Let's pretend I've never cooked a cheeseburger before. Walk me through how to successfully prepare and cook it to perfection.

"The first step would be ensuring that my ground beef is properly thawed and that I have the cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onions needed to craft the perfect cheeseburger. Once the ingredients were prepared, my next step would be to light the charcoal in my grill and give it enough time to ignite and burn down to the simmer needed to slowly cook the meat to a medium rare. I prefer to use match light charcoal for easy lighting. Once lit, I take my pound of ground beef and quarter it for four patties. I roll it up in a ball and then flatten it between two sheets of saran wrap. Why the saran wrap, you ask? It keeps my hands clean and prevents the meat from breaking apart. Once the patties are formed, I prefer to season them with a bit of salt, pepper, and a good amount of garlic salt. The relatively light amount of seasonings allows the flavor of the beef to come out. By this time, the charcoal should be just about ready, and if so, I add the patties to the grill around the outer edges of the charcoal. Then place the lid on the grill and ensure both vents are open. It's also important to have a clean plate, your cheese, and a good grill spatula ready. Knowing when to flip the burgers comes down to a bit of experience, and I like to start checking the top uncooked side of the burger after about four minutes. If you can see that starting to darken, it is time to flip them and cook them for an equal amount of time. You'll know when the burgers are ready when you see no red juices coming to the top of the meat. I don't like to slice a corner open because you lose a lot of flavor that way. When done, I slide the patties to the edge of the grill off the direct heat, place the cheese on top and replace the lid. Depending on the thickness of the cheese, it can melt quickly so keep a close watch. Once the cheese melts down the sides, I remove them. From there, each individual can create their burger with toppings, condiments, and bun of their choice as we all have different preferences."

Communication skills and the ability to provide direction when educating patients are vital skills for PA students. During the MMI process, your interviewers might throw an off-the-wall scenario like this at you to gauge your ability to think on your feet and communicate clearly.

During your PA school multiple mini interview process, you will have a minute or two to read the question/scenario and another six to eight minutes to respond in a room with your interviewer. This allows you the time to give clear instructions and further education on why things are being done the way that they are, so be sure to take advantage of showing off your ability to provide excellent direction and education.

Using your preferred method, walk through how to prepare and cook your cheeseburgers. Your interviewer won't be tasked with judging or critiquing your methods, so don't fret over whether you will use an outdoor grill or do it on your stovetop. Instead, focus on the process and ensure that you are very clear in what you are explaining in this hypothetical scenario. Be sure that you ask clarifying questions and explain things along the way.

How would those close to you describe your communication style?

"If you were to talk to my family, friends, and current student colleagues, I know they would say that I am a more reserved communicator who likes to think things out before speaking up. I'm a calculated communicator who doesn't like to add fluff. All my close friends and family know I'm introverted, which has pros and cons. But I know who I am and use this to my advantage. I know that my patients will appreciate my quiet nature. They would also say I am a great listener because I take in all information before making informed decisions. This past year, I was part of a group project with three others in my program. Two were bull-headed extroverts who constantly talked over each other and battled for whose ideas we should use. During our email and in-person communications, I took everything in, then spoke up and summarized all of their thoughts and gave my best suggestion moving forward. My student colleagues loved my ideas because it was a great compromise and a solid path to success. I'm confident that this same style of communication will be beneficial in a multidisciplinary team setting as a physician assistant."

Physician assistants are relied upon to be great communicators with patients, colleagues, physicians, and other members of the care team. Knowing that your communication skills are also vital to your academic and clinical rotation success during PA school, your interviewer at this MMI station needs to get a feel for what type of communicator you will be if accepted into their program.

You'll have around eight minutes to respond to a question like this, so elaborating on your answer will be very important. Before your PA school MMI interview, think of some great examples where your communication has benefitted a team or group effort, and come prepared to discuss how.

From the perspective of your friends, family, student colleagues, and coworkers, discuss how they would describe your communication skills and style. If you have received direct feedback from others about why your communication style is beneficial, that would be great to discuss with your interviewer at this station. Citing some examples of times when your communication has helped you or others out in tough situations will leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.

What appeals to you the most about joining our Physician Assistant program?

"As I began my search for PA programs to apply to, I had several items on my wish list, and your university quickly rose to the top of my dream list of programs. First, I want a program that values and teaches a team-based medicine approach to gain experience working alongside physicians and nursing teams in practice. A commitment to the medically underserved is also important to me, and I love that your program values this commitment. A very unique piece of your program that intrigues me is the dual degree program with the MPH degree. I'm excited to learn more about what your graduates are doing and if this would be a viable option for my career goals. Last, and certainly not least, enrolling in your program would keep me close to my family and my fiance's job. While certainly not a necessity for us, we would love to have an opportunity to stay in this region and thrive near our family."

Admissions teams with Physician Assistant programs will see a variety of qualified candidates, all with the necessary academic skills and clinical knowledge. To differentiate those they will accept, programs want students that have passion for the mission and values of the institution and program.

PA schools love the MMI process because it allows many interviewers to interact and be a part of the admissions process. A vital part of the admissions process is ensuring that new students are great cultural fits with their program's culture and values, so make sure you take the time to research the mission, values, and culture of the school you're interviewing with.

As you research PA schools to apply to and eventually interview with, keep a running list of the qualities of the program that you are most interested in. This can include academics, the curriculum, rotation opportunities, and even personal things like geographic location. Then, you can refer to this list to answer this question during an interview.Be sure to comment on the mission and values of the institution and program. No matter how you answer, speak with passion as you show genuine interest in your admission into the program you are interviewing with.

