Answering a ‘Why this University’ question

How to structure your answer

Course-related:

1 - You should always start your question by talking about the course of the university. Explain that you like how it is designed and ensure you know specific facts about the course layout. Particularly include ones that are unique to that university.

2 - Discuss dissection/prosection and how you feel it will improve your anatomy learning.

3 - Discuss the way in which clinical exposure is integrated into the course, and how you feel that will benefit you. This could involve discussing the benefits of early clinical exposure, for example.

4 - Consider the benefits of problem based learning compared to the classical format.

Not Course-related:

1 - Talk about the city and fun things you would like to do around the city. Be honest (music venues, museums, coffee shops, beautiful scenery) but not too honest (clubbing or drinking plans).

2 - Talk about the student union and discuss societies offered here in which you want to get involved.

3 - Anything else unique to you? You can absolutely be honest, so mention here if there are specific reasons you want to go here (e.g. for one of my students it was how multicultural the city was).

When you have started preparing you may have looked at example questions on this website (or others), and noticed that a common question is "Why do you want to go to this university?" This initially seems like an easy question, but it is really important to structure this question carefully.

How to prepare:

1 - Research the university website and talk to medical students from that university (if possible). If not there will be plenty of information available on the website.

2 - Look up whether your university offers dissection or prosection (or something else) and how the university teaches anatomy. And if you don’t know look up the benefits and negatives of dissection vs prosection. (see this article)

3 - Ensure you know the clinical framework of the course

4 - Look up the city and key attractions

5 - Look up the student union website and any key societies you are genuinely interested in.

Common Mistakes:

Jumping straight in with how much you like the city/culture.

Not mentioning anything about the student union/student life.

Not doing enough research.

Not being able to answer why dissection vs prosection.

Just talking about how prestigious the university is.

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