Interview Candidate Guide

The interview experience with the University of Minnesota Medical School is a half-day program conducted via Zoom Video Conferencing. 

Our hope is that you will have an informative experience by spending time with our staff, faculty, students, and community members.

Please review the information provided below and contact us at medadmis@umn.edu regarding any questions you may have.

Pre-Interview Checklist

1  Check your email 72 hours prior to your interview day for the Zoom login information.

2  Review the schedule and plan to be on time (note the interview start time and time zone).

3  Become familiar with the requirements needed to use Zoom via desktop or mobile device. Check for any Zoom updates and test your internet connection, camera, and microphone prior to your interview. 

4  Identify a suitable environment free of potential distractions to the extent possible (example: well-lit, nearby outlet, etc).

5  Download a virtual background if your computer system allows. 

6  Dress professionally, as you would for an in-person interview.

7  Review AAMC interview materials: Interview Resources for Medical School Applicants, ​Medical School Applicant Interview Preparation Guide, Preparing for a Virtual Interview, What it’s Like to Participate in Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)

8  Stay calm. We want this to go well for everyone involved! Our Admissions staff will be on Zoom with you and will provide direction throughout your interview day.

Interview Schedule

9:40 AM (CST) - Login to Zoom 

You will first enter a virtual waiting room before you are admitted to the Zoom meeting.

9:45 AM (CST)  -  Welcome and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Overview

Upon admission to the meeting room, candidates will update their name to display as First Name, Last Name. Pronouns may be added as well, if preferred.

Candidates will review all of the station questions and scenarios during the welcome presentation. Please note that none of the interviewers have had access to your application file.

10:15 AM (CST) - Freeform Conversation

This conversation will be with a volunteer member of the Medical School community - a faculty or staff member, student, or a community partner. The interview is a 20-minute recruitment conversation, which is a condensed version of the traditional one-on-one interview. In this evaluated interaction, candidates will be asked some open-ended structured questions and also have the opportunity to learn more about the medical school.

10:40 AM (CST) - MMI Begins

The MMI is a short question circuit exercise where applicants are presented scenarios that are designed to evaluate for a variety of attributes including but not limited to communication skills, professionalism, ethical decision making, and moral behavior.

Candidates will go through a 7 station MMI circuit. The stations will be 8 minutes in length with 4 minutes in between each station. 

The MMI stations will be staffed by members of the M Simulation team called Standardized Patients (SPs). SPs are individuals who are trained for any Human Simulation role including standardized/simulated patient, friend, peer, client, family member, etc. 

These station types include:

12:10 PM (CST) - Conversation with Medical Student Ambassadors

At this time you will meet with Admissions Ambassadors who are current medical school students. We welcome you to ask the Ambassadors questions about their perspective of and experience at the University of Minnesota. Admissions staff will not be present for this conversation.

12:40 PM (CST) - Driven to Discover Presentation

Our Associate Dean of Admissions, Dimple Patel, will share a brief presentation about the University of Minnesota Medical School and next steps in the Admissions process, followed by time for candidates to ask questions.

1:00 PM (CST) - Interview Day Concludes

MMI Interview Format

View the slideshow below to preview how the interview day will be conducted in Zoom. 

Zoom Troubleshooting

Should you encounter any technical difficulties during your interview, please utilize the private chat functions in Zoom to contact an Admissions staff member. If you are in a breakout room, use the Ask for Help option which can be found at the bottom of your Zoom breakout room window. If you have become disconnected or are experiencing other technical difficulties, we encourage you to use the Zoom call in feature or to contact us at medadmis@umn.edu.

Accommodations

We value the diversity each of our applicants would bring to the Medical School and we want to do everything we can to support you as an applicant. Please reach out to us if you have questions about interviewing in the virtual environment. We would be glad to support you and discuss alternative options or reasonable accommodations should you identify any barriers to your participation in a virtual Zoom interview. Contact us at medadmis@umn.edu if you have questions and/or need to request accommodations. If you prefer to work directly with the Disability Resource Center at the University of Minnesota, please contact Barbara Blacklock at black005@umn.edu.

Post-Interview Checklist

1  Submit your Application Update to medadmis@umn.edu by 11:59 PM (CST) the day of your interview.

2  Check your email 24 hours post interview for our feedback survey and link to submit virtual thank you messages with your interviewers.

3  Mark your calendar for our admission decision dates of December 8, 2023 and February 16, 2024.

4  Familiarize yourself with the AAMC's AMCAS Choose Your Medical School Tool.

5  Review the links and resources below for more information about the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Links & Resources

DEI Networking Night

We invite you to join our current medical students for a virtual conversation to learn more about the unique experiences of marginalized communities at the University of Minnesota. In addition to learning more about diversity initiatives, resources, and student groups at the University of Minnesota Medical School. We look forward to having you join us!

Mini Medical School

Held each Spring and Fall, Mini Medical School offers a unique glimpse into the health sciences at the University of Minnesota. Community learners with a shared interest in health embark on a journey examining the scientific foundations of health and disease. Presented using common language for ease of understanding complex topics, your guides are internationally renowned experts who are shaping the way health care is delivered locally and globally. These sessions will take place via Zoom.