NJMS Reference Questions with Detailed
Verified Answers
Why do you want to study medicine? What made you switch from your
previous career? ANSWER: 1. I want an intellectually challenging career
that that is rooted in science my interest in science
As a physician, I will be exposed to a variety of work and involved in a
process of lifelong learning (both academically and clinically). This will
allow me to continue to better myself and my knowledge in a field
that is constantly changing due to advancements in research and
innovations
EACH INTERACTION WITH PATIENT IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE -
observing how treatments align with outcomes/research
2. Communications: Enjoying close contact with people, and making a
difference to their lives via service
,2 | Page
3. Experiences with family members during their illnesses exposed me
to various roles that the individual members of a medical team play.
4. SPECIFICALLY Doctor: Responsibility devise patient care plan
* "The human body is extremely complex - as a doctor you're not just
executing one aspect of the plan - it is a holistic approach to getting
the patient better" ... drive the decision making process *
IMPORTANT: Emphasize that it is not a matter of one being better
than the other, but of people with different levels of responsibility
and skills working TOGETHER towards ONE GOAL.
What are your greatest strengths? ANSWER: 1. I think RESILIENCE is
one of my greatest strengths. When I have a goal in mind I fully
commit myself to it, and do not get deterred from achieving my
vision regardless of the obstacles that come my way. I have learned to
be very adaptive and flexible in how I achieve my goals due to some
of the unpredictable hurdles that have arisen in my personal life.
During my time at CU I balanced a challenging course load, e-boards,
,3 | Page
volunteer, clinical, also managing family health issues that arose.
Although this required restructuring my academic plans to fit my new
responsibilities, such as requiring me to postpone my MCAT, I was not
deterred but rather used extra time to study and perform well. I
believe this drive will carry me through med school - continue to
ensure that I succeed.
2. COMMUNICATION is another strong point of mine. From me
professional experiences prior to pursuing medicine I served as a
manager of complex advertising campaigns for a multi-platform
media company. It was my responsibility to coordinate between the
client and other internal teams within our company - understanding
different stakeholder needs and how to make everyone happy. The
ability to clearly communicate and understand the needs are others
are skills have carried over into my medical career.
3. EMPATHY/UNDERSTANDING for patient PERSPECTIVE - PATIENT IS
#1 FOCUS: empathetic; patient's perspective is important - since 10
years old seen perspective of mom; seen frustrations of healthcare
, 4 | Page
system even with great insurance it was difficult to navigate -
important as a doctor to understand those challenges - different
vantage point --- Exposure/understanding - different patient
perspectives, family, clinical, diversity of NY populations, adaptable -
as well as understanding of medical professional // scribe
4. INVOLVEMENT both on-campus and
What are your weaknesses? ANSWER: ONLY GIVE 1 (unless otherwise
asked for)
1. DWELL ON MISTAKES: working to move past shortcomings,
applying criticism in constructive way to better myself; explicitly what
I've done to prove it - MCAT technique, low scores in beginning -->
improved when moved past
2. Not vocal about advocating for myself - hope actions can speak on
my behalf and this usually works in long term but does not allow for
recognition of accomplishments in short term
Verified Answers
Why do you want to study medicine? What made you switch from your
previous career? ANSWER: 1. I want an intellectually challenging career
that that is rooted in science my interest in science
As a physician, I will be exposed to a variety of work and involved in a
process of lifelong learning (both academically and clinically). This will
allow me to continue to better myself and my knowledge in a field
that is constantly changing due to advancements in research and
innovations
EACH INTERACTION WITH PATIENT IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE -
observing how treatments align with outcomes/research
2. Communications: Enjoying close contact with people, and making a
difference to their lives via service
,2 | Page
3. Experiences with family members during their illnesses exposed me
to various roles that the individual members of a medical team play.
4. SPECIFICALLY Doctor: Responsibility devise patient care plan
* "The human body is extremely complex - as a doctor you're not just
executing one aspect of the plan - it is a holistic approach to getting
the patient better" ... drive the decision making process *
IMPORTANT: Emphasize that it is not a matter of one being better
than the other, but of people with different levels of responsibility
and skills working TOGETHER towards ONE GOAL.
What are your greatest strengths? ANSWER: 1. I think RESILIENCE is
one of my greatest strengths. When I have a goal in mind I fully
commit myself to it, and do not get deterred from achieving my
vision regardless of the obstacles that come my way. I have learned to
be very adaptive and flexible in how I achieve my goals due to some
of the unpredictable hurdles that have arisen in my personal life.
During my time at CU I balanced a challenging course load, e-boards,
,3 | Page
volunteer, clinical, also managing family health issues that arose.
Although this required restructuring my academic plans to fit my new
responsibilities, such as requiring me to postpone my MCAT, I was not
deterred but rather used extra time to study and perform well. I
believe this drive will carry me through med school - continue to
ensure that I succeed.
2. COMMUNICATION is another strong point of mine. From me
professional experiences prior to pursuing medicine I served as a
manager of complex advertising campaigns for a multi-platform
media company. It was my responsibility to coordinate between the
client and other internal teams within our company - understanding
different stakeholder needs and how to make everyone happy. The
ability to clearly communicate and understand the needs are others
are skills have carried over into my medical career.
3. EMPATHY/UNDERSTANDING for patient PERSPECTIVE - PATIENT IS
#1 FOCUS: empathetic; patient's perspective is important - since 10
years old seen perspective of mom; seen frustrations of healthcare
, 4 | Page
system even with great insurance it was difficult to navigate -
important as a doctor to understand those challenges - different
vantage point --- Exposure/understanding - different patient
perspectives, family, clinical, diversity of NY populations, adaptable -
as well as understanding of medical professional // scribe
4. INVOLVEMENT both on-campus and
What are your weaknesses? ANSWER: ONLY GIVE 1 (unless otherwise
asked for)
1. DWELL ON MISTAKES: working to move past shortcomings,
applying criticism in constructive way to better myself; explicitly what
I've done to prove it - MCAT technique, low scores in beginning -->
improved when moved past
2. Not vocal about advocating for myself - hope actions can speak on
my behalf and this usually works in long term but does not allow for
recognition of accomplishments in short term
