In terms of probability, would talking about my religion, Christianity, lower my chances?

[Hongiddong]

A doctor told me that most adcoms will be annoyed with religion, notwithstanding loma linda.

I was going to write in my works/activity about various involvement with church, talk about how faith saved me in my personal statement.

1. Should I not mention about my faith in my personal statement?

I have 4 sections on works activity that involves church. I am planning to keep 2, the one I went on a mission for and one I was part of a club during college.

2. Should I take them out entirely, keep 1, keep 2?

3. Should I just lower these involvements, even though I will have 13 instead of 15 work/activities?

Thank you SDN Community!

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Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goro]

That will go over well at Einstein and the Touros.

The PS is not the place to preach.


I was going to write in my works/activity about various involvement with church, talk about how faith saved me in my personal statement.

I strongly recommend against it, unless you're applying to Loma Linda or LUCOM.
1. Should I not mention about my faith in my personal statement?

Does this really answer "Who am I"? and "Why Medicine?"
I have 4 sections on works activity that involves church. I am planning to keep 2, the one I went on a mission for and one I was part of a club during college.

2. Should I take them out entirely, keep 1, keep 2?

13 = 15.
3. Should I just lower these involvements, even though I will have 13 instead of 15 work/activities?

 

[Dr Stephen T Colbert DFA]

I was involved in a church group in college and mentioned it in my work/activities section. I mainly highlighted the community service and leadership roles I took on within the group and talked about what I learned from the other students there and how it helped me become less shy. Nowhere in this did I talk about God, Jesus, or anything preachy.

 

[LizzyM]

Don't try to convert your interviewer. Don't get preachy. Otherwise, given that schools are seeking a diverse class to serve a diverse community of patients, your religious beliefs/practices could add to the diversity of the class and could be a plus and not only at "religious" schools.

 

[Womb Raider]

I really don't know the answer, so take what I say with a grain of salt...

You have to realize a lot of people in medicine (indeed, a lot of PhDs too) aren't devoutly religious, and may even consider religion to be the cliche "opium of the people." For many people that dedicate their life to a scientific pursuit, it's extremely difficult (if not impossible) for them to "believe" or have faith in a divine being. Many people consider this a failing of the person - I disagree - I don't think one can magically will themselves to believe in something that is in direct conflict with their core belief systems. Anyway, basic point = many people in healthcare don't value religion and so that might make you lose some brownie points.

However, just because someone doesn't particularly believe in the Christian god doesn't automatically mean that they think Christianity is bad, or bad for the community as a whole. If they do, they simply don't have a good understanding of history. (If you don't believe me, look at the difference between historically Christian countries and compare them to one of the other Abrahamic religions, I'll let you figure out which one...).

Medicine can function outside of religion. Is this OK with you? Are you comfortable being in a field that is not particularly religious? If religion really did change your life (and you focus entirely on religion) I think it might raise the question: why aren't you pursuing religious studies? Remember medicine is the primary focus here, not religion. Use it to supplement your medical aspirations, but be careful not to replace it.

 

[Lucca]

I don't think deeply held convictions of any kind - religious or otherwise - could be held against you provided you are not a zealot (i.e "preachy" or aggressively trying to convert people), a member of a fanatical organization (Westboro, an Anarchist group, etc.) or something else exceedingly overbearing and irrational. As long as you come off as a tolerant, accepting person willing to cooperate to reach a greater goal then no one should really be "turned off" by your religious commitments.

Personally, I think the whole idea that medicine is mostly agnostic, non-religious or even anti-theistic is wrong. Perhaps I am heavily influenced by my being in the South but it has not been my experience that most of the physicians I meet do not harbor religious convictions. Of course, most do not openly hold convictions (aside from those at religious hospitals, institutions, etc) but clearly many of them had some picture or idea of 'God' or whatever (this discussion comes up a lot in cancer wards I have learned or as evidenced by religious artifacts on their person, office, desk...). You certainly won't be alone as a Christian in medicine, certainly not in the South.

