make final acceptances based on a holistic review of your interview performance alongside your application.

WFUSM’s mission is “Educating future physicians empowered to transform health for all.” school.wakehealth.edu This concise statement underscores the school’s dedication to training doctors who will improve the health of entire communities and champion equitable care. The accompanying vision emphasizes national leadership in education and innovation, and graduating physicians committed to lifelong learning and community health improvement school.wakehealth.edu. In practical terms, the mission suggests that Wake Forest values students who show a genuine commitment to service, inclusivity, and making a broad impact on society through medicine. Interviewers and evaluators will be looking for evidence that an applicant’s personal goals align with this ethos of “health for all,” whether through past experiences or future aspirations.

The core values of Wake Forest School of Medicine further define the qualities the institution upholds and likely seeks in its students school.wakehealth.edu:

• Compassion – Demonstrating empathy and concern for patients and others school.wakehealth.edu.
• Community Engagement – Commitment to serving communities and improving health beyond the individual patient school.wakehealth.edu.
• Teamwork – The ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams school.wakehealth.edu.
• Integrity – Ethical conduct, honesty, and accountability in one’s actions school.wakehealth.edu.
• Excellence – Striving for the highest quality in education, patient care, and research school.wakehealth.edu.
• Work Ethic – Dedication and diligence in fulfilling responsibilities and continuous improvement school.wakehealth.edu.

Applicants should be mindful of these mission and value statements when preparing for interviews. Though you won’t explicitly recite the mission, your answers can reflect an authentic alignment with these principles. For example, discussing volunteer work with underserved populations would illustrate community engagement and compassion, while describing a collaborative project would highlight teamwork. Wake Forest’s focus on integrity and excellence means ethical reasoning and personal accountability may also come up conversationally or via scenario questions. Overall, understanding the school’s guiding ideals provides insight into the kind of future physician WFUSM hopes to train – and thus the qualities they listen for in interviews.

Wake Forest’s MD program offers a blend of innovative curriculum and diverse clinical opportunities, now distributed across two campuses. The main campus in Winston-Salem is the historic home of the medical school, and in July 2025 WFUSM opened a second four-year campus in Charlotte, NC, in partnership with Atrium Health newsroom.wakehealth.edu newsroom.wakehealth.edu. The inaugural class in Charlotte has about 50 students (expected to grow to 100 in coming years), while the Winston-Salem campus welcomed around 150 first-year students in the same cohort newsroom.wakehealth.edu. Both campuses share the “Wake Ready” curriculum and benefit from being part of Advocate Health, the nation’s third-largest nonprofit health system, which provides extensive clinical and research resources for students’ training newsroom.wakehealth.edu. This multi-campus structure means students can experience different healthcare environments (urban and regional) while still receiving the same high-quality education.

The curriculum at WFUSM has been redesigned to be forward-thinking and integrative. It compresses the traditional pre-clinical phase to 18 months, allowing students to enter clinical clerkships in their second year shemmassianconsulting.com. During pre-clerkship training, both campuses teach the same content but with different educational methods: the Charlotte campus uses a problem-based learning approach in small groups, whereas the Winston-Salem campus uses larger-group interactive lectures followed by small case-based sessions and simulation exercises school.wakehealth.edu. In both settings, students receive early exposure to patients and team-based activities, and all students must demonstrate competence in foundational science and clinical skills before advancing school.wakehealth.edu. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, including advanced training in bedside ultrasound and clinical simulation, reflecting Wake’s national leadership in fields like point-of-care ultrasound and regenerative medicine school.wakehealth.edu.

WFUSM is known for its strong research and specialty program offerings. The school has internationally recognized expertise in areas such as regenerative medicine, biomedical engineering, and minimally invasive surgery techniques school.wakehealth.edu. Students have opportunities to engage in research through formal programs or electives, and the integration with Advocate Health’s large network enables a wide range of clinical electives (e.g., at major hospitals, research centers, and community clinics across the region) newsroom.wakehealth.edu school.wakehealth.edu. This breadth of exposure helps students tailor their education – for instance, a student interested in pediatrics might take electives at the renowned Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, while a student drawn to translational research could work in labs at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

In keeping with its mission, WFUSM also places heavy emphasis on community service and health equity in the program. A hallmark initiative is the student-run Delivering Equal Access to Care (DEAC) Clinic, which provides free healthcare to uninsured residents of Winston-Salem and serves as a training ground in compassionate, hands-on care newsroom.wakehealth.edu. Many medical students volunteer at DEAC or similar outreach clinics, and such experiences are woven into the school’s culture of giving back. Additionally, both campuses incorporate content on social determinants of health and encourage involvement in community health projects. This means as a student you’ll have avenues to cultivate your passion for service, whether through longitudinal community clinics, health fairs, or special programs targeting North Carolina’s underserved populations.

