How toi answer the question: "Why do you want to go to our medical school?"

[BPShug]

It seem like the most popular secondary application essay question is why one has chosen the particular school, so I thought it would be helpful for us to brainstorm answers.

The particular curriculum is probably the most important aspect, but what else? Location, cost, resources? Also, what exactly about the curriculum should one stress (probably if it is mainly problem based or when direct patient contact begins).

Finally, any ideas on how to make one's essay stand out, since most people will talk about the same things?

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[jot]

it depends for what school i guess - but if you were talking about the yale system, penn's curriculum 2000, rochester's double helix, dukes compressed+freebie year, columbi'as traditional, cornell's pbl etc... you want to stress how it fits you in particular, your learning style - and what you can contribute to the system and environment. i personally wouldn't stress cost. location is something to consider, but i would only mention it in the context of patient base (thats only me) - diversity and scope of patients or something like that. make sure you know something about their affiliated hospitals - and whatever you do know, make sure you give a panglossian spin to it. cheers.
-jot

 

[deva]

I'm not on any admissions committees, so I can't say I completely know what they want, but here is my opinion.

You are not going to stand out if you just give the standard answer, meaning you talk about Penn's curriculum 2000 and Cornell's pbl. You are just going to seem like another schmuck who managed to find the most obvious facts about the school.

I would recommend putting in a sentence giving the standard answer - say that you think pbl is right for you, for example. But then put something else! Make it seem like the school really fits you. Saying you like pbl isn't going to do it because everyone is going to put that.

 

[The Mysterious Stranger]

Thanks Jot and Deva. Y'all gave some suggestions I never had considered

 

[Assassin]

most schools give 2 interviews...
on the first, get your interviewer to talk about the school (usually the easiest thing to do)
during the second: regurgitate everything from the first <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
works like a charm :wink:

 

[Mutterkuchen]

Deva, what else are you going to put in addition to the curriculum? Where do you find relavent, specific information about a school?

 

[Michelys]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by deva:
•I'm not on any admissions committees, so I can't say I completely know what they want, but here is my opinion.

You are not going to stand out if you just give the standard answer, meaning you talk about Penn's curriculum 2000 and Cornell's pbl. You are just going to seem like another schmuck who managed to find the most obvious facts about the school.

I would recommend putting in a sentence giving the standard answer - say that you think pbl is right for you, for example. But then put something else! Make it seem like the school really fits you. Saying you like pbl isn't going to do it because everyone is going to put that.•••••I agree--especially using this idea with Rochester. The question isn't on the secondary, but if you're invited for an interview it'll be thrown at you both times . The best thing is to be sincere--e.g. don't go babbling about the Double Helix Program and how you think you'd do great with it or some other fakey answer. Keep it real. I know it seems common sense, but always remain sincere in your response for this question--they want to know you the applicant not their own brochure! Good luck!

 

[jot]

well of course there is no point telling them what they already know - but i guess one has to be intune with who they are. like i know rochesters heavy emphasis on the biopsychosocial model permeates throughout its curriculum, something i really appreciate is a big pull to the school (Though i'm not applying there). this can be addressed without talking about Double Helix, but there are other ways to make clear that you are a good fit with the school. same with yale - they seem to be all about their curriculum (and i am too). i do agree with the above posts though - it does seem difficult to stand out though. perhaps that isn't requisite - i dunno, we'll see.
-jot

 

[jhug]

you could always try the...it's the fastest way to a six figure income, or that you look forward to calls in the middle of the night from friends of siblings saying "hey, i've got this rash!"
I agree with the being sincere thing. That you've invested a lot of thought into your future and that you feel that this particular school is able to take you where you want to go. Good luck to you!!!