Explain how to tie my shoelaces properly without using visuals.

"First, let's make sure your shoes are on the right feet and your laces are untied. Okay, looks great! Now, I want you to take each end of your lace in each hand and straighten them out. Yes, just like that. Looks great! Now, wrap the left lace over the right lace and pull the left under the right and pull both ends tight. This is the first knot. From here, there are two methods for making your bows. I'm a loop, swoop, and pull fan and can't do bunny ears, so the next thing I'm going to have you do is make a full loop with the tag end now in your left hand and pinch it so you have about a two-inch long loop in it. That looks perfect. With it still pinched between your thumb and index finger, wrap the lace in your right hand around your thumb and loop it in your left hand. Take your right index finger, then push a loop between your left thumb and the lace you wrapped around. Now you have a second loop here, and you can pull both tight together to complete the tie. From here, for most daily situations, you are ready to go! If you plan on jogging or other physical activity, I would recommend a double-know where you would now take the two bows and tie them into another know. Looks like they should be good for now."

Interpersonal and communication skills are vital to the multiple MMI interview process for veterinary schools. In posing a question like this, your interviewer wants to see that you can clearly explain a simple task step-by-step using only words. They'll be paying attention to your ability to explain things in detail and not use hand gestures or other visual cues as you do this.

Don't get too wrapped up in sounding professional; give clear instructions in the best way you see fit while letting your interviewer see your fun side. To practice for these types of scenarios before your veterinary school MMI, practice giving basic instructions using only words and focus on your tone of voice. Also, don't hesitate to be encouraging as you answer to show your interviewer the type of student you will be with their program.

Remember to explain every step thoroughly. Don't hesitate to explain differences in methods and the benefits of double knotting should the person choose to do that.

What would you do if an illegally imported pet was brought to you for care?

"My first order of business would be evaluating the animal. If they were brought to my office, the pet owner trusts my knowledge and abilities, and I have an obligation to that animal. If it was an exotic pet that I was unfamiliar with, I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to colleagues or contacts who might be familiar with the animal and their condition. I don't want to provide treatment to a pet that I'm unfamiliar with. Once a treatment path was determined, I would work diligently with the pet and the owner. I understand that vets do not have a legal obligation to report an illegal pet. In a case like this, I would research the pet and the laws about it. If it was determined illegal because of a hazard to humans or for carrying disease, I may report the incident and tell the owner of my report. In other cases where the animal was well cared for and posed no danger, I'd likely make the owner aware that they shouldn't showboat the animal in any way. While they're likely aware the animal is illegal, it wouldn't hurt to remind them."

From the illegal importation of exotic animals to city ordinances on animal restrictions, there is a chance you will be asked to care for an illegal pet. Your interviewer wants to hear that you understand your duty as a veterinarian in any situation and what, if any, responsibility you hold in reporting such illegal activity.

When given an ethical and legal scenario like this during a veterinary school MMI, the more knowledge you have, the better. Before your interview, familiarize yourself with the more popular types of illegal pets in the area of the school you are interviewing with so you can speak knowledgeably. Sounding as prepared as possible will win over the interviewer assessing you in this session.

First and foremost, you'll want to make it clear that your first step is to treat the animal to the best of your ability. Legal or not, you have an obligation as a veterinarian to provide the best care possible. If it's an animal that you are unfamiliar with, be sure to let your interviewer know that you would research the animal before providing the necessary care. Then, you can start talking about the path you would take with the pet owner. It's important to remember that you are not in a position to uphold any laws and are likely not required to report this activity either. If you have time to finish your answer, don't hesitate to give your own educated opinions on the exotic pet market.

What appeals to you about the mission and values of our veterinary medicine program?

"As I researched reputable veterinary schools to apply to, I sought very specific qualities about programs that spoke to me personally and professionally. First, I love that part of your vision is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration with biomedical teams and agricultural communities. I believe this is so important in the advancement of veterinary medicine. I envision a future where I can reach across disciplines to develop new therapies. A team-based atmosphere is also very important to me, and I love that this is a part of your core values. Last, I want to attend an institution focused on diversity. A welcoming and respectful environment provides the best opportunity for furthering my education, and I would be thrilled to be accepted here."

During the multiple mini-interview process that veterinary schools use, many interviewers will gauge the personal and cultural fit of the candidates they are considering for admission. This direct question ensures that you have done your homework on the mission and values of the program and institution you are interviewing with and that you see them as a great fit for yourself.

Be sure to research the mission and values of the school you are interviewing with before your MMI. The program's website will have some great information on its culture, mission, and values.

In having six to eight minutes to answer a question about how the mission and values of this program appeal to you, you have the time to go into detail on why they do. Try to pick a few statements that appeal to you and then use real-life examples of how you've lived the values of the veterinary school. Don't hesitate to relate the mission to your desire to train and practice as a future veterinarian.

When have you had to work with a diverse group of people, and how did you thrive in that situation?

"In high school, I played on an AAU basketball team during the summer. The first year I was invited, I had the opportunity to play with other freshmen and sophomores from all over the state. I was from a small farming town that wasn't very culturally diverse, and this was my first opportunity to play alongside kids from other towns, urban areas, and suburbs. I was a little timid at first, but working towards a winning goal together helped me open up and learn from my teammates and coaches. We all took our personal experiences and melded them into a team that won several tournaments that first summer, which felt like such a great accomplishment. This experience encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and travel to the east coast for my undergraduate program. It instilled in me a desire to continue learning about other cultures and ways of life outside my upbringing. I look forward to continuing this during veterinary school."

