How to prepare for your Medical School Interview (Canada)
I can still remember the feeling of getting my first medical school interview invitation. I was in my school’s gym doing tricep pushdowns. I vividly remember checking my e-mail between sets as well as the huge burst of excitement when the notification came in.
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! Based on statistics, you’ve now got about a 50% chance at becoming a doctor, hooray!
Whether this is your first ever interview or you’ve struggled for multiple cycles trying to figure out why you can’t seem to get past the interview stage, my hope is that this blog post will serve to steer you in the right direction.
Of course, we would be thrilled to work with you through our personalized, one-on-one mock interview services but we always recommend that our students to exhaust their free resources first (this blog post included)!
Table of Contents:
1. Understand the Interview Format:
The first step in your interview preparation will be to determine your interview format. If you’ve got more than one interview and/or more than one interview format to prepare for, don’t stress. While it’s helpful to know the format ahead of time, preparing for an MMI will help you in a traditional panel setting and vice versa.
Below is a breakdown of the interview formats used by medical schools across Canada:
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
The MMI consists of a series of short, timed stations where you’ll respond to various scenarios, ethical dilemmas, or personal questions. Each station typically lasts 5-10 minutes and there are typically about 10 stations per MMI.
Schools using MMI:
Panel Interview
A traditional format where a group of interviewers (faculty members, medical professionals, and sometimes students) asks questions about your background, motivations, and suitability for medicine.
Schools using Panel Interviews:
Modified Personal Interview (MPI)
This format involves a structured conversation with multiple interviewers focusing on your personal experiences, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Basically, it’s somewhere between an MMI and a panel interview in that the stations are usually slightly longer (~12 mins) and there are usually fewer stations (historically 4 stations).
Schools using MPI:
Hybrid Formats
Some schools use a combination of MMI, panel interviews, and situational judgment tests tailored to their unique selection process.
Schools using Hybrid Formats:
Key Tip: Research the specific format used by the schools you’re applying to. Each school may have unique variations or expectations.
2. Review Common Themes and Questions
Though each interview is unique, there are recurring themes and questions that most medical schools tend to explore. Review and practice responses to the following common topics:
Personal Questions
Motivation for Medicine: Why do you want to become a doctor? What personal experiences have shaped this decision? Why not another healthcare professional?
Challenges and Resilience: Tell us about a difficult situation you’ve faced and how you overcame it.
Situational Questions
Ethical Dilemmas: How would you handle a situation involving patient confidentiality, workplace power dynamics or a medical error?
Teamwork and Leadership: Can you describe a time when you worked in a team? How did you handle conflicts?
Communication Skills: How do you communicate effectively with patients and colleagues?
Political Questions
Canada’s healthcare system: While you’re unlikely to get asked directly about how Canada’s healthcare system works, interviewers may assume you know at least the basics (e.g., public vs. private). What are some of the pros and cons of 1-tier vs. 2-tier healthcare systems?
Current events in Canadian Healthcare: It’s a good idea to stay up to date on the recent developments in Canadian Healthcare. Topics include: Canada’s opioid crisis, physician shortages, rural healthcare accessibility, etc. We recommend having a browse through the front page of Healthy Debate.
Indigenous reconciliation: Understanding the history of Indigenous people in Canada may be a theme that comes up in your interviews. You’ll want to have a basic understanding of this topic as well as how it may apply in the context of healthcare..
3. Reflect on Your Experiences, Strengths and Weaknesses
Self-reflection is key when preparing for a medical school interview. Take some time to review your application and experiences. Think about:
Your Strengths: What qualities make you a strong candidate for medical school? Are you empathetic, hardworking, or a strong communicator? Be ready to highlight these attributes with specific examples.
Your Weaknesses: It’s also important to identify areas for growth. Reflect on past challenges and what you’ve done to improve. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can acknowledge weaknesses and demonstrate a commitment to self-improvement.
By understanding both your strengths and weaknesses, you’ll be able to answer questions more confidently and authentically.
