The MMI event hosted by Woodford County High School, has come back even larger and more successful than last year enabling aspiring medical and dental students from all around Redbridge to gain first hand experience of what the interview process would be like, which could make or break their application. 

Year 13 students striving to pursue careers in the fields of medicine and dentistry, recently found themselves at the heart of a pivotal and exuberant event - the Mini Multiple Interview event (MMI). As the students entered the hall, they were filled with excitement and delight. Around 106 ambitious students attended from numerous schools such as ICHS, Trinity, Chigwell, Valentines and Woodbridge, adding an invaluable dynamic to the event. 

This event was meticulously crafted by Ms S Khan, the Deputy Head of Science at WCHS, to reflect the real life interview process and to give students a unique opportunity to network with a wide range of alumni carrying a wealth of experience. Approximately, 40 Medical and 15 Dental Alumni, from a wide range of different institutions, attended to conduct the interviews. Among them, there were individuals from diverse specialties and backgrounds, each providing a unique perspective. There were medical and dental students from all of the Universities across London, along with Doctors, GPs, Dentists and many more. To elevate the experience, Dr Stephen Chadwick, an Ambassador for a charity called UK Med delivered a presentation about the charity which is a frontline humanitarian medical aid NGO.  

The day commenced with a presentation delivered by Kirsty Allen from St Georges Medical School, University of London. After that, students and alumni began their first MMI Workshop which took place on an array of 24 tables - each table seating 4 students and 2 alumni. Here the alumni posed a series of thought provoking questions, designed by Ms S Khan, encouraging students to explore complex issues. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement as candidates faced challenges ranging from ethical dilemmas to role-playing situations, where their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and showcase empathy was put to the test. Staff members were seated in a separate corner and were impressed by witnessing their students navigate through the different phases of the interview process. 

What made this event unique was that the alumni rotated around the tables and asked a different set of questions to different students. With several alumni participating, students received comprehensive feedback covering different parts of the process. A holistic view of the students’ performance was ensured with each alumni focusing on different strengths. The Alumnis’ delight in being part of such a fantastic event was evident as they engaged with students and shared advice along with personalised guidance. Ex-Woodford Student Avaneet Pawar who now works in dentistry stated “I remember sitting here doing these interviews and how useful they were for me. It is quite important to inform students about the strengths and weaknesses of their interviews, especially because we can draw upon our own personal experiences to help them.”

Additionally, the event incorporated a Q and A session allowing students to converse with alumni from 15 different universities. The Alumni offered practical advice, sharing personal experiences about how they coped with rejections, what strategies they used to improve their application, and how they eventually succeeded. Students were given career guidance and information about the necessary qualifications, interviews and the application process.   

As the day drew to a close, the air buzzed with a sense of accomplishment. Students left with newfound insights and a deeper understanding of their chosen career paths. The feedback amplified the benefit of the event for students as one student commented “my favourite part was the Q and A, listening to the professionals'/students’ journeys and seeing how passionate they were about their jobs, was inspiring!” 

Often events like these are hosted by organisations that mentor Year 13 pupils and require a small cost to attend. However, Woodford’s initiative to host this event free of cost for students, not only provided essential guidance, but also removed the financial barriers that often restrict many students. 

Nonetheless, the MMI hopes to be an annual event providing future students with the same opportunities to excel in higher education and will leave a profound impact as they continue with their journey.