Why do you want to be a physician? What appeals to you about working in the medical field?
The interviewers at the medical school you are interviewing with would like to understand what drives your pursuit of a career in the medical field. Your core passion will keep you going on the toughest days while attending medical school. For the interviewers to understand how to motivate you, they need to know what fires you up!
"Several factors drive my passion for a career in medicine. If I had to pinpoint one main driver, I would say that saving the lives of others every day is the most significant for me. Everyone deserves great health care, and I plan to live that mantra by being the best at what I do and giving my all to my patients every day."
It is okay to share a personal story when answering this question. Perhaps you can discuss what initiated your interest in attending medical school. Whatever drives you, make sure the interviewers can feel your passion, whether that is a desire to help others, being skilled in biological sciences, or a drive to one day help cure a disease.
"I have always been a giving person, thinking about others before myself. I also enjoy learning about science and the human body. Therefore, medicine has only felt like a natural job choice. I believe it will be the most emotionally fulfilling profession."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
My main driver for wanting to become a physician is a fascination with the material and practice itself. I'm very drawn to the study of biology, in particular, human anatomy, cellular function, and disease pathology. Going to medical school to learn more about these topics and how to use that knowledge to save lives and improve people's quality of living seems like the perfect career in my mind.
Rachelle's Feedback
You have some excellent reasons for being on this career path - your passion truly shines through!
Anonymous Answer
I want to become a physician to improve the health of those disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's. When I was a teenager, I watched my grandmother suffer from Alzheimer's disease. My family and I did not know what Alzheimer's disease was and did not have the resources to cope with how the disease affected my grandmother and family. As I learned more about the medical field, I saw how health education, along with resources, can improve the well-being of people, especially African Americans. The life-long learning and improving the health of communities around me is what gravitates me toward medicine.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your mission is so heartfelt, and your genuine nature shines through"”a perfect answer.
Anonymous Answer
Physicians have an amazing capability to be with patients in the first and last moments of their life and the most vulnerable as well. Being able to impact someone at their worst is so humbling. I also love the learning aspect of the role of a physician. Medicine is always evolving, which in turn leads to continual learning. It is so important to be up to date on new topics and ideas for the best treatment for each patient.
Rachelle's Feedback
It seems that continuous learning and making an impact are the most important to you. Try giving a bit more background if you can - as in, what piqued your initial interest in pursuing this career path.
Anonymous Answer
As a child, I was in and out of hospitals and clinics to treat some serious swallowing problems. At 16 I had a ruptured teratoma cyst in my left ovary that left me in the most excruciating pain I have ever been in in my life. The doctors in both instances made purposeful relationships with me and helped ease pain during some of my toughest days. They affected my life immensely and I want to do that with my patients and have a direct impact on making their bad days better.
Stephanie's Feedback
Great response! You do a great job of drawing on your own challenging personal experiences and how these experiences drove you to pursue a career in medicine. The only feedback I have is perhaps emphasizing the aspects of the medical profession itself that attract you (after all, there are more ways to affect the lives of others and improve bad days without being a doctor. What is it about being a doctor specifically that attracts you?)
Unlock all 50 Medical School questions
Prepare for ethics questions, MMI stations, and panel interviews that admissions committees use.
Get Started