 

[deleted407021]

I can second Lucca in saying that many physicians in the South are religious, often devoutly. Here is some results of an older report that suggest that physicians are still fairly religious as a whole.

The response rate was 63%. Fifty-five percent of physicians say their religious beliefs influence their practice of medicine. Compared with the general population, physicians are more likely to be affiliated with religions that are underrepresented in the United States, less likely to say they try to carry their religious beliefs over into all other dealings in life (58% vs 73%), twice as likely to consider themselves spiritual but not religious (20% vs 9%), and twice as likely to cope with major problems in life without relying on God (61% vs 29%).

Religious Characteristics of U.S. Physicians J Gen Intern Med. 2005 Jul; 20(7): 629–634.

 

[Vain Brother]

as a lapsed catholic myself, i know there can be considerable overlap between the mission of the church and those of physicians. if you want to mention your faith, focus more on how your faith calls you to care for the sick rather than your faith itself

 

[Law2Doc]

There's nothing wrong with listing ECs that relate to church sponsored charitable activities. Doing good work is good work.
But nothing in your application should even hint of being so religious that you'd have difficulty counseling women on women's reproductive issues or teen patients on condoms/sex education/orientation issues, or counseling families regarding pulling the plug on a terminal patient, or suggesting organ donation, or dealing with that psych patient who needs to believe hes the Messiah, or that you'd have issues with research involving stem cells, etc. There are so many areas where religious teachings fly in the face of the practice of modern medicine that it's usually better if this is something you are able to save for Church on Sundays and not bring with you to work. And adcoms don't get that sense if your religion is so important to you that you can't fill out an application without playing it up. Lots of applicants each year have strong religious upbringings but don't feel compelled to make that a significant part of their PS. Why? Because in health care you are going to need to abide to medical ethics and state law, not scripture., and take care of patients bodies, not their souls.

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

It's fine to discuss a religious activity in your Work and Activities section. Might be best to leave it out of your PS though, unless you're talking about the serve aspects of it (e.g. for a mission trip).

 

[NeuResurgens]

As a religious Christian myself, I've given this a good deal of thought and have talked about it with a few people. I think the key here is to describe your religious experiences in a way that frames who you are and puts an emphasis on how these experiences have shaped your character, rather than getting into the actual details of the specific beliefs/practices of your faith. Many of my religious experiences do a good job of putting my money where my mouth is when I try to confirm that I'm an altruistic person who generally wants the best for people. That being said, I agree with what has been mentioned - don't sound "preachy," and I wouldn't include mentions of specific religious teachings that don't directly pertain to your reasons for pursuing medicine.

@Goro once mentioned to me that Adcoms are generally open to religion in their applicants and that these experiences contribute to a well-rounded applicant, especially in the "selflessness" and "desire to serve" departments, but that their primary worry in overly zealous applicants is the question of whether or not they would dogmatically cling to their beliefs when presented with ideas which differ from their own in lieu of reasoning through new situations. For example, don't be that guy that will refuse care to homosexual patients on religious grounds - this certainly flies in the face of medical ethics and, in my opinion, in the face of Christian values as well.

Personally, I think the whole idea that medicine is mostly agnostic, non-religious or even anti-theistic is wrong. Perhaps I am heavily influenced by my being in the South but it has not been my experience that most of the physicians I meet do not harbor religious convictions. Of course, most do not openly hold convictions (aside from those at religious hospitals, institutions, etc) but clearly many of them had some picture or idea of 'God' or whatever (this discussion comes up a lot in cancer wards I have learned or as evidenced by religious artifacts on their person, office, desk...). You certainly won't be alone as a Christian in medicine, certainly not in the South.

Agreed. My particular church has produced some outstanding scientists, researchers and physicians. I've never believed that science and religion need to be mutually exclusive.

 

[vellez]

If your religion is an important part of "you," then I'd say it is a good idea to at least include it. Maybe, you don't need to go into detail about your spiritual journey, but rather highlight how your beliefs (resulting from your faith) were a reason for you to seek out XYZ volunteering experience (etc). This is all just my opinion, but you are applying to medical school, so you want to make sure your faith-related activities can be tied back to being a physician, in some way.