Veterinary schools strive to create a culturally diverse environment for students to thrive. They have admissions goals to ensure that their student base is represented well by a diverse student body. Because the school you are interviewing with prioritizes this, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you will be able to embrace and succeed in a diverse environment during your four years with their program.

A huge goal of the MMI interview process is to give the veterinary school admissions team the ability to gauge a candidate's cultural fit with the program and personal values that will lead to success in their program. Before your interview, read about the diversity, equity, and inclusion policy of the school you are interviewing with so you can express that you share the same values.

Since this question directly asks you about a specific time you worked in a diverse environment, you need to take the time to paint a picture of the situation. Since your interviewer will gauge how you work with individuals from different backgrounds than you, describe all of the individuals you worked with and how they differed from you. It's okay to open up about any discomfort you may have initially had as long as you can make it clear that you learned and grew from the experience. Conclude your answer by highlighting what you learned from the situation and expressing that you know a diverse team of individual thinkers provides the best results in any project or situation.

How do you feel your academic background has prepared you for success in veterinary school?

"I'm confident that my great study habits and work ethic started during high school, where I was a three-sport athlete and an honor roll student every semester. I was encouraged to take AP science courses during my junior and senior years and was excited to earn college credit before enrolling. I majored in biology for my bachelor's degree, knowing that vet school was the path for me. During college, I worked hard and learned a lot about myself and how I best study and prepare myself for success. This includes being organized, detail-oriented, and a great communicator with my fellow student colleagues. I'm a diligent note-taker and use tech resources to help me stay organized. I've found that come exam time, this method helps me be as prepared as possible. Knowing that the next four years will bring increased challenges in the classroom setting, I'm confident that my study habits will get me through these challenges."

Compared to a traditional undergraduate program path where 16-18 credits per semester is the norm, veterinary students often take 25 to 30 credits per semester and can expect to be in the classroom and lab settings for up to 40 hours per week. Your interviewer wants to know if your educational background has prepared you for success in the program you are interviewing with.

Remember that in an MMI interview, interviewers will pay attention to the body language and overall confidence of each prospective student they speak with. If they sense hesitation or lack of confidence, your interviewer might assume their program would be a struggle for you. Make sure to answer this question with confidence and a concrete example of your ability to handle a large and diverse workload as a future veterinary student.

Walk the interviewer through your educational path. Feel free to start with highlights from your high school education. Then, make sure to spend some time on your undergraduate program. This will be where you can highlight your ability to be successful in loaded semesters, group projects, exams, and finals. To further solidify your answer, talk about study tips, tricks, and habits you developed that will help to ensure your success as a veterinary student.

If you had a magic wand that could change on aspect of your personality, what would you change?

"If I had this magic wand, I would change my need to be so focused, structured, and punctual. I never want to be late for anything and sometimes get flustered if plans don't go as expected. I have been working on being less time oriented and more open to change. First and foremost, my husband would truly appreciate this change because I would become more of a risk-taker and more open to taking things as they come in our personal life. From a professional perspective, magically making this disappear would help me be more flexible in jumping from one to-do item to another more quickly and easily. With that said, I know this is a weakness and have been giving it my best effort to be more aware of how my time-oriented nature impacts those around me and will continue to do so as a veterinary student with your program."

Many schools that use the MMI process like to include an essay station, where candidates are given a limited amount of time to answer a question or scenario that is presented to them via instruction. Posing a question like this for your essay station, the admissions team will expect you to think quickly on your feet to identify one piece of your personality you would like to change. It also gives them a brief opportunity to gauge your writing skills.

For an essay question during your veterinary school multiple mini interview, structuring your answer will be vital. You can practice this before your interview. Ensure that your written response includes a quick introduction, the body of your response, and then a conclusion. By practicing some essay questions before your interview, you'll be able to work on writing well-structured responses in the short amount of time that will be given during your actual interview.

Identifying one thing that you would change about your personality can be a difficult task, but consider your answer a chance to discuss one of your weaknesses and stress it is something you are trying to improve upon. By taking an honest approach here, your written answer will show your genuineness to the team evaluating it and comparing it to other veterinary school candidates.

Is it ever okay to lie to a pet owner with an animal in your care?

"This is a challenging question because honesty in any healthcare setting between provider and patient is vital, even in veterinary medicine. But I would argue that withholding certain information from pet owners could be beneficial at times if no harm was done to the animal. A great case of this would be with my aunt, who believes a monthly scrubbing of tomato soup on her dog's coat does him wonders. If she were my client and told me about it, it would be clear that no harm was being done to the dog. While the tomato soup isn't helping the dog, and not telling her so could be considered a lie, I think it would be more harmful to have that conversation with her."

Evaluating a candidate's critical thinking skills will be a vital part of the MMI process for the veterinary school you are interviewing with. On top of gauging those skills, this question also allows your interviewer some insight into your ethics.

Critical thinking questions are difficult to prepare for because the questions can be hard to predict. Given that you have a minute or two to prepare, it is okay to collect yourself and think about your answer rather than blurting out a response to avoid silence.

This is an opinionated question, and your interviewer will likely respect any answer you give as long as you can support your answer with valid reasons. Many factors come into play when dealing with pet owners and the health and well-being of the animals themselves, and multiple veterinarians can handle similar situations very differently. No matter how you answer, ensure your interviewer has a great understanding of your ethical values.

You are about to perform a procedure with a colleague. They reach into their bag and take a sip of a bottle. When the bottle opens, you can clearly smell alcohol. You have five minutes to talk to this colleague and act. What do you do?

