Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 19% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did okay.
Most respondents were neutral about their interview.
What was the stress level of the interview?
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about defining integrity and providing examples of demonstrating integrity, discussing major social issues and related personal actions, describing qualities of a good physician and demonstrating them, and elaborating on volunteer experiences, research projects, and conflicts encountered. Respondents mentioned an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements, indicating a structured interview process focused on ethics, professionalism, personal experiences, and motivations for pursuing a medical career.
Define integrity. Give an example where you showed or failed to show integrity. What did you learn from it?
Integrity Series.
Truth telling and honesty in Medicine.
Qualities that a great physician should possess and how you demonstrated them.
The disadvantages of being a doctor.
All very directed questions about my experiences - one was asking me what something meant in greek b/c I had travelled in greece four years ago - although I just laughed and said I had no idea and that I barely spoke greek when I was there- so they all laughed and I didn't feel bad about not knowing the answer
Students said most interesting question asked at University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine discussed a variety of topics, including technical questions related to personal interests, ethical scenarios such as lying to patients, explaining research in layman's terms, and assessing one's passion for community and global issues. Some responses hinted at an MMI format, alluding to nondisclosure agreements, while others highlighted unique inquiries like building a skateboard or handling sensitive medical information in hypothetical scenarios.
Integrity series... particulary the 2nd one. I told a story which I felt very silly at the end for what I did, the panel laughed so bad. The worst thing was that I was laughing with them lol that was really funny.
Imagine both my 87 yr old mother and I (the interviewer) walk into your clinic. You, our family doctor, has just gotten the results that my mother has cancer. You tell me (the interviewer) about the results first. I, however, say to you not to tell the results to my mother. Note: She is able to think and decide for herself. What will you do?
A slur of questions revolving "integrity": what do you think integrity means, discuss a situation in which you displayed integrity, share an experience of someone displaying or lack thereof integrity.
Students said the most difficult questions asked at University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including conflict resolution, research explanation in layman's terms, community involvement impact, and integrity scenarios. Many responses indicated a structured Integrity series or multi-part questions related to qualities expected in a good physician, while some mentioned specific scenarios like a cost-benefit analysis, dealing with conflicts, or ethical dilemmas, suggesting a diverse set of challenging interview questions.
They asked me to explain my research in laymen's terms...and then kept on pressing me about the details of site-directed mutagenesis which was a trivial part of my research.
Nothing was out of the blue, all the questions whether ethical etc. were based on my experiences ie worked with cancer pts so ethical question was about cancer and palliative care
A multi-part question where I had to list qualities I thought were important in a dr, then define them, and then give examples from my past experience that showed that I had these qualities.
What was your most meaningful volunteer experience? (I ended up talking about one experience very generally, it wasn't until later I thought of a specific story that would have been good).
The integrity series. (1) Define integrity. (2) Describe a time when you demonstrated your integrity. (3) Describe a time when somebody else's integrity or lack thereof impacted you.
Define integrity and describe a situation where I personally had to deal with a person that was showing a lack of integrity and what I did to manage it
A 3 parter question about integrity: define integrity, give an example of you demonstrating integrity, give an example of someone else demonstrating integrity
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was moderately friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by thoroughly reviewing their application materials, practicing answers to common questions, seeking advice from current medical students, conducting mock interviews with friends, researching current events and healthcare issues, and reflecting on personal experiences. Many emphasized the importance of introspection, practicing responses out loud, and seeking feedback from peers or mentors to improve their interview performance.
Didn't. Had some interviews before this one, but this was my first and last MMI.
Knew my essay and resume inside and out. Thought of a few key stories, examples that could answer a variety of questions. Asked current med students for advice. Prayed!!!
current events (CBC health web/radio), Macleans mag, interviewed some docs, reflected on my resume/application, practiced my answers, thought about ethical dilemmas and framework for solving them....
Over the last month I've been writing out the answers to all of the questions that I could get ahold of; I taped myself answering them; I practiced with my partner; reviewed by essay and work; and gave myself a lot of pep talks.
