Insincere sincerity

[4X4MD]

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So I was thinking about this earlier. Many people talk about needing a sincere reason for wanting to go into the medical field. Here's the problem. Wouldn't sincerity begin to sound like a broken record? I mean, there are only so many versions of the same story before adcoms can understand that there's a pattern. I'm sure that day has already passed.

My feelings are that, in all our "uniqueness", we tend to be just the opposite. Do you think they consider the fact that every individual needs to find their own path? I don't feel like I need to distinguish myself from the pack. I want to do the things I love, and I feel more confident because of it. So what if I'm not a big researcher, or I don't have all the credentials and extra curricular activities. Why can't a genuine passion be considered enough (or can it?). How easy is it for a single interview to show your true intentions?

What do y'all think?

 

[Infinitydrop]

go read the uniquness thread. In order to distinquish yourself, you basically have to do what everyone else does AND some more.

 

[4X4MD]

go read the uniquness thread. In order to distinquish yourself, you basically have to do what everyone else does AND some more.

ehhh i read some of it when it first started, but there was a lot of bashing and what not

what's the big deal with being oh so unique?

sure its great, but wouldnt standardizing things make it a better process anyway?

just my thoughts

 

[morning]

ehhh i read some of it when it first started, but there was a lot of bashing and what not

what's the big deal with being oh so unique?

sure its great, but wouldnt standardizing things make it a better process anyway?

just my thoughts

Pretty much every thread in this subforum seems to devolve into bashing, if you haven't noticed. Pre-meds are a BIT competitive...just a bit.

 

[4X4MD]

Pretty much every thread in this subforum seems to devolve into bashing, if you haven't noticed. Pre-meds are a BIT competitive...just a bit.

no one need be competitive with me unless your a louisiana resident!

 

[FlowRate]

So I was thinking about this earlier. Many people talk about needing a sincere reason for wanting to go into the medical field. Here's the problem. Wouldn't sincerity begin to sound like a broken record? I mean, there are only so many versions of the same story before adcoms can understand that there's a pattern. I'm sure that day has already passed.

My feelings are that, in all our "uniqueness", we tend to be just the opposite. Do you think they consider the fact that every individual needs to find their own path? I don't feel like I need to distinguish myself from the pack. I want to do the things I love, and I feel more confident because of it. So what if I'm not a big researcher, or I don't have all the credentials and extra curricular activities. Why can't a genuine passion be considered enough (or can it?). How easy is it for a single interview to show your true intentions?

What do y'all think?

Be yourself, do what you want to do. Play the game to the extent that you want to play. I know several premeds who do all the premeddy things but they don't seem to have any interest in these things beyond the fact that they want to get into medical school. For instance, I know a guy who started a fundraiser for cancer research and he admits that the express purpose is to bolster his med school resume. I think this attitude shows through pretty strongly, at least with this one individual, and med schools should be able to see that.

 

[UofM527]

So I was thinking about this earlier. Many people talk about needing a sincere reason for wanting to go into the medical field. Here's the problem. Wouldn't sincerity begin to sound like a broken record? I mean, there are only so many versions of the same story before adcoms can understand that there's a pattern. I'm sure that day has already passed.

My feelings are that, in all our "uniqueness", we tend to be just the opposite. Do you think they consider the fact that every individual needs to find their own path? I don't feel like I need to distinguish myself from the pack. I want to do the things I love, and I feel more confident because of it. So what if I'm not a big researcher, or I don't have all the credentials and extra curricular activities. Why can't a genuine passion be considered enough (or can it?). How easy is it for a single interview to show your true intentions?

What do y'all think?

First I would say YES, I really hope you have a sincere reason, whatever it may be, for going into medicine

As you touched upon, in a way, sincerity can come in just about any form, even what you feel is a "broken record" reason - if you truly have a passion for learning, love science/the human body, love teaching, helping others, love research, love human interaction etc...that's great, and it really doesn't matter if a lot of other people do too.

In my experience as a member of an admissions committee/interviewer, I have certainly heard these reason - all I want to see is that a person has a genuine passion/interest in medicine, can articulate the reason, has shown through their experiences/activities/essay that they truly live/do what they say, and that they have explored the field of medicine & understand what they are getting into

I do not feel uniqueness is something you can/should necessarily strive to achieve solely for standing out in medical school admissions - I don't think you would succeed at doing so if that is your goal. Rather, the most unique applicants I see are those who did something really impressive b/c a passion they have led them to do it. I would advise that you do what you love really well (and of course take care of your academics) and things will work out. And never worry about sounding like a "broken record" - I would say most applicants I interview...and that are accepted - are not always particularly unique, but rather very good solid applicants, with a good balance of interests & activities, a solid understanding of the medical world, maturity, and a sincere passion for medicine

 

[4X4MD]

^^ thanks for the advice

question

what do you mean by "a solid understanding of the medical world"?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

oops

 

[UofM527]

^^ thanks for the advice

question

what do you mean by "a solid understanding of the medical world"?

Just having a good understand of medicine as a career and what you are about to do for the rest of your life - this absolutely does not mean you need to be an expert in medical policy or come up with a novel idea to fix the healthcare system

Rather, you are expected to be aware of current topics in medicine (like insurance problems, euthanasia, abortion, etc0 Also you need to know what the job is like - what do doctors do, livestyle, how do they interact with patients & other healthcare workers etc

Its one thing to speak about any knowledge you have in such areas, which is certainly important, but also make sure you have DONE something that shows you have explored & understand medicine - this can be shadowing doctors, volunteering in medically related fields, working in some other medical profession, having been a patient yourself/dealing with the medical system...

 

[Morsetlis]

Basically, there's a checklist of things to do. Go through it. Also remember to do something interesting or unique for a long time. That somehow shows commitment.

Basically schools don't want you to end up like the guy who writes www.medschoolhell.com