"Pete, I can't help but notice that I smelled a strong whiff of alcohol in that bottle when you opened it, is everything alright? (allow time for response) **IF THEY ARE HONEST WITH YOU** What do you think is the best thing to do in this situation? I'm not comfortable with you performing a procedure after drinking. I would love for you to take the rest of the afternoon off, and we can handle the procedure moving forward. I'd also love to talk further about this because I'm concerned about you.**IF THEY ARE DISHONEST WITH YOU** Pete, would you mind if I see the bottle you took a drink of? I'm very concerned about performing a procedure if you have been drinking alcohol. (allow them to give you the bottle) Why don't you take the rest of the day off and we can talk later about this. Pete, I'm very concerned about you and want you to know that you can talk to me about anything as a colleague and friend.My next approach would be to continue with the procedure as planned. Following that, I would ensure that I would follow any policies of the practice in reporting the drinking on the job. This behavior doesn't fly with me, and reporting would be a priority. But knowing that Pete is my friend and colleague, I would want to sit down with him and get to the root cause. If I suspected alcoholism, I would have a conversation with him to get the help he needs. If a personal problem was causing the need to drink, I would be a listening ear to help him."

With a role-playing scenario like this during a veterinary school MMI interview, the interviewer will be trying to gauge several things. First and foremost, they need to hear that you will do the right thing and do what is in your power to remove your colleague from the situation. The second piece they will be looking to see is your ability to approach the situation with humility and a non-judging attitude.

You want to approach a difficult situation like this confidently. Your ability to be direct and find a compromise, like removing the colleague from the situation, is vital as you answer this question.

As you role-play in this scenario, you'll want to start by making the colleague comfortable with your approach. Whether this is through small talk or beginning to discuss the procedure at hand is up to you. You'll then want to get directly to the issue by letting the colleague know you smelled alcohol in their bottle. You want to open the conversation and give them the option to determine the next steps. If they are unwilling to remove themselves from the procedure, you should make it clear that you would advise them to take the rest of the day off. Moving forward, whether immediately or later that day, you'll need to reiterate that having a conversation with your colleague about their state of mind and getting them help is important to you as a friend and colleague.

A pet owner approaches you during a dog's exam hoping to discuss an alternative treatment that you are unfamiliar with. How do you handle this situation?

"Initially, I would let them talk so I can understand their thought process and what they know, both about their pet's condition and the treatment options. This puts me in the best position to have an honest conversation with them about my professional opinion. If they want to explore an alternative treatment option that I can't perform or am unfamiliar with, I would be honest with them and continue to educate them on the best course of action. This wouldn't matter if I was considering a surgical treatment or a prescription for the dog. In the end, my job is to educate the pet owner on their pet's diagnosis and then let them make the decision that suits them best. If they opt for an alternate treatment elsewhere, I would respect that decision and welcome them back with open arms down the road if they choose."

Veterinarians often face ethical dilemmas and situations where their quick decision-making skills are vital. With this hypothetical scenario, your interviewer is gauging your ability to make the best ethical decision quickly and efficiently.

For a veterinary school multiple mini interview process, preparation for scenarios that test your ability to handle ethical and decision-making situations will be vital for your success in being accepted into the program of your choice. These qualities will be evaluated in several interview stations, so come prepared to discuss a variety of situations.

In this specific scenario, it will be vital to express that you will be upfront in educating the dog owner on the best treatment for the dog in their particular situation. The keys to this are remaining professional and ensuring the owner that you have listened to them and understand their point of view. If you are unfamiliar with the alternative treatment they ask about, you must be honest with them. While answering, remember that your interviewer is not asking your opinion on alternatives like acupuncture or herbal treatments. Last, you can finish your answer by reiterating that the decision ultimately comes down to the dog owner, and seeing them go elsewhere for further care is part of the job if they make that decision.

A fellow student in veterinary school hands you a paper with all of the questions for an upcoming exam. Knowing that questions aren't released before exams, how do you handle this situation?

"I would first tell my student colleague that having the questions before the interview was wrong and decline even looking at them. I'd also want to try to find out where they got them. No matter how they answered that question, I would give them the option of approaching the professor and apologizing on their own. I would also let them know that I would be bringing it to their attention as soon as possible. We all have an equal playing field as students of this program, and some of the class cheating would be just wrong in my mind. I love that your program has a well-documented academic dishonesty policy, and I want you to know that I would always take it seriously if I'm fortunate enough to be accepted here. In this situation, I'm confident that my student colleague would be thankful for my actions, though it may take some time for them to have that mindset. But in the end, I would know that I was doing the right thing, both for them and the institution."

During an MMI interview, you can fully expect questions and scenarios that gauge your professionalism and ethical values as a veterinary student and a future veterinarian in practice. The school you are interviewing with values these traits, and this scenario will give a concrete example of how you will show them as a student.

Veterinary school admission teams use the multiple mini interview process to fully evaluate all aspects of the candidates they consider for admission to their program. The interviewer you will speak with during this session will propose the same scenario to every candidate, so you want to give a memorable answer.

First and foremost, be honest and walk the interviewer through how you would approach the situation. Veterinary schools don't tolerate cheating and dishonesty of any kind. Most veterinary school programs have an academic dishonesty policy on their website, so it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the institution's policy before your interview so you can reference it. The key to your answer here is that you have the professionalism to confront your student colleague and the ethical values to ensure the professor is notified as soon as possible.

The AVMA continually lobbies state and federal law makers for veterinarian immunity in criminal or licensing action in reporting suspected animal neglect or abuse. As a future veterinarian, why do you feel this is important?