 

[Redpancreas]

A doctor told me that most adcoms will be annoyed with religion, notwithstanding loma linda.

I was going to write in my works/activity about various involvement with church, talk about how faith saved me in my personal statement.

1. Should I not mention about my faith in my personal statement?

I have 4 sections on works activity that involves church. I am planning to keep 2, the one I went on a mission for and one I was part of a club during college.

2. Should I take them out entirely, keep 1, keep 2?

3. Should I just lower these involvements, even though I will have 13 instead of 15 work/activities?

Thank you SDN Community!

While the doctor who is advising you made a strong statement (annoyed), I think he or she speaks for your best interest. From a logical standpoint, you have very little to gain from mentioning it, and a good amount to lose (Read by non-religious person whose feathers are ruffled). I advised someome similarly and that person said, but this is the key experience for my desire to go to medical school, and I'm like, ok fine. I suppose at the beginning of the day, we are all given different values and seek motivation and filfillment from different means. As long as at the end of the day, you're contributing to the society in a way that is viewed as collectively positive, all is well.

This all being said, you want to emphasize the service element and if you'd like to acknowledge the religious element, fine.


Good: Through my ties to my church, I got involved in service activity A.

Bad: My (insert religion) is the only one that teaches me to be kind and generous and therefore, I know I'll be a great doctor because I follow my religion dutifully.

Obviously that's an exaggeration but I did it to illustrate what non-religious people may infer between the lines from anything religious you say.


Read your essay and run that inflammatory statement through your head. Is there anyway an outside reader can infer that from the tone or phrases in your essay?


Also, when asking people to proof your essay, be very specific about what they want you to proofread on. If you say, I want you to analyze my statements on religion scrutiously and determine if it rubs someone the wrong way as opposed to asking them to proofread it, you're more likely to get constructive criticism than an essay back with just subjectively placed commas, etc.

Interestingly, you may find you'll get the most constructive criticism from those who hold the same religion as yours.

 

[jqueb29]

talk about how faith saved me in my personal statement.

Terrible idea. I'm religious myself, but personal statement = "why do you want to be a doctor?", not "talk about how faith saved you" or anything else that does not directly pertain to why you are pursuing medicine.

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

My signature (and the links to websites I have in my signature) gives my position on these issues away🙂 So here was my experience with all of these issues.

I did NOT talk about my faith in my personal statement. I DID talk about my faith on my secondary application with Loma Linda.

I DID talk about my church-related activities and mission trips in my activities section. I did focus on the community service portion of it and the lessons learned, not on the religious elements of it.

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

A doctor told me that most adcoms will be annoyed with religion, notwithstanding loma linda.

I was going to write in my works/activity about various involvement with church, talk about how faith saved me in my personal statement.

1. Should I not mention about my faith in my personal statement?

I have 4 sections on works activity that involves church. I am planning to keep 2, the one I went on a mission for and one I was part of a club during college.

2. Should I take them out entirely, keep 1, keep 2?

3. Should I just lower these involvements, even though I will have 13 instead of 15 work/activities?

Thank you SDN Community!

Keep the two. Do NOT lower these involvements!

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

I really don't know the answer, so take what I say with a grain of salt...

You have to realize a lot of people in medicine (indeed, a lot of PhDs too) aren't devoutly religious, and may even consider religion to be the cliche "opium of the people." For many people that dedicate their life to a scientific pursuit, it's extremely difficult (if not impossible) for them to "believe" or have faith in a divine being. Many people consider this a failing of the person - I disagree - I don't think one can magically will themselves to believe in something that is in direct conflict with their core belief systems. Anyway, basic point = many people in healthcare don't value religion and so that might make you lose some brownie points.

