Medical School Admissions

Interview Day Information

What to Expect

Interview Day Overview

Every interview day this admissions season will be entirely virtual, and we're looking forward to spending time with you online!

On the morning of your interview, you will receive an email from us by 9:00 am EST with (1) your interview day schedule; (2) a link to your virtual interview day folder; and (3) a Zoom link for our morning program, which will officially begin at 9:40 am EST. The Zoom links for your actual interviews will appear within your Interview tab in our application system that morning; helpful information is below, and further detailed information will be in that email. We will call you if we're having technical issues, so if you haven't heard from us by 9:00 am, that means there could be an issue on your end or the email server's end; please call Admissions Coordinator Kerri Sears at 401-863-2301 if that happens (or email MedSchool_Admissions@brown.edu). Remember to check your Spam folder just in case (something you should do throughout the season to not miss communication from us or other medical schools)!

You will have a detailed informational session with our director of admissions, followed by a financial aid overview, a virtual tour of our medical building led by a current student, and a lunchtime panel with current medical students. In the afternoon, you will have two 30-minute virtual interviews with members of our MD Admissions Committee. For planning purposes, you can expect your day to be finished by 4:00 pm EST at the latest.

Campus Visits

Individual in-person visits to our medical school building are not permitted, but we will have our April Second Look event for admitted candidates in person!

Your Next Steps

Photo Upload

Photos help admissions staff and your interviewers remember you clearly over the course of the interview season. This is helpful to us, so please upload a photo of yourself via the "Photo" menu item under "Interview" in the left-hand navigation screen in our admissions portal. Photo requirements are listed on that tab.

Zoom Instructions

As mentioned above, you will receive an email from us by 9:00 am EST on the morning of your interview. We use a customized version of Zoom, but you will not receive an email with a link for your two interviews; instead, you will be accessing your interviews through your Interview tab when you log on to https://admissions.med.brown.edu.

  • We recommend you be online a few minutes before the scheduled start of your interview.
  • Once you click the Video Interview menu item—this will not appear until just before your scheduled interviews—you will need to sign an agreement of participation, understanding that your interviews will not be recorded (i.e., not by you nor your interviewer); the purpose of the agreement is to preserve the art of conversation our Admissions Committee members value during interviews.
  • Click the Submit button to proceed.
  • A new window will open. Click Start Interview, and be sure to allow popups, if prompted by your browser.  You may need to click Start Interview a second time after allowing popups.
  • You will be presented with a waiting screen until your interviewer is connected.  Please wait patiently for your interviewer to connect; he/she may be interviewing another applicant ahead of you.
  • Once your Interviewer has begun the Zoom you will see the Launch Zoom (recommended) button to click, then choose Join with Computer Audio and be placed into the Interview.
  • Note for iOS/Safari users:  Video may not play automatically.  You will need to tap the video of your interviewer to see his/her video play if it appears to be frozen for more than a couple of seconds after you are both connected.

Computer Tips + Requirements

  • Please be sure to update your browsers before your scheduled interview day.
  • Have a computer with a camera and microphone. You may be asked for permission to use your camera and microphone, unless you previously saved this setting.
  • Mobile web browsers are currently not supported.  Do not plan on using a mobile device (phone/tablet).
  • You can test your camera using this link: https://www.onlinemic.test/webcam-test/ 
  • You can test your microphone using this link: https://www.onlinemictest.com/
  • It is recommended that you use headphones or earbuds for the interview to reduce audio feedback and improve overall audio quality.
  • If available, we recommend using an external microphone for improved audio quality and to reduce audio interference caused by your computer hardware.
  • We suggest that you test your computer's video and audio beforehand by conducting a Zoom session with a friend well before your interview day. Remember to be sure to allow popups, if prompted by your browser.
  • Have a look at the AAMC's helpful resource "Virtual Interviews: Tips for Medical School Applicants."