· 6 min read
Virtual MMI Tips: How Online MMIs Work on Zoom and Kira (2026-27)
How a virtual MMI works in 2026-27: which schools run it on Zoom, Kira Talent, Microsoft Teams or Acuity, the reading and answer times schools publish, setup rules, and what to do if your connection drops.
A virtual MMI is the same circuit of short, timed stations, run on a video platform such as Zoom or Kira Talent. At each station you get a prompt and a short reading time, then a few minutes live with one rater before you move on. It is now the usual way: 51 of the 67 US and Canadian MD and DO schools that use an MMI hold it only online in 2026-27. The tips that matter most are a laptop on a strong connection, a test run on your school's own platform and a backup plan if the call drops.
Are MMIs online or in person in 2026?
Mostly online. Of the 226 US and Canadian MD and DO schools with a confirmed 2026-27 interview format, 173 (77%) interview only online, 20 only in person and 33 offer both. For the MMI it is 51 online only, 11 in person only and 5 with both. The AAMC's guidance page says “The AAMC continues to recommend virtual interviews for both medical schools and residency programs.” Check your own school on our list of medical schools that use the MMI.
How a virtual MMI works
On Zoom, staff move you between rooms: Illinois describes interviews “via Zoom breakout rooms”, and Zoom notes “The host will need to invite you to join the breakout room.” On Kira, the prompt stays on screen while you talk. Times vary by school:
| School | How each station runs |
|---|---|
| UGA | 6 stations on Zoom. 2 minutes to read, 6 to answer. Source |
| UCSD | 8 stations. 2 minutes to read, 8 at the station, then about 90 minutes of downtime. Source |
| UTMB | 7 stations. 3 minutes to read, then the interviewer connects for 7. Source |
| NYU | 8 stations, 2 of them rests. The interviewer reads the prompt aloud, then about 7 minutes of talk. Source |
| Dalhousie | 10 stations of 8 minutes, with 2 minutes off between them. Source |
Which platform your school uses
Zoom and Kira Talent run most live virtual MMIs. Your invite email names yours, and each school below links to its guide.
| Platform | MMI schools on it (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Zoom | Georgia (UGA), UC San Diego, VCU, McGill, Illinois and Michigan Live. Staff move you between breakout rooms, so accept each invite. |
| Kira Talent | UAB Heersink, McMaster, TCU Burnett, Vermont and UC Riverside Live, in your browser. Prep time with the prompt on screen, then the rater. It moves you on by itself. |
| Teams | Universidad Central del Caribe A live Microsoft Teams meeting. Also for one-on-one interviews at USF Morsani and Ohio Heritage |
| Webex | None of the MMI schools we checked use it. For one-on-one or panel days at Brody (ECU), USC Greenville and Idaho COM |
| Acuity | Recorded on Acuity Insights: 8 stations and a rest station, about 75 minutes. Acuity guide |
| Kira Talent | Recorded. 6 timed video and written questions, no live rater. Kira guide |
Official source for each school
- Georgia (UGA): UGA SOM: Admissions process
- UC San Diego: UC San Diego SOM: Application process
- VCU: VCU School of Medicine: Interview process
- McGill: McGill Med Admissions: Virtual MMI
- Illinois: UICOM: Interview day
- Michigan: UMMS: MD interview day
- UAB Heersink: UAB Heersink: MD application process
- McMaster: McMaster MD: After You Apply
- TCU Burnett: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU: How to apply
- Vermont: Larner: Interview overview
- UC Riverside: UCR SOM: Interviewing for medical school
- Universidad Central del Caribe: AAMC MSAR 2027 interview report
- USF Morsani: USF Health MCOM: Interview
- Ohio Heritage: OU-HCOM: Interviews
- Brody (ECU): Brody: Interviews
- USC Greenville: USC Greenville: Interview day
- Idaho COM: ICOM: Interview day
- uOttawa: uOttawa MD: Application process
- Queen's: Queen's MD: Methods of selection
- TMU: TMU: Admissions important dates
Setup: computer, connection, room
- A laptop or desktop that can't ring mid-answer. Vermont allows no tablets or smartphones.
