Open Mind vs. Specific Path?

[OneDayDoctor]

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It seems to be well-understood that our specialty interests will change come clinical rotations. I think that's great, and hope I find the field that speaks to my strengths. However, I do have a specific interest currently, but my reading has raised this question: Is it better to communicate (application, secondaries, interviews) a specific specialty interest, or is it better to state an open mind? Or a little of both? I seem to sense a 50/50 split of how applicants address this, so maybe some current med students and/or adcoms can give us a fresh insight. Thanks all!

 

[gyngyn]

It seems to be well-understood that our specialty interests will change come clinical rotations. I think that's great, and hope I find the field that speaks to my strengths. However, I do have a specific interest currently, but my reading has raised this question: Is it better to communicate (application, secondaries, interviews) a specific specialty interest, or is it better to state an open mind? Or a little of both? I seem to sense a 50/50 split of how applicants address this, so maybe some current med students and/or adcoms can give us a fresh insight. Thanks all!

Your current truth is the best. The worst that happens is that eyebrows raise when it is plastics or derm.

 

[crimsonkid85]

Your current truth is the best. The worst that happens is that eyebrows raise when it is plastics or derm.

in which hopefully your current truth is backed up with some personal experience, as opposed to personal extrapolation lol

 

[OneDayDoctor]

Thanks for the insight! My "current truth" is that I have a specialty I think I would like (not plastics or derm), but am open to a change of heart in med school. Just don't want to come off flaky or insincere if I state a willingness to change it...

 

[crimsonkid85]

Thanks for the insight! My "current truth" is that I have a specialty I think I would like (not plastics or derm), but am open to a change of heart in med school. Just don't want to come off flaky or insincere if I state a willingness to change it...

flaky? god no, chances are you will

 

[OneDayDoctor]

in which hopefully your current truth is backed up with some personal experience, as opposed to personal extrapolation lol

Haha yes, it is backed up by the majority of my experiences!

 

[gyngyn]

Thanks for the insight! My "current truth" is that I have a specialty I think I would like (not plastics or derm), but am open to a change of heart in med school. Just don't want to come off flaky or insincere if I state a willingness to change it...

Not at all. We're not expecting fidelity before you even know us...

 

[OneDayDoctor]

Awesome, very helpful. Thanks!

 

[tvelocity514]

I think the best thing to say is " I am very interested in X and Y due to etc. etc. but I understand that many med students change their mind during medical school and therefore, I am going to keep an open mind throughout my schooling." Just my .02$ which helped me get accepted this year haha.

 

[snowflakes]

I said something similar. Based on my AMCAS, lots of interviewers connected some dots and asked me if I was interested in a particular specialty. Basically, I said, yes, based on my exposure to it through X, Y, and Z, I had a preliminary interest in it. However, I also wanted to keep an open mind because I realize that this is the only specialty that I've been really exposed to. My interviewers seemed to respond quite well to this answer.