Both formats of Medical School interview want to see you as a real, thoughtful, empathetic human being—just in slightly different ways. It’s not about trick questions or being perfect; it’s about showing you can handle whatever comes your way, Monday or not.
The core preparation overlaps—know yourself, your motivations, and big ethical issues. But for MMIs (Multiple Mini Interview), you’ll want to practice thinking out loud, role-playing, and quick scenario responses. For traditionals, hone your storytelling and conversational skills.
Traditional Interview
In short—one or two people, longer talks, dig deep, follow-up questions, a chance to build rapport. This is the OG format, used for decades. Practically every med school used these before MMIs came along.
The classic one: You’ll meet with one or two interviewers (maybe a doctor, professor, or admissions staff), usually for 20–45 minutes. It’s even more like a conversation—you answer questions about your experiences, motivation, ethics, and maybe a few curveballs about medicine or your resume.
Traditional Interview Examples
Example #1: The “Why Medicine?” Question
Setting: You sit across from Dr. Stevens, who glances up from your resume with a kind smile and says,
“So, tell me—why do you want to be a doctor?”
Here, you might talk for a few minutes about your journey, key experiences, and what inspires you. Dr. Stevens may nod, ask you to expand on something, or follow up with, “Can you tell me about a time you overcame adversity?”
It’s conversational. You get to show your personality and depth, maybe even connect with your interviewer if you share a passion.
Example #2: Dealing with Conflict
Dr. Stevens leans in:
“Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member. How did you handle it?”
You share a story, maybe about a group project or a job, and describe what you learned. Dr. Stevens asks a follow-up: “What would you do differently next time?” Therefore, you get to reflect and go deeper.
Usually, the school decides—you don’t get to pick. Some schools only use MMIs now, some stick with traditionals, and some do both. Check each school’s website to see what’s up.
MMI
Multiple Mini Interview (or MMI) has been catching on since the mid-2000s, especially in Canada, the UK, and now more and more in the US and elsewhere. They were designed to be fairer and better at testing the skills you actually need as a doctor—like quick thinking, empathy, and communication.
Think speed dating for med school interviews! You rotate through a series of “stations” (like 6–10 in a row), each with a different scenario, question, or task. And, at each station, you’ve got about 5–8 minutes to respond. Sometimes you’ll role-play, analyze ethical dilemmas, or show off your communication skills.
MMI Examples
You walk into a small room. On the door is a prompt:
“You’re volunteering at a free clinic. A patient asks you for antibiotics for a cold, but you know it’s not appropriate. How do you respond?”
You have two minutes to think, then a new interviewer listens silently as you explain your thought process and how you’d communicate with the patient. No back-and-forth—just your rapid-fire take on the ethical and communication challenge.
OR, new room, new face again.
A role-player is there pretending to be an upset colleague who feels you aren’t pulling your weight on a shared assignment. You have five minutes to talk it out and demonstrate your conflict resolution skills.
The assessor just observes—no help, no hints.
Each station usually has a new interviewer, so fresh start every time. To sum up—short bursts, new person every time, no time to settle in, test your skills in the moment.
Which is Tougher?
Depends on you, actually! If you’re a natural conversationalist and love deeper, longer chats, you might vibe with traditionals. On the other hand, if you think on your feet and like variety, MMI might feel less intimidating.
If you’re “a fish in water” with the med stuff, time management isn’t a massive worry, but even the best swimmers can get caught off guard when the current changes. MMIs are about keeping your cool and staying focused when the scenery (and interviewer!) changes fast. Think of it as a test of your adaptability, not just your knowledge.
Yet, remember that MMIs can be more intense because there’s no time to settle in, but you get a “reset” with each new station. Here, the traditional interview can feel high-pressure because one awkward moment can feel like it lingers.
How Do You Prepare?
First of all, no matter which you choose, brush up on current events in health care, and practice staying calm under pressure. Traditional interviews test your depth; MMIs test your breadth.
- Going Traditional? Then know your story—motivation, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses. Practice classic questions (“Why medicine?”, “Tell me about a time you failed”, “How do you handle stress?”).
- If the MMI format then practice scenarios is your go—ethical dilemmas, teamwork, communication, and role-playing. Mock MMIs help a ton.
Both want to see the real you—your values, your heart, your ability to connect and adapt.
What MMI Courses Usually Offer
MMI courses are a tool, not a ticket. It can’t guarantee questions will be the same as the real thing. Yet, if you use them right, they can sharpen your skills and calm your nerves. Most are online these days—convenient, still not quite the same as feeling the “in-person energy” of a real MMI.
- Practice, practice, practice—Simulated MMI stations with feedback
- Tips & strategies—How to structure answers, manage nerves, show empathy
- Real-time feedback—Instructors (sometimes med students or doctors) tell you what you did well, and where to sharpen up
- Exposure to variety—Lots of different station types and personalities, so you get used to switching gears
It won’t magically give you empathy or communication skills—but it can help you express those qualities better.
And, keep in mind that online courses can’t perfectly recreate the butterflies and body language of an in-person event, yet, it’s a solid “dress rehearsal” experience for you no matter the result.
Are They Worth It?
- If you’re new to MMIs or get nervous thinking on your feet
A course can be super helpful. Practicing live, even over Zoom, gets you used to being “on the spot” with strangers and weird curveball questions.
- If you’ve never done role-play/interview scenarios
Feedback from someone who knows what med schools want can boost your confidence and iron out any awkward habits.
- If you’re already comfortable, self-motivated, and have access to a strong support group
You might not need a paid course. You can practice with friends, mentors, or even record yourself answering MMI-style prompts. Tons of free resources and practice stations are online.
- If you want to simulate the real deal
See if any courses offer an in-person mock MMI. Some do! Or, organize a mock day with fellow applicants—rotate roles as interviewer, interviewee, and observer.
Yet, self-driven prep—especially with honest practice partners—can get you just as ready, and maybe even more adaptable when the real day comes.
