CDU Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Charles R. Drew University’s College of Medicine is defined by a social justice mission and a focus on underserved communities, which shape every aspect of its MD program cdrewu.edu. The interview process reflects this ethos: it is traditionally formatted (rather than MMI) and conducted in a conversational, low-stress manner studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net, aiming to gauge applicants’ alignment with the school’s values. In preparation, candidates should understand CDU’s mission and unique program features – from its status as a historically Black medical school to its community-engaged curriculum – as these inform both the content of interview questions and the qualities the school seeks. Broader healthcare policy issues (like health equity and the U.S. health system) are also relevant, given the program’s emphasis and past interview topics. Finally, being aware of the application timeline and key deadlines for the 2025–2026 cycle ensures that applicants can navigate the process efficiently while focusing on demonstrating their fit with CDU’s mission.

CDU’s medical school interviews are conducted virtually and use a traditional one-on-one format cdrewu.edu forums.studentdoctor.net. Each applicant typically meets with two interviewers in separate sessions (often faculty or admissions committee members), providing multiple perspectives. The interviews are closed-file, meaning interviewers do not have access to the applicant’s academic metrics beforehand, which allows for a more holistic, conversation-based evaluation forums.studentdoctor.net. The style is professional yet conversational – interviewers follow a set of questions but also engage in discussion. Student reports describe the environment as relatively low-stress and friendly studentdoctor.net, though applicants should still expect to discuss their background and motivation in depth. With a class size of about 60 students per year cdrewu.edu, CDU’s admissions are selective; while no official post-interview acceptance rate is published, interviewees who strongly align with the mission have a solid chance at admission. Admission offers are extended in a rolling fashion after interviews (beginning mid-February), underscoring the importance of making a positive impression during the interview.

CDU’s mission is centered on cultivating diverse health professional leaders dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, research, clinical service, and community engagement cdrewu.edu. In other words, the school exists to train physicians who will serve communities of need and work to eliminate health disparities. This mission is a guiding force in admissions and interviews – applicants are evaluated on how well their aspirations and values resonate with improving healthcare for underserved groups. Additionally, the university upholds a set of core values that further define its culture and expectations:

• Community – Embracing and working with historically underserved and under-resourced communities, which inspires CDU’s approach to preparing health professionals dedicated to health equity cdrewu.edu.
• Leadership – Holding oneself accountable as a catalyst for change to reduce and eliminate health disparities, and pioneering efforts in health education and research cdrewu.edu.
• Excellence – Striving for the highest quality performance in operations, interactions, and service, continually challenging the status quo to achieve transformative outcomes in students and the community cdrewu.edu.
• Diversity – Valuing a plurality of perspectives, cultures, and ethnicities; diversity is seen as a fundamental element of social justice and is actively embraced within the campus community cdrewu.edu.
• Integrity – Maintaining strength of character and ethical conduct even in the face of adversity, and being trustworthy and respectful in education, research, and clinical service, especially when engaging with underserved communities cdrewu.edu.
• Compassion – Demonstrating empathy for the plights of disadvantaged populations; this value drives the university to listen to the voiceless, advocate for the oppressed, and seek relief for those in need cdrewu.edu.

Applicants should be mindful that these mission and value commitments are not just institutional ideals – they are qualities the school looks for in its students. During interviews, discussing experiences or goals that reflect community, leadership, compassion, and other CDU values can naturally showcase one’s fit with the university’s ethos (as opposed to simply stating them). The emphasis on social justice and health equity is especially prominent; interviewers often probe how candidates have contributed to their communities or shown cultural humility in their lives.

The Charles R. Drew University Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is a recently established, independent four-year medical program that welcomed its inaugural class in 2023 cdrewu.edu. This program builds upon CDU’s long-standing partnership with UCLA – from 1978 to 2027, CDU collaborated with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA through the Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program, which trained physicians dedicated to underserved communities medschool.ucla.edu medschool.ucla.edu. Now operating as an autonomous College of Medicine, CDU continues that legacy in a standalone curriculum. The MD program is notable for being one of only four MD-granting programs at a historically Black institution in the United States cdrewu.edu. Each class currently targets around 60 students, and the school has a goal of graduating 60 new physicians annually by 2027 and beyond cdrewu.edu.

