Cape Breton University Hosts Mock MMI Sessions to Support Pre-Med Students

Earlier this month, Cape Breton University hosted a mock Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) session for nine pre-med students. MMI’s are a key part of the medical school admissions process, testing communication, ethical reasoning and problem-solving skills through multiple timed scenarios.

The session, conducted on Microsoft Teams, mimicked the online MMI format used by the Dalhousie Medical School, where six of the participants interviewed the following week. CBU was proud to welcome four alumni, three Dalhousie Medical School students and one practicing physician from Sydney, to assist as evaluators.

“Preparatory activities like Mock MMI sessions provide students with a greater understanding of the application process and types of assessments used when making admission decisions,” says Dr. Jennifer Hall, Senior Associate Dean of the Cape Breton Medical Campus. “This often alleviates some of the trepidation that can be associated with the medical school application journey.”

The event was organized by Kellie White, Senior Lab Instructor and faculty advisor for CBU’s Pre-Med Society, with support from CBU faculty and staff, including those from the Career Services team, who helped ensure the session ran smoothly.

“Mock interview sessions like these are invaluable for our pre-med students,” says Kellie. “They help build confidence and prepare students for the high-pressure environment of medical school interviews. These sessions have contributed to the strong track record of success our pre-med students have had in gaining admission to medical school.”

CBU’s thriving Pre-Med Society, which currently boasts 140 members, plays an integral role in supporting pre-med students at the University. Co-President, Gianna Sheppard, says having the opportunity to participate in a mock MMI has been extremely helpful as someone who plans to apply to medicine next year

“I was able to test myself on how much I already know and determine how to format my answers while familiarizing myself with topics I should prepare to speak to,” says Gianna. “Being given resources and personalized comments on how to improve has significantly lessened my worries about future interviews.”

The society has no plans of slowing down; they have been collaborating with CBU’s Development and Alumni Office on future fundraising initiatives to assist and help lessen the burden associated with medical school preparation. They also plan to continue to organize social events such as their recent MCAT-themed trivia night, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among aspiring medical students.

While there has always been a strong contingent of pre-med students at CBU, the forthcoming Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC) in partnership with Dalhousie University is generating even more interest among CBU students. To meet the increasing demand, another mock MMI session is planned for next term to support students further.

This initiative is part of CBU’s ongoing commitment to supporting pre-med students through mentorship, resources and alumni connections. For more information about CBU’s Pre-Med Society and the support provided for pre-med students at CBU, please contact Kellie_White@cbu.ca