Controversial Interview Questions

[NotSur]

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Wow, I didn't realize controversial moral questions were a frequent part of the process. What percentage of questions are like this? In what percentage of your interviews were you asked such a question?

 

[LizzyM]

It varies by school. The Interview Feedback section of SDN (see link at the very top of the page) is very helpful in this regard and will clue you in on the questions commonly asked at each school.

 

[witness23]

Wow, I didn't realize controversial moral questions were a frequent part of the process. What percentage of questions are like this? In what percentage of your interviews were you asked such a question?

as LizzyM said, it depends on the school. If I had to tally the whole interview season, very little. However, the person that asks will ask more than one (most likely). These are the most interesting questions though.

 

[cpants]

The key is just to keep your cool and answer the question. Some thought beforehand about likely topics is wise. Always remember what I mentioned before. Having the right answer is not dependent upon which side you choose, but rather demonstrating respect for the patient's autonomy and knowing your role in the system.

 

[Brent8927]

The key is just to keep your cool and answer the question. Some thought beforehand about likely topics is wise. Always remember what I mentioned before. Having the right answer is not dependent upon which side you choose, but rather demonstrating respect for the patient's autonomy and knowing your role in the system.

👍👍

 

[LiveUninhibited]

Plan B is NOT an abortion pill, it's considered a contraceptive. If already pregnant Plan B will not induce abortion. The abortion pill is RU-486.

Plan B can work in (at least) two ways. Normally it delays ovulation like the pill does (because it's a bigger dose of the progestin component), but it can also help prevent implantation if fertilization does occur. Some pro-lifers may find that objectionable.

 

[Shawnpremed]

Wow, thanks for the responses everyone.
2. Also, here's a question I've actually been asked at a Best Buy interview:
Have you ever thought about committing a crime without actually doing it?

I thought this was more of an honesty question, but at that time, I was 18, and didn't know better so I said "No." I didn't get hired, and this response may/may not be a sole decider.

But in the case of being asked this in a med school interview, is honesty what they're looking for?
Because of course I've THOUGHT about just taking something from a store as a kid without paying for it, or wanted to 'kill' someone for getting on my nerves, without acting upon these intentions, thus showing composure and control.

Thoughts?

^

 

[starfishprime]

I respect your opinion, but I'm not debating this anymore.

That's what people say when they recognize their argumentative clock just got cleaned.

It's particularly telling because I didn't state an opinion for you to respect.

 

[bihari]

they ask these types of questions on interviews?

 

[LiveUninhibited]

Have you ever thought about commiting a crime without actually doing it?

I thought this was more of an honesty question, but at that time, I was 18, and didn't know better so I said "No." I didn't get hired, and this response may/may not be a sole decider.

But in the case of being asked this in a med school interview, is honesty what they're looking for?
Because of course I've THOUGHT about just taking something from a store as a kid without paying for it, or wanted to 'kill' someone for getting on my nerves, without acting upon these intentions, thus showing composure and control.

Thoughts?

I kind of doubt they'd believe you if you said you had never thought of committing a crime. Them thinking of you as a liar is probably not ideal. I'd probably say I think most people have thought of committing crimes, especially when they or others have been wronged and have no legit recourse. I have had bosses who were very blatantly unfair to employees, and this did cause many of us to have the desire to undermine his bottom line by stealing. But I chose not to because it would have been wrong and would have accomplished nothing.

That would be an honest answer, but I'd probably try to keep the crime as petty as possible. If you can say it with a straight face, perhaps you should say you were tempted to speed once in order to avoid being late, but then decided not to because being late was more acceptable than "endangering" people by going 35 in a 30.

 

[Shawnpremed]

^^Thank you, thats what I was thinking. I'm sure even the pope would attest to this.

 

[Shawnpremed]

they ask these types of questions on interviews?

Well why not? These I feel are actually easier than say, "What would you do if you created a new health policy, and some mother complained that her daughter died as a result of your policy because she couldn't get adequate help?" What do you think they expect to hear?

I've heard of typical interviews questions too, but those are too trivial to stress over, and can be anticipated at Walmart job interviews.