Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Strategies for PA School: A Comprehensive Guide

Preparing for PA school interviews can feel overwhelming, especially when facing the unique challenges of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).

Unlike traditional interviews, MMIs involve a series of short, focused interactions at various stations, each designed to assess different aspects of your abilities. Whether it's handling ethical dilemmas, behavioral questions, demonstrating communication skills, or thinking critically under pressure, MMIs test a wide range of competencies crucial for success in PA school.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the key strategies to help you excel in MMIs. We cover everything from understanding the MMI format and the types of questions you'll face, to mastering specific scenarios with practical examples.

I've included this detailed workshop video by Deanna Matzen, which provides insights on how to effectively navigate ethical, situational, and projective questions—core components of most MMIs.

Click here to access the webinar slides!

What is an MMI?

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are a series of short, focused interviews used by many PA schools to assess candidates.

Unlike traditional interviews, MMIs typically consist of 6-10 stations, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's abilities, including:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Self-awareness
• Maturity
• Empathy
• Critical thinking

MMIs aim to provide a more holistic view of applicants, going beyond academic achievements to assess character and interpersonal skills.

Why Are More Schools Using MMIs?

1. Multiple perspectives: With different interviewers at each station, schools get a more comprehensive picture of each applicant.
2. Reduced bias: Evaluation rubrics help limit subjective factors like charisma or chemistry.
3. Behavior over backstory: MMIs focus more on how candidates act in specific situations rather than their personal history.

MMI Format

MMIs can be conducted either virtually or in-person, typically following this structure:

• 5-10 stations
• 1-2 minutes to read a prompt
• 3-8 minutes to respond
• Possible break stations between active stations
• Total duration of up to 2 hours

Pro tip: For virtual MMIs, have paper and pencil ready for note-taking!

Types of MMI Questions

MMI questions can vary widely, but generally include:

1. Traditional
2. Behavioral
3. Ethical
4. Situational
5. Communication/Teamwork
6. Critical thinking
7. Data analysis
8. Role-playing
9. Essays

Traditional Questions

Traditional questions often focus on your motivations for pursuing a career in healthcare, your understanding of the PA profession, and your personal strengths and weaknesses. These questions are similar to those in a typical interview and assess your background, experiences, and aspirations.

Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions look at past behavior as a predictor of future actions. They often start with phrases like "Tell me about a time when..." or "Describe a situation where...". These questions evaluate your experiences and how you've handled specific scenarios in the past, highlighting your skills in teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical questions assess your ability to navigate complex moral situations. For instance, deciding between two patients who need a liver transplant tests your understanding of medical ethics and decision-making skills. These questions evaluate your capacity to weigh different ethical principles, such as beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, and to make balanced, thoughtful decisions.

Situational Questions

Situational questions present hypothetical scenarios to evaluate how you would handle specific situations. For example, you might be asked how you would respond if you witnessed a colleague committing fraud. These questions focus on your problem-solving abilities, ethical considerations, and how well you can apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Communication/Teamwork

Questions in this category assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively. They may involve role-playing scenarios where you must interact with a "patient" or "colleague" or participate in group discussions. These questions evaluate your communication style, teamwork abilities, and conflict resolution skills.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking questions test your analytical skills and ability to process information quickly and accurately. You might be asked to interpret data, evaluate the reliability of different sources of information, or solve complex problems. These questions assess your logical reasoning and ability to think under pressure.

Data Analysis

Data analysis questions require you to interpret and analyze information presented in charts, graphs, or tables. You might be asked to identify trends, make predictions, or draw conclusions based on the data. This tests your quantitative skills and your ability to make informed decisions using evidence.

Role-playing

Role-playing questions put you in hypothetical scenarios where you must act as a PA or in another professional role. This could involve interacting with patients, colleagues, or family members in challenging situations. These questions assess your empathy, communication skills, and professionalism.

Essays

Some MMI stations may involve writing short essays on various topics. These questions test your written communication skills, ability to organize your thoughts, and articulate your reasoning clearly and concisely. Essay questions may cover ethical dilemmas, healthcare policies, or your personal motivations.

Types of MMI Questions

The questions in MMIs can be categorized into several types:

1. Ethical Dilemmas: These questions assess your ability to navigate complex moral situations. For instance, deciding between two patients who need a liver transplant tests your understanding of medical ethics and decision-making skills.
2. Situational Questions: These scenarios evaluate how you would handle specific situations, such as dealing with a colleague committing fraud. The focus here is on your problem-solving abilities and ethical considerations.
3. Behavioral Questions: These questions look at past behavior as a predictor of future actions. For example, discussing a time when you worked effectively in a team.
4. Communication and Teamwork: Questions in this category assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively. This might involve role-playing or group discussions.
5. Critical Thinking: These questions test your analytical skills and ability to process information quickly and accurately.
6. Projective Questions: These are off-the-wall questions designed to see how creatively and uniquely you think. An example might be, "If you were a car, what kind would you be and why?"

