How to Answer the “Why Medicine” Interview Question

During the medical school application process, you’ll have to answer many difficult questions, but one of the most challenging and important questions you’ll encounter is: why do you want to be a doctor? Simple as it is, this question forces you to deeply examine your own motivations for pursuing medicine. As such, it is one of the most important questions you have to answer - not only for medical school applications and interviews, but also for yourself.
Let's break down how to best approach it including what admissions committees are looking for and common mistakes to avoid.
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TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:19 What Interviewers Are Looking For
03:50 How to Approach the “Why Medicine” Question
05:28 Mistakes to Avoid
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
Would You Be Happy as a Doctor?: • Would You Be Happy as ...
5 Tips to Ace the Interview | Medical School & Residency: • 5 Tips to Ace the Inte...
Doctor vs PA vs NP | Which is Right for You: • Doctor vs PA vs NP | W...
DO NOT go to MEDICAL SCHOOL (If This is You): • DO NOT go to MEDICAL S...
#premed #medicalschool #interview
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Disclaimer: Content of this video is my opinion and does not constitute medical advice. The content and associated links provide general information for general educational purposes only. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Kevin Jubbal, M.D. and Med School Insiders LLC will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. May include affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you).

[@thunderfreeze1544]

Take a shot every time he says “Nuance”

[@taaayll]

5:21 8:06 link any I missed

[@captaindesperatehousewife7138]

In my opinion, I kind of find it wrong and very judgemental to decide the reasons for why others become Doctors. It's like enforcing someone to say something you wanna hear. Not to mention, the concept of standing out and finding a unique reason is another way for students to lie about themselves and that's not mentally a good thing.

[@silverluck4]

I agree but that’s the way it is. The game has to be played if you wanna reach your goal.

[@amplemedicallectures]

Subscribe this channel for Latest Medical Lectures.

[@tenhauser]

I think a huge aspect of it is gauging motivation r/t extrinsic vs intrinsic factors.

[@seankennedy9662]

I’ve been a paramedic for 17 years. I’m finally ready for the next step in my career! I love medicine and I want to pursue it at a higher level and begin working on research in emergency medicine and trauma.

[@lem5496]

You got this !

[@aeonflux0212]

When I was in residency, I had the opportunity to sign up for SOM admission interviews as a faculty interviewer. I have to say after listening to 50+ answers per interview season, I have started to appreciate this question more and more. It’s not a perfect question but it does allow interviewers to assess the applicant’s argumentative skills, interpersonal skills, and in my case, whether or not they have a genuine interest in working with and serving patients. If you think that every applicant has unlimited time and resources to polish their answers to this, you’d be surprised at how many red flags I have had “the privilege” to listen to. More than a handful every year! The fact that this is an old-schooled and repetitive question allows applicants to discuss anything they deem fit, which makes it easier for me to follow up with additional questions. The better answers are usually well supported by some sort of life or personal experiences, followed by a strong statement about personal/ professional growth which lead to medicine.

[@jimpow7951]

what are some red flags?

[@Fritz___]

I would greatly appreciate a running series of videos like this on more commonly asked questions in medical school interviews

[@mayannkristenrivera4945]

i was literally thinking this last night and boom this video is made, thank you

[@Josh_Morales]

I’ve done one interview and have 2 more so far and this question will definitely come up!

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I am going through my secondaries, and this question has come up a few times. This is a personal one because I simply enjoy the new knowledge, the puzzle and the fact that I can apply this knowledge to lend a hand. This is a question that has to come from the heart, in my humble opinion

[@khalilahd.]

