How to Answer Ethical Questions in the Med School Interview

Today we're talking about how to answer moral and ethical questions in the medical school interview. These questions typically broach such topics as euthanasia and abortion. How should you approach these sensitive and controversial topics?

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Medical school applicants stress out about moral questions in the interview for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is the concern, "What if I land on the other side of the issue from the interviewer?"

For example, what if you take a stand on abortion, and the interviewer has the opposite view as you?

The fact of the matter is, however you answer ethical questions in the medical school interview, you're coming at it from YOUR perspective, how you grew up and the people around you. And so one of the key things you need to be able to do is to speak with respect and empathy for other people who disagree with you.

You want to demonstrate that you will be able to work with coworkers and patients who have different beliefs from you. You need to be able to respect others—while also expressing what you believe and who you are.

Don't just give a scripted cop-out answer like "My opinion on abortion doesn't matter." Being generic by not having an opinion will NOT help you when it comes to these ethical questions.

Give your real answer, and back it up with your reasons. The interviewer wants to know who you are and what your experiences have been. But just express it in a way that is empathetic to the other side.

You have to understand that people come from different backgrounds and will have different thoughts and beliefs from you. And physicians should be empathetic to that.

It's also okay to ask for more information or background on issues that you don't know much about. This is especially the case on current events that you may not have heard about yet.

In the end, if you are genuine and empathetic in how you answer moral and ethical questions, you will do just fine in your medical school interview! Be honest, but show respect for the other side, too.

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