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IMPORTANT changes - applicants


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IMPORTANT: Notification to all current applicants !!!

 

Regular Category Interviews beginning March 2008

will follow the MMI (Multi-Mini Interview) format.

 

As a result, letters will be sent to referees January 30, 2008

(instead of November 15, 2007).

 

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/admissions/index.html

 

enjoy.

 

Also 110 spots for this upcoming med class.

http://www.themanitoban.com/2007-2008/1128/107.10.more.doctors.per.year.to.solve.shortage.php

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I am very happy about this.

I have been royally screwed over by the old u of m system

by only having 3 ppl decide all 40 percent of your fate

and if they dont like you, you are screwed

i think this makes the process more fair and less subjective

it also takes away the abilitiy for the interviews to judge you on one question based on your answers to previous ones

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I completely agree premedgirl, last year I didn't score that well on the interview 'cause the panel felt I needed more empathy, which I truly believe was more because of miscommunication on the ONE empathy question that they asked me more than anything else. I prefer being judged on multiple people's opinions, although it is harder to truly connect with each interviewer in such a short period of time.

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Wow, I'm not a big fan of this. I'm not even a fan of panel interviews, but MMI? What's next? Mandatory circus act?

 

I'm curious, what are you a "fan" of then?

 

does anyone know now how much the actual interview will be worth

because they will have to split the 40 percent PAS into interview, essay and references

 

I'm sure they are not sure either :P

They will probably say during the Interview Orientation something around the lines of, it's holistic score that takes into account all the factors :D

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I'm not really impressed by this system. Interviewing is an art. You should be able to feed on and off of your interviewers. Its much harder to do that when you are playing musical chairs with the interviewers.

 

I thought that the purpose of interviews (like for jobs) was to evaluate and get more details as to what you submitted in your application (or for a job, CV). Interviewers under this system will absolutely have no time to do that.

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I'm curious, what are you a "fan" of then?

 

Having interviewed at five US medical schools, I have little issue with how McGill and just about all of the 122 US allopathic medical schools structure their interviews: a morning 1 on 1 with a faculty/adcom member. An afternoon 1on1 with a current 2/3/or 4th year medical student. I see nothing wrong with using the 30-60 minutes to convey to my interviewer all the same characteristics that they're seeking in the MMI.

 

To me, the MMI system seems like a way for medical schools to process a lot of candidates, in as few 'interviewing' days as possible, in an incredibly impersonal way. But yup, that's probably just my 'old fashioned' take on it. I sure hope (and doubt - thankfully) residency interviews will become MMI.

 

(ps: I guess, unfortunately, in Canada because there is such a limited # of medical schools and such a competitive environment, students have to "deal with whatever they're dealt with". It's certainly refreshing in the US where they are actually trying to sell their schools to you and the interview process is more about "fit").

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I think it really depends. I'm not entirely familiar and seeing as I have only had past experience with the panel interview, it's hard to make a definitive statement as to which is better. From what I've heard though, the rationale for MMI is that it's intended to mimic the clinical exams you take in med. school. However, like someone mentioned, this might be a bit more impersonal and may not get students that "fit" the school. However, medical schools are getting bigger and bigger and most people who enter generally find someone to fit in with. I don't think fit is necessarily as big an issue at the medical school level as I could see it at the residency/fellowship/attending level.

 

MMI is supposed to select for more suitable medical applicants and eliminate the bias associated with the panel (which works both good and bad for some people).

 

I think depending on the incoming classes, the benefit of MMI is yet to be determined...we'll just have to wait and see.

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MMI sounds okay I suppose. However, now that they are going with the new format, there probably won't be an autobiographical sketch. Personally I don't like that.

 

What makes you think that? UBC is going with MMI and retained the autobiographical sketch. I'm not sure how Calgary, Saskatchewan, and McMaster does it though. Not only does the sketch give a preliminary insight into who you are, but it also gives the reviewers an idea of your written communication skills.

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What makes you think that? UBC is going with MMI and retained the autobiographical sketch. I'm not sure how Calgary, Saskatchewan, and McMaster does it though. Not only does the sketch give a preliminary insight into who you are, but it also gives the reviewers an idea of your written communication skills.

 

 

Our referees won't be receiving anything until late January/early February, and they will have a few weeks - 1 month to complete all the papers. Interviews are normally held February - March. Unless UofM expects us to write a sketch now (before our referees receive anything) or when our referees are completing their papers, applicants won't have time to complete a sketch.

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UBC only get's reference letters from those who are granted an interview. So, everyone still completes the application (including the sketch) but references are only needed if you get past the interview stage.

 

I know that is slighlty different than the way UofM does it. However, if UofM were to not ask for a sketch, I think that'd be a little silly. A month or two should be plenty of time for a referee to submit a letter/evaluation. Also, UofM doesn't necessarily have to make it so they receive the referee evaluation before you interview right? Unless they use that information as part of the interview - which they wouldn't because it is MMI, so all the more reason to give your referees extra time.

 

This is all speculation and I have no idea what UofM will do. It's probably best to wait and see what they end up deciding and then you can figure things out from there.

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The person who gave us the U of M Med talk at Brandon University said there was a possibility that there would be no sketch as there was plenty of information on the application form this year. To me it would be silly not to have a sketch and agree with all of you.

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Yes, Calgary does require an onsite essay the day of the MMI. Having done both MMI and panel (and been successful at both), there is no question in my mind that MMI is the better format. It is more fair and more fun (it's boring talking about yourself for 30-60 minutes).

N.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Our referees won't be receiving anything until late January/early February, and they will have a few weeks - 1 month to complete all the papers. Interviews are normally held February - March. Unless UofM expects us to write a sketch now (before our referees receive anything) or when our referees are completing their papers, applicants won't have time to complete a sketch.

 

received dec. 17/07:

 

The Medical Admissions Committee is currently reviewing the inclusion/exclusion of an autobiographical sketch to candidates selected for interview. A decision has not been made in this regard to date. Letters for a request to interview will be mailed by mid January and will include all instructions to candidates. If an autobiographical sketch is required it will be requested and a submission deadline will be given within the request to interview letter.

 

Enjoy the holidays!

 

Wishing you success,

 

Sheila Smith

Student Advisor

Admissions & Student Affairs

Undergraduate Medical Education

Faculty of Medicine

260-727 McDermot Avenue

University of Manitoba R3E 3P5

Tel. 204-789-3213

Fax. 204-789-3929

smith8@cc.umanitoba.ca

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/admissions

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