The Case Western Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine (PPSP) is one of the most prestigious BS/MD programs to get accepted to. Each year, 15-20 high school seniors receive acceptances to the eight-year program with guaranteed admissions to Case Western. One important component of receiving an acceptance is acing the Case Western BS MD interview. Our team has written this blog post to give you resources and tips to STAND OUT on your Case Western BS MD interview.
In this post, we will cover:
- What does the Case Western PPSP look for in BS MD applicants?
- Research unique opportunities at Case Western Reserve University
- Read about healthcare issues that affect Case Western’s community – Cleveland, Ohio
- Common Case Western BS MD interview questions and how to prepare
- Schedule a mock interview with our Cracking BS MD Admissions team!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Rishi Mediratta and Dr. Rachel Rizal below!
What does the Case Western BS MD Admissions Committee look for?
You’ve been working hard throughout high school and you’ve finally received the coveted Case Western BS MD interview invite! So obviously, you had a strong academic track record including good grades and good standardized test scores. You also had patient care and clinical opportunities throughout your time as a high school premedical student.
Given that every single Case Western BS MD interviewee is going to have strong academics + clinical experience + research, how will you stand out?
It is important to note the unique traits that the Case Western BS MD program looks for in its applicants. Take note of the highlighted box right below and incorporate these elements in your Case Western interview. If you want to refine and practice your interview skills, schedule a mock interview with our team today!
Highlight the following qualities in your Case Western BS MD Interview:
- Academic Strength & Intellectual Curiosity – As a research-heavy university (both at the undergrad and medical school levels), Case Western wants students who are strong in academics. Therefore, incorporating interesting classes and other intellectual endeavors during your high school premed journey into your interview is a must.
- Commitment to clinical medicine – It’s a big commitment to choose a career at 17 or 18 years old. Case Wetsern looks for students who are sure they want to practice medicine. Therefore, the PPSP admissions committee wants to hear about your clinical experiences and patient care experiences during your Case Western BS MD interview. Specifically, you should not only talk about shadowing and observing doctors, but you should also talk about working directly with patients. You need to articulate why you want to be a DOCTOR and not any other healthcare professional in your Case Western BS MD interview.
- Research – Case Western Reserve University loves students who pursue research. The school gives undergraduates and medical students ample opportunity, funding, and resources to pursue research. Be able to talk about your prior research experience during your medical school interview.
How To Prepare For The Case Western BS MD Interview
First, if you receive a Case Western BS MD Interview Invite, prepare your answers to traditional interview questions. Here are some helpful resources for traditional BS MD Interviews
- Download our Cracking BS MD Admissions interview guide
- The most important question is “Tell me about yourself.”
- [ Prepare a STRONG response to that question using our step-by-step advice: How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself College Interview]
- Read our tips on how to answer 4 other common BS MD interview questions.
- Why do you want to come to ______ college / BS MD program?
- Why do you want to come to _____ medical school?
- Is there anything else you want me and the admissions committee to know?
- Tell me about _____ activity.
- Read our blog post STAR Method for College Interviews and BS MD Interviews to help guide you on how to answer other behavioral questions
Second, improve your interview skills by scheduling a mock interview with us!
From our experience, we LOVE working with BS MD applicants because they work hard, they are coachable, and they practice a ton. However, with our coaching, we will help you fine-tune your answers.
Take a look at our college interview coaching packages.
A big part of this is actually learning about BS MD interview strategy. What should you highlight in your Case Western BS MD interview?
Typically, Case Western BS MD applicants have the following weaknesses in their interviews:
- Did not adequately explain why they want to be a doctor.
- Did not bring up their research interests and research experiences during the interview.
- Can improve their explanations about their research projects.
- Can incorporate more specific stories, especially patient stories, throughout the interview
Take a look at our interview preparation packages and if you have questions or are interested, contact Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta at he***@*******it.com or the contact form below.
Mock Interviews: Refine Your Interview Skills With Us 1-On-1
Rachel Rizal, MD
Changing the trajectory of people’s lives
Undergraduate
Princeton
Medical School
Stanford
Awards & Scholarships
Fulbright Scholar
USA Today Academic First Team
Tylenol Scholarship
RISHI MEDIRATTA, MD, MSc, MA
Advising students to attend their dream schools
Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins
Medical School
Stanford
Awards & Scholarships
Marshall Scholar
Tylenol Scholarship
Global Health Scholar
Research Unique Opportunities at
Case Western Reserve University
We like to give PPSP applicants very specific opportunities to look up at Case Western Reserve University. You need to mention these in your interview!
Research Opportunities at Case Western
- 2 clinical opportunities: Case Western’s mission is to groom excellent physicians. The school takes pride in preparing medical students into become excellent clinicians who are the best physicians in their fields. Therefore, you should look for clinical opportunities you want to pursue at CWRU! You can start looking for clinical opportunities here.
- 2 community opportunities: Case Western appreciates students who want to serve its local Cleveland community. Find public health or community service opportunities around Cleveland!
- 2 academic opportunities: Have an idea of 1 or 2 majors you’re interested in. Additionally, if there are other electives at the medical school you want to take, you should mention those.
- 1 research opportunity: Case Western Reserve University loves students who have research experience. Look up one research opportunity and professor you want to work with as an undergrad. Many Case Western BS MD interview applicants think that research = bench research. That is not true. You can get involved with public health research and clinical trials as a student at Case Western!
Read About Current Event Issues That Affect Case Western's Community
Read about healthcare issues that affect the Cleveland community
- Look up the Cleveland Health Department’s website and/or local newspapers to see the most recent pertinent healthcare issues.
- Some popular healthcare issues that our BS MD Admissions team regularly hears about around Cleveland are the following:
- Urban health
- Healthcare disparities
- Gun violence
- Drug addiction
Common Case Western BS MD Interview Questions
It’s important to prepare STRONG answers for the following common Case Western BS MD interview questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why BS/MD vs attending a 4-year university?
- Why do you want to go to Case Western PPSP?
- Do you have any idea about what major you want to pursue?
- Where do you see yourself in 15 or 20 years?
- Talk about your research in high school.
- What research do you want to pursue in college and why?
- How will you be able to handle Case Western’s rigorous academic program?
Scheduling a Mock Interview
Work with our BSMD Admissions interview team for your upcoming Case Western BS MD interview!
How to schedule a mock Case Western BS MD interview:
- If you have questions, feel free to contact Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta about BS MD interview prep.
- If you have no questions, purchase mock interviews here. Most students will purchase 4 mock interviews with your team (and the Mastering the Multiple Mini Interview course if they have an MMI interview) and they will use those 4 mock interviews throughout the interview season. Students will also use mock interviews to prepare for Ivy League or Scholarship interviews!
- After purchasing the mock interview package, you will receive an automatic email that allows you to upload your application materials, including your Common Application plus you Case Western BS MD supplemental essays. Additionally, you will be asked for more information like your name, contact information, interview date, time zone, and availability. Please fill out the form thoroughly.
- Our interview team will reach out to you to schedule a mock BS MD interview!
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta through the contact form below. Or, you can email us directly at he***@*******it.com.
Mock Interviews: Refine Your Interview Skills With Us 1-On-1
Rachel Rizal, MD
Changing the trajectory of people’s lives
Undergraduate
Princeton
Medical School
Stanford
Awards & Scholarships
Fulbright Scholar
USA Today Academic First Team
Tylenol Scholarship
RISHI MEDIRATTA, MD, MSc, MA
Advising students to attend their dream schools
Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins
Medical School
Stanford
Awards & Scholarships
Marshall Scholar
Tylenol Scholarship
Global Health Scholar