"Authorities like law enforcement and animal protection need to have as much information as possible when pursuing suspected animal abusers. While I realize that confidentiality is important for animal patients and their owners, I believe records need to be released to those authorities in certain matters. As a future veterinarian, I will always be a proponent of loosening these laws across the country for this reason. I would prioritize the documentation of my findings."

During your veterinary school MMI interview, you can expect a question or two on your thoughts regarding specific policies in veterinary medicine. This can include legal issues that pertain to the field so your interviewer knows that you have done your homework and are aware of some of the legal policies that veterinarians face in practice every day.

Given the highly structured nature of the multiple mini interview process, you can be as prepared as possible for a variety of questions that will be thrown your way. As you prepare, focus at least some of your research on legal issues and scenarios you will face during vet school and in practice.

While this question asks for your thoughts, you must research and discuss a veterinarian's responsibility in reporting suspected neglect/abuse. Talk openly about what you know about your reporting responsibility and bring up any differences from state to state. Then, give your open and honest opinion on why reporting is so important and why lawmakers should push for immunity from punishment for today's veterinarian. Tie an answer like this back to your core values and why you want to become a veterinarian.

While your neighbors were away on vacation, they asked you to feed their daughter's pet hamster. The morning they arrive home, you find the hamster dead in its cage. How would you break the news to them when they return?

"Upon finding the hamster, I would clean up as much as possible and try to wrap and freeze the body for when they return instead of leaving it in its cage. I would then try to contact the parents to let them know what happened and offer to talk with their daughter when they returned home later that day. As the person in charge of feeding the hamster, I would feel obligated to be that person. If they were traveling and I couldn't reach them, I would make every effort to be available when they arrived home to let them know that the hamster had passed. I would sit the family down and be very direct about what I found. I would explain that I had preserved the body for them to do what was necessary. I would do my best to console the daughter and, if the parents allowed, have the conversation about the circle of life with the daughter."

Role-playing can be a common station you will encounter during a veterinary school MMI interview. This scenario allows your interviewer to gauge your judgment, communication skills, and ability to empathize in a difficult situation.

You'll read this scenario before entering the room, so you will have a few minutes to prepare your answer. If you have experience communicating difficult things to a family member, friend, or colleague, you can use that experience to inform your answer. Demonstrate your communication skills by maintaining good eye contact with the role player and using your active listening skills.

You have six to eight minutes to answer this question. Start by discussing how you handled the dead pet to ensure the family returns to a peaceful home. From there, you can determine whether you would try to call them over the phone or wait until they return to break the news. One key piece in your answer will be your effort to catch them and break the news before they find out on their own. This will ensure that you take all of the responsibility that you can. A majority of your answer should focus on your ability to be direct with the family and take the time to talk with the daughter. Your interviewer will not expect you to take the blame for the situation. Instead, they expect you to display empathy and compassion.

You are the captain of a basketball team holding tryouts. Your best friend John gave his all but simply wasn't good enough to make the team. How would you break the news to John when the final team is selected?

"John, thanks so much for trying out for the team. We had so many talented players, and making the final cuts was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever faced. I want to let you know that you didn't make the team, but I don't want that decision to discourage you from trying out again in the future. While your post-game is strong, you should focus on your ball-handling skills and defense. When we have free time together, I'm always more than willing to work with you to develop these skills."

As a future veterinarian, difficult conversations will be a common theme during your MMI interview process. In a role-playing example like this, your interviewer wants to see that you can be honest about a difficult subject with someone close to you.

In a veterinary school MMI interview, understanding a candidate's communication skills and level of compassion is vital to the interviewer and the admissions team. This question is your opportunity to showcase your skills in both, so practice some role-playing scenarios where you have to communicate difficult news to someone before your interview. Also, remember that in a true role-playing scenario, the actor you will be role-playing with may throw a curveball or two your way, so you have to come prepared to handle back-and-forth dialogue honestly and quickly.

Focus on a direct approach, using facts to explain why the decision was made and then closing the conversation on your continued friendship moving forward. You'll want to demonstrate that you can balance the honest approach with consoling your close friend.

An elderly person brings in a pet rabbit with extremely matted fur, long nails that are leading to lack of mobility, and urine scalding on the fur. What approach would you take with this pet owner?

"Providing the care needed for the rabbit would be my first priority. As a student at your veterinary school, I look forward to learning how to provide the best care for the nails, matter fur, and urine scalding. Once the rabbit is cared for, it becomes all about evaluating the patient's ability to care for the rabbit and educating them on the rabbit's condition. Of course, I would need to question if there was intentional neglect in this situation, but considering the scenario and the owner's age, I could likely rule that out in this scenario. I would also consider whether the owner can care for the pet. I would give them the benefit of the doubt and encourage them to ask friends or family to help."

Unfortunately, providing care to a pet that has been neglected is a real scenario you will face more often than you should. In some instances, like this one, the neglect can be almost unintentional. Your interviewer wants to be assured that you would take a forthright and educational approach in doing what is best for the rabbit in this scenario.

During scenario-based questions in an MMI interview for veterinary school, your interviewers will test your ability to do what is right for the pet. In essence, it will be crucial that you prove yourself a true advocate for the pet's well-being. In the short time you have to play out scenarios like this during an MMI interview, remember that body language matters, and your interviewer will expect you to exude confidence in your approach with the pet owner.

In your answer, you will need to walk a fine line between advocating for the pet and considering the state of the pet owner. First and foremost, educating the rabbit's owner is vital; this includes simple grooming techniques and the potential health hazards that could result from further lack of care. From an ethical perspective, you have to make the call on mandatory reporting of neglect to the appropriate authorities of the state you are practicing in. In this particular scenario, you can assume that the owner is not intentionally abusing the rabbit. End your answer by assuring your interviewer that you will provide the care needed for the rabbit and schedule a follow-up visit at an appropriate time.

