"Why do you want to be a doctor?" during interviews

[bozz]

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It's not too hard to write a unique and crafty essay on why you want to be a doctor... you don't have to think on your toes, and you're not talking to someone. Through examples on your PS, you are able to SHOW the reader. However, in person you have to TELL the interviewer.

However, how do you explain it to someone in person? The reason I'm asking is: I asked for a recommendation letter today .. and my prof. simply asked me "Why do you want to become a doctor?" I tried my best to avoid cliche answers.. but I simply ended up with "I was interested in science... exposed to medical background through family... I like being around patients.. blah blah blah." He was fine with it since he doesn't hear it often. But how can you effectively embellish what you say ... to an adcom who is used to hearing the same answer a million times.

Have any of you found yourselves giving pretty generic answers to this question during interviews? It's much easier to not give a generic answer on your PS.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Well, first you need to pull out your semi-automatic assault rifle. Next you need to say "It's time to kick *** and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of bubble gum." Following that.. I don't know... Uhhh....

 

[Scean]

lets face it, pretty much no matter what you say and adcom or even a seasoned professor has heard it before.

so most importantly, be sincere, be honest, even be simple.

I'm having alot of trouble pre-writing my personal statement because I don't really have a GROUNDBREAKING personal experience that shifted me to medicine.

I just enjoy the study of the field, people, the possibilities, the security, the satisfaction of achievement and not selling yourself short, and just knowing that making a difference counts, who cares if you could made a 20% return on a rich man's multi-million dollar hedge fund under pressure...you could give him 10 more years of life for him to spend possibly learning to appreciate what he already has....

 

[nu2004]

lets face it, pretty much no matter what you say and adcom or even a seasoned professor has heard it before.

agree and disagree. a well thought-out and personalized response can, i think, be really fresh and impressive.

 

[Monkey House]

Tell them the truth! Just talk it out with them. Canned answers never sound so cool anyway!

 

[Scean]

i agree that no two experiences that personally influence you can be quite the same but they can certainly be similar to many others.

I think they only way to truly have a "fresh" and distinguished personal statement is to -yes have somewhat of a different perspective, philosophy or mindset - but mostly to presenting it well is your best bet.

You can have fresh and inspired writing which will vouch well for you, but all in all I'm sure they've seen something similar no matter what the content.

I am simply not a great writer, and with not exceptionally unique experience, so i'm just venting, thats all.

 

[iA-MD2013]

Tell them the truth! Just talk it out with them. Canned answers never sound so cool anyway!

But the truth involves the "canned answers." Can the adcoms tell that you're giving them an honest answer even if it involves some of the cliches?

 

[Scean]

i suppose it would depend on how cynical or critical the adcom is.....

 

[nu2004]

But the truth involves the "canned answers." Can the adcoms tell that you're giving them an honest answer even if it involves some of the cliches?

there are clichés, and then there are well thought-out clichés. for example, rather than saying "because I want to help people," you could say something along the lines of "because throughout my life I have found the most personal satisfaction when excelling at activities that benefit myself AND others. in a sense, medicine is the profession that lets me do something that benefits humanity and makes me feel really good about myself at the same time."

eh, maybe that sounded canned, too. i dunno 🙂

 

[werd]

keep it simple: "crack is a very expensive habit."

i say that mostly jokingly (i mean, it is expensive...), but one good thought is to have a punch line or central statement and then describe a couple things or stories that support it. i'd also advise to avoid the statement "i like [insert anything]" - it often comes across as bland, so find a different way to phrase it...

 

[bozz]

keep it simple: "crack is a very expensive habit."

i say that mostly jokingly (i mean, it is expensive...), but one good thought is to have a punch line or central statement and then describe a couple things or stories that support it. i'd also advise to avoid the statement "i like [insert anything]" - it often comes across as bland, so find a different way to phrase it...

good point..
what if you genuinely have been influenced by family members... I mean, in my case, that's how it started. I doubt that is a negative thing. I mean for most people: it is blind faith from an influence in science/knowing doctors. Then they start getting involved in research/volunteering and realize that is what they want to do.

 

[Arc]

keep it simple: "crack is a very expensive habit."

i say that mostly jokingly (i mean, it is expensive...), but one good thought is to have a punch line or central statement and then describe a couple things or stories that support it. i'd also advise to avoid the statement "i like [insert anything]" - it often comes across as bland, so find a different way to phrase it...

Instead say something like 'I have an interest in...'

 

[digitalising]

So I can cut people and get paid for it.

I've always wanted to find a job that incorporates my interests.

 

[Anka]

I've been on the other side as a student interviewer, and when I ask the question it's usually just to make conversation. If you did have a mind blowing experience or something unique, that's great. If not, I'm okay with a canned, routine answer as long as you are brief -- just don't blather for 20 minutes. Get on to the next question where, again, we might be able to go somewhere interesting.

Anka