Interview Question -- The Future

[Xinlitik]

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I am having my first interview in three days. Right now I'm really stuck on how I want to answer a question regarding my future goals.

Honestly, I find a few specialties very appealing, and I also have not decided yet whether I want to pursue mostly patient care or mostly research. What I do know is that I have enjoyed my experiences in both, and that I will absolutely take advantage of research opportunities in medical school.

Will it hurt me if I show this kind of honest indecision in the interview? Should I have something more specific in mind, or can I just say "I think x,y,z are very interesting career paths, and I plan on devoting attention to them during clerkships to see which is right for me. Also, I will immerse myself in research in the alloted spots (most schools I will be interviewing at have significant blocks open for research), so I will come out of medical school with a solid path in mind."

thanks

 

[Xinlitik]

No, I met a doctor that was in the admissions process at UCSF and said that they want to know if someone wants to go clinical, research, or teaching, but that someone who doesn't know yet but has shown interest in both (e.g. you have had research experience and shadowing) would not be looked down upon.

Great, thank you.

 

[LizzyM]

I'd be interested in knowing if you are interested in a specialty that is procedure based but has little longitudinal doctor/patient relationship, a specialty that is hospital based (e.g.anesthesiology, radiology, path, or hospitalist), or a more office based practice with long term relations with patients but few if any procedures. Are you interested in diagnostic puzzles that are handed off to someone else for treatment or are you interested in straight forward diagnosis that requires a straightforward intervention (see the very funny "leg is broken, I can fix it" video http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=3rTsvb2ef5k&feature=related ). I think it is interesting to explore in your mind what it is that attracts you to medicine and say, "although I havent narrowed down my choices to just one, I am interested in the ___ aspect of medicine and think that I would enjoy x, y or z."

 

[addo]

I'd be interested in knowing if you are interested in a specialty that is procedure based but has little longitudinal doctor/patient relationship, a specialty that is hospital based (e.g.anesthesiology, radiology, path, or hospitalist), or a more office based practice with long term relations with patients but few if any procedures. Are you interested in diagnostic puzzles that are handed off to someone else for treatment or are you interested in straight forward diagnosis that requires a straightforward intervention (see the very funny "leg is broken, I can fix it" video http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=3rTsvb2ef5k&feature=related ). I think it is interesting to explore in your mind what it is that attracts you to medicine and say, "although I havent narrowed down my choices to just one, I am interested in the ___ aspect of medicine and think that I would enjoy x, y or z."

This is great. I have gotten this question is pretty much every single interview so far, and although I have come to formulate a similar answer, this is so much more straight and to the point.

 

[ucsfstudents]

Have a good reason to back up your specialty interests. Your interviewer knows that you will likely change your mind during medical school, but they want to see that you've at least thought about it.

 

[NickNaylor]

I've had this question at every interview I've had, yet for whatever reason the interviewers don't seem to delve deeper than the initial question. I tell them what my interest(s) are with the caveat that I really don't know since there are so many areas to go into. They've been satisfied with that answer thus far.