When interviewing applicants for admission in the comprehensive admissions model, consider the following best practices.
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are structured, time-limited assessments. Interviewees complete a series of time bound activities that allow for both cognitive and non-cognitive competencies to be evaluated. MMIs have become a common practice in comprehensive review because they rate more highly than traditional, unstructured interviews on fairness, reduction of stress, effectiveness as a tool, and reduction of reviewer bias. MMIs can be performed on and off campus. Although these efforts can provide a significant amount of supplemental information about the applicant, the MMI process is inherently time-consuming and dependent on a critical mass of reviewers.
Ensure the interview panel members have a breadth of backgrounds, talents, experiences, and viewpoints. Researchers reported increased applications and admissions that reflect a breadth of these same features in students, as a result of breadth among interview panel members.
Use standardized materials and a rubric for evaluation
- Use standardized materials and a rubric for evaluation.
- Use a set of questions that interviewees provide timed responses to.
Reflective exercise and simulation activities
- Try a reflective writing activity that allows evaluation of writing ability. Choose a prompt to gain more information on attributes deemed desirable by the admissions committee, such as academic and scholarly alignment, alignment with the program’s broader mission, or personal attributes.
- Try a simulation activity that allows for the evaluation of creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These may also allow observation of some personal attributes. For example, a data science program provided data to interviewees and asked them to create an informative figure.
Follow basic interventions to facilitate inclusion during the interview
- Create an introduction script so that all members of the interview panel are introduced or introduce themselves in a similar manner. This avoids different tones/environments being presented to interviewees. This helps to reduce bias.
- Know and acknowledge interviewees by name.
- Start the interview by sharing highlights from the interviewee’s application materials. This helps to reduce bias.
- Start with easy to answer questions to give the interviewee time to relax and open up.
Set a short list of discussion guidelines
Remind the interviewer of communication best practices by creating discussion guidelines ahead of the interview.
- Listen actively.
- Avoid interrupting.
- Pay attention to how much sonic space you are occupying.