• Medical School Interview

“Why Do You Want to Become a Doctor?”: How I Answered

Featured Expert: Dr. Sruveera Sathi, MD

how-to-answer-the-interview-question-why-do-you-want-to-become-a-doctor

Answering “why do you want to become a doctor?” is essential, but difficult during medical school interviews or when writing a medical school personal statement . I'll share how I answered this common medical school interview question, plus tips on how to prepare for it and ace your interview.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 6 min read

How to answer “why do you want to become a doctor”.

I was asked “Why do you want to be a doctor?”, in pretty much every medical school interview I went to. This is the ultimate ice-breaker that can come up in medical school interview questions . It’s a question that’s so simple on the surface but can become painfully obvious to the interviewer if you don’t give an authentic, convincing, and genuine answer.

So, let’s get into the mind of an interviewer for a second and think about why someone is asking this question, and what information they are hoping to get from it:

  • When someone is asking this question, they want to know your personal journey and how you decided that medicine is the career path you want. They want to know what your initial and subsequent influences were for you to choose medicine.
  • They also want to know your inner motivation for pursuing a career in medicine , and that these motivations are appropriate/suitable for a career in medicine. Also, what impact do you wish to make in the field?
  • Do these influences and inner motivations for pursuing a career in medicine come across as genuine or are they cliché and don’t seem authentic?

I kept all these considerations in mind when coming up with my answer for this question. Truthfully, it took writing my personal statement and a lot of internal self-reflection to be able to answer this question well. I had to personally start from the beginning at what was my early inspiration for medicine.

I created a timeline of my early inspiration and then asked myself: what is the thread that led me to the next experience? What did I learn from that experience? Which of these experiences contributed the most in my journey toward medicine? I drafted little stories after each clinical , volunteer and research experience in my CV to see if there were some underlying threads and themes. 

1. Share Your Early Influences Towards Medicine

So, to answer the first consideration listed above: I want you to ask yourself, what was your journey to medicine. What were those early or initial influences for you?

For some it can be parents or other family members in the field or medicine for others, it could be themselves or a family member having gone through an illness and seeing how a physician helped them navigate this. For others, it could be an interest in the sciences or the human body. I would try your best to identify what that is for you. I asked myself when did first have an awareness of the field of medicine and worked from there.

For me, it was having grandparents and aunt\/uncles from India who I could see, and feel were excellent clinicians and were also pillars in their communities. I admired how they applied their knowledge and their humanistic skills to treat and heal people and were actively involved in community building efforts. ","label":"My Answer:","title":"My Answer:"}]' code='tab1' template='BlogArticle'>

2. Discuss How Your Interest in Becoming a Doctor Evolved

Now ask yourself, how did these influences evolve over time? What experiences did you accumulate that shaped this desire to pursue a medical career?

I then focused in on one clinical experience (I had a few, but chose one), where I witnessed the information that I learned through my community experiences and from my textbooks regarding asthma physiology and treatment come to life when treating a pediatric patient who was from an immigrant background. In the process of helping to explain the diagnosis, pathophysiology, treatment, and empathy for the patient and mom who were anxious in the situation, I saw the direct impact a physician could make in educating a patient, alleviating fear and worry. This is what I wanted to hone in my career. Experiences like this solidified that medicine was the path I wanted to pursue. ","label":"How I Structured My Answer","title":"How I Structured My Answer"}]' code='tab2' template='BlogArticle'>

3. Conclude with Your Mission Statement for Wanting to Become a Doctor

Then finally, I would encourage you to end with a mission statement about what your impact in the field of medicine will be. This can be your take-home message to the interviewer about what sort of role you might fulfill in their medical school , or even in the medical community at large. This will also answer the second consideration above,: which is what are your motivations for pursuing a career in medicine?

Try to do this in 1 to 2 sentences as concisely as possible.

Overall, I considering my experiences, I would like to be a physician because I hope to be a competent clinician with a vast depth and breadth of knowledge who can educate, and guide my patients through their health journey, and a leader who empowers, advocates, and has a strong presence in the community to address the societal forces which impact a patient\u2019s health.  ","label":"My Answer:","title":"My Answer:"}]' code='tab3' template='BlogArticle'>

So far, I went over how to answer this question. Let’s also go over how NOT to answer this question, or what to avoid when answering this question.

Don’t Read From Your CV

The first thing I would avoid is to regurgitate your entire medical school resume or CV. Be selective about which experiences were impactful to you in deciding you wanted to go into medicine.

