Medical School Interview: Questions on Background & Motivation

Among the various questions you will be asked in your medical school interview, many are meant to find out how serious you are about the medical profession and whether you are fully aware of what it entails.

Here are the 3 most common medical school interview questions on background and motivation.

1.    Why Do You Wish to Go to Medical School?

This is among the most common questions asked in medical school interviews. And, it is best to have your answer prepared beforehand. For this, you need a thorough understanding of what it means to be a medical student and then a doctor. Focus equally on passion and pragmatism in your answer. Make your response is detailed but avoid rambling. Show your desire to engage with and help people by including examples from personal experience. Explain why the combination of medical science and human interaction appeals deeply to you.

2.    What Would You Do If You Couldn’t Get a Place in a Med School This Year?

By asking this question, the interviewer is trying to determine how committed you are to a career in medicine. So, simply answering, “I know I will get in,” would make you sound arrogant and would be almost as bad as suggesting that you would try something else. Tell the interviewer what it means to you to get in and that you will not give up, try harder for next year and, in the meantime, look for a job or volunteer work in a related field to gain more healthcare experience. This will show that you’re a positive person who is capable of turning misfortune into an advantage.

3.    Which Aspects of a Doctor’s Professional Life Appeal to You?

Your answer could be along the lines of:

·       You find helping people in need rewarding and wish to make a real difference in their lives.

·       You find patient care, disease management and the accompanying medical research intellectually stimulating.

·       You believe that a doctor’s job is multi-faceted and presents exciting challenges.

·       You enjoy problem-solving and teamwork.

·       Healthcare professionals get a diverse range of opportunities.

Strengthen your answer by including first-hand experiences that can back what you say. Also, don’t forget to mention that you are aware of the stress and emotional difficulties you’ll have to face, but believe that these are outweighed by the positives.

The key is to ensure thorough preparation not just for the entrance exam but also for the interview. Joining an experienced coaching institute, like ICanMed,  that provides excellent training courses for medical school interviews could prove beneficial.