Medical School Interviews: MMI vs Panel vs Zoom
Panel and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) are two different formats of medical school interviews. They are designed to assess a candidate's suitability for medical school and potential as a future doctor. Here are the key differences between these two interview formats:
Panel Medical School Interview
Format: In a panel interview, you typically face a panel of interviewers, including faculty members, medical professionals, and other relevant individuals. They may even include medical students and psychologists.
Setting: It's a more traditional interview format, where you sit across from the panel, and they ask you a series of questions. Each panel member may ask you questions in turn, or one member can ask the questions with the others observing and taking notes.
Questions: Panel interviews often include behavioural questions (asking about your past experiences) and situational or ethical questions (presenting hypothetical scenarios for you to analyse). They are less likely to include practical tasks and role-play exercises.
Time: Panel interviews can be shorter than MMIs, usually lasting around 20-30 minutes.
Panel interviews are used traditionally at Barts (Queen Mary), Oxford and Cambridge Medical Schools.
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Format: MMIs involve a series of short, structured stations where you move from one station to the next, each with a different interviewer or scenario. There may be more than one examiner in each station.
Setting: MMIs are designed to assess various non-cognitive skills, such as communication, critical thinking, ethics, and teamwork. You interact with different interviewers at each station.
Questions: Each MMI station presents a specific scenario or ethical dilemma, and you are asked to respond to it or discuss it within a limited timeframe, often around 5-8 minutes per station. Stations can include role-play and need you to interact with a simulated patient or individual, usually portrayed by a professional actor. You can also be given practical tasks, for example, assembling a wheelchair.
Time: MMIs typically last longer than panel interviews, with candidates rotating through multiple stations, which can range from 6 to 10 or more, making the whole process more time-intensive.
Most UK medical schools use the MMI interview format, including many popular northern medical schools such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle medical schools.
Key Similarities between Panel and MMI Interviews
Both panel and MMI interviews aim to assess a candidate's personal attributes, communication skills, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
In both formats, interviewers seek qualities important for a medical career, such as empathy, professionalism, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations. In the past, each medical school set its topics for assessment, but now the Medical School Council (MSC) does have standard topics that most medical schools will use in interviews
Medical schools may use one or the other format or a combination of both in their admissions process. The specific format used can vary from one university to another, so applicants must research the interview style of the schools they are applying to and prepare accordingly. It's also a good idea to practice for both panel and MMI interviews to be well-prepared for any interview format you may encounter during the application process.
Certainly, both panel and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) formats have advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help applicants prepare effectively. Here are some disadvantages of each format:
Disadvantages of Panel Interviews
Intimidation Factor: Facing a panel of interviewers can be intimidating for some candidates. The formality and the presence of multiple examiners may cause nervousness and anxiety, potentially affecting a candidate's performance.
Limited Perspectives: In panel interviews, you are exposed to a limited number of interviewers. This means that your assessment relies on the opinions and biases of the individuals on the panel, which might not provide a comprehensive view of your abilities. Having said this, examiners nowadays undergo equality and diversity training, and steps are taken to minimise bias.
Time Constraints: Panel interviews often have limited time for each candidate. This constraint can make conveying your strengths and experiences challenging within the given timeframe.
Disadvantages of MMI Interviews
Stressful Environment: Moving through a series of short, intense stations can be mentally and emotionally taxing. The constant change of scenarios and evaluators can lead to stress and fatigue, potentially affecting your performance as you progress through the stations.
Inconsistent Interviewer Standards: Since different interviewers usually assess each station in an MMI, there can be variability in how they rate and score candidates. This lack of uniformity in standards might lead to inconsistencies in the evaluation process. Again, this can be minimised by using standard marking sheets for all candidates. Don’t allow the examiners to mark you by how you dress or smell instinctively down.
Lack of Opportunity for Follow-Up: In MMIs, you typically don't have the chance for follow-up questions or clarifications, as the format emphasises brevity and concise responses. This can be challenging, especially when you want to explain or elaborate on certain aspects of your answers. Medical schools rarely give any detailed feedback on your performance.
