CMS Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Chicago Medical School (CMS) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science conducts its interviews in a virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, reflecting a structured, station-based approach to assessing applicants. The school’s mission emphasizes community engagement, interprofessional education, and the development of compassionate physician-leaders dedicated to improving health through excellence in clinical care, scientific discovery, service, and leadership. These values permeate the program’s design: students experience hands-on clinical training with early patient exposure, robust simulation experiences, diverse research opportunities, and rotations across varied healthcare settings. In keeping with its social accountability, CMS expects awareness of current healthcare issues—from local provider shortages to broader topics in health equity and policy—which often inform the themes of its interview scenarios. Admissions are holistic, valuing not only strong academics but also leadership, community service, research curiosity, and other personal competencies; the school even encourages applicants to demonstrate professional readiness through the AAMC PREview exam. Past interview questions have accordingly spanned ethical dilemmas, healthcare policy discussions, personal and behavioral topics, and cultural competency scenarios. For the 2025–2026 application cycle, understanding the timeline is also crucial: applicants should be mindful of key deadlines (for primary and secondary applications) and the rolling interview and admissions schedule to stay prepared and timely.

The CMS interview is conducted in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, consisting of a series of short, structured stations with different questions or scenarios. Interviews for the 2025–2026 cycle are being held virtually (in real-time rather than recorded) rosalindfranklin.edu, a practice the school adopted to broaden access and convenience. Interviewers typically do not have full access to an applicant’s file during MMI stations (a quasi-closed-file approach), focusing instead on applicants’ spontaneous responses to the prompts. Gaining an interview at CMS is competitive: the school receives nearly 12,000 applications for about 200 seats rosalindfranklin.edu, and only roughly 5–10% of the total applicant pool is invited to interview in a given year rosalindfranklin.edu. Interviews begin in September and run through mid-April rosalindfranklin.edu, and while exact acceptance rates post-interview are not published, the selectivity implies that each interview is a significant opportunity. Understanding this format and timeline helps applicants anticipate the pacing and style of the interview day, ensuring they practice communicating clearly and ethically within time constraints, as expected in MMI.

Chicago Medical School’s mission centers on educating a diverse group of students in a community-engaged, interprofessional environment and graduating exemplary, compassionate physicians and scientists rosalindfranklin.edu. The school is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of patients and communities through a commitment to clinical excellence, scientific inquiry, service, and leadership rosalindfranklin.edu. In practice, this means CMS highly values teamwork across health professions and prioritizes health equity as a guiding principle of its training rosalindfranklin.edu. The mission and values are evident throughout the program: CMS strives to foster physicians who not only excel academically but also embody compassion and social responsibility. Interviewees should appreciate how their own goals and experiences relate to these core values, as the interviewers and MMI scenarios often reflect themes of community service, collaboration, and ethical patient care consistent with the school’s ideals.

The MD program at CMS offers a blend of innovative curriculum and diverse clinical experiences, which interviewees should be familiar with when discussing the school. Below are key features of the program that highlight its strengths and could serve as talking points or areas to inquire about during the interview:

• Patient-Centered Training: Education is highly hands-on, with early clinical exposure and extensive use of simulation labs to hone communication and clinical skills rosalindfranklin.edu. Students learn in a supportive environment that treats patients as active team members, reflecting the school’s focus on compassionate, team-based care.
• Research Opportunities: CMS provides robust avenues for student research. An annual summer research fellowship is available between M1 and M2 years, and students can pursue dedicated tracks like the MD with Distinction in Research (MDDR) or the combined MD/PhD program rosalindfranklin.edu. These options prepare students to become physician-scientists and are great topics to ask about if research is a personal interest.
• Diverse Clinical Rotations: As a community-based medical school, CMS does not have a single primary teaching hospital but instead partners with a variety of clinical sites. Students rotate through inner-city hospitals serving underserved populations, suburban community clinics, and even one of the nation’s largest VA hospitals, ensuring a broad and inclusive clinical education blog.accepted.com. This diversity of training environments is a distinctive aspect that candidates can discuss or inquire about during interviews (for example, asking how these varied settings shape student learning).
• Contemporary Curriculum: The curriculum is structured in an integrated, four-phase format that interweaves basic sciences with clinical practice from the start rosalindfranklin.edu. It emphasizes active learning, early community-based clinical experiences, and the development of lifelong learning skills. CMS’s interprofessional campus allows medical students to learn alongside other health professions students, which is another point candidates might explore (e.g., asking how interprofessional education is implemented).

