Geisel Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

• Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine offers a distinctive interview experience and a mission-driven education. Applicants consistently report that Geisel's interview atmosphere is low-stress and welcoming (www.studentdoctor.net), reflecting the school's close-knit community ethos. The program is characterized by a small class size, strong mentorship, and an emphasis on training "complete physicians" – doctors who excel in science, compassionate care, and understanding healthcare systems (blog.accepted.com).
• Geisel's interviews are conducted virtually and by invitation only. The interview season runs from August through March, with interview days typically held on Thursdays (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu). Each interview day consists of a welcome session, a 20-minute group exercise with other candidates, and two separate 30-minute one-on-one interviews with members of the Admissions Committee (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Interviews at Geisel are open-file, meaning the interviewers have access to the applicant's file (mededits.com). The tone of these conversations is generally friendly and conversational – past candidates describe the experience as low-pressure and even enjoyable (www.studentdoctor.net).
• Geisel is highly selective even at the interview stage: for example, in one recent cycle roughly 745 applicants were interviewed for an incoming class of about 92 (mededits.com). While an interview invitation is a significant accomplishment, the post-interview admission rate underscores the importance of making a strong impression.
• The Faculty's mission emphasizes addressing the world's health problems through research, improving healthcare systems, and training outstanding future physicians and scientists (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu). The school values a commitment to diversity and service, research or innovation, and understanding healthcare systems at a systems level.
• Geisel's MD program is organized into three phases – Foundations of Medicine, Clinical Immersion, and Exploration & Differentiation – which blend scientific learning with early clinical exposure (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu). The curriculum is integrated and competency-based, designed to produce well-rounded physicians.
• Each student is paired with a faculty coach who provides personalized guidance and mentorship throughout the curriculum (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu), reflecting the school's commitment to close relationships and individual development.
• The application timeline for 2025–2026 includes a May application opening, November deadline for primary applications, and interviews running from August through March (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).

Geisel conducts its admissions interviews using a traditional one-on-one format, conducted virtually, designed to get to know each applicant in depth and assess their fit with the school's mission and values.

• Virtual interviews held on Thursdays throughout the interview season (August through March) (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Interview day structure: begins with a welcome from the Associate Dean of Admissions and an information session, followed by a 20-minute group exercise with other candidates (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Two separate 30-minute one-on-one interviews with members of the Admissions Committee in the afternoon (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Open-file format – interviewers have access to the applicant's complete file, including academic record, MCAT scores, and application essays (mededits.com).
• Interviews are friendly and conversational in tone. Past candidates describe the experience as low-pressure and even enjoyable (www.studentdoctor.net).
• Interviewers ask a mix of standard questions (like "Why medicine?" or "Why Geisel?") and more personalized or thought-provoking prompts (www.studentdoctor.net).
• The overall stress level remains low, with interviewers seeking to understand your personality, values, and how you make sense of your experiences.

Geisel's mission and values drive its approach to education and admissions. The official mission statement emphasizes addressing the world's health problems through research, improving healthcare systems, and training outstanding future physicians and scientists (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu). In other words, Geisel exists not only to educate doctors, but to produce leaders who will innovate in science and healthcare and serve communities locally and globally.

• Setting the standard for educating physicians, scientists, and teachers who collaborate to improve health outcomes locally and globally (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Building a diverse and inclusive community to enrich learning, spur innovation, and tackle the most pressing challenges in healthcare (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Generating and disseminating new knowledge through research and education that leads to better therapies and improvements in healthcare delivery (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Developing "complete physicians" – doctors who are firmly grounded in fundamental science, empathetic and outstanding clinicians, and understand healthcare delivery on a systems level (blog.accepted.com).
• Emphasizing leadership born from personal integrity and authenticity: every doctor should be able to "lead from within" by showing up with accountability and moral courage in their daily work (blog.accepted.com).

These core values are reflected throughout the Geisel experience. For interview prep, this means that Dartmouth is likely looking for candidates who resonate with its mission. An applicant who shows passion for improving healthcare, a commitment to diversity and service, and an interest in research or innovation will naturally align with Geisel's ideals. Understanding the school's mission can help you appreciate what motivates their questions – for example, you might be asked about experiences in research or service because Geisel values those pursuits.