CDU’s curriculum is mission-driven and community-focused. Students begin with fundamental medical sciences and then progress through an organ-systems based curriculum integrated with clinical skills training cdrewu.edu. Uniquely, the program weaves in content on social determinants of health and healthcare disparities throughout the training cdrewu.edu, ensuring that future physicians understand how factors like economics, environment, and policy impact patient outcomes. There is also an emphasis on research and scholarly inquiry: the college encourages student research projects (often related to community health or health services) and leadership in advocacy, consistent with its aim to produce “change agents” for an equitable healthcare system cdrewu.edu. By design, students gain experience in underserved settings – for example, clinical rotations and community engagement activities are often conducted in South Los Angeles and similar communities that CDU serves. This hands-on approach aligns with the university’s CDU Advantage pillars, which include research, social justice, international exposure, experiential education, and health policy cdrewu.edu. All of these elements make the educational experience at CDU distinctive and aligned with the school’s public mission.

Possible Questions to Ask at the Interview

• Community Engagement: “What opportunities do medical students have to work with the local community or underserved patients during the course of the MD program?”
• Curriculum Integration: “How does CDU’s curriculum incorporate topics like social determinants of health, health equity, and health policy into medical training on a practical level?”
• Research and Initiatives: “Are there research programs or student-led initiatives focusing on health disparities or community health that students can get involved in?”
• Global Health Exposure: “Given the emphasis on international exposure in the CDU Advantage, what global health experiences or electives are available to students?”

These questions not only demonstrate your genuine interest in CDU’s program but also open up discussion about the school’s resources and priorities. Tailoring questions to CDU’s unique focus (for instance, asking about community partnerships or health policy projects) shows that you have done your homework and are enthusiastic about what the program offers.

Given Charles R. Drew University’s mission and location, several healthcare policy topics are particularly pertinent and could arise in discussion. Health equity and the elimination of disparities are at the forefront – the very founding of CDU was a response to healthcare inequality (the university was established in the wake of the 1965 Watts rebellion to address the lack of medical services in South Los Angeles) cdrewu.edu. Interviewers may be interested in your perspective on policies or initiatives that tackle such disparities. For instance, one might consider the impact of community clinics, preventive health programs, or government funding for underserved areas as concrete approaches to improving health equity.

Another major topic is the diversification of the physician workforce and its policy implications. The program is explicitly designed to train more doctors of color to serve in communities of need ognsc.com. Nationally, healthcare leaders (including those at CDU) advocate that increasing the number of minority physicians can improve patient outcomes and access to care for underrepresented populations ognsc.com. This aligns with broader policy discussions about pipeline programs, scholarship or loan repayment initiatives for those working in shortage areas, and efforts by organizations like the AAMC to improve diversity in medical schools. As a candidate, being aware of these efforts (for example, the National Health Service Corps or state-level programs to incentivize practice in underserved regions) can provide valuable context if such issues come up during an interview.

Interviewers have also been known to broach healthcare system and reform topics. Past interviewees have reported questions about the U.S. healthcare system’s strengths and weaknesses and thoughts on universal healthcare or coverage expansion studentdoctor.net. These questions gauge an applicant’s understanding of health policy at the national level – for example, you might consider the implications of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or recent debates about Medicare for All. Additionally, public health issues can be on the table. In one instance, a candidate was asked how to address smoking in schools studentdoctor.net, a question that touches on policy, education, and preventive medicine. This suggests that local public health challenges (like youth smoking, obesity, or infectious disease control) and how they might be solved through policy or community action are fair game in an interview. Given CDU’s Los Angeles context, topics like urban health challenges, mental health access, or the impact of socioeconomic factors on health in cities might also be relevant. Finally, social determinants of health – such as housing, nutrition, and education – are core to CDU’s philosophy, so any policy discussion around these (for example, policies to reduce homelessness or improve food security) would resonate with the program’s focus cdrewu.edu.

In summary, candidates should be prepared to discuss policy issues on multiple levels: local (community health and access in South LA), state (California healthcare initiatives for underserved communities), and national (healthcare reform and equity). Demonstrating awareness of these issues shows that you understand the broader environment in which CDU operates and are ready to engage as a future physician in advocating for solutions.