A way you can determine which experiences to include in your answer is: have one that is the initial influence, then have 2 or 3 experiences that show how that influence evolved. It can be an impactful course, tutoring job, research project, volunteer experience or clinical experience. It can be any of the extracurriculars you’ve spent significant time in. Then try to end with something that solidified your interest in pursuing the career and your overall mission statement.

Don’t Let Your Motivation for Becoming a Doctor be About Someone Else

The next thing I would avoid in your answer is anything along the lines of pursuing medicine because you want to carry on a legacy, or because your parents told you to.

It’s okay to say that your parents were an initial influence, but it’s important to convey how you arrived at this decision for yourself through your own personal exploration.

Don’t Start with a Cliche

Another thing you want to avoid are cliché’s like “I want to go into medicine to help people.” The reason this is cliché is because people in many professions “help people” including teachers, financial consultants, engineers etc.

Distinguish why you want to be a doctor specifically. Somethings that doctors do that some of these other professions don’t is have a DIRECT impact on someone’s health and a deep knowledge about the human body. I would weave this in your answer, especially if you are making the jump from another health profession such as nurse to doctor or PA to MD . 

Want more tips on how to answer this question? Watch this!

Why Do You Want to Become a Doctor? How to Brainstorm Your Answer

Taking everything we’ve talked about up until now into account, we now can start looking at how you can start thinking about your answer “why do you want to become a doctor?”. Your reason for wanting to become a doctor may jump out at you right away, crystal clear. Or maybe it was a series of choices or events in your life which led you to an interest in medicine. Regardless of where you fall, if you don’t have a ready answer, it’s time to dig deep and start asking yourself some self-reflective questions.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to get started on creating your personal narrative:

  • What were the defining moments in your life?
  • What were your early experiences with the medical profession? Which ones made an impression on you?
  • When was the moment you decided to apply to medical school? What spurred your decision?
  • Is there someone in your life who inspires you? Why?
  • What qualities do you have that you think would make a good doctor?
  • What started your curiosity or interest in medicine?
  • What experiences do you have that have grown your interest in medicine?
  • What about the medical profession most appeals to you? Why do you want to become a doctor over another related profession?

We initiated a program that offered online seminars and webinars about mindful movement, designed to help people in remote areas prevent diabetes through physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices. But, despite our efforts, many people continued to be diagnosed with diabetes, which made clear to me that going into medicine was the path I needed to follow. My personal experience with my father and my experience with KACIN, and the IDHC, have solidified my determination to become a doctor. It is my calling to start helping people, and I am ready to take the necessary steps to make this dream a reality. ","label":"Sample Answer","title":"Sample Answer"}]' code='tab4' template='BlogArticle'>

BeMo Medical School Admissions Consulting Reviews

Want BeMo's help getting into medical school? Check out some  BeMo reviews  from our successful students!

"My session with John Atytalla was excellent. He gave very thorough and personalized feedback that simultaneously explained general principles and structures to use when approaching prompts, while also including specific tips and tricks to make my responses creative and memorable. He was very encouraging and provided general advice on how to build my confidence before my interview. Truly an exceptional coach!" - Sarah, BeMo student.

"Mr. Shahzadeh was the most incredible consultant!!! This was my last prep session before my upcoming interview and Mr. Shahzadeh made me feel confident and prepared while giving me good constructive feedback and allowing to try questions again to apply feedback immediately. I am so thankful for his help tonight and I hope to interact with him again during future prep sessions as they arise!" - Martina, BeMo student.

"The interviewer was amazing! It was so nice to be able to practice what a medical school interview would be like. I especially liked receiving feedback afterwards for each question I answered." - BeMo student.

To answer this interview question can be tricky, since it is open-ended and everyone’s answer will be different. To answer it, you need to identity the primary reason why YOU want to become a doctor and how you came to this realization.

Medical school interviewers ask this question because they want to get to know you on a deeper level, but they also want to know your motivations for pursuing a career in medicine. They want to admit students who have a genuine, passionate interest in medicine. 

Some good reasons for becoming a doctor include helping others, of course, and there are many professional benefits of being a doctor. Medicine is also a diverse, stimulating and interesting field which is constantly evolving and has many career avenues for practitioners to explore. 

A good answer to this interview question will be different for each applicant, but a strong answer will be genuine, self-reflective, well-structured and passionate. Present your personal reasons for pursuing medicine as a career. Use a personal narrative to explain what has drawn you towards medicine.

Yes, your answer to this question is extremely important. Medical school interviewers are expecting a strong and clear answer. Any uncertainty or insincere reasons you give for wanting to be a doctor may lead to you being rejected as a candidate.

