Interviews

• Interview invitations will be sent to selected applicants via their OAS accounts.
  
  
• 2012 Interview Dates – Saturday, February 4, 2012; Sunday, February 5, 2012; Saturday, February 11, 2012 and Sunday, February 12, 2012. There will be up to four interview cycles scheduled each day: 2 cycles in the morning & 2 cycles in the afternoon.
  
  
• Interviews for UBC MD Undergraduate Admissions follow the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format, where each applicant will rotate through approximately 11 different interview stations. The interview at each station is 7 minutes in duration, with a 2 minute transition period, which allows the applicant to advance to the next station, read a question/scenario and prepare themselves before entering the next interview room. The entire interview cycle is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes in length and applicants may have up to two “rest” stations per cycle. An audio signal will sound at the conclusion of each 7 and 2 minute period, indicating the timed session has ended. Interviewees will not be given any warning signals during the actual 7 minute interview period. View a sample cycle.
  
  
• The interviewer has no information about the applicant other than his/her name. Interviewers do not discuss the performance of applicants among themselves and each station is scored independently.
  
  
• The format of the stations may require the applicant to comment on a particular scenario, interact with another person in the room, respond to audio/video presentations, etc. 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! No specific knowledge of medicine, health care systems or ethics is required. In many cases there is no right or wrong answer.  
  
  
• The following is an example schedule of the 2012 interviews:

1:00 prior to interview: Registration (closes 30 minutes prior to interview)
30 minutes prior to interview: Interview Briefing
1:40 minutes: Multiple Mini Interview
15 minutes: Break
20 minutes: Writing Station
45 minutes: Site Information Session & Reception

** Please note that latecomers will not be allowed to register or interview.

 

• The writing station will consist of a 20-minute writing session where applicants will be asked to respond in complete essay form to one prompt question. The prompt will NOT require academic knowledge and is therefore not possible to prepare for. The essays will be handwritten, however applicants do not need to bring any supplies as all materials will be provided. No dictionaries, translation tools, notes or other writing aides in any form (electronic or other) are allowed.
  
  
• The interview track will be color-coded to match the applicant’s name tag. Each scenario, which will be one to five sentences long, is posted outside the interview door. Applicants will be required to lift a paper flap to read each scenario.
  
  
• Applicants are not permitted to carry writing implements, paper or any personal belongings while completing the MMI (including a cell phone). We encourage applicants to bring a water bottle (to be environmentally friendly), which can be filled prior to the interview.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Please dress appropriately for the interview. Applicants may do quite a bit of walking and standing. Also be aware of possible temperature changes in the interview rooms.
  
  
• We need to know of any limitations, physical or otherwise, well in advance of the interviews so that we can accommodate you accordingly.
  
  
• Our online interview reservation system (RSVP) will allow you to schedule your own interview date and time. Once activated, your interview will be confirmed on a first-come first-serve basis, based on when you submitted your request.
  
  
• We will give further detailed information regarding the MMI at registration on the day of the interview event.
  
  
• All applicants who are invited for an interview, must provide the following at the time of interview registration:
  -Proof of identification - government issued photo ID, *original and a photocopy of one of the following categories:
  1. valid passport - preferred documentation
  or
  2. driver's license plus Canadian Citizenship card
  or
  3. driver's license plus Canadian Permanent Residency card (photocopy of front & back)
  or
  4. driver's license plus birth certificate
  
  *You must bring the original, plus one photocopy of all the documents you will be using for proof of identification. If your name does not match the name shown on the online application system (OAS), then a photocopy of your official name change documentation is required.

-Proof of Canadian Citizenship/Permanent Residency- ONLY for those born outside of Canada. Must bring original and one photocopy of each.

-Two passport sized photos (colour) with your full name printed on the back of the photos (as it appears on the OAS). Please write legibly in ball point pen and recent photos are recommended.

-Proof of Registration- if you are taking any additional coursework this year to fulfill the required prerequisite or 90 credits requirements, you must bring proof of registration for the required courses to the interviews. This may be an informal print out of your class schedule or registration documents, as long as it shows your enrollment. Make sure your full name used on your application is either indicated or written on the document.

• Location – Life Sciences Centre Building, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC. The LSC is a secure building. On weekends, the LSC is only accessible through the west entrance. Only applicants will be allowed access to the building during the interview event.
• Parking