Questions to Consider Asking

• How do the learning experiences differ between the Winston-Salem campus and the new Charlotte campus, and what opportunities do students have to collaborate across the two sites? school.wakehealth.edu
• What opportunities are available for medical students to engage in research or specialized programs (for example, in regenerative medicine or other areas where Wake Forest excels), and how can students get involved in community health initiatives like the DEAC free clinic? school.wakehealth.edu newsroom.wakehealth.edu
• In what ways are the school’s core values – such as teamwork, community engagement, and compassion – integrated into the daily life of students and the curriculum (for instance, through group projects, volunteer requirements, or mentoring)? school.wakehealth.edu

These are just a few examples of thoughtful questions that not only show your genuine interest in WFUSM but also help you gather information to determine if the program fits your goals. Tailoring questions to the specifics of Wake Forest’s program (its campuses, unique curriculum, research strengths, and community focus) will demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and are envisioning yourself as part of their community.

Given WFUSM’s emphasis on improving health for all and serving its region, familiarity with current healthcare policy issues is valuable for interview preparation. In both national and North Carolina contexts, certain policy and public health topics resonate strongly with the school’s mission and the populations it serves. Being conversant in these areas can help you discuss broader healthcare challenges and might inform your answers to ethics or health system questions. Some relevant policy topics include:

• Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina – North Carolina recently decided to expand Medicaid after years of debate, extending health insurance coverage to an estimated 600,000 additional low-income adults axios.com. This major policy change (effective late 2023) is expected to improve access to care for many uninsured individuals in the state. A Wake Forest applicant should recognize the significance of expanding coverage in achieving "health for all," as it aligns with the school’s focus on serving underserved populations and could come up in discussions about healthcare access or health equity.
• Rural Healthcare Challenges – North Carolina has vast rural areas, and like many states it faces healthcare disparities between urban and rural communities. One pressing issue is the closure of rural hospitals: for example, the shutdown of a 43-bed hospital in Williamston in 2023 left a community of 22,000 without immediate emergency care apnews.com. Additionally, many rural counties lack key services; about 21% of North Carolina counties are considered maternity care deserts, with no obstetric providers or birthing centers available marchofdimes.org. These gaps highlight challenges in access to care, workforce distribution, and infrastructure. In an interview, you might be asked your thoughts on serving in rural areas or how to address such disparities, which ties into Wake Forest’s emphasis on community engagement and training physicians to meet regional needs.
• Telehealth and Healthcare Innovation – The COVID-19 pandemic spurred rapid expansion of telehealth, and North Carolina has embraced telemedicine to reach underserved communities. Wake Forest’s faculty have been directly involved in studying how telehealth can improve management of chronic conditions and reduce barriers for patients (e.g., a recent WFUSM-led project is examining outcomes of expanded telehealth for children with complex illnesses) newsroom.wakehealth.edu. Policy discussions around telehealth include reimbursement, quality of care, and digital access – all relevant as the region works to connect rural patients with specialists and as the school trains students in using technology for patient care. Demonstrating awareness of telehealth’s role and limitations (for instance, how virtual care can help in areas with physician shortages) would resonate with the program’s innovative and community-oriented mindset.

Other broad topics you may consider include healthcare affordability, preventive care and public health (especially in the context of the Southeast’s health challenges like diabetes and opioid use), and diversity in medicine (North Carolina’s efforts to improve care for a racially and ethnically diverse population). The key is to be prepared to discuss how these larger issues impact patients and medical practice, especially in the environments where Wake Forest students train. This will show interviewers that you are knowledgeable about the context of healthcare in their region and are thinking beyond the textbook – a quality that aligns with being a "physician plus" who can transform health for all.

