Multiple Mini Interviews

Invited applicants will experience the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) style of interview. Applicants will participate in a circuit of eight independent short interview stations. They review a scenario for two minutes and then meet with a rater to discuss the scenario for six minutes. The applicant then moves to the next station and a new rater. The rater then provides an assessment of their interaction with the applicant. The station scenarios do not test or assess scientific knowledge but instead focus on issues such as communication, ethics, critical thinking, teamwork and opinions on health care issues.

Check out the New York Times article highlighting the power of the MMI and learn more about the process. 

Interviews are by invitation of the Admissions Committee and are arranged at a mutually convenient time. MD applicants interview during scheduled one-day events and MD/PhD applicants interview during scheduled two-day events. Interviews are held on campus in the iCELS area of the Albert Sherman Center. PURCH Track applicants will also be invited to interview at UMass Chan-Baystate in Springfield, MA. Applicants will be advised of their check-in times. MD Applicants should plan on the day ending at approximately 5 p.m. Interview day will include an orientation prior to the MMI, an overview of our admissions process and curriculum and financial aid presentations. Applicants will have the opportunity to meet current medical students who will provide information about student life at UMass Chan and give a tour of our state-of-the-art facilities. 

Due to the complex nature of the MMI, if an applicant arrives late or misses the start of the interviews, the applicant will have to return on another date to complete the MMI. Directions to UMass Chan Medical School can be found here. 

MMI Scenario Example

Since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak most health care institutions have put into place rigid visitor policies that allow a limited number of visitors to visit patients and only during specified hours of the day. In many health care institutions, a common restriction has been a limit of two visitors at a time during a six hour period each day. Initially, staff and health care organizations were very satisfied with visitor policies. However, patients, families and patient advocates launched multiple complaints regarding the restrictive visitor policies.

Consider the viewpoints both supporting and opposing restrictive visitor policies and discuss these with the interviewer.