Interview Tips - How to answer "Why Medicine?"

TL;DR

Learn how to answer the common question "Why Medicine" in medical school interviews with tips from medical students and mock interview examples.

Transcript

hey guys welcome back to the channel if you new here my name is Ali I'm a final year medical student at Cambridge University and this is a series of videos where I've interviewed lots of my medical student friends and asked them to give you advice about the medicine application process in this video we're going to be talking about how to answer the... Read More

Key Insights

• 😷 The question "Why Medicine" is still commonly asked in medical school interviews, despite some universities moving away from it.
• 🆘 While clichéd answers are acceptable, providing personal anecdotes or experiences can help make the answer more unique and memorable.
• 🤔 It is important for students to think deeply about their motivations for pursuing medicine and to express genuine passion in their answers.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the question "Why Medicine" often asked in medical school interviews?

The question is asked to gauge a student's motivation for pursuing medicine and to ensure they have thought deeply about their career choice. It also helps interviewers assess a student's communication skills and ability to articulate their reasons clearly.

Q: What are some common clichéd answers to the question "Why Medicine"?

Some clichéd answers include wanting to help people, enjoying lifelong learning, and being interested in science. While these answers are valid, it is important to provide specific examples or personal experiences that make them unique to the individual.

Q: How can students make their answers more personal and unique?

Students can make their answers more personal by sharing specific moments or experiences that influenced their decision to pursue medicine. This could be an interaction with a doctor, a personal health issue, or a family member's health struggles. It is important to think about what truly resonates with the individual and express genuine passion.

Q: How important is it to prepare for the question "Why Medicine" in a medical school interview?

It is important to prepare for the question as it is often one of the first questions asked in an interview. Giving an answer that the student feels confident and passionate about can set a positive tone for the rest of the interview and make them more comfortable.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The question "Why Medicine" is a common question asked in medical school interviews.

• Some students have specific moments or experiences that influenced their desire to pursue medicine, while others have more generic reasons such as wanting to help people and enjoy lifelong learning.

• It is important to be prepared for the question, but not to worry too much about giving a clichéd answer as long as it is genuine and true to oneself.

• Tips for answering the question include being prepared with ideas, avoiding clichéd answers, providing personal anecdotes or examples, and expressing genuine passion.