Help!! Discussing religion during interview??

[starrydreamer]

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I was wondering how to handle discussing your religion during an interview.

Is it generally the case that you should try to not mention your religion at all?

For example, what if you say that you seek to be caring, compassionate, and loving, and when asked why the reason is that not only is it something you personally believe in, it is also something your religion calls you to be?


Any ideas/thoughts on religion and interviews would be much appreciated!!

 

[willow18]

You will get two kinda answers here.

1. NO NO, not with a ten foot pole. You never know how your interviwer feels about this stuff.

2. Sure, be honest. Whatever really drives you, share it.

I'd go with the former. But, if it really played a large part in your drive etc, then mention, and speak in general, that your religion has played a part bla bla bla. Do not, however, start waxing on about how much Jesus Christ has saved you and directed you bla bla and the Lord bla bla. Now that, that would be really stupid, said the wise man.

 

[arcin]

Here is my take on it, I would treat it like a job interview (if you have had many of these). I think it is okay to discuss in non-descript terms your views on religion but going into too much depth may cause you more harm than good. Some religions have bad conotations and some have great and there is no way you can gauge ahead of time what the interviewer's perception of that religion will be. They may love it or they may hate it. Their perception may influence your acceptance even if it may be unconsious on their part. You would be walking a fine line...tread carefully.

 

[Amemus]

I have a similar question. Should I omit my religious ECs in my CV? I've been told that such activities really aren't relevant. However, given the amount of time I have devoted to them I feel like I would be leaving out a large part of who I am if I left it off.

However, I'd say there is no need to say you seek to be caring because your religion calls you to be so.. you participate in your religion because you agree with what it stands for, so just saying you personally believe in it covers what you are trying to communicate.

 

[spicedmanna]

If you don't need to take it there, I wouldn't mention religious beliefs. Anyhow, FWIW, it seems to me that all of the world's major religions are founded on praticing love, caring, and compassion.

You might not run into this problem as often if you try to site examples that demonstrate the qualities you wish to punctuate. For instance, instead of saying you seek to be caring, you might talk about some experiences that show that: the time you saw how scared your patient was when she was being extricated from her wrecked car, and how you held her hand tightly and gently explained to her exactly what was happening as you performed your rapid trauma assessment, etc., and how her eyes lit up and she felt comforted in the midst of chaos, etc. How good that made you feel to be a part of this girl's care, etc.

I was wondering how to handle discussing your religion during an interview.

Is it generally the case that you should try to not mention your religion at all?

For example, what if you say that you seek to be caring, compassionate, and loving, and when asked why the reason is that not only is it something you personally believe in, it is also something your religion calls you to be?


Any ideas/thoughts on religion and interviews would be much appreciated!!

 

[airshad8]

I have a similar question. Should I omit my religious ECs in my CV? I've been told that such activities really aren't relevant. However, given the amount of time I have devoted to them I feel like I would be leaving out a large part of who I am if I left it off.

Mention them if they help define you. If you have a ton of ECs and the 15 available spots on the primary are not enough- these should be the first to go. I think the point here is to show you are devoted individual who spends a lot of time on something....be it religious activities or dance or working out or sports. It gives the idea to the adcom that you are not just a book worm. Also, if these religious activities exemplify leadership, definitely use them. G'luck.

To the OP: I would bring religion in subtly. I don't think anyone wants to hear "I do this because my religion tells me to." I would try to turn it into a more personal thing- and then link religion to it.

I have pondered this whole religion thing quite a bit...with the current Islamiphobia going around lately, I am not so sure either, but it is best to be honest.

 

[willow18]

I have a similar question. Should I omit my religious ECs in my CV? I've been told that such activities really aren't relevant. However, given the amount of time I have devoted to them I feel like I would be leaving out a large part of who I am if I left it off.

EC's are supposed to show that you have a life outside of medical stuff. Med schools LOVE students that don't just present a list of shadows, etc etc. That said, some may frown if you seem like a religious nut (which I'm sure you ain't). Of course you can and should mention activities that you spent much time on (do skip, ahem, those kinda activities) and you can mention briefly (in the AMCAS provided space) what it has meant to you. But as I wrote above, don't start going on about Jesus or whatever. Just speak in human terms what it meant to you. Just my opinion.