- A strong connection. Kira needs at least 10 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, and the AAMC suggests a wired ethernet connection.
- A quiet, private room with the light in front of you and the camera at eye level. The details are in what to wear on camera.
- A test run on the real platform. Georgia says “Familiarize yourself with Zoom.”
Some rules can cost you the interview. Vermont requires your Kira setup and practice question 12 hours ahead: “If you fail to complete these steps 12 hours prior to the start of interview day, you will not be permitted to interview.” McGill offers no repeat session if you miss yours.
If your connection drops
Rejoin, stay calm and keep going. When UBC ran its MMI online in 2020, 324 of 700 applicants (46.3%) reported at least one technical issue, most of them connection problems, losing 2.4 minutes on average at that station. Their scores were just as reliable as everyone else's (0.74 either way). On Kira, “Refresh your page to force a fresh connection with the Kira servers.” The AAMC says “Have a backup plan in case the technology fails”, such as giving the interviewer your phone number in advance.
How to practice for a virtual MMI
Practice the way the day runs: on camera, on a timer, on the same computer. The AAMC says “Practice responding with the device you'll be using during the interview.” Kira lets you redo its practice question, but “During the real assessment or interview, you only have one attempt per question or station.” Run stations with the free MMI timer, record yourself, and score each one with our five-point self-check. More in our Kira Talent guide and MMI prep guide.
What a strong station answer does: names the problem and who it affects, weighs two or three options and ends on a clear decision before the timer runs out.
Sources: AAMC, Preparing for a Virtual Interview and Guidance on Virtual and In-Person Interviews, Kira Talent Help Center (connection, live interviews, practice, activity tracking), Zoom Support, Acuity Insights, UBC Faculty of Medicine (Liu, Macala, Shirzad and Eva, UBC's 2020 virtual MMI), and each school's own page: Vermont, McGill, Illinois, Michigan, Rosalind Franklin, uOttawa and the schools in the tables. All checked October 17, 2026. Platforms and times can change each cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Are medical school interviews online or in person in 2026?
Mostly online. Of the 226 US and Canadian MD and DO schools with a confirmed 2026-27 interview format, 173 (77%) interview only online, 20 only in person and 33 offer both. For the MMI it is 51 of 67 schools only online. The AAMC still recommends virtual interviews.
How does a virtual MMI work?
The same circuit of short, timed stations, run on a video platform. At each station you get a prompt on screen or read aloud and a short time to think, then a few minutes live with one rater. The platform or the staff then move you to the next station.
What platform do medical schools use for the virtual MMI?
Mostly Zoom or Kira Talent. Georgia, UC San Diego, VCU, McGill, Illinois and Michigan use Zoom. UAB, McMaster, TCU, Vermont and UC Riverside use Kira Talent. Universidad Central del Caribe uses Microsoft Teams. uOttawa and Queen's add a recorded early-phase MMI on Acuity Insights.
Can I do a virtual MMI on my phone or iPad?
Use a laptop or desktop. Kira supports phones and tablets but recommends a computer, and Vermont allows no tablets or smartphones at all. The AAMC also recommends a computer or tablet over a phone. Follow your school's instructions.
What happens if my internet cuts out during a virtual MMI?
Rejoin as fast as you can and keep going. Kira tells you to refresh the page, and it notes disconnections to the school. In UBC's 2020 virtual MMI, nearly half of applicants reported a tech issue, and their scores were just as reliable as everyone else's.
Is a virtual MMI live or recorded?
Most are live, with a real rater on camera. Rosalind Franklin says its virtual interviews are not done asynchronously. uOttawa and Queen's also use a recorded early-phase MMI on Acuity Insights. How the Acuity video interview works.