Religion in Application/Interviews

[freedoctor17]

Just curious to hear from people who have applied/interviewed with your religion being very obviously a big part of your life.

Personally I've (sorta recently) decided I don't want to leave out a huge part of who I am despite how it might be viewed. I'm sure there's always gonna be a few people who look down on it but I'm hoping majority of people won't really care if it doesn't affect your capacity to do well as a doctor/in med school.

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[chaim123]

As always it depends on how you talk about it. I talked about the intersection of my religion and sexual orientation, which are definitely some scandalous topics. But you want to be sure that the way you are discussing these issues aligns with the greater medical community and of course the mission of the school you are applying to.

 

[freedoctor17]

As always it depends on how you talk about it. I talked about the intersection of my religion and sexual orientation, which are definitely some scandalous topics. But you want to be sure that the way you are discussing these issues aligns with the greater medical community and of course the mission of the school you are applying to.

I just mention it in areas of my application like a small part of my personal statement, some of my amcas activities relate back to it, etc. But in terms of questions that may come up in interviews like maybe "How do you deal with stress or when you're down?" For me things like that have always been spiritual.

 

[mellie0]

I openly told an OBGYN in an interview I would never perform an abortion on a patient Result: Accepted!

The key is how you say it/present it, always acknowledging the other side and not acting like your view is the only one.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I openly told an OBGYN in an interview I would never perform an abortion on a patient Result: Accepted!

The key is how you say it/present it, always acknowledging the other side and not acting like your view is the only one.

That probably wasn't as face palm as you think. We had a ton of OB/GYNs at my first hospital, and only one physician (an FP actually) performed elective abortions.

 

[freedoctor17]

I openly told an OBGYN in an interview I would never perform an abortion on a patient Result: Accepted!

The key is how you say it/present it, always acknowledging the other side and not acting like your view is the only one.

That's good to hear that it didn't hold you back in anyway. Personally if something similar came up for me I'd probably just mention that I'd redirect them to someone who would be willing to do it.

 

[chaim123]

I openly told an OBGYN in an interview I would never perform an abortion on a patient Result: Accepted!

The key is how you say it/present it, always acknowledging the other side and not acting like your view is the only one.

I think the only time it could get really murky (in an interview at least) is if they tell you it's an emergency, you're on call, and you have to make a decision fast with no back up. I'd suggest being prepared to answer something like this, in case you're asked

 

[arcus]

Just curious to hear from people who have applied/interviewed with your religion being very obviously a big part of your life.

Personally I've (sorta recently) decided I don't want to leave out a huge part of who I am despite how it might be viewed. I'm sure there's always gonna be a few people who look down on it but I'm hoping majority of people won't really care if it doesn't affect your capacity to do well as a doctor/in med school.

I attended a decidedly and well known Catholic high school and Catholic college. after I got accepted to the medical school that I had originally wanted to attend, one of the interviewers approached me during first year. He told me he immediately liked me because of the Catholic schools I attended and pushed for me during the selection process. I had never mentioned anything particular about my Catholic education during my interview. From there onward, we talked about Pope Francis and the Catholic Faith often. The Faculty treated me well because they knew I am active in my Catholic Faith (e.g. lay ministry)

IOW, let them bring it up, and if they do, it is advisbale to be coy and innocent. Once you enroll in that school, be a leader for your Faith. God be with you!

 

[freedoctor17]

I think the only time it could get really murky (in an interview at least) is if they tell you it's an emergency, you're on call, and you have to make a decision fast with no back up. I'd suggest being prepared to answer something like this, in case you're asked

Yeah I feel mostly prepared to answer those questions already anyways because in times of emergency my faith allows me to be pretty flexible.

