How many people interviewed you?
| Response Average | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 5.08 | 25 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Positively | 21 |
| Negatively | 1 |
| No change | 3 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 5.27 | 26 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.33 | 18 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.78 | 18 |
No responses
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 0 |
| 10 minutes | 0 |
| 15 minutes | 0 |
| 20 minutes | 0 |
| 25 minutes | 0 |
| 30 minutes | 4 |
| 35 minutes | 0 |
| 40 minutes | 1 |
| 45 minutes | 1 |
| 50 minutes | 0 |
| 55 minutes | 0 |
| 60+ minutes | 20 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| At the school | 22 |
| At a regional location | 0 |
| At another location | 3 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| One-on-one | 21 |
| In a group | 4 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Open file | 8 |
| Closed file | 14 |
| Response Average | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 5.08 | 25 |
"Pros and Cons of self-directed learning and problem-based learning How have you prepared yourself for this type of learning (PBL and SDL)?"
"I signed a confidentiality agreement stipulating that I would not disclose any questions."
"- some medical quotes"
"Sorry, can't disclose! Prepare like you would for any other interview. Practice ethical questions, or situational (what would you do if...) type of questions, looking at both sides (all possible points), and come to a conclusion at the end. If you run out of ideas, they will ask follow-up questions to help you along."
"Cannot disclose. However, know yourself well and have a familiarity with difficult ethical issues. Always address both sides, but in the end, make a decision and stick with it."
"Cannot disclose. You should read the publications on the MMI just to get a feel for the process."
"Sorry, can't divulge."
"Sorry, I wouldn't be respecting the process if I provided any questions. Just a word of advice though, the practice MMI questions you find on the net are not the same as the questions asked at Mac. They are great practice...but the questions you will get will be like nothing you can find on the net. TRUST ME!"
"I'm holding a picture made up of felt shapes and I have to describe it to my partner so she can recreate the picture without having seen it. AFterwards we discuss our progress."
"I take the Fifth! lol"
"Mac keeps them confidential, sorry."
"no use providing quest...you MUST track down past MMIs...they are availalbe on the web"
"scenario where you had to calm down an actor (roleplaying)"
"Why medicine?"
"Why I want to be a physician"
"Who is your role model?"
"Question: How are you going to pay for school? Answer I should have given: none of your business. "
"Tell me about your volunteer experiences How do you know when you've learned enough? How do you balance your time?"
"I signed a confidentiality agreement stipulating that I would not disclose any questions."
"- ethical dillemas"
"Practice personal questions, communication skills with a partner, (giving directions/consoling them) etc."
"Expect some interactive activities with other applicants. Both of you will engage in a cooperative activity to test communication and teamwork."
"Sorry, can't divulge."
"It's the end of the world and you can save 2 people (from a given list of 10) who would you choose and why? What sort of information about these people might change your mind?"
"solutions to the doctor shortage in rural areas"
"Why not law?"
"How will you pay for your education?"
"What do I feel is a minority health population in Canada"
"How do you balance your time?"
"Why medicine, why mac? Describe a difficult situation, how you overcame it and what you learned."
"I signed a confidentiality agreement stipulating that I would not disclose any questions."
"- role playing (counsillor, friend, etc)"
"Expect to act out a full scenario with an actor that tests how you handle a difficult, high-stress situation. This can be very intense as the actors are trained and prepared to challenge you!"
"Sorry, can't divulge."
"What sorts of challenges do you anticipate as a medical student, as a doctor? "
"serial killer is moving in next door after being released from his sentence. What are his rights and what are your rights in the community?"
"Why medicine and not law?---seriously!!!!!! One interviewer just would not let go of this line of questioning. Obviously, I was not answering the question very well (&*$^%)"
"In what field of medicine can you see yourself?"
"They asked what questions I had at the end - so make sure you have something to fill in here! Initiate discussion...."
"Why medicine?"
"none"
"I signed a confidentiality agreement stipulating that I would not disclose any questions."
"MMI questions cannot be disclosed. Some interesting team work games which are popular at the ontario science centre ..."
"Can't disclose the questions. "
"Cannot disclose. The questions are all very different. Nothing unfair."
"Something do do with 'commiting a serious medical error', and how I would react."
"I had to tell a patient (actress) who had been trying to have a baby that she was infertile. She actually cried!"
"I'm under some sort of gag-order. In any case, the questions were interesting, albeit better suited to applicants to the Nicollo Machiavelli School of Public Policy."
