Political bias during application process

[FutureDrB]

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One of my strongest non-clinical ECs was acting as the President of a political organization for over a year in college. While the organization itself claims to be non-partisan, its name clearly describes its position.

I'm certainly going to include it in my list of ECs, but honestly, I'm fearful that there may be some bias from anyone who is of the opposite political affiliation. Is this a valid concern? Has anyone ever witnessed any type of political bias when applying?

On a side note, it's kind of funny now that I don't really hold many of the same beliefs that I did while running this org... So I don't want someone being like, oh he's a "..." when in reality, not so much any more.

 

[cliquesh]

At one of my interviews in 2008 when the ACA was being proposed someone asked me if I thought healthcare was a right or privilege. I said privilege. They said it was a right. I got rejected. Coincidence? Probably, hah.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I mean, I won't lie most people probably aren't going to be looking at you with favor for being in the college republican party or etc mostly because it raises questions that the interviewer cannot ask in a timely fashion. Is this person going to be ok giving non-biased advice to patients who may seek abortions? Is this person going to be interested in seeing his role in helping to maintain social justice is his community? Will this person be an effective mentor to his patient base who see him as a source of insight? And so on.
But generally if you seem like a good guy and you answer the interview questions in a regard that makes you not seem like a jack ass and capable of caring for others impartially then you'll probably be fine.

At one of my interviews in 2008 when the ACA was being proposed someone asked me if I thought healthcare was a right or privilege. I said privilege. They said it was a right. I got rejected. Coincidence? Probably, hah.

The question is loaded mostly because the most rational and true answer is that it's somewhere in between both. False dichotomies are awful interview questions anyways.

 

[BPMED]

Well, you're going to include it on your application, so I think you should worry more about how you would deal with getting questions regarding this activity. Be prepared to defend your beliefs and their relation to this activity. just my two cents!

 

[guylewis]

I was the YD president at my campus and on my med school application I simply put that I was the president of a campus political club and left it at that. Didn't want anyone's biases to potentially affect my application. Got interviews at almost every school I applied to, so obviously writing it down in that fashion did not hurt me

 

[BestDoctorEver]

@cliquesh ... I had the same question on my interview, but I did not answer it straight... I did my tap dance like always do in most interviews for these WTF questions... My answer was: 'I believe the government MUST do everything to provide healthcare to everyone, but I don't know whether healthcare is a right or not'. Thank God he did not press me on it... I am a MS1 at this school now.

 

[FutureDrB]

I mean, I won't lie most people probably aren't going to be looking at you with favor for being in the college republican party or etc mostly because it raises questions that the interviewer cannot ask in a timely fashion. Is this person going to be ok giving non-biased advice to patients who may seek abortions? Is this person going to be interested in seeing his role in helping to maintain social justice is his community? Will this person be an effective mentor to his patient base who see him as a source of insight? And so on.
But generally if you seem like a good guy and you answer the interview questions in a regard that makes you not seem like a jack ass and capable of caring for others impartially then you'll probably be fine.

Good thing it wasn't the College Republicans then. 🙂

 

[nm825]

I mean, I won't lie most people probably aren't going to be looking at you with favor for being in the college republican party or etc mostly because it raises questions that the interviewer cannot ask in a timely fashion. Is this person going to be ok giving non-biased advice to patients who may seek abortions? Is this person going to be interested in seeing his role in helping to maintain social justice is his community? Will this person be an effective mentor to his patient base who see him as a source of insight? And so on.
But generally if you seem like a good guy and you answer the interview questions in a regard that makes you not seem like a jack ass and capable of caring for others impartially then you'll probably be fine.

Oh, give me a break.

 

[iWillOneDay]

Bill O'Reilly for President 2016!

 

[FutureDrB]

Bill O'Reilly for President 2016!

Haha. Now I know this is sarcasm coming from you. 🙂

 

[iWillOneDay]

Haha. Now I know this is sarcasm coming from you. 🙂

Oh yeah? You think you know me?

 

[FutureDrB]

Oh yeah? You think you know me?

View attachment 184728

 

[IslandStyle808]

Oh yeah? You think you know me?

View attachment 184728

 

[GUH]

During one of my interviews at a DO school it was noted that I listed target shooting as a hobby. This was in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre.
One of my interviewers asked about my position on gun control. I replied that I believe that any measures we rely on should be based on study and evidence rather than emotion. The interviewer frowned and replied that saying "further study is needed before any new laws are made" can be seen as a way to avoid taking necessary action. I responded that I live in a state with very restrictive gun control laws and high violent crime rates in certain areas, similar to the city where I was interviewing. I also mentioned that like any public health measure, it is important to make policy based on facts and evidence in order to minimize the harm caused by such incidents. The interviewer frowned again, then moved on.

I was admitted to the school. I think the key was not getting too emotional during the interview.

 

[doreegon]

I was the VP of College Dems, interned for Congresswoman Louise Slaughter during the PPACA passage, and am currently a local Democratic Committeeman. These are good ECs; they show that you are a leader who is passionate about your beliefs and takes an active role in your community. Any school that penalizes you for being either a Democrat or Republican is not a school worth going to, IMHO.

Despite my politic stance I have interviews next month. I don't think it will hurt you unless you're applying to a fundamentalist university, or you botch an ethics question based on your political views like the second commenter.