Like many medical schools, Charles R. Drew University uses a holistic admissions process, which means that beyond GPA and MCAT scores, a strong emphasis is placed on personal attributes, experiences, and non-academic accomplishments. In particular, CDU looks for students who embody the university’s mission in their lives. Leadership, community service, and advocacy are highly valued – the program explicitly prioritizes community service, leadership, and social justice in its training of future physicians cdrewu.edu, and this naturally extends to the type of applicants it seeks. Evidence of having worked with medically underserved communities (such as volunteering at free clinics, participating in outreach programs, or coming from an underserved background yourself) can strongly indicate mission alignment. Experiencing or addressing health disparities first-hand – for example, through research on a health inequity or involvement in public health projects – is another way applicants demonstrate commitment to CDU’s goals.

Apart from service and leadership, research experience is also a consideration, especially if it ties into community health or minority health issues. CDU’s curriculum includes research components related to health services and disparities cdrewu.edu, and the school appreciates students who have shown curiosity and initiative in scholarly pursuits. Cultural competence and communication skills are likewise important; being able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds is crucial for a doctor in training at CDU. The admissions committee therefore values experiences that have developed an applicant’s interpersonal skills, whether that’s working in team settings, cross-cultural experiences, or overcoming personal challenges that required resilience and empathy.

The profile of CDU’s first MD cohort illustrates the kind of diversity and non-academic strengths the school welcomes. The inaugural class included students ranging from age 20 to 44, and over half of them spoke a language other than English (with many fluent in Spanish, for instance) cdrewu.edu. Additionally, a large proportion hailed from the local area or similar communities they aim to serve. This indicates that life experiences and background count: non-traditional applicants, those with significant life challenges overcome, or those with a deep personal connection to the mission of serving the underserved often find a place at CDU. In summary, beyond strong academic credentials, a competitive CDU applicant will have a track record of service, leadership roles or initiatives, exposure to research or healthcare advocacy, and personal qualities like compassion, integrity, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others.

Charles R. Drew University’s selection criteria align closely with the core competencies for entering medical students endorsed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Medical schools nationwide (including CDU) use these competencies as a framework to evaluate applicants holistically students-residents.aamc.org. The competencies are divided across several domains, encompassing intellectual readiness and humanistic qualities. For example, Service Orientation – showing a dedication to helping others and contributing to the community – is a key competency students-residents.aamc.org that resonates strongly with CDU’s social mission. Cultural Humility, which involves seeking to understand diverse perspectives and adjusting one’s approach to others’ needs, is another competency especially relevant at an institution devoted to underserved populations students-residents.aamc.org. Others include Teamwork and Collaboration (working effectively in group settings and sometimes stepping into leadership when appropriate)【65†L1-L4, Ethical Responsibility (integrity and accountability), Resilience and Adaptability (handling stress and setbacks constructively), and Communication Skills**, among others. Demonstrating these traits in one’s application and interviews is crucial. In fact, many align directly with CDU’s values – for instance, the competency of social skills and teamwork aligns with the value of Community, and ethical responsibility aligns with Integrity. Meanwhile, the academic competencies (like critical thinking and scientific inquiry) ensure the applicant can handle the rigor of medical training. Applicants should be prepared to showcase evidence of these competencies through their experiences and responses. Interview questions often indirectly target these areas to gauge whether a candidate has the foundational attributes to succeed in medical school and to become a physician who upholds the standards of the profession.

Additionally, as students progress through the MD program, they will be trained and evaluated on competency frameworks used in medical education. CDU, like all accredited medical schools, designs its curriculum outcomes in line with expectations such as the ACGME Core Competencies (patient care, medical knowledge, professionalism, communication skills, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice) for future physicians. While these come into play more during clinical training, having some awareness of them can be useful even in interviews. For example, interviewers might be looking for evidence of professionalism or communication effectiveness in how you answer questions. Overall, understanding the language of competencies can help an applicant frame their experiences in terms that medical educators appreciate. If you discuss a leadership role, for instance, you’re also speaking to teamwork and ethical responsibility; if you talk about a research project, you’re highlighting inquiry and learning orientation. Being conversant with these frameworks isn’t about using buzzwords, but about recognizing what qualities the program implicitly seeks – essentially, candidates who are knowledgeable, ethical, communicative, culturally humble, and service-driven individuals, ready to embrace the challenges of a community-focused medical education cdrewu.edu.

