Monash University Medicine Interview Questions

Monash University is one of Australia’s leading universities and ranks in the world’s top 100. The Monash Medical School offers both undergraduate and graduate level entry into its medical programme, which was designed with a focus on patient safety and professional practice. 

The interview at Monash Medical School takes the format of 8 MMI stations, with each station lasting 8 minutes with a 2 minute changeover in between. 

In this guide, we provide expert insight into past Monash medicine interview questions, the Monash Medicine interview day, and tips for converting your Monash Medicine Interview into an offer! 

If you’re interested in getting a head start, keep reading.

What is the Monash Medicine Interview style?

The medicine interview at Monash Medical School takes the format of 8 MMI stations, each based on a different scenario. Candidates will be given a few minutes to read through a scenario, and will then be asked questions on how they would approach the situation. 

When are the Monash Medicine Interviews held?

Interviews for 2023 intake will be held over the course of December 2022 and January 2023 online via Zoom. Please monitor this page for updates on interview dates and other important guidance. 

What are some common topics covered in the Monash Medicine Interview?

• Advocacy
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Empathy
• Ethical Reasoning
• Teamwork and Leadership
• Motivation to Pursue Medicine

To learn more about the Monash Medicine courses in general, have a look at their official page: Monash University | Medicine

If you wish to practice Monash Medicine Interview mocks, here are some sample questions:

• Why do you want to study medicine?
• Why would you like to study at Monash University?
• What happens if you don’t like life at Monash?
• What do you think will be your greatest challenge in completing medical school or learning how to be a doctor?
• In your view, what is the most pressing problem facing medicine today?
• What can you do to be a good doctor?
• You’re a medical student and have noticed that your “clinical” professor has been appearing in class the past few times smelling of alcohol. What do you do? After confronting her, she says it was just that one time (she had lunch with a friend) and she would not do it again. But several days later, she appears in class smelling of alcohol again. What action would you now take?
• You have two patients requiring a heart transplant, both equally suited to the organ which has become available. Patient 1 is a 25-year-old man who smokes 3 packets of cigarettes a day. Patient 2 is a 50-year-old woman who has always looked after her body, has three children in their late teens/early twenties and husband. Both patients are in urgent need of a transplant and will subsequently die if they do not get one. Who would you choose to give the organ donation to?
• You’re part of a school trip to New Zealand and your group ends up sharing the one and only available room in the entire town. One of the girls in the group has personal issues about sharing a room with the opposite gender. How do you resolve this issue? Later, her father calls to ask about the situation.

Insider Guide: A Monash Medicine Student’s Perspective 

Monash Medicine Interview Day

How does the Monash Medicine Interview Day work?

The Monash Medicine Interview consists of six MMI stations, each with two minutes of preparation time and 8 minutes for answering 5 predetermined questions. 

Before each station, you will be briefed on how the station will be run by a member of staff. The entire interview process will take approximately an hour.

What do you have to bring for the Monash Medicine Interview?

You should arrive for your Monash Medicine interview in smart casual dress. It is also a good idea to bring a pen and some paper to take notes during your preparation time before each MMI station. 

Make sure to check the information provided by the University ahead of your interview for any details on what to bring. 

Does the Monash Medicine interview require any pre-reading?

You will be given a sheet of paper with instructions before each MMI station begins. It is important to read these carefully as you will only have two minutes to read and prepare. 

What are the Monash MMI examiners like?

The examiners at Monash are typically friendly and will do their best to put you at ease during the interview. Remember, the examiners are there to get to know you as a student not to grill you!

Do the Monash interviewers ask a lot of follow up questions?

Yes, Monash interviewers may ask you follow up questions to help you flesh out your answers. They will also give you a warning when your time is almost up, to help ensure you finish your answers within time. 

How long is the actual Monash Interview?

The Monash interview should last between 60-70 minutes in total. 

How long does it take you to hear back after your Monash Medicine Interview? 

You are likely to hear back a few weeks after your interview date. However, response times can vary year on year. It is a good idea to ask the examiners when you are likely to hear back at the end of your interview. 

Top Tips for the Monash Medicine Interview – From a Current Student!

• Understand why you want to study Medicine – brainstorm your reasons, and ensure you can flesh out your answers with examples. It can be helpful to discuss your answer to this question with a friend or family member, who can offer you some ideas on how to expand your points.  
• Know your strengths – explain how your strengths would be beneficial as both a medical student and a doctor, and provide examples to support them from work experience or extracurricular activities. 
• Stay up to date on current medical news and medical ethics – you should look at news sites and medical journals for reading material, particularly on issues related to the Australian healthcare sector. 
• Practice your interview answers with a friend or family member, or even out loud on your own – preparing through reading and making notes alone is not the best form of preparation. Remember, the interview is a conversation not an exam! 
• Try not to stress on the day – avoid last minute cramming and instead focus on looking after yourself, including getting an early night, having a good breakfast, and staying hydrated throughout the day. 

FAQs