How will you handle a client whose beliefs about pet ownership and care differ from your own?

"I would always be mindful of the cultural differences regarding caring for and raising pets. Just as I am always respectful to those from different backgrounds than me, I look forward to practicing in a culturally diverse urban setting following veterinary school. I am aware that certain cultures and religions believe that dogs aren't to be kept in the home and only to be kept as a guard for the family. While this varies greatly from my beliefs, my job is to provide the animal with the best care possible and ensure it is treated fairly. The only time to intervene would be if I suspected neglect or abuse."

The domestication of animals as pets and the beliefs surrounding the practice can vary from culture to culture. You will likely witness some of these differences firsthand, and your interviewers need to know that you can put your beliefs aside as long as an animal is in good, clean health under your care.

If you are not aware of the broad scope of cultural differences in pet ownership, your homework before your veterinary school MMI will be crucial. Knowing that you'll have limited time to respond to this situation during your interview, make sure to practice a response that touches on the practices of specialty breeding, the fact that some cultures don't allow pets in the home, and other cultural differences.

First, you need to reiterate that you will be accepting of all cultural differences related to caring for pets. It doesn't hurt to discuss some differences that you are aware of. Don't forget to mention that you will always keep the health and well-being of the pets you care for at the top of your mind.

To end the suffering of a dog in the late stages of cancer, how would you convince a pet owner that euthanasia is the best option?

"I grew up around dogs and horses, so I understand the pain of losing a pet who was close to me, and I will be able to sympathize with any pet owner who has to make this difficult, yet right, decision. First, I'll make sure that I considered all possible treatments, procedures, and medications first. If there were, giving the pet and owner options would be best. But if I knew the animal was in pain and no other options existed, I would have the conversation with the owner as soon as possible. I'd try to do this in person, but I know a phone call may be the only option. My goal would be to make it clear that this is the best option to end the suffering of their dog. I'd set a timeframe for it to happen with them, giving them some final time with their pet."

Veterinarians often have the be the voice of reason for their clients. If you're pursuing veterinary school, you've likely been raised in an environment with pets, and you know that they are loved and cherished. Saying goodbye can often seem impossible. Your interviewer needs to be assured you can handle this inevitable situation professionally when it presents itself.

One of the advantages of an MMI interview is that it allows a wide range of interviewers to see the personal side of each candidate. This is a great opportunity to show that you have the human touch to succeed as a veterinarian after you graduate from their program. As you answer this question, remember to demonstrate your communication skills as much as possible.

Veterinarians who make this recommendation need to think of all the options first. You want to assure your interviewer that you've walked through all treatment options first and considered the health and well-being of the pet in question. Once you are positive that putting the animal down is the best way to end its suffering, focus on how you would approach the pet owner. Remember that education is key here; you will need to tell the client about the condition and the lack of options for healing or pain management. Describe how you will work with the pet and family in the most compassionate way possible.

How would you handle a client who indicated they may not be able to immediately afford the services their pet desperately needs?

"If the client was forthright about this before the initial examination, it would be my duty to let them know of the practice's financial policies. I would kindly let them know of any policies for paying a deposit or payment plans. My conversation with them would be educational, and I would sympathize with their situation. Unfortunately, many pet owners aren't financially ready for a pet emergency. My focus would 100% be on the animal and getting them the care they need. From there, it would ultimately be the client's call to move forward with their payment option, and I would respect their decision."

Finances matter in a veterinary practice, and even though it will be years before you run into a situation like this, your interviewer wants to determine if you have the business acumen and strong ethical principles in this situation. They want to hear that you can toe the line between doing what is morally right and necessary for the pet while holding to any financial policies that are in place.

This is a great example of a question that can benefit from your research before the interview. No matter if your end goal is to go into private practice on your own or practice as part of a larger private clinic, you should be aware of what other current practices do in situations where it is known that owners will not be able to immediately afford services.

To best answer a question like this in the six to eight minutes allotted, first focus on the fact that you are obligated to do what is right for the animal first and worry about collecting payment for services later. But make it abundantly clear that you would make the owner understand the billing and payment policies upfront. Drawing from past experiences is a great thing to do in an MMI interview like this. If you have experienced a similar issue collecting payment in a previous job, talk about how you navigated the situation directly and compassionately.

A person brings in a dog that you find out is terminally ill after an examination and testing. They appear to be very emotionally distraught. How do you break the news to the dog's owner?

"I would first ensure that the results are accurate. I would want to have concrete evidence for the owner of the dog. My approach from there would be to have my discussion with the owner prepared ahead of time, along with options for the next steps. If the owner was in my office at the time, I would bring them to an area where we could be alone, and they would have a safe place to grieve. I would explain my diagnosis and the fact that the illness is terminal. If the prognosis left some time for the pet with the family, I would give them options to have some final days with the dog and set a plan for euthanization. If the tests came back after the owner and pet had left, or if the dog remained in the clinic, I would immediately call the owner. If I got a voicemail, I wouldn't leave any diagnosis on the voicemail and just ask them to call at their earliest convenience. I've had the experience of working in a vet clinic during high school and have gotten to experience grieving families when putting a pet down. Being a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen to is vital in this situation and something I would always provide as a student with your program."

As a new veterinary school student, you will likely handle the real-life scenario of a person losing a pet that is near and dear to their heart. Being truthful and empathetic is a vital trait that your interviewer will be looking for you to display.