Insights from recent interviewees reveal distinct themes in the questions asked at CDU, reflecting the program’s priorities. The overall tone of interviews has been described as friendly and conversational, giving applicants room to express themselves. Within that format, however, certain topic areas consistently surface:

• Motivation and “Why Medicine?” – A fundamental theme is exploring why the applicant wants to be a physician and, often, why they are interested in CDU’s program specifically. Expect to discuss your personal journey to medicine, including formative experiences that led you here. Given CDU’s focus, interviewers will be listening for cues that your motivations align with serving others and addressing healthcare needs (more so than just personal ambition). This is a common medical school question overall, and CDU is no exception studentdoctor.net.
• Commitment to Underserved Communities – Many questions zero in on your exposure to or work with disadvantaged populations. Interviewers might ask directly about your experiences with underserved communities or how you’ve contributed to social justice or health equity causes studentdoctor.net. You should be ready to talk about any volunteering, community service, or life experiences in this vein and what you learned from them. This helps the interviewers gauge how well you understand the populations that CDU serves.
• Alignment with CDU’s Mission – Beyond just recounting experiences, you may be asked to reflect on how your values align with the school’s mission. For example, an interviewer could ask, “What does social justice in healthcare mean to you?” or “How do you see yourself furthering our mission as a student and future physician?” One SDN commenter noted that weaving the mission into your answers (with concrete examples) can be important forums.studentdoctor.net. Essentially, expect to articulate why CDU’s emphasis on health equity resonates with you personally.
• Healthcare System & Policy Views – Another theme from past interviews is discussion of the broader healthcare landscape. Candidates have been asked things like “What is one good thing about the U.S. healthcare system, and what is one thing you would change?” studentdoctor.net or to share thoughts on universal healthcare studentdoctor.net. These questions assess your awareness of healthcare issues and your ability to think critically about system-level solutions. It’s wise to have an informed opinion on topics such as healthcare access, affordability, and quality (keeping in mind how these issues affect communities like those served by CDU). You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be able to express a reasoned perspective.
• Ethical or Public Health Scenarios – Interviewers may pose hypothetical scenarios to see your problem-solving approach and ethical reasoning. For instance, one reported question involved brainstorming ways to decrease smoking among teenagers in schools studentdoctor.net. This type of question doesn’t necessarily have a “right” answer; the interviewer wants to see how you apply principles of public health, ethics, or leadership to a real-world problem. When faced with such scenarios, it’s often good to talk through your thought process (e.g., identify stakeholders, consider education campaigns or policy measures, etc.). Similar scenario topics might include addressing vaccine hesitancy, improving nutrition in a community, or handling an ethical dilemma during clinical rotations.
• Personal Strengths, Weaknesses, and Growth – Standard interview questions about your strengths and weaknesses or challenges you’ve overcome will likely come up as well studentdoctor.net. CDU interviewers use these to understand your self-awareness and resilience. For example, you might be asked, “What is a weakness or area of improvement you’ve recognized in yourself, and how are you addressing it?” or “Describe a difficult situation you faced and how you handled it.” It’s important to be honest and reflective in these responses, indicating that you can learn from past experiences. Relating your growth to qualities important for medical school (such as teamwork, time management, or empathy) can be an effective way to frame your answer without sounding rehearsed.
• Conversational and Personal Topics – Because the interviews are described as conversational, don’t be surprised if some questions touch on you as a person beyond medicine. Interviewers might ask about your hobbies, interests, or family background – for instance, an applicant mentioned discussing music with their interviewer as part of the conversation studentdoctor.net. These moments are meant to put you at ease and get to know your personality. They can actually be a great opportunity to build rapport; sharing a genuine interest or story can make you more memorable (just be sure to remain professional).

In preparing for your CDU interview, think about stories and examples from your life that fit these themes. While you won’t know exactly what will be asked, having a mental repository of anecdotes – perhaps a time you demonstrated leadership in a community service project, or a thoughtful take on a current healthcare issue – will help you adapt to various questions. Remember, the goal of the interview is not to "quiz" you on facts, but to understand who you are, what motivates you, and how you might contribute to and benefit from CDU’s mission-driven program. Listening carefully to each question and responding authentically will allow these themes to naturally come through in your answers.

