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
====================
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).

Пікірлер: 63

  • @thunderfreeze1544
    @thunderfreeze1544 Жыл бұрын

    Take a shot every time he says “Nuance”

  • @taaayll

    @taaayll

    4 ай бұрын

    5:21 8:06 link any I missed

  • @captaindesperatehousewife7138
    @captaindesperatehousewife7138 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @silverluck4

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @amplemedicallectures

    @amplemedicallectures

    Жыл бұрын

    Subscribe this channel for Latest Medical Lectures.

  • @tenhauser

    @tenhauser

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @fyzikcs

    @fyzikcs

    5 күн бұрын

    He didn’t decide what reasons others should be doctors. He encouraged people how to think about why they want to become a doctor and how to best present it. Also, the advice about “I want to help people” and other common responses is true. It’s a flat, boring response and is not specific to medicine. And as the video mentioned, going into medicine for the prestige or money has been correlated with higher rates of burnout, and admissions committees know this. He didn’t say you shouldn’t consider this at all, but that it should not be the primary reasons for going into medicine, so you shouldn’t have to mention it in interviews, and shouldn’t. That’s not lying, merely strategically placing emphasis on certain reasons. And if those are the true reasons you want to go into medicine, he isn’t encouraging you to lie, but to actually question yourself on why you’d like to become a doctor and if it’s really the right path for you. After all, since those reasons are associated with burnout, you’d likely be doing yourself a favor by not becoming a doctor. This is proven by evidence and those looking into medical school should be aware of it. It’s not “judgmental” or “wrong”, in my opinion, it’s actually very helpful.

  • @seankennedy9662
    @seankennedy9662 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @lem5496

    Жыл бұрын

    You got this !

  • @aeonflux0212
    @aeonflux0212 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @jimpow7951

    Жыл бұрын

    what are some red flags?

  • @Fritz___
    @Fritz___ Жыл бұрын

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

  • @camiloiribarren1450
    @camiloiribarren1450 Жыл бұрын

    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

  • @Josh_Morales
    @Josh_Morales Жыл бұрын

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

  • @mayannkristenrivera4945
    @mayannkristenrivera4945 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @khalilahd.
    @khalilahd. Жыл бұрын

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

  • @lonewolf604
    @lonewolf604 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @strawverymilktae1280

    4 ай бұрын

    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

  • @nnekauzochukwu8076

    @nnekauzochukwu8076

    15 күн бұрын

    Go for it!

  • @armaandhanoa3442
    @armaandhanoa3442 Жыл бұрын

    Conveniently in time for interview szn

  • @julienalexander6113
    @julienalexander6113 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @vitoat123
    @vitoat123 Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @LibraryOfTheArchivesOfLiberty
    @LibraryOfTheArchivesOfLiberty Жыл бұрын

    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

    @strawverymilktae1280

    4 ай бұрын

    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

  • @gregorynyiegya3436
    @gregorynyiegya3436 Жыл бұрын

    That's quite informative 👍

  • @aryavmenon7591
    @aryavmenon7591 Жыл бұрын

    @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.

  • @alexandresamy
    @alexandresamy Жыл бұрын

    Very nice!

  • @an00k.patterton
    @an00k.patterton Жыл бұрын

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

  • @khalilahd.

    @khalilahd.

    Жыл бұрын

    Same! He’s helped so much!

  • @inyeneekrikpo7922
    @inyeneekrikpo7922 Жыл бұрын

    nice one

  • @anonymoose00
    @anonymoose00 Жыл бұрын

    please do a so you want to be a nurse

  • @rehanahmed744
    @rehanahmed744 Жыл бұрын

    Why love?

  • @robertmandell526
    @robertmandell526 Жыл бұрын

    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?

  • @_medmadeeasy
    @_medmadeeasy Жыл бұрын

    💖

  • @happyasthereeverwas
    @happyasthereeverwas3 ай бұрын

    That was great! Thank you!

  • @m.a9533
    @m.a9533 Жыл бұрын

    💕

  • @kierankobaissi2396
    @kierankobaissi2396 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @justinjex1
    @justinjex1 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @jadooe5519

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @davidnguyen3745
    @davidnguyen3745 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @peanutbutter369

    Жыл бұрын

    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

    @captaindesperatehousewife7138

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @peanutbutter369

    @peanutbutter369

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @davidnguyen3745

    Жыл бұрын

    @@captaindesperatehousewife7138 I don't know truthfully

  • @davidnguyen3745

    @davidnguyen3745

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @failureninjaballs
    @failureninjaballs Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @drthirteen5786
    @drthirteen5786 Жыл бұрын

    💰

  • @dorianphilotheates3769
    @dorianphilotheates3769 Жыл бұрын

    Buck$: 👨🏻‍⚕️= 💵

  • @re.mismisima.concha
    @re.mismisima.concha Жыл бұрын

    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

    @DD-vp7fz

    Жыл бұрын

    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

    @maximus3869

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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
    @voodoobunny138 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @imcoppertellurium7207
    @imcoppertellurium7207 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @Alex-op4ty
    @Alex-op4ty Жыл бұрын

    "Chicks, money, power, and chicks"

  • @lonewolf604

    @lonewolf604

    Жыл бұрын

    -Tony Montana

  • @DD-vp7fz
    @DD-vp7fz Жыл бұрын

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

  • @vanessa9558

    @vanessa9558

    Жыл бұрын

    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

    @DD-vp7fz

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @vanessa9558

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @sameulullah8757

    Жыл бұрын

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