Your interviewer may be impressed if you pull from your experience in a scenario like this. Before your veterinary school MMI interview, think back to a time you had to break difficult news to someone. The key to your answer here is doing so in a clear way while expressing your sympathy for the person.

In an MMI interview, you'll typically have around six to eight minutes to craft a response to your scenario/question. First, you'll want to highlight how you'll gather all of the information needed to diagnose the dog to ensure that you can speak from a professional perspective. The next key to your approach is being empathetic and showing sorrow for the pet and its family. To finish your response, you must finish your answer by expressing what options that pet owner has moving forward and giving them the option to select what works best for them.

How will you successfully handle the stress of veterinary school?

"First, I feel very confident that I will be able to handle the large workload here productively and healthily. I'm a go-getter that thrives in fast-paced environments, as shown by my ability to finish my undergraduate program in just three and a half years. I'm a very organized person, which helped me multitask perfectly during semesters where I was taking 20 credits. I also have a great support system with my family and fiance, who pick me up when I feel down. If I had a nickel for every time I called my mom over the last few years for emotional support, I'd be a pretty rich girl. Last, I prioritize my well-being by exercising, eating well, getting sufficient rest, and taking time away to do the things I love. Sometimes that has meant staying away from going out at night with friends."

The veterinary school you are interviewing with has likely seen its fair share of students enter their program and eventually fold from the pressures of grueling hours and credits. Your interviewer needs to be assured that you are aware of the stressors you will experience as part of their program and have the tools to handle the stress healthily and productively.

The multiple mini interview format allows the interviewer more time to gauge your verbal and non-verbal skills. In looking to hear you talk about how you successfully navigate stress to predict your ability to do so as part of their veterinary school, your interviewer will be keying in on your attitude, positive outlook, and body language as you take seven to eight minutes to answer this question. Be sure to practice answering a question confidently.

Be sure to come to your veterinary school MMI interview with a solid plan for handling stress as a vet student. You have the time, so carefully lay out how you plan to keep yourself organized and on track with your school work while ensuring that you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional sides. A great way to prove your ability to handle stressful situations is using an example from your past where you did just this, so think of and practice discussing a time you navigated a stressful time in the past.

You and another candidate are presented with the task of making an origami duck with very limited instructions. Your role in this teamwork station is to be the receiver of instructions.

"John, I appreciate the clear direction and will get to work on the first few folds here. If you see anything I could try differently, don't hesitate to let me know. How do you think this is looking so far? Great, what is next? Well, I think I hit a snag here as this isn't looking quite right per your direction. Can you elaborate on how I should have made that last fold? Sounds great! Okay, John, I agree we have about one minute left, so I can certainly work to finish that tail as best as possible. There, I think it looks amazing, and I appreciate your solid directions!"

Veterinary schools often use multiple teamwork-based stations where you will be paired with another applicant to work together on a difficult task. In this scenario, you will be the receiver of direction, and your interviewer will evaluate your ability to be a great listener, a solid communicator, and a great team player in any scenario as a future veterinarian.

Before your MMI interview, practice role-playing scenarios where you are taking direction from others. You'll want to practice showing gratitude to the leader in any scenario and asking clarifying questions professionally.

Allow your interviewing teammate to take the lead and give you directions to begin constructing the origami duck. Be thankful for the directions they give, and be sure to ask any questions you may have to ensure you are doing things properly. If something goes wrong, take accountability quickly and work to fix the mistake. It's okay to be upfront and ask for more direction. Given that the task may be vague and challenging, doing your best is what matters here. If you are given the chance to talk a bit at the end of the task, remain positive and never put anything your partner did down.

You are presented with a difficult puzzle to complete in eight minutes with a fellow applicant. Your role in this teamwork station is to be the leader.

"Alright, Jane, it looks like we have to build a castle structure out of the blocks in the box in front of us. The best way would be to lay out the entire foundation and build it from there. Alright, I think that looks great! What thoughts do you have from here? Yes, I think that sounds great; I'll get to work on the two towers, and you can build the main structure. We have about two minutes left, and you're doing great; let's make sure we can finish the structure first, and then we can team up on the towers to finish quickly. Jane, you did awesome! The task had me a bit worried at first, but we powered through it with hard work and communication."

In veterinary medicine, working as part of a high-functioning team is vital to the overall success of a practice. As a veterinary student, you will be expected to be a great team player. Teamwork stations are utilized during an MMI interview to assess a candidate's ability to lead and follow in team-related situations.

In many team-based exercises during an MMI interview, the task given to complete as a team is often very difficult (even impossible). There will often be two interviewers evaluating each candidate separately, and they will be keying in on the candidate's ability to maintain their composure in a team-based setting.

As the leader in this scenario, the interviewer will focus on a few things that show your ability to lead in the given task. First, they'll want to see that you can follow the directions and give clear and immediate instructions to your interviewing teammate. Your ability to be encouraging, complimentary, and open to questions will also be evaluated. From there, work through the puzzle while working as a solid team. Focus on working through things one by one or piece by piece and not getting frustrated along the way. Remember that communication is key, so you want to be continually communicating and helping to lead your fellow applicant.

What do you feel is your biggest weakness heading into veterinary school?

"I'm very aware that my stubbornness is my biggest character weakness and is one that my family, friends, and colleagues are quickest to point out. Looking back over the last four years of my undergraduate program, I did have to apologize to a couple of student colleagues for this trait and learned some hard lessons that I'll bring forward in veterinary school. Last year during a group project, I was persistent about meeting regularly to discuss progress. Both other members of the team wanted to schedule virtual meetings and email check-ins, but I was stubborn and demanded we schedule in-person meetings. Later realizing how insistent I was, I immediately called both team members to apologize, and they accepted the apology. My stubbornness is something I'm always aware of, and I know I have the power to stop myself in any situation."

