How do you answer, "Why not be a ___ instead?"

[pbsdrinkingwhale]

I have a lot of experience doing Experience X... I want to transition into medicine. Any tips on how to approach these questions?

X could refer to public service, teaching, business, etc.

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[neoexile]

I have a lot of experience doing Experience X... I want to transition into medicine. Any tips on how to approach these questions?

X could refer to public service, teaching, business, etc.

For me it would be "I want to decide the course of care, much like how a chessmaster dictates the course of game."

 

[freedoctor17]

This is a great question and I'd like to see people's responses for how they answer it themselves. My main problem with my personal statement from many people who have read it was this exact question.

I also don't know how to answer it well because honestly there are other things I know I'd be happy doing as well. It's just that I happened to favor medicine a little bit more. Unfortunately it makes it really difficult to answer this though.

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

You tell me! You're the one who changed career paths! Nothing better than a genuine answer. What about medicine made you switch?

 

[tiramisucheese]

Coming from a different career path, some form of this question was asked at every one of my interviews. My prepared response is honest, genuine, and completely negates any doubt for why I want to leave my previous field in the first place. I've never received a follow-up question after going through my spiel.

Soo...content is important, but delivery is too. Practice.

 

[TakotsuboOkazaki]

Here’s some cliffs of my reasoning:

• Having the most control over the course of care, and with that, the most responsibility. (most autonomy)
• Careers are long (25+ years) regardless of the health profession. Physicianship offers such a high potential for continual advancement and learning over long spans of time.
• Certain procedures are almost exclusively performed by a physician.
• Ive worked with all sorts of HCPs (Docs, RNs, NPs, PAs, PTs, OTs, Respiratory Therapists, Phlebotomists, etc.) in a hospital setting. Able to compare my impressions of each.

 

[TakotsuboOkazaki]

Also...this cycle an interviewer asked me why not play music for a living.

One of my biggest passions in life has been playing, and I always talk about it.

I never expected THAT question.

I basically had to rag on my old childhood dreams it was really an odd experience.

 

[pbsdrinkingwhale]

You tell me! You're the one who changed career paths! Nothing better than a genuine answer. What about medicine made you switch?

I am not changing career paths, rather I am at a fork in the road to choose between two things I have equal experience in, medicine is just a tad more appealing.

 

[TennisShoeChic]

Also...this cycle an interviewer asked me why not play music for a living.
One of my biggest passions in life has been playing, and I always talk about it.
I never expected THAT question.
I basically had to rag on my old childhood dreams it was really an odd experience.

I got stumped with that question too during interviews (why didn't I pursue a career in global health policy if I liked it so much?). They even pressed the point with saying I would help more people making global policy than acting as a doctor. In response to that particular question, I said that there was a selfish aspect to medicine where I get a lot of personal satisfaction from interacting one-with-on patients (not a great answer).

The next time I was asked, I said I considered a career in global health policy, but it didn't have the personal connection that I value so much with medicine, as I enjoy being able to work one on one with people and really develop a relationship with them. But I also recognize that large policy decisions have the capacity to make a larger impact to a larger number of people, so I'd like to be involved in learning in medical school how to be an advocate for helping to shape the future of healthcare, although I don't quite know what that looks like yet. (But then be ready for them to ask what issues you think are most important or something like that)

You could also go unique and say you also considered being a chef/engineer/car racer, because of XYZ but you love XYZ about medicine too much. Original answers that are true are always good. 🙂

 

[dr_kateb]

Because you find the technical aspect of medicine challenging/stimulating/interesting. It’s definitely more mentally challenging than public service/nursing etc. And not a politician or lawyer because you have morals.

You’re welcome.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

“Why not do engineering instead”
Because I can design and build stuff as a hobby...doing medicine as a hobby will land me in jail

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I am not changing career paths, rather I am at a fork in the road to choose between two things I have equal experience in, medicine is just a tad more appealing.

Figure out what made medicine more appealing, and there’s your reason. There is no one right answer, and trying to sound slick will just make you sound canned.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Figuring out the answer to this question is very difficult prior to attending medical school. Now, having been a student interviewer at my school, I know exactly what the right answer is: whatever is true for you.

As you write your personal statements and are prepping for interviews, put yourself in the reader's/interviewer's shoes and really think about what you would want to read/hear. Be honest, be authentic. Most people can smell bull crap from a mile away.

From my perspective, when I ask "why medicine and why not X?" I'm not looking for the absolute most perfect answer from an objective standpoint because there is no objectively perfect answer. I'm looking for that person's own reasons. Was there a defining ah-ha moment when you decided being a physician was right for you? Or did the realization creep in over time? Either way, what was the event or were the series of events that lead you down this path? If you don't have answers to these questions, I suggest you put in some long, serious thought as to why you're applying to medical school at all.

As for writing the personal statement, I suggest you write down all the reasons why medicine is right for you and then hone it from there. Just let all the ideas flow and then you can clean it up afterward.

 

[Black Beard]

This is the stereotypical interview trap question.

For my interviews, I was able to bridge the gap between pursuing medicine and pursuing other interests by talking about my final goal of primary care. Loving to help others, admiring the ideals of global health, and desiring the ability to support/provide for a small community culminated in the pursuit of family medicine. Choosing to become a doctor over other career paths was not based on one specific interest, it was based on the combination of all my interests, abilities, and desires. Hope this helps.

 

[TypeADissection]

Them: Why do you want do surgery versus anything else?

Me: Because I want to cut people without being arrested.

 

[PhilzCoffeeAddict]

I am not changing career paths, rather I am at a fork in the road to choose between two things I have equal experience in, medicine is just a tad more appealing.

Sorry, i didn't mean to be rude in anyway. I just wanted to iterate that it doesn't matter why we chose medicine. What matters if YOUR answer. Doesn't have to be amazing, just has to be genuine. Good luck! =]

 

[shortcoatdream15]

-Being personally responsible
-Making the largest impact
-Being a complete expert in my chosen field
-Leadership
-Lifelong learning

 

[siliso]

Do not make any negative statements about any other profession, at all, even obliquely (saying medicine is more x y or z in comparison). Express only respect and appreciation for that profession’s contributions to society. Redirect to what interests you about medicine. Note how your experience in that field will positively impact you as a physician.

 

[Noisewater-TDX]

I had "why aren't you going to NP school since your a nurse."

My response was "NP educational standards are not uniform across the country and most programs have a large online portion, which i don't like. I know MD/DO's educational standards are high and i want the best education possible"

Nothing else was asked about it after that. 🙂

 

[MedicalDoge]

I always just said it is the one career where I can potentially combine my passions for direct patient care, global health, and research. No other career offers this flexibility. I also discuss how I love teaching and that this also an option