Interview Tips - How to answer 'Why Medicine?'

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In this video, we take a detailed look at how to answer 'Why Medicine?'. I talk about my feeling towards the question, and then we go into 7 tips from various medical students about how to answer the question. Finally, we end with 3 example answers to give you an idea of what an answer might look like.

COURSES THAT ME AND MY FRIENDS RUN:

TIMESTAMPS:

00:37 - My take on 'Why Medicine?'
02:58 - Tip #1 - Prepare but don't memorise
03:44 - Tip #2 - Make your answer specific to you
04:52 - Tip #3 - Use anecdotes
05:31 - Tip #4 - Be realistic, not idealistic
06:29 - Tip #5 - Be specific, even with a 'generic' answer
07:14 - Tip #6 - Speak from the heart
07:47 - Tip #7 - Try not to worry about it
08:56 - Example #1 - Ali
09:46 - Example #2 - Kenny
11:11 - Example #3 - Paul

OTHER INTERVIEW VIDEOS:

Disclaimer: Nothing on this channel should be taken as gospel truth. Do your own research. We're just giving you our opinions. Equally, the mock answers at the end of the video are in no way 'model answers' (if those are even a thing), so don't think you have to make your answers sound like those.

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If you've got any questions, please comment down below and I'll do my best to get back to you asap.

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Who am I:

I'm Ali, a final year medical student at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. This vlogging thing seems quite fun so I'll be vlogging life and other things throughout the year. I'll also be featuring some videos of myself and my friends giving medicine application advice on camera :)

Follow me plssss:
- Snapchat: aliabdaal

[Taha-Y-Khan]

Tip 1 - 2:56 - Prepare But Don't Memorise
Tip 2 - 3:45 - Make It Specific To You
Tip 3 - 4:54 - Use Anecdotes
Tip 4 - 5:33 - Be Realistic Not Idealistic
Tip 5 - 6:28 - Be Specific Even with Cliche Answers
Tip 6 - 7:13 - Speak From The Heart (Be Honest)
Tip 7 - 7:48 - Don't Worry About it


Example 1 - 8:58
Ali Abdaal

[actuallynr]

Interviewer: "Why medicine?"
Me: " Why not medicine?"

[paulmaine]

I'm a senior physician practising in Australia and have been on medical student selection panels (fot long interview format and MMIs for many years. I can categorically state that these scenarios and the interview tips you present are the best, most comprehensive and well thought out instructional videos for aspiring medical school applicants I have seen. Kudos.

[khizarirshad]

Having a British accent just makes you sound so much smarter in an interview

[stevepenaflor]

Been binge watching these videos, somehow managed to get 4 interviews😂😅

[karimwilson]

You seem to accommodate a very decent character that is evident in the way you discuss and analyze topics. Thank you for displaying such character in your videos and keep the content coming. Good job.

[sergeantmustaard]

I owe everything so far to you! My UCAS went off last week and now I’m hammering BMAT Ninja ready for November! Thank you for everything so far!

[jackj.]

Just found your channel -- I love your stuff.

This was very reassuring. None of your answers were very over the top, and it was a nice reminder that the best answers to this question are the honest ones. It made me feel OK about not having some magical "Aha!" moment.

[Djspeeda]

I have an interview coming up, and I must say, this video was incredibly informative for me!


Thank you,


David

[twelveggirls]

My interview's tomorrow!!!
Thank you so much for all the helpful tips!!!

[StudyMD]

Man, I love your channel! Studied briefly at Pembroke college before starting medicine in Canada. Keep up the awesome work!

[nsbasit]

really helpful! btw I applied to Cambridge in the end which I wouldn't have done if it wasn't for your great videos so thanks

[phoebewong]

I watched this video a day before my MMI interview for medicine.
Their last station was "Why medicine?".

[xxglamourbeautyxx]

I needed this. I was in tears over this question for an internship.

[JakeSumpton]

This video is brilliant ! About to write my personal statement and watching your videos is really helping !

[jessicak]

Can't wait for this channel to grow. Amazing content!!

[foifoifoi]

I'm going to have a pharmacy school interview soon, this was so so so helpful. Thank you.

[zarachowdhry]

p.s I love your channel it gives me a great insight to life at med school and my future career paths!

[CamtheMac]

Why Medicine?

I grew up in an environment where Medicine was not as powerful as Faith. Faith could overcome any disease because you were relying on an all-powerful God to heal you. However, the downside to this experience is that the influences I had, who had faith in faith, ended up dying of a serious illness. It was almost as if doctors were somehow evil people lying to their patients because it contradicted their beliefs. When I got the opportunity to go to college and learn more about the world my curiosity increased and my mind became more open. Whereas before, my mind was closed to believing only in the religion I was raised with. As I gained more interest in education, specifically science and history, I became like a kid in a candy store learning about the discoveries of scientists and historians, and their profound implications on what it means to be human. It is my curiosity that makes me want to study medicine, because my mind is more open to the world, it is thus more open to people and their experiences. I have taken time to read about the history of Medicine on my own, and I want to be apart of it, and see the potential breakthroughs in the field.

[MDZac]

Excellent video. I’m applying next summer so still have some time but always nice to hear different people’s reasons for doing it.