Overall, the program’s breadth—from advanced simulation training to community-focused rotations—offers many potential discussion points during an interview. Demonstrating knowledge of these features and a genuine curiosity about them (through thoughtful questions) can underscore an applicant’s fit with CMS’s educational approach.

In preparation for the interview, applicants should be aware of current healthcare policy issues and challenges relevant to the region and the nation, especially those aligning with CMS’s mission of health equity and community service. Some pertinent topics include:

• Healthcare Access & Workforce Shortages: Illinois faces a notable shortage of healthcare providers in certain areas, especially in mental health and primary care. State leaders have highlighted the “particularly severe shortage” of behavioral health professionals and are exploring incentives (like task forces and scholarship programs) to attract providers to underserved communities rosalindfranklin.edu. An understanding of provider distribution challenges (rural vs. urban) and efforts to address them can be useful, as these issues inform the school’s focus on training physicians to serve where they are needed most.
• Rural and Underserved Care: There is a nationwide and statewide push to improve healthcare delivery in rural and underserved regions. Policymakers emphasize getting physicians into high-need areas with poor health outcomes, for example by expanding incentive programs for doctors who practice in rural communities rosalindfranklin.edu. CMS reflects this priority through initiatives like its rural health experiences, and interview scenarios may probe candidates’ awareness of serving disadvantaged populations or overcoming access barriers.
• Health Equity and Social Determinants: The COVID-19 pandemic threw a spotlight on health disparities, reinforcing the view (shared by CMS leadership) that issues like systemic racism and poverty are public health crises rosalindfranklin.edu. Applicants might be expected to discuss or consider social determinants of health and cultural competency. Being conversant with how factors such as race, income, or housing influence patient outcomes – and what healthcare professionals can do to address these inequities – is very relevant to CMS’s values.
• Opioid Crisis Response: Illinois, like much of the country, continues to battle the opioid epidemic. The state is directing opioid settlement funds (approximately $760 million over years) into harm reduction and treatment programs axios.com, such as making naloxone (Narcan) widely available in the community. Awareness of how healthcare systems and policies are responding to substance abuse challenges (e.g., through public health initiatives or prescribing guidelines) can provide useful context in interviews, especially if asked about public health advocacy or ethical prescribing.

CMS’s community-oriented philosophy means that interviewers could engage applicants on how future physicians should approach these policy and public health issues. When preparing, it’s wise to reflect on such topics and think about how they tie into a physician’s role – consistent with the kinds of discussions or scenarios one might encounter during the interview day.

Like many medical schools, Chicago Medical School employs a holistic review in admissions. This means that in addition to academic excellence (GPA/MCAT), the school looks closely at personal attributes and experiences that align with its mission. Key non-academic criteria that CMS values include:

• Compassion and Patient-Centered Orientation: The admissions committee seeks evidence of empathy, compassion, and a genuine commitment to patient-centered care. CMS wants future physicians who will be exemplary and compassionate in serving patients and communities rosalindfranklin.edu, reflecting the humanitarian ethos of the profession.
• Service to Community: A strong record of volunteerism or service, especially with underserved populations, is highly regarded. Given the school’s community-engaged mission, applicants who have demonstrated dedication to improving the welfare of others (locally or globally) align well with CMS’s values rosalindfranklin.edu.
• Leadership and Teamwork: CMS looks for individuals who have shown leadership potential and the ability to work effectively in teams. Whether through student organizations, community projects, or workplace roles, leadership experience suggests an applicant can guide and collaborate with others—skills crucial for a physician leading healthcare teams. rosalindfranklin.edu
• Research and Curiosity: An appetite for scientific inquiry or innovation is another valued attribute. Participating in research or other scholarly projects can indicate intellectual curiosity and problem-solving skills. This ties into the school’s aim to produce physicians who contribute to scientific discovery rosalindfranklin.edu (and is particularly important if an applicant is interested in the MDDR or MD/PhD paths).
• Communication and Cultural Competence: Strong interpersonal skills—such as clear communication, active listening, and cultural humility—are essential. CMS values candidates who can engage with people from diverse backgrounds and build trust with patients. Demonstrating cultural competence and sensitivity (for example, through experiences working in diverse communities or learning new languages) is a plus blog.accepted.com.
• Resilience and Adaptability: The path of medical training and practice can be challenging, so the school appreciates applicants with resilience and the ability to adapt. Overcoming setbacks, handling stress in healthy ways, and showing growth from tough experiences are traits that suggest an applicant will thrive in the rigor of medical school and beyond blog.accepted.com.

