A friend recently asked for help with her daughter’s college application. She hopes to attend medical school in Taiwan.
Medical school admission there is extremely competitive. Most accepted students come from the top 1% academically, and acceptance rates at top programs are often below 1–2%.
I started with a simple question: why?
Before preparing for interviews or applications, I suggested she reflect on this question:
Why do you want to study medicine?
This is not only for the admissions interview. It can also become a source of motivation during university and throughout a future career.
Another way to approach the question is to ask yourself:
What activities give you energy, regardless of the outcome? Why?
Once the “why” becomes clearer, the how becomes easier. Here is a simple three-step approach.
1. Explore direction
From your “why,” write down your key interests and traits.
Use AI or other resources to identify related fields and leading programs.
Then speak with people in those fields or review their shared experiences online.
Understand the landscape before deciding on a direction.
2. Prepare your application
Start with three steps:
- List experiences you feel proud of or find meaningful. Don’t compare yet.
- Reflect on your strengths and personal traits. Then consider what the program values.
- Identify where the two align, and select experiences that best demonstrate that alignment.
Your story should show who you are and why you belong there.
3. Present your growth clearly
For learning project, keep the structure simple and visual.
Start with a short executive summary, then expand using a clear flow and storytelling:
- Why I joined this project, what I learned, and how I applied it
- Why I chose this approach, how it differed from existing methods, and the impact
- What problem I addressed, how I improved or solved it, and what could be done next
Clarity stands out more than complexity.
Whether you’re applying to school, pursuing a job, or seeking recognition, it’s tempting to focus on how to stand out.
But a better starting point is the deeper question: Why do you want it?
Your answer shapes the how, sustains you through ups and downs, and—most importantly—helps you pursue what truly matters.
So the real question becomes: What do you want to stand out for—and why?
Part of the Make a Positive Difference series — Thinking Differently, Acting Purposefully.