Introduction:
The Lewis Katz Temple University Medical School Interview is a significant milestone in your journey to becoming a physician. Securing an interview at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) means your primary application and diligent MCAT preparation have demonstrated your academic prowess, and now the admissions committee wants to see the person behind the credentials. This is your opportunity to showcase the compassion, resilience, and commitment to service that statistics alone cannot convey. Among the many medical schools you may be considering, LKSOM is deeply invested in finding future physicians who align with its community-focused mission in the heart of North Philadelphia. This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to navigate every stage of the interview process, helping you articulate your unique story and demonstrate why you are an ideal fit for the LKSOM MD program.
Lewis Katz Temple University Medical
School Interview Tips
Pre-Interview Guidance
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University is known for its deep commitment to community health, service to Philadelphia residents, and training physicians who are driven to reduce health disparities in urban populations. Your interview is your opportunity to demonstrate not only your motivation to become a physician, but also how your lived experiences and values align with Temple’s mission. Expect a traditional interview format with conversational questions that explore your service, leadership, and dedication to underserved communities.
Lewis Katz Temple Medical School Interview Tip #1: Show your commitment to Philadelphia communities
Temple places enormous value on applicants who have experience serving Philadelphia residents—especially through clinical work, volunteering, or research. If you have spent time in Philadelphia or worked with organizations connected to the city, emphasize how these experiences shaped your understanding of the local community’s needs.
Example: If you volunteered at a Philadelphia free clinic, you might say, “Working with patients navigating chronic disease while facing housing instability showed me the importance of community-based care. Temple’s longstanding partnerships in North Philadelphia would allow me to continue supporting similar populations.”
Lewis Katz Temple Medical School Interview Tip #2: Highlight your work with underserved, urban, and lower-income communities
LKSOM is known for training physicians who are comfortable and committed to serving diverse, resource-limited populations. Use your interview to illustrate how your clinical or community experiences—whether in an urban clinic, a homeless shelter, or outreach programs—have strengthened your ability to understand and respond to patients’ socioeconomic challenges.
Example: You could describe a tutoring or health education program you participated in: “My work teaching health literacy workshops in an urban community center helped me appreciate the upstream barriers families face. This aligns with Temple’s mission of reducing health disparities in Philadelphia.”
Lewis Katz Temple Medical School Interview Tip #3: Bring a strong and specific ‘Why Temple?’
Your secondary application included two “Why Temple?” essays, so interviewers will expect an answer that shows depth beyond surface-level admiration. Discuss the exact community organizations, service programs, and research opportunities you plan to get involved with at Temple. The more specific you are, the more you show genuine interest.
Example: Instead of saying, “I want to serve underserved communities,” you might say, “I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to volunteer with Temple’s FIGHT Community Health Centers and contribute to research on health equity through the Center for Urban Bioethics.”
Lewis Katz Temple Medical School Interview Tip #4: Communicate your leadership, impact, and vision for healthcare
Temple is looking for future physicians who see themselves as leaders and changemakers in urban health. Highlight moments where you stepped up to make a difference, spearheaded community initiatives, or contributed to research aimed at improving inequities. Show that you have a clear vision for how you hope to improve healthcare.
Example: If you led a public health campaign, you might share, “Organizing a neighborhood hypertension screening event taught me how community-led initiatives can bridge gaps in access. At Temple, I hope to continue this work through student-run clinics and urban health research.”
Lewis Katz Temple Medical School Interview Tip #5: Mention personal connections—and make them meaningful
If you know Temple alumni, faculty, or current students—or if you have family roots in Philadelphia—interviewers want to hear about it. These connections can provide valuable insights into Temple’s culture and strengthen your case that you are a great fit.
Example:
You might say, “Speaking with a Temple alum who now practices in North Philadelphia gave me a firsthand look at how the school prepares students to address urban health disparities. Our conversation reinforced that Temple’s mission aligns perfectly with my goals.”
Sample Lewis Katz School of Medicine Interview Questions & Themes
- Why Temple University?
Be specific—reference community partnerships, research centers, and clinical opportunities that align with your goals. - How have you worked with underserved or urban populations?
Connect your experiences to Temple’s mission of improving health in Philadelphia. - What have you accomplished during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Temple values applicants who demonstrated resilience, productivity, or service during this period. - Tell us about a leadership experience.
