Why Do You Want To Attend _____ Medical School - question.

[bihl]

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I am sending secondaries in a little late in the process, I know, but one of the most difficult questions they all seem to ask is: Why do you want to attend ____ School of Medicine so much?

I fully intend to research the particular philosophy of a given school and incorporate the aspects of any other information they provide that fits my interests, but beyond this I can't think of a lot else to incorporate into the answer, can anyone make some good recomendations as to how to address these questions?

 

[richarms]

If you have any connection with the town it is located in (used to live there, live near there currently, etc) be sure to mention that.

 

[laboholic]

I am sending secondaries in a little late in the processQUOTE]

This is late??

 

[amberm4]

I seem to have read that the SDNs are the overachievers. 🙂 I have all of my secondaries in, still waiting on my research advisor to write a LOR (hate to harass her - she promised it would be out by this Friday), and just waiting on my MCAT score. I had a good friend who did not even start her application until after her score was in because she couldn't afford to waste the money on the application process if her score was bad. She got a 31, only applied to about 8 schools, and had 3 acceptances. It's always best to have things in early, but certainly not impossible to be accepted.

 

[Saluki]

I'm also having troubles with those kind of questions. Creighton was especially hard- I love the Midwest, and I'm a big fan of the Jesuit traditon. But I could say that in a sentence, and they gave you 250 words. Really part of the reason I applied there is that after going to college in the South, I'm really missing the snow....

 

[richarms]

I'm really missing the snow....

The perfect response if you're applying to University of North Dakota!

 

[Uncle Izzy]

The correct answer IMHO is to identify the unique factor that makes that school different from others. At my school, the correct answer is:

"I am interested in research and academic medicine and I feel that the curriculum fits my style of learning as it gives ample time to explore my research interests. I will thrive in this i environment because...etc etc."

At another school, it may be:

"I am interested in this school because of the school's commitment to rural and family practice which mirrors my underlying social philosophy of becoming physician who is a true part of the community, not just a visitor providing services for hire."

You can talk a little about location, especially if the location provides something unique...

"I want to attend this school because in addition to the curriculum, resources etc etc etc, the location affords a patient population in which I can learn to care for a variety of different ethinicities and expand my cultural horizons. I can learn to be sensitive to different cultures, exploit my spanish speaking skills, give back to my particular community, etc etc etc."

Another thing that is a great thing to say in my opinion is that the curriculum is one in which you will thrive and not have to struggle with, giving you time to excel above and beyond what is expected (i.e. extracurriculars, volunteering, etc.).

Just some ideas.

 

[Saluki]

The correct answer IMHO is to identify the unique factor that makes that school different from others. At my school, the correct answer is:

"I am interested in research and academic medicine and I feel that the curriculum fits my style of learning as it gives ample time to explore my research interests. I will thrive in this i environment because...etc etc."

At another school, it may be:

"I am interested in this school because of the school's commitment to rural and family practice which mirrors my underlying social philosophy of becoming physician who is a true part of the community, not just a visitor providing services for hire."

You can talk a little about location, especially if the location provides something unique...

"I want to attend this school because in addition to the curriculum, resources etc etc etc, the location affords a patient population in which I can learn to care for a variety of different ethinicities and expand my cultural horizons. I can learn to be sensitive to different cultures, exploit my spanish speaking skills, give back to my particular community, etc etc etc."

Another thing that is a great thing to say in my opinion is that the curriculum is one in which you will thrive and not have to struggle with, giving you time to excel above and beyond what is expected (i.e. extracurriculars, volunteering, etc.).

Just some ideas.

Ooh... some good ideas...

 

[doctorFred]

take out a folded piece of paper from your pocket, put on your reading glasses, clear your throat politely, and begin: "Ahem.. Um, hello ladies and gentlemen. The reason why I wish to attend insert school is largely due to the.. oh wait, I think I was supposed to plug something in there. Um. Can I start over?"