Medical How should I answer this MD/DO interview question?

[Goro]

Hi, while browsing the practice interview questions for my upcoming interview I stumbled across a question that was hard to answer. I’m applying in a state with only one MD and one DO school in total. The question asked this:

“If accepted to the DO school (since you applied), would you go or reapply here?”

The truth is that I already have an acceptance at the DO school but I would prefer to attend the MD school which is actually my alma mater. How would I answer this question without it making it seem like I should just go to the other school anyway?

Gawd, I despise these types of questions, as it's lose-lose not matter what you answer. If you say "go for the DO school", they'll be mad at you for picking the DO school over their MD school.

If you pick the MD school, they'll think that you don't really want to be a doctor bad enough.

I lean to the latter as the answer as the lesser of two evils, but you could give some spin and say "I'd have to carefully consider both options. With a reapp, there's no guarantee I'd get in, so a sure bet might be better, even though some residency doors might be closed to me."

This is one of the few time's I'll ever advise on an answer, but it's because the question sucks.

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[TheBoneDoctah]

I agree. I don’t think they would fault you for wanting to actually become a doctor for sure.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It's like asking what your salary expectations are for any job.

I'll admit the question is a trap, but it's a question that adcoms have about an applicant, and it's not specifically verboten. (I ask it more as a hypothetical.) I would be interested in how honestly one answers the question and what factors one it thinking about on reapplying or to go into medicine.