Interview Q: Why should we pick you?

[swtiepie711]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've been asked on an interview & believe I'll probably be asked again the: Why should we pick you? Why should we choose you out of the equally qualified applicants?

I honestly don't know how to answer this. I tend to downplay accomplishments & be really humble about things, so this is a tough one for me.

I'm not a published researcher nor have I volunteered in a foreign country. In many ways, I'm very "average" - good numbers, fine ECs, but nothing that screams "I'm special, pick me!"

Thoughts on this question?

 

[Captain Fantastic]

I think the question is not about numbers or ECs, especially if they say compared to equally qualified candidates, but about your fit or motivation for wanting to attend their school.

Do you think you're a good match for the school's curriculum: i.e., you learn best in that environment and would excel there? Do you see you're goals matching up with their mission: primary care, research, and for some state schools producing physicians for that state? If offered an acceptance would you withdraw all other applications and attend there?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Well what do you answer to all the secondaries that ask "what makes you unique" or "what will you bring to our school?" Think along that same train of thought and just push how it makes you different (thought not particularly better than other applicants.) It doesn't have to be why you are superior - just why you are different than 10,000 other applicants.

Yeah ^^^ what he said too!

 

[swtiepie711]

Well what do you answer to all the secondaries that ask "what makes you unique" or "what will you bring to our school?" Think along that same train of thought and just push how it makes you different (thought not particularly better than other applicants.) It doesn't have to be why you are superior - just why you are different than 10,000 other applicants.

Yeah ^^^ what he said too!

Thanks for the feedback. The secondary type response to "why are you unique" is what I've been using. It just feels lame, I guess. 🙁 Oh well....

 

[kevster2001]

Just mention some skills you're good at

 

[alwaysaangel]

Thanks for the feedback. The secondary type response to "why are you unique" is what I've been using. It just feels lame, I guess. 🙁 Oh well....

Well what is it? We'll convince you its not lame because I bet its not!

 

[zimmie256]

I struggle with this question when the interview has been very casual up to this point... just chatting about activities, interests, etc. It feels really awkward to launch into formal interview mode after that to answer this question...