I love these tips! My advisor said something similar so I’m happy to know I have the right guidance

[@lonewolf604]

I became interested in medicine because of the pandemic. I am (was) a music major (piano) and just got my Bachelors. However, because of the pandemic, artists were deemed unessential, and this made realize how uncertain the life of an artist is. I felt like switching to healthcare for stability was a natural choice (yes I do care about a steady income). Also, one of my friends became a family doctor and he sparked my curiosity for medicine further. He knew a music major who ended up in med as well, and said "hey you could do med too". I said, "nah there's no way". ALL HE SAID was "why not?". He's right, why not? I've researched all the cons (burnout, debt, THE MCAT) yet I still feel like I want to become a doctor.

[@strawverymilktae1280]

It's the same for me with the pandemic which led me to pharmacy tech, learning about the drug mechanisms and what each class is used for. I had thought about going into med that year I was about to graduate high school but then got depressed and never really thought I could do it until now in my third year of college

[@armaandhanoa3442]

Conveniently in time for interview szn

[@vitoat123]

I've worked as a pharmacy technician for 5 years and during my time starting my first pharmacist told me i was too young and smart to just be a technician. I never believed in myself and didnt do so well in high school. I thought I was just not smart enough to strive for a career like that, but he pushed me to go back to school. In my early twenties I went back and with his guidance and I maintained strong grades but I realized I didn't want to do pharmacy school. My mentor was just giving me a purpose but my personal dream has always been to be a doctor. I don't have any big experiences besides scribing in clinics and hospitals but I don't have a specific goal or specialty I want to go to, yet. Is this a bad thing? Should I continue to shadow or work until I find the exact thing I want to do within medicine? Sometimes I feel like my "Why Medicine?" is lacking but I know its MY dream.

[@aryavmenon7591]

@Medschoolinsiders an interesting video would be to explore why you became a doctor either on this or the kevin jubbal Channel. I've been a subscriber for long and I've more or less heard the points you covered here in previous videos. During that, i struggled to understand few of the points which I think would be well explained had there been an example. Thus the requirement for a video exploring your motivations to enter medicine.

[@gregorynyiegya3436]

That's quite informative 👍

[@julienalexander6113]

Thank you!

[@LibraryOfTheArchivesOfLiberty]

Why I want to go into medicine, it’s my passion. I remember the first time I ever held a brain in my hand. It was one of the most interesting thing I’ve ever experienced, I recall going to the hospital quite a few times when I was younger and seeing a physician in scrubs walking in the street and I felt so jittery and a flow of happiness, because I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I want to wear the scrubs and do the work. It will be a long journey with many bumps in the road but I know I can get through it.

[@strawverymilktae1280]

I feel you. I get an insane level of happiness and comfort and excitement and nervousness all at once when I step into the hospital or see a physician wearing scrubs

[@alexandresamy]

Very nice!

[@anoukpatterton400]

very good video i’ve been following u for 4 years

[@khalilahd.]

Same! He’s helped so much!

[@inyeneekrikpo7922]

nice one

[@ruzzyy125]

please do a so you want to be a nurse

[@_medmadeeasy]

💖

[@m.a9533]

💕

[@robertmandell526]

The entire process appears hyper-formulaic, as one would in a Theater Arts professional free form time delimited 'sketch' assigned to advanced pre- and professional students. It appears free form, but both the Coach and the students know they'll be graded on conforming to tight structural rules; and producing a professional grade piece of work within a tight timeliness. Great for sharpening "Acting Skill". But not to be confused with any one of the real people participating, or their true inner selves and lives. All of this seems to flow from the acting maxim that you're finally a pro when you can believably feign sincerity when being insincere, and make your listener believe you, and appreciate you for your sincerity. The host here is not the target. He likely puts out an Excellent Product...just like that Theater Group. The Fault is in the entire structure of the system, pressuring the Willing and Able to be Superior Students....and even Better Actors. How long after you get your spurs before you Burn Out?

[@kierankobaissi2396]

hes getting better at seamless self-promotion, used to be so clunky lmao

[@rehanahmed744]

Why love?

