Preparing for the Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science interview

Achieving excellence in your Chicago Medical School interview at Rosalind Franklin University requires comprehensive knowledge of Illinois' healthcare systems, Midwestern healthcare challenges, relevant policy developments, and critical social determinants of health affecting the Chicago metropolitan area.

This comprehensive preparation guide offers valuable perspectives to help you craft thoughtful, informed responses during your interview, showcasing your genuine dedication to medicine and your understanding of the diverse communities throughout Illinois and the broader Midwest region that you aspire to serve as a physician.

1. The RFU Interview: Structure, Themes, and What They’re Really Assessing

RFU uses a hybrid interview format blending traditional one-on-ones with MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) stations.

Key details:

• MMI Stations (6-8 stations): Focus on ethics, teamwork, and community health scenarios. Past prompts include:

  • “A patient refuses a life-saving treatment due to cultural beliefs. How do you respond?”

  • “Design a mobile clinic for a rural Illinois town with no hospital.”

• Traditional Interviews: Faculty/student panels drill into your personal statement and experiences. Expect questions like:

  • “How does your volunteer work align with RFU’s focus on underserved communities?”

  • “Explain a time you collaborated with professionals outside healthcare.”

• Themes: RFU prioritizes interprofessional collaboration (its campus houses medicine, pharmacy, and PA programs), health equity (tied to Illinois’ Medicaid reforms), and community-driven research (e.g., RFU’s Innovation and Research Park partnerships).

Insider Tip: RFU’s MMI rewards process over perfection. Practice verbalizing your reasoning, even if uncertain. Mention RFU-specific programs like the Interprofessional Community Clinic to demonstrate mission alignment.

2. Illinois Healthcare Policy: Battleground for Equity

Illinois is a national leader in progressive healthcare reforms—but systemic gaps persist. Key policies shaping RFU’s curriculum:

1. Medicaid Expansion & Health Equity

Illinois expanded Medicaid in 2021 under the Health Care and Human Services Reform Act, covering 700,000+ low-income residents. However, 87% of rural Illinois counties lack sufficient primary care providers. RFU’s Rural Health Professions Program trains students for placements in towns like Waukegan (40% Latino, 15% uninsured).

2. Opioid Settlement Reinvestment

Illinois is allocating $760M from opioid lawsuits into harm reduction (e.g., Chicago’s vending machines dispensing naloxone) and recovery housing. RFU researchers lead studies on medication-assisted treatment in Lake County, where overdose deaths rose 33% in 2023.

3. Hospital Closure Crisis

Illinois ranks 3rd nationally for rural hospital closures (15 since 2005). RFU’s mobile health vans serve “medical deserts” like Ford County, where the nearest ER is 45 minutes away.

Tip: Cite RFU’s Center for Health Equity Research when discussing policy solutions.

3. Current Events & Social Issues: The Chicago Lens

Local Flashpoints

• Maternal Mortality: Black women in Cook County die at 3x the rate of white women postpartum. RFU partners with Sinai Chicago to train OB-GYNs in implicit bias reduction.

• Mental Health in Schools: Illinois’ Children’s Mental Health Act (2023) mandates school-based services. RFU students staff clinics in North Chicago District 187, where 60% of students live below the poverty line.

• Environmental Justice: Southeast Chicago faces asthma rates 3x higher than the national average due to steel mill pollution. RFU’s Environmental Health Lab maps disparities in neighborhoods like South Deering.

National Issues with Illinois Stakes

• Abortion Access: Illinois saw a 54% surge in out-of-state patients post-Dobbs. RFU’s Reproductive Health Equity Initiative trains providers in culturally sensitive care.

• Immigrant Health: 13% of Illinoisans are immigrants. RFU’s Bueno Health Clinic offers bilingual diabetes care in Little Village, where uninsured rates top 30%.

Tip: Reference RFU’s Community Campus Partnerships for Health to highlight your grasp of their local impact.

4. The 5 Questions Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science is most likely to ask during your medical school interview

1. “How would you address vaccine hesitancy in a predominantly Latino community?”

2. “Describe a time you advocated for a patient from a marginalized background.”

3. “Illinois ranks 47th in mental health provider access. Propose a solution.”

4. “Why RFU over other Chicago schools like UIC or Rush?”

5. “How do you handle conflicts in interprofessional teams?”