Political Stance during interview

Started by ppappui
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ppappui

ppappui

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10+ Year Member
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Hey guys, I have an interview in University of Arizona-Phoenix, which uses the MMI interview format. As I was studying some medical ethics questions, I began to wonder whether my position regarding abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, etc will affect the interview. Arizona law prohibits schools from teaching abortions to students and since Arizona is a pretty conservative state, I was wondering if I took a liberal stance on these subjects, it will negatively affect me. I do not wish to lie and take a different stance, but I also do not want to say things that will diminish my chances into the school. Do you know if University of Arizona is conservative or liberal (as opposed to the city, which is conservative) and whether politics might come into place? I know that they should not discriminate based on this, but I'm just neurotic I guess
 
ppappui said:
Hey guys, I have an interview in University of Arizona-Phoenix, which uses the MMI interview format. As I was studying some medical ethics questions, I began to wonder whether my position regarding abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, etc will affect the interview. Arizona law prohibits schools from teaching abortions to students and since Arizona is a pretty conservative state, I was wondering if I took a liberal stance on these subjects, it will negatively affect me. I do not wish to lie and take a different stance, but I also do not want to say things that will diminish my chances into the school. Do you know if University of Arizona is conservative or liberal (as opposed to the city, which is conservative) and whether politics might come into place? I know that they should not discriminate based on this, but I'm just neurotic I guess
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When it comes to these situations, be honest. You seem fake and eager to please if you aren't truthful, and you seem like you have no convictions if you waiver too much.

Just answer the question and don't seem close-minded. Acknowledge both sides of the debate, then argue your side and back it up with solid reasoning (what they are really looking for). As well, you could focus on things everyone can agree on and emphasize that. For example, on abortion, you can say that you are pro-choice, but then emphasize that the main goal should always be to reduce unintended pregnancies and that patients should look into other options before abortion. That's something both sides can agree on (it's just that last step...yikes).
 
I have to agree Barcu; unless you are suggesting you would lie to get into medical school then you have no real option.

Be honest, be reasonable, and move on. If they won't accept you because of political position.....do you REALLY want to be a student at that kind of school??
 
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ppappui said:
Arizona law prohibits schools from teaching abortions to students
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WTF, mate. That's... There are a number of circumstances in which it is necessary to abort a pregnancy to save someone's life, and many of those are circumstances in which the fetus is already dead.

I looked this up to see if this statement about Arizona schools was actually true, and yep, Wikipedia verifies. That's just... augh. There are measures in place to see to it that OB/GYN residents can receive this training elsewhere... but jeez louise. What happened to "first, do no harm"?

I realize others may make different decisions, but I wouldn't pay money to a med school that leaves any basic life-saving procedure out of its training.
 
LifeTake2 said:
I have to agree Barcu; unless you are suggesting you would lie to get into medical school then you have no real option.

Be honest, be reasonable, and move on. If they won't accept you because of political position.....do you REALLY want to be a student at that kind of school??
Click to expand...

On the original topic, I respectfully disagree with this, or the first part of it at least. There are many different ways to tell the same truth, different wordings and such, and ways to state one's ethical opinions accurately without flaunting political affiliation - and knowing the cultural "climate" of the room before opening your mouth is always a good idea.

It's true, though, that a drastic conflict of views makes a poor social fit.
 
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