[@justinjex1]

How about,”i lost my mind and have absolutely no clue what it will do to me.” “I literally do not understand how it will destroy me mentally, physically and emotionally.” “I don’t realize that I will never be able to pay off my student loans, I will be exposed to the worst parts of humanity, and I don’t understand that it will end my life early.” After 20 years of practice, that is what I learned! Good luck

[@jadooe5519]

Are you a doctor? If so, what specialty is that....?

[@davidnguyen3745]

this was really great, but I do have a question would it be unwise to bring religion to the interview or is it okay bring up religion?

[@peanutbutter369]

I hope Kevin or someone knowledgeable answers this. Religion is really unpopular in higher level education fields and pretty much all of post secondary education. I wonder if there is a hidden cost of mentioning religion due to subconcious bias of interviewers, kind of like any other job interview.

[@captaindesperatehousewife7138]

Of course you can. Wouldn't being enforced not to mention religion count as a discriminatory behaviour?

[@peanutbutter369]

@@captaindesperatehousewife7138 there is overt discrimination and covert discrimination caused by subconcious thoughts. In the case of subconcious discrimination, its entirely possible (in fact by definition) the person is not aware of their own prejediced behaviour.

[@davidnguyen3745]

@@captaindesperatehousewife7138 I don't know truthfully

[@davidnguyen3745]

@@peanutbutter369 That's what I am afraid of.

[@happyasthereeverwas]

That was great! Thank you!

[@drthirteen5786]

💰

[@failureninjaballs]

How to answer the "why medicine" question, from a perspective of a doctor that went into medicine for the wrong reasons. Only propagates the manipulative nature of prospective medical students looking to say the "right thing" to get in.

[@re.mismisima.concha]

if i enjoy the intellectual challenge of becoming a dr, that says nothing of how i view ppl. i can be a rude person that doesnt want to help ppl but since i have the intrinsic motivation to do something that is intellecutally challengining, i can be accepted into med school rather than someone who genuinly wants to help and care for ppl. this why med school acceptance process is extremely flawed and is only made to benefit those that are making money out of this.

[@DD-vp7fz]

It's just a career choice in the end. Do I really want to help people? No, most often not. But it earns well. Who cares?

[@maximus3869]

@@DD-vp7fz pardon the melodrama but the patients would probably care. Many instances of malpractice and patients being ignored by doctors worsen the reputation of healthcare workers and in general can lower the quality of care. You can make money without impacting on a persons health.

[@voodoobunny13]

I do think it's wrong for anyone to place a value judgment on someone else's reasons for pursuing a career in anything. Who cares if someone's reason isn't "perfect" so long as they can do the damn job? This reminds me of when I was in the military and you had those annoying fuckwits who would criticize you for joining the military cause you were born poor and wanted to be able to go to school. Literally getting pissy at you for your motivation not being the "noble" reason of "serving your country!" Ridiculous thing to get bitchy at someone over considering they're still serving their country just fine even if their motivation comes primarily from education goals.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Buck$: 👨🏻‍⚕️= 💵

[@imcoppertellurium7207]

I dunno why I'm even here hayss not even sure if I will finish college

[@Alex-op4ty]

"Chicks, money, power, and chicks"

[@lonewolf604]

-Tony Montana

[@DD-vp7fz]

Honestly? Just easy money. But you have to play the game 🥲

[@vanessa9558]

How is becoming a doctor easy money? Once you get to the end it’s guaranteed money for sure, but no part in the process of becoming a doctor and being an attending is easy.

[@DD-vp7fz]

@@vanessa9558 Correct. I'm not implying it's easy for everyone. Considering the amount of effort required and the reward at the end. Being a doctor is quite an easy path for people putting in the work.

[@vanessa9558]

@@DD-vp7fz but it’s not. Even for people who are putting in as much as they possibly can, it’s not easy. I’m an example of someone putting in said work, my entire life revolves around trying to get into med school, and it’s FAR from easy.

[@sameulullah8757]

@@vanessa9558 I agree, so much of it can be due to luck. In no way does hard work guarantee you to do Med.