{"id":23048,"date":"2020-01-25T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-25T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medapplications.com\/?p=23048"},"modified":"2020-02-25T13:28:01","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T17:28:01","slug":"modified-personal-interview-mpi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medapplications.com\/modified-personal-interview-mpi\/","title":{"rendered":"Modified Personal Interview | MPI Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Modified Personal Interview Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your Complete Resource for the MPI in Toronto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modified personal interview, or MPI, is a new and improved type of medical school admission interview. It was developed by the University of Toronto back in the 2013- 2014 admissions cycle. Essentially, the MPI is a new take on the traditional personal interview (PI) that aims to resolve the problems of poor reliability and validity, while also incorporating aspects of McMaster University\u2019s successful Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). In short, the modified personal interview is designed so that the candidate interacts with four distinct interviewers to allow Multiple Independent Sampling (MIS), therefore reducing bias and inaccuracy.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Modified<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The main objective of the MPI is to determine whether an applicant possesses the traits required to succeed in the field of medicine. Personal and professional questions are asked, and applicants are expected to present themselves as a physician would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The personal interview PI:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The personal interview (PI) is a traditional interview used in the past consisting of one applicant and interviewer. Applicants were asked to engage in lengthy discussions with the interviewer, as opposed to the shorter questions of other interview types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The personal interview was by some schools considered a fallible means of evaluating a candidate for this reason:  it does not eliminate the personal biases of the interviewer. A candidate\u2019s suitability for the medical profession might be overlooked simply because of a bad impression or poor personal chemistry with the one interviewer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Structure of U of T\u2019s MPI – and what should you expect?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The personal interview (PI) is a traditional interview used in the past consisting of one applicant and interviewer. Applicants were asked to engage in lengthy discussions with the interviewer, as opposed to the shorter questions of other interview types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The personal interview was by some schools considered a fallible means of evaluating a candidate for this reason:  it does not eliminate the personal biases of the interviewer. A candidate\u2019s suitability for the medical profession might be overlooked simply because of a bad impression or poor personal chemistry with the one interviewer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Structure of U of T\u2019s MPI – and what should you expect?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The University of Toronto\u2019s MPI improves upon the traditional PI format by having four stations where applicants will have interviews of a more moderate length. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, the MPI consists of a traditional personal interview divided into these four sections with four different interviewers. Interviewers may include physicians, faculty members, healthcare professionals, or upper-year medical students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each interviewer has formal prompts to follow, but the format allows natural deviations into a conversation\u2014much like in a traditional interview. Applicants will be asked prompted questions but those questions will be posed in such a way that the applicant can respond in a natural and conversational manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each station in the MPI is between ten and twelve minutes in length; this time encompasses the interview prompt and all following discussion. If time allows, applicants can ask the interviewers thoughtful questions, which often serves to make a better impression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the MPI interview:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the MPI interview, each interviewer reviews the applicant\u2019s file, including their autobiographical sketch and academic records. The interviewers are then prepared to ask specific questions, based on the background and records, to best determine each applicant\u2019s behavioral characteristics as a student and future practitioner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the MPI interview:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the interview, each of the four interviewers rate the applicant on four categories: communication skills, maturity, interpersonal skills, and a final category that\u2019s unique to each applicant. Each applicant will be graded on a five-point scale. That means the four interviewers can each give a maximum MPI score of 20 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MPI Interview Questions and Categories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The format and questions asked on the MPI interview are very similar to a traditional panel interview, just with a rotation component.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MPI interview questions are designed to evaluate each applicant in four categories:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. Professionalism. <\/strong>The applicant\u2019s maturity, reliability, perseverance, and responsibility.<\/li>
  2. Communication Skills. <\/strong>The applicant\u2019s skills in communication, teamwork, time management, and collaboration.<\/li>
  3. Scholarly Achievements.<\/strong> The applicant\u2019s academic history, achievements, awards, research, presentations, and more.<\/li>
  4. Advocacy. <\/strong>The applicant\u2019s advocacy skills, including community service and social responsibility.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Within these categories of evaluation, applicants may be interviewed for more specific things. For example, ethical decision making, communication and teamwork, the ability to advocate, and current health problems in Canada may all be probed by specific questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Applicants may also be asked about their motivation to study medicine, and why they chose that specific school for admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Three Tips of MPI Success:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    1. Know as much as possible regarding the school to which you are applying – and be able to clearly communicate why you have chosen it.<\/li>
    2. Be able to intelligently articulate yourself  in each category, using personal experiences and anecdotes when possible. <\/li>
    3. Conduct yourself in a professional manner as grades are awarded for the content of the interview, alongside how the content is presented.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      MPI Interview Example Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      MPI exam questions are difficult to generalize because they\u2019re formulated uniquely around each applicant. MPI interviews are much like traditional panel interviews where applicants are asked to discuss their relevant strengths and previous experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here are a few mock MPI exam questions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n