 

[Vvandenn]

lol religion

 

[vtucci]

If your faith is a major part of who you are, then yes I would say that. You do not want to be at a program that will have a problem with that. There is always a risk that an interviewer might be uncomfortable with discussing religion or spirituality. However, there are some programs where you should expect it (e.g. Loma Linda and Loyola or Creighton). I was asked point blank about my religious beliefs particularly as they apply to abortion. So it is good to be prepared on that front.

As far as the compassion et al, every student says that they are compassionate. I would not say that you are so because your religion requires it-- would you be an ass if your religion did not require compassion?

 

[starrydreamer]

Actually, the reason I posed this question is precisely because one of my most time-consuming and prominent EC's has been my participation in my school's Christian organization. I figured I'm bound to get asked about this activity...

I guess I will practice treading the line, and hope for the best.



btw, the compassion comment does not at all mean that I want to be a caring person simply because my religion calls me to be that way.... it was a bad example... please disregard!

 

[spicedmanna]

Actually, the reason I posed this question is precisely because one of my most time-consuming and prominent EC's has been my participation in my school's Christian organization. I figured I'm bound to get asked about this activity...

I guess I will practice treading the line, and hope for the best.

No biggie. Just frame it in terms of what you did and how you impacted the people you worked with.

 

[vtucci]

You should definitely have the religious EC on your CV. It might show the well-roundedness that so many ADCOMs are looking for. Just be able to speak intelligently about anything that is on your application.

 

[farikanok]

Mention them if they help define you. If you have a ton of ECs and the 15 available spots on the primary are not enough- these should be the first to go. I think the point here is to show you are devoted individual who spends a lot of time on something....be it religious activities or dance or working out or sports. It gives the idea to the adcom that you are not just a book worm. Also, if these religious activities exemplify leadership, definitely use them. G'luck.

To the OP: I would bring religion in subtly. I don't think anyone wants to hear "I do this because my religion tells me to." I would try to turn it into a more personal thing- and then link religion to it.

I have pondered this whole religion thing quite a bit...with the current Islamiphobia going around lately, I am not so sure either, but it is best to be honest.

i listed a religious organization (MSA) in my ECs b/c i was very involved (i.e. leadership). it came up during a couple of interviews and i discussed my role in the organization and events we planned. and some cultural implications. didn't go into too much detail about my personal beliefs and the interviewers didn't ask about it.

i think if you list it in the ECs, be prepared to discuss how you were involved, but i don't think you'll get pushed into discussing your personal religious views. also, be honest 😀

 

[amathew]

i think there's a limit to everything, and same goes with religion. Being religious isn't a bad thing, especially if you firmly believe in your faith and it is a big part of you. However, you are trying to show yourself as a whole person and you don't want just one aspect of your life overshadowing other activities. For example, I am (and have been) a Sunday School teacher throughout college and I've included that in my application, because I devote a lot of time towards it. I involve my children in community related activities. We've help start a girls basketball team, we do stuff outside of just church. And they take up time between my work and classes, while helping me grow as a person. Which is why I included that in my application. However I was also in Campus Crusade for Christ and we would meet up every week and praise and sing songs. Once in a while we would have community service events. It helped my faith, but I didn't necessarily think it was something that needed to be included in my application.

Get my drift??

 

[LizzyM]

In addition to the good advice being provided here, I will add one from the "you can't make this stuff up" file...

Do not ask your interviewer, "Have you been saved?"

 

[Stolenspatulas]

I was wondering how to handle discussing your religion during an interview.

Is it generally the case that you should try to not mention your religion at all?

For example, what if you say that you seek to be caring, compassionate, and loving, and when asked why the reason is that not only is it something you personally believe in, it is also something your religion calls you to be?