Pressure to Think Quickly: MMIs require candidates to think on their feet and make decisions rapidly, which can be challenging for individuals who prefer a more contemplative approach to problem-solving.
In summary, while both panel and MMI formats have disadvantages, it's important to note that they are designed to assess different aspects of a candidate's abilities and personality. Preparing for these interviews involves understanding their demands and tailoring your responses accordingly. Practising in realistic interview scenarios, seeking feedback, and honing your communication and critical thinking skills can help mitigate the disadvantages of both panel and MMI interviews.
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Medical school interviews can be conducted in person or via video conferencing platforms like Zoom, especially when there are constraints on in-person interactions, such as during a pandemic. International students may be offered a choice of in-person or remote interviews. In fact, before the proliferation of video conferencing, interviews were conducted using the telephone. Here are some key points to consider for both in-person and Zoom interviews for medical school:
In-Person Medical School Interviews
This has been the traditional model of interviews for decades for local students. You are given a date, time, and location to attend your in-person interview. You will not normally be allowed to be accompanied in your interview unless this is needed as part of a disability. Most medical schools in the UK hold in-person medical school interviews.
Advantages of In-Person Medical School Interviews
Face-to-Face Interaction: In-person interviews allow for a direct and personal connection with interviewers, which can help convey your personality and non-verbal cues effectively. This may be an advantage if you are a confident, extrovert personality.
Professionalism: In-person interviews allow you to exhibit professionalism and interpersonal skills through body language and eye contact.
Campus Experience: You can visit the campus and see the facilities, which can be valuable for your decision-making process if you receive an acceptance. There also may be talks about the medical school before your interview.
Challenges of In-Person Medical School Interviews
Travel and Expenses: Depending on the interview location, you may incur travel and accommodation expenses, which can burden some applicants. Some medical schools may offer some reimbursement for travel expenses. UK public transport is not always reliable and subject to delays and cancellations.
Time Commitment: In-person interviews can take up a significant amount of your time, which may be challenging if you have multiple interviews at different medical schools. Your sixth form will normally approve leave to attend such interviews, but you must catch up on the work you have missed when you return.
Medical School Interviews using Zoom
These became the standard method for medical school interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some medical schools continued to use this method even after the pandemic was declared over. Zoom is not the only platform used by medical schools. Microsoft Teams is also popular. Some medical schools using remote interviews include Bristol, and Brighton and Sussex Medical Schools.
Advantages of Remote Medical School Interviews
Convenience: Zoom interviews are more convenient as you can participate from home, saving time and money on travel and accommodation.
Accessible: It allows applicants to interview at schools that they might not have been able to attend in person due to geographical constraints. Remote interviews have been standard for international students long before the pandemic.
Flexibility: You can have notes and resources at your disposal (within the interview's rules), which can be helpful for reference during the interview. You can schedule your interview at sixth form during free periods, minimising disruption to your studies.
Challenges of Remote Medical School Interviews
Technical Issues: Technical problems, such as poor internet connectivity, audio or video issues, can disrupt the interview and affect your performance. Not all parts of the UK have broadband at the required reliability for interviews, and some students did interviews in sixth form. Not every student had access to a computer at home, and not all had internet access. This disadvantaged the poorer students.
Limited Non-Verbal Cues: Video interviews may not allow for the same level of non-verbal communication, making it important to be mindful of your body language and facial expressions. Whilst your webcam may only show the upper part of your body and face, do dress properly as you would in an in-person interview. We have reports of candidates sitting in underwear and webcams moving during interviews.
Reduced Personal Connection: Building rapport with interviewers and conveying your personality can be more challenging in a virtual environment.
Preparing thoroughly is crucial whether your interview is in person or on Zoom. Some general tips include:
Dress professionally and ensure a quiet, well-lit environment for your Zoom interview.
Practice answering common interview questions and develop concise, compelling responses.
Use a framework to help structure your answers, such as the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses to behavioural questions.
Familiarise yourself with the school's website, educational methods and unique features.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the school and program.
Adapting to the interview format and being flexible, confident, and well-prepared will increase your chances of success in in-person and Zoom medical school interviews.