This guide focuses on ethical, situational, and projective questions, which are crucial for PA school interviews.

General MMI Strategies

Do:

• Investigate thoroughly: Ask questions and seek clarity.
• Call on higher authorities: Reference laws, policies, or supervisors when appropriate.
• Qualify your statements: Be specific and precise in your responses.
• Consider all perspectives: Weigh different viewpoints before making a decision.
• Ask questions about unclear aspects: Clarify any ambiguities in the scenario.
• Take a clear stance or action: Show decisiveness in your answers.

Don't:

• Make exceptions to rules: Stick to ethical and professional guidelines.
• Dominate group discussions: Encourage participation from others.
• Overstep your assigned role: Respect the boundaries of your role in scenarios.

Ethical Dilemmas: Medical Ethical Principles

When faced with ethical scenarios, consider these four key principles:

1. Beneficence: Do the most good
2. Non-maleficence: Do no harm
3. Patient Autonomy: Respect the patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions.
   • Privacy (HIPAA)
   • Consent
   • Truth-telling
4. Justice: Ensure fair and equitable distribution of medical access

Situational Questions: What Would You Do?

For situational questions, focus on:

• Specific actions you would take
• Applicable laws and regulations: Consider legal implications
• Available resources: Identify the tools and resources at your disposal
• Similar past experiences: Use the SCARF method (Situation, Complication, Action, Result, Follow-up) to relate past experiences
• Relevant medical ethical principles: Integrate these principles into your response.

Example: The Liver Transplant Dilemma

Let's walk through a sample ethical/situational scenario:

Prompt: Two patients need a liver transplant, but only one liver is available. How would you decide between a 64-year-old retired politician who is a recovering alcoholic and a 26-year-old mother of three on welfare?

Answer Strategy:

1. Restate the prompt: Clarify the scenario.
2. Identify the central conflict: Highlight the limited resource.
3. Address ethical, legal, and professional limitations: Discuss relevant restrictions.
4. Identify what you need to know: Use if/then statements to explore different outcomes.
5. Take a stance: Make a reasoned decision based on the information provided.

Example response:

"If both patients had an equal chance of surviving the procedure and supporting the liver, and if both were fully aware of the risks and willing to undergo the procedure, and if I had to make this decision alone without higher authority, I would choose the younger mother. She has more life ahead of her and three dependent children. However, I would only do this if there were no other alternatives or solutions available."

Projective Questions: Thinking Outside the Box

Projective questions may seem unrelated to becoming a PA, but they assess creativity, critical thinking, and your ability to think on your feet.

Tips for answering projective questions:

• Draw from hobbies, interests, or experiences unrelated to healthcare: Show your unique personality.
• Prepare a list of unique facts about yourself in advance: Be ready with interesting anecdotes.
• Keep your answer concise but interesting: Engage your interviewer with a memorable response.

Example: "If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?"

Conclusion

Mastering MMI strategies takes practice, but with these tips and techniques, you'll be well-prepared to showcase your skills, ethics, and unique personality. Remember to stay calm, think critically, and let your true self shine through. Good luck with your PA school interviews!

Want more interview prep?

With our comprehensive mock interview package, you'll receive a 45-minute live mock video interview, feedback, suggestions for improvement, a link to watch and replay your recorded interview as many times as you like, along with expert strategies and tips to make your interview day a success.

Sources:

• MMI Interview: The Ultimate Guide (150 Sample Questions Included)
• The Savvy Pre-Med: Tips for Common Types of MMI Interview Questions (with Samples and Examples)
• The Savvy Pre-Med: 250 Sample MMI Interview Questions to Practice in 2021
• UCAT Masterclass: 6 Common MMI scenarios and how to ace them
• Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice

Resources:

Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the PA Profession

Stephen Pasquini PA-C Physician Assistant

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life, Smarty PANCE Board Review, and PASchoolfinder websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all, and to foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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Physician Assistant Physician Associate CASPA Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) PA School Interviews PA School Admissions PA School Personal Statements

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About this webinar Are you applying to PA school but worried about writing a compelling personal statement that will grab the admissions committee’s attention? Do you want to learn the secrets of crafting a PA school essay that stands out from the crowd and showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for PA school? ​ If so, then you don’t want to miss our webinar on Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement. ​ In this webinar, you will learn the following: What a personal statement is and how schools use them. You will understand the purpose and expectations of writing a personal statement and how schools use this information during the admission process. What to do before you start writing. You will learn how to prepare and organize your thoughts, research, and brainstorm your strengths and achievements. A successful structure for your personal statement. You will learn how to craft a clear, coherent, and compelling narrative that showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for their program. Common mistakes to avoid. You will learn how to polish your personal statement and avoid errors that could undermine your credibility or impact. By joining this webinar, you will gain valuable insights and tips on how to write a personal statement that increases your chances of admission to your desired PA school. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from our experienced PA school coaches. ​ Don’t miss this chance to learn how to write your best PA school personal statement. Register now and secure your spot for this webinar. You won’t regret it! ​

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