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Why do you want to be a doctor?

Hi everyone! Hope we're all good! :smile:
I'm thinking of applying to medicine, but I'm having trouble answering the key question - why?
When people ask, I've always got the generic answers along the lines of I like people, and I like bio, and I have empathy, but I know there's meant to be more than that.
In light of that, it'd be nice to know what you guys think, and what your motivations are.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!!

Reply 1

Original post
by jemimej
Hi everyone! Hope we're all good! :smile:
I'm thinking of applying to medicine, but I'm having trouble answering the key question - why?
When people ask, I've always got the generic answers along the lines of I like people, and I like bio, and I have empathy, but I know there's meant to be more than that.
In light of that, it'd be nice to know what you guys think, and what your motivations are.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!!
The main thing is to make it sound genuine and personal as they’re going to be speaking to so many people each day and loads of people will just have rehearsed generic answers that they have heard before, so try to make yours stand out. From what I’ve heard, always try to link it back to something that you experienced personally, wether that be an experience as a kid or as recent as your work experience, reflect on that and link it to the other things that kind of make being a Dr so unique and about the qualities required to be a successful Dr.
Hope this helps :smile:

Reply 2

was there any mock interview prep course or webinar anyone signed up to that they thought was especially helpful?

Reply 3

Original post
by Nelly J
The main thing is to make it sound genuine and personal as they’re going to be speaking to so many people each day and loads of people will just have rehearsed generic answers that they have heard before, so try to make yours stand out. From what I’ve heard, always try to link it back to something that you experienced personally, wether that be an experience as a kid or as recent as your work experience, reflect on that and link it to the other things that kind of make being a Dr so unique and about the qualities required to be a successful Dr.
Hope this helps :smile:

So what does make a doctor's role unique?

Reply 4

Original post
by themysteriousone
was there any mock interview prep course or webinar anyone signed up to that they thought was especially helpful?

Practicing with friends/family and have them pitch randomly-selected interview questions to you with a stop watch in hand is good preparation but what works for you may be different. Being timed will add an element of stress to it which will replicate the interview process.

Reply 5

Original post
by Nelly J
The main thing is to make it sound genuine and personal as they’re going to be speaking to so many people each day and loads of people will just have rehearsed generic answers that they have heard before, so try to make yours stand out. From what I’ve heard, always try to link it back to something that you experienced personally, wether that be an experience as a kid or as recent as your work experience, reflect on that and link it to the other things that kind of make being a Dr so unique and about the qualities required to be a successful Dr.
Hope this helps :smile:

thanks! honestly i meant the question just generally, not specifically for interviews. js wanted to hear some people's genuine answers
Original post
by themysteriousone
was there any mock interview prep course or webinar anyone signed up to that they thought was especially helpful?

Hi,

There are many external companies that offer interview prep and support. One that I would recommend are the courses run by Medology. They have a website and an instagram page where they advertise the many courses they run. I did their interview journey when I applied to medical school and it helped massively.

Alterantively, if you're looking to do your own practice, I would advise voice recording your answers and listening to them back. Also pratice with your family, friends and teachers.

I hope this helps!
Khadija

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