However, just because someone doesn't particularly believe in the Christian god doesn't automatically mean that they think Christianity is bad, or bad for the community as a whole. If they do, they simply don't have a good understanding of history. (If you don't believe me, look at the difference between historically Christian countries and compare them to one of the other Abrahamic religions, I'll let you figure out which one...).

Medicine can function outside of religion. Is this OK with you? Are you comfortable being in a field that is not particularly religious? If religion really did change your life (and you focus entirely on religion) I think it might raise the question: why aren't you pursuing religious studies? Remember medicine is the primary focus here, not religion. Use it to supplement your medical aspirations, but be careful not to replace it.

I disagree with the notion that medicine as a field is not particularly religious. I think it really depends on where you choose to practice and the environment you are in. If you practice at Loma Linda or as a medical missionary, then obviously faith and medicine will be very closely interwoven. If you practice at UCLA or UCSF, then not so much.

As for people in health care not valuing religion, again it depends on where you apply.

Big takeaway for the OP, if faith is a big part of your application and you want faith integrated with medicine, apply to places like Loma Linda or the Jesuit schools that value this. Feel free to PM me and we can talk more about this (this was a big concern for me when I applied to medical schools).

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

But nothing in your application should even hint of being so religious that you'd have difficulty counseling women on women's reproductive issues or teen patients on condoms/sex education/orientation issues, or counseling families regarding pulling the plug on a terminal patient, or suggesting organ donation, or dealing with that psych patient who needs to believe hes the Messiah, or that you'd have issues with research involving stem cells, etc. There are so many areas where religious teachings fly in the face of the practice of modern medicine that it's usually better if this is something you are able to save for Church on Sundays and not bring with you to work.

These "modern practices" of medicine is a big reason I have issues with a lot of medical schools. If you have moral qualms about these issues, like I do, this SHOULD affect what schools you apply to and decide to go to. These issues played a big role in where I ultimately decided to go to medical school.

Side note: These issues are often asked as interview questions ( at least I seemed to always get them), so at least think about these issues and be prepared to discuss them in an interview.

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

Terrible idea. I'm religious myself, but personal statement = "why do you want to be a doctor?", not "talk about how faith saved you" or anything else that does not directly pertain to why you are pursuing medicine.

+1

 

[Womb Raider]

I disagree with the notion that medicine as a field is not particularly religious. I think it really depends on where you choose to practice and the environment you are in. If you practice at Loma Linda or as a medical missionary, then obviously faith and medicine will be very closely interwoven. If you practice at UCLA or UCSF, then not so much.

A) Yeah... Show me in all the medical texts we learn in medical school anywhere where religion is anywhere close to relevant or mentioned.
B) The number of religious medical schools like Loma Linda represent the extreme minority, so I think it's safe to say medicine in general is not particularly religious.
C) Even those physicians who would consider themselves "religious" or say that they "value religion" probably don't mean the same things as someone who devotes their life to religious study does. 99% of people who go to church (at least in the south) do it for the social aspects/benefits rather than a genuine interest in acting Christian. I don't consider myself Christian and yet my actions are more in-line with Christian ethics than almost everyone I know who goes to church every Sunday and loves talking about it.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I disagree with the notion that medicine as a field is not particularly religious. I think it really depends on where you choose to practice and the environment you are in. If you practice at Loma Linda or as a medical missionary, then obviously faith and medicine will be very closely interwoven. If you practice at UCLA or UCSF, then not so much.

As for people in health care not valuing religion, again it depends on where you apply.

Big takeaway for the OP, if faith is a big part of your application and you want faith integrated with medicine, apply to places like Loma Linda or the Jesuit schools that value this. Feel free to PM me and we can talk more about this (this was a big concern for me when I applied to medical schools).

A) Yeah... Show me in all the medical texts we learn in medical school anywhere where religion is anywhere close to relevant or mentioned.
B) The number of religious medical schools like Loma Linda represent the extreme minority, so I think it's safe to say medicine in general is not particularly religious.
C) Even those physicians who would consider themselves "religious" or say that they "value religion" probably don't mean the same things as someone who devotes their life to religious study does. 99% of people who go to church (at least in the south) do it for the social aspects/benefits rather than a genuine interest in acting Christian. I don't consider myself Christian and yet my actions are more in-line with Christian ethics than almost everyone I know who goes to church every Sunday and loves talking about it.

