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.