Transition to multiple mini interview (MMI) interviewing for medical school admissions.

Tessa Langer,Colby Ruiz,Perry Tsai,Camilla Powierza,Lisa Rahangdale,Paul Alvarez,Ursula Adams,Gary Beck Dallahan,Ammu Vijay

doi:10.1007/s40037-020-00605-0

Abstract

IntroductionThe multiple mini interview (MMI) has been incorporated into the holistic review process in the selection of students to US medical schools. The MMI has been used to evaluate interpersonal and intrapersonal attributes which are deemed as necessary for future physicians. We hypothesized that there would be little difference in overall MMI evaluation data compared with traditional interview ratings.MethodsThe University of North Carolina School of Medicine developed an interview process that included a traditional interview and MMI format during the 2019 admissions cycle. Evaluation data along with key demographic variables for 608 MD program applicants were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.ResultsThe MMI format slightly favored female over male applicants (p = 0.002) but did not select for or against applicants based on age, race/ethnicity, underserved/rural area upbringing, or indicators of disadvantage. Out of 608 applicants, 356 (59%) completed a post-interview survey in which the experience was positively rated.DiscussionBased on our experience, the use of a hybrid model of traditional interviews complemented with MMI stations provided greater details in the assessment of medical school applicants while obtaining equivalent data and acceptability amongst applicants.

Highlights

The multiple mini interview (MMI) has been incorporated into the holistic review process in the selection of students to US medical schools
Based on our experience, the use of a hybrid model of traditional interviews complemented with MMI stations provided greater details in the assessment of medical school applicants while obtaining equivalent data and acceptability amongst applicants
8% applied for and were granted the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) fee waiver based on their family income

Summary

Introduction

The multiple mini interview (MMI) has been incorporated into the holistic review process in the selection of students to US medical schools. The selection process consists of prescreening applications by taking into consideration academic metrics, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and an inventory of extracurricular activities From this pool, applicants are invited for interviews to assess humanistic characteristics that include interpersonal and leadership skills. MMIs may be a superior method of screening for successful medical students based on interpersonal skills, which have been shown to have a positive association with clinical clerkship grades [3, 4] This method helps offset the effect of interviewer bias by integrating the assessments of an applicant by multiple interviewers [5] and has been shown to have better reliability compared with traditional interview formats [6]

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