[secondaries] how do you tackle questions like, "why our school?"

[DocInProgress]

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any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Spathi]

Geographic, family in the area for support, feel (how much you like the people there!), town, and then there is always the way the school teaches and its buildings and opportunities there. You can buy a few books that talk about med schools and read them before you answer that.

Also on SDN there is a interview feedback part where people talk about what they like dislike. You can always seize onto that for some answers if you got nothing. If you got nothing jsut research and find SOMETHING to put there at least. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself in a folder so you can at least remember what you put before you go to the interview too..

Try to so show some enthusiasm in your answers if you can.

 

[medstuddude]

read my sample:

Please describe the specific and/or unique reasons you have applied to George Washington University School of Medicine.

My future goal is to become an outstanding clinician. I believe that the diverse patient-centered education and training that I will get at George Washington will prepare me to become a well-rounded physcian. I really appreciate how the school provides students with the opportunities for early clinical exposure. Also, I am very eager to take advantage of its great clinical care program in cardiology. Additionally, I look forward to getting extensively involved in the DC community through my active participation in the community outreach program.

 

[doinmybest5840]

any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Do something clever like an acrostic poem of the school's name. Haha.

Hello! You have a great reputation.
Anybody knows that Harvard is great for...
RESEARCH!
Vying for a good residency will be easy if I attend.
All the other schools rejected me because I'm too smart.
Right by the ocean (sort of... it's on the east coast).
Da truth: Conan went there for undergrad and he's my idol.


...joke.

 

[silverlining1]

Geographic, family in the area for support, feel (how much you like the people there!), town, and then there is always the way the school teaches and its buildings and opportunities there. You can buy a few books that talk about med schools and read them before you answer that.

Also on SDN there is a interview feedback part where people talk about what they like dislike. You can always seize onto that for some answers if you got nothing. If you got nothing jsut research and find SOMETHING to put there at least. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself in a folder so you can at least remember what you put before you go to the interview too..

Try to so show some enthusiasm in your answers if you can.

I'm glad to hear that location/family is acceptable. I have a more specific question: what about a significant other? My boyfriend and I are not engaged, let alone married, but we have been together for 3 years and do plan to be married. He is already a student somewhere, and it is very important to me to be near him. Would it be all right to mention him, and is there a way I could do so while conveying that I have made a mature, thoughtful decision? I don't want to sound like a giddy teenager.

 

[Jolie South]

I'm trying to stay away from personal reasons. To me, it seems like schools would be offended if you say things like "I love DC and want to live there and that's what I like about your school."

I'm trying to make it more about curriculum, early patient contact, electives, and programs available.

I feel that mentioning the place is only a good idea if you say how it relates somehow to accomplishing your career goals or if it's a state school and you need to prove ties.

i.e. I am interested in working with innercity populations and school x's location in DC/New York would prepare me for such a career.