Our program and institution values a culturally diverse and inclusive atmosphere. How do you expect to thrive and prosper in this environment?

"Your institution's diversity, equity & inclusion opening statement, 'Our differences make us stronger,' couldn't be said any better. In a culturally diverse climate, students, faculty, and even patients can help each other grow and learn new ways of doing things, and this is an environment that I would be proud to be a part of. Coming from a small Midwest town that wasn't very diverse, my four years of my undergraduate program helped me grow an appreciation for now working closely with others who were born and raised differently than I was. From studying together for tests, working together in the Commons, and working on group projects, I've been able to see so many things from a different perspective, which has helped me grow both as a person and professionally. A goal of mine is to one day practice in primary care in a large metro area where I will see a diverse patient base, and I am confident that my training here will help me best prepare for my future career goals."

Physician assistant programs across the country emphasize increasing the diversity of their students, as will the hospitals and clinics you will be rotating in. During your PA school MMI process, you can expect at least one station to ask you to discuss your experiences and values related to succeeding in a culturally diverse environment.

Before your PA school MMI interview, research the diversity and inclusion websites of the program and institution you are interviewing with. This research will help you come prepared to speak to their philosophies and how you value them as a person and future student with their program.

The best way to answer a question like this on diversity and inclusion is to speak from the heart of your own experiences. As you discuss your experiences working closely with and alongside others from a different background than you, you should highlight how learning from others and seeing things in a new way has helped you become a better person, student, and future physician assistant. Be sure to touch on how you've familiarized yourself with the institution's DE&I policies and how you hold the same values for yourself, both now and in your career in practice.

What do you feel is one of the biggest issues that physician assistants face in practice?

"I know from talking to a few PAs in practice and from some research I've been doing that administrative burdens are one of the top dissatisfiers of working as a physician assistant. I understand that it's easy to get stuck in old habits, but patient documentation in EHRs and other non-clinical tasks are a part of everyday life for a healthcare provider now. As a student in your program, I hope to build documentation skills and learn how to manage online inboxes from patients. Of course, I'm coming into this profession to help people, and these non-clinical tasks are for the benefit of the patient."

In the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, mid-level providers like physician assistants are continuously faced with challenges in practice. The school you are interviewing with wants to know that you are in tune with the current challenges PAs face.

PA schools love to use one or two writing stations for candidates interviewing for admission into their program because the brief essays allow the admissions team to quickly rate their writing and critical thinking skills. You'll only have up to ten minutes to write a short essay, so be sure to get some practice in responding to questions/scenarios in written format. If your PA school MMI interview is virtual, your typing skills should also be up to par.

Before your PA school MMI, read up on current topics and issues that PAs are faced with daily and come to your interview prepared to discuss one or two of these issues in detail. Feel free to get a bit creative with your answer, as long as you support your answer with facts and data. At the end of your essay, briefly describe how you would manage the issues you discuss with the program you are interviewing with.

Do you think it is okay for a Physician Assistant to be friends with a patient or follow a patient on any social media platforms?

"No, I do not think it is okay to have an online relationship with patients on social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat. That line can get a little blurred on open sites like Instagram and Twitter, where posts are made public. As a Facebook user, I would never accept a friend request from a patient because that crosses the professional boundary. If somehow I were to be messaged by a patient on any social media platform for medical advice, my response would be to call my office or the general patient scheduling line. I would always take my professionalism on sites seriously as a PA student in your program. However, there are so many positive things that can come from sites like Twitter and Instagram. Following important research and networking with professionals in my specialty is something that I look forward to doing as a physician assistant."

Healthcare providers like physician assistants face many ethical dilemmas, and you will be exposed to some of these as a PA student. With the commonality of social media presence among all age groups today, your interviewer needs to hear that you understand the professional boundaries concerning these types of relationships with patients.

While this question could be answered with a simple no, you'll have about six to eight minutes to respond during this session of your PA school multiple mini interview. This is a great opportunity to elaborate on the positives and negatives of social media and discuss your use of them.

While social media can be great for physicians and healthcare providers to network, share research, and promote their institutions, following or friending patients crosses a few lines that should not be crossed. Make sure your interviewer knows you understand those boundaries and are not willing to cross them.

Is it ever okay to be dishonest with a patient?

"Yes, I feel strongly that there are a limited number of situations where withholding information from a patient is the right thing to do. I was reading about this topic a few months ago and learned a lot that I can bring to PA school. For example, if a patient suffers from poor mental health, the whole truth about their condition or treatment may be more than they can handle. The condition and treatment should still be thoroughly documented, and the patient's caregivers would need to be informed, but in those cases, dishonesty may be best. I would also likely withhold information if a near miss occurred during a patient's procedure. As long as it was truly an error and no harm was done to the patient, there is no benefit in the patient knowing that something damaging or fatal almost happened. Of course, I would follow any internal reporting procedures in this situation."

As a physician assistant, your ethics may be tested concerning honesty with a patient. Your interviewer wants to hear if you feel there are any situations where honesty may not be the best policy and why you feel that way.

Remember that PA schools use the multiple mini interview process to evaluate the skills, abilities, and personality traits that will make you a great student and future Physician Assistant. In your research, you may come across scenarios in which a physician's honesty with a patient is not best for the patient. The key to your answer is stressing that you are still doing good for the patient.

