Why seminary? Or, why are you non-traditional?

“Why are you in seminary?” As a “non-traditional applicant,” I was asked this question on every medical school interview four years ago. I’ve come to learn that seminary training engenders stereotypes and mythopoeia. My mentors knew this, and advised me to have examples ready related to the importance of being trained in fields that both study the human condition and provide the skill set necessary to critically assess paradigms. Some interviewers appreciated the importance of understanding humans at the emergent level of culture and religion, though many did not. Many were perplexed by ‘such an unusual detour’ in a non-scientific field. I left a lot of interviews frustrated. As a current fourth-year medical student, I want to explain to those interviewers with more depth the value of this non-traditional route to medicine. I went to seminary with the desire to eventually attend medical school to become a physician who accompanies underserved populations. As a seminary student at Boston University School of Theology (or, “STH”), I was introduced formally to liberation theology—a branch of Christianity that focuses on social change by making a preferential option for the poor. The methodologies of liberation theology taught me the importance of understanding social injustices with historical depth and geographical breadth. By studying social justice-focused theology, I learned a secular language by which to identify and speak out cogently against so...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Education Medical school Source Type: blogs