The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine interview format

The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (SFESOM) at the University of Utah interviews MD applicants in person in Salt Lake City for the 2026-27 cycle. The AAMC's MSAR interview procedures report for the 2027 entering class lists "in person interviews held at the Salt Lake City Medical Campus," invitations in August, no regional interviews and no video interview.

The school's admissions FAQ spells out the day. Interviews take place on the Salt Lake City campus, and each interview day consists of:

Two traditional interviews. One-on-one, 30 minutes each.
One group assessment. A small group is given "a low-stakes hypothetical scenario to assess attributes like teamwork, communication, and problem solving."
A Q&A with current medical students and a campus tour.

Item	What Utah and the AAMC say
Format	Two 30-minute traditional one-on-one interviews and one small-group assessment
In person or virtual	In person on the Salt Lake City campus
Invitations	August (AAMC MSAR, 2027 entering class), rolling
Interview season	Typically begins in September and continues through the cycle
Attire	Professional business attire recommended, plus weather-appropriate footwear for the walking tour
Thank-you notes	Optional. Send them to the Office of Admissions, not to interviewers directly

One thing to watch for: Utah's separate "Interview Day and Assessment" page still carries text written for the 2021-22 cycle, when the school used a one-way video interview, an MMI and a situational judgment test during virtual interviews. For 2026-27 the FAQ and the AAMC MSAR entry are the current sources, and they describe an in-person day with traditional interviews. We went with those. If your invitation describes something different, follow it.

Utah's timeline and the PREview requirement

Utah's requirements page describes a rolling cycle:

Secondary application invitations begin in July, and interview invitations begin in August. Interviews begin in September.
August 1 is the secondary application priority review deadline. The last PREview test dates are August 12 and 13, and the last MCAT date is August 22.
September 15 is the AMCAS submission deadline.
Admissions offers are made on a rolling basis from October through March, with notifications beginning in mid-October and final notifications by March 15 (per the FAQ).
Utah doesn't accept Early Decision Program applications.

Utah requires the AAMC PREview exam: it says all applicants must complete it for the secondary to be considered complete and reviewed for an interview. There's no minimum score. Applicants whose PREview scores are received by July get priority interview consideration, and those who haven't taken it by August won't be considered for interview. If you're reading this after you have an invitation, PREview is behind you. If you're reapplying, plan for it.

What Utah's evaluators explore

Utah's interview and assessment page says evaluators "explore the applicant's motivation for seeking a medical degree, awareness and understanding of the medical profession, leadership, problem solving skills, understanding of medical ethics, and interpersonal skills." The school describes its admissions review as "mission-aligned," and the requirements page frames experience under five headings: service orientation, leadership and interpersonal professionalism, clinical experiences, research, and individual pursuits and achievements.

The mission matters in the interview. The MD program page states that the school "serves all people and communities of Utah and the Mountain West" and commits to "serving rural and underserved communities by addressing social determinants of health to decrease health disparities." It also emphasizes a culture of respect and community, and a vision built on relationships, mutual respect, responsibility to one another, accountability and teamwork. The program lists a Rural Medicine Scholars program and a Southern Utah Regional Medical Campus among its offerings.

If you apply to Utah, the committee will want to hear a specific link between you and that mission. "I want to work in a rural community" is vague. "I grew up in a town where the nearest specialist was two hours away, and I spent two years as a medical interpreter" is a start.

How to prepare for a two-interview, one-group day

The day has three scored or likely-scored pieces: two interviews and one group assessment. Plan for each, and treat the rest of the day as part of the impression too.

Traditional interviews. Be ready for motivation, your most meaningful experiences and ethical judgment. Have two stories for each of leadership, teamwork and a setback.
Group assessment. Utah says the scenario is low-stakes and hypothetical. What's assessed is how you work with others. Contribute a clear point early, build on someone else's idea by name, and invite the quietest person in.
The Q&A with students. Utah doesn't say it's scored. Treat it as part of the day anyway: be curious, courteous and specific in your questions.
In person. Utah recommends business attire. Allow time for a walking tour in whatever weather Salt Lake City gives you.

Utah practice questions (written by us, not Utah)

Utah doesn't publish its interview questions. We wrote these to match what it says it explores. Keep each answer to about two minutes.

Why medicine, and why now in your life?
Tell me about a time you led without having the title.
What does serving rural or underserved communities mean to you? What have you already done about it?
Describe an ethical dilemma you faced. What did you weigh, and what did you do?
How do you handle working with someone whose approach you disagree with?
What do you think a physician owes a patient who can't afford a recommended treatment?
Tell me about a time you worked with a community whose background differed from yours.
What is one thing you have learned about the medical profession that surprised you?
Tell me about a time you failed at something you cared about.
Why the University of Utah, and which parts of its mission fit you?

For a wider set, see our MMI practice questions with answers guide.

A drill for the in-person day

Pick four questions: motivation, ethics, a leadership story and "Why Utah?"
Answer each aloud on video, standing or seated as you would in a conference room, for about two minutes.
Have a partner follow up on each with "Say more about your role" and "What would you do differently?"
Run a mock group scenario with two friends: give yourselves five minutes to agree on how a free clinic with one open slot should decide between three patients. Afterward, ask each person what you did to include them.
Do one practice session in the clothes and shoes you plan to wear. Fit and comfort matter on a day with a walking tour.

If you don't have a practice partner, Confetto's AI mock interviews ask follow-up questions based on what you actually said and give rubric-based feedback afterward. The question bank has over 500 questions, and you can start with a 7-day free trial.

Utah interview FAQ

Is the Utah interview an MMI?

For 2026-27, Utah's FAQ describes two traditional one-on-one interviews and a small-group assessment, not an MMI. Older Utah pages describe an MMI from the virtual cycle.

Is the Utah interview virtual?

No. The AAMC MSAR entry and Utah's FAQ say interviews are in person at the Salt Lake City campus for 2026-27.

Does Utah require the PREview exam?

Yes. Utah says all applicants must complete the AAMC PREview exam, with no minimum score.

When does Utah release decisions?

Acceptances are rolling from October to March, with notifications beginning mid-October and final notifications by March 15.

Can I send a thank-you note?

Notes aren't required. If you send one, Utah asks that you send it to the admissions office rather than to interviewers directly.

Applying to other Mountain West and Western schools too? See our guides to the University of Washington, UNLV Kerkorian and University of New Mexico interviews, or our medical school interview prep page.

Sources: Utah MD admissions FAQs, MD Application and Requirements, Interview Day and Assessment, MD program, AAMC MSAR interview procedures (2027).

Confetto isn't affiliated with the University of Utah. Everything here about the school comes from its public admissions pages and the AAMC MSAR report, checked in October 2026. Formats can change between cycles, so go by your invitation email.