How to approach the Mini-Medical Interview for Medical School

The mini medical interview is a Canadian import that is supplanting the standard medical school interview. Much like an Osce, you approach a room, read a scenario and then enter and have just a few minutes to accomplish the goal. Generally they ask you to perform some task or explain your position on an ethical issue. Heres how to handle it: 1. Read the paper on the door, think about it then tell them what you think in a calm, cogent, concise fashion. 2. Don't drone, don't be overly dogmatic, don't be a dick. 3. Consider other possibilities and say why you rejected them. 4. Be logical but show empathy. 5. If you mess up, put it behind you and go on to the next room. The personality trait they say they like is being 'ethical' which I assume means you have a system and you apply it consistently, but not rigidly. The Jerrant paper suggests what they really like is extroverted personalities... which makes sense and would probably have eliminated many brilliant physicians, starting with Halstead. The personality trait they probably should be selecting for is conscientiousness internal goal setting, following through on commitments, attention to detail. In addition to pontificating on your views, there will probably be some sort of highly frustrating activity wherein you will need to tell someone how to do something against strong structural impediments. Be kind, patient and encouraging. Try to have a sense of humor. If this sounds too vague, try calling your mother and walking her through scanning her computer for malware and updating all of her programs. If you can do it without being a total jerk, you should be in business. I highly recommend reading the following papers: Eva, et al, An admissions OSCE: the multiple mini interview, Medical Education 2004 Reiter, et al, Applied Research: Reflecting the relative values of community, faculty and students in the admissions tools of medical school. Teach and Learning in Medicine, 2010 Jerrant, et al Does applicant personality influence multiple mini interview performance
and medical school acceptance offers, Academic Medicine 2012

My personal opinion is that this is a sad commentary on the state of medical education. It is an attempt to standardize admissions, as if physicians were a standard product. In fact theres a huge range of personality types both within and particularly between specialties. The type of person who becomes a general pediatrician is quite different from the cardiac surgeon and different still from the pathologist. The academic general surgeon is often different from the private practice general surgeon. The state school is different from the ivy. Both medical schools and physicians are bespoke products, we learn from mentors who shape us in their image, which we both conform to and react against. A good admissions process is about more than lining up MCATs and GPAs, it is a chance to craft a class that reflects the character of the institution. Relying on an artificial construct like the MMI is a cop out, much in the same way that picking a mate by speed dating would be. Whether or not you agree with these thoughts, keep them to yourself on interview day. Good luck.