how to answer "why xx school?"

[desam]

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Hi! I am applying to a number of schools that will ask, "why xx school?" what is the best way to answer such questions if you don't know anybody who goes there?

also, does anybody have an acceptance-winning sec. on any of the schools that answered, "why xx?"

I just seem to have the hardest time with this. I keep using the same phrases, "I am inspired by its holistic approach," "...early patient contact"

but then, the truth of the matter is most schools seem to push for early patient contact.

How can you find something unique about the school that will just "wow" the ADCOMS?

 

[postbacker]

Nobody can tell you the answer to this question. There is no "best" response. There is only your response, and if you don't really have one, then just resort to the canned BS responses that everyone else uses...

But a lame, canned response begs the question - if you don't have a reason for X school, then why did you apply in the first place?

 

[rmorriso]

Hi! I am applying to a number of schools that will ask, "why xx school?" what is the best way to answer such questions if you don't know anybody who goes there?

also, does anybody have an acceptance-winning sec. on any of the schools that answered, "why xx?"

I just seem to have the hardest time with this. I keep using the same phrases, "I am inspired by its holistic approach," "...early patient contact"

but then, the truth of the matter is most schools seem to push for early patient contact.

How can you find something unique about the school that will just "wow" the ADCOMS?

With those sort of questions the school is basically seeing if you're familiar with what makes their program unique and that something about that vibes with who you are as a person and what your amibition is as a physician.

For example, with my secondary to Georgetown I made sure to touch on their Jesuit approach of cura personalis since I've been attending Jesuit run institutions since high school. Since I've done a lot of community service over the years, especially involving children, I made sure to check out the various service opportunities and programs at each school I interviewed at. Other schools I interviewed at had other things which I liked, like integrated curriculum, earlier clinical exposure, etc.

Basically, do your research. Run over the school's website with a fine toothed comb, etc.

 

[armybound]

With those sort of questions the school is basically seeing if you're familiar with what makes their program unique and that something about that vibes with who you are as a person and what your amibition is as a physician.

For example, with my secondary to Georgetown I made sure to touch on their Jesuit approach of cura personalis since I've been attending Jesuit run institutions since high school. Since I've done a lot of community service over the years, especially involving children, I made sure to check out the various service opportunities and programs at each school I interviewed at.

I agree completely.

Your answer should not be "Well I want to be a doctor and you're a medical school, so let's get this thing going.."

They want to know what's special about their school to you.

 

[patzan]

Each school will have their own little pet project, whether it is their research program, early patient contact program, mentoring program, EBL or case-based learning programs, whatever it is, know about it and mention it.

Feel free to tell "high ranked" programs (or anyone else for that matter) that you want to go to a "top program." They will like the ego massage.

Location matters and they know that. Schools near family...tell them that. Schools in the south...you like the weather. Schools in the big city...you like the city. Whatever you choose, make it an honest answer and be prepared to back it up with other schools you applied to (I said I liked the size of the city in one interview and the guy asked me what other places I had applied to...none of them in similarly sized cities....).

 

[Law2Doc]

Nobody can tell you the answer to this question. There is no "best" response. There is only your response, and if you don't really have one, then just resort to the canned BS responses that everyone else uses...

But a lame, canned response begs the question - if you don't have a reason for X school, then why did you apply in the first place?

Agree with this -- if you are planning to find and use a canned response, perhaps one that others have used successfully, you are on the wrong track. Schools want you to have selected them for a reason, and it has to be your reason. And the reason needs to be more than "I think it would be cool to live in [insert city here]". If you truly cannot think of a reason then move on to the next school in your list.

 

[Robizzle]

Don't worry, a great deal of applicants don't have any real reasons for School "XX" to begin with besides the fact that School "XX's" numbers were in range with their own, just no one will admit it on here.

Now that you're in this rut, do what everyone else does and look up what makes school XX unique on their website, by snooping around these forums, or reading their brochure or something. Maybe you'll love it, maybe you'll learn to love it, or if worst comes to worst - pretend to love it. You want to get into medical school, and so you applied broadly, no shame in that.