"signed a confidentiality agreement... but the question was related to ethics and communications"
"most were very interesting! (but they're confidential)"
"--a drawing exercise where you had to describe the objects to another interviewer on the other side of a curtain"
"Social implications of gambling"
"What type of art medium do you prefer?"
"Did my volunteer role with a board of directors conflict with the medical community in any way?"
"Whether I thought that science was important in medicine... duh... yeah?"
"unsure"
"nothing. msotly the same old obvious questions. "
"You voiced your interest in international health...Would you feel guilty for going overseas to provide health care while many of your fellow Canadians are waiting months and months in long queues to be seen by a doctor?"
"none"
"I signed a confidentiality agreement stipulating that I would not disclose any questions."
"Not to disclose to much, but my thoughts on a medically related quote"
"Something along the lines of 'self-evaluation'."
"Social, Legal, medical implications of a needle-exchange program. Also asked to come up with some viable alternatives. "
"can't give specific question..but hardest for me to articulate involve the Health care system as a whole.. I don't read a lot of newspapers or watch the news..."
"--actually dealing w/ a bipolar indv (only you didn't know they were bipolar beforehand"
"Ethical questions"
"It was an extremely personal one that I am not comfortable divulging BUT it was legitamate and I had no problem answering it (but most would have)"
"Describe a situation that you experienced conflict and how you dealt with it?"
"Typical question about privitization about medicine in Canada..."
"What will you do next year if you don't gain admission?"
"stupid question: what if you get into toronto and mac?"
"Which celebrity do you see as a role model? ...this was a hard one for me because I wasn't expecting it and frankly, I don't view any celebrities as a role model. "
"Reading up on medical ethics; soul-searching about what I wanted from life, career goals, motives."
"mock interviews, talked to medical student, read up on current events"
"Read 'Doing Right' and practiced with friends."
"Read about MMI. Practised sample questions (available online). Read ethics book. Kept up with current events."
"Had several prior. Honestly, I was not interested in Mac which just put me more at ease which is absolutely key."
"Confidentiality agreements and respect for the school prevent disclosure. However, most of their questions test your ability to reason and think on the spot. Read the CMAJ's Bioethics for Clinicians Series, the Romanow Report, and the University of Michigan's guide to ethical questions."
"Reviewed Canadian HC news, reflected on my own experiences, mock interviews."
"Read up on ethical scenarios and the school's teaching philosophy and history. "
"Looked at past MMIs - same themes and focus. "
"I did not prepare. Preparation, though, really consists of tailoring your past experiences to your future merits as a physician."
"MMI practice... read the newspaper and listen to the news on t.v.(forced myself)... read articles, spoke with people to improve my communication skills"
"talked to Mac students; introspection; reviewed my application"
"I read ethics book and another book about the heath care system in Canada. I Read the MMI articles on the web. Mock interview. "
"--current events, ethics web sites, bios, mock quest. --IMP REVIEW PAST MMI QUEST"
"Brush up on general knowledge"
"Mocks, read, worried, stressed...."
"I probably over prepared. I read lots. What helped me the most for my interview at Mac was intorpective thought. Why medicine, why now, how do I deal with conflict etc."
"not much... this sight "
"I didn't"
"newspaper, review my responses"
"I read & re-read my autobiographical submission over and over again. I also thought of potential questions they might ask me and brainstormed ways to answer those. The most important thing is to know yourself well. Know what you want and why you want it. You may not be able to answer every question perfectly but that's ok. The interviewers know you're not perfect and the whole point of the interview is not to show that you're perfect. Show the human side of yourself. Be ready to talk about your interests, passions, and the things that motivate you in your pursuit of medicine."
"The efforts by students and faculty to create a positive atmosphere. The objectivity of the interview (MMI format, many interviewers & averaging of responses)"
"how friendly and supportive all the medical students were and how fast the process went. I got there at 6:45am and left at 9:30am!!!"
"They made sure you weren't hungry."
"Students were nice. Interviewers were friendly."
"The new MDCL building is very nice. very nice. "
"How nice all the staff, interviewers, and students were! The students were very involved in the process, and I felt at ease the whole day. They also fed us a lot of food!"
"Everything! From the moment you walk in, people are there to guide you. Nutritious food was served all day (breakfast, lunch, and snack during the MMI). The facilities were beautiful, students friendly, and presentations were all very well done."