First, make it abundantly clear that being honest and forthright with patients is the best thing to do in most situations, and reiterate that you are an honest and forthright person. Then go on to explain that there are a small number of scenarios where withholding some truth can benefit the patient, such as when a patient's psychological state can be helped, cultural barriers in care, and when near misses happen with patients.

What would you do if you found out a fellow PA student was cheating?

"Because I value fairness in a higher learning setting and strive to do my best without taking the easy route out, I would immediately report the cheating to the professor or faculty member of the class. Depending on the situation and my relationship with the student, I might speak with them first and give them the opportunity to confess first. It would be naive to say that routes for plagiarizing and other forms of cheating aren't readily available to students; it is one of the unfortunate downsides of the rise of the internet, AI, and other technologies. But what do students who do this gain other than a good grade? Nothing. I think it is important for universities to have policies to handle academic dishonesty, and I see that your program does."

With the rise of technology, academic dishonesty has unfortunately become more prevalent in PA schools, and programs are beefing up their policies regarding these situations. Because the program you are interviewing with takes academic integrity very seriously, they ask this question to ensure you feel the same.

Remember that your character and values will be highly evaluated during many of the interview questions/scenarios. To give you an upper hand when giving your thoughts on this, make sure to scour the program's website and read about their academic dishonesty policy and come to your interview prepared to agree with it from a personal ethics perspective.

This is your chance to shine by saying you would do the right thing and immediately report the cheating classmate. Since you have time to walk through this hypothetical situation during your multiple mini interview, it is okay to mention that this may be a struggle if you were close to the student colleague in question. Just be sure your interviewer understands that you would do the right thing. Then let them know you understand and agree with their institution's academic dishonesty policy and would follow it during your time with their program.

How would you respond if a patient asks your thoughts on the topic of abortion?

"Since the patient asked, I wouldn't hesitate to let them know that I believe that abortion is warranted as an option for those with specific medical conditions that put the mother at risk. Of course, a huge part of this decision would depend on my relationship with the patient and my comfort with having a direct conversation like this with them. I would also tell the patient that every person is entitled to their own opinion and eventual decisions on the matter and that I, as their healthcare provider, will be there to help them make an informed decision."

The ability to balance professional and personal opinion as a physician assistant will be a vital skill for your to possess as a PA student. During the multiple mini interview process, your interview team will likely pose a station where you have to strike this balance, and there's no more perfect scenario than the one posed in this question.

PA school MMI processes are designed to gauge how potential students will react and handle real-life scenarios they may face during their clinical rotations during schooling and in practice in the future. You can prepare well for this and similar questions by practicing your response to a friend or loved one before your interview.

Because this question states that the patient is asking for your thoughts on the topic, you can give them. But you'll need to be wary that if you do, you'll need to be professional in your approach and encourage the patient to make their own choices for their health and well-being. Declining to give your opinion in this situation is also appropriate as long as you can state this in a professional and empathetic manner.

How do you feel about the differences in state laws that impact a physician assistant's ability to prescribe and administer prescription drugs and medical devices?

"PAs are readily trained and educated to be authorities in prescribing drugs and medical devices and should be allowed to do so within their scope of practice. This would allow physicians more time for procedures and more patients to be treated promptly. Unfortunately, this is not the case in most states, and I know that groups like the AAPA are advocating for broadening the scope of practice. This is something I would advocate for as well. But I'm in a position right now to always obey my scope of practice, both during my rotations as a student with your program and in my practice following graduation. I've learned that in Iowa, PAs can prescribe schedules III-V drugs, and I am very knowledgeable on what those schedules entail. I also understand that PAs in this state must be under the supervision of a physician and ultimately have the final responsibility of all care for a patient."

As a prospective PA, it's important to know that your scope of practice could vary greatly depending on which state you practice in after graduation. This question is posed to gauge your knowledge on this topic. Your interviewer also hopes to hear that you are open and flexible to your future practice as a physician assistant as it relates to state policies that are in place.

The MMI process allows PA programs to evaluate the varying levels of knowledge of the candidates they are considering for admission to their program. Given the wide variety of interview stations you will visit during the process, you can expect at least one question on healthcare policy related to practicing as a physician assistant. Be sure to read up on various policies before your interview.

Note how this particular question is worded. As you read this question before entering the MMI session, it's important to understand that they are asking you how you feel about these differences. While it is okay to give your opinion, you must ensure your interviewer understands that you will keep an open mind to changing your practice depending on where you land after graduating from their program. Touch on the particular scope of practice for PAs in the state the program you are interviewing with lies in. Doing so will show your interviewer that you have done your homework and are interested in the overall policy issue.

A new patient gets angry at you for bringing up weight loss tactics when discussing their health. Respond to them.

"Joe, I understand your feelings, and I want you to know that I don't mean any offense to you. Your weight could pose health issues down the road to your heart, liver, and other body functions. (allow them to respond) Yes, I understand that heredity can be a big factor in a person's size. But I don't want that to be an excuse to not exercise and eat right. Tell me about your diet and physical activity every week. (allow them to respond) Okay, I appreciate the honesty. I want you to know that what I recommend is a professional recommendation, and you can do what you want with it. My first recommendation would be to start walking 30 to 60 minutes, five times a week. You'll be amazed how much better you feel after just one week of doing this. My other recommendation would be to only dine out once per week and eat lean meat and a low amount of carbs at home for most of your meals. Are you willing to commit to this plan for six months? At that time, I would love to see you again."