Staying on top of the application timeline is crucial. Below are key dates and deadlines for the 2025–2026 cycle (for the class entering in 2026), as provided by CDU’s admissions office cdrewu.edu cdrewu.edu:

• Primary Application (AMCAS): Opens May 1, 2025, with submissions starting May 28 (the earliest date you can submit your AMCAS for verification) cdrewu.edu. AMCAS will begin transmitting applications to medical schools on June 28, 2025 cdrewu.edu. The primary application deadline for CDU is November 15, 2025 cdrewu.edu, but it’s strongly recommended to submit by November 1 to avoid delays cdrewu.edu. Note that all primary applications must include an MCAT score taken by no later than September 13, 2025 (the last acceptable MCAT date for this cycle) cdrewu.edu. Also, ensure your official transcripts are sent to AMCAS by the Transcript Deadline: December 29, 2025 cdrewu.edu.
• Secondary (Supplemental) Application: After your AMCAS is screened, selected applicants will receive a supplemental application invitation via email (CDU conducts a screening of primary applications from July through November 2025) cdrewu.edu. The deadline to submit the secondary is 21 days from the date of the invitation email cdrewu.edu, so it's important to complete it promptly. The secondary will likely include essay questions focused on your fit with CDU’s mission, so plan to allot time for thoughtful responses.
• Interview Phase: Interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis roughly from July 2025 through December 2025 cdrewu.edu. Interviews themselves are held between August and December 2025 cdrewu.edu. All interviews in the 2025–2026 cycle are virtual (conducted online via a video platform) cdrewu.edu, making it convenient for out-of-state applicants, though you should still treat the day as formally as an in-person interview. If you receive an interview invite, it will include instructions on scheduling. It’s beneficial to respond quickly to secure your preferred date. By the end of December, all interviews for this cycle should be completed.
• Admissions Decisions: CDU uses a slightly delayed rolling admission process. This means that while interviews finish by late fall, official offers of admission are not released until mid-February 2026 at the earliest cdrewu.edu. Specifically, CDU has noted that offers will start going out after February 15, 2026, and then continue on a rolling basis until the class is filled cdrewu.edu. There are 60 seats to fill, and as accepted applicants make their decisions, additional offers (including to waitlisted candidates) may follow. If you are accepted, you will have to respond with a plan to enroll. By February 19, 2026, accepted students should select “Plan to Enroll” for CDU in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School tool (indicating CDU is their planned choice) cdrewu.edu. Later in the spring, by April 30, 2026, CDU requires accepted students to commit definitively by selecting “Commit to Enroll” cdrewu.edu, at which point you must withdraw from any other schools. These steps help the school manage its class size. For those on the waitlist, movement can occur throughout the spring and even early summer of 2026 as spots open.

Keep in mind that meeting deadlines is the first step in making it to the interview stage – a late or incomplete application can derail your chances. It’s wise to submit your primary application as early as possible (early summer) and return your secondary well before the 21-day deadline if you can. Early submission gives you a better chance at one of the earlier interview slots (since invites are rolling). Once the interview phase and decision phase arrive, patience is key: CDU’s timeline means you might not hear a final decision until late February or March. Use that waiting period productively (for example, sending any relevant updates or continued letters of interest if the school allows). By knowing these dates and planning accordingly, you can reduce stress and ensure you don’t miss any opportunities in this cycle.

In conclusion, preparing for a CDU College of Medicine interview involves a multifaceted understanding of the program and its context. This guide has covered the essential elements: a grasp of the interview format (virtual, traditional interviews focused on holistic assessment), a deep familiarity with the school’s mission and values (centered on health equity, social justice, and community empowerment), and knowledge of the MD program’s distinctive features and history. We also explored relevant health policy issues and non-academic criteria that often find their way into interview conversations, as well as the competency frameworks that underpin what qualities the school is looking for. By recognizing the common themes in past interview questions, applicants can reflect on their own experiences and viewpoints that align with those themes. Finally, adhering to the 2025–2026 application timeline ensures that all your hard work in interviewing isn’t undone by a missed deadline. Taken together, these insights provide a strong foundation for anyone aspiring to join Charles R. Drew University’s mission-driven medical program. Good luck, and remember to let your dedication to service and your genuine passion for medicine shine through on interview day!