Character development will be scrutinized to the highest degree at the veterinary school you are interviewing with. They want to admit new students with high standards and solid ethical values. When they ask for you to give your biggest weakness, they expect to see you take an honest approach.

While this is a traditional interview question, it will have a much different feel during an MMI interview since you'll have eight minutes to elaborate on your answer. Your interview for this MMI station will want to hear concrete evidence of your weakness, so speaking from past experiences will be vital as you answer this question.

Before your veterinary school multiple mini interview, be sure to prepare to talk about your biggest weakness at the time. This is a time to be honest with yourself and your interviewer. As you open up to your interviewer here with your answer, talk about where this weakness may have hindered things for you in the past and what you did to rectify those situations. The best way to wrap up an answer to a question like this is to make it clear that you have a plan to help yourself improve in this area during a difficult veterinary school program.

Why do you want to be a veterinarian?

"My passion for veterinary medicine stems from my love of animals and my success and knowledge in biological sciences. My grandparents were farmers, and I rode horseback from a very young age. My parents also were dog breeders, specializing in German shorthair pointers as hunting dogs. When our family pets were sick, I loved being the kid that jumped in to help provide care and provide their medication dosages. You could say this passion grew early within me. During my high school years, I always loved biology and chemistry and found these subjects to be the ones I was most successful. My high school biology teacher was inspirational in guiding me to take all the AP classes I could to get a jump start on college credits early."

During your veterinary school MMI interview, you will meet with some interviewers who will ask some very standard interview questions. To gauge your overall passion for the field, your interviewer needs to be assured that you are pursuing a future as a veterinarian for the right reasons and will represent their program well into your career in practice.

Using your own life experiences to mold and shape your future will make a strong impression on your interviewer. This is a great chance to open up and show where your passion for helping animals lead long and happy lives comes from. With you having around eight minutes to answer this question during an MMI interview, be prepared to answer follow-up questions the interviewer might throw your way.

Take your time walking through your life experiences as a pet owner or someone who grew up with pets in their household. Make sure to discuss your passion for medicine in general as well. If you had a person or a few people who helped inspire you in this career path, this is a great opportunity to talk about those individuals and the impact they had on you.

What do you think are one or two current issues that the field of veterinary medicine is facing?

"Outside of well-known issues like burnout among those in the profession and known worker shortages, I think there are a couple of hot-button practice items that will be fascinating to see progress during my time in veterinary school and when I get into practice. The first would be telemedicine in veterinary care. Seeing how healthcare has fully evolved into telemedicine options for many aspects of care, I recently read how veterinary practices are beginning to adopt virtual care for things like post-operative follow-ups and diagnosing simple issues with pets. Knowing that pet owners will be more and more open to this when I get into practice, I'm excited to see how health monitoring and mobile health services will advance because I'm very interested in both. I think another less thought-about issue in the field is how social media can negatively influence a private practice. I've heard about cases where veterinarians are being attacked online when they try to engage their clients on social media sites in good faith. This issue goes well beyond this field, but I want you to know that all of my social media accounts are professional."

Knowing current events and happenings in the veterinary medicine field will be one important piece that the veterinary school you are interviewing with will want to gauge among their top candidates. It shows your passion and interest in the field and the work you will doing for years to come. Ensuring their students are passionate and knowledgeable is important when considering who to accept into their program.

You can expect to be asked about current events in veterinary medicine during your veterinary school multiple mini interview process. Here is where your research ahead of your interview will be vital in displaying your knowledge and passion during your interview. Be sure to look at some journals, books, and websites before your interview on hot-button items in the field before your interview.

Based on your research, discuss what you feel are the biggest issues in the field. This is an open-ended question to give your opinion, but be sure to back your thoughts up with the information you have researched. If possible, discuss how the issues could impact you as a veterinary student and future veterinarian in practice.

Tell me about yourself and the type of veterinary student we would be getting if you were to be accepted into our program.

"Yes, my name is Kevin, and I can't tell you how excited I am to be here! Becoming a veterinarian has been a goal of mine from a pretty young age. I grew up on a dairy farm in a rural Midwest community, and caring for our livestock and farm pets was a passion from a very young age. I also grew up as a boy scout and was involved in school with groups like FFA and FBLA. My mother encouraged my siblings and me to prioritize academic success, and I have carried that with me. My upbringing taught me that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. These values have led me to success in my undergraduate program, and I'm confident they will guide me as a veterinary student. If I'm fortunate enough to be accepted into your program, you'd be getting a vet student that is focused and determined and who also knows how to have a great time! In my free time, I spend as much time outdoors as possible. My fiance and I have two dogs, and we love to hike, kayak and play disc golf as much as we can. Reading is also a huge part of my life, my favorites being non-fiction history and thriller fiction."

Veterinary schools utilize the MMI process to help make the entire process for the candidate seem less like an interrogation and more like a series of short networking sessions. At a station where the interviewer wants to hear you talk about yourself and what interests you, they're ultimately looking to gauge your cultural fit with their program and see that you are a truly genuine and unique person.

In a multiple mini interview for veterinary school, make sure to spend part of your preparation before the interview focusing on giving your best sales pitch on yourself. This may seem like a very open-ended question, but you want to focus your six to eight-minute response on showcasing who you are, what your values are, and the type of hardworking student you would be.

