"Why do you like this school?"

[skiing]

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I'm having some serious problems coming up with good answers to this.

"I like your programs/facilities/curriculum" - cookie cutter. Isn't this what everyone says? You can tie it into your experiences to make it personal, but it still feels bland. How do they know you didn't just make this up?

"I like the location" - so you want to spend the time in our wonderful warm pleasant sunshine and like the city. In other words, you like to go out and enjoy yourself and we'll help you do that. Does this seem a little frivolous?

"The student body/culture" - this makes sense to me, but it can't stand alone.

Family ties/ grew up here - does this make you seem immature?

Conversations with faculty etc - name dropping, but then it can't hurt right?

What do you say in response to this question? For people who have interviewed others, how do you perceive each type of response? What makes it genuine/powerful?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

This is why I'm not a fan of this question, and it really should be replaced with diversity/challenge/interests.

I tried throwing my experiences in the essay to match with what the school offered, but in the end I feel like it came out the same way. IMO it's pretty futile, and you're probably gonna sound like somebody else.

Edit:

Example - "My soccer team experience really jives with your PBL; New York City would be the perfect transition from Los Angeles; your students seem to like research, and I've published 34 papers."

 

[darkjedi]

I remember hating this question too when doing my secondaries, particularly for schools that I did not know that much about. That said, if you can manage to genuinely convey what is unique about the school and how you can fit in very well, it can pay off significantly. Talking about your experiences with the facilities, faculty or student body can help a lot. Each school's mission may be slightly different, so definitely find out what they are, otherwise you risk contradicting what they are looking for.

 

[skiing]

if you can manage to genuinely convey what is unique about the school and how you can fit in very well, it can pay off significantly. .

So I guess that the key is to be genuine - tone > content, how you say it > what you say, why you are saying it + who you are as a person... as far as seeming genuine, I guess what you say will be convincing insofar as it fits into the context of who you are and what you've said thus far about yourself

I'm asking this more for interviews, but I guess it's the same for secondaries.

 

[TheShaker]

I just hate it for schools who aren't really anything special or don't have much information on their website.

One of these days I'll just write that it's because their MCAT median is 32, they're not in the middle of nowhere, and they grant an MD at the end....

 

[Boomski]

I just hate it for schools who aren't really anything special or don't have much information on their website.

One of these days I'll just write that it's because their MCAT median is 32, they're not in the middle of nowhere, and they grant an MD at the end....

👍+1

 

[MedPR]

"Because it has 'School of Medicine' in the name". Automatic acceptance, you're welcome.

I remember hating this question too when doing my secondaries, particularly for schools that I did not know that much about. That said, if you can manage to genuinely convey what is unique about the school and how you can fit in very well, it can pay off significantly. Talking about your experiences with the facilities, faculty or student body can help a lot. Each school's mission may be slightly different, so definitely find out what they are, otherwise you risk contradicting what they are looking for.

I hate it even moreso during interviews. Especially when they're asked in a roundabout way like "So if you get into more than one school, how will you pick?"

 

[SilverCat]

Whenever I answer this question at interviews, I feel like I'm filming for a promotional video for the school - " great curriculum, great people, great location."

It's hard to answer if you haven't had that much experience with the school.

 

[mimelim]

I thought it was a good question. It stopped me from filling out secondaries for two schools. I realized that I had no interest in their school and I was applying for the sake of applying. Saved me time and money.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I thought it was a good question. It stopped me from filling out secondaries for two schools. I realized that I had no interest in their school and I was applying for the sake of applying. Saved me time and money.

Ha... good point. This did actually happen with one of the schools I initially applied to.

 

[Bangersandmash]

It may sound bland, but location and family are really important and ADcoms understand that (unless they are shut ins who hate their family). It's about how you write and sell it

After that, curriculum and how the school shows a commitment to students is what I can talk a lot about. Most medical schools have something unique in their curriculum, or at least something different than other schools in the way they carry it out. A good school will have this info on their website (you may want to think again about applying to a school that doesn't even post good curriculum info on a website). Maybe they have specific programs that focus on a certain area, or maybe they order their block schedule differently or include ethics or simulations from the very beginning.

Furthermore, take a look through their website and see what they are doing for students. Do they have newish/renovated buildings? Do they encourage students to approach faculty about research? Is there mention of free printing, a 24 hour student lounge, quiet study rooms, workout facilities? Things like that show me a school is investing in the students, just as much as the students invest in the school.

Every med school has research opportunities. Every med school has classrooms and anatomy labs. Every school grants M.D. degrees. But not every school is the same.

 

[NickNaylor]

This is why I'm not a fan of this question, and it really should be replaced with diversity/challenge/interests.

I tried throwing my experiences in the essay to match with what the school offered, but in the end I feel like it came out the same way. IMO it's pretty futile, and you're probably gonna sound like somebody else.