During the interview, questions often probe these very qualities (for instance, asking about past leadership roles or times when you served your community). While specific answers should be authentic, it’s useful for candidates to recognize that CMS is looking for well-rounded individuals who embody these traits. Reflecting on one’s experiences in light of these criteria can help in formulating sincere, relevant responses that resonate with the school’s selection philosophy.

Chicago Medical School aligns its admissions process with broader competency frameworks to ensure candidates possess the skills and attitudes needed to succeed in medical training. In particular, CMS and many other medical schools utilize the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) defined competencies for entering medical students. These include categories of professional, interpersonal, thinking & reasoning, and science competencies (15 core competencies in total), which were recently updated in 2023 and adopted for use starting with the 2024–2025 cycle students-residents.aamc.org. Applicants are evaluated on traits like ethical responsibility, service orientation, teamwork, resilience, and communication ability as part of this holistic review of “fit.”

One tangible example of CMS’s commitment to competency-based assessment is its recommendation that applicants complete the AAMC PREview exam (formerly described as a situational judgment test). The PREview (Professional Readiness) exam presents applicants with ethical and interpersonal scenarios to gauge decision-making and professionalism. CMS views this exam as a complement to the academic metrics, reflecting qualities such as integrity, cultural competence, and social awareness rosalindfranklin.edu. While not required, a strong performance on the PREview can provide additional evidence of an applicant’s alignment with the school’s values and the AAMC competencies. Together, these frameworks guide both applicants and interviewers in focusing on the holistic qualities—beyond grades and test scores—that predict a student’s success in medical school and as a future physician.

Interviewees at CMS over the years have reported a wide range of questions. Rather than specific questions repeating, there are clear themes that tend to recur, reflecting the school’s interest in a candidate’s judgment, ethics, awareness, and personal qualities. Key themes include:

• Ethical Dilemmas: Many interview scenarios put applicants in the position of having to make difficult ethical decisions. For example, one MMI station asked how a student would handle a situation of suspected domestic violence when both the victim and the abuser are the physician’s patients (raising the question of whether to report the abuse against the patient’s wishes) studentdoctor.net. Another scenario involved allocating limited time between a terminally ill patient and other patients in need studentdoctor.net. Such questions gauge an applicant’s moral reasoning, understanding of professional obligations (like mandatory reporting), and capacity for empathy in complex situations.
• Healthcare Policy and Social Issues: CMS interviews frequently touch on current issues in healthcare, probing whether applicants stay informed and can thoughtfully discuss these topics. Candidates have been asked to identify and discuss a significant healthcare issue of the day or challenges facing specific populations (for instance, healthcare concerns for the elderly) studentdoctor.net. Discussions might involve healthcare reform, cost of care, mental health access, or public health crises. The interview isn’t an exam on policy facts, but being conversant with major issues—like talking about healthcare disparities or insurance complexities—shows preparedness and social awareness.
• Personal and Behavioral Questions: Not all prompts are scenarios; some are more traditional questions about the applicant. These may include “Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses,” “How would your friends describe you?” or “Describe a meaningful clinical experience you’ve had” studentdoctor.net. Such questions allow applicants to highlight personal attributes, reflect on experiences that shaped their motivation for medicine, and demonstrate self-awareness. In an MMI context, these might appear as one of the stations or be covered in a separate portion of the interview day (if there’s a brief one-on-one segment).
• Cultural Competence and Conflict Resolution: Another theme is interacting with diverse beliefs or resolving conflicts between patients and medical advice. For example, an interviewer might explore how an applicant would handle a patient who prefers traditional remedies from their culture over evidence-based treatments studentdoctor.net. Similarly, scenarios about working through disagreements with colleagues or addressing a patient’s cultural needs test an applicant’s flexibility, respect, and communication skills. These questions align with CMS’s focus on training culturally competent physicians.