The Geisel School of Medicine is known for its intimate program and supportive environment. With an entering class of roughly 90–92 students each year, Geisel is one of the smaller U.S. medical schools (blog.accepted.com). Located in rural Hanover, New Hampshire, the school provides a peaceful setting that fosters collaboration and close relationships.

• Small class size – Roughly 90–92 students per year allows students to form tight bonds with classmates and faculty (blog.accepted.com). Students often know many professors on a first-name basis and even spend time with them outside of class, creating an intimate learning environment.
• Close-knit community – The Associate Dean has likened Geisel to "the 'Cheers' of schools where everybody knows your name" (blog.accepted.com), reflecting the strong sense of community and personal attention students receive.
• Integrated and competency-based curriculum – The four-year MD program is organized into three phases – Foundations of Medicine, Clinical Immersion, and Exploration & Differentiation – which blend scientific learning with early clinical exposure (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Longitudinal coaching program – Each student is paired with a faculty coach who provides personalized guidance and mentorship throughout the curriculum (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu), supporting individual development and well-being.
• Dual-degree options – Geisel offers MD/PhD, MD/MPH (Master of Public Health), MD/MBA, MD/MS, MD/MHA (Master of Health Administration), and MD/MEng (Master of Engineering) programs (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu), allowing students to tailor their education toward research, public health, business, or other fields.
• Research-intensive environment – Dartmouth attracts more than $140 million in research grants annually and hosts over a dozen research centers and institutes (en.wikipedia.org). The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (famous for the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care) is part of Geisel, giving students opportunities to engage in health policy, outcomes research, and other scholarly projects.
• Clinical partnerships – Geisel is the only medical school in New Hampshire and is affiliated with the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) – a major academic hospital – as well as other clinical partners in the region (en.wikipedia.org). Students complete rotations at DHMC in Lebanon and sites like the White River Junction VA in Vermont, gaining experience in both rural and tertiary-care settings.
• Community and rural health emphasis – Given its rural location, Geisel places emphasis on community and rural health. The administration actively seeks students who will thrive in the Upper Valley environment – people who appreciate a close-knit, outdoors-friendly setting and are excited by the prospect of serving a smaller community (blog.accepted.com).

During your interview day and campus interactions, you'll learn a lot about these programs and opportunities. It's a good idea to come prepared with a few thoughtful questions of your own about Geisel's program – not only to get the information you need, but also to show your genuine interest. For example:

• How does Geisel's small class size and community focus influence the medical education experience (in terms of mentorship, teamwork, etc.)?
• What opportunities do students have to engage in research or health policy initiatives (for instance, through the Dartmouth Institute or other research centers)?
• Could you elaborate on the longitudinal coaching program and how it supports student development throughout the curriculum?
• What community outreach or rural health experiences are available for students in the Upper Valley region?

Given Geisel's context and mission, certain healthcare policy themes are especially pertinent. Being aware of these can help you converse knowledgeably if such topics arise during your interview or in discussions with faculty and students. Key relevant policy topics include:

• Rural healthcare access and disparities – Geisel is situated in a largely rural state, and there is a recognized shortage of physicians in rural areas (about 20% of Americans are rural residents, but only ~9% of physicians practice in rural communities) (newhampshirebulletin.com). Challenges such as hospital closures, provider shortages, transportation barriers, and lack of local resources significantly affect health outcomes in rural New Hampshire and New England (newhampshirebulletin.com). Conversations about how to improve rural health – through telemedicine, incentive programs, or policy changes – are very relevant in Geisel's context.
• Healthcare delivery and cost variation – Dartmouth has a legacy in health policy research through efforts like the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, which revealed how healthcare utilization and costs vary regionally. Geisel values physicians who understand the science of healthcare delivery and can navigate issues of quality, cost, and implementation of best practices (blog.accepted.com). National topics such as Medicare/Medicaid policy, healthcare reform, and value-based care tie into this theme. In an interview, you might not be quizzed directly on health economics, but demonstrating an awareness of system-level issues (e.g., discussing an experience with quality improvement or a view on healthcare reform) can underline your alignment with Dartmouth's focus.
• Health equity and inclusion – Both locally and nationally, improving health equity is a major priority. In rural New England, disparities exist for certain populations; for example, limited social support for LGBTQ+ individuals or patients of color can impact health outcomes in small communities (newhampshirebulletin.com). Geisel's mission to build an inclusive community (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu) means the school is attuned to topics like cultural competence, serving underserved populations, and addressing social determinants of health. Current issues such as mental health access, the opioid epidemic, and racial disparities in care are all part of this conversation. An interviewer might explore your perspective on caring for diverse populations or ask about any advocacy or service work you've done related to equity.

