Interviews

At the UBC Faculty of Medicine an important part of the admissions process is the interview. We work to ensure that the applicants we choose are well-rounded individuals who meet the expanded, distributed program requirements. Selected candidates will receive their interview invitation through the Online Application System (OAS).

A sub-set of applicants will be interviewed, based on results of file reviews of academic and non-academic evaluations. The interview process follows the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) model which exposes an applicant to approximately 10 interviewers and requires that they deal with a carefully pre-selected scenario/situation within a determined time frame. The interviewers typically consist of a combination of academics, clinicians, community representatives and UBC 3rd or 4th year medical students, representing diverse geographic areas of British Columbia.

Interview Dates 2023 / 2024 Cycle

If invited to interview, our online interview reservation system will allow you to schedule your own interview date and time. Please select your interview date and time wisely. Once the interview reservation system closes you will not be able to modify your date or time.

Saturday, February 3, 2024
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Saturday, February 10, 2024

Virtual Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) Format

Virtual interviews for UBC MD undergraduate program admissions follow the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format, where each applicant will rotate through 10 different interview stations. All interviews will be completed through the Kira Talent interview platform.

Prior to a virtual interview, we recommend you consider the following:

  • Find a private and quiet place to complete your virtual interview. There should be no other individuals present during your interview to listen to, document, or distract you from the interview process.
  • Consider what you will wear so that you appear in a professional manner. You do not need to wear a suit, but a degree of professionalism is expected.
  • Be aware of your background. While it is not always possible to control your space, it is advisable for you to make sure the area behind you is tidy and/or not distracting. This can mean angling your computer in such a way that a neutral background is showing or putting up a sheet or screen. Please do not rely on a virtual background. We encourage you to test this in advance of your interview and work with friends and family to find a solution that works best for your unique situation.
  • You are not permitted to record or document any portion of the virtual interview; this includes hand-written or digital documentation. Looking up information or use of any outside resources is also strictly prohibited. Please be sure to remove your cell phone, smartwatch, or other technologies from the room you are interviewing in. The only item you should have with you during the virtual interview is a water bottle.
  • We strongly suggest you fill and prepare a water bottle prior to the start of your interview cycle. There will be no time to leave your computer once the interview commences.
  • We recommend using the washroom prior to the start of your interview cycle.
  • The stations are designed to be challenging, interesting, and engaging so that applicants can demonstrate their communication and critical thinking skills, as well as their personality.
  • The interviewer pool is diverse: MD Undergraduate Admissions has chosen clinicians, academics, community members and UBC 3rd & 4th year medical students from a variety of geographical areas across BC. They will also be connecting from their homes or secured office space, so you will be interacting with people in a range of settings.
  • We will give further detailed information regarding the MMI in the information package we send to those invited for interview.

Note: Interviewers do not discuss the performance of applicants amongst themselves and each station is scored independently.

Panel Interviews

Applicants who choose to apply through the Indigenous, Northern and Rural, and / or MD/PhD admissions pathways may be invited to attend a separate panel interview specific to the pathway chosen. The panel interviews take place around the time of the MMI, and will be used in conjunction with all aspects of an application to determine an applicant’s suitability for the admission pathway.

Indigenous Panel Interview

Along with the MMI, Indigenous applicants who choose to apply through the Indigenous Admissions Pathway may be offered an interview with the Indigenous Interview Panel. This interview takes place on the same weekend as the MMI, at the UBC First Nations Longhouse (if in-person). All panel interviewers are Indigenous and the panel is usually made up of on an Elder and 2-3 other members.

Northern and Rural Panel Interview

Applicants who fill out the Northern and Rural Training Section of the application and who successfully qualify for an MMI interview may be invited to participate in a virtual Northern and Rural panel interview.

MD / PhD Panel Interview

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the MD Program and the PhD Program will be further assessed by the MD/PhD committee and shortlisted for interview by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee. The interview panel would consist of two faculty members, a current MD/PhD student, MD/PhD Director or Associate Director or both.

Interview Preparation

We prefer not to give advice about how to best prepare for the interview. Many applicants, who do very well, practice or prepare on their own by reading different materials, searching for MMI information on the internet, and/or practicing with their friends.

It is important to know that it is unnecessary to pay a lot of money to preparatory organizations who claim to have “real” interview questions and scoring information. Be very wary of these claims.

The interviews are designed to see how you think on your feet, how you communicate what you believe when pondering ethical, moral, and other dilemmas which are not necessarily related to medicine, and to explore who you are as a person. The best way for you to demonstrate this during the interview is to be yourself and answer honestly and thoughtfully. You do not need a specific formula, vocabulary, or medical knowledge to perform well in the interview.

While many questions will be set broadly in a medical environment, not all questions will be, and you do not need to make the connection back to medicine unless the interviewer asks you to. As you are applying for medical school, we will expect you to have a basic understanding of the Canadian health care system, some awareness of contemporary issues, and knowledge about the career you are about to embark on. Show us who you are, what you are interested in, have fun, and try to relax.