Interview question: "have you taken drugs?"

[FROGGBUSTER]

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A friend of mine was asked this in a medical school interview. He answered truthfully: "I experimented with marijuana in Freshman year, but I didn't like it and I haven't done it since." This is basically my experience with drugs as well.

Will being honest in this case hurt the applicant?

 

[Double Bonded]

A friend of mine was asked this in a medical school interview. He answered truthfully: "I experimented with marijuana in Freshman year, but I didn't like it and I haven't done it since." This is basically my experience with drugs as well.

Will being honest in this case hurt the applicant?

Just say: "I tried it but I didn't inhale" and you both can have a good laugh.


(but seriously I'd get a feel for how the interview is going and respond appropriately).

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

Just say: "I didn't inhale" and you both can have a good laugh.


(but seriously I'd get a feel for how the interview is going and respond appropriately).

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

bump

 

[KillaGorilla]

A friend of mine was asked this in a medical school interview. He answered truthfully: "I experimented with marijuana in Freshman year, but I didn't like it and I haven't done it since." This is basically my experience with drugs as well.

Will being honest in this case hurt the applicant?

Just say no! . Sorry I don't have much to add , looking forward to some better answers.

 

[dantemac]

By all means say no, or at the very most you've tried weed. No ad com wants to hear how you're a functional stoner or you've taken harder drugs.

 

[Impulse155]

By all means say no, or at the very most you've tried weed. No ad com wants to hear how you're a functional stoner or you've taken harder drugs.

But what if we are a functional stoner?

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

But what if we are a functional stoner?

Say that and then report back, lols. 😀

 

[Bereno]

A friend of mine was asked this in a medical school interview. He answered truthfully: "I experimented with marijuana in Freshman year, but I didn't like it and I haven't done it since." This is basically my experience with drugs as well.

Will being honest in this case hurt the applicant?

I think the question is: "Did your friend get in?" haha

 

[notin]

i don't think it much matters what your answer is as your reaction to the question will give it all away.

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

I think the question is: "Did your friend get in?" haha

Rejected from that school, accepted to a couple of others.

 

[shdwpally]

What about "You catch your friend cheating during a final. Will you report him/her?"

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

What about "You catch your friend cheating during a final. Will you report him/her?"

Yes I would.

 

[Polk]

Would it be prudent to give someone who uses drugs illegally the power to prescribe them?

 

[SeattleRDH]

Would it be prudent to give someone who uses drugs illegally the power to prescribe them?

It's a question of "uses" vs. "used". It's always better to not lie but also no need to elaborate in this case.

 

[7 Iron]

Is it really legal for them to ask that in an interview? I never got that question or anything close to it.

Anyway, there's nothing good that can come out of admitting to illegal drugs. I would never answer yes to that.

 

[Sapientiae]

Is it really legal for them to ask that in an interview? I never got that question or anything close to it.

Anyway, there's nothing good that can come out of admitting to illegal drugs. I would never answer yes to that.

OBvIoUslY there are more pre-med stoners than pre-dent stoners, gosh 😉

 

[tayloreve]

Everyone has done drugs...

tylonel, hellooooooo!
😀

 

[Demps]

Is it really legal for them to ask that in an interview? I never got that question or anything close to it.

Anyway, there's nothing good that can come out of admitting to illegal drugs. I would never answer yes to that.

It does sound like the question has some ethical issue on asking such question. But most definitely, I am going to say NO!

and taylor lol!!!!

 

[MrAvicii]

drugs say no
tell on your friend: it depends on the interviewer.

 

[2th Doc]

i don't think it much matters what your answer is as your reaction to the question will give it all away.

I completely agree. If you have done drugs, unless you have a stellar poker face, it would probably be pretty easy to judge your immediate reaction to the question. So, if you're in that category of getting pegged... I would just make the self-incrimination as minimal as possible.

I, too, was thinking, "Is this even legal?" It seems like it could be legal, but as far as being ethical, I hesitate greatly to say that it is. I had much more to say on this, but it's such a dichotomy that I can't reconcile it all. Sticky stuff.