Handling patients who are angry, distraught, or stressed can be a regular part of the daily life of a physician assistant. During your rotations in primary care, this is a real-life conversation that you will have with patients, and your interviewer will be gauging each candidate's ability to be empathetic and educational at the same time during this role-playing scenario.

When asked to role-play during a multiple mini interview, pulling from your prior experiences can be the key to making a positive impression on your interviewer. Practice makes perfect, so take the time to rehearse role-playing situations where you have to communicate with upset or angry patients.

When dealing with an angry or offended patient, it is best to take a methodical approach. First, acknowledge their feelings and thoughts so they understand they are being heard. Take the time to listen to them if another person is role-playing as the patient. While showing empathy for the patient and their weight issue, start an honest conversation about how it can negatively impact their health. It's important to reiterate that you want to help them and allow them to make the choices that they are most comfortable with.

You are playing catch with a friend in your yard and a ball goes over the fence and breaks a cherished lawn ornament of your neighbors. Knock on their door and explain to them what happened.

"Hi Nancy, I came over right away to let you know that an errant baseball broke your birdbath in your backyard. It looks like the ball at the top was shattered. Can we go out back and take a look at it right now? (allow response) Yes, I know you loved that birdbath, and I can't tell you how sorry I am for what happened. (out in the backyard now) Oh, Nancy, I can't believe this happened. How can we help make this right? I would love to replace this for you. Can you let me know where you got the birdbath? (allow time to respond) If you want to look on your own, I'd be more than happy to reimburse you. (allow time to respond) Yes, that will work for me. Again, I can't apologize enough for the ball over your fence, and I assure you it won't happen again. You can call me or stop over when you buy the new birdbath, and I'd be happy to help set it up for you."

This unique role-playing scenario gives your interviewer the chance to see how you think on your feet. They'll get to see your non-verbal communication skills, like eye contact and body language, and your active listening skills.

The MMI process can often be difficult to predict. While you can expect to face some role-playing scenarios, off-the-wall questions like this that have nothing to do with medicine could throw you for a loop if you aren't prepared. But you can use an empathetic and honest approach, just as you would if delivering bad news to a patient or colleague as a physician assistant.

The best approach for a role-playing scenario like this is to take a direct and honest approach; admit your mistake directly and offer to help with any solutions. If your interviewer is playing the role of the neighbor, make sure you take the time to listen to them and help in any way you can.

Your team is discharging a patient in the end stages of kidney failure to hospice care. The patient's son approaches you, asking you to find a reason to keep him in the hospital. Respond to the patient's son.

"I understand and appreciate your concern, but this is the best option for your mother. Hospice professionals can provide the care she needs at this stage of her disease better than we can. You'll get to be by her side as much as you like and even assist in her care. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any initial questions. The hospice center she is going to is amazing, and she will have a full care team there waiting for her. My colleague, Dr. Smith, also makes rounds there daily and will be available any time your family needs him."

Expect role-playing scenarios during your PA school multiple mini interview process. Your admissions team knows that physician assistants face many challenging interactions, both during their time in training and as a PA in practice, and they need to see that you can handle difficult conversations with professionalism and grace.

Be sure to practice a variety of scenarios with a friend or loved one before your interview. The more you can practice delivering bad news and having difficult conversations knowledgeably, the better results you will have when it counts.

If a family member disagrees with a medical decision or the care of their loved one, it is best to take an educational approach. The son does not want to face the reality that the end of their parent's life may be near. As you answer, take an empathetic approach while letting them know this is the best path forward.

You are having a disagreement with a colleague about the best treatment path for a patient after discussing options. How would you handle that situation?

"I would want to sit down and talk through our thoughts and listen to each other's perspective. My approach would be confident and respectful. If I realized that my colleague's treatment path was the best, I wouldn't hesitate to agree with them and take that path. Pride can't stand in the way of providing the best care possible to a patient, and this would never be an issue for me as a physician assistant. With all of the treatment paths available for many of the common ailments patients face, I foresee that colleague disagreements would be fairly common. For me, it's all about taking a professional approach that focuses on the best path for the patient."

Disagreements about how to best treat a patient can be a common occurrence in the clinical setting. The PA school you are interviewing with wants to hear that you will always take a professional and respectful approach when disagreements happen. They'll want to hear that you will always keep what's best for the patient in mind and be willing to compromise to do that.

Scenario-based questions are common during PA school multiple mini interviews as they allow the interviewer to gauge how you will act in real-world scenarios as a student with their program when you are completing your rotations. While the types of scenarios that could be presented to you during the interview are endless, practicing responding to them professionally and respectfully in a short time frame will pay dividends during your actual interview. Also, remember that your interviewer will be evaluating your body language and tone of voice as you respond.

The first important thing you want to drive home with your interviewer is that you will take the time to talk things out with the person you disagree with. Stress that you would speak your professional opinion confidently while listening to your colleague's perspective. From there, it is all about making the best decision for the patient and coming to an agreement.

If you are faced with a large clinical workload, extra hours in the hospital, and an increasing administrative workload during your career, how will you prevent burning out?

