Why did you apply here?

[learnmdabc]

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interview questions:

"Why did you apply here?"
"What is your specific interest in our school?"

Questions along those lines intimidate me a bit. I already had trouble answering them in my secondaries. I have the lingering and silent suspicion that I approached them the wrong way, too generically. "Oh yeah, the location is great. I have relatives here. I like the curriculum because it integrates clinical skills and the basic sciences."

I have yet to hear back from any of the schools that asked these questions in their secondaries. I have heard back schools that asked me to explain my motivation for medicine. Perhaps this is merely my lame attempt to connect dots in this thread-less process that is medical admissions.

Nonetheless, can you guys give me some tips on how to approach these questions? I know these questions should be straightforward and personal, that there is no right answer. At the same time, I feel that my answers could be said by anyone and to anyone, that my answers could be apply to every school I applied.

What aspects of curriculum_could_I touch upon? Should I mention location? Should I mention how the school has a good track record in getting people into good residencies? Should I mention the local hospitals where we obtain clinical training? Should I mention clubs/societies that I might be interested in joining at the school?

Just need some ideas! Thanks! 😎

 

[JustDance]

Talk to students. See what they like best, what they feel is unique about their school.If you have a tour before your interview, see if there is something you really like about their facilities. A lot of times, schools will emphasize things that they feel really set them apart from everyone else.
And check their websites for things like international opportunities, volunteering, student organizations, etc.
Oh and you can bring up their impressive board passage rates lol!
Anyways, hope this helps

 

[JustDance]

Oh and try to relate things you have done to things they offer. Like I used to volunteer at RMH and a school I just interviewed at had an RMH right next to the hospital

 

[armybound]

Honesty always worked for me. There must have been a reason you chose that school, even if it's because applying to more schools gives you a better shot at getting acceptance. it shows that you really want to be a doctor (to some adcoms)

 

[longhorn09]

1) Look at the school's website. It usually lists some good things about the school, such as strong researh funding, good curriculum. Say them in the interview.

2) If that's your state school, say that its close to your home and you can save $$ on tuition. (you don't wanna have huge debt when gradaute)

3) You can always say that the students there are friendly and you like the environment in that school.

 

[learnmdabc]

Thanks guys! I'll keep all of these things in mind.

Any other advice? and specific ideas? Like what aspect of the curriculum could I comment on, hypothetically? I'm not trying to be an idea vampire here, but I want to know what kind of answer would be considered more "tasteful."

 

[longhorn09]

Thanks guys! I'll keep all of these things in mind.

Any other advice? and specific ideas? Like what aspect of the curriculum could I comment on, hypothetically? I'm not trying to be an idea vampire here, but I want to know what kind of answer would be considered more "tasteful."

you can say that you like PBL, organ/system based curriculum, or whatever that the school is useing.
you can say that you like "early" patient contact, which most of the schools say that they do offer.

 

[batista_123]

Honesty always worked for me. There must have been a reason you chose that school, even if it's because applying to more schools gives you a better shot at getting acceptance. it shows that you really want to be a doctor (to some adcoms)

"Honestly, I dont really have a specific reason for applying here, I am applying to a bunch of schools and i will go wherever i get in"

 

[armybound]

"Honestly, I dont really have a specific reason for applying here, I am applying to a bunch of schools and i will go wherever i get in"

There's always a reason. You don't just randomly check schools on the AMCAS. He must have liked something about its location, friendliness to out of staters, cost, curriculum, average accepted stats, etc.

 

[xmsr3]

Actually adopting the random angle may work😀

Question: Why did you choose our school?

Answer: I threw darts at a list of schools and landed on yours. Thus I am fated to study medicine here. To reject me risks angering the gods and incuring their wrath.

It would take a certain kind of applicant to make this work but I imagine it would make you standout for sure😀