I think the primary takeaway from this discussion is that religion can produce some very humanistic qualities that are valuable in the practice of medicine, and medical schools will look on this positively if described in the proper light. But to reiterate, the mention of religious pursuits should be limited to how these experiences and the qualities they breed relate to the applicant as a future physician, and should not focus on the individual tenets of the religion itself. If approached in this manner, I think most adcoms (whether atheist or religious) will have a better idea of who the applicant is, as well as their potential to be a good doctor.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
Side note: These issues are often asked as interview questions ( at least I seemed to always get them), so at least think about these issues and be prepared to discuss them in an interview.

If the school asks, then sure you talk about it, but that's VERY different then you bringing it up in your PS. And fwiw, they are good interview questions precisely because they ferret out some beliefs that might be impediments to practice that a school wants to know about -- obeying religious teachings over state laws is generally the "wrong" answer (ie the one the hospital doesn't want you to pick or they could have liability). They want to make sure that you can do your job (ie counsel on women's reproductive health issues, safe sex, orientation issues, end of life issues, whatever) despite some of the legal options not sitting well with your personal beliefs. That you can comport to medical ethics and state law while at work even if some at your church would consider that some of what you do is enabling sinners. While our medical ethics is built on a foundation of legal and judeo-Christian values, what is best for the patient, and therefore what you need to be counseling to actually be a good doctor is not always something in your comfort zone. yes there are a few schools that have a more religious foundation, but they don't have infinite spots, are actully less religious than some people on here make them out to be in terms of some issues, and you still have to get a residency and job afterward. I think you can have strong faith and be a good doctor, but sometimes you need to be willing to keep them separated. Because there are areas where these things just don't fit together nicely, you put yourself out on thin ice when you make religion part of your PS. Nobody is saying you can't have religion and practice medicine. But having religion in your life and it being such a part of who you are that you can't even write an essay about a career path without it being the focal point is something very different.

 

[Dares Dareson]

These "modern practices" of medicine is a big reason I have issues with a lot of medical schools. If you have moral qualms about these issues, like I do, this SHOULD affect what schools you apply to and decide to go to. These issues played a big role in where I ultimately decided to go to medical school.

Side note: These issues are often asked as interview questions ( at least I seemed to always get them), so at least think about these issues and be prepared to discuss them in an interview.

If you have moral qualms about those issues, isn't it kind of difficult to practice medicine without trying to steer patients towards decisions that comply with your own beliefs? Even subconsciously? I think that's what they'd worry about in reading an application from a religious applicant.

 

[GoPens]

This thread reminded me of this article I read a few weeks ago: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...east-favorite-doctors-discovered-about-jesus/

I think most physicians, regardless of religion (or lack thereof), could at least respect the values of Christianity (and other religions) that align very closely with those of medicine. The ultimate goals of the two really aren't all that different.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
I think most physicians, regardless of religion (or lack thereof), could at least respect the values of Christianity (and other religions) that align very closely with those of medicine. The ultimate goals of the two really aren't all that different.

Sure, but the necessary corollary is that Christian doctors have to respect the values of patients who aren't religious and perhaps engage in a lot of things that aren't church approved or need advice about things that aren't church approved. I think most of the issues stem from medical ethics not always perfectly comporting to Christian values and as a result people who are too religious won't be comfortable with everything they may be asked to do. It's less about discriminating against Christianity and more about the worry that someone too pious will discriminate against patients and their "sins", not accept their orientation or promiscuity or reproductive choices, or end of life choices, in a way that provides an impediment to health care.

 

[MrChance2]

I wouldn't talk about how faith saved you. I think talking about faith and long time involvement in community service through the church as a reason you want to serve others through medicine is good. Don't get preachy and don't mention anything anyone would find objectionable.

