An interviewer will use situational/hypothetical questions to establish how you would react to and handle real-life situations. For situational/hypothetical questions, candidates must have a good understanding of the profession and its requirements. Here are some examples of this type of question:

• How would you tell a patient that they can no longer drive?
• How would you handle cyber bullying?
• How would you tell parents of a 10-year old child that s/he has a brain tumour?
• A patient has been in a car accident and requires a blood transfusion, but won’t accept it because of her religious background. How will you handle this situation?
• What do you do if two of your project group members are constantly quarrelling with each other?
• One of your patients is always late for an appointment. How do you address the issue?

When answering problem-solving questions demonstrate your ability to process information quickly, think logically, and solve creatively. Interviewers place emphasis on the thought process rather than on the conclusion. Examples of problem-solving questions include the following:

• Why is a manhole cover round?
• How many automobiles are there in Toronto?
• Estimate the size of the DVD rental market in Tokyo, Japan
• How would you project the future rate of PC game purchases in Canada?
• As a physician you need to decide who should receive a liver transplant. Should it be given to a successful older community leader, or a 23-year old alcoholic?
• What approach would you take in identifying a problem and reaching a resolution?
• As a university administrator you need to make the case that smaller class sizes are a better option for students; however, your university is facing funding cuts. How will you make this case?

The key is not to worry about getting the “right” answer but, rather, to demonstrate your logical thought process in solving the problem. The following five-step process is appropriate for handling most problem-solving questions:

1. Listen carefully to what is being asked
2. Ask clarifying questions to determine exactly what the interviewer is looking for
3. Respond by first explaining how you would gather the data necessary to make an informed decision
4. Discuss how you would use that data to generate options
5. Based on the data you have gathered, the available options, and your understanding of the position, explain how you would make an appropriate decision or recommendation

Keep in mind, there is no right answer, only your answer.

In addition to asking the other types of questions mentioned, many interviewers rely on a series of standard questions, and you should prepare for them. Occasionally, classic interview questions are used in the MMI interview format as well.

Common classic questions for all interviews:

• Tell me about yourself. What brings you here today? Tell me about why you are here.
• What are your short-term goals? What about in two and five years? How are you preparing to achieve them?
• Why did you apply to this program? This school?
• What is your vision/mission statement?
• How did you prepare for this interview?
• What have been your most satisfying/disappointing experiences?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?
• What kinds of problems do you handle best?
• How do you reduce stress and try to achieve balance in your life?
• What courses did you like best/least? Why?
• What did you learn or gain from your part-time/summer/co-op/internship experiences?
• Why were your grades low in one term?
• How do you spend your spare time?
• If I asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?
• What frustrates you the most?
• Why should we choose you over another applicant?
• Why should we accept you into this program?
• What will you do if not accepted into this program?

Common health-related profession classic questions:

• What is your experience in this profession? What do you know about this profession? How will this profession change in the future?
• What recommendations would you make for this profession?
• Why do you want to be a ...? (e.g., Pharmacist)
• Why do you want to be a ... and not a ...? (e.g. Why do you want to be a Doctor and not a Researcher?)
• What are the disadvantages of this profession?
• How did you prepare for the admission test?
• What was the toughest decision you have had to make in the last year? Why was it difficult?
• What is your most painful experience and how did you cope with it?
• What would you do if you saw another student cheating on an exam?
• How have you contributed to your community?
• What specialty interests you?
• Describe your clinical/hospital experiences.
• Who would you describe as your role model in pursuit of this profession?
• Of all people, dead or alive, who would you most like to have dinner with and why?
• Tell me about a book that you have read recently. Why did it interest you?

Common graduate, business, law, and teaching classic questions:

• What is your area of research?
• Describe any research project you have worked on. What was the purpose of the project, and what was your role?
• How did you hear about our program?
• Which faculty members are you interested in working with and why?
• Where else have you applied?
• Have you thought about a topic for your thesis?
• What could you do to increase your effectiveness?
• Why do you need an MBA? Why now? Why this program?
• What do you believe your greatest challenge will be if you are accepted into this program?
• Why do children misbehave?
• Why do you like working with children?
• What would you contribute to an after-school program?

While preparation is key, it is not possible to predict and prepare for all interview questions. Instead, review your résumé, application, and research the profession (current and future state). Then put information into different categories (e.g., accomplishments, understanding of profession, unique qualities, challenges/weaknesses) enabling you to provide examples as necessary.

PAWS model

The “PAWS” model is a useful method for answering classic questions such as “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you want to be a ___________?”

When an interviewer asks this question, s/he is looking for those aspects of your life that are relevant to the profession/field, such as how you became interested in the field, related experience, and courses taken. “PAWS” stands for Profile, Academic, Work, and Skills. Include all or as many of the four (in any order) to reinforce your fit for the field/profession.

Here are some examples of what to discuss in each of the four areas:

Please read Delivering bad news stations. This type of question is found in both Standard and MMI professional school interviews.

Please read Ethical scenario stations. This type of question is found in both Standard and MMI professional school interviews

To supplement the information you obtained before the interview, you should ask questions during the interview (although you will not have this opportunity with MMI interviews). Some questions will arise naturally during the interview, but it is wise to prepare a number of questions in advance. Asking questions will demonstrate your interest and help you determine if the program/school fits your personality, skills, interests, and values.

Your questions should pertain to the program/school and show your enthusiasm and knowledge. By asking intelligent, well-thought-out questions that genuinely matter to you, you will convince the interviewer that you are serious about the program and institution. If a question has been answered during the interview, do not ask it again; such repetition will suggest that you were not listening. It is important to compose your own questions; however, the following may give you a starting point:

• What do you view as the strengths of this program?
• Will there be any changes to the curriculum? Will there be any changes in faculty members?
• What is the academic background of faculty members?
• Is the atmosphere among students competitive or co-operative?
• How is the interaction between professors and students?
• What types of research opportunities are there?
• Ask directed questions to each interviewer, for example:
  • Professional (e.g., physician, pharmacist, optometrist):
    • Physician: What is your area of specialty? Do you conduct research or teach in addition to practising medicine?
    • Pharmacist: What type of pharmacy do you work in? Are you involved in any profession-specific associations that would be helpful for me to join as a student?
    • Optometrist: What type of patients do you interact with the most? What has been the most interesting patient case?
  • Student in program: What do you wish you had known before you started this program? What has made you successful in this program?
  • Community member: There are many volunteer opportunities in this community (list a few); can you recommend one where students in this program can make a difference? Have you interacted with students from this program in any capacity?