Practice interviews with med students and used this webiste. This school uses questions from a binder (i.e. prepared questions) so a lot of questions I got in my actual interview were on this webiste. So for this school use this website a lot and think of answers to ALL the questions
3 mock interviews. 1 was videotaped with 2 other people. 1 online (MSN) with a classmate. The other one was 1 to 1 the night before the interview... in my suit! I think they all helped, big time. Other things include reading an ethics book (Doing Right), reading news archive (not really helped), going over the journals that I kept for some of my volunteer work, write down questions and come up with answers (yes sometimes you KNOW what to say, but then when you practice you realize how un-convincing you are, hehe), talking to parents/ friends about various questions (eg. honesty, integrity). Check out this site, the Ezboard, emailed current med students... etc
Read over my application and did a lot of reflection and practiced some common questions with a friend - b/c sometimes what sounds great in your head isn't so great out loud :)
Went over my application, determined what I'd learned from each experience, had strong arguments prepared for the 'why be a dr.' question, made sure I was comfortable in what I wore.
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendliness and welcoming attitude of the interviewers, volunteers, and current students at the school. They appreciated the well-organized interview process, top-notch facilities, and the emphasis on early clinical exposure in the program. Many also mentioned feeling at ease and supported throughout the experience.
Nothing at all. But I do appreciate some of my interviewers for ''breaking the rules'' and having somewhat of a conversation with me.
Facilities are top-notch. The overall program is really-well organized and emphasizes early clinical exposure. Excellent faculty. From what I've seen UBC is among the top here in Canada - I'd go here over University of Toronto or McGill.
The kindness of the interviewers - they were not out to get you! They would ask a question and if I wasn't answering it how they wanted they would ask a more detailed question so I had a chance at all questions. Lots of laughs and relaxed (helped me relax too!)
Applicants expressed concerns about the lack of personal connection during the interviews, with feedback indicating that the process felt impersonal, structured, and standardized. Suggestions included encouraging more meaningful interactions, allowing for individual expression, and providing opportunities for genuine conversations to take place during the interviews.
I wish UBC will get it into their thick heads that the MMI is just a popular trend. I thought it would be better than the panel, but no, nothing much has changed, except maybe they've taken out some bias factor (but interviewers are human, there's always bias). It's still impersonal, they still don't know anything about you, and they can't have a normal conversation with you.
The interview experience was the most awful one I've ever had. The interviewers don't know anything about you, and it doesn't seem like they want to. Several of my interviewers apologized to me for being so cold because they were instructed not to show any emotions to prevent ''treating applicants unfairly.''
Each station is 8 minutes, and if you finish your piece early, you are not allowed to talk to your interviewers, you are supposed to sit there in awkward silence. ''Be yourself''?! That's total BS in this interview format.
Pretty much everything else. My interview panel was very stiff, didn't bother to make much eye contact with me or make me comfortable in any way, and even cut me off in one of my answers (which didn't even go beyond a minute and happen to be to the question ''Why medicine'').
the subsiduary programs seem very good but I'm not thrilled with having to start out at UBC for first 4 months, then have to move over Christmas to IMP or NMP.
None of the interviewers knew anything of the faculty/curriculum so I couldn't really ask them any questions...Also one of them was wearing track pants and a T-shirt...not really professional. I also felt the interview (since every applicant was asked the same question) didn't do much to allow me to express myself...everything seemed too practiced...
The standardization and formality of the interview, it seemed so one sided. I am used to conversational style interactions and it was strange to have no feedback
If there was anything that was slightly negative, it was that I felt like I could express myself as much as I wanted to during the interview. The interviews tend to be very structured and standardized (my interviewers told me that everyone essentially got asked the same basic questions). Make sure that there are some good solid morals in midst of your story-telling of your personal experiences.
The interviewers were quite nice but felt distant at times. I don't know if they really cared about what I said because they didn't ask any follow-up questions. I find the interview to be too standardized, too structured, too impersonal.
Applicants commonly wished they had known not to stress if prompted to say more, to expect a formal dress code, and to simplify their research explanations. Suggestions also included arriving just in time, bringing minimal items, and preparing more thoroughly for current events discussions.
Don't stress if they keep asking you if you have anything more to say or anything else to add. Just say no if you don't.
UBC admissions is crapshoot, so don't take it personally if you don't get in. Try again.
Leave your jacket, portfolio, umbrella, and other things at home - go into the lobby wearing only your interview suit and carrying minimal things (one purse max!)
Oh, make sure to dress up too. Everyone is in formal business attire - pretty much dressed to the nines.