By reviewing these themes, applicants can gauge the breadth of topics they might encounter and reflect on relevant experiences or viewpoints they could draw upon in their answers. It’s important to note that CMS uses a structured interview format (MMI), so while preparation is key, responses should be genuine and adapt to the specifics of each scenario or question. Understanding the underlying themes means you won’t be caught off-guard by the subject matter, whether it’s an ethical quandary or a policy debate, and you can practice articulating your thoughts clearly under the time constraints that MMI imposes.

Staying on top of deadlines and the overall admissions timeline is a critical part of interview preparation, as missing a date can jeopardize one’s chances. For the 2025–2026 application cycle at CMS, the key timelines are as follows:

• Early May 2025 – AMCAS Application Opens: The AMCAS primary application typically opens in early May (e.g., May 3) for the cycle rosalindfranklin.edu. Applicants are advised to begin working on their primary application as soon as possible. Since CMS uses rolling admissions, submitting early (in summer) is advantageous rosalindfranklin.edu.
• August 1, 2025 – Early Decision Deadline: For those applying under the Early Decision Program (EDP), the AMCAS primary application must be submitted by August 1, and all secondary materials by that date as well rosalindfranklin.edu. EDP applicants will receive an admission decision by October 1, which, if not accepted, allows them to enter the regular applicant pool in time.
• November 1, 2025 – AMCAS Primary Application Deadline: This is the final date by which the primary AMCAS application must be submitted (by 11:59 PM Eastern) for CMS rosalindfranklin.edu. It is not recommended to wait until this deadline, given rolling admissions, but it is the hard cut-off for consideration.
• December 1, 2025 – Secondary Application Deadline: All supplemental application materials, including the CMS secondary application and the $125 fee, are due by 11:59 PM Central on Dec 1 rosalindfranklin.edu rosalindfranklin.edu. Candidates should aim to complete the secondary well before this deadline to avoid last-minute complications and to remain early in the rolling review process.
• September 2025 – April 2026 – Interview Season: Invitations to interview are extended on a rolling basis after applications are reviewed holistically. CMS conducts interviews from early fall through mid-April rosalindfranklin.edu. Interview offers can come at any point in this window, so staying prepared (and checking email frequently) is important. It’s also courteous to schedule promptly and plan travel (or the virtual setup) accordingly.
• Rolling Admissions Decisions – Fall 2025 through Spring 2026: Because CMS uses rolling admissions, acceptances may be issued soon after interviews and continue through the spring. Some candidates may be placed on hold or an alternate list and receive final decisions closer to April. It’s important to send any update letters or expressions of continued interest if the school allows, especially if you’re waiting for a decision post-interview.
• April 30, 2026 – “Plan to Enroll” Deadline: By April 30, accepted students planning to attend CMS must select the “Plan to Enroll” option in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School tool rosalindfranklin.edu. This indicates to other schools and CMS that the student has narrowed their choice, though they can remain on other waitlists. Failing to indicate Plan to Enroll by this date could risk losing the seat, per CMS policy.
• July 1, 2026 – “Commit to Enroll” Deadline: By July 1 (about a month before classes start), CMS requires accepted students to formally select “Commit to Enroll” in AMCAS for Chicago Medical School rosalindfranklin.edu. This final step signals that the student will be matriculating at CMS and must withdraw from all other schools. It helps the admissions office finalize the class. After this point, any remaining waitlisted applicants may be offered spots if openings arise.

Throughout this timeline, it’s crucial for applicants to remain organized: complete secondaries in a timely manner, prepare for potential interview dates, and respond to any acceptance or waitlist notifications promptly. Being cognizant of these deadlines and the rolling nature of the process will help you avoid surprises. By the time interviews occur, ideally your application would have been submitted early, reflecting strong interest and giving you the best chance in the rolling admissions cycle. Finally, if you receive an acceptance, adhering to the Plan to Enroll and Commit to Enroll dates shows professionalism and secures your place in the incoming class.

Preparing for a CMS interview involves more than practicing generic interview questions – it means understanding the school’s unique format, values, and expectations. By acquainting yourself with Chicago Medical School’s MMI-style interviews, mission-driven program features, and the issues that matter to its community, you position yourself to engage confidently and meaningfully on interview day. This guide has outlined the key elements – from the interview structure and timelines to the thematic content of past questions – that together paint a picture of what CMS is looking for in a future physician. In essence, successful preparation will allow you to show not just why you want to be a doctor, but why you want to be a doctor trained at Rosalind Franklin University’s Chicago Medical School.