Any ideas/thoughts on religion and interviews would be much appreciated!!

honestly, put yourself in the average interviewer's shoes.... for that I would say someone who may be religious, but not strictly so. If an interviewee started going on about how religion played an integral role in the decision for medicine... I would say the average interviewer would be taken aback. The average interviewer would probably think "wow, this person has a narrow world-view, even if this truly is his/her sincere reason to go into medicine, how can he/she expect me to be able to empathize with his/her answer... how can he/she assume that I even believe in God let alone this religion..."

Also, think about worse case scenarios... perhaps an interviewer with a religion that conflicts with yours, or an atheist, etc.

Play it safe, mention religion since it is very important to you, but dont go on forever about it. Just my opinion.

 

[baylormed]

"Have you been saved?"

Wow, I can't believe someone would ask that during an interview.

I'd also like to add that you shouldn't ask anyone this question, as it is none of your business.

 

[KaraKiz]

One interviewer asked flat out, within the first 3 minutes, what religion I was.

My jaw dropped.

So I told him. Then he said "Oh I'm not going to write that down or anything, its just that you look Egyptian and we have a large Coptic community in Cleveland, so I was just going to let you know about that if you were Coptic." I believed him. He seemed pretty nice. Plus he laughed when I told him about my uber-old school foreign parents and my mother telling me no man would ever want to marry a woman who is a doctor, then proceeded to cry for the future of my neglected children. 😀

I say list your organizations on your application and let them ask you about it. You can talk about it being important to you without coming off as a fanatic. Just use your common sense, e.g. it is not a good idea to say that abortion is murder and that doctors who perform abortions should lose their medical licenses...

 

[DrShambach]

Here go my two cents. You can choose to be PC and downplay your religion. But my question is do you really believe in what you say you do? As a Christian I'm called to be a bold witness and not to be ashamed of who I am. This stance might be controversial, but Jesus was/is one of the most controversial figures in history and He is my model. My faith did come up during one of my interviews and it actually took up about 20 minutes of the interview. My interviewer was not at all put off by it and he actually continued to refer back to it. It is a huge part of who I am and I would be pretending to be someone who I am not if I tried to downplay it. And honestly, I do not worry about what reaction I might get because I know that God is going to open whatever door is necessary for me to fulfill my purpose in life. With all that being said, look at what your faith means to you and be true to that.

 

[DrShambach]

Wow, I can't believe someone would ask that during an interview.

I'd also like to add that you shouldn't ask anyone this question, as it is none of your business.

If you don't ask then how do you know if someone is not? As a Christian it kinda is my business. With that being said, no one can force you to be saved.

 

[mdurfa]

.

 

[baylormed]

If you don't ask then how do you know if someone is not? As a Christian it kinda is my business. With that being said, no one can force you to be saved.

No, you are wrong. It is none of your business.

 

[KaraKiz]

*grabs popcorn*

 

[airshad8]

If you don't ask then how do you know if someone is not? As a Christian it kinda is my business. With that being said, no one can force you to be saved.

That's pretty scary...

 

[airshad8]

i hate to be really blunt - but this largely depends on the religion. there are religions which are highly supported in america - both politically and commercially - while others are not only hated but one is encouraged to be fearful of these religions. in addition to that, the separation of church and state (at least in the academic sector ) is becoming more and more pronounced. that said, i have been extremely active in a leadership capacity with a religious organization at my university. however, i did not mention this in my ECs, apps, no where. ultimately, i had other activities to list - but alas - i didn't want to 1. be labeled for this in the app revision cycle nor 2. interrogated about this in my interview (it has happened to me before in the past with other scholarships, awards, etc.) As you are speaking of christianity, i would walk the fine line that many others suggest in this thread. however, if anyone is reading this thread that is concerned about this issue with respect to islam- i would absolutely steer clear from mentioning this. i understand the whole argument of "you should be proud of your religion, why would you want to go to a school that .. etc. etc." But its also important to acknowledge the realities of the current time and play the game accordingly.

Absolutely steer clear? Damn does this mean I can't wear my turban to my interviews? I suppose absolutely steering clear would require all the MUhammad's to change their first name for the application process too... Lol...

 

[Haemulon]

I was wondering how to handle discussing your religion during an interview.

Is it generally the case that you should try to not mention your religion at all?

