How to answer “Is medicine a calling?” in a medical school interview
- Kind
- Quote or abstract
Prompt
A friend who left a career in engineering after ten years says to you, "A calling is just a job that has not disappointed you yet." How would you respond?
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How to approach this question
What this question tests
- Critical thinking
- Self-reflection and growth
How to approach it
This panel interview question tests whether you can engage with a cynical view of your motivation for medicine without getting defensive or sounding naive. Take your friend's point seriously, since many people do lose their sense of calling, and his ten years of experience deserve respect. Then explain where you agree and where you differ, using what you've actually seen of medicine's hard parts. Describe what you think sustains people through disappointment, such as relationships with patients, meaningful work and supportive colleagues, and how you plan to protect those in your own career. Avoid claiming you'll never be disappointed. Finish with a clear, honest response you could give to the friend himself.
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