Prepare for traditional and MMI interviews with confidence and authenticity
Understanding different BS/MD interview styles
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Format: One-on-one or panel with faculty/students
The traditional interview allows for in-depth discussion of your experiences, motivations, and fit for the program. Expect follow-up questions and conversational flow.
Duration: 6-10 stations, 5-8 minutes each
Format: Rotating through scenario-based stations
MMI tests your ability to think quickly, communicate clearly, and handle diverse scenarios. Each station is independent with a fresh start.
"A classmate asks to copy your homework. They're struggling with family issues. What do you do?"
"You're a doctor. Tell a patient (actor) they have a serious diagnosis."
"Work with another applicant to solve a puzzle without seeing each other's pieces."
"Should medical school be free? Discuss pros and cons."
"Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn't like."
"How would you improve healthcare access in rural areas?"
Set the context briefly
Explain what needed to be done
Describe your specific actions
Share the outcome and learning
Research common questions, review your application, create STAR stories for experiences
Daily practice with different question types, record yourself, work on body language
Schedule mock interviews with teachers, physicians, or counselors. Get feedback.
Refine answers, research specific programs, practice MMI scenarios, prepare questions
"I understand this is a significant commitment, and I've spent the past four years ensuring I'm ready. Through 300+ hours as an EMT, I've experienced the intensity and rewards of emergency medicine firsthand. I've seen difficult outcomes and celebrated saves, and each shift strengthens my resolve. My research on pediatric asthma showed me the scientific side of medicine, while volunteering at the children's hospital revealed the human side. I've shadowed physicians in five specialties, understanding both the challenges—long hours, difficult decisions, administrative burdens—and the profound privilege of healing. I'm not just choosing medicine; I'm choosing it with full knowledge of what it entails. The BS/MD path allows me to pursue this calling efficiently while maintaining the rigor I thrive in."
Why it works: Specific experiences, acknowledges challenges, shows maturity, demonstrates understanding