Canadian Medical School Interviews: Formats, Selection Criteria & Tips
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Picture this – you’ve finally hit submit on your Canadian medical school application. A wave of relief washes over you – after all that hard work, it’s finally done! But then, another thought creeps in: Now what?
The wait between submitting your application and (hopefully!) receiving an interview invite can feel unbearable. And if you’re anything like most applicants, you probably have a few questions in the meantime. That’s where I come in! I’m here to answer some of those questions and help keep your mind occupied while you wait.
In this article, I’ll break down the different interview formats used by Canadian medical schools and explain how each school selects candidates for interviews. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect and a better understanding of how schools assess your application.
Canadian Medical School Interview Formats
Canadian medical schools use a few different interview formats, including Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), panel interviews, and one-on-one interviews (also known as Modified Personal Interviews, or MPIs). Some schools even use hybrid formats that combine elements of these styles. Understanding the structure of each format is key to feeling confident and prepared on interview day – so read on to learn more!
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is a fast-paced, station-based interview format designed to assess a wide range of skills beyond academics. Instead of a single, long conversation, you’ll rotate through a series of short, timed stations, each presenting a different scenario, question, or task. These could involve ethical dilemmas, role-playing, or traditional interview questions. The goal is to evaluate your critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic setting.
Panel Interviews
This is the interview format most people imagine when they think of a medical school interview – you, the interviewee, facing a panel of interviewers. The composition of the panel varies by school, but it often includes faculty members, practicing physicians, upper-year medical students, and sometimes community representatives.
One-on-One Interviews/Modified Personal Interviews
The One-on-One Interview, also known as the Modified Personal Interview (MPI), is a structured interview format where you’ll have multiple individual conversations with different interviewers. Each interviewer assesses specific aspects of your application, such as your experiences, problem-solving skills, or ethical reasoning. This format allows for a more in-depth discussion of your background and motivations while still maintaining a standardized evaluation process.
This setup gives you the chance to showcase your abilities in a more personalized setting while ensuring a fair and consistent assessment.
*Disclaimer: Admissions practices for Canadian medical schools are dynamic and constantly changing, so be sure to double-check each medical school’s admissions site, linked below
Interview Formats By Canadian Medical School
See below for a helpful table that lists the interview type used by each Canadian medical school!
| Canadian Medical School | Interview Format |
|---|---|
| Western | Panel |
| U of T | Modified Personal Interview *U of T conducts its interviews virtually, using a format called the Virtual Modified Personal Interview (vMPI). Instead of speaking to an interviewer, you’ll record your responses within a set timeframe |
| McMaster | MMI |
| Ottawa | Panel |
| Queen’s | Hybrid (MMI first, then a select number of candidates will be invited for a panel interview) |
| TMU | MMI |
| Northern Ontario | Hybrid (MMI and Panel) |
| McGill | MMI |
| UBC | MMI |
| Calgary | MMI |
| Alberta | Hybrid (combination of MMI questions and traditional interview questions) |
| Saskatchewan | Hybrid (MMI first, then a select number of candidates will be invited to complete a panel interview/conversation circle) |
| Manitoba | MMI |
| Memorial | MMI |
| Dalhousie | MMI |
Canadian Medical School’s Criteria For Interview Selection
Now that you have an idea of the interview format for each Canadian medical school you may be asking yourself – how do the medical schools decide who to interview? The answer to this isn’t always simple, but I’ve compiled a helpful table below that lists the components that each school considers when deciding which candidates to invite to an interview.
| Canadian Medical School | Interview Selection Components |
|---|---|
| Western | MCAT, GPA, Abbreviated Autobiographical Sketch (AABS), References |
| U of T | Brief Personal Essays, *ABS Statement, ABS, GPA, MCAT, References |
| McMaster | 32% CASPer, 32% GPA, 32% CARS *up to a 4% graduate degree bonus |
| Ottawa | CASPer, GPA, ABS, References |
| Queen’s | MMI: Random selection - candidates who meet academic (MCAT, GPA & CASPer) thresholds will be selected for the MMI through a randomized selection process Panel: MMI performance (detailed review of ABS and references happens after invited for panel interview) |
| TMU | Supplemental Questions, Kira Talent Assessment, ABS, GPA, References |
| Northern Ontario | Context Score, GPA |
| McGill | 20% CASPer, 10% **CV, 70% Academic/GPA |
| UBC | Overall academic average (GPA), Non-Academic Qualities Score |
| Calgary | GPA (20%), CARS (10%), Global Assessment of Academic Merit (10%), Intellectual Curiosity Scholarship and Research (10%), Evidence of Communication Skills (10%), Evidence of Interpersonal Skills and Collaboration (10%), Evidence of Maturity Insight and Resilience (10%), Evidence of Commitment to Communities & Advocacy on Behalf of Others (10%), Evidence of Organizational Management and Leadership (10%) |
| Alberta | GPA, MCAT, CASPer, References, Personal Activities *Applicants who are earned a graduate degree are eligible for extra points towards their rank score |
| Saskatchewan | CASPer, MCAT, University Academic Average (UAA), DSAAP (Diversity and Social Accountability Admissions Program) Index, Saskatchewan Connectedness Index |
| Manitoba | (20% AGPA + 50% MCAT + 30% CASPer) X (rural coefficient if >0) X (academic co-efficient if >0) X (socioeconomic and cultural diversity co-efficient if >0) |
| Memorial | GPA, CASPer, Work Experience, References, and Volunteering and/or Community Involvement |
| Dalhousie | 50% GPA, 25% MCAT, 25% CASPer. *For applicants in the Other Canadian pool, an applicant's reasons for choosing Dalhousie Medicine as their preferred choice is also considered |
*ABS stands for OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch
**CV stands for curriculum vitae – in other words, your extracurriculars
For more information on how exactly some of these metrics are used (eg. MCAT cutoffs vs competitive scoring, GPA averages etc.) check out these articles!
Final Thoughts
Getting a better grasp of the interview process for Canadian medical schools can make all the difference in your prep! With different formats like MMIs, panel interviews, and one-on-one discussions, each school has its own way of getting to know you. By learning what to expect from each school and how they choose who to interview, you’ll feel much more at ease and ready to shine when the time comes!
I hope this article has brought you one step closer to achieving your dream of becoming a doctor! Best of luck – you’ve got this!
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