Specific MMI Scenario Question

[MedSchoolAdvice20]

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Hi all! I was presented with a scenario during an MMI (at a school that I will leave anonymous) which seems to be a popular one from what I've read. I was asked to interact with an actor/actress of opposite gender with the prompt being that the other person was a long time friend who is acting increasingly distant and seems depressed. My question is this... Every instinct of mine as a human was to create physical contact with the person, because I knew if it was a close friend the first thing I would have done was hug them. However, due to the professional nature of the interview, let alone the opposite gender and an age difference of at least 10 years between myself and the actor/actress, I held back from doing so. Any thoughts on the proper way to address this? Thanks!

 

[piii]

You're fine don't overthink it

 

[DokterMom]

Remember that scene in The Lion King where Rafiki bonks Simba on the head?

There's your answer -- "It doesn't matter - it's in the past"

 

[LuluLovesMe]

Remember that scene in The Lion King where Rafiki bonks Simba on the head?

There's your answer -- "It doesn't matter - it's in the past"

I agree. The correct response to this MMI scenario was to bonk the actor on the head. Not doing so has hurt your chances greatly.

 

[MedSchoolAdvice20]

While I typically love and appreciate the sarcasm on this forum, I was hoping to get a legitimate answer on your thoughts in case I see a similar situation in a future MMI. Thanks though fam!

 

[bc65]

It's safer not to touch. There's lots of risk if you do, and very little additional benefit over and above your verbal compassion. Touching could be misconstrued in a real life situation, more so if you're dealing with actors.

 

[order66.exe]

It's safer not to touch. There's lots of risk if you do, and very little additional benefit over and above your verbal compassion. Touching could be misconstrued in a real life situation, more so if you're dealing with actors.

Agree with this.

Besides, can you imagine if you actually hugged the actor? That might get a little awkward don't you think?

 

[LizzyM]

You could use gestures that suggest that you would be open to touching/ hugging if the other person is so inclined (open palms, outstretched arms). Also acknowledging your observations, validating the other's feelings, and to offer to help, as well as recommending professional help, if appropriate.

 

[MedSchoolAdvice20]

It's safer not to touch. There's lots of risk if you do, and very little additional benefit over and above your verbal compassion. Touching could be misconstrued in a real life situation, more so if you're dealing with actors.

Thank you! That was kind of my thinking, I just knew if it was "a long time friend" in a real life situation, I would initiate some kind of contact.

 

[DokterMom]

While I typically love and appreciate the sarcasm on this forum, I was hoping to get a legitimate answer on your thoughts in case I see a similar situation in a future MMI. Thanks though fam!

Actually I wasn't being sarcastic -- Just suggesting that most pre-meds are prone to overthinking and neuroses, so worrying now about a past action that you can't change is counterproductive to your mental health. You made a perfectly reasonable (and I think correct) judgement call -- but if you put it under a microscope long enough, you can find things that were somehow imperfect or questionable.

You didn't hug the actor for exactly the reasoning @bc65 said -- that's high risk of being inappropriate. Maybe a hug would have been warmer, but I'm sure you made the types of non-verbal gestures that indicated you were considering it. Now don't let yourself obsess --

 

[wagonwheel23]

Funny, I actually had similar neuroses after an MMI. I think the instinct to not touch a stranger is correct. However, an actor in an MMI station I was in did give me a big bear hug...

 

[pageantry]

Funny, I actually had similar neuroses after an MMI. I think the instinct to not touch a stranger is correct. However, an actor in an MMI station I was in did give me a big bear hug...

Oh man, that was so creepy for me.
I obsessed over my reaction in that one for weeks. I still want to know what they thought. I basically refused to do what the prompt told me I was there to do, verbalized why, and then spent the last minutes chatting with him about other topics while he tried awkwardly to get me back on track.

Result: accepted?!?

 

[wagonwheel23]

@pageantry I would pay serious money to sit in on those adcom meetings, hah.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Would one be okay if they just put their hand on the actor's shoulder? Or alternatively can you ask the rater if you have permission to initiate slight physical contact?

 

[pageantry]

Maybe try gently brushing their hair back and nuzzling behind the earlobe.

Read it in Cosmo.

 

[BluMist]

I thought reading Cosmo results in automatic rejections. I hope you did not post too much PII here.

Maybe try gently brushing their hair back and nuzzling behind the earlobe.

Read it in Cosmo.

 

[pageantry]

I thought reading Cosmo results in automatic rejections. I hope you did not post too much PII here.

Common misconception! That said, sticking your whole entire tongue into the ear canal is a definite Hail Mary move.

It's all about reading between the lines.