"Why this school?" Interview question

[QuinnTheEskimo]

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So far I've had 8 interviews, and I have to admit, I'm getting kind of annoyed with this question. When they ask me this, I feel like telling them, newsflash: Your school is basically the same as all other schools. Essentially the same curriculum, same research opportunities, same free clinic, same study abroad programs. Maybe 1 school has stood out to me so far, but that was more due to an intangible sense of "fit", rather than any concrete offering that I could point to.

So how do you answer this question? Are med schools really all that different from each other?

 

[nemo123]

Generally, med schools are very similar, which is why they say the goal should be to get into any med school because each med school has the resources necessary to make its students succeed. However, as one dean told us at one of my interviews, med schools are about 15% different from each other, and it's really looking at that 15% and determining whether you like the unique and quirky things that the school offers.

 

[Lya]

Point out 2-3 aspects about that school and explain why these features intrigued you or are important to you. It can be general like ethnically diverse population and early clinical training; it can be specific like certain programs that are only offered at selected schools.

Many of these aspects will overlap among schools, so in that sense, they are not too different. But again, it depends on specific schools. You can argue about a great policy program at GW, but you probably can't do so in other typical schools.

 

[EthylMethylMan]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/the-2-biggest-secondary-questions.292375/

Go to this thread and scroll to LizzyM's post. I've been using that method for every school I've interviewed at so far. Seems pretty solid.

 

[Pacna]

Say this: "Your school happened to be where I want to live maybe sorta and my stats are competitive here."

(Don't really say that)

 

[Goro]

Let's put it another way. You get accepted to Duke, Vandy, Pitt, NYU and Rochester. Are they all the same except for climate? Which one do you pick?

Now go backward in time to when you started picking schools. Surely you didn't apply to all 45 MD programs. Why did you pick the ones that you did?

I tend to ask this question when I get an applicant from the other side of the country. Their apps are nebulous. This person could just as easily have gotten into NYITCOM, so why come to my school?

I suspect the people asking these questions are looking for your specific motivation, and some degree of self-awareness in your decision making process.

So far I've had 8 interviews, and I have to admit, I'm getting kind of annoyed with this question. When they ask me this, I feel like telling them, newsflash: Your school is basically the same as all other schools. Essentially the same curriculum, same research opportunities, same free clinic, same study abroad programs. Maybe 1 school has stood out to me so far, but that was more due to an intangible sense of "fit", rather than any concrete offering that I could point to.

So how do you answer this question? Are med schools really all that different from each other?

 

[aspirantmed]

Point out 2-3 aspects about that school and explain why these features intrigued you or are important to you. It can be general like ethnically diverse population and early clinical training; it can be specific like certain programs that are only offered at selected schools.

Many of these aspects will overlap among schools, so in that sense, they are not too different. But again, it depends on specific schools. You can argue about a great policy program at GW, but you probably can't do so in other typical schools.

This - I get the sense that a lot of people don't really connect as well as they should on the latter part of the question. A good answer will show that you've done your research and know about the school; a great answer demonstrates how the school's opportunities mesh with your future goals and how your profile as a candidate gels closely with the learning style, philosophy, goals, programs, etcetc at the school.

 

[mvenus929]

Let's put it another way. You get accepted to Duke, Vandy, Pitt, NYU and Rochester. Are they all the same except for climate? Which one do you pick?

Now go backward in time to when you started picking schools. Surely you didn't apply to all 45 MD programs. Why did you pick the ones that you did?

This. I get asked this every time during residency interviews. Because the vast majority of residency programs are the same (because the have to be by ACGME rules), I have a pretty stock answer that describes what I'm looking for in a residency program, and then I throw in a little tidbit about their program. So, 'I'm looking for a program that has this and this. I have family in the area. Your program impressed me because you are strong in this.'

 

[NRC Advisors Program]

I heart this question. One of my all time favorites. A good answer tells me that you've taken the time and effort to research the school. It may indicate a certain level of attention to detail regarding our program and the application process, suggest that you may be serious about our institution, and offer insight as to how you may fit into our school/department/division. I've had otherwise reasonable applicants just implode at this question. It was ugly. And it cost them the positions.
1. Make Google your friend. Find a unique program, lab, potential mentor, or particularly strong division that interests you at that school.
2. Get a real friend. Is there someone you know, even vaguely, at that school? Find out if he/she is happy. If so, mention that. In addition to the above, it will make the interviewer feel warm and fuzzy. And we all love warm and fuzzy interviewers.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

I heart this question. One of my all time favorites. A good answer tells me that you've taken the time and effort to research the school. It may indicate a certain level of attention to detail regarding our program and the application process, suggest that you may be serious about our institution, and offer insight as to how you may fit into our school/department/division. I've had otherwise reasonable applicants just implode at this question. It was ugly. And it cost them the positions.
1. Make Google your friend. Find a unique program, lab, potential mentor, or particularly strong division that interests you at that school.
2. Get a real friend. Is there someone you know, even vaguely, at that school? Find out if he/she is happy. If so, mention that. In addition to the above, it will make the interviewer feel warm and fuzzy. And we all love warm and fuzzy interviewers.

what do you mean "implode at this question?" I can't imagine what a bad answer would be. "Actually I don't really like this school at all?" lol

 

[NRC Advisors Program]

The absolute worst answer I've heard, from a junior faculty candidate at a top institution, who was not necessarily a star applicant: "I need a job and saw the ad. So I guess I would have to come here." I don't think he/she was joking, as I saw no other evidence of a sense of humor. After scraping my jaw from the floor, I continued with the rest of the interview to be polite.

 

[DokterMom]

what do you mean "implode at this question?"

Um, uh, well...

I vividly remember interviewing a high school student for my undergrad (ivy, specialized program, highly selective). This kid was pretty amazing: 2350+ SAT, 4.0 + GPA, valedictorian, symphony musician, loads of ECs with leadership roles, multi-lingual, outgoing -- Super-Student.

I asked where he was applying.
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Penn, MIT, Stanford, U of Chicago, Wash U and 5 or 10 others.
I mentioned that it seemed like a long list for someone with his stellar qualifications.
He said something about scholarships and financial aid.
OK - no problem. I mentioned out 'need blind' admissions and guarantee of meeting demonstrated financial need. - So far, so good.

So then I asked him why our program?
Confused look.
I rephrase a bit. What is it about those schools and programs that appealed to him?
Generic BS about my program is the very top programs in the country/world in this particular field.
I counter with "These are all top schools, but they're certainly not the same. Stanford is not the same as Chicago is not the same as Cornell is not the same as MIT. What is it about our program that made him want to come here versus there or there or there...?"
Oh S**t look. More generic BS.
"Did you just pick all of the most competitive schools in the country and apply to all of them?"
"Well, uh, yeah - sort of. I thought I'd see where I got in and then decide."

Boom!


Anyone wanna guess where he didn't get in?