Contribution of medical students to admission interviews

OBJECTIVE Medical students were included in 3-person interview panels selecting applicants for a 4-year medical programme for graduates and health professionals. We analysed student contributions to the interview panels.

METHODS A total of 188 semi-structured interviews were carried out over 2 years. The scores of 17 student interviewers were compared with those of the other 2 members of the panels.

RESULTS Students were positive about the interview process and their involvement. Overall interview scores did not differ between students and other interviewers. However, students gave lower scores overall and in a number of individual areas to those who had the highest consensus scores and were offered places on the programme. Students were more likely than other interviewers to be indecisive between 2 scores (25.2% versus 17.5%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS Students can be integrated effectively into the interview process. However, they tend to be more reluctant to give high scores and less decisive about committing to a single score than more experienced interviewers. Students value the experience of participating in the selection process, especially when combined with an exploration of the literature related to selection procedures.