For example, what if you say that you seek to be caring, compassionate, and loving, and when asked why the reason is that not only is it something you personally believe in, it is also something your religion calls you to be?


Any ideas/thoughts on religion and interviews would be much appreciated!!

I would not mention religion, but there is no need to deliberately avoid the topic if asked about it directly either. That being said, I feel that true caring and compassion needs to come from within a person, not because of broad expectations from the outside. If your religion really is very important to you though and you need to reference it, then be specific as to exactly what about it influenced your perspectives on humanity and your desire to help others. Otherwise, referring to religion in general as a justification seems weak since the majority of the population considers themselves to have religion as well (virtually all sharing the same emphass on compassion and caring).

 

[DropkickMurphy]

If you don't ask then how do you know if someone is not? As a Christian it kinda is my business. With that being said, no one can force you to be saved.

Oh ****, this thread is now totally screwed.......now I remember why people used to crucify Christians and burn people at the stake. Why (from one Christian to another) is it so hard to mind your own damn business?

BTW, I don't bring up my religious beliefs unless specifically asked. More often than not it's to shut some zealot up who wants to help 'save me'. "No thanks....now put that rattlesnake down"

 

[airshad8]

I would not mention religion, but there is no need to deliberately avoid the topic if asked about it directly either. That being said, I feel that true caring and compassion needs to come from within a person, not because of broad expectations from the outside, like a religious doctrine. If your religion really is very important to you though and you need to reference it, then be specific as to exactly what about it influenced your perspectives on humanity and your desire to help others. To refer to religion in general seems weak as the majority of the population considers themselves to have religion as well (virtually all sharing the same emphass on compassion and caring).

Religion is healthful hobby...not necessarily an advantageous extracurricular. Well said Fishman.👍

 

[KaraKiz]

i hate to be really blunt - but this largely depends on the religion. there are religions which are highly supported in america - both politically and commercially - while others are not only hated but one is encouraged to be fearful of these religions. in addition to that, the separation of church and state (at least in the academic sector ) is becoming more and more pronounced. that said, i have been extremely active in a leadership capacity with a religious organization at my university. however, i did not mention this in my ECs, apps, no where. ultimately, i had other activities to list - but alas - i didn't want to 1. be labeled for this in the app revision cycle nor 2. interrogated about this in my interview (it has happened to me before in the past with other scholarships, awards, etc.) As you are speaking of christianity, i would walk the fine line that many others suggest in this thread. however, if anyone is reading this thread that is concerned about this issue with respect to islam- i would absolutely steer clear from mentioning this. i understand the whole argument of "you should be proud of your religion, why would you want to go to a school that .. etc. etc." But its also important to acknowledge the realities of the current time and play the game accordingly.

Woah - did we just warp back in time? I have a hard time believing that being Muslim and acknowledging it will prevent me from getting into med school. I told all of my interviewers that my family was Muslim. No one had a problem with it. I think they were surprised that I was willing to talk about it openly. One of my interviewers was Indian, so we were joking about old-school parents. One was Catholic and we had a good laugh about the same topic. True, I didn't walk into the interview wearing a burkah and yelling things in Arabic. I don't even wear a headscarf. But I was open and honest and didn't bring up politics or anything like that. Thats whats causes the problems.

 

[CytochromeP450]

I think I am going to wear my Hijab to my interviews eventhough I am male and not affiliated with Islam. I think it would help show how I can adapt to a different culture and cross sexual barriers. It will not only show my openmindess when its comes to cross-dressing, but my ability to transcend stereotypes by adapting them (I am half asleep when I am writing this). With medical school admissions being a crapshoot, I don't see why this won't help your odds....at least they will remember you as the male-nonislamic Hijab wearing cross dresser. Furthermore, it would help me make my funny faces at my interviewer without he/she not knowing. Also, it would prevent fellow interviewees from aproaching and asking you about your "stats."

 

[DropkickMurphy]

True, I didn't walk into the interview wearing a burkah and yelling things in Arabic.