Like most medical schools, Geisel uses a holistic admissions process – meaning they consider the whole applicant, not just GPA and MCAT scores. Beyond strong academics, Dartmouth is looking for personal qualities and experiences that indicate you will thrive in their program and eventually embody the kind of physician the school aims to produce. Some of the key non-academic selection criteria and attributes valued by Geisel include:

• Service orientation and community engagement – A demonstrated commitment to helping others and addressing community needs. Geisel's mission to improve health care systems and outcomes implies that applicants who have meaningful volunteer, clinical, or community service experiences will stand out as aligned with the school's purpose (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
• Commitment to diversity and cultural humility – Geisel explicitly values diversity in all its forms and seeks students who appreciate different perspectives (blog.accepted.com). Cross-cultural experiences, ability to work with people from varied backgrounds, and a mindset of inclusion are highly regarded, as they feed into both the school's collaborative culture and its goal of training physicians for a diverse society.
• Leadership and teamwork – The ability to take initiative and lead when needed, as well as to collaborate effectively in teams. Geisel often speaks of developing "leaders from within" (blog.accepted.com) – individuals who show integrity, accountability, and the capacity to guide others without needing a title. Experiences such as leading a project, mentoring, or contributing to a team sport or group endeavor can illustrate these qualities.
• Research and innovation – Curiosity and involvement in research or other scholarly work can strengthen an application, especially given Dartmouth's research focus. While not every admitted student is a published scientist, showing that you have engaged in discovery (be it lab research, public health studies, quality improvement projects, etc.) demonstrates alignment with Geisel's goal to generate new knowledge (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu). It signals that you are prepared to contribute to the scientific and evidence-based culture of the program.
• Strong communication and empathy – Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen, communicate clearly, and show empathy. Geisel's curriculum (for example, the extensive On Doctoring course) places heavy emphasis on cultivating compassionate, patient-centered clinicians. Admissions reviewers will look for evidence of these traits in your experiences – whether through patient interactions, service roles, or even challenges that required resilience and understanding. Being able to recognize and articulate others' feelings is a core competency (students-residents.aamc.org), and Geisel values students who exhibit this emotional intelligence.

Geisel's holistic review is informed by widely recognized competency frameworks. Notably, the AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students serve as a guideline for what qualities and skills applicants should demonstrate. These competencies span several domains – including science knowledge, thinking and reasoning abilities, and professional/personal attributes – and together they provide a roadmap of preparedness for medical school (students-residents.aamc.org). In practice, this means Dartmouth (like other med schools) will be looking for evidence of traits such as cultural awareness and humility (students-residents.aamc.org), ethical responsibility, resilience and adaptability, service orientation (students-residents.aamc.org), teamwork, and strong communication skills, alongside academic and scientific aptitude. When reading applications and conducting interviews, the admissions committee evaluates candidates on these dimensions in a holistic manner (weighing all aspects of your background). If you've demonstrated these competencies in your experiences, make sure they come through in your application and conversations.

Additionally, Geisel has its own institutional focus on developing what it calls the "complete physician." This concept aligns closely with the competency framework and gives insight into the qualities Dartmouth prioritizes. In Geisel's view, a complete physician is someone firmly grounded in fundamental science and at the same time an empathetic, outstanding clinician (blog.accepted.com). They also understand how healthcare is delivered on a systems level – Dartmouth stresses that physicians should grasp the science of healthcare delivery and be able to implement evidence-based improvements in practice (blog.accepted.com). Furthermore, Geisel emphasizes leadership that is born from personal integrity and authenticity: every doctor should be able to "lead from within" by showing up with accountability and moral courage in their daily work (blog.accepted.com). These principles are woven into the curriculum (which is explicitly competency-based) and they manifest in what the school looks for during interviews. Being aware of this framework can help you understand the rationale behind certain interview questions – for example, a question about ethical dilemmas or teamwork might be assessing those specific competencies that Geisel deems essential.