"This all comes down to striking a balance between focusing on my work in the clinic and focusing on myself during my off time. As I've shown through multiple semesters with a large credit load and working part-time on the side, using tools to keep me organized and on track has always helped me from becoming too stressed in my work. I love to use calendars to ensure that my daily tasks are taken care of. Setting aside time for future work prep is vital as well. I'm all about maintaining a healthy and productive lifestyle in my personal life. I keep myself revitalized by weight lifting and running regularly and maintaining a healthy diet. I don't drink caffeine or soda and feel this keeps my head clear. I look forward to the coming challenge of PA school and a successful career in practice as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery."

According to recent studies, one in three physician assistants have met the requirements for being considered burned out, and almost half meet the requirements for being exhausted. At this MMI station, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are aware that you are entering a demanding field and will come to their program with the tools, resources, and strategies necessary to avoid burning out.

From a candidate's perspective, the MMI process gives you the ability to talk about your past experiences and how they will help you be a successful student and future physician assistant in practice. Think about some times you successfully navigated stressful situations and come ready to explain how you did that.

The main goal of your answer is the talk about how you stay organized and on track on the job and take care of yourself mentally and physically outside of work and the classroom to ensure that you can perform at your peak at all times. As you discuss how you would do this as a PA, let your history be your guide; your interviewer knows that past behavior can help predict future performance in the clinical setting.

What would you do if a patient told you they couldn't afford a procedure they desperately needed?

"If a patient brought this up with me as their healthcare provider, I would empathize with them and assure them that I would see about getting them in touch with the right people concerning financial aid, setting up payment plans, or being referred to a reduced fee clinic. When I'm in practice down the road, I would plan to be in touch with these resources and make sure that the patient could connect with the right people. It's no secret that the burden of costs of care is falling more and more on the patients. I watched a close relative go through a similar dilemma with a herniated disc, and her physician and hospital worked hard to set her on a payment plan for her out-of-pocket costs. Seeing how the surgery changed her life for the better was such a positive experience."

Physician assistants get pulled into the business and financial sides of practice through patient interactions. In posing a scenario like this, your interviewer won't expect you to know all of the answers for your institution. Instead, they'll be looking to hear that you can be resourceful and look into options for your patient and advocate for them.

For scenario-based situations during an MMI process, a good answer will depend on your research ahead of the interview and your ability to think on your feet during the interview. Come to your PA school interview with some knowledge of financial aid options commonly available to uninsured or underinsured patients, and be ready to show your interviewer that you can be resourceful in doing what's best for your patients.

When faced with a patient who can't afford necessary care, it is your job as their healthcare provider to keep them informed about available options and potential costs. But as an interviewing PA student, you may not be aware of all of the options that may be available. It will be essential to read up on financial aid options and pro bono care before your interview so you can speak with confidence about what some healthcare systems offer. No matter how you answer, explain how you will put the patient in touch with the right people that can help them.

You will be given a drawing of a sunset scene on a beach, and you will have to describe to your collaborator how to draw the scene without them seeing the actual picture.

"(First, study the picture as quickly as possible and ensure you can give clear initial instructions) Okay, John, I have a beautiful picture looking out from a beach over a large lake or ocean, and the sun is just about reaching the horizon. The water starts about halfway up the page if the water and sunset are on the top and the beach is on the bottom. The water is a bit wavy, and some birds are flying in the distance to the right of the sun. Are you okay getting started there with an outline? Great! That's looking awesome so far. I probably didn't explain this enough, but the sun is a bit smaller and a little closer to the horizon; are you okay fixing that? Okay, now looking at the beach, there is a pile of larger rocks near the water on the left-hand side and a pier that extends out into the water. The pier has long support poles, and there are no boats parked there. Two people are walking back towards the beach in the middle of the pier. Yes, that looks amazing. Did my description of the rocks make sense? Okay, last will be the scene on the beach in the middle and to the right. To the right, there appear to be two people throwing a frisbee with a dog running between them. The people will be drawn pretty small because they are close to the water and in the distance. Yes, that looks perfect!"

In a collaborative question like this, with two candidates working together to complete simple or complex tasks, the interviewer will evaluate from two perspectives. As the describer in this situation, they'll expect you to give clear and succinct instructions and answer your teammate's questions. They'll also want to hear you encourage them along the way. If you were in the other chair during this scenario, they would assess whether you can follow directions, ask clarifying questions, and be positive when things get frustrating.

PA schools love to utilize the MMI process to give team-based exercises like this to evaluate candidates, so be sure to practice being both a leader and a follower by doing tasks like completing puzzles and giving directions for everyday life tasks. Work with a friend to give you feedback on how you react in both roles and bring that advice with you to your PA school MMI interview.

The best first step is to give your partner an overview of the entire picture as quickly as possible. From there, describe the scene in portions or sections. As your partner begins drawing, give them constructive feedback and encourage them along the way. If they do something wrong or miss a direction from you, correct them positively and professionally. Once you have described the larger items and sections, and if you have time, you can get down to the details. Asking for feedback from your teammate will be expected, so be sure to do so.

You and a fellow interviewee are tasked with planning a 5k run to raise money for cancer research with no other instruction.

"Hi Jenny, I'm Gary, and I'm looking forward to planning this 5k run to make money for a great cause. Yes, I think we should talk about goals first. The funds could go to a variety of places, and I think the American Cancer Society is a great place to raise funds because of the great things they are doing. Okay, let's pin down the date and location. I love the idea of a spring or a fall run because of the weather. I think late September or October would be perfect. My preference would be for a suburban setting as well; do you know if we would have to contact city officials to secure a course? Great! Next in line would be to start marketing the event and seeking volunteers. A strong social media presence would be great as well. I can get started on flyers for the September 25th run in Suburbville starting at 10:00 am, and you can build out the announcements through social media. I'll start a registration Gmail account as well."

