Confused on the "Why I want to be a Doctor" question...

[myofibroblast]

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Ok, so i have been thinking about interviews alot and OF COURSE you will be asked things like 'why do you want to be a doctor?'. why osteopathic medicine, etc. Everyone knows it is not acceptable to answer 'I want to help people' or 'i love science' but for most of us, that is two of the main reasons!!! How do you get that across without actually saying it and without being taboo??? I've been told you can't say that since I was a freshman and hopefully I will get an interview soon and I don't want to make a fool of myself...what do you guys think?

 

[TexasTriathlete]

There are ways you can help people without going to school for another four years and racking up huge amounts of debt, and there are ways you can be much more involved with science than by being a dOctor.

Think about what it is, exactly, that doctors do, and what draws yoU to it.

For me, my kinesiology Studies got me interested in it. I worked with athletes and saw them get hUrt. I took a few biological sCience classes towards the end of my kinesiology degree. I started to take an interest in the workings of the body. And the more I studied it, the more I liKed it.

Then I started volunteering at the regional trauma center, and I love that too. This is where the "helping people" comes into play, becauSe I actually have that opportunity there. I could go on and on about stuff that has reinforced my decision to pursue a career in medicine.

They want you to convince them that it is your calling in life. That you aren't going to burn out on it. That you can handle the pressure. That the long hours in residency are worth it to you. That you've really given it a lot of thought, and that you know what you're getting yourself into, and that after all that, it is still what you want to do. Know what I mean?

So what is the thought process that has led you to a career in medicine?

 

[theNEWgirl]

I like the subliminal message

 

[darkhope]

why not just say the truth, 🙂, sdn made me want to, seeing all the fun and cool people in it gave me only one option in life lol 🙂

 

[jpatzi]

I think that the best way to answer that question is to be able to provide numerous reasons without saying "because I want to help people."

 

[Tanner82]

I think that the best way to answer that question is to be able to provide numerous reasons without saying "because I want to help people."

that's what I'm gunning for

 

[almo88]

Ok, so i have been thinking about interviews alot and OF COURSE you will be asked things like 'why do you want to be a doctor?'. why osteopathic medicine, etc. Everyone knows it is not acceptable to answer 'I want to help people' or 'i love science' but for most of us, that is two of the main reasons!!! How do you get that across without actually saying it and without being taboo??? I've been told you can't say that since I was a freshman and hopefully I will get an interview soon and I don't want to make a fool of myself...what do you guys think?

Because I watch Scrubs, and I want to be just like JD when I grow up. 🙄

 

[GreenShirt]

You can still tie it into enjoying science and wanting to help people, but you need to tie it into personal experience. However, keep in mind that the two reasons also apply to any career in health care, so why do you want a doctoral degree and not a PA, CNP, DPT, DMD, DDS, OT etc? (Hint: don't answer because of the money).

 

[CTrainSJU]

Ok, so i have been thinking about interviews alot and OF COURSE you will be asked things like 'why do you want to be a doctor?'. why osteopathic medicine, etc. Everyone knows it is not acceptable to answer 'I want to help people' or 'i love science' but for most of us, that is two of the main reasons!!! How do you get that across without actually saying it and without being taboo??? I've been told you can't say that since I was a freshman and hopefully I will get an interview soon and I don't want to make a fool of myself...what do you guys think?

I didn't get asked either of these questions at DMU. I think they probably got sick of canned answers. The interview was much more personal than my others. I was asked what I did during my spare time, what scared me about med school, etc.

 

[BillyWitchDoctr]

Ok, so i have been thinking about interviews alot and OF COURSE you will be asked things like 'why do you want to be a doctor?'. why osteopathic medicine, etc. Everyone knows it is not acceptable to answer 'I want to help people' or 'i love science' but for most of us, that is two of the main reasons!!! How do you get that across without actually saying it and without being taboo??? I've been told you can't say that since I was a freshman and hopefully I will get an interview soon and I don't want to make a fool of myself...what do you guys think?