Show how your leadership reflects your commitment to community health, advocacy, or healthcare improvement. - Which campus are you interested in and why?
Demonstrate clear research into the Philadelphia and Bethlehem campuses and explain how their clinical and community offerings match your goals.
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If you are prepared, the interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.
Understanding the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) Interview Philosophy
The LKSOM interview is designed as a conversation, not an interrogation. The school’s official stance emphasizes a non-stressful environment, explicitly avoiding stress interviews to allow the admissions committee to get to know the authentic you. They are looking beyond academic excellence to identify individuals with the core competencies of a compassionate and effective physician. The goal is a holistic assessment that determines your alignment with the school’s distinct culture and mission, which is uniquely shaped by its location and the community it serves. This philosophy extends to including community members on the interview panels, ensuring that the perspectives of those LKSOM aims to serve are part of the selection process.
What LKSOM Seeks: The Ideal Candidate Profile
LKSOM prioritizes specific personal attributes that predict success both in its rigorous MD program and as a future healthcare leader. The admissions committee looks for candidates with strong people skills, who listen carefully and consider different opinions, and possess real self-confidence. More than that, they are looking for evidence of compassion and a profound sense of being socially conscious. Your application and interview narrative should be a tapestry of experiences that reflect a deep-seated desire to help others and engage with diverse communities, particularly those facing health disparities. You must be prepared to show, not just tell, how your journey has prepared you to become a humanistic clinician dedicated to service.
Interviewers You’ll Meet During LKSOM Interview Day
Your interview day may involve interactions with various members of the LKSOM community, each offering a unique perspective. Usually, applicants meet with faculty members, clinicians from the Temple University Health System, and potentially current medical students or residents. A basic science faculty member might probe your research experiences, while a physician from Temple University Hospital will be interested in your clinical experiences and understanding of patient care. Program Directors or Chief Residents might assess your leadership potential and fit within specific residency pathways, like the Emergency Medicine Residency Program. Crucially, you may also meet with community members from North Philadelphia, who evaluate your commitment to the community and your understanding of the social determinants of health. Their collective goal is to build a multi-faceted picture of your potential as a future colleague and a caring physician.
Pre-Interview Preparation: Building a Strong Foundation
Thorough preparation is the bedrock of a confident and successful interview performance. This stage moves beyond simply rehearsing answers and into a deep, genuine engagement with both the institution and your personal narrative. Your secondary application was the first step in this process; the interview is where you bring it to life.
Deep Dive into Lewis Katz School of Medicine
To articulate a compelling “Why LKSOM?” answer, you must move beyond surface-level information. Start by exploring the official virtual tour to get a feel for the campus and its state-of-the-art facilities, like the advanced simulation center. Investigate the specifics of the integrated medical curriculum, where basic sciences are interwoven with clinical medicine from the start. Explore the school’s unique centers and institutes, such as the Center for Urban Bioethics, which directly reflects its commitment to social justice in medicine.
Understand the diverse clinical opportunities available through the Temple University Health System, which serves as a critical healthcare resource for the region. Familiarize yourself with the school’s leadership and the vision set by its Program Directors. This depth of knowledge will enable you to connect your personal goals directly to the specific resources and philosophy the Lewis Katz School of Medicine offers.
Self-Reflection and Storytelling
Revisit your entire ERAS application, including your personal statement and activities list. These are the starting points for your interview narrative. For each significant experience—be it in research, volunteering, or leadership—identify the key takeaways. What did you learn about yourself? How did you overcome a challenge? How did this experience solidify your desire to pursue medicine? Structure these reflections into concise stories that you can readily share, perhaps using the STAR method (discussed later). The goal is not to recite your application but to provide the rich context, personal growth, and lessons learned from your clinical experiences and other activities.
Logistics and Technical Readiness
For virtual interviews, it is very important to prepare the logistics carefully. Test your technology—camera, microphone, and internet connection—well in advance. Choose a professional, quiet, and well-lit location free from distractions. Ensure your background is neutral and professional. Have a copy of your application and any notes you’ve prepared easily accessible, but avoid reading from them directly. Confirm the interview time (noting any time zone differences) and have all necessary login information, like your Ray ID, and contact details readily available in case of a technical issue, such as common Cloudflare Errors that can sometimes disrupt access to web portals.