Teamwork stations for PA school MMI interviews can involve many different scenarios. In this particular scenario, very little direction was given and no specific roles were assigned between the two candidates. Your interviewer wants to see that both can develop a quick collaborative relationship and accomplish planning a 5k run because your ability to collaborate quickly will benefit you as you enter your clinical rotations and work with new physicians and nursing teams every month.

In team-based scenarios like this, remember that your interviewer will study on your ability to focus on the process, take the lead when necessary, and reflectively listen to others. Try to come up with some creative ideas so your interviewer will be sure to remember you after seeing many teams of interviewing candidates.

You have to narrow down a large project to around six to eight minutes, so it is best to break things down into the brainstorming, planning, and implementing stages of the 5k run. You'll want to focus on how funds will be raised and how you will market the event to ensure it succeeds. Having likely never worked alongside your interviewing colleague, you'll have to build a quick rapport and let things naturally take shape concerning who is taking the lead. Make sure that there is give and take between both of you as you don't want to seem too demanding to work with or hesitant to take charge when needed.

What type of leader do you consider yourself to be?

"I think of myself as a leader who builds trust among any team I lead and is always willing to jump in and lead by example when necessary. Whether it's my current student colleagues in my undergraduate program or others that I've worked alongside in the job I've held over the last four years, they all would be willing to let you know that I have excellent communication skills. I can deliver bad news in a way that is understood and empathizes with others. I'm also very in tune with having difficult conversations respectfully and professionally. As a shift leader in my retail position, I've had to be a part of several employee terminations over the last two years. While difficult at first, a great manager once told me that focusing on the task at hand and being forthright with the terminated employee was the best approach for the employee, me, and the company. In a few instances, the terminated employee thanked me for my honesty and was very apologetic. In this role, I also schedule shifts and take a very open approach with my team on their requests for days off. I never hesitate to let staff members communicate amongst each other to find solutions that work for the entire team."

Working as a physician assistant requires definitive leadership qualities in the clinic and hospital setting. Because you will start to display them during your time in PA school, your interviewer at this MMI station wants to hear your best leadership qualities so they can gauge how you will lead care teams during your clinical rotations.

Each station will be timed for around 10 minutes. Use this time to give some concrete examples of times when your leadership skills benefitted a team effort. This can be from your educational, work, or personal history.

As you openly talk about the skills and qualities that make you a great leader, keep in mind the impression you are making on your interviewer at this MMI station. Remember that open communication, great listening skills, the ability to empathize, and taking charge when needed are qualities the program you are interviewing with is looking for in their PA students. After highlighting your leadership qualities, discuss a time or two when your leadership led to great results when working with others.

Tell me about yourself.

"Thank you for the opportunity to let you know who I am! My name is John Smith, and I was born and raised in Anywhereville, USA. I am the youngest of three children and looked up to my two older sisters growing up. My oldest sister is a successful high school teacher and coach, and my middle sister is just finishing PA school. She inspired me to take that path too. Our father owned a hardware store in my hometown, and I loved growing up around the store and helping where I could. By the age of 14, I was working weekends in the store where I stocked shelves, took inventory, and manned the cash register. My mom was a nurse her entire career, and she inspired my sister and me to become PAs. I enrolled in a great biology undergraduate program and worked hard to make the dean's list every semester. The study and preparation habits I've built over the last four years will help me greatly if I'm fortunate enough to be accepted into your program. I spend the majority of my free time with my dog Hank. I got him two years ago and have been training him hard to be a duck-hunting dog. I was raised in the outdoors and have a passion for outdoor-related activities. Hank and I love hiking and canoeing as well. I'm also a very avid cook and love to host parties for friends and family where I try new and elaborate recipes."

PA schools will interview many qualified candidates for admission into their program. The program you are interviewing with wants to admit well-rounded individuals who are academically focused, have a great outlook on their future and will be a great fit with the team and culture of their institution. By asking you this open-ended question, the interviewer can hear your best sales pitch.

While this is a very open-ended question that allows you to take your response in any direction you see fit, remember that the time given during this MMI session allows you to hit several points about yourself. Discuss qualities and experiences that show your commitment to success, your ability to get along well with others, and even your ability to have fun while working hard.

When talking about yourself and who you are during the PA school MMI process, start by giving a brief history of your upbringing so your interviewer will get a feel for the values you were raised upon. Stress that family values are important to you because they reflect well on success in the healthcare setting. Then talk in detail about your academic path and the successes you've seen along the way. To give your interviewer a chance to see what excites you and makes you unique, talk about your hobbies and interests outside of the classroom. Allow the interviewer to hear your passion for living your life to the fullest.

What inspired you to become a Physician Assistant?

"Two things led me to a career in healthcare and a future as a physician assistant. First and foremost, watching my mother succeed as a registered nurse throughout her career was such an inspiration to me. She spent her entire career in the ICU setting and worked long shifts, nights, and weekends. Even though it was difficult on my siblings and me, she was always so fulfilled caring for patients that needed it the most in the intensive care setting. As I got older, the sciences like biology and chemistry came naturally to me, and I was very successful in them. Knowing my strengths and passions, getting my undergraduate in biology, and now seeking acceptance to an esteemed PA program like yours would be a dream come true. While I considered the nursing path my mother took, I see a career as a PA taking me so much further."

