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Before reading the following, please understand that this is my strategy that has helped me get accepted into a school that uses MMI. It may or may not work for you.
After receiving several private messages regarding tips and how can one prepare for their upcoming MMI interview, I decided to start this thread to address some questions and share my MMI strategy.
So what is an MMI?
Each school has their own edition of the Mini Multiple Interview, which means that the amount of interviews (stations) varies from school to school. Usually between 8-12 stations. You have a few minutes to read the station's prompt and another 5-8 minutes to enter the station and have a conversation with the interviewer.
What is required for the MMI?
You, the ability to speak coherently for 5-8 minutes, and some basic knowledge of medical ethics.
What I am going to be asked during an MMI?
Again, each school chooses their own questions and how they want to ask those questions. In other words, you can be simply asked " Why XSOM?", " Why medicine?" ," Would you like to provide any additional information that is not listed on your AMCAS application?".
Then there are the scenario questions. The questions range from "what's your opinion on the matter?" to "What is the ethical issue and how would you respond to this situation?"
Why is the MMI an advantage to you and better than the traditional interview?
First, you have limited amount of time with the interviewer. As mentioned, each station will have a topic and this short interview will only revolve around it, so no surprises. In a traditional interview, anything is fair game. Like that research that you have done during your Sophomore year, which you have long forgotten about and only remember enough details to fill up the 700 characters on your AMCAS application. Second, MMI eliminates bias. No matter how nice you are, you will not get along with everyone. Your chances are much higher when you are being evaluated by 8-12 people versus a single person who can literally decide your future.
Strategy:
I think @PugsAndHugs has done an amazing job with her MMI strategy.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/pugs-mmi-interview-strategy.1183568/
My strategy:
"KISS" and "PPD"
"Keep It Simple, Stupid" an acronym coined by the Navy in the 1960's that does wonders!
MMI is not the time for using extensive personal anecdotes to justify an issue nor for showing off how much you know about laws and ethics. You know about the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California case? Great, keep it to yourself! The point of an MMI is not to test your knowledge that you have haphazardly mustered a few days before the interview. You are there to show that you are not an automaton and possess the simple capability of a thought process. Introduce yourself and smile, briefly state your opinion, ask your interviewer if they have any questions for you (if they are silent), shake hands and say "thank you", and move on.
Only applicable to scenario questions:
Problem: State what you have read. This should not be longer than two sentences. The interviewer knows the prompt, so avoid regurgitating it.
Pathway: The scenario will be open-ended. Meaning, there will be more than one right answer; however, there will also be wrong answers. What do I mean? You will be presented with an ethical dilemma. There will be two extremes:
A) Flat out agreement B) Flat disagreement (avoid both)
Let's use this example:
"A 14 year old patient requests birth control pills from you and asks that you not tell her parents. What would you do? "
Extreme 1: You agree with the patient, give her the prescription, the end.
Extreme 2: You disagree with the patient, refuse her request without parental consent.
What's wrong with these answers?
1. By giving her the prescription without a conversation, you are not looking out for the patient's best interest. She might not know the dangers of unprotected sex and that the pill does not protect her from STDs and that it has side effects.
2. By disagreeing to give her the prescription, you are also not looking out for her best interest and you're not respecting her autonomy. Yes, she is a minor, but in most States, if not all, children have the right to see a physician for birth control without the parents' knowledge.
Best solution: Before offering the prescription, you first tell your patient that you will not disclose your conversation to her parents and then you are going to ask if she knows what birth control is? If she is already sexually active? Does she know about the dangers? Asking these questions, shows your thought process and guides you on your next decision. If she understands your concerns, prescribe the pill. If not, offer her pamphlets and schedule another appointment after she had time to think about it.
Discussion: At this point, you have presented your solution/thoughts on the matter. A quick summary could be helpful, but it is not needed. State why the extremes should be avoided. Stop and wait for the follow up question(s).
Relax and good luck!
After receiving several private messages regarding tips and how can one prepare for their upcoming MMI interview, I decided to start this thread to address some questions and share my MMI strategy.
So what is an MMI?
Each school has their own edition of the Mini Multiple Interview, which means that the amount of interviews (stations) varies from school to school. Usually between 8-12 stations. You have a few minutes to read the station's prompt and another 5-8 minutes to enter the station and have a conversation with the interviewer.
What is required for the MMI?
You, the ability to speak coherently for 5-8 minutes, and some basic knowledge of medical ethics.
What I am going to be asked during an MMI?
Again, each school chooses their own questions and how they want to ask those questions. In other words, you can be simply asked " Why XSOM?", " Why medicine?" ," Would you like to provide any additional information that is not listed on your AMCAS application?".
Then there are the scenario questions. The questions range from "what's your opinion on the matter?" to "What is the ethical issue and how would you respond to this situation?"
Why is the MMI an advantage to you and better than the traditional interview?
First, you have limited amount of time with the interviewer. As mentioned, each station will have a topic and this short interview will only revolve around it, so no surprises. In a traditional interview, anything is fair game. Like that research that you have done during your Sophomore year, which you have long forgotten about and only remember enough details to fill up the 700 characters on your AMCAS application. Second, MMI eliminates bias. No matter how nice you are, you will not get along with everyone. Your chances are much higher when you are being evaluated by 8-12 people versus a single person who can literally decide your future.
Strategy:
I think @PugsAndHugs has done an amazing job with her MMI strategy.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/pugs-mmi-interview-strategy.1183568/
My strategy:
"KISS" and "PPD"
"Keep It Simple, Stupid" an acronym coined by the Navy in the 1960's that does wonders!
MMI is not the time for using extensive personal anecdotes to justify an issue nor for showing off how much you know about laws and ethics. You know about the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California case? Great, keep it to yourself! The point of an MMI is not to test your knowledge that you have haphazardly mustered a few days before the interview. You are there to show that you are not an automaton and possess the simple capability of a thought process. Introduce yourself and smile, briefly state your opinion, ask your interviewer if they have any questions for you (if they are silent), shake hands and say "thank you", and move on.
Only applicable to scenario questions:
Problem: State what you have read. This should not be longer than two sentences. The interviewer knows the prompt, so avoid regurgitating it.
Pathway: The scenario will be open-ended. Meaning, there will be more than one right answer; however, there will also be wrong answers. What do I mean? You will be presented with an ethical dilemma. There will be two extremes:
A) Flat out agreement B) Flat disagreement (avoid both)
Let's use this example:
"A 14 year old patient requests birth control pills from you and asks that you not tell her parents. What would you do? "
Extreme 1: You agree with the patient, give her the prescription, the end.
Extreme 2: You disagree with the patient, refuse her request without parental consent.
What's wrong with these answers?
1. By giving her the prescription without a conversation, you are not looking out for the patient's best interest. She might not know the dangers of unprotected sex and that the pill does not protect her from STDs and that it has side effects.
2. By disagreeing to give her the prescription, you are also not looking out for her best interest and you're not respecting her autonomy. Yes, she is a minor, but in most States, if not all, children have the right to see a physician for birth control without the parents' knowledge.
Best solution: Before offering the prescription, you first tell your patient that you will not disclose your conversation to her parents and then you are going to ask if she knows what birth control is? If she is already sexually active? Does she know about the dangers? Asking these questions, shows your thought process and guides you on your next decision. If she understands your concerns, prescribe the pill. If not, offer her pamphlets and schedule another appointment after she had time to think about it.
Discussion: At this point, you have presented your solution/thoughts on the matter. A quick summary could be helpful, but it is not needed. State why the extremes should be avoided. Stop and wait for the follow up question(s).
Relax and good luck!
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