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

What about "You catch your friend cheating during a final. Will you report him/her?"

If it came down to it, yes. But there are a lot of things you need to consider (and can try) beforehand. Breaking your friend's trust is a last resort, and only because as a good student, you respect the academic system that you operate in. Don't take his or her friendship/trust lightly. That's a red light to the adcoms, IMHO, just as much as condoning cheating.

 

[MrAvicii]

If it came down to it, yes. But there are a lot of things you need to consider (and can try) beforehand. Breaking your friend's trust is a last resort, and only because as a good student, you respect the academic system that you operate in. Don't take his or her friendship/trust lightly. That's a red light to the adcoms, IMHO, just as much as condoning cheating.

i think i would answer the question by telling me friend that someone around the area where he was sitting told me to tell him (since he is my friend) that they will report him to the professor unless he turns himself in. This would probably be the model answer.

I dont think turning your friend in is going to win you a lot of points. Morality is subjective in this type of a case, the friend is not hurting you and what if you saw something but wasnt sure it was cheating? if it was blatant cheating, is it within your moral compass to report that? I know its probably the school's policy but this question can go either way.

I think the best answer would depend on the interviewer. If an older adcom with give you an indication of going by the book, then you might as well tell him/her what they want to hear. If the adcom is younger and seems more liberal then I think you can try the above approach.

A quick "yes I would tell on him" would mean that you either have no tact or way of speaking with people (i.e. your friend about the matter) or you did not take the time to really think about the answer.

ps I hope I am not asked this question because in all honesty, 99% of people would not squeal on their friend, but this hypo might make or break your interview.

 

[euphaire]

i think i would answer the question by telling me friend that someone around the area where he was sitting told me to tell him (since he is my friend) that they will report him to the professor unless he turns himself in. This would probably be the model answer.

I dont think turning your friend in is going to win you a lot of points. Morality is subjective in this type of a case, the friend is not hurting you and what if you saw something but wasnt sure it was cheating? if it was blatant cheating, is it within your moral compass to report that? I know its probably the school's policy but this question can go either way.

I think the best answer would depend on the interviewer. If an older adcom with give you an indication of going by the book, then you might as well tell him/her what they want to hear. If the adcom is younger and seems more liberal then I think you can try the above approach.

A quick "yes I would tell on him" would mean that you either have no tact or way of speaking with people (i.e. your friend about the matter) or you did not take the time to really think about the answer.

ps I hope I am not asked this question because in all honesty, 99% of people would not squeal on their friend, but this hypo might make or break your interview.

I wouldn't. I'd tell the friend what I saw and the severity of that after the exam. If the friend didn't know better and did it again I'd report him/her....actually, now I think about it it might not be a good answer, but just something I would do.

 

[dantemac]

I think the goal to the stolen exam question is to answer truthfully and defend your answer. It can go both ways, depending. They will spot a phony answer if you tell them everything they want to hear.

 

[molar3]

why would u tell an adcom you smoked pot your frosh year? regardless of it u did.
theyre not ur diary.

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

why would u tell an adcom you smoked pot your frosh year? regardless of it u did.
theyre not ur diary.

I plan on being pretty honest and straightforward during my interviews, I would prefer not lying.

 

[quackwhacker]

Don't do drugs, drugs are bad. MMM kay.

 

[PreDent321]

I plan on being pretty honest and straightforward during my interviews, I would prefer not lying.

Honesty is not always the best policy.

 

[SEAirLand]

Honesty is not always the best policy.

And their are better ways to answer a question without lying..

Such as, I grew up in an environment that didn't condone the use of illegal drugs. If my parents found me, I would have lost my car, etc. I didn't see the value in experimenting.

 

[molar3]

I plan on being pretty honest and straightforward during my interviews, I would prefer not lying.

so then tell them u smoked dope and liked it. hopefully that will get u a few acceptances.

 

[MrAvicii]

so then tell them u smoked dope and liked it. hopefully that will get u a few acceptances.