The fact you left the scimitar at home and didn't address the interviewer as 'infidel' probably didn't hurt either

 

[airshad8]

I think I am going to wear my Hijab to my interviews eventhough I am male and not affiliated with Islam. I think it would help show how I can adapt to a different culture and cross sexual barriers. It will not only show my openmindess when its comes to cross-dressing, but my ability to transcend stereotypes by adapting them (I am half asleep when I am writing this). With medical school admissions being a crapshoot, I don't see why this won't help your odds....at least they will remember you as the male-nonislamic Hijab wearing cross dresser. Furthermore, it would help me make my funny faces at my interviewer without he/she not knowing. Also, it would prevent fellow interviewees from aproaching and asking you about your "stats."

Oh yeah? How? Ohhh you don't know what a hijab actually is. Gotchya.👍

 

[photo_girl07]

in my experience, no interviewer has openly asked me about my religion. It only becomes fairgame for questions, if you bring it up...with that being said, you should decide how much religion has influenced you in your pursuit to medicine. If it played a big role, than mention it without getting too excited (like mention above) 🙂

I stayed clear of religion...just my $0.02

glck

 

[mdurfa]

.

 

[CytochromeP450]

Oh yeah? How? Ohhh you don't know what a hijab actually is. Gotchya.👍

Good call... I meant burqa...I have no clue where I got hijab from. I have to say 😛

 

[airshad8]

Good call... I meant burqa...I have no clue where I got hijab from. I have to say 😛

Jeez, haven't you taken Terrorist 101? Just messing around- it's all good yo.

 

[CytochromeP450]

Jeez, haven't you taken Terrorist 101? Just messing around- it's all good yo.

Actually, I APed out of that in high school and now I am taking more advanced courses...I have to say that lab totally sucked!....LOL..JK.!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Actually, I APed out of that in high school and now I am taking more advanced courses...I have to say that lab totally sucked!....LOL..JK.!

But the study abroad opportunities will blow your mind (among other things).....

 

[DrShambach]

Not to quote anyone specific, because I was not trying to be antagonistic with my response. For those who indicated they were Christians, Matthew 28:19-20 tells you why its our business. Once again, I'm not forcing my beliefs on anyone, but I'm not going to punk out because it makes someone uncomfortable. Also, you can see that I did not use disrespectful language, so I would appreciate if you could respect me as well.

Just a general note, since we are supposed to be intelligent adults, why can't we express our beliefs with out people taking offense? I'm not attacking anyone.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Not to quote anyone specific, because I was not trying to be antagonistic with my response. For those who indicated they were Christians, Matthew 28:19-20 tells you why its our business. Once again, I'm not forcing my beliefs on anyone, but I'm not going to punk out because it makes someone uncomfortable. Also, you can see that I did not use disrespectful language, so I would appreciate if you could respect me as well.

Just a general note, since we are supposed to be intelligent adults, why can't we express our beliefs with out people taking offense? I'm not attacking anyone.

I'm not attacking anyone either (although I do tend to be sarcastic about my religion and have fun with it). I just wish those who are "bold witnesses" as you put it, would drop the topic when someone says they aren't interested. However, that being said, I think you would do that.

 

[airshad8]

Not to quote anyone specific, because I was not trying to be antagonistic with my response. For those who indicated they were Christians, Matthew 28:19-20 tells you why its our business. Once again, I'm not forcing my beliefs on anyone, but I'm not going to punk out because it makes someone uncomfortable. Also, you can see that I did not use disrespectful language, so I would appreciate if you could respect me as well.

Just a general note, since we are supposed to be intelligent adults, why can't we express our beliefs with out people taking offense? I'm not attacking anyone.

No one is attacking you either...I think this thread has long been hijacked to play on stereotypes. We are simply too busy making fun of the funny things muslims wear on their heads to concern ourselves with the condescending attitudes of Christian zealots...lol



But honestly, on a more serious note think about it this way:

Yes you are expressing your beliefs, but you have to understand what you are saying is inherently pretentious. When talk about people being saved, you are saying outright that 1. Their religious views are crap 2. The Bible is best, so it's ok to quote and 3. Unless you are 'saved' (the word itself is condescending) you're doomed. It is the same as if a Muslim said "are you an infidel? my Koran says you will go to hell unless you accept my religion." Surprisingly that would never fly with you or anyone else...yet being a Christian and being concerned that someone else is 'saved' is ok.