As the admissions team at the PA school you are interviewing with considers many great candidates for admission, sometimes the decision on who to admit comes down to selecting the individuals that show the most drive and passion for success in the field down the road. Your motivations and drive for becoming a physician assistant can make a lasting impression on the person conducting this MMI interview session.

Remember that a question like this during your PA school MMI interview isn't about the 'who' or 'what' but rather the 'why'! No matter who or what you choose to cite as your inspiration for this career path, you have the time to explain and make it abundantly clear how they influenced you to pursue the profession.

Before your PA school interviews, take the time to reflect on what and who has inspired you to become a physician assistant. Perhaps it was a family member, high school teacher, good friend, or even a pioneer in medicine. It could have also been your love of the sciences or helping people in need. Elaborate on how your inspiration helped build your goals as a PA student. Give as much detail as possible to let your interviewer see your passion for your future.

What do you feel is one weakness you have coming into PA school?

"The one thing that makes me a bit nervous is that I have been in the workforce as an EMT for eight years since graduating with my bachelor's degree. It will be an adjustment entering PA school with a family. While I haven't been in the classroom in what feels like a long time, I know my experience as an EMT will be very beneficial to me as a student in your program. When it comes to study habits, my spouse and kids have committed to helping out during my schooling, and this was the number one thing I needed. I plan to be a great teammate for my student colleagues in your program, and we can learn from and feed off of each other in the classroom. During clinical rotations, my EMT experience will be great in the hospital, ER, and critical care settings. I'll have a lot of learning to do in the clinic setting and look forward to those opportunities."

If there is one sure thing about every incoming class, it is that every student has weaknesses. Your interviewer at this MMI station is looking to hear that you have the courage to speak about their shortcomings and have put thought into how you plan to address your weaknesses as a student with their program.

During the MMI interview process, you can expect standard interview questions and some questions/scenarios that come out of left field. A question about your biggest weakness should be approached with honesty. If you feel you didn't perform well with this question or any others, there is no need to fret; you will have many other opportunities to impress your MMI interview team.

Before your PA school interview, consider what you feel your one shortcoming would be if you were accepted into a program. Your interviewer at this MMI station will appreciate your honesty. From there, it is all about your plan to address your weakness and improve. Your weakness can be anything, from a personality trait to academics, from lack of work experience in healthcare to being a non-traditional student.

Where do you see your career as a Physician Assistant taking you?

"Right now, my goal is to go into family practice and women's health near my hometown, where I can provide care to patients of all ages. My hometown has given me so much in my lifetime, and I want to give back to the health and well-being of those that helped raise me. As a student in your program, I would love to focus my clinical rotations on emergency medicine, family medicine, urgent care, OB/GYN, and sports medicine to become a well-rounded family practitioner. I would love to hear more about your graduates who have found success in family practice. Can you elaborate on that?"

Physician assistant programs train PAs that take many different career paths in medicine. Programs love to say they have successfully trained graduates who have gone into a wide array of medical specialties. To get a feel for where you want your career path to take you and to hear your ideal training path with their program, your interviewer wants to hear about the medical specialties that interest you the most.

If you aren't certain where you want your career to go following graduation from PA school, that is okay. You can make your interviewer aware that you plan to consider all of your experiences as you train with their program and make a career decision from there. Talking about the type of practice you want to one day be in rather than the specialty is also a great strategy to use when answering this question if you are unsure of your exact career path.

Speak openly about your career goals as a physician assistant. In addition to the medical specialty that you see yourself practicing in, you also have the time to elaborate on the type of practice you wish to be a part of. This can include a large group practice, a non-profit organization, a private for-profit practice, or government-funded practice. Be sure to talk about any desires you have for research and education in the field.

What interests you most about our physician assistant program?

"Over the last year, I've spoken with several current healthcare providers and students from around the country. One common thing that everyone stressed was finding a program with an excellent track record of training highly successful PAs in the surgical subspecialties because that is where I want my career to take me. Finding a program with strong faculty in the classroom setting is also vital to me. I've focused my applications on these types of schools, and your program quickly rose to the top of my list. With that said, what makes this my dream school is that my fiance's family resides in this region of the state, and we can see ourselves settling down here after I graduate. During clinical rotations with your program, I'll be working extra hard to make great impressions on the staff I work with in hopes of securing a job near the following graduation."

Your interviewers are trying to ensure that the students they admit find the school a good fit. With this question, your interviewer wants to hear you speak openly and honestly about the factors of their program that make it the top program on your list. They'll use a question like this to ensure you have done your homework on their program, institution, and even city.

In an MMI interview, the interviewer you encounter at each station will evaluate every candidate with the same question/scenario. To make yourself a memorable candidate, dig deep in your research into their program and speak from the heart when you discuss what interests you most about their program. The goal here will be to make your answer the most memorable to your interviewer.

Before your PA school MMI, thoroughly research the details of the program you are interviewing with and come prepared to discuss the unique aspects of their program that are attractive to you. Highlight the pieces of their mission and values that speak to you most. Last, fitting in with life outside of the classroom and clinical setting will be important for any student to be successful. Therefore, don't hesitate to talk about your interests and hobbies that you can do in the city/region you'll be living in while in training in the program.

With all of the available career options in healthcare, why are you seeking to become a physician assistant?

