Medicine Interview Questions - How to answer "Why should we choose you?"

TL;DR

Answer “Why should we choose you?” by explaining both why the medical school’s course suits you and what you would bring to the school. Prepare flexible talking points rather than a rehearsed response, research specific course features, and support your fit with relevant experiences. Read on for eight practical ways to sound prepared and confident without appearing arrogant.

Transcript

hey guys welcome back to the channel if you're new here my name is Ali I'm a final year medical student at Cambridge University and this is part of a series of videos where me and my friends talked to the camera to give you advice about the medicine application process specifically about interviews today we're gonna be tackling the fairly common qu... Read More

Key Insights

• 😷 Tailoring responses to showcase alignment with the medical school's program is crucial in answering the question effectively.
• 😷 Balancing self-promotion with humility is essential to make a favorable impression in medical school interviews.
• 😫 Demonstrating a genuine interest in the institution and showcasing specific ways to contribute can set candidates apart.
• 😷 Providing concrete examples of accomplishments and tying them back to readiness for medical school can strengthen interview responses.
• 🤩 Researching the medical school's offerings and values to make specific connections in responses is key.
• 🆘 Avoiding generic answers and focusing on specifics can help candidates create a memorable impression.
• 😷 Articulating how one's background and skills uniquely position them for success at the medical school is vital.

Questions & Answers

Q: How should you answer “Why should we choose you?” in a medicine interview?

Split your answer into two parts: explain why that medical school and its course suit you, then describe what you can contribute to the school. Use specific course features and relevant personal experiences to show the connection without comparing yourself directly with every other applicant.

Q: Why is “Why should we choose you?” difficult to answer?

The question requires you to actively sell yourself while avoiding arrogance, which many applicants find uncomfortable. Ali says he was asked a version of it during his UCL interview and struggled because he had not prepared for it.

Q: Should you memorize an answer to this medical interview question?

No; Ali advises against preparing a rehearsed, memorized answer. Instead, make a list of talking points so you can respond naturally if the question appears.

Q: What should you research before answering this question?

Research what the course actually entails and identify features that genuinely appeal to you. The students suggest knowing details such as whether the course uses prosection or dissection and whether clinical work begins immediately or follows a few years of lectures.

Q: How can you show that a particular medical school suits you?

Connect your background and interests to a specific aspect of the course. One student would highlight previous work in basic sciences when discussing Cambridge, showing why that course was particularly appropriate for them.

Q: What is an example of using a course feature in your answer?

One student mentioned Bristol’s language exchange scheme and connected it to studying French at A-level. They explained that they would benefit from the scheme and make the most of that part of the course.

Q: How can you promote yourself without sounding boastful?

Describe the steps you have taken to become a better candidate and explain how you are willing to keep developing. You can also describe the characteristics you associate with an ideal doctor and identify where you have demonstrated those qualities.

Q: Is there one correct answer to “Why should we choose you?”

No; Ali emphasizes that the question does not have a single right or wrong response. Different medical students approach it differently, so applicants should select talking points that fit their own experiences and the specific school.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Medical students discuss the challenging question of why the medical school should choose them amidst 10,000 applicants.

• They suggest focusing on how their skills suit the specific medical school's program and what they can bring to the institution.

• Different perspectives are shared on balancing self-promotion without appearing arrogant in the interview process.