"The interview process is actually fun! The facilities are nice."
"How nice/non-intimidating the interviewers were."
"Facilities were brand new. Medical students seemed very engaged with thier programs."
"The facilities, the hospital was quite nice, the students and faculty who spoke to us were very encouraging and accomodating"
"Nice People."
"the presentations from the students about the program and the 'way of life' as a med student"
"The first year students were very friendly. I also like the organiztion of the interview. "
"Learning about the teaching methods made me really enthusiastic about the program. Also, Student leaders were very willing to tell us more about the program."
"Organization of MMI process"
"--the organization of the MMIs"
"Innovative format of this year's interview. It was like a bell-ringer and it gave you the chance to interact with 12 different interviewers"
"Nothing was a stand out. "
"Despite relocation to a different venue last minute and the ice storm, the Mac staff did a great job of organizing the day. The students were VERY nice and helpfull. Great food, lots of support."
"The student's were amazing. The interviewers were really sweet and made me comfortable. The facilities were sweet (there's this room that looks like it's right out of dead poets society- it's really cool)"
"The friendliness of fellow interviewees AND students."
"the med students (nice and helpful). The other methods of evaluation: evaluating the short film and discussing issues with other group members was actually fun. "
"The whole interview process was very organized. The coordinators were very punctual. And the friendliness of the interviewers and student hosts was incredible. They really tried their best to make me feel comfortable. Realize that the interviewers are not actively searching only for your flaws and weaknesses. They really do want to get to know you, to see if your personality and learning style is a good fit for the Mac program."
"The length of the day."
"not being able to tour the hospital"
"Allowing the friends of some interviewers to stick around after interviews were over (i.e. during lunch)."
"The schools curriculum"
"The speaker for the Waterloo/Wellington campus failed to address shortcomings in housing and technology when asked about those issues."
"It's a LONG process. For the afternoon interview, the student presentation isn't until 5pm (and the day started at 11:30)."
"Nothing."
"Nothing really...just went there with an open mind."
"They interviewed so many people! (700+) and it was a very long interview day"
"Awful campus. It's a licensing body, not a school (curriculum review made that clear). A clean-cut all-American/Canadian lad/gal of the traditional stream of neurotic premeds (such as I) will not fit in there."
"im a northern gal.. driving in the big city is a challenge for me (got lost twice on way to interview.. got there after 1 hour of driving around when my hotel was about 10 minutes from the school)"
"Nothing major. I just wanted to give some feedback about the MMI, but they didn't ask us to fill feedback form. Also, one of the interviewer asked to entre the room before the 2 min time. "
"Student guide seemed really apathetic, almost annoyed about doing this..."
"--lots of waiting for no reason before the circuit"
"We didn't get a break during the entire 2 hours! Prepare for thirst."
"Ummmm, many people would have perceived the day as being negative and very poorly organized (e.g. 3 scheduling errors were made on my already re-scheduled interview) BUT I was fine with it. There were no school tours so McMaster remains a bit of a mystery. It was a long day (8 hours) so yeah, it was a bit painful (too much adrenaline for TOO long) but whatever...."
"Only the long wait between components of the interview. This could not be helped, however."
"Not much! It was great :)"
"The staff."
"the attitude of my interviewers. They were bored and all they wanted was their lunch break. "
"nothing really"
"What time the day would finish."
"Nothing really..."
"It is really impossible to prepare for the MMI. "
"Nothing."
"The entire day lasted ~7hrs."
"There is no need to be nervous. The questions are fair and it goes by quickly."
"They truly want you to BE YOURSELF...that will get you in. This would have decreased my stress level alot."
"Nothing. Mac was pretty straight forward with what was going to happen that day."
"i wished somebody had reminded me to relax a little!"
"NA"
"the MMI IS actually fun once you're in it."
"Nothing. I was well prepared."
"--that Mac lover creative answers + thinking...not practicality"
"Nothing. Everything was explained well beforehand. "
"I wish I had been told that my interview time may be re-scheduled. I had important plans for apres interview that had to be 86d without notice. "
"Nothing"
"Understanding the video portion is critical."
"The interview day solidified my desire to attend the school"
"It was an interesting day, interesting experience. I didn't get asked any ethical questions or any current events, just stuff about me. Meeting all the other premeds relieved a lot of built up stress!! I was given time at the end to ask questions and tell them something I didn't get a chance to."
"Good."