Navigating the LKSOM Interview Formats
LKSOM has used different interview formats in the past to fully evaluate candidates. Understanding the structure and purpose of each will allow you to tailor your approach and effectively showcase your strengths, whether you’re in a one-on-one conversation or a more structured scenario.
The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Demystified
The MMI format assesses core competencies like ethical reasoning, communication, and professionalism through a series of short, timed stations. You will get a prompt. It could be a text-based ethical problem, a task to work with an actor, or a policy question. You will have a few minutes to prepare. Then you will enter the room or virtual breakout room to talk about it with an evaluator. The key to the MMI is to think out loud, demonstrating your thought process. Clearly state your understanding of the issue, explore multiple perspectives, and justify your proposed course of action. It’s less about finding the “right” answer and more about showing how you approach complex situations.
The One-on-One Interview Experience
The traditional one-on-one interview, often a blind or semi-blind format, provides a more conversational setting to explore your application in depth. This is where your thorough research and self-reflection pay dividends. The interviewer will likely ask about your motivations for medicine, specific experiences from your application, and your reasons for being interested in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Use this opportunity to build rapport and let your personality shine. It is a two-way street; this is also your chance to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in the program and its community of medical students and faculty.
Crafting Compelling Responses: The STAR Method and LKSOM Fit
Your ability to structure your answers thoughtfully is just as important as the content itself. A clear framework ensures your responses are impactful, memorable, and directly relevant to what the admissions committee is looking for in future humanistic clinicians.
Mastering Behavioral Questions with the STAR Method
Behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time when…”) are designed to assess past performance as an indicator of future behavior. The STAR method provides a clean, effective structure for your answers:
- Situation: Briefly describe the context. Where were you, and what was the task?
- Task: Explain your specific role or responsibility in the situation.
- Action: Detail the specific steps you took to address the task or challenge. This is the core of your story, so be specific about your actions.
- Result: Conclude by explaining the outcome of your actions. What did you achieve? What did you learn? How did you grow from the experience?
Using this framework helps you deliver a complete, compelling narrative about your clinical experiences or leadership roles that directly answers the question while highlighting your skills.
Weaving LKSOM’s Mission and Values into Your Answers
Demonstrating “fit” is about showing, not just telling. Go beyond stating, “I am a socially conscious person.” Instead, use the STAR method to tell a story about a time you worked with a vulnerable population. Connect that experience to a specific LKSOM initiative, such as the student-run clinics or community health projects in North Philadelphia. When discussing teamwork, you can link your experience to LKSOM’s small-group, case-based medical curriculum. Your answers should consistently create a bridge between your past experiences and your future as a contributing member of the LKSOM community.
Handling Challenging and Ethical Questions
When faced with an ethical dilemma, such as a scenario involving a feeding tube decision for a non-communicative patient, remain calm and systematic. First, identify the core conflict and the stakeholders involved. Acknowledge the complexity of the situation and explore the different viewpoints and ethical principles at play (e.g., autonomy, beneficence, justice). Avoid making snap judgments. Articulate your thought process, weighing the pros and cons of potential actions. End with a clear and reasonable opinion, showing that you can make thoughtful and kind decisions.
The Interview Day Experience: Tips for Optimal Performance
Your conduct throughout the entire interview day, including any virtual town hall sessions or live Question & Answer panels, contributes to the overall impression you make. Professionalism, confidence, and genuine engagement are key to a successful experience.
Professionalism and Presentation
Dress in professional business attire, just as you would for an in-person interview. Ensure your appearance is neat and polished. Maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions, including with administrative staff and other invited applicants. Your communication, both verbal and written (in chats or emails), should be polite and respectful.
Managing Nerves and Projecting Confidence
It’s natural to feel nervous. Channel that energy into focus. Practice mindfulness or deep-breathing exercises before the interview begins. Sit up straight, make eye contact with the camera, and speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Remember that you were invited because the admissions committee already sees your potential. Be confident in your accomplishments and authentic in your responses.