Edit:

Example - "My soccer team experience really jives with your PBL; New York City would be the perfect transition from Los Angeles; your students seem to like research, and I've published 34 papers."

It's a legitimate and important question. My opinion of an applicant can change significantly depending on how they answer this question. Just because you don't have a good response doesn't mean it's a bad question.

As someone else mentioned, focus on portraying your interests in a light that matches the interests and culture of the school. Does the school emphasize serving in the community? Mention your community service experience. Does the school value academic interests other than medicine? Talk about other things you've studied outside the sciences. The list goes on and on. It's not a difficult question if you have an understanding of the school beyond "your school is a medical school."

To the OP, things like interest in the city, proximity to loved ones, etc. are all appropriate responses to give. In fact they're likely better than the generic and vague crap you'll use instead. I cringe when people respond to this question with things that could apply to each and every medical school. It really shows that either 1) you didn't understand the question or 2) you didn't spend a few minutes researching the school. Neither is good for you.

(sent from my phone)

 

[SpacemanSpifff]

I thought it was a good question. It stopped me from filling out secondaries for two schools. I realized that I had no interest in their school and I was applying for the sake of applying. Saved me time and money.

Exactly. I already withdrew from a school that I was sure I was interested in way back in May. When I got the secondary and tried to answer this question on the secondary I realized I had nothing to say about the school. Saved me $75.

It's a legitimate and important question. My opinion of an applicant can change significantly depending on how they answer this question. Just because you don't have a good response doesn't mean it's a bad question.

As someone else mentioned, focus on portraying your interests in a light that matches the interests and culture of the school. Does the school emphasize serving in the community? Mention your community service experience. Does the school value academic interests other than medicine? Talk about other things you've studied outside the sciences. The list goes on and on. It's not a difficult question if you have an understanding of the school beyond "your school is a medical school."

To the OP, things like interest in the city, proximity to loved ones, etc. are all appropriate responses to give. In fact they're likely better than the generic and vague crap you'll use instead. I cringe when people respond to this question with things that could apply to each and every medical school. It really shows that either 1) you didn't understand the question or 2) you didn't spend a few minutes researching the school. Neither is good for you.

Agreed. For my top choices, I had trouble fitting all I wanted to say within the character limits.

 

[ChartaBona]

They want to make sure you do your homework and actually know something about their school. I read about people on here that apply to 20-30 schools and know absolutely nothing about the vast majority of them.

 

[Planes2Doc]

They want to make sure you do your homework and actually know something about their school. I read about people on here that apply to 20-30 schools and know absolutely nothing about the vast majority of them.

It's like a career fair... There are lots of companies there. You are there because you want a JOB. Then they blindside you by asking, "So why do you want to work for this company?" Honestly, what kind of response are they expecting? With medical school admissions, pre-meds are trying to be a MEDICAL STUDENT, and are not applying exclusively to a single school.

Still, it's a legit question, but what can the interviewers expect from someone when the school isn't their top choice...

 

[ChartaBona]

It's like a career fair... There are lots of companies there. You are there because you want a JOB. Then they blindside you by asking, "So why do you want to work for this company?" Honestly, what kind of response are they expecting? With medical school admissions, pre-meds are trying to be a MEDICAL STUDENT, and are not applying exclusively to a single school.

Still, it's a legit question, but what can the interviewers expect from someone when the school isn't their top choice...

Bad analogy. It's more like going to a job interview and getting asked that question. They want to make sure you look before you leap, that you won't absolutely loathe the school.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Bad analogy. It's more like going to a job interview and getting asked that question. They want to make sure you look before you leap, that you won't absolutely loathe the school.

In the corporate world, there are plenty of people working for companies no one has ever heard of producing products that no one knows about. It's hard to be passionate (for most) about a company, that let's say, manufactures boxes. With medical school, people will all reach the end goal, becoming a physician whether they attend Harvard or any medical school for that matter.

 

[dmf2682]

Bad analogy. It's more like going to a job interview and getting asked that question. They want to make sure you look before you leap, that you won't absolutely loathe the school.

Haha, I remember my senior year I had an interview with a certain conglomerate. I sat down and the lady said I had a great background and resume, but wanted to know why I wanted to design jet engines. I was like, wtf I thought you made nuclear plants and washing machines! Sure enough here I am 8 years later 🙂

 

[NickNaylor]

In the corporate world, there are plenty of people working for companies no one has ever heard of producing products that no one knows about. It's hard to be passionate (for most) about a company, that let's say, manufactures boxes. With medical school, people will all reach the end goal, becoming a physician whether they attend Harvard or any medical school for that matter.

Good thing medical school interviews don't operate like corporate interviews then.

(sent from my phone)