I had a similar problem...I really did want enter medicine to help people. The way I handled this was I said up front..."I know this is a cliche, but it is also true...." and then elaborated on the theme. It helps if you've done something in undergrad to back this up like volunteering for a cause. This seemed to satisfy all of my interviewers.

 

[saylorsdad]

I think the answer depends on traditional student or non-traditional student. So you really have to think of how you can justify spending huge amounts of money, and four years of your life. For me my current job of teaching high school doesn't fill my desire to help people. The main reason is they don't want to be there so I am forcing them to learn something that quite frankly won't apply to most of them. The transition into medicine for me has been a breath of fresh air. Just the hope that someday I will get to work for myself, and see someone get the help they need keeps me in class making A's.

Yes oklahoma fan here, some good natured fun with our friends in the territory of northern mexico aka "texas" to the south of us.

 

[almo88]

I think the answer depends on traditional student or non-traditional student. So you really have to think of how you can justify spending huge amounts of money, and four years of your life. For me my current job of teaching high school doesn't fill my desire to help people. The main reason is they don't want to be there so I am forcing them to learn something that quite frankly won't apply to most of them. The transition into medicine for me has been a breath of fresh air. Just the hope that someday I will get to work for myself, and see someone get the help they need keeps me in class making A's.

Yes oklahoma fan here, some good natured fun with our friends in the territory of northern mexico aka "texas" to the south of us.

Isn't Oklahoma great? I know I said this last week, but I can't resist:

Why is Oklahoma so windy? Because Texas SUCKS!

Haha...it's just as funny now as it was then. WTG saylorsdad!

 

[Natatiap]

This is a question believe it or not you'll have to think about. Everyone applying to medical school hopefully knows why they are interested in medicine but its hard to put it into words. Some applicants dont have this glorified story to tell about a life changing experience that brought them to the field. For me Ive just always had in interest in healthcare and science. I want to work with the medically underserved. I also became intested because of my family history of illness and I wanted to help those in a similar situation. I would like to become involved in preventive care...etc. Honestly, You just have to sit down and think about this one. They dont want a scripted answer or why DrNatatia or anyone else on SDN is intested in become a doctor. They want to hear from you just be real, open, and honest. Good luck! 👍

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Arkansas-Oklahoma Cotton Bowl Game

85,000 fans
5 last names

 

[almo88]

Arkansas-Oklahoma Cotton Bowl Game

85,000 fans
5 last names

Okay, so you're a funny guy...but you're from TX, so I'm afraid this is the last time I can legally speak to you. 😛

 

[Beau Geste]

You can still tie it into enjoying science and wanting to help people, but you need to tie it into personal experience. However, keep in mind that the two reasons also apply to any career in health care, so why do you want a doctoral degree and not a PA, CNP, DPT, DMD, DDS, OT etc? (Hint: don't answer because of the money).

And there's even doctoral programs in those fields as well. I know - I left one 🙂

 

[saylorsdad]

Arkansas-Oklahoma Cotton Bowl Game

85,000 fans
5 last names

Wait I'm confused if ou's in the cotton bowl, what bowl game is left for Texas? Oh yeah the ever so popular liberty bowl that Texas gets everytime they finish behind OU.

 

[Beau Geste]

If you don't know why you want to be a doctor.... should you really apply? Really? Why?

If you can only think of the cliche lines, then are you only interested in the superficial aspect of medicine?

Couldn't you just be a nurse/PA/PT/etc.?

If you answered "no" to these questions and started to get hot under the collar - write down why, and maybe that will help with your answer.

 

[mrjbb]

I wanna become a doctor because of the wonderful sleepless nights after med school and the delightful belittling I will most definitely endure all throughout intern/residency..!! Yay...😍.. Oh, and the perfect 3 friggin bucks an hour I'm gonna basically make my first yrs once I've factored in all the amazingly great long hour shifts..!!!!! Yay..Hooray.!!!