Like most medical schools, WFUSM employs holistic admissions, meaning that beyond strong academics, they look closely at personal qualities, experiences, and attributes that indicate a candidate will thrive in and enrich the medical community. Given Wake’s specific mission and values, certain non-academic criteria are particularly important in their selection process. These include:

• Service Orientation and Compassion: Demonstrated commitment to helping others and engaging with communities. Experiences such as volunteering in clinics, mentoring, global health work, or advocacy for underserved groups carry significant weight, as they show you share the school’s dedication to improving health for all prospectivedoctor.com school.wakehealth.edu.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Ability to collaborate effectively and take initiative when needed. Wake Forest values students who have thrived in team environments – for example, through team-based projects, athletics, student organizations, or clinical work – since medicine is a collaborative field school.wakehealth.edu. Leadership roles (formal or informal) that you’ve assumed in these contexts also demonstrate maturity and the potential to contribute to campus life and healthcare teams.
• Research and Innovation: While not strictly required, involvement in research or other scholarly projects is seen positively, especially given WFUSM’s status as a research institution. Exposure to scientific inquiry (whether bench research, clinical trials, public health studies, etc.) shows intellectual curiosity and the drive to advance knowledge. The school has a strong reputation for clinical research and encourages students to push boundaries in medicine shemmassianconsulting.com, so evidence of a problem-solving mindset or creativity in your background can strengthen your application.
• Resilience and Work Ethic: Medicine is challenging, so the admissions committee looks for indicators of perseverance and adaptability. Overcoming hardships or significant non-academic challenges (as one of Wake’s secondary essay prompts asks) is a way applicants can illustrate resilience prospectivedoctor.com. A consistent work ethic – shown through sustained commitments, improvement over time, or balancing responsibilities – reassures the school that you can handle the rigors of medical training and stay motivated.
• Ethical Integrity and Cultural Competence: Wake Forest’s focus on integrity means they seek students who demonstrate honesty, accountability, and strong moral reasoning in their actions. All applicants are required to complete the CASPer situational judgment test, which specifically assesses qualities like ethics, empathy, and communication under hypothetical dilemmas shemmassianconsulting.com. Moreover, the school values cultural awareness; for instance, they encourage knowledge of a second language (especially Spanish) and understanding of health disparities shemmassianconsulting.com. Showing that you can interact respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and reflect on ethical issues will align with what WFUSM is looking for in future physicians.

In your interview, these non-academic criteria often come through via the stories you tell and how you present your experiences. Rather than being directly asked, “What are your leadership experiences?” you might find yourself discussing a group project (demonstrating teamwork and leadership) or how you handled a moral conflict (demonstrating integrity). The holistic review approach means the committee has likely noted such elements in your application already, and the interview is your chance to reinforce them. Be genuine and specific when highlighting these aspects of yourself – for example, explaining what you learned from a volunteer experience or how you grew from a failure – as this will vividly convey the qualities that align with Wake Forest’s selection criteria.

Medical education and admissions in the U.S. are increasingly guided by formal competency frameworks. Wake Forest’s program, in line with national standards, places emphasis on these competencies both in selecting students and in training them. For incoming students, the AAMC’s pre-medical core competencies offer a useful lens. (These were updated in 2023, and schools began using them in the 2024–2025 cycle to evaluate applicants students-residents.aamc.org.) They cover 15 competencies across personal, interpersonal, thinking/reasoning, and science domains – including attributes such as Empathy and Compassion, Cultural Awareness, Teamwork and Collaboration, Resilience and Adaptability, ethical responsibility, and others students-residents.aamc.org students-residents.aamc.org. Wake Forest’s established values map closely to these; for example, the school’s emphasis on compassion and teamwork mirrors the competencies of empathy and team collaboration. Thus, during interviews and application review, the committee is assessing whether you have demonstrated these core competencies in your life experiences. You’ll have already showcased some through your essays and activities, but the interview may probe further (for instance, an MMI scenario might test ethical decision-making, aligning with the “ethical responsibility” competency).

On the medical school curriculum side, WFUSM uses a competency-based educational framework to shape its graduates. In accordance with LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) standards, the school ensures graduates attain all the general professional competencies required for entry into residency and lifelong practice school.wakehealth.edu. One key framework employed is the set of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) defined by the AAMC – practical tasks that new medical graduates should be able to perform reliably. During the Wake Ready curriculum’s phases, students must demonstrate competence in foundational EPAs (e.g., gathering a history, formulating a differential, hand-offs) before beginning clerkships, and later master core EPAs by graduation school.wakehealth.edu school.wakehealth.edu. This means that as a student you’re continuously evaluated on competencies rather than just completing courses. For interview prep, it’s useful to be aware that the school views training through this competency lens: they are looking for students who will not only acquire knowledge but also consistently demonstrate skills, good judgment, and professional behaviors. You might reflect this understanding by articulating how you approach learning (for example, valuing feedback and self-improvement – which corresponds to the competency of "Commitment to Learning and Growth") or by recognizing the importance of communication and teamwork in clinical competence. Showing that you grasp the importance of these competencies can subtly signal that you’re ready to embrace a modern medical education like Wake’s.