"Really fun. The students put you at ease, there are some interesting questions put forth.. overall a nice day with a nice lunch. "
"Surprisingly, had a lot of fun during the interview process."
"Simply amazing."
"Arrived and there was time to mingle with other interviewees and med students. We had a short introduction and then were brought to locations for the MMI. After the MMI, there was a great lunch and then student video and tours."
"After the first MMI, it was pretty non stressful. Beforehand, mingling with all the other applicants was fun. Eat something prior..it's a long interview."
"The MMI was alot more fun then I expected."
"Overall, I left with a good impression of Mac and its program and interview was a fun experience"
"I felt good about my answers. I also liked that the questions dealt with several issues, so a qausi-complete character-assessment could be made. the Autobiographical sketch component was awful though."
"very positive experience.. although its really hard to assess how I did.. this adds to the stress while waiting. I enjoyed the onsite ABS and the MMI process.. high quality of students, staff and facilities. "
"MUCH more fun than I'd anticipated! But many people still find it stressful."
"The day was long. We started at 8:00am and we finished at 3:40pm. However,I liked my interview experience at MAC very much. It was fun. "
"overall, the interview was challenging but fair in testing your understanding of situations and issues that you will likely encounter as an MD"
"MMI was good, I really enjoyed that portion, on-site ABS was stressful and made for a very long day..."
"--defintely a unique experience --know what you are getting into w/ MMIs or else..."
"Mac was great. I came out of there really energized. They could perhaps improve the process by incorporating more personal questions "tell me about yourself"...I found that very little was asked about my experiences and interests and most was about how much I know or how I think/act etc. "
"It was overall okay (ie I survived intact) but not great"
"I had a great time. Yes, it was stressfull, but the stress was completely self-imposed. All involved did everything they could to make it a fun and stress free day. Kudos and thanks to Mac."
"Very positive, friendly, non-confrontational. Please understand that this process is very subjective (I heard a LOT of criticisms and complaints post-interview among interviewees). I suggest you keep such comments to yourself."
"I was contemplating not even showing up for the interview. I'm more traditional and I thought mac would be too progressive and airy-fairy for me. but I learned a lot about the program that I hadn't known before hand (e.g horizontal electives) and the fact is that their program works (i.e. 95%+ pass rate on licensing exam, graduates get competitive residency placements). It's an awesome school and I'd be happy to go there. "
"I had a very positive interview experience. The people at Mac really succeeded in keeping me comfortable and relaxed. Mac's interview process is very unique to the school and it can be intense and nerve-wracking if you don't know what to expect. So do your research! Find out ahead of time what will happen during the different segments of the interview. That's why I did and so I felt extremely comfortable during my time there. Most of the interviewers were quite nice and supportive. I didn't feel like they were out to grill me or stump me. They really wanted to pick my brain and find out who I really am. One of my interviewers came across as being very disinterested in what I had to say. She was scrawling notes on her notepad the whole time I was talking and she didn't really give me much eye contact. If that happens to you, don't be shaken by it. Just maintain eye contact with the other 2 interviewers in the rooom and remain confident. I know this is a cliche but I think this is the best word of advice anyone ever gave me: BE YOURSELF!!! Show them who you really are. Don't be afraid to talk about your weaknesses and struggles but put a positive spin on things and talk about the lessons you've learned from those life experiences."
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Student | 18 |
| Faculty member | 0 |
| Admissions staff | 0 |
| Other | 2 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Enthusiastic | 12 |
| Neutral | 0 |
| Discouraging | 1 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.76 | 17 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| In state | 16 |
| Out of state | 1 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 0-1 hour | 6 |
| 2-3 hours | 3 |
| 4-6 hours | 4 |
| 7+ hours | 2 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| Airplane | 2 |
| Automobile | 12 |
| Train or subway | 2 |
| Other | 1 |
No responses
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| At school facility | 0 |
| With students at the school | 0 |
| Friends or family | 2 |
| Hotel | 4 |
| Home | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Response | # Responders |
|---|---|
| < $100 | 4 |
| $101-$200 | 4 |
| $201-$300 | 1 |
| $301-$400 | 0 |
| $401-$500 | 1 |
| $501+ | 0 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 7.94 | 18 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 5.61 | 18 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 5.76 | 17 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 8.00 | 3 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 8.00 | 3 |
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 8.00 | 3 |
We help students become doctors. TM
What is one of the specific questions they asked you (question 1)?