Geisel's interviewers tend to cover a broad range of topics to get to know each candidate. Reports from past interviews suggest a mix of standard questions and more unique prompts. Key themes include:

• Personal reflections and self-description – Interviewers often invite candidates to discuss themselves beyond the application. For example, one applicant recounted being prompted to share a story that revealed something personal about their life or character (www.studentdoctor.net). These kinds of open-ended questions ("Tell me about yourself," "Tell me a story about you," etc.) are aimed at understanding your personality, values, and how you make sense of your experiences.
• Motivation and "Why Dartmouth?" – It's very common to be asked about your motivations for medicine and reasons for choosing Geisel. Expect questions like "Why do you want to be a physician?" or "Why Geisel?" – past students confirm that these straightforward but important questions come up in the interview (www.studentdoctor.net). The school wants to know that you are genuinely interested in their program and that you have thought about how it fits your goals. Be prepared to articulate what draws you to Geisel specifically (whether it's the curriculum, community, research opportunities, or other aspects) and to discuss the path that led you to pursue medicine.
• Ethical and healthcare issues – Given Dartmouth's focus on producing physicians who understand healthcare systems and ethics, interviewers may pose questions about current issues in medicine. You might be asked to discuss a policy topic or respond to a hypothetical scenario. For instance, an interviewer could say, "Respond to this statement: 'The current state of healthcare in America is...,'" and have you reflect on it (www.studentdoctor.net). Others have mentioned scenarios about allocating limited medical resources. These questions assess your awareness of challenges in healthcare, your ethical reasoning, and whether you can consider multiple perspectives. When faced with such topics, it's okay to take a moment to organize your thoughts – interviewers are looking at how you reason through the problem more than for a "right" answer.
• Cultural competency and social awareness – Geisel's commitment to diversity sometimes comes through in interview questions about your experiences with different cultures or your views on social issues. Don't be surprised by prompts that connect to your background or beliefs – for example, one candidate was asked how their interest in politics has shaped their view of medicine (www.studentdoctor.net). You might also be asked about working with underserved communities or handling differences in beliefs. These questions help the committee gauge your empathy, openness, and ability to care for patients from all walks of life.
• Creative or unconventional prompts – Interviews at Dartmouth can include a curveball question that lets you demonstrate creativity or how you think on your feet. Students have reported being asked things like, "What invention of the past 150 years has had the greatest impact on society?" (www.studentdoctor.net) or "If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?" Such questions don't have a medical focus at all – instead, they're meant to reveal more about your interests, thought process, and personality. When you encounter an unexpected question, the best approach is often to have fun with it and let your genuine thoughts shine through (there isn't a wrong answer, as long as you provide reasoning).

1. May 1, 2025 – AMCAS primary application opens (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
2. May 28, 2025 – First day to submit AMCAS applications (earliest filing date) (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
3. August 2025 – Geisel's interview season begins (interviews are conducted from late summer through March) (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
4. November 1, 2025 – Deadline for submitting the AMCAS primary application to Geisel (primary application close) (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
5. November 15, 2025 – Deadline for submitting Geisel's secondary application (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).
6. March 2026 – Interviews conclude for the cycle (last interview invitations typically occur by early spring) (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu).

Geisel reviews applications on a rolling basis, so earlier submission can be beneficial. Once your application is complete (primary, secondary, MCAT, and recommendation letters all in), it will be screened for an interview. Interview invitations usually start going out in late summer (August) and continue through the fall and winter. If you are invited and interview, you can expect to hear a final decision sometime after your interview, but the timeline can vary – Dartmouth's admissions team has noted that their careful, holistic review means decisions may take a while (geiselmed.dartmouth.edu). All final offers are typically made by spring, adhering to the AAMC deadlines for decision notifications and matriculation.

Preparing for the Geisel School of Medicine interview involves more than practicing answers – it means understanding Dartmouth's values, unique program features, and the context in which it operates. By familiarizing yourself with the interview format, reflecting on how your experiences align with Geisel's mission and competencies, staying informed about relevant healthcare issues, and keeping track of the application timeline, you'll be well-equipped to present your best self on interview day. Geisel prides itself on a holistic, mission-oriented approach to training physicians, and approaching the interview with that perspective will help you engage authentically and confidently. Good luck with your Dartmouth interview process!