Engaging Effectively with Your Interviewers and Peers
Active listening is critical. Pay close attention to the questions being asked and the information being shared. When you ask your own questions, make them specific and thoughtful, referencing something you learned about the program or the interviewer’s work. In group settings or MMI stations with peers, be a collaborative participant. Build on others’ ideas and contribute constructively, demonstrating your ability to work well within a team.
Troubleshooting Common Virtual Interview Issues
Technical glitches happen. If your internet connection is unstable or your audio cuts out, stay calm. Apologize for the interruption and politely ask the interviewer to repeat the question. It’s wise to have a backup plan, such as being able to switch to a phone hotspot or having the dial-in number ready. Proactively addressing issues with composure can demonstrate your resilience and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for any future physician.
Post-Interview Strategies: Follow-Up and Reflection
The interview day may be over, but your engagement with the admissions process is not. A thoughtful post-interview strategy maintains professionalism and keeps you prepared for the next steps on your path to medical school.
The Art of the Thank-You Note
Sending a prompt thank-you note within 24-48 hours is a professional courtesy that reinforces your interest. Email is standard and appropriate. Personalize each note by referencing a specific point of conversation you enjoyed with that interviewer. Keep it concise, reiterate your strong interest in LKSOM, and thank them for their time. Be sure to use the correct mailing address if you choose to send a physical note.
Strategic Updates to the Admissions Committee
If you have important news after your interview, you can send a short, professional update letter or email to the admissions office. This could be a new publication, a major leadership role, or new grades. This should be reserved for truly meaningful developments that substantively enhance your application.
Managing Expectations and Next Steps
The admissions timeline can be long. It is crucial to manage your expectations and practice patience. Awaiting a final decision can be stressful, and outcomes may include acceptance, a waitlist position (sometimes leading to a conditional acceptance), or rejection. Continue to focus on your studies or work and pursue other interests. Repeatedly contacting the admissions office for status updates is discouraged. Trust the process and look ahead toward long-term goals like the 2025 Match.
Reflecting on Your Performance for Future Growth
Regardless of the outcome, take time to reflect on your interview performance. What questions did you handle well? Where could you have been stronger? This self-assessment is invaluable. If you find yourself in a reapplication cycle, this reflection will be a critical tool for identifying areas of growth and strengthening your approach for other medical schools or future opportunities in academic medicine.
Special Considerations and Resources
Certain applicant situations and admissions assessment tools require specific attention. Leveraging all available resources will ensure you present the most complete and compelling case for your admission to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
Reapplicant Strategies: Interview-Specific Growth
If you are a reapplicant, be prepared to discuss what you have done to strengthen your candidacy since your last application. Frame this positively as a period of growth and reflection. Highlight new experiences in clinical work, research, or service—perhaps through the ACMS postbaccalaureate program or other endeavors—that have deepened your understanding of medicine and reaffirmed your commitment. Be specific about what has changed and how you are now a stronger candidate.
The Role of CASPer and Duet in the LKSOM Admissions Process
LKSOM utilizes situational judgment tests (SJTs) like CASPer and Duet as part of its holistic review. These tools are designed to assess non-cognitive skills like professionalism, ethics, and empathy. The admissions committee looks at your test results along with your whole application. But the live interview is the main way to show these qualities through direct interaction. Your scores provide another data point, but your ability to connect and communicate in real-time remains paramount.
Utilizing LKSOM and Temple University Resources
The official Lewis Katz School of Medicine website is your primary source of information. Explore faculty profiles, read about unique opportunities like the Narrative Medicine Program or the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program, and watch informational videos. These resources can provide invaluable details to enrich your interview answers and help you formulate insightful questions for your interviewers, showing you’ve done more than just scratch the surface.
Conclusion: Your Path to Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Mastering your interview at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine is about more than just giving the right answers. You must show that you truly agree with the school’s main goals of clinical excellence, kind service, and community involvement. By carefully researching the MD program and thinking about your personal story, you can prepare well. Organize your stories with purpose. This helps you show a strong and true picture of the doctor you want to become. Remember that the admissions committee has invited you because they see your potential. Approach your interview with confidence, showcase your unique passion for helping others, and articulate how you will contribute to the vibrant and diverse medical community at Temple. This is your moment to prove you have what it takes to become a compassionate, socially conscious physician trained at LKSOM.