Over the years, applicants who have interviewed at Wake Forest have reported a variety of questions, but several clear themes emerge. The interview (whether via traditional questions or MMI prompts) tends to explore a mix of personal motivations, ethical thinking, and how you’ve handled real-life situations. Being familiar with common question themes can help you reflect on relevant experiences beforehand (though remember not to script answers). Key themes from past Wake Forest interviews include:

• Personal Motivation for Medicine and Fit: Nearly every applicant is asked some form of “Why do you want to be a physician?” studentdoctor.net or “What brought you to Wake Forest?” studentdoctor.net. Interviewers want to hear about the genuine inspiration behind your pursuit of medicine and why you believe WFUSM is the right place for you. Be prepared to discuss your journey to medicine – whether it’s a formative experience, a mentor or family influence, or a long-standing passion – and to tie your interests to what Wake Forest offers (for instance, mentioning the mission or particular opportunities at the school that appeal to you).
• Discussion of Experiences (Open-File Questions): Many questions stem from the content of your application. Interviewers may pick an interesting experience, activity, or essay you wrote and say, “Tell me more about this.” For example, students have reported being asked about research projects or volunteer work they listed, or even something unique like “How is your wrist?” in reference to a surgery mentioned in their personal statement studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Make sure you revisit what you wrote in your AMCAS and secondary, so you can comfortably talk about any item. These questions are often conversational – an interviewer might say they see that you were an EMT or did a study abroad, and then ask what you learned from it – giving you a chance to highlight personal growth and qualities you demonstrated.
• Ethical or Scenario Questions: Under the MMI format, it’s common to encounter ethical dilemmas or situational questions. Past interviewees have noted being given scenarios that test their moral reasoning or empathy (often covered by a non-disclosure agreement, so specifics aren’t public) studentdoctor.net. Additionally, even in traditional conversations, questions like “What would you do if you saw a classmate cheating?” or “Describe an ethical dilemma you’ve faced” can arise. One student even was asked, “Who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine this year?”, gauging their awareness of current events in science studentdoctor.net. To prepare, practice articulating your thought process in challenging situations – emphasize your principles (patient welfare, honesty, etc.) and an understanding of multiple perspectives. The content of these questions can be unpredictable, but if you stay calm and think aloud logically, you’ll show the committee how you approach problems.
• Personal Attributes and Self-Reflection: Interviewers frequently probe how you handle challenges or stress – for instance, “How do you deal with stress?” or asking for an example of a difficult situation and how you overcame it studentdoctor.net. They might inquire about failures or weaknesses (“What’s a mistake you made and what did you learn?”) or about your strengths. These questions assess resilience, emotional maturity, and willingness to learn from setbacks. WFUSM’s secondary application already asks about a non-academic challenge and a meaningful experience, so your interview could be a place to further reflect on those stories. Be honest and introspective: talk about specific instances, what you did to adapt or improve, and how that has prepared you for the rigors of medical school.
• Outside Interests and Personality: Wake Forest often keeps a conversational tone, with some interviewers showing curiosity about the person behind the application. Don’t be surprised by a question like “Tell me about an interest or hobby you have outside of medicine” or even something quirky (one student mentioned being asked what book they were currently reading). Candidates have reported questions about family background or non-medical accomplishments as well studentdoctor.net. These aren’t meant to trip you up – rather, they humanize the interview and let you highlight dimensions of your life that aren’t purely academic. Feel free to discuss your passions, whether that’s playing an instrument, cooking, sports, or anything meaningful to you. Showing enthusiasm and authenticity here can leave a positive impression of your mindset and work-life balance.

Overall, the interviews at Wake Forest cover a balanced mix of “standard” questions (why medicine, why this school, strengths/weaknesses) and more targeted queries derived from your application or ethical scenarios. The inclusion of MMI-style segments means you should also be ready for less predictable prompts that assess your quick thinking and interpersonal skills. The best preparation is to review your own application thoroughly, reflect on the significant experiences that shaped you, and stay informed about general healthcare issues. In the interview, listen carefully to each question, and answer genuinely, using specific examples whenever possible. This way, you’ll convey both your competence and your compatibility with Wake Forest’s values.

