Every interview will ask the questions of tell me about yourself and why medicine. Those are a given.
However, the question “why do you want to attend this school?” will absolutely be asked and is one that tells interviewers more than simply your reasons for wanting to attend this specific school. Chances are, many of you are applying to a broad number of programs because getting into medical school is very challenging. Schools want to know specific reasons why you want attend their school.
Here are some reasons why this questions is KEY:
- It shows who’s actually interested and who simply applied because it was another school on the list that met their GPA/MCAT ranges
- It shows who actually has ties or reasons to be at that program/region
- It shows who actually puts in the work to research the school beforehand
- It shows who actually will mesh well with the culture, fit, and mission of the school
In summary, this one question reveals A LOT about an applicant, and providing an outstanding answer will not only allow you stand out amongst your colleagues, but also impress the admissions committee.
Key Tips to Tackle This Essential Question
- Be Specific
When somebody asks you why you like a certain sports team or a certain movie, you sound genuine if you give specific reasons as to why you like them. In the same way, medical schools want to know that you know specific reasons as to why a school stands out to you. Are there unique volunteering experiences provided at that school? Are there unique patient populations that you want to serve or have had experience serving in the past? Does the school’s curriculum have an emphasis on a certain learning style that you prefer? Does the school offer electives in areas or specialties that you know that you would be genuinely happy engaging with?
Really emphasize that you know specific aspects of a school and how you will specifically embrace such opportunities and grow as a person. Don’t forget to explain WHY these aspects stand out as well!
Example: “SLU is truly an ideal medical school for me because of my passion for serving underserved patient populations, particularly those who speak Spanish. Given that SLU offers students opportunities to serve at Casa De Salud, I hope to get involved and lead new initiatives to improve community outreach and education for these patients in St. Louis. Ultimately, I want to one day be a physician that not only treats patients in the clinic, but also serves on medical outreach to underserved areas of America and Mexico and I believe SLU’s opportunities and elective options at Casa De Salud will prepare me personally and professionally for these future goals of mine” - Explain how you can contribute
It’s also important to note that it’s not always about what you can gain but what you can offer. Do you have unique skills or experiences that can enrich the student body? Do you speak another language? Do you have a degree in clinical research? What does the school gain by accepting you to their student body? For the example above, perhaps you can consider discussing how your personal experiences serving Spanish speaking populations and speaking Spanish can benefit and grow Casa De Salud” - Detail any ties to the region
This would be an appropriate time to mention ties to the region, family, spouses, support system, etc. A happy medical student often does better in medical school. Don’t say that your main reason for applying here was simply because family was present, but mention how having family nearby is a huge plus to your mental and emotional well-being and that you would love to attend medical school while still being physically close to your support system throughout the journey. - Talk to current students/faculty
Lastly, talk to current students or faculty! They often have the best insight into what’s new, what’s changing, and the details of the school’s culture and vibe. Ask around or network with your local medical schools! Reach out to SF Mentors to get insight into their respective medical schools! Ask if mentors know anybody at other schools that are willing to talk for 10 minutes. Be respectful of people’s time so have a clear plan and list of questions you want to discuss! Having a concise, structured, and efficient discussion will make it easier for both sides to maximize the time!
