Originally posted by WannabeDO
Don't come across as being arrogant. Don't say "I will be successful because..." Say "I will be a good student because..." or something along those lines.
WannabeDO
I disagree. True, don't be arrogant...there are more than enough arrogant premeds and medical students around and the admissions people have seen them all.
If someone asked me "How do you know you will succeed in medical school?", my answer would be short and sweet. Becoming a physician is all I have ever wanted to do. When you want something so strongly and you are so excited about something, it's impossible to fail.
I would then back up my response with reasons why I want to be there, maybe referencing some other times in my life when I have succeeded despite the odds (doing well on the MCAT when I was told I had a learning disability due to my SAT scores...who ever took the SATs seriously anyway?)
When it comes to medical school applications, don't be arrogant...I will agree with that. But you need to show confidence. You need to come across like you belong at that school. You need to act like you are the best candidate for medical school in the country, without saying that of course, and without bashing other people. Never fall into the "well my friend who got a 33 on his MCAT will definately do well, and I think I can probably do OK too." I actually know someone who said that. Idiot.
It's all about "I will succeed because _____."
Not, "I think I will do well because _____."
There's no thinking about it.
Attending medical school is all about thinking.
Getting INTO medical school is all about passion.
Best of luck to you.