Multiple Mini Interviews - MMI

Multiple mini interviews are often referred to as MMIs and consist of a variety of different ‘stations’, or small interview scenarios. Each station will assess candidates for specific attributes and will only last for a short period of time. Stations can range from discussing personal statements and experience (like in a regular panel interview) to more practical scenarios that involve candidates interacting with an actor who will be playing a role. MMIs often include more creative stations, such as team work and communication stations.

Interviews are usually designed to test your suitability and aptitude to study medicine and become a doctor. Medical schools appreciate that some candidates will be nervous and will, of course, make allowances for this.

What do medical schools want to see?
Medical schools will have information available regarding what they are looking for at interview. In general medical schools are looking for an applicant’s:

Ability to communicate
Applicants should be able to express their ideas clearly and coherently and to be able to follow a reasoned argument. Applicants who give spontaneous yet well thought-out answers to questions are more likely to impress the interviewers than those who give obviously rehearsed and ‘coached’ responses.

Attitude
Medical schools look to see if applicants have the right attitudes to study medicine and be a doctor. This includes flexibility, integrity and conscientiousness.

Motivation to become a doctor
Medical schools will want to see evidence of the experiences that have influenced an applicant’s decision to study medicine. They will want to know that an applicant has an understanding of what a career in medicine entails.

Previous caring experience
This can be from an applicant’s work, home or voluntary experience. Medical schools will not only want to hear about the type of experience but also what an applicant has learned and their emotional response.

​Knowledge of what is happening within medicine
Applicants will not be expected to have a detailed knowledge but have an intelligent layperson’s view on areas of medicine that are currently within the media or in the spotlight. It is important that applicants demonstrate an awareness of scientific and medical issues. Medical schools will want to see the applicant’s intellectual potential.

Click here to view our pre-recorded event on Multiple Mini Mock Interviews (MMI)