👍

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

so then tell them u smoked dope and liked it. hopefully that will get u a few acceptances.

You're very helpful.

 

[spoog74]

You're very helpful.

actually he is , hes being sarcastic intentionally . If you tell the adcom's that you smoke you're NOT getting in.

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

actually he is , hes being sarcastic intentionally . If you tell the adcom's that you smoke you're NOT getting in.

Got it, guess I'm lying on this question.

 

[dapplicant]

along the same line of questioning, what would you answer if they asked about consuming alcohol (underage) in college?

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

along the same line of questioning, what would you answer if they asked about consuming alcohol (underage) in college?

"I'd been doing it for a while. Why stop then?"

 

[AmpedUp]

Awkward question. If the question was framed addressing personal health problems, then it would be an illegal question, in which your friend can report to authorities and/or the school. However, if the question was in regards to information on the application e.g. legal history, then I think the question was legitimately asked...but it would still be weird to ask with this exact phrasing of the question.

 

[dapplicant]

yea i think this question ( or if I was asked if I support Prop 19) would really trip me up because it is such a polarizing issue

 

[dantemac]

Yeah, makes you wonder if that question is illegal or not. I mean, any schools needs your signature and a doctor/lab's signature for a drug test. But I suppose they can get away asking it.

 

[kyak]

Adcomms want an explanation, your logic behind forming that answer. For example: a candidate's ability to describe drug/alc experimentation and recognition of the subsequent failures/downsides, if I were the interviewer, shows far more self-awareness than a knee-jerk "no, never, drugs are bad, I'm a virgin, accept me because I'm perfect" type response.

Honesty is a relative virtue- know when you've said enough without having told too much.

 

[Parklife]

Sing this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH1VaQ0MAtU

 

[cluckyducky]

The cheating question sounds tough. It's hard to argue that you would turn in a friend. How many people actually do that? Idk if it's just me but I value a friendship more than an academic integrity policy. I'd rather turn my head and not be involved.

Is turning in your friend really the only "acceptable" answer for ADCOMs?

 

[Ferneezy]

bumping this because i randomly thought about getting the "drugs in the past" question in an upcoming interview.

 

[IsaacYankem]

.

 

[Ferneezy]

.

solid contribution

 

[Bottle]

bumping this because i randomly thought about getting the "drugs in the past" question in an upcoming interview.

I would honestly say no and lie about it (If it wasn't serious drug-taking) but if you are one of those people that cannot lie because their face expression scream "He's lying" I would do this:

If I did try drugs but stopped, I would answer the question quickly and in casual way "I've tried some with friends in freshman year, but I stopped doing it" and if you feel more confident you could continue talking by saying "But I stopped doing it after realizing how drugs affect my ...."

If you answer it quickly and with confident, the answer will seem realistic and honest (especially the stopping part)

*caution* If you continue explaining why you stopped drugs, they might ask more questions on it.

If you still do drugs, I honestly don't know how to handle the situation 🙂

 

[Ferneezy]

whether i was lying or not, i'm confident i would be light enough on my feet to sell the answer.

regardless, i'll likely make it a game time decision based on the tone of the interview.

unless that was their opening volley, in which case it would be one of those little instances that make life interesting.

 

[free99]

Interviewers first question: "Now, tell me, Ferneezy, what drugs have you taken?"

Ferneezy:

I don't condone mistruths, but in this case, I certainly wouldn't expound... I might be vague and say something like "as a young college student, I enjoyed the social life my new environment offered. After seeing firsthand the ramifications, both academically and legally, some students had as a result of these actions, I reassessed some of the choices I had made and carefully chose the social environments I surrounded myself with from that point forward."

I dunno... it's a weird question, I hope I don't get it.

 

[two thirty]

along the same line of questioning, what would you answer if they asked about consuming alcohol (underage) in college?

I had an underage incident on my record. The interviewer asked about it and said "I can't believe they made you put that on your application" and kind of laughed it off.

But that was probably just a lucky interviewer.