Start by sharing what sparked your initial interest in medicine, then explain what you did to deepen your interest in becoming a doctor. Finally, explain what the defining moment was or what solidified your decision to become a doctor.

There are many resources to help you prepare for medical school interviews. One of the best ways is to use mock medical school interviews , as they are the closest simulation to the real deal. You can also seek help from medical school admission consultants , who can give you personalized feedback on your interview answers and interview performance.

Avoid naming money, prestige or job security as reasons why you want to be a doctor. If your parents were doctors or pushed you to become a doctor, this will not be viewed as a good reason by admission committees, either.

There are many qualities that make a good doctor, but above all, doctors need to be excellent listeners and communicators and empathetic and caring to their patients. Doctors need to be advocates for their patients, be able to work well as part of a medical team, and have a desire for lifelong learning.

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Modou Lamin Kinteh

Thank you so much

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Modou! Thanks so much for your comment. We are glad that you found this helpful!

Kivumbi Kirabo James

Thanks alot , this was really helpful to me especially now that I am facing hard time with my HSC biology course. I realise that my perseverance to the hardship could be another strength to make me an outstanding doctor.

Hello Kivumbi! Thanks for your comment. Glad you found this helpful!

Aaishra Tiwari

Hello Aaishra! Thank you for your comment. Glad you found this helpful!

Get Started Now

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to ace the dreaded med school interview, (using the proven strategies they don't want you to know).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee you'll ace your interview or your money back.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

why i want to be a doctor essay

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Dream Career — I Want To Be A Doctor Essay

test_template

I Want to Be a Doctor Essay

  • Categories: Dream Career

About this sample

close

Words: 600 |

Updated: 15 November, 2024

Words: 600 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Have you ever thought about being a doctor, the chance to make a positive impact, a lifelong journey of learning and growth, the weight of responsibility, diverse specializations in medicine, conclusion: a path filled with challenges and rewards.

  • Smith, J. (2020). The Essence of Caring: Becoming a Doctor in Today's World. New York: Health Press.
  • Johnson, L., & White, T. (2019). Medical Journeys: Personal Stories of Growth and Learning in Healthcare Careers. London: Academic Books.
  • Perez-Garcia, M.L., (2021). Ethics in Medicine: Responsibilities That Shape Us. Journal of Medical Ethics Studies.

Image of Dr. Oliver Johnson

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Life

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 931 words

4 pages / 1677 words

3 pages / 1527 words

1 pages / 484 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

I Want to Be a Doctor Essay Essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Dream Career

Accounting has always fascinated me with its ability to provide a comprehensive view of an organization's financial health. As I reflect on my own career goals in accounting, I envision myself as a knowledgeable and skilled [...]

Choosing a career path is one of the most important decisions we have to make in our lives. For me, my dream career is to become a successful entrepreneur. I have always been fascinated by the idea of owning my own business and [...]

As I stand on the shore, gazing out at the vast expanse of the ocean, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder. The sea, with its boundless beauty and untamed power, has always held a special place in my heart. It is this deep [...]

Being a treasurer is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. It requires meticulous attention to detail, a strong sense of organization, and the ability to make sound financial decisions. As I reflect on my own skills and [...]

Who would say no to a delectable dessert? Well, unless you are someone trying to lose as much wait as you want and sacrifice all the pleasures of the sweet tooth, you might be one who would take no advantage of pastries [...]

Aubrey McClendon, an American businessman and the chief of American Energy Partners once indicated, “I just wanted to be a businessman, and to me, the best way to understand business was to be an accountant” (McClendon). The [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

fb-script

IMAGES

  1. Why I Want to Become a Doctor? Free Essay Example

    why i want to be a doctor essay

  2. Essay on Why I Want to Become a Doctor for all Class in 100 to 500 Words

    why i want to be a doctor essay

  3. Essay on Why I Want to Become a Doctor for all Class in 100 to 500 Words

    why i want to be a doctor essay

  4. Why I Want to be a Doctor Essay Sample

    why i want to be a doctor essay

  5. ⇉Why I Want to Become a Doctor Essay Example

    why i want to be a doctor essay

  6. 💋 Why do i want to become a doctor essay. Reasons for Why Do You Want

    why i want to be a doctor essay

VIDEO

  1. Fee lines about doctor for kids in English||Basic English

  2. 10 Lines On My Aim In Life

  3. Why I decided to become a physician assistant instead of medical school

  4. Here's How You Answer "Why do you want to be a doctor?"

  5. Essay About My Aim In Life|My Aim In Life To Be A Doctor Essay|Paragraph|

  6. Essay on doctor l 10 lines essay on doctor in english l Paragraph on doctor l Doctor Essay l