The Canadian Guide to Med School is an incredible resource. Written by 70+ medical students studying at all 17 Canadian medical schools, it provides advice and resources for every stage of interview preparation. There are several full-length MMI circuits, loads of MMI questions with follow-ups, and other helpful documents.

The Canadian Guide to Med School, created by over 70 volunteer medical students from all 17 Canadian medical schools, is an invaluable resource for premed students preparing for their future careers as physicians. It offers comprehensive advice and resources for every stage of interview preparation, including full-length MMI circuits, numerous MMI questions with follow-ups, and other helpful documents.

Interviews are a critical aspect of the medical school application process, providing an opportunity for applicants to showcase their personalities and interpersonal skills. The guide covers different types of interviews, such as traditional/panel interviews, MMIs (Multiple Mini Interviews), modified personal interviews (MPIs), and group interviews, offering insights into the structure and objectives of each format.

For MMI preparation, the guide provides tips, practice questions, and resources that help students develop their soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. MMIs consist of a series of stations where applicants are prompted to answer questions, collaborate on tasks, or role-play with actors. By understanding the expectations and objectives of these stations, students can approach the MMI with confidence and demonstrate their competencies to interviewers.

Group interviews are also addressed, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration in a medical setting. Premed students can benefit from understanding how to effectively participate in group interviews, showcasing their ability to work well with others and contribute to problem-solving in a team setting.

Overall, the Canadian Guide to Med School is an essential resource for premed students, helping them navigate the interview process, develop crucial skills, and ultimately prepare for their future roles as compassionate and competent physicians.

Understanding the difference between equity and equality is crucial for premed students aspiring to become compassionate healthcare professionals. While equality refers to treating everyone the same, equity focuses on providing individuals with the resources they need to be successful, acknowledging their unique starting points.

The concept of fairness can be complex. We often believe treating everyone the same is fair, but this approach only works if everyone starts from the same place. In reality, people have different backgrounds, experiences, and needs that must be addressed to ensure a level playing field.

As future medical professionals, adopting an equity mindset will help you better serve diverse patient populations. Remember, providing the same treatment to everyone may not be fair if their individual needs are not considered. It's essential to tailor care according to each patient's unique circumstances to promote optimal health outcomes.

Let's be inspired by the quote from NEHI Dasani: "Equality is giving everyone a shoe, but equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits." Embrace the concept of equity in your medical journey, ensuring every patient receives the care they need to flourish, regardless of their starting point.

Many MMI stations will call upon the applicant to propose a health policy that would improve the country. Knowing more about government initiatives to reduce health inequities will always be beneficial, especially with regards to high-yield topics like Indigenous health, rural health, and homelessness. I would recommend checking out all of the links under the "Social development" heading. My personal favourite is the "Housing First" approach under the Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy link; it's a radical but convincing way to end homelessness in Canada while improving social capital and resources for people experiencing homelessness.

Canada's Policy and Programs for Employment and Social Development encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing health inequities and promoting social development. These policies and programs can help premed students prepare as future physicians by increasing their awareness of the challenges faced by various communities, including Indigenous populations, rural residents, and homeless individuals.

By exploring the links under the "Social development" heading, premed students can gain a deeper understanding of government initiatives that seek to reduce health disparities and improve social conditions for vulnerable populations. For instance, the "Housing First" approach under the Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy is a compelling solution to address homelessness while enhancing social capital and resources for people experiencing homelessness.

In addition to homelessness strategies, other programs focus on skills and employment, learning, labor, income security, and service networks supporting government departments. By familiarizing themselves with these programs and policies, premed students can better appreciate the broader context of healthcare and social determinants of health, which will allow them to become more informed and compassionate physicians.

Furthermore, premed students can use their knowledge of these policies and programs during MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) stations, where they may be asked to propose health policies to improve the country. By understanding existing initiatives, students can develop well-informed and relevant policy suggestions, demonstrating their engagement with pressing healthcare issues and their commitment to social justice and health equity. Overall, Canada's Policy and Programs for Employment and Social Development provide essential context for premed students as they prepare for their future roles as healthcare professionals.