 

[Goro]

To follow up on my learned colleague's comments, several states mandate that the medical schools located there teach "sexual medicine" in which student doctors must receive training on how to deal with sexual and gender orientation issues.

One of my students learned this the hard way on rotations. A male-to-female transgendered patient was seen by my student, who didn't have a chart handy and called the patient directly "Mr Smith" when it should have been "Ms Smith'.

This raised a very large stink for my student.

I have specific interview questions (no, I'm not sharing) designed for overtly religious interviewees to suss out if their belief system is so rigid that it would affect their patient care. Do we weed out religious students? Of course not! My Mormon students, especially BYU grads, are always among our best.

And a personal note: My mother-in-law's family physician was a God-intoxicated fool who would rather quote Scripture than treat her depression. When my in-laws moved in with us after my MIL developed dementia, I made sure they went to a doctor (a DO colleague, actually) who knew what she was doing.

Sure, but the necessary corollary is that Christian doctors have to respect the values of patients who aren't religious and perhaps engage in a lot of things that aren't church approved or need advice about things that aren't church approved. I think most of the issues stem from medical ethics not always perfectly comporting to Christian values and as a result people who are too religious won't be comfortable with everything they may be asked to do. It's less about discriminating against Christianity and more about the worry that someone too pious will discriminate against patients and their "sins", not accept their orientation or promiscuity or reproductive choices, or end of life choices, in a way that provides an impediment to health care.

 

[teambert]

The more you add the more you open yourself up to liability.

I put down one church related activity, which had to do with aiding homeless youth. Wouldn't add much more than that.

Had one interviewer quiz me on my religious beliefs and whether I'd be okay with talking to patients about abortion. Said I was fine with it, I'm generally socially liberal, some of my activities also included helping trans patients. He went on to extol the virtues of abortion and how it lowers the crime rate. Probably to make me uncomfortable. Then he asked my kid's name and why it was religious and told me why it was a bad name.

Interviews are one part trolling.

 

[GrapesofRath]

The more you add the more you open yourself up to liability.

I put down one church related activity, which had to do with aiding homeless youth. Wouldn't add much more than that.

Had one interviewer quiz me on my religious beliefs and whether I'd be okay with talking to patients about abortion. Said I was fine with it, I'm generally socially liberal, some of my activities also included helping trans patients. He went on to extol the virtues of abortion and how it lowers the crime rate. Probably to make me uncomfortable. Then he asked my kid's name and why it was religious and told me why it was a bad name.

Interviews are one part trolling.

This is an important point. This is all it comes down to and what you have to ask----what is the benefit of talking about it in your essay vs the risk of putting it in? What about religion to you makes it important enough that you would want to consider addressing it in your personal statement and how can you get about key ideas of who you are and why you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine by talking about religion and by not talking about religion?

I just don't know of the idea of you coming across as diverse and having a unique set of ideas which might be considered a benefit of potentially focusing your essay about this would be worth the risks everybody has talked about in this thread. You just don't know which type of ADCOM will read your essay. Some are very open to religious ideas and won't perceive having strong belief in faith as a detriment to your education in medical school and won't think you will have problems adapting to other ideas and you won't be rigid. There are other ADCOMs where perhaps it is possible they can be sensitive to issues of religion(perhaps based off their prior experiences). It's a topic you have to tread incredibly delicately with in an essay; you just don't know the background of your ADCOM and how it is possible one who doesn't believe in religion at all would react to an essay with a significant focus on religion. The idea of "opening yourself to liability" is absolutely something you have to consider.

 

[deleted407021]

A) Yeah... Show me in all the medical texts we learn in medical school anywhere where religion is anywhere close to relevant or mentioned.
B) The number of religious medical schools like Loma Linda represent the extreme minority, so I think it's safe to say medicine in general is not particularly religious.
C) Even those physicians who would consider themselves "religious" or say that they "value religion" probably don't mean the same things as someone who devotes their life to religious study does. 99% of people who go to church (at least in the south) do it for the social aspects/benefits rather than a genuine interest in acting Christian. I don't consider myself Christian and yet my actions are more in-line with Christian ethics than almost everyone I know who goes to church every Sunday and loves talking about it.