4. Optimizing Your Virtual Setup
In recent years, many medical school interviews have shifted to a virtual format. If your interview is online, it’s crucial to ensure your setup is optimized for success. Consider these tips:
Test Your Technology: Ensure your internet connection, camera, and microphone work well. Test your video conferencing software ahead of time to troubleshoot any potential issues.
Choose a Quiet, Well-Lit Environment: Find a quiet space with minimal distractions. Make sure the lighting is bright enough to clearly see your face. Avoid cluttered or distracting backgrounds.
Dress Professionally: Even though the interview is virtual, dress as you would for an in-person interview. You never know if you might have to inadvertently stand up…
Let others know: Make sure to give other’s in your household plenty of notice that you’ll be conducting interviews so they can respect your privacy and avoid interruptions! It’s also a good idea to have an “interview in progress” sign posted on your door in case your roommates/family members tend to have a short memory.
Maintain Eye Contact: Look directly into the camera when speaking, rather than focusing on your image on the screen, to create a sense of eye contact with the interviewers.
By preparing your virtual setup in advance, you can ensure that the technical aspects of your interview go smoothly.
5. Preparing Questions for Your Interviewers
At the end of the interview, you’ll likely be given the opportunity to ask questions. This is your chance to demonstrate your interest in the program and learn more about the school. You might be thinking “I’d be happy to get in to medical school anywhere, what questions could I possibly have for them!?”
Fair enough.
Given how competitive getting into medical school is in Canada, it’s natural to wonder what questions you’d even ask if given the opportunity. However, keep in mind that the most competitive candidates often get offers to multiple schools. Even if you only have one interview, put yourself in the shoes of someone who has multiple offers! With this in mind, think about the questions that you might want to ask about if you were deciding between different schools.
When you take on this perspective, the questions you ask should naturally come from a place of genuine curiosity into the nature of the program, the culture of the school you’re applying to and the community you’ll be living in for the next 3-4 years.
Example questions include:
How does the school support students’ professional goals (e.g., CaRMS matching, elective opportunities, mentorship)?
How would you describe the culture of ***INSERT MEDICAL SCHOOL***?
Can you tell me more about what it’s like to live in ***INSERT CITY***?
Avoid questions that can easily be answered by reviewing the school’s website. Instead, ask about specifics that reflect your genuine interest in the program and the unique aspects of their medical curriculum.
6. Research the Schools
Each medical school has a unique mission, values, and priorities. Review the program’s website and understand:
The school’s focus (e.g., rural healthcare, research, community engagement).
Key traits they look for in applicants.
Specific programs or initiatives that align with your interests.
Tailor your responses to demonstrate how your values and experiences match the school’s mission.
7. Day-of Tips
Arrive Early:
Whether in-person or virtual, ensure you’re ready well before the scheduled time.
Stay Calm:
Take deep breaths and approach each station or question as a fresh opportunity.
Be Honest:
If you don’t know an answer, admit it and explain how you would approach finding a solution.
8. Don't just practice, practice effectively!
Practice with Strangers: Practicing with individuals unfamiliar with you can simulate real interview dynamics. However, take their feedback with a grain of salt, as it may not always align with professional expectations.
Timed Responses: Especially for MMI, practice answering questions within a set time limit (typically 5-8 minutes).
Record Yourself: Reviewing video or audio recordings of your responses can help you identify areas for improvement.
Mock Interviews: Schedule mock interviews with mentors, peers, or professionals who can provide constructive feedback.
While we always recommend practicing with friends, family-members and strangers, each of these groups of people have their own biases that can negatively impact the quality of feedback you receive. It’s important to be mindful of these biases when evaluating feedback from these groups of people.
Final Thoughts
Here at Canadian Premed, we’re a team of residents and medical students with first-hand experience navigating the Canadian MD interview process. As alluded to above, there is really no substitute for a professional, full-length mock interview with one of our consultants.
Ready to get started?
Head on over to our interview services page and book your full-length mock interview today.