As you prepare for interviews, it’s also important to keep the application timeline in mind. The 2025–2026 admissions cycle for Wake Forest (for the medical school entering class of 2026) follows a structured calendar. Knowing these dates helps you plan your application components and anticipate when interviews and decisions occur. Here are the key deadlines and timelines for this cycle:

• AMCAS Primary Application Opens: May 27, 2025 – This is the first day you can submit your medical school primary application for the cycle school.wakehealth.edu. (It’s generally wise to submit as early as possible, as Wake Forest uses rolling admissions.)
• AMCAS Primary Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 – All primary applications to WFUSM must be submitted to AMCAS by this date school.wakehealth.edu. Keep in mind that waiting until the deadline is not ideal; if possible, aim to have your application verified much earlier. October 15 is also the date when Wake Forest begins issuing acceptances for regular decision on a rolling basis school.wakehealth.edu.
• Secondary Application and Letters Deadline: November 30, 2025 – The Wake Forest-specific secondary application (and payment of the secondary fee) is due by this date, along with all letters of evaluation/recommendation school.wakehealth.edu. This implies you should ideally complete your secondary essays well before late November. (If you’re invited to interview earlier in the fall, you’ll have submitted the secondary by then.) Also note that the last CASPer situational judgment test considered for Wake Forest in this cycle must be taken by mid-November 2025 school.wakehealth.edu.
• Interview Season: August 2025 – January 2026 – WFUSM conducts interviews on a rolling basis throughout the fall and early winter school.wakehealth.edu. Invitations to interview are sent out between August and January, and candidates interview virtually during that period. It’s a broad window, so timing can vary widely; if you submit earlier, you might interview in early fall, whereas later applicants might interview in winter. Regardless, it’s important to prep for your interview as soon as an invite is received (and even beforehand).
• Early Decision Program (EDP): Deadline August 1, 2025 – Wake Forest offers an Early Decision option for applicants who consider WFUSM their top choice. EDP applicants must submit the primary by August 1 (with all required materials like MCAT and CASPer done by late July) school.wakehealth.edu shemmassianconsulting.com. Early Decision interviews take place in August/early fall, and EDP applicants receive a decision by October 1, 2025 school.wakehealth.edu. If accepted, you commit to attend Wake Forest; if not, you are free to apply elsewhere by October.
• Admissions Decisions and Second Look: For Regular Decision applicants, acceptances are issued on a rolling basis from mid-October 2025 through as late as February 2026 school.wakehealth.edu. If you are accepted, you’ll be asked to adhere to the standard AAMC traffic rules (e.g., “Plan to Enroll” by February and “Commit to Enroll” by late April). Wake Forest typically hosts a Second Look event in the spring for accepted students to visit campus before making a final decision. The incoming Class of 2026’s orientation will likely be in July or early August 2026, with exact dates provided upon acceptance.

Staying on top of these deadlines ensures that you remain eligible and competitive in the cycle. By submitting materials promptly and preparing for interviews in advance, you maximize your chances of success. Also, remember that if you receive an interview invitation, it may come on relatively short notice (a few weeks before the scheduled date), so having done early prep will help you feel ready whenever the email arrives.

In summary, preparing for a Wake Forest School of Medicine interview involves understanding the program’s distinctive blend of values-driven education and innovative training. We have reviewed how the interview process is structured (with its virtual MMI format and conversational tone) and how it serves as a gateway for Wake Forest to find students who embody its mission of transforming health for all school.wakehealth.edu. We examined the school’s mission, values, and curriculum to identify what makes WFUSM unique – from its two-campus system and cutting-edge “Wake Ready” curriculum to its emphasis on community engagement and holistic care. We also highlighted key healthcare issues in North Carolina and beyond, as well as the personal competencies and experiences that Wake Forest prioritizes in applicants. By reflecting on these areas, you can approach your interview with a well-rounded perspective: ready to discuss your motivations and experiences thoughtfully, aware of the broader context of medicine in Wake Forest’s community, and aligned with the qualities this medical school cherishes. With careful preparation and genuine self-reflection, you’ll be poised to show the interviewers that you are not only a capable future physician but also a great fit for the Wake Forest tradition of compassionate innovation in medicine.