You certainly have the time with this question to walk briefly through your upbringing, your school years, and your college years. Speak openly and honestly about your hobbies and interests so your interviewer gets a good feel for what drives and motivates you. This will also give them insight into how you will fit with other more senior students in their program. Discuss your core values and highlight how they match the mission and values of the program you are interviewing with.

Veterinary School MMI Interview Questions

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1. Explain how to tie my shoelaces properly without using visuals.
2. What would you do if an illegally imported pet was brought to you for care?
3. What appeals to you about the mission and values of our veterinary medicine program?
4. When have you had to work with a diverse group of people, and how did you thrive in that situation?
5. How do you feel your academic background has prepared you for success in veterinary school?
6. If you had a magic wand that could change on aspect of your personality, what would you change?
7. Is it ever okay to lie to a pet owner with an animal in your care?
8. You are about to perform a procedure with a colleague. They reach into their bag and take a sip of a bottle. When the bottle opens, you can clearly smell alcohol. You have five minutes to talk to this colleague and act. What do you do?
9. A pet owner approaches you during a dog's exam hoping to discuss an alternative treatment that you are unfamiliar with. How do you handle this situation?
10. A fellow student in veterinary school hands you a paper with all of the questions for an upcoming exam. Knowing that questions aren't released before exams, how do you handle this situation?
11. The AVMA continually lobbies state and federal law makers for veterinarian immunity in criminal or licensing action in reporting suspected animal neglect or abuse. As a future veterinarian, why do you feel this is important?
12. While your neighbors were away on vacation, they asked you to feed their daughter's pet hamster. The morning they arrive home, you find the hamster dead in its cage. How would you break the news to them when they return?
13. You are the captain of a basketball team holding tryouts. Your best friend John gave his all but simply wasn't good enough to make the team. How would you break the news to John when the final team is selected?
14. An elderly person brings in a pet rabbit with extremely matted fur, long nails that are leading to lack of mobility, and urine scalding on the fur. What approach would you take with this pet owner?
15. How will you handle a client whose beliefs about pet ownership and care differ from your own?
16. To end the suffering of a dog in the late stages of cancer, how would you convince a pet owner that euthanasia is the best option?
17. How would you handle a client who indicated they may not be able to immediately afford the services their pet desperately needs?
18. A person brings in a dog that you find out is terminally ill after an examination and testing. They appear to be very emotionally distraught. How do you break the news to the dog's owner?
19. How will you successfully handle the stress of veterinary school?
20. You and another candidate are presented with the task of making an origami duck with very limited instructions. Your role in this teamwork station is to be the receiver of instructions.
21. You are presented with a difficult puzzle to complete in eight minutes with a fellow applicant. Your role in this teamwork station is to be the leader.
22. What do you feel is your biggest weakness heading into veterinary school?
23. Why do you want to be a veterinarian?
24. What do you think are one or two current issues that the field of veterinary medicine is facing?
25. Tell me about yourself and the type of veterinary student we would be getting if you were to be accepted into our program.

Veterinary School MMI Interview Questions

1. Explain how to tie my shoelaces properly without using visuals.

2. What would you do if an illegally imported pet was brought to you for care?

3. What appeals to you about the mission and values of our veterinary medicine program?

4. When have you had to work with a diverse group of people, and how did you thrive in that situation?

5. How do you feel your academic background has prepared you for success in veterinary school?

6. If you had a magic wand that could change on aspect of your personality, what would you change?

7. Is it ever okay to lie to a pet owner with an animal in your care?

8. You are about to perform a procedure with a colleague. They reach into their bag and take a sip of a bottle. When the bottle opens, you can clearly smell alcohol. You have five minutes to talk to this colleague and act. What do you do?

9. A pet owner approaches you during a dog's exam hoping to discuss an alternative treatment that you are unfamiliar with. How do you handle this situation?

10. A fellow student in veterinary school hands you a paper with all of the questions for an upcoming exam. Knowing that questions aren't released before exams, how do you handle this situation?

11. The AVMA continually lobbies state and federal law makers for veterinarian immunity in criminal or licensing action in reporting suspected animal neglect or abuse. As a future veterinarian, why do you feel this is important?

12. While your neighbors were away on vacation, they asked you to feed their daughter's pet hamster. The morning they arrive home, you find the hamster dead in its cage. How would you break the news to them when they return?

13. You are the captain of a basketball team holding tryouts. Your best friend John gave his all but simply wasn't good enough to make the team. How would you break the news to John when the final team is selected?

14. An elderly person brings in a pet rabbit with extremely matted fur, long nails that are leading to lack of mobility, and urine scalding on the fur. What approach would you take with this pet owner?

15. How will you handle a client whose beliefs about pet ownership and care differ from your own?

16. To end the suffering of a dog in the late stages of cancer, how would you convince a pet owner that euthanasia is the best option?

17. How would you handle a client who indicated they may not be able to immediately afford the services their pet desperately needs?

18. A person brings in a dog that you find out is terminally ill after an examination and testing. They appear to be very emotionally distraught. How do you break the news to the dog's owner?

19. How will you successfully handle the stress of veterinary school?

20. You and another candidate are presented with the task of making an origami duck with very limited instructions. Your role in this teamwork station is to be the receiver of instructions.

21. You are presented with a difficult puzzle to complete in eight minutes with a fellow applicant. Your role in this teamwork station is to be the leader.

22. What do you feel is your biggest weakness heading into veterinary school?

23. Why do you want to be a veterinarian?

24. What do you think are one or two current issues that the field of veterinary medicine is facing?

25. Tell me about yourself and the type of veterinary student we would be getting if you were to be accepted into our program.