Question regarding student interviewers

[PickaGodnPray]

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I have interviewed with a few programs that have had a diverse selection of students that have interviewed me, from M1's to students taking a gap year from their medical school training. I recently had a student I mentor in my lab ask why M1's interview students and how they know who will make a good addition to the program. I understand their thought process as I relayed that I was interviewed by an M1 this fall, so they only had about 2-3 months of medical school to learn and make decisions on who they believe will make a good physician versus M4s who have been through almost the full program. I did feel like the questions I asked and what I wanted to learn more about the program wasn't answered as the student interviewing me didn't have enough of the school experience yet.
Is there anything M1s can offer over M4s in their perspective? Or is it more along the lines of students weeding out interviewees that they can tell they would not like to deal with in the program (gunners, narcissists, etc). I know very little about the student interview side and am just curious if there were additional reasons or if it was more along the lines of "these were the students who wanted to take a role in interviewing".

 

[pedneuro6894]

I’m just an applicant, but I would imagine the M1s are looking for people who they would enjoy having as a peer. Someone they would like to go to school with.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I had first-years (D1's) talk with interviewing candidates (but not interview) over lunch and give tours of campus. The D1's could best anticipate the candidates' questions and are more honest with their assessments of the school, even after a few months. Sure, they couldn't talk about clinical experiences or residency options , but the D4's and M4's were usually so busy or weren't on campus to focus on their own graduation plans.

The first-years also have "that sense" about whether the candidates were truly honest in their enthusiasm about the school or just "going through the motions." They could also communicate in "gen-z/gen-alpha" better than me.

 

[bankedsynapse]

I’m just an applicant, but I would imagine the M1s are looking for people who they would enjoy having as a peer. Someone they would like to go to school with.

One of the student interviewers at a school I interviewed at said this almost verbatim.

 

[Goro]

One of the student interviewers at a school I interviewed at said this almost verbatim.

Bingo!!!!

 

[Hollow Knight]

When I interview students I approach it in the same way faculty do. There’s not really a difference at my school anyway

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Many medical schools change their curricula frequently to address student input and adapt positive change. These changes can be major like adopting a systems based curricula, or minor like offering different scheduling options. M1s have a unique perspective on how the most recent academic year actually went, and can offer this insight to interviewees. M4s are very busy managing residency interviews this time of year and, in many cases, do not have the time to donate to the admissions committee.