 

[freedoctor17]

I attended a decidedly and well known Catholic high school and Catholic college. after I got accepted to the medical school that I had originally wanted to attend, one of the interviewers approached me during first year. He told me he immediately liked me because of the Catholic schools I attended and pushed for me during the selection process. I had never mentioned anything particular about my Catholic education during my interview. From there onward, we talked about Pope Francis and the Catholic Faith often. The Faculty treated me well because they knew I am active in my Catholic Faith (e.g. lay ministry)

IOW, let them bring it up, and if they do, it is advisbale to be coy and innocent. Once you enroll in that school, be a leader for your Faith. God be with you!

That's awesome that it worked out for you! I'm not planning on going in and bringing it up myself haha. I prefer my actions and behavior speak for me. But yeah it would definitely be cool to have someone like that where it actually benefits.

 

[HomeSkool]

Just curious to hear from people who have applied/interviewed with your religion being very obviously a big part of your life.

Personally I've (sorta recently) decided I don't want to leave out a huge part of who I am despite how it might be viewed. I'm sure there's always gonna be a few people who look down on it but I'm hoping majority of people won't really care if it doesn't affect your capacity to do well as a doctor/in med school.

Go ahead and include it as a way of highlighting your own positive attributes and motivations.

My biggest nonclinical EC was my two-year Mormon mission in South America. It was the first thing that came up in any of my interviews, and people responded very positively when I explained how my dedication to religious service helped me learn to give freely to those in need of assistance, be it spiritual or temporal.

 

[freedoctor17]

Go ahead and include it as a way of highlighting your own positive attributes and motivations.

My biggest nonclinical EC was my two-year Mormon mission in South America. It was the first thing that came up in any of my interviews, and people responded very positively when I explained how my dedication to religious service helped me learn to give freely to those in need of assistance, be it spiritual or temporal.

My first part of my personal statement actually brings up a religious service, but I just mentioned it briefly then highlighted the service portions and relevant experiences. Still trying to polish it up more though which some of the generous sdn peeps on here have been helping me with.

 

[MCATISEZ]

Just curious to hear from people who have applied/interviewed with your religion being very obviously a big part of your life.

Personally I've (sorta recently) decided I don't want to leave out a huge part of who I am despite how it might be viewed. I'm sure there's always gonna be a few people who look down on it but I'm hoping majority of people won't really care if it doesn't affect your capacity to do well as a doctor/in med school.

If it’s a big part of your life and your ECs demonstrate that, I would go ahead and make it a point. I wouldn’t over emphasize it if my experiences do not line up.

Ultimately you want to go to a school where you will be supported!


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[freedoctor17]

If it’s a big part of your life and your ECs demonstrate that, I would go ahead and make it a point. I wouldn’t over emphasize it if my experiences do not line up.

Ultimately you want to go to a school where you will be supported!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

My longest running EC +at around 5 years now and continuing) is related to my religion. Probably one of my favorite ones as well so definitely lines up.

 

[hmockingbird]

I just mention it in areas of my application like a small part of my personal statement, some of my amcas activities relate back to it, etc. But in terms of questions that may come up in interviews like maybe "How do you deal with stress or when you're down?" For me things like that have always been spiritual.

I think this would be a fine answer for that type of question. I feel like they just want to know you have some type of healthy coping strategy. Talking about your faith can point out several coping strategies like prayer/meditation, having a support community, going to someone you trust for guidance, having a life outside work, etc.

As long as you don’t proselytise and you can relate it back to medicine (or whatever the question is) I think it’s ok to bring up.

 

[kopftonmd]

I found that being open about my faith (especially when it appeared in ECs/etc as an important part of my packet) was almost always good. It filled out my application and showed part of why I wanted to be a physician. My faith came up in just about every interview; some people clearly didn't quite get it but were definitely trying, and others really appreciated it.

I think, bottom line, as with all things med school application-related: be cogent and articulate, and as long as you don't say anything just totally off the wall, it'll help you.

 

[MedicalDoge]

I mentioned my Jewish faith and how it impacted my decision to pursue medicine in my personal statement, but did not make it the main focus. Also, whenever the question "why medicine" is asked in interviews, I always include how the intersection of my religion and devotion to serving others was a driving force my decision. I believe it was received very well!