"I realized that my skills and passions fell in healthcare during high school, so becoming a physician assistant seems like the most natural fit for me. While I considered a path in nursing, I have a strong desire to be the provider in charge of direct patient care in a clinical setting and focus all of my work on helping my patients live better and healthier lives. I also love that a career as a physician assistant allows me to be flexible throughout my career and learn and grow in many different subspecialties of medicine. This is not an option for physicians who spend many years in residency and additional fellowship training."

Just thinking about provider options in healthcare, prospective PAs also had the option of becoming medical doctors or nurse practitioners. Additionally, many other healthcare career options also exist. In posing this question during the MMI process, the interviewer at this station wants to ensure that interviewing candidates are entering their program for the right reasons.

If you were considering medical school at one point and are not doing that now because it was too difficult or your grades weren't good enough, remember that is not a great reason to give your interviewer. Your interviewer wants to hear about your passion for medicine and patient care.

Before your PA school MMI, sit down and write out your reasons and motivations for becoming a physician assistant. Speak passionately and from the heart as you discuss the fine details of the work of a physician assistant that appeal to you the most. Some great things that make being a physician assistant so unique are career versatility, being focused on patient care, and being in high demand right now.

PA School MMI Interview Questions

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1. Let's pretend I've never cooked a cheeseburger before. Walk me through how to successfully prepare and cook it to perfection.
2. How would those close to you describe your communication style?
3. What appeals to you the most about joining our Physician Assistant program?
4. Our program and institution values a culturally diverse and inclusive atmosphere. How do you expect to thrive and prosper in this environment?
5. What do you feel is one of the biggest issues that physician assistants face in practice?
6. Do you think it is okay for a Physician Assistant to be friends with a patient or follow a patient on any social media platforms?
7. Is it ever okay to be dishonest with a patient?
8. What would you do if you found out a fellow PA student was cheating?
9. How would you respond if a patient asks your thoughts on the topic of abortion?
10. How do you feel about the differences in state laws that impact a physician assistant's ability to prescribe and administer prescription drugs and medical devices?
11. A new patient gets angry at you for bringing up weight loss tactics when discussing their health. Respond to them.
12. You are playing catch with a friend in your yard and a ball goes over the fence and breaks a cherished lawn ornament of your neighbors. Knock on their door and explain to them what happened.
13. Your team is discharging a patient in the end stages of kidney failure to hospice care. The patient's son approaches you, asking you to find a reason to keep him in the hospital. Respond to the patient's son.
14. You are having a disagreement with a colleague about the best treatment path for a patient after discussing options. How would you handle that situation?
15. If you are faced with a large clinical workload, extra hours in the hospital, and an increasing administrative workload during your career, how will you prevent burning out?
16. What would you do if a patient told you they couldn't afford a procedure they desperately needed?
17. You will be given a drawing of a sunset scene on a beach, and you will have to describe to your collaborator how to draw the scene without them seeing the actual picture.
18. You and a fellow interviewee are tasked with planning a 5k run to raise money for cancer research with no other instruction.
19. What type of leader do you consider yourself to be?
20. Tell me about yourself.
21. What inspired you to become a Physician Assistant?
22. What do you feel is one weakness you have coming into PA school?
23. Where do you see your career as a Physician Assistant taking you?
24. What interests you most about our physician assistant program?
25. With all of the available career options in healthcare, why are you seeking to become a physician assistant?

PA School MMI Interview Questions

1. Let's pretend I've never cooked a cheeseburger before. Walk me through how to successfully prepare and cook it to perfection.

2. How would those close to you describe your communication style?

3. What appeals to you the most about joining our Physician Assistant program?

4. Our program and institution values a culturally diverse and inclusive atmosphere. How do you expect to thrive and prosper in this environment?

5. What do you feel is one of the biggest issues that physician assistants face in practice?

6. Do you think it is okay for a Physician Assistant to be friends with a patient or follow a patient on any social media platforms?

7. Is it ever okay to be dishonest with a patient?

8. What would you do if you found out a fellow PA student was cheating?

9. How would you respond if a patient asks your thoughts on the topic of abortion?

10. How do you feel about the differences in state laws that impact a physician assistant's ability to prescribe and administer prescription drugs and medical devices?

11. A new patient gets angry at you for bringing up weight loss tactics when discussing their health. Respond to them.

12. You are playing catch with a friend in your yard and a ball goes over the fence and breaks a cherished lawn ornament of your neighbors. Knock on their door and explain to them what happened.

13. Your team is discharging a patient in the end stages of kidney failure to hospice care. The patient's son approaches you, asking you to find a reason to keep him in the hospital. Respond to the patient's son.

14. You are having a disagreement with a colleague about the best treatment path for a patient after discussing options. How would you handle that situation?

15. If you are faced with a large clinical workload, extra hours in the hospital, and an increasing administrative workload during your career, how will you prevent burning out?

16. What would you do if a patient told you they couldn't afford a procedure they desperately needed?

17. You will be given a drawing of a sunset scene on a beach, and you will have to describe to your collaborator how to draw the scene without them seeing the actual picture.

18. You and a fellow interviewee are tasked with planning a 5k run to raise money for cancer research with no other instruction.

19. What type of leader do you consider yourself to be?

20. Tell me about yourself.

21. What inspired you to become a Physician Assistant?

22. What do you feel is one weakness you have coming into PA school?

23. Where do you see your career as a Physician Assistant taking you?

24. What interests you most about our physician assistant program?

25. With all of the available career options in healthcare, why are you seeking to become a physician assistant?