Nothing hehe. I felt I did all I could to prepare for it, and I said what I wanted to say (95% I say, except the research question that didn't go so well).
I wish I had spent more time synthesizing opinions on I wish I had spent more time synthesizing opinions on current events rather than playing it by ear.
Applicants generally provided feedback on their experiences with the MMI-based interviews, highlighting aspects such as the interview atmosphere, interaction with interviewers, and overall comfort level. Suggestions included the need for more positive interactions, less open-ended questions, and ensuring interviewers are engaging and friendly throughout the process.
MMI based interviews - 10 mini-interviews with 2 minutes to read a prompt and 7 minutes to respond to that prompt to an interviewer.
Prompts can be anything, but generally fall into the following categories: ethical, critical thinking, role-playing, health-care system knowledge, rural care knowledge
I was relaxed and gave full answers. I wanted them to see my personality and I believe they did. The interviewers seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. We finished the standard questions in 40 minutes and chatted until it was time to go . . . we ended up talking about the Simpsons!!
It's a big crapshot. Some of my friends had very accomodating interviewers; others, like me, were not very fortunate. UBC seems to be looking for different qualities from most other schools.
Interviewers were not very friendly - a family member who came with me even commented that when she saw me exiting the interview space with them, they seemed a lot colder than the others. This made it kind of difficult to talk to them, and the interview had a few stony silences.
Pretty casual interview but this could definitely depend on the interview panel you end up with. The school can't be beat, and in my opinion easily tops McGill & U of T in terms of facilities & curriculum approach.
Awesome! After the integrity one I felt the mood lightened up. Well the best thing is that it really WAS a funny experience, and they really laughed, like for real, I thought that was fun, and the way an interview suppose to be! You shouldn't just be serious (well ofcoz you gotta be serious on questions like "why be a doc" and "why honesty matters") but you should also show them the other sides of you!
The interviewers were simply reading questions that they were provided with. As a result, I really felt like there was a lack of interaction from the interviewers' part.
Friendly, well-prepared interviewers. They had my file in front of them, and it was read, with parts highlighted. Some questions were WAY too open-ended
When I first got in I was kind of a dorky nervous giddy :)-, I joked that I wasn't here to interview for medicine (caused me much grief later thinking about it) and when I'm uncomfortable I make jokes so the first part of the interview was really me relaxing. They ease you into the questions and started with the why do you want to be a doctor. I have to admit that half way through answering I blanked for about 20 secs (felt like mins to me) b/c the gravity of what I was doing hit me like a truck! Luckily I regained my composure and continued, but I felt like a dork for blanking during the why do you want to be a doc! After that point it was smooth sailing very comfortable and I was happy with all my answers. They complimented me on my experiences during the interview and were very positive so that made me feel better :). I was worried I didn't come across as very professional because of my jokes (and even though i can be serious that I hadn't showed it - been more Personality if you know what I mean :). Anyways my worring was in vain b/c I was accepted so i suspect my interview went quite well and it was more me overanalyzing later that got me worried.
Overall it wasn't as hectic as I thought id'be. I had just had U of A's med school interview two days prior so I knew what to expect more or less. I was called in early for my interview surprisingly (2:40 vs 3:00). I felt depressed after my interview - maybe because I felt I could have done better, but you really don't know since you're adrenaline is high enough anyway.
I had a very positive, relaxed interview experience. It could have been stressful, but my interview panel was not intimidating at all and very friendly.
Comfortable, but the questions were very limited (the interviewers had a 'book' of questions from which to choose). They couldn't just continue with a line of questioning.
Felt great at first and then one hour later began to doubt my answers and felt nervous (basically have convinced myself I bombed), now two months later cannot remember much!
It was just really long and because of that, the interview got more and more stressful as it went on. The interviewers really distanced themselves from me so I didn't really have a good feeling throughout the interview.
The panel interview was a great experience. There was probably a lot of variety among the 30-odd panels that were interviewing, but I really enjoyed talking to my panelists. They made me feel very comfortable from the start, and were very casual about the interview.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants generally expressed a desire for more transparency and consistency in the admissions process, with some noting the recent implementation of the MMI method and suggesting patience for potential changes in the future.
Many, but things will unlikely change since they've only adopted the MMI this year. Let's wait a fe