Session 22

What are the different types of MMI stations you can encounter on your medical school interview day?

MMI stands for Multiple Mini Interview. This format is has been spreading like wildfire throughout U.S. and Canadian medical schools. The MMI has different types of stations where you do several short interviews. Today let’s look at what those MMI stations are.

Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

[00:58] The First Two Types of MMI Stations

The first two types of MMI stations are scenario stations. One is acting-based while the other involves discussing your thought processes with the interviewer.

With the scenario MMI stations, you walk up to the station and read the scenario. It’s usually an ethically complicated or difficult scenario you may face as a doctor.

In some of these stations, you just go in and explain your thought process to the interviewer. You need to be able to thoughtfully and respectfully explain why you have a certain view on abortion, euthanasia, or stem-cell research, for example.

[Related episode: Medical Ethics Questions You Can Expect in Your Interview.]

In acting-based MMI stations, you’re talking to an actor who poses as a patient. The patient has issues that you need to go in and discuss with them. You tell them they have cancer, or you go in and talk to an angry patient to try to calm them down.

[02:15] The Third Type of MMI Station

The third type of MMI station is where you go in and answer a very standard medical school interview question. You encounter questions like “Why do you want to be a physician?” Or you’re asked about a difficult time in your life, or why you want to go to this school. A lot of MMIs have this kind of station.

[Related episode: What Should I Do If I’m Faced with a Hard MMI Scenario?]

[03:05] The Fourth Type of MMI Station

This is the “teamwork” MMI station, where you’re working together with another student. You walk in and you’re given a piece of paper. You have to describe it to the other student who hasn’t seen it. The paper might have a picture on it. Or you may be reading out instructions for the other person to do something. This station assesses how well how you can communicate and work together as a team.

The Lego Bricks is another popular type of MMI station that fits in this category. Instead of seeing a piece of paper with a drawing on it, you see a completed Lego brick structure. Then you have to explain to your teammate how to put the Lego bricks together.

Links and Other Resources

• Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT.
• Related episode: Do I Have to Know Laws or Specific Medicine for the MMI?
• Related episode: What Is My Goal in the MMI?
• Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep)!