I began to think of the first moment when I thought that becoming a physician was something I wanted to pursue. This moment was one that I had not thought much about at the time but looking back, I realized that it started my journey of inquiry. I had always been a curious child, and would constantly want to know why and how things happened.
From that moment, I have found something peculiar about “why?”: each question may yield an answer, but that answer begets yet another question. The questions built up, as did the answers along with my pool of ideas, helping build my own worldview. I knew that I would want to pursue a career which would allow me to ask endless questions. This would have led me to choose a wide variety of careers in science and healthcare, but what I found unique to a physician was that answers to these questions had the ability to positively change someone’s life. I could ask questions to improve someone’s health, prolong their life or simply make them feel more comfortable during a vulnerable time. That’s why I wanted to enter medicine.
This answer was not one that came easily to me and it required hours of reflection and introspection. It is a common misconception that every pre-med thinks that there is one best answer to the “Why Medicine” question. On the contrary, in my experience through the interview process and now as a coach it is about how genuine you are.