Aye, medicine itself is secular. It's an applied science and we should all be able to understand how superstition and science don't mix. It think we're getting the fact that many physicians are religious confused with the idea that medicine is itself religious. These are different things, of course. Medicine is a discipline in itself independent of the views of its practitioners.

I do have to ask you where you got the 99% notion regarding church attendance in the south. That doesn't make sense in my experience and such a high percentage is extreme and seems very contrived. I can assure you that most church attendees in the "Bible Belt" are dyed in the wool believers.

 

[hmockingbird]

If the school asks, then sure you talk about it, but that's VERY different then you bringing it up in your PS. And fwiw, they are good interview questions precisely because they ferret out some beliefs that might be impediments to practice that a school wants to know about -- obeying religious teachings over state laws is generally the "wrong" answer (ie the one the hospital doesn't want you to pick or they could have liability). They want to make sure that you can do your job (ie counsel on women's reproductive health issues, safe sex, orientation issues, end of life issues, whatever) despite some of the legal options not sitting well with your personal beliefs. That you can comport to medical ethics and state law while at work even if some at your church would consider that some of what you do is enabling sinners. While our medical ethics is built on a foundation of legal and judeo-Christian values, what is best for the patient, and therefore what you need to be counseling to actually be a good doctor is not always something in your comfort zone. yes there are a few schools that have a more religious foundation, but they don't have infinite spots, are actully less religious than some people on here make them out to be in terms of some issues, and you still have to get a residency and job afterward.

This! What people don't understand about the Jesuits is they are the most liberal order of Catholic priests and they have been excommunicated twice in the past. Some of the stuff I hear on here about Jesuit schools just make me go WHAT. At my undergrad, the vast majority of people, including the Jesuits themselves (priests), were(/are) socially liberal, and I got the feeling while I was there that the only reason the school administration spoke out on certain issues or made certain policies (I was going there during the whole birth control debacle) was so that they didn't get in trouble with church leadership and could keep their funding. While there is a religious culture there, it's more focused on the idea of seeing everyone as part of humanity, and social justice.

I go to school on the edge of the Bible Belt and culturally it's very different for me (not growing up there - so much religion talk all the time!), but the med school I go to is still secular and still has curriculum on things like abortion, GLBTQ medical and cultural issues, debating assisted suicide, etc. And you still get the full range of patients, from a transgender patient to a (totally sane) patient professing how God gave them a "sign" that they had to come in and see you. The school expects you to treat all of them with respect and to learn how to do things like counsel on birth control options. So even in the type of environment where you will encounter doctors who have strong religious beliefs, you still need to be able to keep your religion and your practice mostly separate. (I say mostly because I have seen doctors who are Christian and know a specific patient is Christian, and will use that to connect with the patient in a non-pushy way, like offering brief reassurance based on shared belief *in addition* to medical treatment.) You aren't there to preach to your patients or let your beliefs influence the information you present to them so you do need to be able to separate that. Therefore in your statement I would not focus so much on your beliefs, especially in a way that doesn't seem relevant to why you want to be a doctor. I agree talking about how your religion led you to a specific service activity or other opportunity is fine. I honestly wouldn't even think it would be a problem for someone to list an activity like church choir if they are significantly involved in that.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I do have to ask you where you got the 99% notion regarding church attendance in the south. That doesn't make sense in my experience and such a high percentage is extreme and seems very contrived. I can assure you that most church attendees in the "Bible Belt" are dyed in the wool believers.

Having grown up in Georgia, I can certainly corroborate this. People down there are very much believers. The social aspect is a perk.

Anyway, my final thoughts: it is great to be religious as a doctor as long as you can independently evaluate patients, regardless of how their life fits into your faith system. Compassion for fellow human beings should be the primary driving force above all others when working with people who have entrusted themselves to your expertise.