You have to remember, while it is OK to believe as you want, when expressing your beliefs you have to remain circumspect. If there is a particular part of your religion (Be it Christianity or Islam or anything else) that clearly degrades other religions, caution is advised. Trust me when I say this, I am not attacking you alone. I have this issue with Christians as well as Muslims who have this outlook. It's simply not OK to look down on others simply because 'your religion says so', whether it says so in the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, etc. This is really why we have the issues we do in this world today - too many people thinking what their culture/religion says is the only way.

 

[DrShambach]

I'm not attacking anyone either (although I do tend to be sarcastic about my religion and have fun with it). I just wish those who are "bold witnesses" as you put it, would drop the topic when someone says they aren't interested. However, that being said, I think you would do that.

I most definitely would.

 

[KaraKiz]

But the study abroad opportunities will blow your mind (among other things).....

hahaha - oh you guys..

 

[DropkickMurphy]

hahaha - oh you guys..

Cop: "So did you see what color the terrorist's eyes were?"
Witness: "Yes....blue"
Cop: "That seems odd..."
Witness: "Yeah, one blew that way, the other blew that way" *points*

 

[CytochromeP450]

Not to quote anyone specific, because I was not trying to be antagonistic with my response. For those who indicated they were Christians, Matthew 28:19-20 tells you why its our business. Once again, I'm not forcing my beliefs on anyone, but I'm not going to punk out because it makes someone uncomfortable. Also, you can see that I did not use disrespectful language, so I would appreciate if you could respect me as well.

Just a general note, since we are supposed to be intelligent adults, why can't we express our beliefs with out people taking offense? I'm not attacking anyone.

Alright...I am going to express my beliefs right now. I am very much against organized religion mainly because, I don't think institutions and priests should control/dictate/preach what it takes to achieve any type of salvation. This gives religious institutions way to much power over their followers (almost totalitarian). I think one’s relationship with the Higher Power is a personal one and should not be the hands on any church or any individual trained in theology. You have to understand ALL religious books were written one way or another by HUMAN beings. HUMAN beings selected the framework and organization and yes even religious texts of worship. For some, this is a really hard fact to grasp because they are so indoctrinated by the what their parents and priests told them while they were growing up. You are right we are adults and should approach everything with an open mind. Just my two cents 

 

[DrZeke]

No, you are wrong. It is none of your business.

Seriously. WTF?!?!!? JESUS CHRIST WTF is wrong with you asking people if they are saved.

Oh damn...I took our savior's name in vain...whoops...

👍

 

[airshad8]

Seriously. WTF?!?!!? JESUS CHRIST WTF is wrong with you asking people if they are saved.

Oh damn...I took our savior's name in vain...whoops...

👍

Don't be so hard on her. Judging from the MD app, I am not too surprised by these views. But it is definitely something she'll have to realize sooner or later, especially if she plans on attending a school outside of the South.

 

[DrZeke]

Jeez, haven't you taken Terrorist 101? Just messing around- it's all good yo.

Bwahahahahah!!! LOL this is the best thread ever!!!

I'm seriously laughing so hard...it's so pathetic how certain religions in America are so much more respected. I think it's because there is barely a separation between church and state here. Trust me when I say that, I'm Canadian, and some Americans would be horrified how things we've voted on are not aligned with "good christian values"...

Well, I guess when George Bush says Good "American" values = Good "Christian" values. Nothing wrong with Christian values, but it's lame that a president doesn't acknowledge other religions as much. Just my opinion...don't all attack at once.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Agreed.....I'm not going to attack you for saying that.

 

[DrZeke]

Don't be so hard on her. Judging from the MD app, I am not too surprised by these views. But it is definitely something she'll have to realize sooner or later, especially if she plans on attending a school outside of the South.

Oh for the record, I was talking about the comment made by Dr.SHambach, not BaylorMed. Baylormed AKA susan rocks!!!!! She's cooler than JC.