For aspiring doctors, dentists and vets, the MMI or Multiple Mini Interview is an integral part of the application process, the medical science version of speed dating. Moreton Hall STEM in partnership with The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, were joined by young people from schools across the region for the 10th year of this landmark event offering medical science applicants the opportunity to develop the skills needed for MMI success.

Multiple Mini Interviews are an integral part of the application process, think of it as the medical science version of speed dating. In a series of real-life scenarios, medical science applicants are put through their paces on a variety of stations testing everything from their scientific knowledge to situational judgement. This is the 10th year in which Moreton Hall, Weston Rhyn, has teamed up with Ruth Longfellow, Chief Medical Officer at the RJAH hospital in Gobowen to run this practice event. For candidates now waiting to hear about real interviews this is a stressful time and if invited by a university to their MMI event, it can be daunting to be faced with a series of consecutive interviews. At this event the candidates not only receive interview practice but are also given feedback on their performances to help build their confidence and skill in this interview format.

This 10th event was an opportunity for 48 students from fourteen local schools, including four from Moreton Hall, to practise their interview skills in preparation for those all-important medical interviews. The RJAH’s support is second to none with busy consultants coming straight from operating theatres and treating patients to give expertise and authenticity to the scenarios and feedback.

As one consultant commented: “I am always impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the candidates. If this is the future of medicine, we are in good hands and I can’t wait for next year!” As well as students and doctors, each year we are very lucky to be able to call on the fabulous acting skills of Moreton Hall’s A-level Drama students who role-play tricky patients to test candidates’ abilities to interact with them.

A 10th Anniversary Cake was cut to mark the occasion and enjoyed by all! Thanking Ruth Longfellow and her team, as well as Moreton’s Science Technicians, Joan Stonier and Steve Ferrington who organised the logistics with precision, our Head of Biology and Jenner Society Hannah Peel who led the event said: “It was very exciting to be able to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of running this event. Special thanks go to all those doctors who have supported us for so long and especially Andy Bing and Ellis Hughes who have been at all 10 of them.”

Head of Moreton Hall’s Sixth Form, Catherine Ashworth added: “The opportunity this free mock interview event provides to so many students from across the region is priceless. The buzz in the room was palpable, and everyone left feeling much more prepared for the rigours of what’s to come during the university selection process.” This was echoed by Torin Morgan, Head of Biology at Shrewsbury School who added: “Moreton’s MMI training event is one of the most valuable experiences any prospective medical school applicant could hope for. Shrewsbury School has been bringing students since the event began 10 years ago and it has become an important date in our Medical Society calendar.”

All the students clearly embraced the opportunities. A final word goes to our own medical applicants who commented: “This was such a great experience. The interviews tested our critical thinking, empathy and communication skills in real life scenarios, which included an amusing role play with fellow drama students. We now feel much more confident to tackle the challenging interviews that lie ahead.”

Good luck everyone.