Moral/Ethical Dilemmas. Get personal or not?

[161468]

University of Pittsburgh has this troublesome question on their secondary: Describe a significant moral/ethical dilemma and what was the outcome. I can't think of jack to say about it unless I talk about something in my family, and I don't know if it is appropriate to talk about family problems because I thought it would make them think I'm unstable even though I wasn't the one with the problem.

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[enigmaticsea]

you could talk about the dilemma someone else faced, maybe that someone is a friend or a family member, so you observed their struggle closely, as long as you explain how you have analyzed both sides, i think it's important to convey that a doctor-to-be have a thorough thinking process that takes into account many factors involved in the situation.

 

[Surf Rx]

you could use the dilemma of making up a dilemma because you couldn't think of your own dilemma to write about.

 

[161468]

I should have mentioned that they want this dilemma to be a personal experience, so I can't just make one up.

And they also said "We are reluctant to accept assertions that you have never encountered such a situation. Please do not address cheating in an academic setting." I wish I could have known more messed up people.

 

[medguy83]

I'm running into the very same problem with Duke's secondary. It's kind of difficult to think of an ethical/moral problem that changed my life and will help me as a physician. I know as a doctor I'll be faced with a whole host of challenging moral or ethical circumstances, but so far nothing of such life altering proportions has really occured. I mean what are they looking for? "When I spent 6 months in Zaire I couldn't decide which child needed the one available kidney more, so I decided to donate mine as well".

 

[neurochic]

you could use the dilemma of making up a dilemma because you couldn't think of your own dilemma to write about.

you know what, i think i'll try that... 👍

 

[voirlesetoiles]

"When I spent 6 months in Zaire I couldn't decide which child needed the one available kidney more, so I decided to donate mine as well".

lol. This question will send me into a frenzy, I'm sure. I cannot think of a single moral/ethical dilemma apart from silly/trivial things.

 

[LizzyM]

OK, my school doesn't ask that question but it has asked questions in the past that have lead people to write some things about their parents' behavior that made me really uncomfortable (just imagine a week worth of Jerry Springer topics).

Do you know right from wrong? Other than cheating on exams have you ever faced a time when you had to make a decision based on right and wrong?

If all the questions about drinking and drugs on campus is any indication, many of you have faced decisions about parties, fake IDs, and friends who have been impaired.

If you were raised in a religious household, did you reach a point where you questioned a moral teaching of your faith tradition? If you were raised in a tradition-bound household, did you reach a point where you were faced with a choice between conforming to parental expectations or going your own way (particularly decisions about dating, marriage, living away from the family, dressing in a particular manner)?

Whatever you do, don't tell me about your father's love child or any other "familiy secrets". What the commitee really wants to know is how you make a decision and what values you apply in making decisions.

 

[Surf Rx]

Some other helpful stuff from LizzyM from about a year ago, when this same question was asked...

Ever been told something in confidence that left you wondering what to do? (teen friend has been raped, or might be pregnant, or is contemplating about suicide, etc) Is your promise not to tell more important than the friend's need for professional help? Did you find a way to help without telling (getting the friend to talk to a professional directly or to tell a parent). Did you not tell (respecting confidentiality) and later regret it? I think that this is a rather common experience.

Have you ever witnessed a crime or police brutality and been afraid to tell or not sure who to tell? (because you feared retaliation or didn't want to be a snitch)

Have you struggled with the advantages of getting a discount for paying cash for something like a car repair knowing that the person you are doing business with is not entirely honest (not declaring income on their taxes). Have you dealt with a dishonest employer or a dishonest employee?

 

[2008applicant]

i told them about this crime i committed. i still got an interview?

 

[161468]

i told them about this crime i committed. i still got an interview?

Hahaha Wow.

 

[161468]

OK, my school doesn't ask that question but it has asked questions in the past that have lead people to write some things about their parents' behavior that made me really uncomfortable (just imagine a week worth of Jerry Springer topics).

Do you know right from wrong? Other than cheating on exams have you ever faced a time when you had to make a decision based on right and wrong?

If all the questions about drinking and drugs on campus is any indication, many of you have faced decisions about parties, fake IDs, and friends who have been impaired.

If you were raised in a religious household, did you reach a point where you questioned a moral teaching of your faith tradition? If you were raised in a tradition-bound household, did you reach a point where you were faced with a choice between conforming to parental expectations or going your own way (particularly decisions about dating, marriage, living away from the family, dressing in a particular manner)?

Whatever you do, don't tell me about your father's love child or any other "familiy secrets". What the commitee really wants to know is how you make a decision and what values you apply in making decisions.

Thank you for all of those ideas. Although none of them apply to me, it was helpful in opening up my mind. I think I am starting to get closer on something.

 

[medguy83]

i told them about this crime i committed. i still got an interview?

lol. That's a ballsy move.

 

[artaxerxes]

whether or not to lie to employees about my desire to attend medical school so as to gain employement? is that enough of an ethical dilemma or too trivial?

A lot of people I know just lie so they can get work/security, and abrupt to leave their research labs when they get into med school.

 

[161468]

whether or not to lie to employees about my desire to attend medical school so as to gain employement? is that enough of an ethical dilemma or too trivial?

A lot of people I know just lie so they can get work/security, and abrupt to leave their research labs when they get into med school.

Although I understand what you are saying...I even led my lab to believe I really wanted to do MD/PhD programs almost to the point where I believed it myself, I wouldn't feel comfortable writing about it because it shows a personal character defect that you even considered it. Try to find something else that someone inflicted on you.